Sato stared at Hikari, his vision swimming. "What are you guys doing here?" he rasped, barely able to stand.
Kaito, ignoring the question, simply widened his eyes in shock as he took in Sato's feverish state. "Damn, the rain really did a number on you," he muttered, walking further into the house, already looking around. "Is your mom home?"
"No, she's at the market," Sato replied, his head throbbing. "Again, I ask, what are you doing here?"
Hikari stepped inside, her face etched with concern. "We came to check on you. Since you weren't in school, I was worried sick all day, wondering if the rain gave you a cold," she admitted, a slight blush dusting her cheeks.
"I'm fine," Sato insisted, trying to sound stronger than he felt. "I just need to rest, and everything would be fine. You guys should head back to school. I'll be in school tomorrow, I promise." His vision slowly began to blur, everything spinning around him. He clenched his jaw, determined not to show any sign of his increasing weakness.
Kaito, ever the persistent friend, began, "You can't chase us out now! I mean, we came all the way here just to see you, don't you think you should be happy—"
A loud thud cut him off. Kaito whipped around to see Sato sprawled on the living room floor, unconscious. Hikari's eyes widened in horror, and she rushed over to him, collapsing beside his limp body. "SATO!!!!" she cried, her voice laced with panic.
Kaito ran to them. Hikari, tears welling in her eyes, looked up at him. "He's burning up! What should we do? Is he going to die?"
"Fuck no, it's alright!" Kaito reassured her, trying to keep his own voice steady. "No need to panic. We just need to... get him on the couch. Come, help me."
Together, Kaito and Hikari carefully lifted Sato, his dead weight surprisingly heavy, and gently rested him on the living room couch. They watched him, helpless, unsure what to do next. Then, soft, rhythmic snores filled the silence. Kaito and Hikari breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"Oh God, he's just sleeping," Kaito chuckled nervously. "Well, we should go back to school now. Don't want to miss out on any lessons, plus I have football training." He started heading for the door.
But Hikari remained kneeling beside the couch, her gaze fixed on Sato. "You go on ahead without me. I'll stay here. I want to be 100 percent sure he'll be okay. I can't leave him alone."
Kaito paused, surprised, but a slow smile spread across his face. "Fine. I'll tell Sakura once I get back."
"Also, inform Sora too," Hikari added. "Don't want him flipping out."
Kaito nodded. "Will do." With that, he left Sato's house, hopping onto his bike and zooming away, leaving Hikari alone with her unconscious boyfriend.
Back inside the quiet house, Hikari carefully placed a hand on Sato's forehead, then touched her own. I don't know how to do this stuff, but I must try. I'll take full responsibility if I have to, she thought, her brow furrowed in concentration. "He's burning hot," she murmured to herself. "I wonder if they have an ice pack somewhere around here." She began searching around the house, her determination warring with her inexperience.
Minutes later, Sato's eyelids fluttered open. He blinked several times, his vision blurry, trying to make sense of the hazy figure sitting in front of him. Gradually, the figure sharpened into focus: Hikari.
"Hikari?" he mumbled, rubbing his head, his voice hoarse. "Wha—what happened?" He tried to push himself up, but she gently placed a hand on his chest, easing him back onto the couch.
"Take it easy," Hikari said softly. "You fell unconscious a while ago."
Sato looked around, disoriented. "What about Kaito?"
"He had to go back to school, but I stayed," Hikari explained, her gaze tender. "I was really worried."
Sato's eyes drifted to her hands, and he saw them: bandaged, with faint smudges of blood. "What happened to you?" he asked, a wave of concern washing over him.
Hikari looked down at her hands, a sheepish smile touching her lips. "Oh, I was trying to heat the soup I saw in the pot. Plus, I also warmed my lunch up for you to eat. I'm not really good at cooking; some might say I can't cook, so I was in luck to see the soup and glad I brought my lunch with me."
Sato carefully reached out, taking her bandaged hands in his. "You're hurt. Why would you put yourself through all that? It doesn't make sense." He stared at her hands, still held gently in his.
Hikari's hands began to tremble within his grasp, and Sato, noticing her sudden distress, looked up at her, concern deepening in his eyes.
"I'm really sorry, Sato," Hikari choked out, her voice breaking. "If I hadn't gone home back then, if I was with you, you wouldn't be going through all this pain. Sato, I promise to be a better girlfriend, please don't break up with me." Her shoulders shook as she began to sob, tears streaming down her face.
Sato stared at her in shock, a realization dawning on him. She has been going through all this? Does she really think it's her fault? She's letting it eat her up. His heart ached for her, and a deep blush crept onto his cheeks. Without thinking, he pulled her into a warm, comforting embrace.
Hikari's eyes widened in surprise at his sudden action.
"It's not your fault," Sato murmured, his voice a little rough from his cold, but firm. "So stop blaming yourself. I was the dummy that decided to run in the rain, so it should be me begging you to forgive me. So please, Hikari, don't break up with me."
Hikari began to break down in tears again, sobbing uncontrollably as his words sank in. Even though she was half-sure it might be the cold messing with him, this was a moment she would never, ever give up.
And to her shock, Sato, seemingly without conscious thought, pulled her closer and kissed her.