Chapter 31 – The Night of Fever

The fever came suddenly.

Mai had been fine all evening, humming to herself while Yuji folded laundry, complaining lightly about how the socks always disappeared. She had eaten dinner, asked for dessert, even laughed at Rin’s bad jokes.

Then, close to midnight, Yuji heard it.

A small, broken sound. Not a cry. More like a whimper caught in her throat.

“Mai?”

He was at her side instantly.

Her skin was burning.

“Dad…” she murmured, eyes half-open, unfocused. “It’s hot.”

Yuji’s heart dropped. He pressed his forehead to hers, panic rising fast. Too hot. Far too hot.

Within minutes, they were outside, the city lights blurring past as Yuji held her close, whispering reassurances he wasn’t sure he believed himself.

“It’s okay. I’m here. Just hold on.”

Mai clutched his shirt weakly. “Don’t leave.”

“I won’t,” he said, voice tight. “Never.”

The hospital smelled like antiseptic and quiet worry.

A nurse took Mai’s temperature and frowned. “High fever. We’ll need to give her medicine.”

Mai shook her head immediately, burying her face against Yuji’s chest. “No… bitter.”

Yuji tried gently. “Mai, you have to take it. It’ll help.”

She whimpered, small fingers tightening painfully. “I don’t want it.”

No amount of coaxing worked. The spoon hovered uselessly. Mai turned her head away every time, tears slipping down her flushed cheeks.

Yuji felt helpless.

He could carry her through storms. Work himself into collapse. Face hunger, shame, exhaustion.

But this… this fear in her eyes?

He hated it.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, brushing her hair back. “I don’t know how to make this easier.”

That was when a familiar voice spoke softly behind him.

“Mai?”

Yuji turned.

Aiko stood there, coat thrown on hastily, hair loose, eyes filled with worry. She must have come straight from a late shoot, still wearing light makeup, breath slightly unsteady.

Mai’s eyes focused instantly.

“…Aiko?”

Aiko stepped closer, careful, kneeling so they were eye level. “Hey. I heard you weren’t feeling well.”

Mai sniffed. “Medicine is scary.”

Aiko smiled gently. “Is it bitter?”

Mai nodded hard.

“I don’t like bitter things either,” Aiko admitted. “Do you know what I do?”

Mai blinked. “What?”

“I imagine it’s magic,” Aiko said softly. “Magic that fights the bad heat inside you. But magic works only if you’re brave.”

Mai hesitated. “I’m brave.”

“I know,” Aiko said. “But even brave people get scared. That’s okay.”

She took the spoon from the nurse carefully, warming it between her hands as if that alone might help.

“Let’s do it together,” Aiko whispered. “One sip. I’ll stay right here.”

Mai looked at Yuji.

He nodded, eyes shining. “I’m here too.”

Slowly, trembling, Mai opened her mouth.

The medicine went down.

She coughed, face scrunching. “Yuck.”

Aiko laughed softly. “Yeah. That part is terrible.”

But she did it.

The nurse smiled. “Good job.”

Mai slumped back against Yuji, exhausted but calmer. Aiko gently wiped her tears with a tissue, movements natural, instinctive.

Yuji watched her hands.

For the first time, he didn’t feel pain watching them together.

He felt relief.

Mai fell asleep not long after, fever slowly responding to treatment. Yuji sat beside the bed, one hand never leaving hers.

Aiko stood quietly near the window.

“Thank you,” Yuji said finally, voice low. “She listens to you.”

Aiko shook her head. “She’s strong. She just needed someone calm.”

Yuji looked at Mai, then back at Aiko. “Still… thank you.”

Silence settled between them, heavy but not hostile.

“I was scared,” Aiko admitted quietly. “When I got the call.”

Yuji nodded. “So was I.”

They stood there, two people bound by the same small sleeping figure.

After a moment, Aiko spoke again. “When she gets better… I want to take her somewhere.”

Yuji looked up.

“An amusement park,” Aiko said, a faint smile breaking through the worry. “Somewhere loud and bright. Somewhere happy.”

Yuji hesitated. Old fears stirred. Old walls.

Then he saw Mai shift in her sleep, murmuring something unintelligible, fingers tightening slightly around his.

“…She’d like that,” he said.

Aiko’s smile widened, fragile but hopeful. “I promise. I’ll make it a good day.”

Yuji nodded slowly. “I believe you.”

Aiko looked at him, surprised.

He met her gaze steadily. “I don’t forget the past,” he said. “But… I see what you’re trying to be now.”

Her eyes shimmered. “That’s enough.”

The doctor returned, confirming Mai would be fine with rest and monitoring. The worst had passed.

As dawn crept in through the window, pale and gentle, Yuji realized something quietly.

For the first time in a long while, he wasn’t carrying everything alone.

And when Mai finally stirred, sleepy and weak, the first thing she saw was both of them still there.

“Dad…” she murmured. Then, turning slightly, “…Aiko.”

Aiko leaned closer. “How do you feel?”

Mai smiled faintly. “Less hot.”

Yuji laughed softly, brushing her hair back. “That’s good.”

Mai’s eyes drifted closed again, safe.

Outside, morning began.

And for once, the future didn’t feel like something to fear.