Chapter 18: An Illness

The days that followed passed quietly. Obon was a week away, and I was due to leave the morning after. I spent most of it at home, or at the shrine with Shimizu.

It was just another day at the shrine. Shimizu sat beside me on the bench, as we sipped ocha under the cooling shade of the trees.

"You know. I might let you in on a secret." Shimizu’s eyes had a mischievous glint. He sat beside me and sipped his ocha.

"Shimizu-san. That’s rather unbecoming of a priest." I narrowed my eyes at him. "People wouldn’t trust you if word got out."

"Oh, I’ll be fine. You’ll keep it for me, won’t you?"

"That depends on what it entails. I’m no counsellor."

"That makes two of us!" He continued, "I’ll tell you the secret of the broom. Yes, that broom." He gestured toward it, leaning against the wall beside me.

"Oh."

"Oh? You sound disappointed."

"Nothing. Please, go on." I took a sip. As bland as ever. Maybe I should bring him decent green tea the next time I come back from Sendai.

"The broom wasn’t idle after you left Kaminoseki two years ago."

I stared at the cup in my hands.

"A girl used it after you. For a period of time. Then a boy. I had to stagger their visits so they wouldn’t run into each other. After all, I only have one broom." He looked up at the sky. "The shrine was really clean for about a whole year."

A whole year. That girl and boy sure had serious problems.

"Careful how you phrase that, Shimizu-san. It makes it sound like you thrive on people in crisis."

"We have a mutually beneficial relationship." He laughed. Then he looked at me. "By the way. The island shrine. You went there during the fireworks festival."

I narrowed my eyes. “How did you know?”

"I guessed. You came back different." He looked pleased with himself.

"It was the things that happened after the shrine visit. I made some decisions."

"So it seems." He glanced at the shadows on the ground. "It’s time to go, Ryo-kun."

"Thank you for the ocha, Shimizu-san." I stood and bowed.

He waved me off. “One last thing. Don’t get too attached to the broom. It’s time to look ahead, Ryo-kun. Not at the ground.”

* * *

I was on my way home when my phone buzzed.

Kenji: Ryo. You free?

Ryo: Yeah. What’s up?

Kenji: I need a huge favour.

Ryo: Just spill it.

Kenji: Hana-chan is ill. Can you help me keep an eye on her? I’m sorry, we’re all swamped with Obon prep… 😢

Ryo: Don’t apologise. I’ll do what I can. What does she need?

Kenji: Just food and rest. We’ll cover the food.

Ryo: Don’t worry about that. I’ll be there in 15.

Kenji: Thanks Ryo. She just got a fever this morning out of nowhere. 😅

Ryo: I said don’t mention it. These things happen.

Kenji: I owe you one.

Ryo: You’ve been handling Sachi. That’s worse.

Kenji: haha 😄

* * *

I rang the doorbell at the Inoues’.

The door opened after a moment. Hana stood in the doorway, eyes glazed, movements slow.

She’s kinda adorable like this.

"Hey, Hana-chan. Kenji told me you weren’t feeling well."

"Ryo-kun? How can I help you?"

"Help me? Kenji told me you were ill and asked me to take care of you. He really does dote on his sisters." I smiled.

"Take care… of me?" She tilted her head as the words processed. The comprehension showed in her eyes.

"I’m fine! Honestly, don’t worry!" She raised both hands as if to stop me from getting any closer.

I stepped forward and looked at her properly. Then I put a hand on her forehead. Her brain appeared to short-circuit.

"You’re quite warm, Hana-chan. Let me sit with you. Don’t make Kenji worry, okay? I promise I won’t be a bother."

Hana stepped meekly aside to let me in.

"Sorry to intrude." I announced as I stepped into the genkan and removed my shoes. I glanced back at her. "How are you feeling? I stopped by the mart earlier — I brought Tylenol."

"Just… foggy." She made her way back to the living room and slumped onto the futon on the floor.

I went to the kitchen, poured a glass of water, and brought it back with a caplet. Years of coming here had made me comfortable enough with the layout.

She took the glass carefully and swallowed the pill. I caught myself watching her again.

"Everyone’s out, huh." She’s ill. Don’t make her talk, idiot.

"Mm." Her voice was drowsy. "Thank you, Ryo-kun. Sorry to trouble you."

"It’s no trouble." I reached over and pulled the cover up to her shoulders. She immediately pulled it up further, until only her eyes were visible.

Whatever happened to the Hana-chan who held my hand so firmly?

"Get some rest, Hana-chan."

She shook her head slowly. "I’ve slept enough."

"Then what would you like to do?"

She thought about it. "Just… be here. Beside you. Is that alright?"

I looked at her for a moment. Did the fever do something to her? I reached a hand toward her forehead again. Warm, but not dangerously so. She pulled the covers up even higher, then slowly lowered them to reveal just her flushed face.

Hana-chan, you really need to stop before I start to like you —

I blinked at my own thought.

Wait. Have I even gotten over Yuki-chan?

I shook my head vigorously. Hana gave me a concerned look.

"Ryo-kun? What’s the matter?"

"Nothing! Just— shaking some thoughts loose. Hahaha!" The laugh came out slightly unhinged.

Hana smiled a little. “You can laugh again, Ryo-kun.”

Thump. Her illness had apparently doubled her cuteness, which was deeply inconvenient.

"Ryo-kun."

"Yes, Hana-chan?"

"Do you… still like onee-san? Even though it hurts?"

She hesitated before asking. Her gaze was fixed on the ceiling.

The question landed squarely. The pain, the attachment, the care — all still there.

The question hung in the air for a while.

"Yes. I still like Yuki-chan. But I think Matsuda-san is… better for her." I clenched my jaw as I said it. Hana had this quality about her — something that made honest answers come easily.

"I see." Her eyes stayed on the ceiling. I looked up at it too, trying to figure out what was up there.

"I’m glad you still like onee-san."

I tilted my head. That wasn’t what I’d expected. “Why?”

"It means you’re an honest person, Ryo-kun. Honest feelings don’t disappear quickly."

I sat with that for a moment. Well. I’d liked her for half my life. That wasn’t nothing.

Then something occurred to me.

"Hana-chan. What about you?"

Her eyes widened.

"What about me?" She shifted her gaze from the ceiling to the wall opposite.

"Do you like anyone?" I leaned forward as I asked, genuinely curious.