Chapter 78. Children Who Cry Get Candy
"How did it get this bad?"
Seeing the mercury column nearly hit 39°C, Xander frowned as he held the thermometer.
By the bedside, Seele and Bronya looked worriedly at Kaguya, whose face was flushed and spirit listless.
The three of them had sensed something was wrong the moment they came upstairs, and the sight had startled them.
After feeding Kaguya a bowl of porridge and giving her some fever-reducing medicine, Xander used "the patient needs rest" as the reason to send Seele and Bronya to school, saying he would stay home to look after her.
At first, Seele wanted to stay too, but Xander persuaded her to go back.
He called the homeroom teacher, explained the situation, and—as a top student—easily secured leave.
Boiling a fresh kettle of hot water, Xander carried a thermos and his laptop back into what used to be Bronya's room.
"Sorry, husband, this concubine has troubled you."
No sooner had he set things on the desk than Kaguya spoke from the bed, full of apology.
"I told you to rest properly."
The stern tone made Kaguya's eyes dodge for a moment, and only after a while did she meekly speak.
"Sorry. It's just that being alone in the room, this concubine felt a little scared."
"...I see."
Looking into Kaguya's slightly timid eyes, Xander fell silent.
Quietly, he dragged the desk to the bedside, sat in the chair close to her, watched her, and bent down.
"Don't apologize to me anymore. The one who should apologize is me."
Holding Kaguya's slightly fever-warm hand, Xander spoke softly.
Hearing that, Kaguya clearly panicked a little and quickly replied, "How could this be husband's fault? It is this concubine who failed to take proper care of her body."
"No. I actually noticed something was off with you yesterday, but I didn't pay enough attention at the time."
His voice carried a trace of guilt as his other hand gently brushed the hair from her forehead.
"With that in mind, hearing you apologize only makes me feel more annoyed with myself. Sorry—my tone was a bit harsh when I came in."
"Husband, please don't apologize. This concubine understands. Husband has always cared for this concubine in his heart. Even if you are strict at times, it must be for this concubine's sake."
Hearing such unconditional trust, Xander couldn't help but laugh.
"You little thing. Aren't you afraid I'll sell you off?"
"This concubine believes in husband."
Her certainty made Xander pause, then he shook his head.
"What have I done to deserve that?"
He withdrew his hand only to gently pat Kaguya's head.
"Rest well first. After the medicine and a nap, the fever should subside."
"But..."
To his surprise, at that she opened her eyes even wider.
"What is it? Thirsty?"
Kaguya shook her head. After hesitating a few seconds, she spoke softly.
"It's just that it has been a long time since this concubine was alone with husband like this, so I wanted to chat a little more."
That made Xander think. Indeed, she was right. He had rarely gone to Eientei, and his memories were instead filled with Kaguya spending time here with everyone.
"This concubine is husband's fiancée, so... may I act wilful like this once in a while?"
There was hope in her voice. Meeting Kaguya's longing gaze, Xander even felt a twinge of guilt.
This wasn't being wilful at all. From her perspective, it even felt a bit pitiful.
"Of course that's fine. But rest first. When you wake up, I'll chat with you as long as you want."
Looking at Kaguya, Xander made a serious promise.
"Just the two of us."
"Really?!"
"Really."
Her eyes shone with the contentment of a child who'd just gotten candy, which made Xander even more ashamed, reflecting on whether he had been neglecting Kaguya too much.
"Then, this concubine will rest first."
"Mm."
Gently caressing her fever-warm cheek, Xander said softly, "Sleep. I'm right here. I won't go anywhere."
"Mm!"
Between the fever and the medicine taking effect, Kaguya's strength was already spent. Once she closed her eyes, she quickly sank into a deep sleep.
Seeing the faint frown in her sleep, Xander lightly smoothed it away with his hand. Soon a sweet smile bloomed on her face—she must be having a pleasant dream.
He quietly snapped a photo of this unbearably cute Kaguya, his own lips infected with a smile as well. Then he carefully opened his laptop and continued typing in the chair at her bedside.
He was close to finishing the script of White Album 2, and this was a good time to push the progress a bit further.
By the time the sky was clear and the sun high, the well-rested Kaguya finally opened her eyes.
Her fever had come down, and the haze in her head had cleared. Her blurry vision soon filled with the bright room, and in her ears came the soft click-clack of keys.
Turning her head, she saw her husband.
He was sitting very close to her, sunlight filtering through the curtains, falling warmly across his body and illuminating that handsome, focused face.
The world seemed to fall silent, and only the two of them remained in the room.
Kaguya could not put this moment's ease into words, but she wished time could stop right here.
Xander had never stopped paying attention to Kaguya, so he quickly noticed his adorable fiancée awake, smiling at him with crescent eyes.
"Why didn't you say something when you woke up?"
Smiling, Xander saved his document, closed the laptop, and spoke to her.
But Kaguya's answer was a little out of left field. She just looked at him, her face full of intoxicating joy.
"This concubine feels very happy right now~"
"Happy?"
"Mm."
Without explaining further, Kaguya glanced at the now-closed laptop and asked, "Won't husband keep writing? This concubine is fine just watching."
"No."
Xander simply sat down on the edge of the bed and stretched.
"Since I already promised to keep you company, I won't go back on my word."
A hint of disappointment flitted across Kaguya's face, but she didn't let him see it. Her smile returned.
"Husband, may I hold your hand?"
With no thought or reason to refuse, Xander reached out and took the little hand that emerged from beneath the quilt.
But before he could even squeeze it, Kaguya clasped it with both of her hands, tugged him closer, and pressed his palm to her cheek. She rubbed against it gently, eyes closed, her face full of bliss.
This warmth she had never dared to hope for since childhood had now appeared beside her so simply.
Close enough to touch.
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