Takanashi Toka slowly approached the sofa.
In the dimly lit living room, the sound of the television filled the silence, muffling her footsteps.
As she drew near, she saw Minamoto Senya's face—so tired that even in his sleep the exhaustion couldn't be hidden.
Even when she gently pulled the remote control from his hand, he didn't stir.
A heavy feeling settled in Toka's chest.
She let out another faint sigh, then reached out to touch Senya's shoulder. Giving him the softest shake, she called to him with extreme gentleness:
"Senya… Senya…"
He woke slowly, blinking, his eyes unfocused for a moment. "…Toka…"
His voice carried the rasp of sleep, his breath rough as he glanced around in confusion before realizing the situation. "…I fell asleep, huh."
"You should head back to your room and rest properly. It's already late," Toka said as she switched off the TV.
She wanted to keep some distance and restraint between herself and her stepbrother, but that didn't mean cutting him off entirely. At the very least, she couldn't help showing concern on a family level.
"Yeah." Senya nodded, stifled a small yawn, and didn't say anything more.
He stood, pressing his hand to the stiff muscles in his neck that had locked up from sleeping in such an awkward position, and left the living room.
Under Toka's gaze, his steps were slow, lacking his usual lightness.
Her hands tightened at her sides, knuckles turning white from the pressure.
But the moment he stepped out of her sight—
The weary, sluggish demeanor vanished in an instant.
Senya's lips curled into a grin.
Still, the more convincing the act, the more careful he had to be.
All the groundwork was set. Everything came down to tomorrow or the day after.
———
The next morning, six o'clock.
Toka had just gotten up and gone downstairs to start preparing breakfast when she noticed Senya at the entryway, already in uniform, changing his shoes.
"You're heading to school this early?" she asked, hurrying over.
Senya glanced back with a smile. "No, I've got some work to take care of. Sorry, I forgot to mention it. Don't bother preparing breakfast for me—ah-choo!"
His words trailed off into a sneeze.
Senya himself froze in surprise.
Toka's heart gave a jolt.
Ever since they'd started living together, she'd noticed just how sturdy her stepbrother's body was. Not only was he good-looking, he was built tough as an ox.
In the dead of winter, while everyone else bundled up in down jackets and coats, Senya would throw on a light outer layer and head right out the door.
At first she'd worried about him catching cold, but when he'd gone the whole season without even the sniffles, she'd eventually stopped fussing.
But now—at the turn of spring, when the weather was warming—he sneezed.
No… it wasn't just a sign. Maybe he was already sick.
"Senya, have you been pushing yourself too hard lately? Do you feel unwell anywhere?" Toka's voice brimmed with worry.
A little cold wasn't much, but if it happened to Senya, she couldn't help but be anxious.
Especially since he'd been working until late night every day, so much that yesterday he'd fallen asleep right there on the sofa.
Everyone knew that when a body reached its limits, the immune system weakened drastically, leaving you vulnerable.
What he needed now wasn't more work—it was rest.
"It's nothing. Probably just someone talking bad about me behind my back," Senya said lightly, brushing it off.
But Toka heard clearly the faint sniff he tried to stifle as he turned.
She opened her mouth to press the point further, but he was already pulling open the front door. "Anyway, I'll be off. Miyoko's waiting for me."
Sure enough, outside the family's gate, the familiar car was already parked.
Toka's chest brimmed with unspoken words, but she could only stand there as Senya got into the car and rode away.
Her worry didn't fade—it only grew heavier.
Meanwhile, Kudou Miyoko, sitting behind the wheel, had no idea about the complicated emotions between the siblings. She just chuckled warmly. "You and your sister really get along. She even came to see you off so early."
Then she shifted, looking embarrassed. "But honestly, Senya, you don't need to spoil me like this. Treating me to those fancy hotel breakfasts—it's too extravagant."
Senya, of course, didn't mention that it was all part of his plan—to make sure "early departures" left the strongest impression in Toka's mind.
So instead he said cheerfully, "How could it be extravagant if it's for you, Miyoko-nee? You've helped me so much lately, I've been wanting to thank you properly."
"Senya, you really are…" Miyoko couldn't keep the smile from tugging at her lips.
Maybe she should talk to President Youko about switching over officially.
After all, Senya's future looked bright, he was easy on the eyes, and on top of that, he had a silver tongue.
———
Toka carried her unease through the entire day.
As soon as school ended, she rushed home.
"Maybe I should take little Chiyo with me. I just don't feel at ease leaving her here…"
"Mom, if you take her, how are you and Dad supposed to relax? You're not going to soak in the hot springs with her in your arms, are you?"
"I could bring a stroller and park her by the water's edge."
Hearing her mother spiral into nonsense, Toka cut in firmly.
"It's fine, Mom. Leave Chiyo with me, okay? Besides, Rikka will be home too. There's nothing to worry about."
"It's not that I don't trust you. I just think you're about to enter your last year of high school—you should have some time for yourself too."
"I already do. It's just one weekend—it won't make a difference. So please, stop worrying. Leave everything here to me, and go enjoy yourself with Dad. This trip was Senya's idea, after all."
"Well… all right. But if anything happens, call us immediately."
"Got it, got it…"
Together, Toka and her mother finished packing up in the master bedroom.
Later, Rikka came home, and the three sisters together saw their parents off into the waiting taxi.
On the way back inside, Rikka stretched with a sigh. "The house feels so quiet all of a sudden. Hey, Toka, when I went on that hot springs trip, did you feel the same?"
Expressionless, Toka handed baby Chiyo into her sister's arms. "I just felt it was peaceful. Comfortably quiet."
"Che—" Rikka pouted, then sat on the sofa playing with Chiyo's tiny hands. "Oh, right. I had lunch with Senya today. He said he'll be working late again, so don't bother saving him dinner."
While tying her apron, Toka sighed softly. "What kind of work is it today?"
"Some poster shoot, I think—something to do with kendo gear." Rikka's tone was carefree, pride shining through as she spoke of her stepbrother. "Senya's incredible now, you know. Do you realize how popular he is at school? He gets love letters stuffed into his shoe locker every day. And the teachers—everyone who used to be strict suddenly greets him with smiles. Even my homeroom teacher, who used to give me a hard time, treats me nicely now. I'm totally reaping the benefits."
While Rikka rambled on excitedly, Toka barely reacted. Her mind kept circling back to that sneeze in the morning.
"Rikka, did you notice anything strange about him at lunch?"
"Strange? Like what?"
"He seemed like he was coming down with a cold."
"A cold? Oh… now that you mention it, he did turn away and sneeze a couple times during the meal. I thought it was the school's spicy curry special, but you're right—Senya's fine with spicy food."
The realization dawned slowly for Rikka, while Toka's worry only deepened.
"Should I call him now and check?" Rikka asked.
Toka shook her head, steadying herself. "He's working. Don't bother him. He's strong—he'll be fine."
That's what she told her sister. In truth, it was what she needed to tell herself.
But like Murphy's Law said—if something can go wrong, it eventually will.
And the more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen.
———
Senya didn't return home until after ten that night.
Baby Chiyo was already asleep in her cradle, but both sisters were still in the living room, waiting.
The moment they heard the door, they hurried to greet him.
And just one glance confirmed it—he wasn't well.
His nose was red.
Senya still forced a smile. "Both of you, waiting up for me? What a rare welcome home."
But the moment he spoke, his nasal tone gave him away.
Rikka stepped forward, grabbing his bag with concern. "Senya, are you sick?"
"Probably not. Just a chill, that's all. This morning I woke up with my blanket off and my whole body uncovered."
"That's the same thing!" Toka's voice was sharper than usual, driven by her worry.
"There's a difference. A chill means the body slipped up on its own, not that I've caught a virus. Usually it's no big deal—my system will adjust."
He tried to lecture on the distinction, but when he bent down to take off his shoes, his body faltered, staggering.
The sisters rushed forward, one on each side, catching him before he toppled into the shoe cabinet.
"Doesn't look 'no big deal' to me," Rikka said, her worry plain on her face.
They eased him into the entryway chair. Toka immediately reached out.
Senya tried to shift away, but—
"Don't move!" Toka's voice carried unusual firmness as she pressed her palm to his forehead.
The heat beneath her hand was unmistakable.
Frowning, she quickly compared with her own forehead, then Rikka's.
The conclusion was grim.
"Senya, you're burning up. You've got a fever," she said, anxiety written across her face.
Rikka felt for herself, then gasped. "You're right… this is bad. Shouldn't we go to the hospital?"
Senya slipped off his shoes and started for the living room. "Hospital? No way. It's not serious. A night's sleep and I'll be fine."
The sisters followed closely.
Toka wasn't convinced. "Even if you don't go to the hospital, you need medicine. What if it gets worse?"
"Yeah, Senya, don't scare us like this. I still need you to spoil me, you know!" Rikka said, unusually serious.
Senya gave her a flat look.
Normally, Toka would have scolded her sister for saying something so ridiculous, but tonight she had no patience.
She switched into big-sister mode, decisive and firm. "Rikka, you stay with Chiyo. Senya, go lie on the sofa. I'll get the thermometer."
Rikka nodded quickly. Senya only murmured, "I'm tired… I'd rather lie in my room."
"Fine. Go ahead—I'll come find you."
He allowed her to guide him.
But as soon as he was upstairs, he made his own preparations.
A subtle gesture—and the black-winged raven followed him silently into his room.
Closing the door, Senya pressed a pocket warmer to his forehead.
Then he pulled a mercury thermometer from between the pages of a book hidden deep in his drawer.
He tucked it beneath the raven on the shelf.
"Do me a favor, like we practiced. Just stay still, and I'll buy you walnuts later."
The raven gave a delighted caw and flapped its wings.
Senya chuckled, stroking its head.
A crow's body temperature hovered around forty degrees—just high enough for what he needed.
Downstairs, Toka rummaged through the family medicine box.
The electronic thermometer refused to work, no matter how many times she pressed the button.
Thankfully, she found an old mercury thermometer.
She didn't remember when they'd gotten it, but right now, it was a lifesaver.
Hurrying upstairs, she entered to find Senya already propped against the bedhead, the thermometer tucked neatly under his arm.
"Hold it tight," she reminded.
"Mm."
"Are you feeling bad anywhere else?"
"No need to worry. I'll be fine." Seeing her sitting so stiffly at his bedside, Senya tried to reassure her.
"You don't hear yourself? Your voice is hoarse. Honestly, if you're not well, you should come home earlier. Those jobs aren't worth it."
"They are. I signed contracts. If I back out, I'll have to pay triple damages," Senya said solemnly.
"…" Her lips pressed thin, Toka swallowed her irritation. She wanted to scold him, but the fact that he was sick, and her worry, stopped her.
Instead, she couldn't resist touching his forehead again.
Still hot.
Watching her furrowed brows, Senya suddenly smiled. "Toka, it feels like it's been a while since we've spent time like this."
Her eyes flickered, hand pulling back. "Don't say silly things. We've always been like this."
He shook his head seriously. "You know what I mean."
Toka lowered her gaze, silent.
The room fell quiet.
When Senya judged the time about right, he stirred.
"What are you doing?" she asked quickly.
"Just thirsty. Going to get water." He coughed lightly.
"Stay put. I'll get it."
Once she was gone, he hid the thermometer under his arm in the drawer, retrieving the one warmed by the raven.
Satisfied, he tucked it in place.
Toka soon returned, handing him a glass. After he drank, she said, "It should be about time. Let's see the result."
Senya pulled it out, glanced at it first, then smiled faintly. "See? Nothing to worry about. All normal."
He started to shake it down.
But Toka wasn't fooled. She lunged, pinning his arm, wrestling the thermometer from his grip.
Eyes widening, she stared at the reading—her heart clenching.
39.7°C.
A high fever, no question.
———