14 Chapter 13 Part 1: Because, I love you Hori-san
POV Katsura
"Hello, Nii-san come quick sis is dying, HEY SOUTA hand me the phone…" the voice on my phone trails off.
I sit on my couch for a moment, what was that all about, was Hori san okay, I call back, the line is picked up almost instantly "Souta what's wrong ?" I ask, worry in my voice.
"Sis is really ill, nii san hurry.." the line cuts again. I feel panic rising in my throat, no way this is happening. I put on my shirt and rush outside, hurriedly lock the door. I see Miyamura leaving for school.
He calls "Hey, Zura, wanna go to school together?" he asks casually.
"No, sorry, emergency" I shout as I rush past him, no time to wait for the elevator, I rush down the stairs jumping a few at a time. Miyamura is probably left in the breeze, thinking what's wrong. I would have to explain later. It takes me short of a few minutes to reach Hori sans house. I could hear voices inside
"I am fine Souta, I need to go to school" Hori san said in a tired voice as she stood on the doorstep and Souta clung on to her leg "No sis, you have a fever, you are not going anywhere" he says adamantly, trying to pull her back. One quick glance and I could tell she was ill, her eyes were a bit red, her face was flushed, both the siblings were surprised to see me.
"Nii san, you have to help her, she is sick" Souta chimes in after seeing me
POV Hori san
Zura walks up to me, and puts his hand on my forehead, I am surprised by the suddenness of it all.
"You really have a temperature Hori san; I am sorry I can't let you leave for school like this" he says with finality in his tone.
"I am fine, only dummies catch a cold in summer" I say
"Hori san, you are going to rest, and that's final, Souta, fetch me a bowl of water and a towel" he says adamantly.
"I was scared you know" he says with concern in his voice. I am surprised, he has rushed over so fast, just for me, he was scared for me, even though I only had a stupid summer cold. I don't say anything.
"Here, lean on me, I will take you to your room" I do as he says, he gently supports me up the stairs, I could feel his arms, hard as steel and his sides soft, he was tall, but he held me with a delicate grip. He walks me to my bed and puts me down. I am still in my school uniform. Souta walks in with the bowl and towel, and a thermometer. When did he learn about that?
"Thanks Souta" Zura says.
"Nii san you take good care of her; I need to leave for school" Souta says in a commanding tone. "Sure I will" Zura says, patting Souta's head. When did Souta get so big, taking care of me.
"Hori san, please take this thermometer in your mouth" I open my mouth and put it in.
A few minutes later, it beeps with a sound, Zura checks it.
"You have a pretty high fever, should I call a doctor? Do you keep medicines in house, I know some which could be useful" he says.
"No, don't call a doctor, and please don't call Mom, the last thing I need for her is to worry. We keep medicines in the living room cabinet top right shelf. Zura nods and leaves. He comes back after a few minutes. I forgot for a moment that he was not a normal guy; he definitely knew basic medicine from all his government training.
"Your mother is an excellent nurse, she keeps all the important medicines" he says, admiration in his tone.
He breaks off a few tablets, and pours me a glass of water, almost like a nurse, "Here take these, these will help with the fever, if the fever persists after evening, I am gonna have to call a doctor" he says. I do as he says. I see a side of him I have never seen before, all the time I have known him, he was always polite, shy and softspoken, now he seemed to really take control, almost as if he was a different person. Still gentle, but firm.
"You should leave for school; I have taken my medicines and I will be fine" I say. I know , he should probably leave, he has a lot of work to do, I don't want him to waste any more time on me.
POV Katsura
"Not happening, you think I can attend school leaving you like this" I say.
"You should go" Hori san says again, pain in her voice, he face dark.
"Everyone leaves, eventually, Mom, Dad, Souta, all of them have work, why should you stay? I will be alright" she says, I could feel the pain in her voice.
"Hori san, I will never leave your side, you are telling me to leave, but I know deep down you want me to stay, just like you want your Mother Father and brother to stay. You never say, what's on your mind. For once, you don't need to put on a brave face." I say gently.
She looks at me surprised, I could see tears shimmer in her eyes, due to the fever or my reply I can't figure. She closes her eyes. I cover her with her blanket, and slowly rinse the towel and put it on her forehead, wiping it gently. I see her smiling a bit.
I hum a tune, I heard long ago, the only music I knew for a long time.
"I am not a child you know; I don't need music to sleep" Hori san complains.
"Do you not like my voice?" I ask
"What ! No… when did I say that.." she falls silent. "
Well, its very sweet, please go on.." she says.
I continue with my tune. I have never cared for someone sick before, in my line of work, most of my relationships with humans were made with a gun and lies, Hori san was actually bringing up parts for me I didn't know which existed.
After a while I hear her snoring. She looks so peaceful, sweet and innocent like a child. I complete the song. I feel it inappropriate to stay in a girl's room after she is asleep, so I quietly back out. I promised I won't leave but I need to respect her privacy, I would sit outside her door. I take a look at her desk at the piling homework and notes, I take her copies and a pen and come out.
Her notes are cute, they are informative and fun at the same time, with witty remarks about the parts the teacher didn't teach well as well as her own comments, compared to my notes which were dull and boring, these were a treasure trove.
I feel ashamed. I checked most of her copies, most of the homework was done, some of English and Biology were left, so I decided to complete the rest for her. It took me the better part of the hour, After I am done, I am left sitting alone.
I go inside again and place the notebooks back and borrow a textbook. Might as well read something, I take a quick glance at her face. Still sleeping. She was drooling now. I chuckle a little. I want to caress her forehead but it felt grossly inappropriate without her consent. I leave quickly.
Before, I realise, its afternoon. I would have to bring Souta back from kindergarten. I go inside the room. Hori san had turned the other way in her sleep, I couldn't see her face.
"Hori-san you awake?" I ask. No reply. "I am sorry, but I need to leave for a moment, I need to bring Souta back from school. I promise it will only be a short while" I pause. No reply. Still sleeping.
"Hori-san, I like you" I blurt out. Casually. What am I doing!
Huh.. what was I saying. Why did I say it all of a sudden
"Hori-san, in these past few days, I have grown to cherish you, you changed me, you absolved me of my sins and turned me into a better person. You made me see colours in the world which I never knew existed, I… I am eternally grateful to you. I don't want to spring this on you, I don't want to spoil the relationship we have, so I won't tell you anything once you wake up, probably some day.. I hope you understand"
I suddenly feel relieved all of a sudden, as if I lifted a burden off my chest. I slowly close the door and leave.
PoV Hori san
Huh.. what was that all about. I was only pretending to be asleep, to surprise him, but he seemed to have surprise me. I sit up on my bed with a jolt. Why am I feeling so warm, heck I am so excited that I don't even feel feverish anymore. He loves me, why do I feel happy?... I love him too. We only knew each other for a short while, but he and I have glimpsed into each other's true self. We share a bond; I am not sure if I share with anyone else. If only he confessed it to my face. I would love to see his face. He is so cute. For a secret government agent, he really is hopeless at this !
