I Hate Taking Care of a Sick Person (A2+ Edition)

Kaoru stared at the blurry computer screen. She blinked, and for a moment there were two screens. She coughed into her elbow.

"Kaoru, are you okay?" Honoka asked. "You look like you are falling asleep."

Kaoru nodded. "Yes. I have a small cold and fever." She coughed. "I'm wearing a mask today, so don't worry. I also had a corona test. I was negative."

"Work is not important. Your health is. You should take the day off," said Honoka.

"I couldn't do that," said Kaoru. "I have too much work to do. I don't want to cause trouble." She rubbed her eyes, coughing again.

Honoka shook her head. "Stay away from me, okay." She went back to work, pushing her chair away from Kaoru.

Kaoru looked at her computer screen. The words on it were difficult to see. She rubbed her eyes again. "My throat is dry. I need a drink of water." She stood. The room spun. She grabbed the edge of her desk.

"What's wrong?" Honoka asked.

"I got up too fast," said Kaoru. "I have to..." She reached for the desk, but collapsed on the floor.

"KAORU!" Honoka rushed to her.

"Give me five minutes to rest." Kaoru closed her eyes.

✦

"You don't have to stay in the hospital, but you do have to stay in bed for at least three days," said the doctor. "You can't work until Monday."

"Monday?" Kaoru squeezed her hands together. "But I have a meeting on Friday."

The doctor handed her a note. "No, you don't. You have a thirty-nine-degree fever. Your boss said you have to rest and come back on Monday."

"But," Kaoru said.

"You don't want your friends at work to get sick, do you?" the doctor asked softly. "I've seen many cases of the same cold over the last few weeks."

Kaoru looked away. She didn't want to cause more trouble at work. The doctor was right. "I understand, Sensei," she said.

"You came here by ambulance. How are you getting home? Did someone call your parents?" the doctor asked.

"I called my friend. She's picking me up," said Kaoru. "My parents live too far away."

The doctor nodded. "I'll write you a prescription for some medicine, but rest for the next few days."

Kaoru bowed to the doctor. "Thank you, Sensei." She left the room. After paying the bill and getting her prescription, she felt dizzy and sat down. "This isn't right. I can't be this sick."

Daichi and Takumi walked into the waiting room. Daichi had a bottle of tea with him.

"What are you two doing here?" Kaoru asked, coughing.

"Yui has school and work. She couldn't come," said Daichi. "I have a car, so she asked me to pick you up."

"I came along to help," said Takumi. He was smiling.

Kaoru coughed again. "You're lying. Why couldn't Yui come?" she asked angrily.

"She didn't want to get sick," said Daichi. He was wearing a mask as well.

"Traitor!" Kaoru grumbled.

"Do you have everything?" Takumi asked.

"I have to get some medicine at the pharmacy down the street," said Kaoru, holding a prescription.

"Give it here," said Takumi. "I'll get it."

Kaoru gave Takumi her medical notebook and prescription. "I'm coming too," she said.

"No. You look like you are going to fall over. Take it easy," said Takumi. He left the office.

"Why did you come here with him?" Kaoru slapped Daichi's shoulder.

"Ow!" Daichi rubbed his shoulder. "Why did you hit me?"

"Because I wanted to," said Kaoru. She coughed into her elbow again. "I need to sit down."

"Take it easy," Daichi said. "What's the big deal?"

"This is the first time Takumi has seen me sick," said Kaoru, crossing her arms.

Daichi laughed. "I see. You didn't want him to see the real you," he said.

"Shut up!" said Kaoru. She started coughing, bending over. Her throat was killing her.

Daichi opened the tea and gave her the bottle. "Here, drink this," he said.

Kaoru took a sip. "This is midori-cha. I didn't want this. You should have gotten me mugi-cha!" Kaoru coughed.

Takumi walked in before Daichi could answer. "Woah! That sounds really bad. Your voice has changed." He put his hand on her back. "Come on. Let's get you home."

"It's his fault for bringing the wrong tea." Kaoru pointed at Daichi. She grabbed the medicine from Takumi's hand.

"Don't worry about it," Takumi said. "We'll get you the right tea."

She stomped out of the waiting area.

"What's wrong with Kaoru?" Takumi asked Daichi.

Daichi laughed. "You'll see," he said.

✦

"You don't have to come in," said Kaoru. "I'm fine!" They stood at the door to her apartment. This was her space. They didn't need to mess it up.

"Are you sure?" asked Takumi. "You fell asleep twice in the car, and you went to the hospital. We only do that back home when someone's dying."

"It's normal here," said Daichi. "The ambulance is free. Some people even use it as a substitute taxi." He looked at Kaoru. "She probably didn't clean the apartment. Don't worry about it. I live two floors up. Your place is always clean."

Kaoru grabbed the wall, hitting the doorbell. "I'm..." She closed her eyes.

Takumi grabbed her shoulders. "Are you okay?"

Kaoru couldn't answer.

"Let's bring her inside," Takumi said to Daichi. He took the keys from her bag and unlocked the door.

In the entrance, Kaoru pointed to the slippers in the shoe cupboard. "Wear those. You took your shoes off in the hospital."

"Huh?" said Takumi.

"You can't come into my house with dirty socks!" said Kaoru. She reached down and took off her socks, rolling them into a ball.

Takumi put on the slippers. Daichi shook his head. He pointed his fingers over his head, pretending to have horns.

"What did you do?" Kaoru glared at Daichi.

"Nothing." Daichi raised his hands.

"Put on your slippers," said Takumi.

"I hate these things," said Daichi. "They are always too small for me. You should get some new ones," he said.

"Then go home!" said Kaoru. "I'll be fine." She started coughing again, holding her stomach.

"No, you won't," said Takumi.

"Put the claws back in, Kaoru," Daichi said. "We're trying to help. Do you need any help getting changed?" Daichi asked.

"No!" said Kaoru, turning red. "You come into my bedroom, you'll die!" She stomped into her room, slamming the door.

"Is she always this angry when she's sick?" Takumi said to Daichi.

"No," said Daichi. "Usually, she's worse."

"Where's the kitchen?" Takumi asked.

✦

Kaoru's face turned redder. She leaned against her bedroom door and punched her leg. "Stupid idiots. Why don't they go home?" She took her robe, towel and pajamas into the shower. "Don't open this door," she said.

"No problem," said Takumi.

"Wouldn't want to, even if you paid me," said Daichi.

Kaoru locked the door. "Why did Takumi and Daichi have to be here? They can't do anything." She sat on the stool and washed her hair. The room got hotter. She blinked, and the blur came back.

"That's enough. My hair is clean." She stood up. The room spun. She sat back down and put her head between her legs as the shower continued to hit her with water. "Take a deep breath. You can do this."

There was a knock on the outer door. "Are you okay in there?" asked Takumi.

"Yes! Don't come in!" said Kaoru. I should have locked it, she thought.

"I won't," said Takumi. "Dry yourself off. I'll be out here."

Takumi closed the outer door.

Kaoru opened the door and stepped out of the shower. She checked the outer door. It was still locked. "Thank god. I can't think straight. This fever is affecting my mind."

After drying herself off, she picked up her pajamas. "Why did I take the 'Goodnight Kitty' pajamas?" She shook her head. "It's so strange having Takumi in my house. He can't do anything to help me."

She stepped out of the bathroom. It was quiet. "Is someone cooking?" She shuffled into her kitchen. I need to make okayu, she thought.

Takumi was stirring a pot on her stove.

"What are you doing?" Kaoru raised her voice. "Where's Daichi?"

"I sent him to get some mugi-cha, vitamin drinks and cough candy," Takumi said. "The medicine is good, but sometimes vitamin C is better."

Kaoru moved closer to Takumi. "No. What are you making? Okayu? I don't believe it. You can't cook." She looked in the pot.

"I can make rice porridge. My grandmother taught me." Takumi stirred the pot.

Kaoru huffed. "Don't burn my kitchen down."

Takumi smiled and nodded. "I won't. Please dry your hair. You shouldn't lie down with a wet head." He looked up and down, hiding a smile. "Cute pajamas."

"Grrr!" Kaoru crossed her arms and went back into the bathroom. He's going to burn it. I'll have to make okayu again. She grabbed the front of her pajamas. "Why did I wear these stupid things?" She looked in the mirror.

After drying her hair, she went to the couch, flopping down.

"Turn on the TV!" Kaoru shouted, holding in a cough.

"You should get into bed," said Takumi. He set down a bowl of okayu, topped with an umeboshi.

"There's no TV in the bedroom," snapped Kaoru. "I want to watch something." She picked up the okayu and pulled her fingers back. "The bowl is too hot."

"I just finished making it," said Takumi. "Give it some time to cool down." He handed her a thermometer. "Take your temperature."

Kaoru grabbed the thermometer and put it under her armpit. "Turn on the TV. I'm never home at this time. I want to see what's on."

"Your wish is my command." Takumi flipped the power switch. He handed her the remote.

"Get me a blanket," Kaoru said.

"Sure. Where are they?" Takumi asked.

"In the bedroom," said Kaoru.

"Can I go in there now?" Takumi said, smiling.

Kaoru shook her head. "Yes," she said. "Get me a pillow too."

Takumi nodded and brought a light blanket and a pillow for the couch.

"Lie back. Try eating the okayu," said Takumi.

Kaoru picked up the bowl, blowing on the hot porridge. She took a bite and nodded. "It's not bad. Better than your curry." She looked up at Takumi. "It's still too hot," she said.

"Take your time," Takumi said. "I've made some more. You can have it for breakfast tomorrow."

She took another spoonful and closed her eyes, savouring the taste. "Are there vegetables in it?" she asked.

Takumi nodded. "Simple porridge is boring."

The doorbell rang. Takumi checked the camera. "It's Yui."

"About time." Kaoru set the bowl on the table.

Takumi went to the door. Kaoru heard them talking at the entrance.

"Come in, Yui," Kaoru yelled. Nobody moved. She pushed the blankets off her and went to the front door. "What are you doing? Come in."

"Sorry, Ka-chan. I just came to drop off some stuff for you." Yui held up a bag.

"You're not staying?" asked Kaoru softly. She looked quickly at Takumi and back at Yui.

"Ta-kun and Dai-chan are here," said Yui. "I can't get sick. I have a big baking test at school on Friday, and I need to get ready. I'll come over when it's done."

"Thanks, Yui," said Takumi. "We'll make sure she gets to bed."

"You do that, Ta-kun. And be careful. She's a bear when she's sick," Yui said. She leaned forward. "There's a bag of cookies in there for you and Dai-chan. Don't share them with Ka-chan."

"I heard that!" Kaoru stomped her foot. "Where are my cookies?"

Yui stuck out her tongue. "I'll bring you some special ones when you get better," she said. "I love your pajamas."

Kaoru turned red and reached for Yui. "Help me!" she mouthed.

Yui smiled.

"Good luck on your test, Yui," said Takumi.

Yui waved goodbye.

Takumi closed the door. He crossed his arms. "Go lay down. You won't get better standing out here."

"Go home," snapped Kaoru. "I don't need you here." She turned around and grabbed the wall.

"Kaoru!" Takumi steadied her. "Are you all right?"

She took a deep breath and shook her head. "Can you help me to the couch?" The room was spinning.

"Of course." Takumi picked her up in a princess carry, bringing her to the living room.

"What are you doing?" She punched his shoulder.

"I don't want you to collapse again." Takumi lowered her gently to the couch and pulled the blanket to her chin.

"Thank you." She covered her red face. When did he get so strong? Maybe it wasn't so bad having him here.

"No problem." Takumi checked the temperature with a thermometer. "Forty." He frowned. "You are going to eat your okayu and then go to bed."

"Stop trying to tell me what to do," said Kaoru angrily.

"I'm not," said Takumi. "But you have to rest." He gave her the bowl. "Eat. I'm going to clean up. Daichi should be back soon."

Kaoru watched Takumi go to the kitchen. "Don't forget to rinse the pot before you use the sponge."

"Yes, Ka-chan," Takumi said, laughing.

She turned on the TV and took another spoonful of okayu, checking the taste again. "Okay, maybe you can make porridge," she said.

✦

"Is she always this angry when she's sick?" Takumi said. Kaoru moved on the couch, trying to listen. She kept her eyes closed. The TV was still on, and the blanket was over her. Reaching up, she felt a cool sheet on her forehead.

"When did he put that there?" she said quietly.

"You saw her with the tea at the hospital," said Daichi. "She doesn't like to give up control. I'm surprised you haven't started fighting with her." He laughed.

"It's not that bad," said Takumi.

"Kaoru's great, usually," said Daichi. "How are you okay with this?" he asked.

"When I was young, my mother used to send me to my grandmother's house in Okinawa for the summer," Takumi said. "I was always sick. Grandma took care of me and made okayu every time. She taught me how to make it too."

"Still," Daichi said. "Sick Kaoru is like a different person."

Kaoru twisted her blanket. "I'm going to punch him," she said softly.

"No, that's not it. I was the same way," Takumi said. "Grandma taught me it was okay to ask for help when I needed it."

"What do you mean?" Daichi asked.

Kaoru thought about what Takumi did for her. He brought her a blanket. Made her okayu. Even the princess carry. He even made sure she was comfortable. Why? She bit her lip.

"Everyone gets sick," Takumi said. "However, it's difficult to ask people for help, especially when you usually do everything for yourself."

"Ka-chan usually does that," said Daichi.

"She's always helped me, right from the very beginning," said Takumi. "It's my turn to help her."

"Not me," said Daichi. "Sick Kaoru scares me." He laughed.

Kaoru moved the blankets off her and sat up. "Are you two still here?" she said.

Takumi moved back into the living room. "I was just waiting to see if your fever had broken. It's also time for your medicine." He gave her the thermometer and put some medicine on the table.

She checked her temperature. "It's thirty-eight. I'll be fine."

Takumi nodded to Daichi. "Okay, we'll get out of your hair. If there is any trouble, please call me or Daichi."

Daichi waved his hands in the air and stepped back.

"Fine, call me," said Takumi, shaking his head. "I'll come over tomorrow and bring you dinner."

"You?" said Kaoru.

Takumi smiled. "Don't worry. It's just some more okayu," he said. "Yui will come on Friday and make you some real food."

Kaoru looked away. It was hard to admit, but she felt better with Takumi here. "Thank you," she said softly, glad the fever hid her red face.

"Did Ka-chan say, thanks?" Daichi said. "The world is ending." He put his hand on his forehead.

Kaoru threw her pillow at him. "Shut up," she said with a small smile.

"See you tomorrow," Takumi pulled Daichi to the door. "Daichi has a key. Don't get up."

Kaoru heard the door lock. She picked up the medicine, but didn't move. "I need to say sorry to Takumi and Daichi tomorrow." She bit her lip. "Maybe just Takumi." She smiled and took the medicine. Pulling the blanket up to her chin, she closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

✦

"Are you feeling better, Ka-chan?" Yui asked from the kitchen.

"Yes," said Kaoru. "I'm ready to go back to work tomorrow."

"It's still Sunday," said Yui. "Take it easy."

Kaoru smiled.

The doorbell rang, and Yui answered it. "Takumi. What are you doing here?" she asked.

Kaoru checked her hair in the TV and frowned. Why did he have to come now? I'm not wearing make-up, and I'm still in my pajamas. At least they're not the 'Goodnight Kitty' ones.

Why did she feel a little bad about that?

Yui brought Takumi into the living room.

"I wanted to see my friends," Takumi said. He pulled a bag out. "And I wanted to bring you some more okayu. I was able to add some pork and kombu this time."

"Thank you. The last okayu was very good," Kaoru said.

"I want to try it," said Yui. "Anything Kaoru likes must be delicious."

Takumi held out a bag. "Please, try some. I made lots."

"Why do you have two bags?" asked Kaoru. "I don't need that much."

"This other one's for Daichi," said Takumi, smiling. "He texted me this morning. He's also got a high fever."

Kaoru laughed. "Serves him right," she said.

"I'm going over after this to bring him some okayu," said Takumi.

Kaoru stood up. "Give me a few minutes to get ready, and we'll go with you," she said.

"Really?" said Takumi. "Are you sure it's okay?"

"I've been inside for the last three days," said Kaoru. "He lives two floors up, and I want to go out."

"Me too," said Yui. She leaned forward. "A sick Dai-chan is even worse than a sick Ka-chan."

Takumi laughed.

Kaoru went into the bathroom to wash up. "It's my turn now," she said softly.