---
The sound of the rain was gone.
All that remained was the cold morning air.
Thin, seeping in through the gaps in the window.
I woke up as usual.
No alarm.
The wall clock read 06:12.
---
I looked toward the kotatsu.
The blanket was still lumped up.
Yuna was still inside.
Not moving.
Normally, she would be awake by now.
Not today.
I stood up.
Walked over.
Pulled back the kotatsu blanket a little.
Yuna’s face ca into view.
Pale.
Cheeks slightly flushed.
Her eyes were closed.
Her breathing was heavier than usual.
"...Yuna."
No answer.
I touched her forehead.
Hot.
Higher than normal.
I didn’t say anything.
---
Stood right up.
Fetched the digital thermoter from the kitchen drawer.
Returned.
I nudged her shoulder slightly.
"...wake up."
Yuna winced slightly.
Her eyebrows twitched.
Her eyes half-opened.
"...Papa..."
Her voice was faint.
Hoarse.
"Open your mouth."
She didn’t ask questions.
Just obeyed.
I slipped the thermoter in.
A few seconds.
A short beep.
I looked at the numbers on the screen.
38.7°C.
---
I put it away.
"You’re taking the day off."
Yuna blinked slowly.
As if she needed ti to process it.
"...today is... P.E. ..."
"You’re staying ho."
She didn’t argue.
Her eyes closed again.
Her body curled up a little.
Her hand reached for the kotatsu blanket.
I pulled the blanket away.
Moved it aside.
"Move."
"...cold..."
"If you stay here, you’ll only get colder."
I lifted her.
Light.
Lighter than a child her age should be.
She didn’t resist.
Just loosely gripped my shirt.
I carried her to the futon.
Set her down gently.
She curled up again imdiately.
I grabbed a blanket.
Covered her.
Only her face was visible.
Her eyes were half-open.
Unfocused.
---
"...Papa..."
"Hm."
"...Am I sick?"
"Yes."
"...I’m sorry..."
I looked at her for a mont.
"It’s fine."
She fell silent.
Her breathing was slow.
I stood up.
Headed to the kitchen.
Filled a glass with water.
Grabbed a small cloth.
Dampened it.
Returned to the futon.
I sat beside her.
Lifted her head slightly.
"Drink."
She tried to sit up.
Failed.
I supported her back with one hand.
She drank a little.
Not much.
I didn’t force her.
It was enough.
---
I set the glass down.
Picked up the damp cloth.
Placed it on her forehead.
Yuna winced slightly.
"...cold..."
"It is."
She didn’t protest anymore.
Her eyes closed.
Her hand moved weakly.
Reaching for sothing.
Finding nothing.
Then stopped.
I watched her for a few seconds.
Sat there.
My hand touched the cloth on her forehead.
Making sure it didn’t slip.
The room was quiet.
Only the sound of Yuna’s breathing.
A little heavy.
Irregular.
I looked at the clock.
06:21.
Still early.
It seed today was going to be a long day.
---
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