꧁I̶ a̶m̶ o̶k̶a̶y̶!꧂
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꧁꧂

Inigo's POV

" No you're NOT, Ini-chan!! "

My adoptive sister, Akari, yelled while slamming her hand on the floor in frustration.

I was laying down on a futon with her by my right side, but with distance. She was currently scolding me, and I mean, she was scolding me a lot.
It has been around 4 days since my encounter with the sick stranger, and Kaiya oddly still hadn't returned.

The passer-by stranger's name was also Nahochi. He left a few days ago and had thanked me more than twenty times for saving his life. However...

" You've been infected and you are sick! You NEED to stay inside! You know that! "

She yelled for the fifth time.

" I know, I know, I'm sorry.."I apologized, changing my gaze to the left.

I really wanted to go outside and meet up with Mizuki, but I had been coughing a lot the past few hours. Chikyū also mentioned I possibly had high fever, since my forehead was burning hot. It was obvious that helping Nahochi without caring for my own safety had a cost.

" What will Kaiya say about this?! You know how many times she told you to be careful, and-! "

While having to listen to Akari's scolding, a coughing fit hit me once again, and my throat hurt so bad I could barely speak for a few seconds.

" I'm.. cough sorry, Akari.. I didn't mean to upset you this way.. But I will be fine when Kaiya-san returns! "

I said, trying to cheer her up. It didn't work at all. She sighed and stood up, walking towards the exit of my room.

" I will be making some tea for you, stay where you are " She ordered before entering the living room.

" Akari-chan, please.. cough I'm s-sorry!.. "

She didn't hear it.

I felt a little broken and disappointed. I was so desperate to save a person's life for the first time and I was so proud of myself. Look at me now, I was the one laying on the nurse futon.

The futon that was meant for other sick people and not for me, obviously.

I began tearing up. I could barely bear those thoughts running through my head, and I could feel the tears trailing down my cheeks. It hurt so bad, physically and emotionally. I was stupid enough to believe that it wouldn't be too bad, since I was healthier than Nahochi. As mentioned, he hadn't been eating nor sleeping, and was he in a bad state. I was in a healthier one, but I still feel horrible.

What was I thinking? How could I be so careless about my own safety? Kaiya will be so disappointed in me..

While wiping away my tears from my face, I realized Sayaka was standing at the entrance of the room, starring at me with a dead look in her eyes. She then turned around and left again.

" uhhm..that was odd..maybe she wanted to check up on me? "

No way..
Or perhaps this could be a sign that she wanted to interact with me? Maybe she is caring after all?

I wonder what she is thinking..

Suddenly, everything went black for me.

☀︎
(Flashback: 2 days earlier)

" Thank you so so so much, miss! I wouldn't be breathing right now if you hadn't been there! Thank you so much! I owe you! "
Nahochi said, shaking my hand desperately.

" I am more than happy that I've been able to help, please don't thank me anymore.. "

" I'm serious! Is there anything I can do in return? " He insisted.

" Just take care of yourself, that's all I ask for "

" I will! Thank you so much again! May the gods bless you for your kindness! "

The gods? What gods?
I didn't believe in that kind of stuff.

" I'll be taking my leave now. Thank you for everything! " He said, bowing 90 degrees.

Those were Nahochi's last words before he waved me goodbye and went on his merry way back to where he came from.
I felt really happy. I bet Kaiya would be proud of me, or at least I hope so.

What should I do now though?

" Perhaps I should meet up with Mizuki? "

I mumbled to myself, facing the sky filled with white clouds. One of them was surprisingly formed like.. a cat or something similar.

However, my thoughts were interrupted, as I began coughing uncontrollably ti'll I had to prevent myself from colapsing to the ground. I placed a hand on my forehead as I frowned while tears started to appear in my eyes.

I felt somewhat a lightheaded, and my throat hurt a lot.
Maybe it was just the stress I had been through the past few hours, right? right?

Oh boy, I was wrong

☀︎

" Inigo, dear.. "

I opened my eyes, only to realize that Chikyū was now the one sitting next to me, caressing my forehead. He was wearing a piece of cloth that was covering his mouth and nose. Probably to prevent from getting infected too. When did he appear though? I'm sure I was awake before..

He had a frowned and disturbed look on his face. I rarely got to see this side of him.

" H..mm...? "

My eyes were wet from tears, and I could barely see since my sight was blurred.

" You passed out again.. how are you feeling? "

Did I pass out? Again?

" Oh..I'm uh.. *cough*.. I don't..really know.." I tried to find the right answer for that, but I couldn't express my thoughts to him at all.

He began caressing my cheek, and looked down on the floor. I could tell he was really concerned on behalf of my health.

" I shouldn't have returned so late.. It's my fault.. "

His words had me worried.

" Please don't.. blame yourself because.. of my cough.. carelessness, Chikyū..you know it wasn't your fault.."

He lifted up his head, looked at me and had a plastered smile on his lips, but I knew he was faking it.

" When Kaiya returns, you will feel better, I promise.. Just hang on, alright? "

" Of course.. I will.. "

For a fact, never in my life have I been close to death by any circumstances.

" Did.. Did she receive.. cough -our message though? " I asked him, since both he and I knew that she still had another patient at the moment.

" Yes, she did. Kaiya informed me that her appointment was over in a short period of time. That being said, she will eventually be back "
He assured me while continuing to caress my cheek.

"You're a strong girl, Inigo. Don't forget that. "

Chikyū then stopped and stood up, looking down on me.

" Get some sleep, dear. You'll need it." He added, smiling, before leaving my room.

I sighed.

' It'll be okay.. I'll be fine ' I whispered under my breath, slowly closing my eyelids.

' It's not too bad.. it's just a cold..'

☽

(A day earlier)

3'rd person POV

Kaiya was packing her stuff, getting ready to leave. She had received the letter from her husband, Chikyū, which explained Inigo's current situation.
The letter basically said:

"My dearest love, Kaiya.
I hope everything is fine with you at the moment. I sadly have to inform you that Inigo has been infected by a passerby, who she nevertheless saved before it was too late.
It isn't too serious however, just a lot of coughing, headache, and a burning hot forehead..
Things are alright so far, but It's slowly getting worse since her coughing makes it difficult for her to speak and she passes out a few times a day. We hope you can get back soon.

わたしは、あなたを愛しています
(I love you)

-Chikyū "

She was hoping it wasn't too bad and she knew Inigo was good at taking care of herself, or well, before this event occurred. Kaiya had already responded to the letter with a letter of her own.

" Takahashi-san, are you leaving already? " a woman asked, while carrying a few towels in her arms.

" Yes I am. I apologize. My daughter is- "

She was cut off by the woman who replied with a gentle voice.

" It's alright. Family is also important. Besides, the patient is.. Uh.. Well, you did what you had to. Thank you for the help. " She said, bowing 90 degrees in front of Kaiya.

" Of course.. Thank you for cough understanding. "

Kaiya then said goodbye and left a few minutes later.

She kept doubting herself in her thoughts while walking through the village, towards the small mountain on the other side of it.

' I wonder if she's alright. Inigo rarely gets sick.. How unusual. ' Was the first thing that came to her mind.

Now, despite Kaiya being a nurse and good at healing people, somewhere deep inside her, she was really scared of sickness. Kaiya lost her family as a youngster because of an illness that took over her old village. She had promised herself to learn, educate and become someone who could safely deal with this kind of stuff to prevent it from happening again.

She dearly loved Inigo and her daughters. Kaiya would do anything to keep them safe from any kind of sickness. From a simple cold to a pest. Anything.

❀

" Mom! " Akari yelled as soon as Kaiya stepped inside. She was crying and Kaiya embraced her tightly for comfort.

" Sweetie! Are you alright? " She asked with a slight, panicked tone.

" I-It's Ini..go.. " She desperately tried to respond, but the crying made it difficult.

" She..p-passed out.. again.. it's been four hours s-since.. she would u-usually wake u-up by now.."

Still stuttering and sniffing, Akari let go of Kaiya and takes her hand, leading her to the room where Inigo was laying.

Kaiya froze, starring at Inigo's resting face.

She was pale. Really pale. Red circles were visible around her closed eyes. She looked absolutely horrible and didn't look like herself at all.

Kaiya covered her hand in front of her mouth in shock, still starring in disbelief. This hit her like a bullet to the heart.
Yes, seeing other people in bad state hurt her, but if it was her family, it was even worse.

" Love? " Was heard behind her. She turned around, facing her husband, who quickly hugged her before she had to chance to say a word.

" We have tried everything, but it won't help.. please.. she is not getting better " Chikyū muttered and silently snkffing.

Sayaka was standing behind him, worrying about her father.
Kaiya got herself together and asked the rest of her family members to continue their business while she would do whatever to help Inigo. The rest nodded and Akari went to help Chikyū with woodcutting, while Sayaka went outside.

With Kaiya and Inigo alone in the room, she put on her white apron and took out her medicines.

" You will be alright, sweetie.. I promise. " She whispered, placing a hand on Inigo's forehead.

" Even if I have to put my own life on the line, I will do anything to keep you guys safe and healthy. I don't want to lose more people "

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!TO BE CONTINUED!
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A/N:
Hiiiii sorry I haven't updated in a while.. uhhh blame my unmotivated ass and the homework, k?
Btw, I'm sorry if shit doesn't make sense in this chap- I know it could've been better, and sorry if I disappointed you guys ;-;
As mentioned, writing is something I'm not 100% familiar with soo..  Yeah :/
Have this as an apology:

Words: 1931
Bai