Chapter 7

Akito, clutching his backpack, said to Ryohei standing together at the school building's entrance, "I don't think the rain is going to stop today. Let's go."

Having said that, he ran out, and Ryohei followed suit. In the rain, they went in opposite directions, Akito to the left and Ryohei to the right. Akito, on the other side, shouted, "Bro, I'm off!"

Ryohei strained his eyes, trying to see through the rain but couldn't. Only when Akito disappeared from sight did Ryohei remain there, still and unmoving.

The next day, during the first class, Nick called Akito out to scold him. "Where did you run off to? Seriously, you're clueless. You don't even know how to inform, you fool..."

Akito kept his head down and remained silent. Nick asked, "Why are you sniffing so much? Caught a cold, huh? Have you taken any medicine?"

Akito's head was pounding, and he didn't hear what Nick said. He just nodded continuously. Seeing him uncomfortable, Nick pushed him back into the classroom.

During class, Ryohei handed him a paper package, "Medicine."

Akito struggled to sit up from the desk, grabbed the medicine from the package, and took it. Ryohei watched him lie back down, smiling, and continued listening to the class.

When Akito felt a bit better after finishing the morning classes, in the afternoon, Nick called him out again.

Nick said, "Take a sick leave."

Akito was already feeling unwell, and with a hoarse voice, he informed the teacher. The teacher just waved him off, telling him to go home and rest.

Nick left the school gate, looking like he hadn't taken a sick leave.

Nick took him to a clinic, explained the symptoms to the doctor, and Akito started getting an IV. Nick, watching him get the IV, felt the drip bottle with his hand, a bit cold. He reached out and held onto the IV tube, trying to warm it up, even though it might not have made much difference. He held it like that for over an hour.

Nick said to Akito, "Take a nap; I'll keep an eye on things."

After the IV was done, Akito went straight home. Nick escorted him to his doorstep, then took a detour back to his own home.