・・・ i ・・・
I can
feel
myself
slowly
slipping
away.
Was the Rie I saw just another hallucination? Or was she real?
I don't know anymore.
The words I whispered to her back then
—why did I say them?
Was it because I was sick?
Because I was scared?
Because I was reminded of that person?
"You don't know anymore."
In the distance, I can see the other me again.
He's still trying to build a castle.
He's still trying to make everything right.
The rain falls on him relentlessly.
Beside him, I suddenly notice another person standing there.
I freeze.
It's... her.
"... Ah."
Immediately, I turn away.
・・・ ii ・・・
The fever disappeared after Christmas.
When he finally woke up, he felt better than before.
He blinked at the ceiling,
noticing how bright his room was.
The curtains had been drawn.
As a result, the sunlight streamed inside.
He sat up on the bed just as the door to his bedroom opened.
Leo stepped inside,
holding a tray of food.
When he saw Ao, he stopped.
His eyes widened in surprise.
He looked exhausted.
There were bags under his eyes.
For a few seconds, neither of them said a word.
Then, Leo opened his mouth.
"Ao... you're... okay now," he murmured softly, a crooked smile spreading on his face.
His tone was filled with relief.
"... Thank gods."
・・・ iii ・・・
The wall clock told him it was 8:56 a.m.
For some reason, he was sitting at the kitchen table as Leo cooked him breakfast by the stove.
"You really gave me a real fright, you know," he laughed weakly.
His back was to Ao,
so he couldn't see his face.
"When I went to your room, you were burning. I didn't know what to do, so I called Rie. I wanted to take you to a hospital, but she told me we should wait a day if it would pass. Thankfully, it did. You were in and out a lot, you know. You always had a weak system even from before. I... was really worried."
Ao stayed silent.
He stared at the back of his childhood friend.
Underneath the table,
he gripped his knees.
Why... are you saying that?
・・・ iv ・・・
A delicious smell wafted around the kitchen.
The pan sizzled.
"... I thought you didn't cook," Ao said quietly. Even to him, his voice sounded hoarse.
Leo laughed again.
"Well, a lot happened while I was in America... A certain person... taught me how to cook eggs and bacon."
There was a slight crack in his voice at the last part.
Ao blinked slowly.
"... Leo, I—"
—Ring.
The sound of the doorbell interrupted his words.
Leo turned to him.
"Ah. That must be Rie. Could you let her in?" he asked with a small grin on his face.