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Umi blinked awake, her body already used to waking up early whatever amount of sleep she got. She wished she could close her eyes and go back to sleep, her late night catching up with her, but her mind was starting to trip over itself. Sora was breathing heavily next to her, as noisy as it had been the last few days, but even and deep in sleep.
Sora didn't stir as Umi got up and dressed, her futon going away into the cupboard in the same familiar patterns, not even when Umi felt her forehead with the back of her hand. She picked up Sora's dirty handkerchiefs and moved them to the laundry basket, ready and waiting to go downstairs. They had run out of tissues within the first two days and they couldn't afford to buy as many as everyone needed. Umi had to stifle a yawn, covering her mouth with her arm as much as she could when gripping the basket. Her socks didn't make any sound on the wooden floors and she moved to avoid the creaks out of long habit.
Along the way, she gently knocked on Hiro and Saori's doors before poking her head in. Saori gave her an acknowledging sound but Hiro only turned her head and buried herself back down under the covers. Umi picked up their washing before closing the door. Both were over the worst, but they still weren't back to their normal selves.
Next, she went into Riku and her mother's room. They were still fast asleep so Umi didn't disturb them, merely picked up their washing and the empty crockery she had missed last night. When she came down the stairs, she heard a faint tinkling sound and almost dropped the basket before hurrying over to her grandmother's side of the building.
"Grandmother?" She knocked softly enough and then slid the door open, making a note in the back of her mind of the shabby panel in it. Her grandmother was lying back against her pillows, her cheeks sunken thanks to the illness having drained her of strength. "I heard you ring the bell, what did you need?" Umi approached the bed and was relieved when Hana cracked open her eyes a small amount.
"Umi?" she whispered and Umi nodded, wondering if her grandmother's memory was failing her. "I'm afraid I may need your help." And she made the gesture under the bed to where Umi had stored the old-fashioned chamber pot she had found and cleaned out for use. Umi nodded and the two of them went through the familiar motions as Umi slipped on an apron and helped her grandmother get into position. She made sure she was as matter-of-fact about it as possible to save her grandmother any embarrassment.
After it was done, Umi removed her apron and hung it up, before she washed her hands.
"Umi, how are the others?" Umi paused before she lifted up the chamber pot.
"They're all sleeping, Grandmother. I'm going to do breakfast soon and then I'll bring your medicine and some food to have with it. I'm afraid the food will be bland, to make sure it doesn't work against the medicine."
"None of that American medicine, Umi," Hana said, her head settling back against her pillow. "It doesn't work."
"Oh no, Grandmother. It's kampo medicine, don't worry. Doctor Hokuto came out to see you and prescribed it." It had only been three days ago but her grandmother had been half-delirious with fever at that point so this time Umi was unsurprised she didn't remember.
"Hokuto? That's alright then." And between one breath and the next, Hana fell asleep. Umi watched her breathe for a few seconds before shaking her head at herself and then bending down to pick up the pot. She had to move slowly in order not to spill anything as she emptied the chamber pot and rinsed it out. Hana didn't wake up when she came back into the room and slipped the pot underneath the bed, not even when she washed her hands again in the little sink. She put the bell back into her grandmother's reach and tucked the covers up to her chin. Hana shivered but didn't wake and her skin was cool to the touch.
Umi rubbed her face, tiredness already starting to tug at her, and made her way back to the boarding house. She yawned as she walked into the kitchen and then had to double back and pick up the laundry basket she had almost flung to one side when she had heard her grandmother's bell. She barely pulled the crockery out of the basket and put it in the sink before she heard someone calling her name upstairs.
"Riku," she said when she found the source of the noise. Her little brother glared at her and sniffed pointedly. He swayed slightly where he sat and hadn't gotten out of the futon properly so he was still covered up by the blanket. "What did you need?"
"My handkerchief! And some food." He tried to sound imperious but came across as more whiny. Umi tried to be annoyed but he just looked pathetic like that.
"I'm just getting the food started now. Lie back down and I'll bring it up to you." She almost suggested heading over to the sitting room where the television was, something to keep Riku occupied so he didn't call Umi every few minutes with different things as he did yesterday, but he still looked unsteady on his feet and she really didn't want her grandmother disturbed.
"Mama wanted Dad's photo somewhere she could see," Riku said quietly after he glanced at their mother in the futon next to him. All traces of amusement fled from Umi and she could only nod.
"I'll bring it with breakfast."
The weather was misting outside, rain falling so lightly you could be fooled into thinking it was barely raining at all, only to get completely soaked as soon as you walked outside. The misty rain covered the sight of the bay so Umi could barely see the ships passing by, though she was sure they were there. She glanced at the flagpole and made a decision to do it after breakfast, despite how much her body itched to get out there to do so. Raising the flags had gone even later each morning and it felt strange, as if the fact that she was now raising the flags for Shun meant it was alright to go later, it was okay not to be on schedule.
Her hand slipped as she finely chopped the green onions and she hissed as blood welled up on her thumb. By instinct, she stuck it in her mouth and winced a little at the coppery taste. She really didn't have time to wait for the cut to stop bleeding but neither did she want blood all over the vegetables.
She wrapped up her thumb and put the okayu on to cook just as the phone rang.
"Hello?" she answered it.
"Matsuzaki? It's Mizunuma. I was calling to ask how Sora was doing." Mizunuma sounded unusually tense over the phone. Umi never heard him sound anything other than calm and in control. Shun had told her that even when he had told Mizunuma about the sibling confusion afterwards, his friend hadn't said anything apart from 'Ah'.
"She didn't have a good evening yesterday," Umi said, rubbing her forehead as she remembered the near constant vomiting Sora had undergone yesterday. Umi had been close to taking her to the hospital but Doctor Hokuto had said the hospitals were overrun with the same flu that had gone around the household and Sora had finally kept down some of the medicine Umi was giving her. "But she's slept well since then. She still has a fever but it's getting better."
"That's good. Look, Matsuzaki, my university is having a reading week and so I'll be coming back to Yokohama for then. Can I come and see Sora?"
"You can't," Umi said. "You'll get sick as well and I know that is the last thing Sora would want."
"I'll wear a mask all the time and drink as much shoga yu as you want me too. But I can hear it in your voice - she's really sick , isn't she?" Umi tried not to sigh over the phone. The bandage on her thumb had dislodged and she had to tuck the receiver into her shoulder and try to secure it.
"She isn't responding to the medicine as well as the others," Umi admitted softly, as if someone could overhear and hurt Umi because of it. "Even Grandmother - she's weakened and exhausted, but her fever has gone completely. It's only my mother and Sora." Her eyes prickled and she blinked to dissipate any unwelcome tears. She didn't have time for weeping over the phone at Sora's boyfriend. "She'll hate for you to see her like this." She would yell at Umi for it later.
"I will make it up to her as soon as she's well." Mizunuma sounded more like himself now. It seemed like he liked having a plan of action as much as Umi did. "I'll be there with you later today. Don't worry about doing anything, I'll sort myself out. Do you want me to bring anything?"
"We're sorted for food, but could you bring some more masks and tissues? And washing detergent." Umi suddenly thought of several different things to add to the list but decided that she couldn't leave Mizunuma with the entire shopping list.
"Okay, I'll remember." They said their goodbyes and Umi went back to the food, already feeling better about the rest of the day. She prepared each tray for each room and tried, and failed, to remember what each person liked. Then came the hot water for the medicine. She only had enough left for three people and so prepared it for her grandmother, her mother and sister.
Normally she was much better at this but today it felt like her brain was working slower than usual. Umi stopped and rubbed her face, digging her palms into her eye sockets to try and relieve some of the pressure behind her eyes. Tiredness made them itch and her head was spinning but she couldn't rest yet. The breakfasts had to go upstairs and then she had to do the washing. It was too wet to dry the clothes on the line so she would have to hang them inside and hope they didn't make things too damp.
And at some point she wanted to eat and raise the flags.
Nearly everyone woke up for breakfast, except for Sora and her mother. She had to shake them both awake to get them to take their medicine though Sora didn't open her eyes, preferring instead to drink down the cup of medicine and then water before letting herself fall back onto the futon again. Her mother had woken up to give her a weak smile and a gentle squeeze of her hand but otherwise didn't seem to have the strength to do anything else, especially after she had to sit up a little to drink the medicine.
Her grandmother was in better spirits after she had eaten and drunk her medicine, able to have some sort of conversation with Umi.
"Are you doing well? Is this too stressful for you?" Hana asked, her eyebrows drawing together in worry. Shun had said that it was the same expression Umi herself wore when she was worried and it felt strange to see it reflected back at her. Umi was tempted to wave it off, pretend that everything was fine, but her grandmother's eyes were sharp and she was certain she already noticed what was going on.
"Sora didn't have a good night," Umi said quietly. "She's better this morning but neither of us slept very much. Everyone is recovering and it's less concerning now." Her grandmother nodded, her gaze caught by the empty glass of medicine and bowl Umi had placed on the bedside table.
"Was the medicine expensive? I know kampo medicine is cheaper than the American medicine they bring in, but for everyone it must have been pricey." Umi thought about the account books she had almost cried over last night before Sora had taken all her attention for the rest of the evening.
"We might not be in the black this month but we have enough of a cushion not to have to worry about it. Mama not working hasn't helped but the university have been very understanding." They had, in fact, made it very clear that they didn't want Ryōko back into work until she was well enough not to be spreading the flu to anyone else. "Food has been cheaper this month and while I've still been paying Tomoko, she wouldn't take full pay." She hadn't wanted to take any pay when she wasn't working but since it was Umi cancelling, not Tomoko, she hadn't failed to press her point.
"It sounds like you have it well in hand." Hana was starting to look weary again but determined to get through this conversation. "Do keep track of any expenses, I'm happy to cover any doctor's visits or other medicine that's needed. And please let me know how everyone is."
"I will do that, Grandmother," Umi said. She stood up from her chair and gathered up the crockery. "Please rest well and ring if you need any help." Hana nodded and gave her a small smile before drifting off again.
The crockery joined the stack of washing up in the kitchen but Umi's stomach was grumbling and her head was starting to feel light, as if stuffed with cotton wool. She spooned herself some of the okayu, topped with pickled plum and ate it as she stared up at the blank flag pole. It was only when she put the water on to boil for another round of tea that she retrieved the flags and went to hang them up. The misting rain created a cloudy effect over the bay so Umi could barely see any of the ships sailing by. If Shun answered her flags, she wouldn't even be able to see them from Hiro's window.
She was shivering by the time she got back into the house, her clothes damp with moisture, but she felt better seeing the flags flutter at the top of the flag pole and the food warming in her stomach. She glanced at the washing up and the laundry before preparing the tea for everyone. This was the normal green tea, as ginger had become harder and harder to find in the shops thanks to the illness sweeping around the area, but it was good enough to get everyone to drink.
When she went upstairs, Hiro was sitting up in bed, staring at her sketch pad, her pencil clasped in one limp hand.
"Hiro?" Umi asked and Hiro startled, looking a bit like a ruffled owl with her short dark hair sticking up all over the place and her glasses magnifying her eyes. "I've got some tea for you to drink."
"Oh thanks, Meru." Hiro yawned. "I'm trying to come up with some new painting ideas but it's like my brain is drained." Umi put a cup of tea on Hiro's bedside table. She wanted to say that Hiro should take a break but her university was notoriously hard about projects being in by the deadline. If Hiro didn't stay at university, she lost out on the financial aid she was getting. Umi wished she could say that they could be gentle on the boarders' rent this month but it seemed like the whole house was struggling.
"Why don't you drink the tea and get some more sleep and maybe an idea will come to you? The weather isn't very inspiring right now anyway so you may as well get some more rest." Hiro had once said that she loved the sunshine because she always got her best ideas in it. Hiro glanced at the window and then yawned again.
"You're probably right. It's not like I can stand up at the easel for any length of time anyway even if inspiration does strike." She put her sketchbook and pencil next to her on the bed and reached for the tea. "Ouch, hot!" Umi tried not to laugh.
"Maybe wait for it to cool down? You're the first person to get the tea after all." Hiro nodded, staring at the tea like her gaze could forcibly cool it down. Umi left her to it and headed to Saori's room, where she also found her awake.
"I'm so tired of being tired," Saori said as she took the cup of tea with a grateful nod. "I can't sleep anymore but it's like I don't have the energy to do anything else. I can't work, I can't focus enough to read but I've slept so much that I can't sleep anymore. Please let me have something to do, Meru!" Umi couldn't help but laugh.
"I've got some sewing to get done if you are really that bored." Saori made a face as sewing was one of her least favourite chores. "Everything else requires you to stand up without falling over or feeling faint."
"I can't even bathe without feeling like I need to have a lie down," Saori said ruefully. "Go on then, bring up the sewing. Maybe I'll get so fed up of it that lying bored in my bed will look like a comfort. Has Miki come around again?"
"I think they're keeping her busy at the hospital," Umi replied. "She said she'll come back in a couple of days and see how everyone is doing, as long as no one gets any worse." Saori looked at Umi suddenly and she was remembered of her grandmother's too observant stare.
"How is everyone doing? Has anyone got any worse?"
"Everyone is recovering but Sora had a bad evening yesterday." Saori grimaced in sympathy and Umi realised that she must have heard Sora and Umi in the bathroom. "And my mother is taking a little longer to recover. Grandmother is doing well, her fever is gone and she's more tired than anything." Saori nodded her head.
"Maybe I can go and sit with Hana if she's more awake a little later. It won't require much energy to have a conversation and sometimes the boredom is the worst part of being ill." She smiled at Umi kindly. "You're doing very well, Meru. I hope you manage to get some time off after all this." Umi hummed a mild agreement, knowing she wouldn't be able to. She had called in everyone sick but as soon as they were recovering, Umi would have to go back to school. Saori finished the cup of tea and Umi took it before heading down to fetch the sewing basket for her. Then she had to go back down and up again as she finally remembered she had promised to bring her father's picture up for their mother.
"I'm bored. Can I watch some TV?" Riku asked when Umi slipped into the room to place the photo. He coughed harshly, the noise almost making Umi wince.
"If you eat lunch and drink your negi-miso-yu, then we'll see about the TV." Riku made a face.
"Ah no fair! Why can't I have some shoga yu?" Umi shushed him, glancing at their mother who barely stirred.
"We're running low on ginger and you said you were tired of it anyway." Riku almost pouted at her but Umi ignored this with the habit of long practice. Riku was the youngest in the household, as well as being the only boy in the family, so he was babied by their grandmother and sometimes even by their mother. Sora had no patience for it and Umi had used up what patience she did have. "Sleep until lunch and then if you feel okay after it, then I'll say yes to the TV."
There was a faint knock on the door and Umi donned a fresh mask before opening it. She was unsurprised to see Tomoko. She was the only visitor they were getting at the moment, and it was far too early for Mizunuma to show up. Tomoko gave her a smile but there was a worried look in her eyes. Umi had barely glanced at herself in the mirror this morning but it was long enough for her to know that she didn't look good.
"Ah Tomoko, thank you very much for doing this." Umi took the basket of shopping from Tomoko and turned to look at the hall table where she normally put the money. There was nothing there and she blinked at it stupidly for a few seconds before turning back to Tomoko.
"Ah, I must have left the money in the kitchen. Let me go and get it." Normally she would invite Tomoko in at the very least but she had managed to escape the sickness that had taken over the whole house and Umi didn't want her to get it at the very last moment. Thankfully there was enough money for Tomoko and Umi took it back to the door with a sense of relief but also slight concern.
"Umi, you look tired," Tomoko said gently when Umi returned. "Is there anything else I can get you? I can make some meals and bring them up if that helps."
"Everyone is still on light meals so there's nothing complicated," Umi reassured her. "How's Mei?" Tomoko's daughter had managed to get the same illness and seemed to be doing very like Riku, feeling miserable and grumpy with it.
"Better!" Tomoko's face lit up at the thought of it and Umi smiled, though it was hard to see behind the mask. "Her fever has gone down and her appetite is coming back. She's already complaining of being bored so I know she's feeling better."
"That's really good to hear." Hopefully Sora would be doing the same soon. Tomoko nodded her agreement.
"Did you want me to get anything else for you?"
"Oh, don't worry, Tomoko. Mizunuma is coming to see Sora later, I couldn't persuade him otherwise, and he's going to bring some supplies as well. But please keep your eye out for any extra ginger in the shops."
"I’ll keep looking every day," Tomoko promised. "And Umi, when this is all finished and everyone is getting better, please call me to help with the cleaning afterwards. Don't try to clean this whole house by yourself." Umi nodded her agreement and said her goodbyes. She waved Tomoko off and closed the door behind her.
There was the distant sound of a crash from her grandmother's house and Umi jerked out of her thoughts as she hurried to her grandmother's rooms, almost slipping as she rounded the corner. Umi's heart pounded, and she tried not to think about what she could find at the other end of that sound. She thought she had heard a pained cry but it may have been her imagination.
"Grandmother!" She slid open the door to her grandmother's main room without waiting for an answer. There was no blood, nothing as bad as she had been imagining, but her grandmother sprawled on the floor in an ungainly way she would have never done if she had been in control. Umi went to her knees beside her, already scanning for injuries. "What happened? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Umi. I lost my balance." Her grandmother took careful, steady breaths like she was trying to get herself under control. Umi waited as patiently as she could until Hana had regained her equilibrium.
"What happened? Did you need something?" Umi asked.
"Only a drink of water. I wanted to stretch my legs as well. It feels like I've been lying down for too long." Hana remained stubborn in the face of all Umi's persuasion to get her to rest as much as she could after being ill and eventually Umi consented to help her to the sitting room. She set up a cushioned corner so Hana didn't have to sit upright and she could see the TV and outside the window as well.
"Riku or Saori might come down to keep your company later, so try and get some rest first." Her grandmother was lying on a futon, sitting upright only thanks to the large amounts of pillows Umi had put around her, but she looked content, if a little tired. Umi put a fresh glass of water and her bell next to her and then left the room.
Outside of her grandmother's door, Umi clasped her shaking hands together and tried not to think about what she would do if her grandmother was gone. Apart from the gaping wound it would leave in their lives, as the guardian they had relied on the past few years their mother had been in America was taken from them, there was also the practicalities of afterwards. Would they be able to afford the upkeep on this house? Would have mother want to sell it rather than continue with the boarding house? What would they all do if that happened?
But that was only possibilities. She didn't have time to catastrophise. She shook her head and went to start preparing lunch.
Everything was very similar for lunch as it had been for breakfast, though she tasked Riku with making sure their mother ate something and she woke up Sora in order to make sure she ate something. Sora was drinking when encouraged but she had to have something to line her stomach, especially with some of the medicine she was taking.
"Umi, I'm not hungry," Sora said as Umi helped her to sit up. Sora's hair was all over the place and Umi wondered whether she should tell her about Mizunuma coming. Umi spooned mouthfuls of okayu into her mouth anyway and Sora ate each one, yawning frequently.
"We might have some visitors later to help me look after everyone," Umi said and Sora hummed her acknowledgement. Considering her eyes were still closed, Umi was curious about how much attention she was paying but she was awake all the same. "If you get some rest, then you should be awake for when they come around."
"Sounds good," Sora said dreamily. Umi urged her to lay down now the food was finished and Sora did so, already settling into sleep before Umi even got the blanket back over her. Her temperature was down and her sleep seemed far more peaceful than it had been the entire night. Umi smiled as she went around to everyone else and collected their leftover bowls and cups.
The mound of washing up she had to do kept her busy and she resolved to do that before she had her own lunch, but she kept getting distracted by something else she had to do. Making a note of who had what medicine and when, putting another load of washing on, cleaning off the floor, checking on her grandmother. It was only when she was sitting with the account book that she realised she hadn't yet eaten herself.
"I'll just do this and then make something for myself," Umi said to the empty kitchen. Saori and Riku had been moved downstairs and were keeping her grandmother company, Hiro had been lost in her sketching the last time Umi had checked and her mother and Sora were sleeping peacefully after both finishing their lunch. It was all under control and as soon as Umi had put her mind at rest about these calculations, she could relax for a few moments.
Her mind drifted as she stared at the page, time becoming loose and wavy as she looked around the kitchen. The rain was falling harder now, pattering against the glass with a gentle soothing sound and Umi yawned as she thought that the whole house felt like it was in a state of rest. The morning had been hectic and the night have been worrying, but the afternoon was turning into something a little more peaceful.
Someone pulled out a chair next to her and she turned to look, only to see a familiar, handsome face staring at her own.
"Dad," she breathed and he smiled. Despite the fact that she was older now, almost an adult, she still felt like that small child she had been when her father died. He had been the strongest person she had ever known and she had felt like nothing could go wrong while he was there. "I miss you."
"I miss you too." He drew her into a hug, warmth and comfort surrounding her in such a way that Umi couldn't help but cry. Sometimes she wished she was a little girl again, knowing that if she raised the flags her dad would come home. She never really dwelt on it, on that regret and yearning to see her father one last time, but she was so worn out. She wanted someone to take charge, to take over and let her rest for just a little bit.
The knocking startled her awake and she jerked up from where she was slumped over the ledger. Her mind was fuzzy and she had a moment where she didn't know where she was, expecting to see the little apartment she had lived in for the first few years of her life. The knocking came again and she remembered where she was and more importantly what she should be doing.
"Coming!" she called out before remembering her mother and sister asleep upstairs. She shuffled towards the front door, rubbing her eyes and yawning as she tried to wake herself up. She swung open the door only to blink at who was on the doorstep.
"Matsuzaki." Mizunuma stood there, taller and more solemn than when she last saw him, a white mask stretched over the bottom half of his face. She blinked at him in complete shock and glanced at the hall clock.
"Is it that time already?" She looked back at Mizunuma, who was waiting patiently for her to get herself together. "Oh, yes, please come in! I'm sorry, you startled me and now I'm catching up."
"I've brought everything you asked for me. And something a little extra." Mizunuma brushed past her waiting arms as he headed towards the kitchen, leaving Umi to stare after him in confusion. It was only when a shadow fell across her from the open door that she turned back around again. Now she definitely felt like she was dreaming.
"Shun?"
"Meru," he greeted her, stepping inside and taking off his shoes. "I told my parents I was coming up here and my mother made up a care package. She seems to have gotten some ginger from somewhere." It was like something clicked inside of Umi's brain, something that made her finally register that this was real and it was happening.
"Shun!" She threw herself forward at him and he caught her like he had so many times before. She could sense his surprise in the lines of his body but she didn't look at his face, merely tucked herself into his shoulder and gripped him almost too tightly. It was similar to the warmth and comfort of her dream, except so much better because Shun was here, alive and real, not her mind conjuring up fond wishes.
"Meru, it's okay." Shun rubbed her back in slow, soothing strokes. She felt a little coddled but in a way that she desperately wanted right now. Normally she liked being needed and organising everything in the house; she was good at it and she liked doing it. But right now, the worry about her family and friends, coupled with the isolation, extra work and little sleep, had driven her almost to her breaking point and she just needed some support.
Tears leaked out from her eyes but apart from a few gasping breaths, Umi managed to stay quiet. It wasn't a very good welcome if the first time she saw her boyfriend in three weeks, she virtually attacked him and sobbed into shirt front. Then she jerked back.
"Why are you here? You're going to get sick!"
"I've already had it," Shun was quick to say. "Remember when my parents got it?" Umi remembered Shun telling her about it nearly a month ago now. She had done the same thing as Tomoko and dropped food and things off at the door because Shun hadn't wanted her to get sick and take it home, to prevent the very thing which happened this week. "I got it nearly at the same time but I coped better with it. My mother gave me so much tea I was sloshing but it passed quickly. I'm fine."
Umi reached up and took off her mask, useless now thanks to her tears, and turned away to blow her nose. She turned back to Shun and was able to greet him properly.
"It's really good to see you." She reached for his hand and squeezed it gently. "I thought you had to be at university this week." Shun shook his head.
"Two of my professors have the same illness and so the majority of my lectures are cancelled. I've got some reading and research work to do but I can do that anywhere." He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it, a gesture which had Umi's cheeks growing warm. "I'm glad I can be here." He brushed a knuckle of his free hand just under her eye. "I know I'm not meant to tell my girlfriend anything less than perfect about how she looks, but you look exhausted." Umi laughed a little and shook her head.
"It's been a busy few days. Everyone is getting better now, but it's taken a while to get there." Just as she said this, she heard a muffled thump from upstairs. She turned her head, poised to listen for another sound. The thump came again and Umi flew into action. She grabbed another mask from the box on the table.
"If you go through to the kitchen," she said over her shoulder at Shun, almost slipping on the stairs as she raced up them. She barely heard Shun's affirmative answer as she flew into hers and Sora's bedroom, finding her sister exactly where she thought she would be, hunched over the pot she had left by her bedside. Her hair hung in limp tendrils around her face and Umi hurried to gather it up as Sora retched again, though she could feel she was already too late on the hair front.
"Oh, Sora." She rubbed her sister's back as she retched again, this time nothing coming up. Sora panted as she hunched over the pot.
"I keep being sick," Sora said. "Ever since lunch. My stomach hurts."
"I think you're due for some more medicine." Umi glanced at the clock and grimaced. "It should help with your sickness. No more food for you tonight, we'll stick with liquids for the moment." Sora nodded her head, though Umi was sure she would agree with anything right about now. "Do you want to try a bath? You're quite sweaty and your hair is dirty."
"Yeah, but I don't think I can stand up." Umi debated with herself for a moment.
"Mizunuma and Shun have come to help out. One of them can carry you to the bathroom." Sora lifted her head a little, that seeming to break through her exhaustion.
"Shirou's here?" she said, hope blooming on her face, the same kind of expression Umi was certain had been on her face when she realised Shun was there. Then Sora's face clouded. "I'm a mess, he can't see me like this." They may have been dating for several months, and they seemed to be stronger than anyone really expected, but she knew how Sora loved looking cute and put together when she saw Shirou.
"Sora, he was so worried about you. You know he likes to have something to do and this will make you both feel better." Sora looked halfway convinced. "We'll get you undressed first, put you in a robe and a towel for your hair, and then he can carry you like that. While you're in the bath, I can get your sheets stripped and washed."
Sora's pride was overridden by her desire to be clean and comfortable and she nodded her head. Umi smiled and nodded, before helping Sora to strip off her clothes, replacing them with Umi's towelling robe (Sora's was too small for her now) and wrapped her hair in a towel as if they were keeping it dry. Umi took the bowl away, though not before replacing it with another one. She emptied it in the bathroom, rinsed it before taking it back to their room.
Back in the kitchen, Shun was hanging the clothes up on the airer, standing them by the doorway even if it was too cold and wet to put them outside. Mizunuma was organising the supplies he had brought, a look of concentration she had seen on his face many times before. They were really very alike, Umi always liked having something to do too, while Shun just wanted to fix the problem. Mizunuma noticed her first.
"Is everything okay?"
"Sora's been sick again. She wants a bath and then I can change her sheets." Mizunuma looked tense and Shun looked concerned, though judging by the glance at his friend, it wasn't just for Sora. "Would you be able to help her get to the bathroom? She's not the most steady on her feet right now."
"Yes, I can definitely help." Mizunuma glanced at the door. "Can I go up and see her now?"
"I haven't run the bath yet," Umi said a little bemused. A second later she caught what he meant and nodded her head. "Oh yes, I've told her you're here and she wants to see you. Do you know which bedroom is hers...?"
"Yes, I do. Thanks, Matsuzaki!" Shun chuckled a little as Mizunuma disappeared within the blink of an eye.
"He barely talked about anyone else on the way over," he said to Umi. He finished hanging up the clothes on the airer. It might not be exactly how Umi would have done it, but it was good enough to get them to dry as they should. He put the basket down and came over to Umi. "Have you eaten lunch?" She suddenly remembered and whatever Shun saw on her face must have answered his question.
"You and Mizunuma can get your sister cleaned up and sorted and then you must have something to eat. I'll cook something while Sora's having her bath, maybe something a little more filling than okayu?" He took her hands in his and held them together, as if he was trying to warm them up. His skin felt warm to Umi and she leaned forward, soaking up the heat.
"I don't really have anything else," Umi confessed. "I've just been eating what everyone else has been having." Shun's lips pressed together in a way that screamed displeasure. "What is it? Tell me, Shun."
"I can tell," he confessed. "You looked thinner and so worn out. Meru, you have to take care of yourself, otherwise you'll end up worse off than everyone else combined."
"I've been around everyone for days and haven't caught it yet." Umi said. "Don't nag, Shun."
"I would never," Shun said with the kind of over-solemn serious way of his that meant he was teasing her but also being serious at the same time. "Meru, you have done a wonderful job of looking after everyone. You're the backbone of this house and you do it well. But you have to make sure you're okay too. Mizunuma and I are both here now, let us help. There may not be some things that we can do, I'm fairly certain Sora wouldn’t want us helping with the bath," Umi smirked at the very thought of Sora's outrage if either of them tried, "but we can help with the washing and the cooking and the cleaning. I know you can do this on your own, but it will be easier on you if you let us help."
Three days ago, if Shun had come to her with this, Umi wouldn't have allowed it. Everyone had been worse then and Umi had been tormented with worry and nightmares, so she was barely getting any sleep, but the worry wouldn't let her rest even when she had the chance. Now everyone was on the mend, even if Sora wasn't doing too well, and Umi's body was finally calling in the sleep debt she had achieved over the past week.
"Okay, I'll let you help. But don't you get sick either."
Shun held up three fingers. "I promise."
Before heading upstairs to bath Sora (and interrupt her and Mizunuma), she went over to check on her grandmother. She was asleep again, but Riku was curled up on the futon next to her, head propped up on one of the many cushions and mouth open as he snored.
"I knew he wasn't well enough to stay awake for that long," Umi said to Saori, who only laughed quietly.
"Aw, Riku was just bored! It's frustrating when you feel well enough to be bored of resting but not well enough to actually do anything. Doing the mending made me so tired I had to have another nap." Saori smiled at Umi. "Did I hear someone at the door?" Despite herself, Umi blushed and she could see Saori's curiosity spike.
"It's Shun and Mizunuma. They've come to help."
"Sora's Shirou and your Shun?" Saori asked in delight and Umi knew she had gone very pink. But she nodded, because what else would she use to disguise them? "Oh, I must come and say hello."
"Are you sure you don't want another nap?" Umi asked, only half-serious and Saori gave her a mock-glare. She was too good-natured to glare properly but Umi was left in no doubt what she thought of her suggestion.
"Most exciting thing that has happened in the last two weeks and you want me to go back to sleep." Saori paused for a moment to grab another tissue and cough into it. "Are you sure they want to be around this germ-infested place?"
"Shun got sick a few weeks ago when his parents had it," Umi explained. "And I've warned Mizunuma and he still came anyway."
"Aw, that's very sweet," Saori said. "Though if he gets this bug, I think he might have a few regrets afterwards."
"I'm about to give Sora a bath if you want to keep the two of them occupied while I'm doing that," Umi said. "Or you can sit with Sora while I change her sheets. Shun said he could do it but I think Sora would prefer if I did them."
"Mmm, having your boyfriend and your boyfriend's friend change your sick, sweaty sheets is not something I would probably choose myself," Saori said. "Okay, I'll come and say hello and keep Sora company. Maybe I'll try and have a wash myself."
"I can do your sheets as well?" Umi asked and despite Saori demurring, she could see the thought was a pleasant one. "It'll be easier to do all the loads at once anyway." Umi made sure the bell was near to her grandmother's hand and the door was slightly open before helping Saori walk slowly back to the main house.
"I might have to put off having a wash today," Saori said. "This afternoon has wiped me out more than I thought." She yawned again and it made her cough. Shun's head came out of the kitchen as they walked past and Saori smiled as soon as she noticed him.
"Well, if it isn't the handsome boyfriend! I hear you and Sora's darling are playing knights in shining armour!"
"Saori!" Umi felt her face grow warm again, and it had only started to go down after the last time she made Umi blush.
"Hush, Meru, they deserve the credit." Saori winked at her and Umi sighed, but smiled as she shook her head in mock-exasperation. She was already feeling lighter at even the thought of having help with everything and it made smiles come more easily to her lips. Shun graciously thanked her.
"Mizunuma is still upstairs. Do you think we should go and disturb them?" There was a little twinkle in his eye and Umi couldn't help but giggle.
"Don't sound so happy about it," Umi scolded him but the smile on her face belied her words. "Even if they don't want to be interrupted, I know Sora will be glad for a bath."
"Let me know when her sheets are done and then I'll put the next lot of washing on." Saori let go of Umi to link her arm around Shun's. With her flowery nightdress and lilac dressing gown, she looked like a woman in one of the American films.
"Come on handsome. Little Sora won't want you changing her sheets but I'm not so fussy. Why don't you do that while Sora's boy and Meru get her sorted? I feel like I'm ready to drop and it would be so much nicer in clean sheets." To Shun's credit, he didn't hesitate at all.
"Of course." Umi left them to scale the stairs at a more sedate pace, while she went up to split Sora and Shirou up and remind her sister that yes, she did want the bath very much. When she got up there, she found Sora leaning against Mizunuma's shoulder, not completely asleep considering how tightly she was gripping his hand, but definitely very close to it. When she first came in, there was a split second before he realised she was there and he was just looking down at Sora.
Umi had caught the two of them kissing before, but she had never felt more intrusive than interrupting that moment between the two of them. Mizunuma looked at Sora like her very existence delighted him, the very sight of her, even pale and wan, was enough to make him smile.
"It's time for your bath, Sora," Umi said quietly. Mizunuma's expression had settled back into his usual calm one as soon as he had noticed she was there, and she didn't dare draw any more attention to it than was needed.
"Too tired," Sora murmured.
"You'll feel better afterwards," Umi replied. "I thought you would definitely want to wash your hair." Mizunuma gave her a quick look but Umi didn't need to say anything more to remind Sora of exactly what was in her hair right now.
"Oh yes, I do want that. And my sheets. You must do that, okay?" Sora said to Umi, almost swaying when she sat upright. Her eyes were bright and Umi put a hand on her forehead. A little warm but not too bad. Mizunuma's eyebrows had drawn together in worry and Umi tried not to let her own concern show on her face.
"I didn't think otherwise. Saori might sit with you for a little bit but I'll wash your hair first, okay?" Sora nodded and then stood up with Mizunuma's help. Umi grabbed a couple more towels from the cupboard as Mizunuma and Sora came out of the bedroom, Sora leaning heavily on Mizunuma with her eyes closed. They stopped.
"Sora, I'm going to lift you, okay?" Mizunuma asked and gave her a few seconds to reply before doing exactly what he said, pulling her up and into his arms. Sora's eyes flew open at the movement, and she stared at Mizunuma in surprise, making Umi wish she could take a picture of those two right then. She didn't say anything though, instead leading the way to the bathroom and starting the bath running.
Mizunuma dropped Sora off with a sweeping gesture which made her laugh, though that only made her cough.
"Don't laugh too much, your sister might send me home," he remarked dryly as Sora finished coughing and he was able to hand her the glass of water Umi had produced.
"She wouldn't dare." Sora sipped the glass slowly, obviously wary about repeating the afternoon.
"You'll be asleep shortly, so you won't know," Umi pointed out. "Don't worry, I'm sure he and Shun will pull their weight." She gave Mizunuma a little smile so she knew he was joking but he gave her an assured nod. Umi politely turned away to busy herself with running the bath and heard Mizunuma say something to Sora before the bathroom door closed. She turned back to help her sister undress and climb into the bath.
"I'm glad you said he could come over," Sora said, halfway through the hair wash and Umi smiled as she rinsed out the shampoo.
"I was worried you wouldn't want him to see you while you were unwell," Umi said. "But I knew he could make you feel better." Sora let her head drop back and Umi struggled to rinse it without getting water all down the side of the tub. "Ah, Sora!" It was too late, she was already falling asleep again and all Umi could do was struggle to finish rinsing out her hair and prop her head up on the towel.
Saori had fallen asleep in her newly made bed, sprawled on top of the blanket in a way that said it was completely unintentional. Shun was blinking at her in bemusement when Umi arrived, obviously wondering whether he should wake her up or not. Umi shook her head and left him to it, stopping at Hiro's room to see if she could sit with Sora for a while before heading to her mother's room. She was sitting up on her futon and drinking a cup of tea by the time Umi came to visit her.
"You're awake!" And more alert than Umi had seen her over the past few days. She looked tired and wan, much like everyone did in the house right now, but she was awake and responsive and drinking.
"Yes, I am. Thank you for the tea, Umi. Have you been taking care of everyone?"
Umi nodded. "Everyone is finally starting to get better. Sora's still being sick though, but Mizunuma is here with her and it's made her really cheerful." Umi smiled at her mother and gladly received the stroke of her head as her mother looked at her with pride.
"You're going to be a wonderful doctor, Umi."
"I hope so." Umi had to catch up on the amount of work she was behind on for this week. Even thinking about it made her head start to hurt so she pushed the thought away and focused on what was happening at the time.
"How are the boys?" her mother asked.
"They're helping out. Mizunuma was worried about Sora and Shun showed up to surprise me. He said his parents and him got the same illness a few weeks ago so he should be fine to help out."
"They’re old enough to understand the risks. I'm glad you've got the help." She yawned and it made Umi yawn too.
"I'll leave you to get some more rest and I'll bring you some more tea in a bit. Sora will probably sleep again after we get her back in bed." She stood up and her head swam for a moment, but she controlled it as best she could. "It might be one of the boys bringing the tea actually. Sora wanted me to be the one to change her bedsheets." Her mother nodded.
"I understand. Don't worry about me, I just need some rest."
Umi went to strip Sora's bedsheets and made it up again as quick as she could, knowing that was one job she couldn't leave for either of the boys. "Hiro, can you get Sora out of the bath and dressed please?" She came into the bathroom to drop some clean pyjamas off with them. "Mizunuma will help her back to her room after she's dressed."
"I can help with that," Hiro said. She had been sketching but now her sketchbook was put to one side and she had been staring at the steady drip of water from the tap.
"Thank you." Umi felt dizzy again when she straightened up but she resolutely ignored it, picking up Sora's sheets and heading down the stairs. As soon as she did so, darkness started to appear at the edges of her vision. Umi blinked hard, hoping to clear the dark spots, especially since she was heading downstairs but they didn't leave.
Eventually she realised exactly what her body wanted her to do and she made sure to do an almost controlled fall on the floor halfway up the stairs. The sheets helped to cushion her but it didn't stop the darkness from taking over vision and head completely.
"Meru, Meru," a voice said to her from far off but as Umi became more and more aware of her surroundings, it got closer and closer to her. She was lying on something soft but at such an awkward angle that it wasn't really that comfortable in the end. The lights were bright up above her and she cringed away from them, the movement making her stomach roll.
She turned on her side and screwed her eyes shut, not wanting the light to get through but the voice was getting louder and harder to ignore.
"Meru, can you open your eyes for me? Just for a little bit." Umi did so, cracking her eyelids as much as she could.
"Shun?" The word felt muffled in her mouth, like it barely tripped over her tongue, and she wasn't sure whether she even would be understood.
"Yeah, it's me. I'm going to lift you up, Meru, and take you to your bedroom. Okay?" Umi may have nodded or made a sound of agreement but when Shun lifted her up, her stomach rolled and all she could do was focus on not throwing up. She was put down very softly onto her own futon but by that point, her head was clearer and her stomach had settled.
"I'm okay," she said, but when she tried to sit up, gentle hands urged her to lie down.
"I knew I should have gotten you to eat something beforehand," Shun said wryly. When Umi looked at him, he was giving her a reassuring smile but she could see the lines of stress around his mouth and eyes. She had worried him.
"I was feeling fine up until two minutes ago," she replied. "I'm okay, I promise." The door opened again and Mizunuma came in, gently escorting her mother. He led her to Sora's futon, which wasn't being used by her sister since Sora was kneeling beside her, her forehead creased in a frown.
"Umi, are you alright? Shirou said you passed out." Her mother and Sora's faces were now the picture of similarity, their foreheads creased in the same way and even their hair being ruffled in the same way, though Sora's was due to the rough towel drying Hiro must have done.
"I'm okay, I promise. I fell asleep rather than having lunch earlier and now it's catching up with me. I was going to eat something after Sora was settled." Sora looked upset at that. "Don't look so guilty! I had breakfast late anyway so I didn't realise how far past lunch it was until a few minutes ago."
"I'll get some food together," Mizunuma said and clasped Shun's shoulder with one hand before standing up and heading out the bedroom. Umi wanted to protest and say he didn't need to do that for her, he was there to help Sora, but she didn't bother, not when she saw Sora's determined look.
"You're doing too much," her mother said and Umi shook her head.
"I'm tired but it is nothing I can't handle. Shun and Mizunuma are here to help anyway, and they've brought food and everything." She squeezed her mother's hand. "Don't worry, Mama, please go back to bed. No matter how tired I am, I know you feel worse." After some more persuasion and Umi finally getting to sit up, showing that she could do that without feeling dizzy, she managed to get her mother to be helped back to her room by Hiro. The sounds of Riku and Saori returning to their rooms could be heard in the hall.
Saori put her head around the bedroom and Umi knew that her mother had told her all about her fainting.
"Hana is back into bed and all settled. She has a book and a glass of water and she's happy with Mizunuma going to check on her every now and again. Don't worry." Then she glanced at Shun behind Umi and winked, before her head disappeared again.
"You're really okay?" Sora asked. Umi nodded her head and urged Sora to get back under the futon blankets. Her little sister was stifling yawns every few minutes and it was starting to set Umi off too.
"I am, I promise. I'll eat some food and rest a bit, but I'll feel better if I don't have to worry about you or Mama." Sora at least saw the sense of this and lay down on her futon. She shut her eyes and it barely took a minute before her breath had evened out into the slow rhythm of sleep. Now everyone else was settled, Umi allowed herself to turn back to Shun, who had been waiting beside her patiently.
"Will you rest here or downstairs?" he asked. His eyes said what he would prefer her to do but he didn't try to push her or argue with her about it.
"Downstairs," Umi said. "I did fall asleep earlier which is why I missed lunch and if I sleep here, I'll end up sleeping through the afternoon and not be able to sleep tonight." She held out her hand to him. "Will you help me?" Shun's lips quirked but he helped Umi up and out of her futon. Her clothes were creased and crumpled and she wasn't sure what her hair was doing but if Sora could be around Mizunuma when she smelt of sweat and sickness, Umi could deal with looking slightly more crumpled than she would prefer.
"You really scared me, Meru," Shun said as he helped her downstairs, one hand in hers while the other arm lay loosely around her waist. It was good to have him to lean on, and even though she felt tired, it was comfortable. He led her through to the kitchen and set her up on the sofa, stacked with cushions much like she had done to her grandmother earlier.
"Food coming right up!" Mizunuma said to them as soon as they came into the room and Umi tried not to crane her neck too much to see what he was doing. She wasn't used to being in the kitchen and not helping out with any of the cooking.
"Rest, Meru. That was the agreement when you came down here," Shun said firmly. Umi lay back against the mound of cushions with a sigh.
"My body is tired but I can't stop thinking. I made a list of who needs what medicine and when but I can't help but think about what else needs to be done," she confessed.
"We'll make sure everyone is fed and with their medicine and everything is clean," Shun said. He was still holding her hand, sitting close to her on the sofa and she leaned into his warmth. "All you need to do is let yourself rest. Everything else can wait until afterwards." Out of nowhere, Umi felt her eyes prick with tears and she buried her face into Shun's neck to disguise them. The smell of food cooking and the gentle sound of rain on the windows wrapped around her, leaving her body to get heavier and heavier as she leaned on Shun.
"I'm glad you came." Shun pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"Me too."