Subclinical Manifestation

8

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fe·ver

an abnormally high body temperature, usually accompanied by shivering, headache, and in severe instances, delirium

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For unknown reasons Sasuke hadn't needed to be knocked on the door since the start of the semester, Hinata was surprised on the next morning when he hadn't come out of his room for he had promised to drive her to school. Or to at least greet her, reassure her, for that day was supposed to be a big day for her; minor thesis defense and—sure—her birthday. Taking a bite on a butter-spreaded toast, she knocked on his door casually only to find that even after the third set of knocks there was no answer from his side of the door. She knocked again and a faint grunt was her only reward.

"Sasuke? Are you all right?"

Another grunt.

Concerned, her hand reached the knob. "I'm coming in, okay?"

It was apparent that he had just woken up, bundled in his grey comforter, eyes still shut ever so forcefully. Another thing she noted, he was shivering although the heater was on comfortable warmth.

"Sasuke?"

Fighting the unbearable headache, he opened his eyes with strain. "I think I have a fever," he croaked.

Hastily shoving the last bite to her mouth, she strode to his side and knelt to get a better view of him; noting his forehead was glistening with sweat. Feeling his forehead with the better—cleaner, with no crumbs—palm, she didn't need thermometer to confirm it.

"Do you have paracetamol around?" she asked, looking around wildly, aimlessly.

Sasuke coughed and shook his head and Hinata spontaneously moved the tissue box from his nightstand to the space near his head.

"I have them in my room." She stood and exited his room.

Returning to his room, Hinata brought a half strip of paracetamol and his mug already filled with water. Watching her approaching form, Sasuke sniffed and pulled a tissue.

"Here," said Hinata, tearing the foil packaging for one caplet and reached out to him.

Sasuke hoisted himself to a sitting position—still bundled inside the duvet—and reached to take the caplet from its torn foil. Hinata helped him for his mug and her eyes widened as if something had just come to mind. After putting the mug back to the nightstand, she exited his room.

Sasuke was too weak to ponder why.

Not more than a minute, Hinata returned with a plate containing a bread and mini pack salted butter and placed them on the night stand. "I didn't make any breakfast.. do you want me to toast this first?"

Sasuke shook his head.

"Uhmm, this won't be enough. Do you want me to order something first? Or do you prefer to wait for me? I'm second in line so I'll be finished at ten thirty, I think."

Sasuke shook his head again and smirked weakly. "It's fine, I'll wait for your tomato soup."

Hinata nibbled on her bottom lip. "Eat the bread first, okay?"

Sasuke nodded. "I'm sorry, I can't drive you," he said, genuinely sounded apologetic.

Hinata smiled. "Just get better, okay?" Widening her eyes because reminded of something, she revealed a thermometer from the pocket of her blazer. "And do check your temperature." She put it carefully on the nightstand. "I need to get going."