Bungou Stray Dogs Sicktember 2024

The Sniffles (TM) - Atsushi

Atsushi's Perspective:

The single light fills the bathroom with a warm glow, colouring my reflection orange in the mirror. I take the temperature reading device out of my mouth before it can start to beep, so as not to wake Ryuu.

Sure enough, no fever. Perfectly normal. It's just the weather change giving the tiger, an animal taht prefers warmer environments, a bit of trouble. I'm being dramatic.

'Spoilt brat! Since when did you become such a hypochondriac? Such weakness will only bring everyone around you down.'

The thought startles me, it came from somewhere deep inside my mind, the part that never really left the orphanage, that sometimes I fear never really will.

As quietly as I can, I walk back to bed. The entire flat has heated floors, but it still feels a bit cold. I know it's just me because Ryuu sleeps, unbothered.

Still, if there's any chance I even could be sick, I should sleep on the sofa. Just to be safe.

'You selfish person, why didn't you move to the sofa when you felt tired earlier? You'll get him sick and then he might die!'

My mind's scolding confuses me. Am I sick or not?

-

The sofa is comfortable . . . normally when I'm sitting or cuddled against Ryuu, but now the discomfort is familiar. I drift to sleep, scolding myself for worrying about the neck pain.

–

"Huh?"

I think Ryuu said something to me, but I don't really wake up until he starts the coffee grinder. The sound grate sound my ears.

"I said: Good morning, Jinko."

"Oh."

"May I ask why you are on the sofa?"

Crap! I can't tell him. I mean, it's not like I'm even ill. I don't need him freaking out.

"Uh, I got overheated last night, so I came out here." My voice sounds way too deep, almost guttural.

He raises an eyebrow, pouring the ground coffee into the coffee maker without looking. "Mmm, interesting, seeing as you're wearing a jumper."

Oops.

"Well, the jumper and blanket were too much, but the jumper by itself was fine." I know I'm only digging myself deeper, but what else can I do? I can't have him fussing over me when I'm not actually ill.

"Nice try, Jinko. As much as I enjoy you're morning voice, you are clearly congested." He trunks his back to me before I can retort.

Ah, well, there goes that. I sigh, feeling the mucus shift unpleasantly in the back of my throat. I stand, crossing the living room to the kitchen, to make breakfast.

"Peppermint, or Lemon and Ginger tea, Jinko?" He trunks around, holding up two bags.

"Ryuu, stop. It's barely the sniffles."

"Tea is proven to help with symptoms like sore throats and congestion." He explains.

"I know that, but I'm not-I don't need all that. I'm fine, just- please don't. Let me make my breakfast. I've got to pack my lunch too. I have to be at work at 7:00."

"Nakajima Atsushi . . ."

My full name. That means he's about to try and convince me (and it's about to work). I cut him off.

"No, I don't even have a fever. I'm not sick enough for this."

"For what, Atsushi, a little tea? You drink tea all the time, what's so special about it today?"