The Shadow Manipulator

Chapter 22: Fever

The sun streaked into my room through the window as I woke up early in the morning, the next day.  It was already late at night when I returned to Yuki's place and by that time, my parents were already flooding my phones with messages and missed calls because of the incidents that happened around town. 

Unfortunately, our dinner was canceled since it was already late. Yuki decided that the two of us should probably head home and not worry our parents that much. In the end, she arranged another dinner in one of her free time.

"Hikari! Time for breakfast!" A girl shouted from downstairs.

Wait! I should do my  sense enhancement all the time! Aarghh! I forgot again! I told myself as I tried to sense my parents' presence.

To my astonishment, I sensed four heat signatures instead of two! That means, we have visitors early this morning?! I exclaimed to myself as I tried to get up.

The moment I stood up, I suddenly felt burning hot and a steady throbbing in my head. I began to feel a little bit dizzy but I managed to stop myself from falling to the floor. After leaning on my study table and regaining my balance, I suddenly realized that I have been burning with fever!

Probably because of the rain last night? But I took a bath, right? Now that I think about it, it was raining all night long! I probably got my fever because of that and I immediately fell asleep last night! I told myself. Well, no use thinking about it, for now, I should head down and eat breakfast with them and pretend that I'm not sick. I couldn't get a day of absence, not even once!

Finding it hard to walk, I shifted to my shadow form and began gliding on the floor. The dizziness began getting to me that I suddenly felt like vomiting. I quickly reverted to my human form halfway down the stairs.

Slip!

I almost fell over, but fortunately managed to lean on the wall.

"Hikari! Come down for breakfast!" My dad shouted. 

"Coming!" I replied as I staggered walking down the stairs.

To my surprise, Mitsumi and Mr. Yukine greeted me as they continued eating breakfast. I tried to act normal as I walked near the dining table and managed to sit down without making a ruckus. After getting used to my headache, I was able to keep my balance. I quietly sat on a chair and helped myself with some side dishes.

"My daughter and I just happened to pass by here and your parents invited us to eat breakfast." Mr. Yukine smiled at me. "How was your sleep last night?"

"I fell asleep right after I landed on the bed...cough..." I replied.

"You don't look too well, Hikari, are you okay?" Mitsumi concernly asked.

"Um, I'm fine, just a little cough and colds." I said as I sniffled.

"Can you go to school?" My dad asked.

"Yes, dad."

"You might infect someone at school with that colds of yours. Why don't you wear this mask so you won't cough at anyone." My mom suggested. "And bring your jacket with you, in case you feel cold in school."

"Thanks, mom." I replied. Phew, they didn't notice that I have a fever. Well, if worse comes to worst, I'll just stay in the infirmary. I told myself.

.....

"We're going! Bye mom, dad!" I told them as Mitsumi, Mr. Yukine, and I got out of the house. I still felt as dizzy as ever, but I tried my best to act normal, all the way.