Beyblade Burst Adventures

Sick Day? No Way.

In which Shu Kurenai doesn't get sick, it's just a cough.

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"Shu, are you really sure you should be at school today?" I ask, having a hard time keeping the worry out of my voice as I notice all the details that scream, "he's sick!" Like the bags under his eyes, the redness to his nose, and the paleness of his face. Not to mention the fact that he's wearing his gray and darker gray-striped hoodie, which he only wears when he's not feeling too good.

I mean, I guess if none of that was there I wouldn't know, since he's acting normal enough.

Shu raises his eyebrows and replies, "Of course I'm sure, Valt." And man, his voice sounds so scratchy, it's like he was having a screaming match with someone before school. "Why do you ask?"

"I dunno. You just look, like, super sick," I mumble. He sighs softly, shaking his head.

"I'm not sick, I promise." He coughs into his hands immediately after saying that and squirts some germ-x onto his hands. He rubs it in before he realizes I'm staring at him. "... It's just a cough."

"Well, it sounds like you need to "it's just a cough" your way to the nurse's office," Wakiya says, appearing out of nowhere and resting his arm on top of my head.

Shu gives him a look. "It's just a cough."

"It's kinda hard to believe that," I tell him.

"Why are you being so stubborn about this? Quite frankly, I'd be relieved to have a day or two away from school," Wakiya says, closing his eyes as he imagines it. "I'd sleep in all day, drink some nice black tea with cinnamon, and have a bowl of hot soup. When I got better, I'd come back to school physically and emotionally healthy."

"Well, that's you, Wakiya." Shu shakes his head, opening his locker and pulling out his math books.

"You're right, it is me. But it could be you, if you'd just give in."

"And potentially miss out on something important in math or science? No thanks."

"Well, it's not like your grades would be suffering too much."

"You're not just a Beyblade prodigy," I mumble. "You're super smart at school and stuff, too."

He smiles a little, but when he catches himself he forces his mouth back into a frown. "I'm not that smart, you guys. I really do need to keep up with the classes, I don't want to fall behind."

"Well, in that case, could you at least get me sick? The more I think about it, the more I like the sound of that nice cup of tea." Wakiya smiles, closing his eyes again.

"Wakiya, I'm not sick. And even if I was, I'd say no." Shu starts coughing again, covering his mouth until it passes then squirting more germ-x onto his hands.

"It's just a cough," he says. "I'm staying 'cause I'm not sick," he says," Wakiya huffs mockingly, rolling his eyes.

"Right, because I'm. Not. Sick," Shu growls, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm Shu Kurenai, I don't get sick."

The school bell rings, and Wakiya finally moves his arm. I rub the back of my neck as he replies,

"If you really say so, Mr. Shu Kurenai I-don't-get-sick. Why don'tcha "I don't get sick" your way to class, then, and see how long it takes for the teacher to boot you to the nurse's office?"

"I think I will," Shu snorts, walking past us. He pauses, turning to smile at me. "See you in class, Valt."

"Oh. Um, see ya."