As Sato looked up, the girl before him suddenly collapsed as if her strength had been drained, eyes closed and body limp.
His expression changed instantly. In two swift strides, he caught her before she hit the ground.
She fell into his arms, her body soft, but alarmingly hot.
Immediately, Sato's mind raced.
What the hell?! How high is this fever? Her body feels like a furnace!
He looked down. The girl seemed semi-conscious, her face ghostly pale.
"What happened?!"
At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from the stairwell. Sato looked up to see a woman rushing over, carrying a work bag.
She looked like an office worker with glasses on, anxiety etched across her face, and the strong scent of alcohol lingering around her. Sato recognized her as Kobayashi, a working professional from an upstairs unit. She must've heard the commotion.
"Looks like she's got a high fever," he said.
"High fever?" Kobayashi blinked, then reached out to touch the girl's forehead. Her eyes widened.
"She's burning up! We need to get her to a clinic, fast!"
Sato gave a sheepish smile. "I just moved here. I don't know where the closest clinic is."
"Oh, right… I'll take you. You carry her!"
"Okay. Just leave your things at my place for now."
"Got it."
Working together, Sato lifted the unconscious girl onto his back and rushed off toward the clinic.
The dim streetlights flickered as they ran.
After a few minutes, Kobayashi was already out of breath.
"Huff… Huff… Kid, you've got… pretty good stamina."
"Just call me Sato."
"How much farther is the clinic?"
Though carrying someone made his breathing heavier, Sato was handling it well.
"Right ahead, turn left!"
"Got it!"
He picked up the pace and rounded the corner, still carrying the girl effortlessly.
Kobayashi, bent over with her hands on her knees, panted as she watched him go. "Ah, youth really is a blessing…"
Akiyama Clinic.
"Why are you bringing her in so late?! She's clearly got a serious cold! You young people really don't take care of yourselves…"
The doctor, a gentle-looking middle-aged woman, frowned as she ushered Sato inside and motioned for him to place the girl on the bed.
She felt the girl's forehead, her brow furrowing deeper.
"This is a pretty serious fever."
"Mio!"
She called out toward the back room. The clinic was part of a home in a residential area, with the private residence behind it. Only family could enter.
"I'm coming!"
A girl with long black hair stepped out, wearing fluffy slippers. Her cheeks flushed slightly upon seeing Sato—shyness seemed natural to her.
Dr. Akiyama handed her a prescription. "Mio, go get the medicine."
"Okay!"
As she stepped away, the doctor returned to the patient with a thermometer, gently lifting her clothes to take her temperature.
Seeing this, Sato turned his head away respectfully.
Dr. Akiyama looked over at him and chuckled. "What a decent young man."
"Huh?"
Sato gave her a confused look.
Just then, Kobayashi walked back in and asked, "Sato, how's the girl doing?"
"She's getting her temperature checked."
Relieved, Kobayashi looked over and noticed Sato dialing a number on his phone.
"Moshi moshi, this is Satou Ramen. How can I help you?"
"Hi, I'm the one who ordered earlier. Your delivery girl passed out in front of my apartment. We're at Akiyama Clinic now."
"What?! Is Nanami okay?! I'll be right there! Please wait!"
The voice on the other end grew urgent before the call abruptly ended.
"…Wait, you're not her boyfriend?" Dr. Akiyama asked, surprised. Sato and the girl looked about the same age, she had assumed they were a couple.
Sato gave a polite but awkward smile. "No, we're not."
"Okaasan!"
Mio returned with a tray. Dr. Akiyama quickly took it and began administering an IV drip to the unconscious girl.
After checking the setup, Mio quietly retreated into the back again.
Time seemed to move slowly in the clinic, especially as the IV fluid dripped steadily downward.
Not long after, the sound of screeching brakes came from outside. A woman in her forties rushed in, worry written all over her face.
Seeing the girl lying on the bed, she sighed with relief, then turned to the doctor and asked nervously, "Doctor… Is Nanami going to be okay?"
"She's alright. Just a very high fever, up to 39°C. And you are…?"
Dr. Akiyama finished writing in her chart and looked up curiously.
"I'm the owner of Satou Ramen. Nanami works part-time at my shop."
At this, Kobayashi frowned and turned to the woman. "Isn't it a bit much to make your employee work while sick?"
The shop owner's face turned bitter.
"I didn't realize her fever was this serious. When she came in today, I noticed she didn't look well and even asked if she was okay. She insisted she was fine…"
"I should've insisted she stay home. This is my fault."
Her voice carried sincere regret.
Seeing her expression, Sato softened a little and glanced over at the girl.
"…Does she have some special circumstances?"