ozawa slowly regained consciousness to find himself lying on a bed in the school clinic. The light was dim, and the smell of medicine filled the room. He turned his head slowly, struggling, to see the doctor standing beside him.

  Aozawa (in a tired voice): "Where am I? What happened?"

  Doctor: "You fainted during class. Luckily, a student brought you here."

  Aozawa (hesitantly): "A student? Who is she?"

  Doctor: "It was Miu-san. She seemed really worried about you."

  Aozawa's eyes froze for a moment, feeling a mix of emotions, but he quickly pushed those thoughts away.

  Aozawa (internal voice): "Miu?... Why? After all, why does she care?"

  He then turned his face away, as if trying to hide his thoughts.

  Aozawa (internal voice): "But it doesn't matter... Everything has an end. Everything ends."

  ---

  Aozawa returned home more exhausted than ever. His body was trembling with fever, but he could barely manage to take off his shoes and enter. He sat on the couch, trying to gather his strength, but the illness was stronger than him.

  Aozawa (internal voice): "I have to do something... I can't stay like this."

  He tried to get up to reach his phone, but his body betrayed him. He stumbled and fell but crawled toward the table where he had placed his phone. Before he could reach it, he passed out again.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  ---

  Kotaro woke up to find himself in his bed, the dim light streaming through the window. When he turned to his side, he saw a familiar face.

  Kotaro (in astonishment): "Nisan?! How... how did you get here? I didn't call you..."

  His sister, Yuko, smiled at him, wiping his sweat with a wet cloth, then said:

  Yuko: "I was planning to visit you anyway. But when I arrived and knocked, you didn't open. I got worried and asked the landlord for the spare key. When I entered, I found you unconscious with a very high fever. I was really worried, Kotaro!"

  Kotaro looked at her with eyes filled with gratitude, but he also felt a new burden inside him.

  Kotaro (in a soft voice): "I'm sorry... I've always been a worry to you. I wish I could be stronger, but..."

  Yuko interrupted his words, gently squeezing his hand:

  Yuko: "Stop saying that. I'm here for you, and I will always be here. You don't have to carry everything alone."

  ---

  After Kotaro fell asleep again, Yuko sat beside him, watching his tired face. As she tidied up the room a little, she felt like she was going back in time to those days when she used to carry little Kotaro in her arms, trying to protect him from the harshness of the world.

  At that moment, she decided something: "I will always stay by his side, no matter what."

  The night ends in silence, but with a new sense of peace filling the room.

  Kotaro wakes up, still feeling some fatigue, but he pushes himself to get up. He heads toward the door, thinking about his sister.

  Kotaro (internal voice): "Did Nisan leave? I couldn't even properly thank her... or offer her food or anything simple. She's always the one taking care of me. I'm just a burden on her."

  He reaches for the door to open it, and when he does, he finds Yuko sitting on the couch, holding a cup of tea and looking at her phone.

  Kotaro (in surprise): "Nisan?!"

  Yuko turns around with a small smile.

  Yuko: "Ah, you finally woke up! Are you feeling a bit better?"

  Kotaro (scratching his head, embarrassed): "Yes... all of this is thanks to you. Thank you, Nisan."

  Yuko smiles and pats the couch beside her.

  Yuko: "Come sit here."

  Kotaro sits beside her, feeling at ease despite his exhaustion.

  Yuko: "Tell me, how was school? Are you eating well? How are you managing these days?"

  Kotaro (sighs): "School... same as usual. I study, go home. As for food... I try to manage the best I can."

  Yuko remains silent for a moment, then looks at him with serious eyes.

  Yuko: "Kotaro, that's not enough. You know that, right? You can't keep living like this alone."

  Kotaro (looking at the ground): "I know that, but..."

  Yuko (interrupting him): "No excuses. Kotaro, I want you to come back with me. You shouldn't be here alone. No matter the circumstances, we are family. You don't have to bear all of this on your own."

  Kotaro raises his head, looking at her, his eyes full of hesitation.

  Kotaro: "Nisan, I know you're trying to help me, but... I don't want to be a burden to you. You've already done so much for me. I just... want to be strong enough to depend on myself."

  Yuko (looking at him tenderly): "You're not a burden, Kotaro. You never were. I'm here because I want to be here for you. Coming back with me doesn't mean you're weak. It means you know when you need support. And that's not wrong."

  Kotaru falls silent, the words weighing on him, but he feels warmth and sincerity in her words.