Pretentious Lullaby

-CHAPTER 9-

"Good Morning." Yuki greeted with a smile the moment I open my eyes. As I thought, it may be him rustling in the garden. "You must be really tired, aren't you? It's unlikely of you to sleep around like that."

I just stared at him and kept quiet. I don't know what should I do next, if I should punch him and leave or pretend I was dreaming and keep sleeping.

"You're not gonna answer me, aren't you?" He said then sighed after a second of me still not answering. I'm not in the mood and I really don't care.

I felt so dizzy, I don't know why...

"Maybe you shouldn't sleep here. I don't really think I can carry you so I just fixed your position. Unfortunately, I think I made it worse." He scratched his head, giving me an apologetic look. It's not like I didn't felt it a while back, but it's true that this position was a bit uncomfortable.

I quickly stood up from the bench but as I try to balance myself, I find myself almost falling down. What the heck?

"Are you alright? You didn't slept late, right?" Yuki held me before I could fall back. I didn't sleep late, I always sleep the time grandma sleeps. Exams were over so I don't stay up. I was okay the next few days but today was really different. I'm so tired.

"Maybe we should go back." He said with his hands still holding me. Out of the blue, a cat meowed which surprised me. Since when was there a cat in here?

"Oh, look Yoru!" Yuki showed me the kitten that was resting on his arm. "I found this kitten over there. I was thinking I should give this to Shi-kun since he's fond of animals. Don't you also think he's cute?"

I looked closely at the kitten who was snuggling to Yuki. It must be so fond of the guy. I don't really like animals. I just don't think we have a good connection. I think it was when I got chased by a loose dog on my way home when I was in middle school. I don't think I'll get over it. But that doesn't mean I knew nothing about them. In fact,

"It's a girl."

"...huh?"

"That." I pointed at the kitten. "That's a girl."

Yuki immediately observed the kitten and in a few seconds, he figured it out. "Oh, you're right. Haha! I didn't notice that!"

Yuki was laughing but I didn't bother too much of it. Suddenly, I sneezed in front of him, making him stop. My nose became runny all of a sudden and my head starts hurting even more.

"Let me see." Yuki quickly placed his palm against my forehead. Still, I manage to not look up. I don't want to plus I don't have the energy to push him away. I just want to lie down and rest. "You're hot. Looks like you have a fever."

Weird. I never get one. Come to think of it, this is my first getting a cold. Usually its the other way around. "Let's go. I'll guide you." He held my hand without permission as we both walk past the door.

"I can handle mys—"

"if you keep budging in, I'll push you." Yuki interrupted me, unwilling to listen. I mean, I'd rather fall than do this so...why not? "Of course, I won't do that, since you'd prefer to fall down that let me hold you." At least you understand. Now let go.

.

"Oh dear..." Yumeko commented the moment she saw Yoruko walking in. He was swaying from side to side that made both women worry.

"You're so pale, Yoruko." Fujiko went closer to Yoruko and held his forehead. "You're burning!"

"He's been like that for a while. I saw him sleeping on the bench on the rooftop." Yuki said and gave the kitten to Shigeo. Shigeo was astonished and began playing with her on the floor with his toys. "He looked weird so I checked him. I really thought my hand was gonna melt when I touched him."

"He doesn't normally get sick." Fujiko replied as she stares at the young lad laying half of his body on Yuki's bed. "Yoruko, lay down properly."

But the lad only shakes his head, and continues to sleep in his position. Yuki sat next to Yoruko, observing him from head to toe. He palmed his face and rested his elbow on his knee.

"Does he really felt comfortable in uncomfortable positions?" Yuki asked, remembering the scene from last time.

"I don't understand this kid at all. This also happens last time. I just saw him sleeping while sitting on the dining table. I guess it didn't matter as long as he gets sleep."

Yuki couldn't help but chuckle. He was right about his impression to Yoruko. Total weirdo indeed.

Shortly after, Fujiko went down to buy Yoruko's medicine and also to call a taxi since she knew Yoruko wouldn't be able to talk to the train station with his condition. "Yoruko, it's time to go home." But alas, the young man did not move. He continues to sleep as he ignores the voices ringing in his ear.

"I don't think he'll wake up any soon." Yumeko said as she witness the whole scenario. "How about Yuki carry him to the taxi?"

Yuki, who was playing with Shigeo and the kitten, quickly moved his eyes to Yumeko then to Fujiko and sleeping Yoruko.

"Me?" Yuki said, pointing at himself.

"Yoruko seems very dozed off and I don't think Fujiko will be able to carry him." Yumeko understood the situation and thought of the only solution left for them. "Will you be able to carry Yoruko?"

"I mean..." Yuki looks at Yoruko who was still sleeping in the same position as before. It's been 20 minutes since he fell asleep, and thinking about what Yumeko said, he knew she was right. "Alright, I'll carry him down."

.

"Thank you again for carrying Yoruko. I sure create a lot of trouble."

"It's nothing, Fujiko-san. I was so surprise when I carry him. I didn't knew he'd be this light to carry." In this usual moments, Yoruko would have probably curse the young man, but due to his peaceful slumber, he didn't budge and just dumped his head against Yuki's shoulder.

The taxi arrive just in time and Yuki carefully moved Yoruko to the passenger's seat. Fujiko waved goodbye to Yuki before the car starts and they both left the hospital. When they arrived at their home, Fujiko assisted Yoruko inside all the way to his room.

Yoruko fell from his bed and Fujiko went downstairs to get water for the medicine. She lets Yoruko drink the medicine before letting him sleep for the night.

.

"Ugh, too bright..." I covered my head with the sheets the moment my eyes was hit by the light. Why didn't grandma close the curtains? My head hurts from too much brightness.

Grandma already excused me from school and I was the only one left here. She went to her tutoring lessons while I'm here, lying on the bed with no energy to even move my eyelids. Do every people feel this when they get a fever? Must be so insulting. But I can't blame others, it was my fault I got in this situation, I did get soaked by that rain a while back.

This was very unusual to me. I may be prone to bruises but I wasn't the type of person to get sick so easily. In fact, I once went to school drenched in rain because I didn't have an umbrella and I didn't get sick days after. How come when I'm finally in high school, I got my first fever?

Good thing my headaches weren't that worse than last night. But I didn't have the will to move. I just want to sleep the whole day but can't. I can't sleep.

I do think I dodged a bullet right there. I was the one on duty today and I really don't like cleaning the classroom. It's a waste of time and energy.

Just then, my phone rang nonstop. Who was calling me? Did grandma need something? I mean, she was the only one on my contacts, besides that number Yuki used. I forgot to remove it but rest assured, I won't use that number.

I grab the phone as I could and slowly placed it on my ear. "Y-Yes..." My voice was trembling and I could feel my hands shaking. Whoever this person is or if it's grandma, please hurry it u—

"Good morning! Are you feeling well?"...What?

I quickly moved the phone to my face and saw an unknown number. I wasn't mistaken by the voice. I knew exactly who this is. "Oh yeah, this is Yuki. I'm calling from the front count—I'm not calling them again...NO, this is someone else...I'm telling the truth! Yoru, try saying something! These guys won't believe I'm taking to you." Countless voices rang in my ear, giving me more headaches than ever.

I should have never answered this call.

"Yoru, Are you still there?...Don't tell me you fell asleep again?"

"S-Shut..u-up." I can barely speak but I still managed to curse at him. At least I had one achievement.

"Okay, still there. Good..." He then started mumbling about stuff I didn't bother listening to. Did he just called me for this? To have someone to talk to? Does he realized I'm practically unwell? Geez, I should probably end this. But I was too dizzy to do that so I had no choice but to listen. In fact, I was relaxing.

Rather than uneasiness, I felt...comfortable. What's this?

"How are you feeling? Shigeo kept asking if you're alright but I don't what to answer him..." Yuki said over the phone but I wasn't sure if I should answer it or not? What should I do? "Hello? Yoru~"

"H-H-Head...H-Hurts..." Surprised by what I said, I quickly moved from the pillow and tightly held the phone. W-What did I just say? Did I just...answer him? This is bad...My head starting stinging and I could barely sat from the bed. But I was too embarrassed from what I just said.

"Yoru?" I heard Yuki's voice from the speaker. "Are you okay? I heard something weird, did something happen?"

I did this to myself, correct? It'll be bad if I pretend nothing happened. I put the phone to my head and gulped before responding back. "N-No...Nothing..."

"...I see. Your head hurts, right? Did you take your medicine?" I answered yes.

"Did you eat?" I answered again.

"Did you try taking a bath? I heard it can help with fever." I answered not yet.

For the first time, I kinda felt at ease in this. This conversation was out of the blue, but it was interesting. Seeing how I respond back, it was peculiar. Is this what they call "a new side"? I was bothered but not like back then when I used to detest it.

"Are you feeling better?" He kept asking questions after I answer them, can't he just slow down? I know it's my first time but I'm not used to it yet. Seriously, he's never-changing.

"N-No..."

"No? Why not?"

"C-Can't s-sleep..."

He got quiet for a while, and I took this chance to lay back on the bed since my hands are already shaking. I might accidentally hit the wall if I don't lay back anytime soon. He got super quiet after that so I thought he was gone. When I was about to end the call, Yuki's voice reappeared.

"Want me to sing to you?"...Huh? What's he saying? "S-Since you can't sleep, I thought I might sing to you a lullaby or something..."

Particularly, I don't do lullabies. I believe they're just for kids and not for adults so as a teenager like me, I don't think I should agree with that. "What's this? You afraid of me singing? I'm not a siren, don't worry. I don't have an intention of seducing you."

"F-f*ck you."

"Relax, relax, I'm only joking." Regardless of that, I can hear his faint chuckle from the other side of the phone. I swear, when I get better, I'll threw him off the building. "Anyways, since you don't have the intention of answering, I'll take that as a yes." Who are you to decide on me, you f*cker?

I heard his voice coughing a few times before taking a deep breath on the phone. He's really doing it, I can't believe it.

'Nen-nen you okororiyo suya-suya to oyasuminasai...'

I think I heard of this lullaby a long time ago, but I don't remember where...

'Nen-nen yo okororiyo yasashi hito ni sodachimasu you ni...'

I hate to say this but, he has a good voice. Very soothing...

'Kami-sama arigatou, enjeru mou arigatou...'

'Nen-nen yo okororiyo Mama no mune de oyasuminasai...'

Apart from his wild personality, his voice was very calming. He sounds like a father singing a song for his child to sleep. Of course, I don't tolerate myself as the child.

Soon, I can feel my eyelids relaxing to the song.

'Nen-nen you okororiyo suya-suya to oyasuminasai...'

'Nen-nen yo okororiyo yasashi hito ni sodachimasu you ni...'

'Kami-sama arigatou, enjeru mou arigatou...'

I feel heavy, but in a comfortable way. The moment he started singing, I felt my head starting to relax. It wasn't hurting like usual. I was getting very sleepy. And soon found myself in slumber in the hands of someone's voice.

'...Nen-nen yo okororiyo Mama no mune de oyasuminasai.'

I said a while back I should have never answered this call...

But I suppose, I'll give this one time an exemption.

-AR PHANTOM