Chapter 21: Down with a Fever?

Today the final exams for the semester arrived. I haven't studied as much, as I was too busy writing my novel. Haruto and I successfully got into the competition after we passed the screening a while ago. So I guess that Haruto hasn't reviewed as well considering that we would work till late at night just to be able to make deadlines. 

I arrived at the school expecting failure. But I'm already here. I'll fight till the end. I shall live with my quote from the midterm that this too shall pass. 

The first day exams ended and as I expected. I did bad. I answered some of the questions but most of them were questions that I am not confident about. Once again, I'll be asking all the gods to make my scores enough to pass the semester.

Shin, Haruto, and I decided to stop by the diner to have a group study and prepare for tomorrow's exam. We invited Hina, Arata, and Kaito but they had other plans. 

As we made our way to the table and placed our orders, Shin started taking out the notes she had. This can be considered as tutoring rather than a group study. Shin would be teaching me and Haruto who's currently doing really bad on our exams. 

"Before we start, do you have any news from Yukino? I heard from her that you two have been hanging out quite often these days." Asked Shin.

Haruto looked at me acting all surprised, so for the first time in a while, he was speechless.

"I don't. We haven't talked for two days. I was busy trying to make the deadline for my novel. Why?" 

"She was absent today. During the final exam of all days." 

What? Should I contact her right now? Did she catch a cold because of our nightly adventures? It's getting colder and colder these days after all. I haven't heard from her since I told her that we should take a break from our night adventures for a week. Should I go and visit? 

"Oi Aoi! I know you're worried but focus on this first! Or else, you'll have to repeat the semester!" Shin implied with authority.

Haruto and I sat up straight the moment Shin shouted. 

Shin continued teaching us while I couldn't understand a single thing. At this point, I'll probably have a hard time once again on tomorrow's exam. My mind was so hung up on thinking about what happened to Yukino. 

A few hours passed, and both Haruto and I were mentally tired. Haruto was already leaning face down atop of the printouts scattered at the table while Shin started to pack things up preparing to wrap off our study session. 

"I can't believe how hard it was to teach both of you. I expected you two to learn much faster considering that you guys are aspiring novelists." 

"I guess I'm that dumb when trying to learn things I don't want to." Answered Haruto while still lying his head on the table face down." 

Shin started to notice how I haven't said a word despite finishing the assigned questions for me. 

"Go pay Yukino a visit Aoi." Said Shin.

I was woken up from my endless daze. I quickly packed my things up as I rushed through the front glass door of the diner. 

"I'll be going first. You guys take care going home." Said I as I waved my goodbye to the two of them. Haruto still hasn't moved an inch.

I rode off my motorcycle to Yukino's house and arrived about 15 minutes later. I sent her a text but she wasn't replying so I'm starting to get worried. 

I made my way to their doorstep and rang the doorbell. Snow started to fall bit by bit as I waited outside for a few more seconds before the door opened up. 

"Do you know what time it is? It's already 10 PM you punk." 

Her uncle stared at me from head to toe just like when he first met me.

"Aren't you cold? Anyway, come inside first." Her uncle offered.

I made my way to the living room and realized that I forgot my coat and scarf at the diner. That explains why I felt so cold on my way here. I hope either Haruto or Shin kept my coat for me.

"I'm guessing you're here for Yukino? Of course you are. You wouldn't visit me after all." 

"Is she sick?" Asked I.

"Yeah, She's down with a cold." Her uncle looked away for a moment before bringing back his gaze back to me again. "Go to her room. First door on your right upstairs. Just don't do anything unpleasant or you won't be leaving this house unscathed" 

I made my way upstairs and knocked on her door. I already knew my way since I've been here already.

"Yukino? It's me Aoi. Can I enter?" 

"What? Why are you here? Wait there a few minutes!" 

I waited for several minutes before she gave me the permission to enter the room. I entered the room and it was all tidied up. On her desk were some medicines for cold and fever. Yukino sat at her bed wearing her pajamas. Her face was a bit red so I'm guessing she really did catch a cold. 

"So? What did you bring me?" Asked Shin.

"Oh, I didn't bring any." Said I while looking down scratching the back of my head.

"Shouldn't you at least bring something if you're visiting a sick person?" 

"I'll be sure to bring some next time."

Yukino signaled me to sit beside her while looking disappointed. I simply followed and sat beside her.

"So? Are we going to continue our nightly routine anytime soon?" Asked Yukino.

I wanted to ask her how she's doing but I guess she doesn't want me to.

"As soon as you get all healed up from your cold we'll continue right away." 

Yukino smiled and looked very happy. 

"You should have texted me, you know. I was really worried." 

"Oh, my phone broke a few days ago! I'll have it repaired once I'm good." 

We sat there without saying a word to each other for a few minutes. I was fidgeting with my fingers for a while now thinking of how to break the awkward silence. I visited so I should at least have something interesting to talk to her about. But being in a room with a girl was surprisingly freaking me out. My mind wasn't functioning well. So I just asked a random question.

"How about final exams? Will you be able to take it?" 

"Probably, I'll take the make-up exams. You should be worried instead, didn't you almost fail in our midterms?" 

"Shin, Haruto and I studied earlier so I guess I'll do a little better tomorrow."

Well to be completely honest, I barely learned anything earlier so once again, I'll hope that something clicks when I'm taking the exams tomorrow. 

"Can you play the guitar Aoi?" 

"A bit? Why do you ask?"