Sick Leave

Sick Leave is the third Tim x Azusa fanfic. It was posted in 2015 along with 6 other fanfics on the Notes section of his Facebook page. It is the second 'side story' of the series.
== Notes ==
* During my last year of high school, after Yui and the others have graduated, I catch a cold.https://www.facebook.com/timothy.gregory.923/posts/1203061603141297https://www.facebook.com/timothy.gregory.923/posts/1238213932959397
== Text ==
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I made my way to my homeroom, replying to several 'Good morning's. Entering the room, I headed to my desk and dumped my bag. Sitting down, I ran my hands over my hair. [Just one more year.]
"Good morning, Shigure-chan." I looked up and saw Ui.
"'Morning, Ui."
"Can you really believe it's our final year?" she asked, smiling.
"I know. Where has the time gone?" I replied. I then saw the love of my life walk in. When our eyes met, I smiled and waved. She quickly came over.
"Good morning Shigure, Ui."
"Good morning, Azusa-chan."
"'Morning." The three of us exchanged a bit of chit-chat for a while until our teacher came in.
After school...
I packed my things away, getting ready to leave. Azusa was doing the same. Swinging my bag over my shoulder, I bade her farewell. She nodded. I then noticed a sad look in her eyes. Concerned, I headed over to her. "Azusa."
She looked up at me. "Yes?"
"You okay?"
"Yes, I'm okay."
I stalled for a few seconds, then decided not to push it. "Okay. Have fun at your club."
She smiled. "Sure. See you tomorrow." She then headed out. I stayed where I was. It had been a few months now since Yui-sempai and the others had left for college. Azusa was devastated when they left, and was still trying to come terms with the fact that they were no longer here.
I tried to be there for her as much as I could, while also trying not to be too pushy with things. I was really worried about her. I knew that she loved the seniors dearly. Shaking my head, I headed out of the room. When I reached the gate, I stopped and looked back. I couldn't shake that look I'd seen. [What do I do?] I wanted to support her through this, but I also didn't want to be too in her face lest I annoy her. I guess I'll just keep an eye on her. I then proceeded home. As I neared my apartment, I started feeling strange. I paused and felt my forehead. I felt a bit warmer than usual.
Quickly heading inside, I found my thermometer and checked my temperature. 37.5. I'd heard that a cold had been going around. There were a few students who had been off school. Was I next? [I guess I'll know tomorrow.] I carried on as normal for the rest of the evening. When my alarm went off the next morning, I struggled to switch it off. I knew then that I had been hit. Forcing myself up, I got the thermometer again. 39.3. [That's pretty high.] Putting it back, I trudged back to bed. Dropping back down, I got my phone and called the school.
Informing my teacher that I wouldn't be in today, I lay flat, panting. My head felt like it was in flames, and my body ached. I was feeling terrible. [It couldn't have waited until later, could it?] Today was a Saturday, a half day for Sakura High. My eyes closed and I blacked out. When I came to again, a frantic pounding met my ears. I then heard my name. Realizing that someone was at the door, I pulled my heavy body up and went over. I was really unsteady, and had trouble keeping a straight line. Lacking the energy to see who it was, I unlocked and opened the door. I was greeted with a worried Azusa.
"Hi..." I managed to say. I struggled to stay on my feet. My legs felt like lead weights. I then started coughing.
"Shigure..." Dumping her things, Azusa grabbed me and led me back to my room. Lying me down, she felt my head. "You're burning up. Do you have a thermometer?"
"Bathroom... medicine cabinet..." She hurried out. [Great. Now I've got her worried.] She returned quickly. I held the thermometer in my mouth until it beeped.
"39.5." She grabbed my hand. "When did this come on?"
"Sometime this morning, I think. I was a little warm when I got back yesterday, but I didn't feel the brunt of it until I woke up. *cough cough cough*"
Azusa left again and returned with a facecloth and a bowl of water. Wetting the cloth, she draped it over my head. "I tried calling you earlier. Didn't you hear it?"
Reaching out, I found my phone and checked my history. I had 3 missed calls from Azusa. "Sorry. I was totally out of it."
"I got the news from our teacher. I've been thinking about you all day."
I looked away. "Great. Now I feel really bad."
She pulled my face back and smiled. "It's okay. You couldn't help it. I heard that something had been going around."
"Do your parents know you're here?"
"I've let them know. I'm staying here for the day to look after you."
"Oh, please don't do that. I'm gonna feel even worse."
She put a finger over my mouth. "No arguing. Let me do this."
"And what if you catch this?"
She smiled again. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." Pulling the cloth off my head, she re-wet and re-set it. "Can I get you anything?"
I realized she was dead set on this. "I guess a drink would be nice. My throat feels like a desert."
"Alright. Stay right there." She left the room again.
I forced myself up. [Guess I've got my own personal nurse now.] Azusa came back in with some water.
"Here you go."
I smiled. "Thanks." I chugged it down in one shot. "Oh yeah, that's better." I set the glass aside. "Did I miss much today?"
"Not too much. I've got some homework from our teacher. She says take your time with it. I'll give them to you later. Don't touch them until you're better, okay?"
"Yes ma'am." I then felt fatigue setting in again. "Sorry, I'm gonna need a little more shut eye."
"Sure. I'll be in the other room if you need me." She stood up and headed out, leaving me alone. I lay down again and was soon asleep.
A few hours later...
I opened my eyes. Looking at the ceiling, I briefly wondered where I was. Putting my hand on my head, I felt heat. [Oh right, I'm sick.] I then heard my body talking. [Bathroom.] I slowly got to my feet. When I opened the bedroom door, I saw an empty apartment. [I wonder where Azusa went.]
I shuffled my way to the bathroom and answered nature's call. When I finished, I headed back to bed, not wanting to hear my girlfriend nag me. Sitting down again, I heard the front door open. Footsteps approached and Azusa came in. "Hi. How're you feeling?"
"A little more human, I guess. Where'd you disappear to?"
She held up a bag. "I thought I'd get you some medicine."
I chuckled. "You really didn't need to spend your own money on me."
She smiled. "If it were anyone else, you'd be right. But you're an exception." Kneeling down, she pulled out a bottle and poured some medicine into a spoon. "Open up."
I obeyed and swallowed it. "I really owe you for this."
"Not at all. Remember what you told me last year? How it was your job as my boyfriend to look out for me? Well, it's also [my] job as your girlfriend to look out for [you]."
I couldn't help but smile. "I guess you have a point." I checked the time. Late afternoon. "Hmm, what am I gonna do about dinner?"
"Why don't you let me take care of that? I'm not Ui, but I do know how to cook."
"You sure? I'm feeling a bit stronger now."
She shook her head. "You still need to rest. I'll be okay."
I decided not to argue. "Okay then. My kitchen's all yours." I then stood up.
"What are you doing?" Azusa asked.
"I really need a bath."
She looked a bit concerned. "Are you sure you feel up to it?"
"I think I'm on the road to recovery now. I've been wearing these all day anyway, and they're really sticking to me."
"Okay. If you need a hand..."
I smiled and crossed my arms in an X. "Sorry, no can do. We're not even married. I'll be alright. The steam might help me anyway."
"Okay. I'll get dinner on then." With that, I grabbed a change of nightclothes and headed for the bathroom. After scrubbing myself thoroughly, I relaxed in the tub, enjoying the warmth.
[This is good.] My mind wandered a bit. ["We're not even married". I wonder if it'll ever happen.] If I ever did get married to Azusa, I'd be the happiest guy alive. I loved her dearly, and I enjoyed having her as a friend.
I must have lost track of time, because I soon heard a knock. "Shigure? Dinner's ready."
Coming back to Earth, I called out "Be right there." Quickly getting out of the tub, I hurriedly dried myself and got dressed again. My head was feeling a bit lighter, probably because of the steam.
Stepping out, I threw my used nightclothes in the wash and headed for the dining-room. The table contained a simple dinner. It wasn't anything extravagant, but I was still impressed. "It's not much. I just threw together what I could find." Azusa said.
"It's wonderful. Thank you." We settled down to eat.
"Itadakimasu." Fortunately, I still had an appetite. My own cooking skills weren't really anything to brag about, but this was pretty darn good. Azusa had done a great job.
"Um... how is it?" I heard her ask timidly.
I smiled. "Let me put it this way. You would make an amazing wife."
Her face lit up as she looked away. "Shigure, don't say something like that. It's embarrassing."
"Seriously, you would. This is really good. Probably better than mine."
The blush fading, she looked at me again. "Really?"
I nodded. "I love it. You did a great job." A smile appeared. After finishing dinner and clearing away the dishes, we sat in the living-room and chatted a bit. "So how's the club going?"
"It's a lot of fun. Nao and Sumire seem to be settling in. Jun is kinda reluctant with practice though. She kinda reminds me of Ritsu-sempai." Her expression suddenly dropped and she lowered her gaze.
"Azusa?"
"Sorry. Saying that name just... brings back memories."
[Oh no, did I just step on a landmine?]
"You know, sometimes... when I arrive at the clubroom first... I can still see them." All the cheer disappeared from her face. "I can hear them too. It's as if... they're still there. Like they've never left." I saw tears forming. "I know it's been months now, and I really enjoy having Ui and the others in the Light Music Club, but..." She choked on a sob. "It's just not the same."
I grabbed hold of her and pulled her close. Her arms wrapped around me. "Azusa..."
I felt her trembling. "I'm sorry, Shigure. I just... I just miss them so much."
"Ssh, don't talk. Just let it go." I whispered. Tightening her hold on me, Azusa dropped her restraints and broke down. The apartment filled with the sound of her cries. I said nothing. I just held her and stroked her head. [Why did I have to ask about the club?] I seriously felt like the biggest idiot alive.
We stayed like this for a number of minutes until Azusa's sobs began to lessen. "I'm sorry, Shigure. I should be getting over this."
"Hey, don't apologize. You miss them, I know that. It's okay." I assured her. Once she had calmed down, I pulled her up. "I'm sorry for asking. I don't know what I was thinking."
Wiping away her tears, she put on a smile. "It's okay. Things just slip out sometimes." She took a few breaths. "Thank you. I feel better now." She then checked the time. "Oh, it's that late? I'd better get going." Getting her things, she prepared to leave. "Oh, I almost forgot..." She pulled out some notes. "Here's the homework I was to give to you."
"Thanks. I should be able to get cracking on it tomorrow." I put them aside. "You sure you're feeling better?"
She smiled. "Yeah. I guess I just needed to get that off my chest."
"Hey, don't forget. You ever need a shoulder to cry on, you just let me know."
"I will." She opened the door. "Well, I'm off now. Get better quickly."
"I should be back to normal by Monday."
"Right. Good-night then."
"See you around. Thanks for everything." After locking the door, I put the notes in my room and gulped down some more medicine before settling down for the night.
The following Monday…
I leant back against the door of the Light Music Club Room, waiting. It was before classes were due to start. I had now fully recovered from my cold, and was really hoping I had not passed it onto my beloved. Pulling my phone out, I checked the message I’d sent her the previous day. ‘Do me a favor. Go to school a bit earlier tomorrow and head to the Light Music Club Room. Someone will be waiting for you.’ I couldn’t help smiling. She had asked whether I was coming and I’d said I would see how I felt in the morning. I then picked up the sound of approaching footsteps. A head of black hair appeared.
When Azusa saw me, her face lit up. “Good morning.” I said, smiling at her. Setting her guitar aside, she threw her arms around me. I held her tightly.
“I should have known it would be you.” She said.
“That’s what surprises are for.”
She looked up at me. “So you’re back to normal now?”
Stooping down a bit, I lifted her up and spun around a few times before setting her down again. She looked at me bewilderedly. “Can’t complain.” I replied. I then hugged her again. “Hey, thanks for looking after me. I really appreciate it.”
“Of course. You live by yourself, so who else would have done it? And anyway, you’re always looking after me, and supporting me now that Yui-sempai and the others are gone.”
I separated from her. “So in some ways, we’re even.”
“Yeah.”
I quickly checked the time. Classes were a few minutes from starting. “We should get going. But before we do, I’d like us to do something we couldn’t do last week since I was sick.”
“What would that be?”
I grasped her face and smiled. “I think you know.”
Quickly catching on, Azusa smiled. “I do now.” We then joined in a kiss, wrapping our arms around each other. I never got tired of this. Azusa’s lips were the best in the world. When we had finished our kiss, we gave a quick ‘I love you’ to each other before heading to class.
THE END
==References==