CHAPTER 15: Rare

Oikawa glanced at the girl walking beside him. Sorano had an expressionless face put up while she strode quietly. Since when did they start going back and forth the pub together? He doesn't even work there. Though he had to admit it feels nice to walk with someone at night under the starry sky.

'Oikawa-san,' suddenly Sorano spoke. Oikawa turned to her. 'Can we take a taxi?'

'Huh?' Oikawa frowned. 'You're not the type to...' he trailed off when he realized how pale she looked.

Sorano was already going through her phone to call for a ride then moved to a bench not far from them. 'Let's sit there as we wait.' She said and walked off.

Oikawa quickly trailed after her and sat. 'Are you okay? Your face is as white as paper.' He asked worriedly.

Sorano chuckled. 'I'm okay, maybe it's because of the moonlight.'

The lad wasn't convinced but he kept quiet, knowing Sorano wouldn't admit about not feeling well. She clearly looked tired but was trying to put up a strong front. Oikawa was about to touch her forehead with his hand but Sorano suddenly stood.

'It's here, let's go.' She said quite cheerfully and entered the car. Oikawa sighed and went in. The car sped off towards Sorano's place (Oikawa convinced Sorano that it's okay to send her first). As soon as the driver drove, Sorano fell into a deep sleep.

He stared at her sleeping face. Her breathing was rushed and her hair was a little messy. She was slightly frowning and it made Oikawa smile when he saw that she was sitting cross-legged. He leaned against the seat but his head never turned away from her. It was entertaining to stare at her sleeping form.

Then all of a sudden, his heart fluttered. He was startled by the weird sensation he was feeling as of then and immediately looked away, averting his gaze towards the outside world instead. His heart thumped against his chest like a wild animal trying to escape from a cage.

Oikawa touched his face and gritted his teeth. Why was he flustered? Why was he embarrassed? He couldn't answer his own questions and it made him irritated. He frowned at the restlessness he was feeling and tried to keep calm. He hated it.

The driver glanced at Sorano from his rearview mirror then turned his body to Oikawa, who wasn't aware that the car has stopped. 'Sir, we're here.' He said.

Oikawa snapped out of his thoughts and nodded. He tapped on Sorano's shoulder but she was fast asleep. 'Sorano-chan...' he whispered, shaking her a bit. It was to no avail, she didn't even stir. Oikawa saw the driver checking his wristwatch anxiously so he decided to drag Sorano out.

He pulled Sorano's hand and her head fell onto his shoulder. Oikawa flinched, his breath stuck in his throat. He gently placed her head back against the seat's headrest and quickly got out of the car to go to the other side of the door where Sorano was the closest. He then finally had her on his back after a long minute of struggling.

'You can go. I'll walk home instead. Thank you.' Oikawa told the driver and gave him his money. The car went away without delay and Oikawa climbed up to the second floor of the apartment, which is also the highest floor. He remembered her apartment number and knocked on the door exactly three times.

It was nearing 3.30am he was afraid her friend wouldn't be awake. He knocked again, this time louder, hoping someone would open the door because apparently Sorano was quite heavy for Oikawa's precious back and he couldn't bear having her close to him at the moment.

He heard the door being unlocked from the inside and he thanked God silently. Her black-haired friend, whom he recognized was the former manager of Karasuno, Shimizu Kiyoko stood at the door in her PJs.

Kiyoko's eyes widened at the sight of him and her friend. 'Is she drunk?' she asked softly and let Oikawa in. Oikawa took off his shoes and went inside.

'No, she's just asleep.' Oikawa replied. Kiyoko wasn't showing him where Sorano's room was so he stood in the middle of the living hall like a fool waiting for instructions. After Kiyoko was done locking the door, she went to them.

'Maybe...' she reached out and touched Sorano's forehead. 'Ah, slightly.'

'Um, where should I put her?' Oikawa queried awkwardly.

'Oh, of course,' Kiyoko turned at the second room they saw and opened the door. 'Right in here.'

She turned on the light and Oikawa saw the bed. He rushed to it and placed her down gently, careful not to wake her. He sighed in relief and stretched his arms.

'How much does she weigh?' Oikawa questioned, patting his back jokingly.

Kiyoko chuckled. 'Not too heavy for you, I suppose.'

'Will she be okay without going to the doctor?' Oikawa asked.

'Yeah, I hope so, she usually will be fine overnight.'

Oikawa folded his arms across his chest, looking somewhat proud. 'I knew she's a special case.'

Kiyoko looked at him questioningly.

'I mean,' Oikawa said defensively. 'She rarely gets sick and when she does, she recovers fast. She doesn't get tired easily too. Isn't that a special case? I thought going to the clinic wouldn't be necessary for her.'

Kiyoko smiled slyly. 'It seems someone is getting to know her more than enough.'

'N-no—' Oikawa stuttered. 'I just figured that she's that kind of person...!'

'I was just messing with you,' Kiyoko stifled a laugh. 'She doesn't have many friends aside from those at the pub and her model. It's nice to see her like this sometimes.'

Oikawa held back a smile. 'I should go now, it's late.' He said quietly and Kiyoko walked him out.

-

Oikawa increased the volume as loud as his ears could withstand. He was trying to shake off the strange sensation he was feeling. He wanted to get distracted but the song wasn't helping. It only made his heart race even faster. Oikawa snatched his earphones away from his ears and jogged home, utterly frustrated.

-

Sorano groaned when she felt a sharp pain on her head. She opened her eyes and saw her room's ceiling. She couldn't remember how she landed on her bed because the last thing she could recall was the starry sky and sleeping in the taxi. Kiyoko probably dragged her out like a corpse.

'You're finally awake,' Kiyoko beamed when she opened the door, rushing to Sorano's side. 'Let me see if you're still feverish.'

Sorano quickly sat up, wincing at the pain. 'Wait, feverish?' she whispered.

'You slept like a log last night,' Kiyoko said, shoving a thermometer into Sorano's mouth. 'I hope you're fine by now.'

After a while, she snatched back the thermometer and examined the temperature. Then she nodded satisfyingly. 'It has gone down tremendously,' commented Kiyoko. 'Still in the fever zone, though.'

Sorano frowned. 'Wait, really? I didn't do anything vigorous though?'

Kiyoko hummed. 'I suspect it's also dehydration and lack of nutrients. I've made you a bowl of vegetable soup; you should eat it after you brush your teeth. Does your head feel heavy?'

Sorano nodded. 'It kind of hurts.'

'Do you want to rest more? I'll wake you up again in 2 hours for your medicine.'

Sorano shook her head and glanced at her clock on the bedside table. Her eyes widened and she quickly threw her blanket off, wanting to rush to the shower but Kiyoko held her down in her bed.

'Where do you think you're going?' Kiyoko said, frowning. Her grips were strong.

'Kise! He has a shoot in an hour!' Sorano gasped, panicked. 'I need to get him there on time—please, Kiyoko, let me go.'

Kiyoko squeezed her shoulder and thought for a moment. Then, 'Lie down and tell me the location. I will bring him.' She said, albeit rather reluctantly.

'HUH?' Sorano gave her the most questioning look ever, if that even exists. They stared at each other for a long time.

'I'm being serious.' Kiyoko said sternly.

'What—no, seriously! I don't have time for jokes—'

'Really!' Kiyoko raised her voice slightly and Sorano raised her eyebrows, staring at her as if she's turned into a kitten.

'Are you... really... going to substitute me for a while?' Sorano queried, her voice small in disbelief.

Kiyoko nodded, this time confidently.

Sorano was hesitant. 'Um, alright, I'll text you the location while you get ready.'

Her friend smiled contently. 'Good. Now, lie down. If you're sick you can't do anything right, so rest up and get better soon if you want to work so bad. Okay?' she said, tucking her to bed.

Sorano smiled. 'Thank you so much.'

'No worries.' Kiyoko winked and left.

-

Shimizu Kiyoko has not been driving for a while but she was convinced she could still drive like a sane person. Kise's house wasn't too far from hers so she arrived there in a matter of minutes.

Kise was sitting on a chair located at his front porch. When he saw the car, he got up and headed for it. Kiyoko unlocked the door and the blonde entered.

'Sorano-chan,' Kise began whining while looking at his phone, unaware of the different person sitting in the driver's seat. 'There's this one hat I've been wanting, can we go see it after the shoot?'

When he didn't hear any reply, he continued, 'Well, you might ask me to buy it online but I want to try it first...' he trailed off and frowned.

Usually, Sorano would be yelling at him for adding unnecessary trips. Today, there was no reply and the car was moving rather slowly. Sorano is one to press the pedal as hard as she could and injure Kise's head in the process.

He finally looked up, fixing his gaze on the rearview mirror. Kise gasped loudly. 'Who are you?!' he asked menacingly. 'Where's Sorano?'

Kiyoko gulped inaudibly and stopped the car at a side. She spun around. Kise had a good look at her face and realized it was Sorano's friend whom she brought to his shoot some time ago.

'Ah, Kiyoko-cchi...' Kise gaped at her sight, also remembering her as the nurse who helped him back then.

Kiyoko looked apologetic. 'I'm sorry. I forced Sorano to rest in bed for today since she's not feeling well. She said you have a shoot so I volunteered to send you since I was the one who forbade her to go out.'

Kise blinked in confusion. His brain hurt trying to process the information. He didn't say anything but he looked really baffled.

-

Sorano landed on her bed after a quick, warm shower. She was still feeling a little dizzy. She felt guilty not tending to Kise for the day so she reached for her phone to tell him directly. There was one missed call from Oikawa and a message from him as well. Sorano stared at it questioningly.

From: Oikawa

Are you okay already?

Sorano frowned and thought hard.

To: Oikawa

Hi, Oikawa-san, thanks for asking. I'm taking a day off today, sorry for troubling you with the taxi fare yesterday. I'll pay you back when I see you.

She exited the message and called Kise immediately. She didn't wait long; the call was answered after one beep.

'Sora-cchi!!!!'Kise yelled desperately.

Sorano winced. 'Gosh, Kise, calm down! What are you yelling for?' her voice was raspy and her throat hurt chiding him.

'Sorry, too excited,'Kise let out a giggle. 'Why didn't you tell me earlier?'

'Sorry, I haven't got the time,' Sorano replied. 'I'll make it up to you, I promise.'

'I already have something in mind.'

'Okay, wow, that's really fast.'

'Make sure you grant it!'

'I promise!' Sorano smiled at his childish behavior.

'Okay, I'll have to go now. The shoot is starting.'

'Alright, yellow prawn. Good luck.'

Kise thanked her and cut off the call. Sorano smiled in satisfaction. It seemed that Kiyoko made it to the shoot in time. A message came in.

From: Oikawa

You're still sick? And don't worry about the fare.

To: Oikawa

Surprisingly, yes. Thank you for paying I'll return the favor someday.

Sorano's eyes felt heavy and after a long battle for consciousness, she fell asleep.

-

Oikawa frowned. Seems like she did not remember, he thought to himself. He wasn't sure if he should feel relieved or disappointed.

'Kusokawa, where's the thing I asked for?' suddenly Iwaizumi's voice was heard from downstairs.

Oikawa who was lying down on his bed quickly sat up and rushed down. It seemed like Iwaizumi had invited himself in and was prancing about the living hall of Oikawa's brother's house.

'You're really staying here until your brother comes back? Impressive,' commented Iwaizumi, examining the house. 'You don't usually get out of your apartment.'

Oikawa shrugged. 'I just felt like it. When it fits, I go back to the apartment—wait, how did you know I'm here and not at my house?'

Iwaizumi didn't answer but proceeded to the kitchen instead saying he was thirsty. 'Do you have any juice?' he reached for the refrigerator and pulled it open. He was taken aback by what was stored inside it.

'Since when you buy these kind of stuffs?' Iwaizumi queried, curious as hell, frowning.

'Ah, that,' Oikawa trailed after him into the kitchen. 'I bought them with Sorano-chan. She was rather furious I was eating a lot of instant foods.'

Iwaizumi turned to him and stared real hard. Oikawa blinked, unsure of the reaction he was getting.

'You went for grocery shopping with Akayuki?' Iwaizumi questioned, emphasizing every word. Oikawa nodded vigorously. 'Wow. Who would've thought...'

'Why do you ask as if it's the strangest occurrence on Earth?' Oikawa wondered.

'Because,' Iwaizumi began, grabbing a glass from the cabinet. 'It's always your mom doing the grocery shopping for you and basically taking care of you every time she comes to visit.'

Oikawa gaped. 'Are you saying Sorano-chan is going to become my third mom?'

Iwaizumi snatched a dry cloth and threw it at Oikawa out of rage. 'That's not what I meant!' he chided. 'And who's even your second mom?'

'It's you, Iwa-chan.' the brunette answered casually and Iwaizumi instinctively threw a plate at him. Oikawa yelped and caught it in time before it fell on the floor.

'IWA-CHAN THIS WAS THEIR WEDDING GIFT!'

'Glad you caught it.' Iwaizumi retorted nonchalantly and went back to the living hall. Oikawa breathed out a sigh of relief, placed the plate on the counter and followed his friend.

'Where's the thing I asked for?' Iwaizumi landed on the sofa and demanded. Oikawa pulled a box from the cabinet under the TV and handed it to him.

'Thanks.'

Oikawa sat across Iwaizumi and checked his phone, still thinking what to reply to Sorano. Then he decided it's best to ask his friend. Although Oikawa was rather furious when he found out Iwaizumi had a girlfriend before he did, he knew he would be useful at times like this.

'Iwa-chan,' began Oikawa. Iwaizumi looked up from scrutinizing the box he received. 'I walked home with Sorano-chan last night but she wanted to take the taxi. Then she fell asleep and I—'

'Hold,' Iwaizumi interjected, frowning. 'Akayuki asked for a taxi?'

'She did.'

'That's weird, she has always preferred walking.'

'Listen to me!' Oikawa urged him. 'Then she fell asleep and I had to drag her out and put her on the bed—'

'HUH?' Iwaizumi interrupted again. 'Whose bed?!'

'Herbed,' Oikawa replied quickly. 'And it turns out she has a fever—'

'Are you kidding me?' for the third time, Iwaizumi halted Oikawa.

'Nooooo,' Oikawa whined. 'Pay attention to me! She has fever and I left her with her friend then I asked how she's doing this morning and she doesn't seem to remember that I had to bring her to her room, and she's going on about the taxi fare and now I don't know what to respond.'

Iwaizumi blinked. 'Do you know how rare for Akayuki to catch a fever?' he asked and Oikawa shook his head. 'This is the first time I'm hearing that she has a fever. That's how rare it is.'

'So um—' Oikawa spoke but Iwaizumi stood up abruptly, earning a confused look from the brunette.

'Let's go visit her. I'm curious what she looks like when she has a fever.'

'Huh??'

-

Oikawa found himself standing in front of the same door like it was last night. Iwaizumi knocked on the door and waited but nobody opened it.

'Maybe her friend went out?' Oikawa suggested.

Iwaizumi knelt by a flowerpot Oikawa didn't know it existed until then. He looked around for strangers but there was nobody so he lifted the pot and took the key that was under it. Oikawa gaped in disbelief.

That's such an obvious place to hide,thought Oikawa.

The door was opened in a few seconds and they entered, taking off their shoes. 'Sorry for intruding.' They chorused and crept in slowly.

Oikawa pointed at Sorano's room where he entered last night.

'I know where her room is.' Iwaizumi muttered and headed for it. He opened the door quietly.

Sorano was on her bed, lying on her stomach. Her left hand hung off the bed and her blanket was on the floor. Iwaizumi glanced at Oikawa who was looking at her curiously, as if she's a specimen.

'Kusokawa, you tuck her in properly, I'm going to the kitchen to find her meds.' Iwaizumi instructed then left. Oikawa gasped and began panicking but went to help anyway.

He lifted her hand and put it on the bed gently then picked up the blanket, spreading it over her, covering her head as well since it was a large blanket. Iwaizumi came back with a glass of water and a bottle of pill then saw the blanket on the bed covering Sorano like a corpse.

'Is she freaking dead?!' Iwaizumi growled and kicked Oikawa's back.

'OW!'

'Hey, what's the fuss?!' a female voice echoed from the living hall. Oikawa jerked his head up, turning around.

'Ah, she's here.' Iwaizumi murmured to himself, expecting her arrival since he was the one who called her.

'Is that Shino-chan?' Oikawa wondered. As if on cue, Shino Izumi came into view. She smiled at Iwaizumi and Oikawa, waving her hand as if she hadn't seen them for days. Then her gaze fell on the "corpse" and her smile disappeared immediately. She gasped and neared Sorano carefully.

'She's dead?' Izumi whispered in fear.

The blanket twisted and moved downwards, revealing Sorano's face, very much awake. 'I'm not dead...' Sorano frowned.

'Oh!' Izumi exclaimed loudly, making Sorano wince. 'You're awake! How are you feeling? Feverish? Headache? Back pain?'

'What?' Sorano scratched her head. 'No, just a little dizzy. How come you are all here?'

Iwaizumi quickly pointed at Oikawa.

'ME?' Oikawa said in bewilderment. 'Iwa-chan was the one standing up saying you wanted to see how Sorano-chan is when she's sick!'

'You started it.' Iwaizumi replied, no emotions whatsoever.

Oikawa gaped in horror at the accusation while Izumi sat on the bed. 'We're here to visit you.' She said.

'Because it's the first time I caught a fever?' Sorano raised a brow.

Izumi froze.

'Hate to admit but yeah,' Iwaizumi finally said. 'And to think that it didn't subside overnight just made me more curious.'

Sorano hummed. 'I'm curious too. Maybe I'm just too tired.'

Izumi gasped. 'Tired? Since when you ever get tired, Miss?'

She responded with an eye-roll.

'Okay, seriously now,' said Iwaizumi after a long silence. 'You need to rest.' He shoved the bottle and glass to Sorano, who took it willingly.

She examined the label and took a sip from the glass. 'I actually don't need it,' she said. 'I'm pretty much okay now.'

Izumi looked around then suddenly walked out.

'Didn't you say you're a little dizzy just now?' Iwaizumi queried.

'I did,' Sorano nodded. 'But it's going to go away after another sleep.'

'You've slept three times since morning and it's only two hours after noon.' Iwaizumi raised a brow, as if challenging Sorano.

'Two,' Sorano frowned, correcting him. 'Two times.'

'Still a lot.' Iwaizumi shrugged.

Izumi came back and shoved something in Sorano's mouth all of a sudden. Sorano groaned at the force but kept quiet when she realized it was a thermometer. A beep resonated and Izumi pulled it out a little too hard, making Sorano cough. Oikawa was wide-eyed at the slight violence.

Izumi glowered at Sorano then without warning, she slapped Sorano's forehead so hard that she fell onto her own pillow. 'Ow, Izumi! The hell was that for?' Sorano scolded her.

'I think you need to go to the clinic.' Izumi concluded. Iwaizumi took the thermometer from her and read the temperature.

'38.9?' Oikawa said it out loud after peeking at it from behind Iwaizumi.

Sorano made the most confused face ever. 'Huh? I think that thing's broken,' she felt her own forehead. 'Kiyoko measured earlier and it was around 37. Seriously, I feel closer to fine now.'

Iwaizumi took off the probe cover over the thermometer then forced it into Oikawa's mouth, trying to see if it really is broken.

'Hajime-kun!' Izumi gasped. 'You didn't attach a new cover...'

'If this thing's broken, we won't need it anyway,' Iwaizumi said then read the temperature when a beep was heard. 'Yup, this is broken.'

Sorano laughed. 'What if I never had a fever after all? Won't you all be so disappointed.'

'I'm buying a new one—' Izumi began to stomp out of the room but Sorano pulled her arm.

'Kiyoko keeps extras in the kitchen. You can try other thermometers.' She said.

'Oh,' Izumi smiled. 'Then I'll fetch that.' And she disappeared to the kitchen.

'I think you should lie down,' said Oikawa all of a sudden. 'Your face's really red.'

Iwaizumi scrutinized Sorano's features and nodded in agreement. 'I think you're heating up.' he said.

'I'm not a kettle.' Sorano murmured and obliged, lying down properly on her bed, pulling the blanket up to her chin.

Izumi returned, still smiling. 'Let's see now.' She put it in Sorano's mouth and they all waited patiently.

Beep.

Izumi quickly retracted it from Sorano's mouth. Iwaizumi and Oikawa went closer to see. Suddenly all of them became silent.

'I told you,' Sorano smirked, confidence rushing in. 'I rarely get sick! It's once in a blue moon thing so this whole fever thing is j—'

'Dude,' Iwaizumi cut her off. 'It's 40.3 degrees.'

Sorano's smile froze. 'What?'

Izumi inhaled sharply, her eyes as wide as they could be. Then, 'SEND HER TO THE HOSPITAL SHE'S GOING TO DIE!!!!'

-

A/N: It seems I'm rather fast this time hehe thank you for reading! 

By my leave....