Epilogue

He lay in bed and heard the door downstairs close behind his male housemates as they left for college for the day. It was just his luck that in taking care of Sunako while she had been ill that he would catch whatever virus she had had. She herself had improved immensely since yesterday, so she was feeling fine now.

He had woken up that morning feeling awful. He would have been more than content to stay in bed, hiding from the world until he felt better, but living with others meant that was impossible.

He had already had three visits from Sunako; the first one had been to awkwardly thank him for taking care of her while she was sick; the other two had been to bring him tablets and tea once she had learned he was ill. She seemed to have made it her mission in life to take care of him.

He looked over at the door as, following a faint knock; it opened to show a hesitant Sunako. She was carrying a tray, which held various breakfast foods and despite feeling like a week-old pair of dirty socks, he perked up at the aroma coming from the hot food.

He struggled to sit up and she rushed over to him. After placing the tray on the bedside table, she lifted his pillows so that he could lean against them more comfortably, all the time avoiding looking at him directly to prevent another 'mabushii' incident. Deja vu, anyone, he thought wryly. Although, he was grateful for her thoughtfulness; in his present condition, he was sure getting head-butted by her would likely finish him off.

Once he was settled, she placed the tray across his lap and he whimpered gratefully at the bowls of appetising food before him.

"I'll go and refill your tea for you. Make sure that you eat all of that," she said a trifle bossily.

He watched her shuffle from the room with a fond smile as he ate the food before him. There were worse things a man could live through!

THE END