Chapter 8: Assumptions
Haru, together with the female receptionist and the guard, reached the 10th floor of the apartment building and rushed to the last room at the end of the hall. The receptionist quickly opened the door, and Haru stepped inside instantly after. Their eyes widened upon seeing the unconscious woman on the floor, still wearing the same clothes he lent her last night.
"Sakura!" Haru exclaimed, placing the paper bag and coffee holder on the floor before crouching next to her. The receptionist stood behind him while the guard inspected the room. He brushed the hair away from her face before resting the palm of his hand on her forehead.
"This room is barely done... Didn't see anyone or anything suspicious here, too..." the guard went towards Haru and looked at Sakura. "Her lips are so pale…"
"She's burning hot. Is there a bed in the bedroom?" he glanced at the guard.
"Just a mattress-"
He then scooped the pink-haired woman in his arms and proceeded to the bedroom, laying her gently on the mattress, while the receptionist and guard followed him.
"Should we call a doctor? An ambulance?" the lady asked fidgeting.
He shook his head, taking his phone out of his pocket, "Hopefully, it's just a fever. I'll ask a friend to come over, and we'll let you know if we need more help."
"Please do. Just press 10 on the in-room phone found in the living room. First aid will be delivered later as well," the receptionist peeped at the guard, and both left.
Haru got up and went to the unopened boxes in the living room, dialing the number of his friend. He rummaged through them, searching for something to cover her up, while also waiting for the call to be picked up.
"Yo, what's up?" a woman spoke with a low tone.
Only finding bags and shoes in the first container, he transferred to the next one, "Where you at? You busy?"
"Nawp. Classes finished early, so I'm on my way now to the café. Why?"
"I need your help," he finally found a blanket and dashed back to the bedroom, covering Sakura up.
"With what?"
"With a friend. But before going here, please buy an electric kettle, a pot, a cloth, instant porridge and noodles-"
"Wait wait wait!! Why do you need so much stuff? Did you just move out? What about uncle? I thought we're helping a friend-"
"I'll treat you with whatever you want just get your ass here now. And don't worry about lunch. I have food here. "
"FFFFFiiiiiine-"
"I'll text you the address and room number. Be here in 10 to 15 min-"
"Are you f*cking kidding me-"
Haru ended the call and texted her the address as well as the list of things to buy. He also contacted the front desk and told them the things they needed. Afterward, he grabbed the paper bag and coffee holder on the floor and placed them on the round table in the dining area.
He returned to where Sakura was and bent down, looking concernedly at the woman's paleness. He couldn't believe what had happened as she kept assuring him she was alright and that she'd eat last night. He sighed in disbelief, realizing the mistakes of his assumptions.
Fifteen minutes had passed, but Haru's friend had not yet arrived. Except for her luggage, he had already checked her room, the other boxes, and even the electricity and the water. He was almost finished setting the sheet on the bed and when he was about to lift Sakura to lay her on the other side, she groaned and shivered - the rain started pouring again.
"Sakura?" Haru murmured, laying her on the other side then cupping her cheek. His eyebrows rose in shock when he felt her elevated temperature. "Oh shit-"
Haru didn't hesitate any longer and mouthed the words 'I'm sorry' as he took off his knitted vest, and unbuttoned and removed his long-sleeved shirt. Kneeling beside the mattress, he lowered the blanket and raised her body a bit before pulling the hoodie up, together with the oversized shirt, exposing Sakura's nude brassiere. His cheeks flushed as he put on his shirt to hers, which was all the way down to her hips, and buttoned it. He then unbuttoned her pants, pulled them down, and swiftly wrapped her with the covers again.
There was a knock on the door a few moments after, it was the guard and his friend, who was almost soaked in rain. The guard put the ice chest, ice pack bag, and first aid kit on the round table in the dining area.
"Haru! Geez, I couldn't make it in 15 minutes," the tall woman, who was wearing wide-legged pants, a black cropped tank, and a plaid cover-up, sighed. "The line was so long in the mart, and it rained, too."
"I'm the one who should say sorry, Nana, for bothering you. Getting here in 15 mins wasn't really plausible," Haru took the shopping bags from her hands as he led the way inside the room. "Sankyu," he said to the guard who left them afterward.
Kobayashi Nana, is three years younger than him and is a 3rd-year art student and a part-timer at Café Ai for almost a year now. She has a face and a body built like a model - has wild brows and sharp eyes with dark brown irises, angular cheekbones, and long black hair with full bangs and silver streaks underneath.
"What happened? Did you just move out?" she asked as she followed him, wiping her hair then her arms with her hanky. She eventually saw Sakura when she peeked into the bedroom and blurted out, "Oh! We're helping your 'new' friend! I thought everything went well last night? Though I was just basing on what Kiyoshi has said in the GC..."
"I thought everything was fine, too," he answered, placing the shopping bags on the kitchen counter. "She probably passed out as soon as she got here. She's on the floor, already burning hot when we saw her." He glanced over his shoulder, "Can you check her temperature and put an ice pack on her forehead while I set these up? There might be a thermometer in the first aid kit, too."
Nana nodded, keeping her hanky inside her yellow corduroy shoulder bag before checking the items, "I see. We have to make the fever go down quickly then so that she can drink her meds."
"She was also trembling a while ago, so I already changed her clothing… well, it's just the pants that weren't changed last night..." he murmured, feeling his cheeks burning again.
"You're really supposed to change it since she got wet in the rain yesterday," she took the ice pack and the thermometer. "Don't you worry too much, you did the right thing, Haru. Let's just hope she'll be fine soon."
Haru turned to her, "Hey, Nana. I have a favor to ask."
"As long as you treat me with whatever I like then we're cool," she flipped her long hair before smiling.
"Let's swap scheds tomorrow. I know it would be too early for you, but I don't think she's gonna wake up soon."
Weekly Power Status
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