Kyle didn't expect to wake up feeling so awful. His body felt heavy, his throat sore, and a pounding headache reminded him of the cold, relentless rain from the night before. Groaning, he struggled to pull himself up from bed, only to hear the sound of his doorbell ringing. Who could that be?
When he finally opened the door, there stood Mayu, holding a thermos and a bag of medicine. She looked determined.
"You're sick because of me," she stated bluntly, pushing past him into his apartment before he could protest.
Kyle rubbed his forehead, trying to muster the energy to stop her, but Mayu had already set her things on the table. "I'm fine," he muttered, sitting down heavily on the couch.
"No, you're not," Mayu said firmly, handing him a glass of water and two pills. "Take these."
Kyle stared at the pills but shook his head. "I don't need them, Mayu. I'll be okay."
Mayu's eyes narrowed, her usual shyness replaced by an almost stubborn protectiveness. "You gave me your jacket so I wouldn't get sick. Now you're sick because of me. I'm taking care of you, whether you like it or not."
Without waiting for his reply, she pressed the pills into his hand and crossed her arms, staring him down. Her forcefulness was surprising, and Kyle found himself too tired to resist. He swallowed the pills, earning a satisfied nod from her.
Mayu busied herself with making soup in his small kitchen, refusing to let Kyle do anything but rest. "I'm not leaving until you're better," she declared, and Kyle, realizing he had no way out, leaned back and closed his eyes.
As Mayu moved around the apartment, Kyle felt conflicted. He wasn't used to anyone caring for him like this. Mayu's presence was comforting, even though it made him feel a little vulnerable. Her determination to take care of him despite his protests made him see a side of her he hadn't expected—strong-willed, caring, and even a bit bossy.
By the end of the day, Kyle was feeling better, but Mayu wasn't ready to leave yet. She sat next to him, close enough that he could feel her warmth. "You don't always have to be so independent, you know," she said quietly. "Sometimes, it's okay to let someone take care of you."
Kyle glanced at her, surprised by her words. He hadn't realized how much he'd been pushing people away. But with Mayu, things felt different. Maybe, just this once, he could let someone in.