The fever had yet to fully break, but the warmth of Shizuka's presence kept Kazuki grounded, easing the worst of his discomfort. The tea she'd made for him had worked wonders, and as they sat together on the couch, the atmosphere felt far lighter than it had earlier in the day.
Kazuki glanced at Shizuka as she sat next to him, her gaze focused on the book in her hands. She had a quiet elegance about her—one that seemed almost out of place in a high school setting, but one Kazuki had come to adore. The way she held herself, the softness in her voice, the genuine care she exuded—it was all part of the reason he found himself so drawn to her.
"I can't believe you're still so serious about studying," Kazuki said, breaking the silence. "Don't you get tired of it?"
Shizuka smiled without looking up from her book. "I'm just trying to keep my mind occupied. You're not the only one who has things to distract them, you know."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "What are you thinking about?"
Shizuka closed her book and set it down on the table, then leaned back into the couch. "Well, you're probably not going to like it, but I was thinking about… us."
Kazuki blinked in surprise. "Us?"
Shizuka nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at him. "I've been thinking a lot lately about where we're going. About the future. And, you know… I just want to make sure we're on the same page."
Kazuki's chest tightened at her words. It wasn't the first time they had talked about their relationship, but there was something different about the way Shizuka said it now. It wasn't just casual conversation—it felt like there was more weight behind it.
"Are you saying you want something more serious?" Kazuki asked cautiously.
Shizuka tilted her head, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "Isn't that what being in a relationship is all about? But what I really want is for us to grow together. To build something that lasts."
Kazuki couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed by her earnestness. Shizuka had always been a steady presence in his life, but hearing her speak so openly about the future made him realize how important she was to him.
"You're not afraid, are you?" Shizuka added, her voice gentle but teasing. "I know I'm a little intense sometimes, but I'm serious about this, Kazuki."
Kazuki laughed softly, though the sound was slightly strained due to his fever. "I'm not afraid. I just never thought you'd be the type to think so far ahead."
Shizuka's smile softened. "Maybe you're right. But I think we should start planning now, even if we're still in high school. It doesn't have to be a huge thing, but I want us to be on the same path."
Kazuki didn't have a ready response. He'd always been somewhat hesitant about the future, preferring to take things day by day. But something about Shizuka's confidence, her unwavering determination, made him want to consider the possibility of a future together more seriously.
For a moment, they just sat in silence, the soft hum of the room filling the space between them.
Aoi's voice suddenly interrupted the quiet, though it was muffled as if she were calling from another room. "Big Brother! I made lunch, and it's getting cold!"
Kazuki's face lit up slightly, partly from the warmth of her care and partly from the fact that his sister seemed to be more attentive than usual. Aoi had always been protective, but lately, there had been a shift. The overbearing "brocon" tendencies seemed to have mellowed out, at least in front of Shizuka.
"I guess we better eat before it gets cold," Kazuki said with a weak chuckle, standing up carefully, though he was still feeling the lingering effects of the fever.
Shizuka stood as well, steadying him with a hand on his arm. "Are you sure you're okay to get up?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
Kazuki nodded, though he could feel the wave of dizziness threatening to overwhelm him. "I'll be fine. Just need to stretch my legs a bit."
Shizuka didn't look convinced but didn't argue, following him toward the dining room where Aoi had set out a simple lunch. As they entered the room, Aoi shot them both a bright smile, her eyes narrowing as she glanced between Kazuki and Shizuka.
"Did you two talk about anything… interesting?" Aoi asked innocently, though her tone held a hint of mischief.
Kazuki rolled his eyes, already feeling the familiar embarrassment rise in his chest. "Nothing like that, Aoi."
Shizuka laughed softly, the sound light and melodic. "We were just discussing the future."
Aoi raised an eyebrow. "The future, huh? That sounds serious."
Kazuki shot Aoi a playful glare as he sat down at the table. "Nothing to worry about. It's just casual talk."
Aoi snorted, clearly not buying it. "I'm not worried," she said, sitting across from them. "Just make sure you take care of my big brother, Shizuka. He's not good at looking after himself."
Shizuka nodded, her gaze warm. "Don't worry, Aoi. I'll make sure he's well taken care of."
Kazuki felt a strange sense of comfort in that moment. Even though Aoi still teased him, and Shizuka was as determined as ever, the bond between the three of them felt stronger than before. It was an unusual dynamic—one that felt both comforting and complicated at the same time. But in that moment, with his fever fading and Shizuka by his side, he couldn't help but feel that maybe this was exactly where he needed to be.
They ate in a comfortable silence, the conversation flowing easily between them as Aoi continued to ask Shizuka about her plans and interests. Kazuki, though still not feeling 100%, couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment as he watched the two of them talk. For the first time in a long while, he wasn't worried about the future. He didn't have to have all the answers yet.
And that was enough for now.