Liohime Kitagami blinked, and then scoffed, unable to accept what he had just heard.
"Sorry….did you just….say that…"
"Yeah! I'll take care of you for today, Master! Don't worry, I think I'll be pretty good when it comes to caretaking!"
"Respectfully, I find that….hard to believe."
"Have trust in me. It's not like I'm gonna burn the house down trying to look after you," she stated casually.
Liohime sighed, immediately regretting being sick, and began to pray internally for the wellbeing of both himself and his home during Shihon's time as his caretaker.
I have absolutely no faith in her, but I'll hold on and see what she tries to do before I step in. I'm not that sick after all.
Shihon, with her determination through the roof, quickly exited the bedroom and returned with a glass of water. She pulled a chair from a desk that remained near the bed and sat on it, placing the cup on a small table right next to Liohime's head before gently stroking his soft hair with her left hand and holding onto his arm with her right.
"Everything will be aaaaallright, Master, don't you worry."
"You're just gonna take this chance to baby me for the rest of the day, aren't you?"
"N-No. Now hush, darling, and rest up," she answered in a hushed, smooth voice that caused Liohime to avert his eyes.
"If you continue to get too close like this…you could pick up the virus, too, you know?"
"-hk, w-well, that doesn't matter-"
"Also," he interjected, "are you actually going to do this for hours on end, or do you really know how to take care of someone who has a fever?"
"I know, just watch," she replied weakly, picking up the glass of water and drinking it with her trembling hands.
Not a good show of confidence there. Also…
"Wasn't that glass of water supposed to be for me?"
"Urk."
Things were already not looking good for the 'Prince Treatment', but Shihon refused to give up so early.
If I quit here and let Master take care of himself, she thought, there's no way I am worthy of being his dear partner! Therefore-!!"
She bolted to the laptop that lay on the desk and opened it, before typing hurriedly.
Naturally, Liohime gave a confused look. "What…are you…? Wait, don't tell me that you're…"
"I see…"
She dutifully pulled out a pair of glasses from her skirt pocket and wore it, confusing the young man even more.
"Where did you even get that!?"
"So that's it!" Shihon exclaimed, paying him no mind, and held the laptop in her arms while she turned around with renowned courage.
"I NOW KNOW HOW TO SAVE YOU, MASTER!!"
"YOU JUST SEARCHED THE INTERNET!?"
***
With a moist cloth placed over Liohime's forehead, a blower fan placed on the miniature table next to him, and another glass of water to help with hydration, Shihon's efforts were finally legitimate in helping to reduce the fever.
She continued to sit right next to him, holding his hand and never letting go until he needed to request for something.
"You don't have to stick so close to me, you know," Liohime said while chuckling. "Besides, soon I'll have to get up to take a bath, so-"
"Then I'll help you bathe, Master."
"Uh, as much as I'd love to, I'm gonna have to pass on that today."
"Hm. Well then, I'm not leaving your side until you get up to bathe," she confirmed.
"Haha, as expected."
He smiled weakly and tightened his grip on her hands, and Shihon's eyes widened.
"Master…?"
"I don't think I've ever had someone take care of me to this extent before," he quietly stated. "...Thank you, Shihon."
Those genuine words made her heart skip a beat, and she returned a smile before leaning in and placing her smooth lips on his left cheek.
"Please get well soon, Master," she whispered shakily. "I'll try to find something small and easy to make for you to eat in the kitchen now."
"O-Oh, okay. I'd appreciate that. If you need any help with anything…"
His voice trailed off as Shihon waved his suggestion off and made a quick exit.
For the first time in the day, he had been left alone, with only his thoughts surrounding him.
Even though it's mostly just a fever, she's still taking the time to care for me to this extent, huh?
He sighed.
I'm grateful for her kindness.
***
"You gotta be fucking kidding me."
Shihon pursed her lips and swore under her breath as she opened the fridge, peering into the storage of barely anything.
"Milk, eggs, fruits, and that's pretty much it. Ah, shit, we're supposed to go to the grocery store in two days to stock up on food."
Disappointed in the lack of solid food, she scratched her head and closed the refrigerator, pondering on her next move.
She had no intention of letting her Master get up and prepare food for himself, but she had no clue what to do with limited amounts of food that could satisfy him for an extended period of time.
Even though it's just breakfast, he should be given something heavier to enjoy and rest up from, right?
Then, a thought came up in her head, and she pulled out Liohime's phone (yes, his phone) that she had stolen from him in the middle of the night to watch cat videos. Searching for food to serve for sick people, she stumbled on…
A pot of soup, but I don't think we have the ingredients for that…unless…
She stared at the bedroom door where Liohime existed, and then glanced over at the front door, and then peeked at the clock.
The thought that popped up in her head was kind of nerve-wracking to her, and she was convinced that her Master would be extremely anxious of she did it without his knowledge, but-
I can do it quickly, right? It's only a few houses from here, so I gotta do it for him!!"
-She decided to go for it.
Spotting Liohine's wallet on the couch in the living room, she went over to pick it up and inspected the cash within.
"This should do. Let's do this shit."
–For the first time ever, by herself, Shihon would leave Liohime at home and make a visit to the grocery store in order to get ingredients for the perfect soup.