A/N:

Knock Knock 😗

Yep, it's me again! I hope you all are doing well 😄

I'm hoping to update whenever time permits, but do know that I'm committed to this. Y'all are the best, I love you guys ❣

Alright, let's get right into the chapter, which I personally feel is a ✨ ruckus of all time✨

Hope you'll like it 🙈🙈

Sentences in Italics represent Y/N's thoughts!

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Y/N:

Am I crying? But I don't want to...

In all honesty, I didn't want to cry but my tear ducts weren't listening. It was as if something broke deep inside me, something that I wasn't able to contain any more, something that I had to unleash.

On the contrary, it was just my fever and my body was in no shape or form to react the way I wanted it to. And like a charm, my legs gave out as I faltered down against the door, sending Kuroo straight into panic mode.

"Please don't cry. I promise I'll do better. Please, don't cry," Kuroo begged as he incessantly wiped off my tears that continued to pour down like a leaky faucet.

It's not like I can control it. I don't want to cry either, dumbass.

His face did reflect what he felt in his heart. Regret, worry, and pain. And those golden eyes of his, that beamed with care and affection drowned me with something that I have never experienced before. It was an unfamiliar emotion, a yearning, that kept tugging at my heart.

"Jerry, open the freaking door right now. She is burning up like crazy." His voice echoed through my room with a sparse tremble beneath it. He continued to look back and forth between the door and me, hoping for it to creak open as he grew restless over the abating time.

"Kuroo–"

"Yeah baby?" he cut me off, kneeling across from me. With a somber smile sprucing up, his cold palms caressed my now wet cheeks as his thumb tenderly wiped away my remanent tears. His wintry touch turned out to be mild and pleasant that I had come to enjoy.

"If this is your pathetic attempt to get me to open the door, then you are gravely mistaken," Jojo responded, his tone much mellower than I expected it to be. It was either his concern that furnished through his voice or my ears were blocked or both. I didn't know.

However, looking at Kuroo's conduct, I realized I was at fault as much as he was. If it weren't for my prolonged teasing, he wouldn't have gotten jealous over anything. He would have had all the information and the possible outcome could have been entirely different.

Except, I felt despicable. Because some part of me had come to realize that Kuroo and I will continue to hurt each other as we've done so far. We were too playful, scheming and provocative. We will repel each other like it was our nature.

I have to let him go...

So, I uttered, "I'm sorry. We should–"

*Cough*

"I? Do you want something? Water? I– 'll get it for you," Kuroo rushed to the table next to my bed only to find it empty. A frustrated sigh escaped his lips as he placed the jar back on the table. And at once, he ransacked through the plastic bag he bought and dug up an energy drink.

I couldn't tell him. I tried to repeat myself but it was a futile attempt at best. Only air escaped my mouth but I wasn't going to stop. I wanted him to know that I was sorry for putting him through all this and yet I was angry at myself, angry at the circumstances. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't resentful with what Kuroo had done but that wasn't the only reason I was trying to let him go.

"Here, drink this." He said, gingerly catering the drink and lastly, he wiped my lips with his thumb.

As he took a sip for himself while I held onto his shirt and tugged it. He finally looked me in the eye as I muttered, "You should stop."

"It's my fault. I'm paying my penance, okay?" he assuaged.

He sat beside me, leaning against the door, holding my palms in his, warming them with his hot breath. I looked at him, tongue-tied as my mind leaned into a jumble of thoughts.

How could I possibly tell this wonderful person that we shouldn't do this anymore?

How could I bring myself to tell him that he shouldn't be with me and that I'd only continue to do more harm than good?

After all, I liked him too and I was just too proud to admit that.

"Kuroo, listen to me," I managed to assert as much as I can.

"I will after you feel better. Till then, let me do this for you." He declared, slyly sneaking in a kiss on my fingers all while bearing a flirtatious yet solicitous smile.

Why is it so hard? Why?

"How nice of you both to get along!" Jojo spoke, startling me as I withdrew my hand.

"Can you not listen in on us?" Kuroo complained, irritated.

"Uhhh, how about no? It's not like you two are going at it like animals." Jojo responded and Kuroo relented a chuckle, a little embarrassed.

"What do you want? Why lock us together in the first place if you didn't want us to talk to each other?"

"I want you to convince her to talk to me. That's what I want."

Instantly, Kuroo's eyes darted to look at mine and I nodded, no.

Jojo was acting like a child going around, telling people that we lived together and that led to this mess. Not everyone would understand our complicated relationship despite him being my adopted brother and now to be in this situation because of him was aggravating. Though I didn't have any energy to cope with his tantrums, I was furious. I didn't want to look at him. I didn't want to hear his voice and I certainly didn't want to forgive him.

"And what makes you think I can do it?"

"You just have to."

I could see the conflict in his eyes. He was considering Jojo's whimsical demands. His eyes, his expressions might not have reflected his schemes but I desperately tried to read them anyway. In the end, all I could see was that small crook next to his eyebrows and a victorious grin. And at that moment, I knew I lost.

"Fine, open the door when I say so and don't eavesdrop," Kuroo smirked and his eyes glowed with mischief.

I fell silent. I had a feeling that he was going to use my fever to his advantage and make the best out of this situation but I remained persistent and a little hopeful. I had to come up with something smarter to counter anything he had up on his sleeve.

Come on Y/N. Think... think... think...

"Yosh, let's get you to bed." He beamed, cracking his knuckles.

His guise darkened, the light through the window cast a silhouette of him that spread across the room made him look sinister. Dark hues glistened beneath his wily eyes as he intensely surveyed my clout. He emanated an aura that metamorphized so quickly into wicked air as he looked like a villain ready to abduct his victim.

Now I understand why that little kid called him a kidnapper.

"Don't come near me."

"Come on, trust me."

What the hell? What is he thinking? I can't put a finger on it.

"No, I don't. Ack–"

In one fell swoop, he lifted me in his arms as if I was just a barbell in a gym. It was instinctive as I held onto his neck for support but all I could feel was his sturdy muscles tickling my skin. I could hear his gentle breath that harmonized with my scuffling gasps and yet I could feel his beating heart tranquilizing my nerves. An icy touch so foreign and yet familiar. I hate to admit but I did enjoy it a little.

"Iikodane (Good girl)." He lauded, delicately placing me on the bed like I was a fragile little thing.

Why the hell my heart's going all haywire?

"Huh?"

"You didn't wiggle" he bit his tongue — "Tch, I mean wriggle out of my hold."

Though he appeared to be calm and collected, his ears were tainted with a tinge of pink. He was fifty shades of flustered.

He shouldn't be this charming. It makes it even harder.

"Why the hell are you blushing?" I asked out loud despite my embarrassment of being carried to my bed by him.

"I'm not." — He turned around muttering. He shyly held his neck and mumbled, "You should wear something warmer. You can be free-spirited after your fever wears off."

Free-spirited? Did he really say free-spirited?

"Oh my God!" I squealed covering myself up — "You pervert!", except my voice sounded so guttural.

Hearing that, he brought his face closer to mine in a flash. He had made it his mission to tear off my confidence and I ended up flustered than I already was.

"Open your eyes. Looks like I'm not the only one that's a pervert."

And when I opened my eyes, he softly bumped his forehead with mine and patted my cheeks ever-so-lovingly, and whispered, "I'll leave now," with the widest smile that reached his eyes.

Eh?

*Ba-dum*

What was that?

At once, he walked towards the door, still acting all timid, and asked Jojo to open the door. By some miracle, it worked like a charm. It was as if they both had teamed up against me and I hated it. It was better when they didn't get along with each other.

"She'll talk?"

"Good luck."

"You really are as cunning as they say."

"Sore wa dōmo! (Why thank you!) I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."

I, on the other hand, was still processing the electrifying head bump and the unfurling conflict between my stupid heart that had failed to understand the sensible logic of my brain.

"So, please talk to me Bubbles." Jojo's voice dropped as he took my hands in his and instinctively, I withdrew.

Shit, I did not listen to a single thing he said.

Oh God, What now?

"You still won't talk huh?"

I remained silent, contemplating my answer.

"You know what, I'm just going to say it." He stood up, walked in rounds, pondering, and finally, threw his hands up in frustration.

Okay, I have no idea where this is going.

"I am not your brother. Your brother is dead, just like my mother. So, don't you dare try and replace him with me."

"Stop."

Oh, you fool!

"Hurts huh?"

"I said enough."

*cough*

Hurt? It saddens me. How could he be so oblivious and apathetic?

"You know, when your mom came out of her way and took me in, I thought, 'Not everyone gets to live with their childhood best friend. Maybe, I'll be okay after all.' And you kept saying it, again and again. Brother, brother, brother and you expect me to be like him, fill his shoes–"

"You are not my brother, I'm well aware. And you sure as hell cannot measure up to him."

Though I said it with a straight face, I missed him, dearly. He was quite the sunshine.

"Then why? Why do you keep saying–"

"Because–" I paused.

"Go on. Don't stop."

"Because family isn't always blood and you deserve one. But thanks for clearing that up, my dear childhood best friend."

Jojo didn't attempt to respond. He began to walk away balling his fists and clenching his teeth, looking glum and melancholic.

"I remember waking up every morning, cold, miserable, and alone, wondering if I could ever be surrounded by people if I could ever be happy. Hell, if I deserved to be happy. And you came along, hiding your grief, smiling, walking me back down the memory lane."

"Stop."

"You came along Jojo, and I wasn't alone anymore. You are not alone either."

"Please stop."

"I never expected you to fill his shoes. But I didn't think you'd let me down either."

It had to be said. Jojo morosely walked away, unable to listen. It was like he finally understood what he meant to me. Though I was skeptical about my mother taking him in, a part of me was relieved as he'd be with someone with who he could harmonize, feel at ease with. But I never thought he'd act so frivolous and naïve. And I certainly never thought he'd be so insensitive. A part of me knew he wanted to make friends; never did I know that he'd thoughtlessly tell the school that he lives with the Kaichou.

It was all too much. It had become a rollercoaster of a day that I never prepared for. I eventually laid flat and talked myself into sleeping excluding the fact that my head was gradually getting heavier and heavier by the minute. A splitting headache accompanied by a nose that was about to explode, yet ironically blocked at the same time. Plus, the base of my ears hurt along with it, killing any sleep I had left.

Damn it!

I twisted and turned, became a frog, snake, and ten other's positions whose names I didn't know of. No matter what I did, I couldn't sleep. My brain wouldn't stop thinking, my stomach wouldn't stop rumbling and my body wouldn't stop aching. I could feel the heat of my body burning my eyes and my limbs grow cold.

Kuroo bought some medicines idiot. Take them and sleep. It'll help.

"But I don't want to reach my arms and fetch it from there."

Too bad then, suffer in silence.

"I'm mean."

Paracetamol... I want paracetamol.

"Fine, I'll go get it."

As I sluggishly reached out for the bag and popped the medicine, Kuroo startled me as he asked, "What do you think you are doing?"

"It's gone."

I must have dropped it when he startled me. It was hard popping that one, I should pop open another one now?

"Wait, eat this and then take the medicine." Kuroo brought me a piping hot bowl and placed it on the table next to the bed as he helped me sit up straight.

No apron? Too bad...

"I can't even smell it."

"It's a simple okayu (porridge) and it's my ba-chan's recipe. I even added some umeboshi (pickled plums) for you."

Umeboshi reminds me of an idiot that I don't want to think about.

"I don't want to be your lab rat, Kuroo."

"It's good. I promise." He said as he blew on the spoon to cool it down and tried to feed me the porridge but I took it over from his hands. It was awkward to be fed or more like I heard my mom say, 'Pathetic, you can't even take care of yourself.'

I slowly nibbled away and he scoffed, "Glad you have an appetite."

The porridge was subtle with the salt and spiced up with ginger, mild and comforting. The rice was soft and mushy, overcooked to perfection making the consistency easy to gobble and I continued to consume it along with the sweet and the sourness of the umeboshi that only made me eat more.

He patiently watched me in awe, with his hands on his cheek accompanied by a soft smile that filled my heart as the warm porridge filled my stomach. I finished the bowl at my own pace while he continued to stare at my face like I was putting on an exclusive show.

"Stop staring."

"Finish the bowl."

"It's done."

"There are like 8 spoons left."

"I can't, I'm done."

"Come on, finish it. I'll feed you. Say ahhh," he said as he fetched the howl out of my hand.

"No thanks."

"Just one more, Ahhhh," — swishing his hand like a bird and the spoon ended up in my mouth, while he fed me like a kid and cheered — "Yosh."

"I'm done. No more, please," I begged to the best of my efforts.

"The last one, ahhh," and it continued till the bowl was empty.

It's been so long that I had forgotten what it was like to be fed, to be taken care of, to be the subject of love. It was comforting.

"Kuroo"

"Hmm?"

"I'm feeling okay."

Liar, I'm so not okay.

"That's good!" he smiled.

"So, listen to me."

"No."

"I haven't even said anything yet."

"You read me. You know what I'm thinking. All you have to remember is that I can read you too. So, no. Don't even think about it."

"That's exactly why–"

"Need I remind you that we are not magnets? Concepts of physics don't apply here."

Why is my stomach making weird somersaults?

A mix of anger, guilt, and sorrow washed over me, "You don't understand. You hurt me and I hurt you Kuroo."

"You have the emotional maturity of an amoeba."

"I–, I'm gonna puke."

"You are overreacting. I'm just stating facts."

"No, you idiot," — And I ran. I ran like the wind.

"You run like Scooby doo." He laughed and watched me run into the bathroom.

*Blech*

"Shut up."

Ugh, my mouth tastes weird.

"I'm sorry babe. I badly want to come in and help you but if I watch you puke, I'm afraid I'll puke too."

*Blech*

Oh god, no more. I can't. It hurts. My throat hurts.

*Blech*

"Jerry!" he yelled — "Could you go in and help her?"

Jojo probably walked in like he had no interest in the conversation and said, "She is extremely capable of taking care of herself."

"Yeah, but should she?"

Please be over. Ugh, I can't anymore, I can't–

*Blech*

"Then why don't you go in?" Jojo protested.

"If I could, I would."

By the time Jojo walked in, I was sure that my guts were laying out on the floor. All that vomiting, made me dizzy.

"Okay, here we go, wash your mouth." Jojo leveled me up — "Come on, just a little gargle and we are done."

"Don't make me sit up so fast, my head spins when you do that."

"Is she done?" Kuroo yelled from outside, wanting an update.

"Why, you want some?"

"Okay, I'm calling the doctor," Kuroo yelled again.

"Stop bellowing." I commanded.

"We are in the bathroom. It's the echo, smartass." Jojo whispered, mocking me.

"You hate me, don't you?" was the last thing I remember asking Jojo.

"Now your head is spinning alright. Let's go."

*A few moments later*

When I regained my consciousness, I heard Kuroo conversing with Jojo, "You look happy."

"I don't know, we are talking. So, I'm good."

"Oh, you are awake. Here, I boiled some water for you. How are you feeling?" Kuroo asked with those pitiful eyes.

"Like a dragon."

"Poor choice of words but I'll forgive you for that." Jerry scoffed leaving the room.

"I don't want to sit," I complained, sitting back up with Kuroo's help.

"Okay, the doctor will be here any moment," he softly muttered, tucking a strand of hair behind my ears. He was worried and it showed.

All this tenderness and care had begun to irritate me. It was revolting. I got this far being by myself and honestly, I didn't deserve any of this.

I got down from the bed, stumbling, trying to put some distance between the two of us, and said, "Stop doing this. All this. I'm not your–"

"You can't even balance yourself today. So, let's take it easy and I promise you I'll let you have your way when the time comes." He helped to balance my stance.

"Fuck off." I shoved him.

"Woah there. I'm only trying to help you."

"I don't want you to. Go away." I shoved him again.

"Not today."

"I will push you out," I grumbled, pushing him out of my room with my mustered strength.

"With those puny fists? No, you can't." he snickered.

He was right. I couldn't even move him an inch. "Arghhhh" — I groaned in frustration.

Mom was right. I was good for nothing, after all.

"Aren't you a little energetic for a sick person?" he wrestled me, more like softly tussled me so that I'd get back to bed.

"Let me go."

"Not in a million years."

"Then I'll do this," I growled as I tried to knee him in the bulb.

"NO! our future children!" He exclaimed, clearly shocked as he held my leg before it could hit him.

"Let go."

His eyes bulged out, and he huffed a sigh of relief, he was so done with me — "Okay, that's it," and picked me up.

And the next thing I saw was the floor that moved towards and towards the bed. He had thrown me on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and finally put me to bed. It made me a bit doozy.

"Listen to me. I'm not going to walk away no matter how hard you try and push me out. And stop with the double entendres."

"We won't–, we shouldn't–, let's not make this any harder."

"Hello! May I come in?" I heard an unfamiliar voice approaching the door.

A stranger was being led into my room by Jojo and he announced "The doctor's here with his hot assistant!"

Oh! Doctor!

"That's my son." The doctor said and Shiroma-san followed them in.

Shiroma-san's father is a doctor?

"No offense but looks like he got his looks from your wife." Jojo blathered, making small talk, insulting as ever.

"Ex-wife." The doctor corrected him as Kuroo stood appalled at the sight of Shiroma-san tagging along with his father.

"Sorry." Jojo apologized, giggling.

"You are funny." Shiroma-san scoffed as he gave me a nod of acknowledgment.

"Thanks, enough damage done." Jojo continued with his nonsense.

"What are you doing here, Kuroo?" Shiroma-san queried and strangely the room wasn't feeling the josh anymore.

"You really didn't have to tag along with your father Shiro-chan!" Kuroo seethed.

"My pleasure helping our Kaichou out."

"These two give me the vibes of best buddies." Jojo butted in.

"They are." The Sensei (doctor) answered and began with his interrogation — "How are you feeling, kid?"

"She vomited, like a lot. And a lot of phlegm. Nasty stuff," Jojo shuddered with a groan.

"And she has a temperature, coughs a lot, and a little wheezing on the side," Kuroo extended my bill of health.

"Oh, that's terrible." Shiroma-san chimed in, setting up as his father prepared himself to examine me.

"She also mentioned head spinning and passed out." Jojo tattled.

"Should I throw them out?" The doctor asked, concerned as he put on his gloves and the stethoscope. It was more like they were disturbing his observations than they were disturbing me.

"Yes please."

"You heard her."

Kuroo on the other hand, invited himself to stay and the doctor gave him the eye — "I'm her boyfriend, I can stay right?"

"No. Go."

"I'll be outside."

The three left the room and stood right by the door respecting the sensei's orders. Weirdly enough, Shiroma-san's stare never left my side while Kuroo began to whisper something in Jojo's ears that made him give the stink eye towards Shiroma-san.

The doctor began with his preliminary checks, listening to my lungs, taking my pressure, observing my throat, eyes, and ears for any signs of infection. I could tell he was being very thorough.

Tom and Jerry were getting along like the best of buddies in a matter of seconds and I knew I was going to be in trouble. I wondered what they could have talked about when I was out like a sloth and it gave me the creeps.

"I think I'm hallucinating."

"Why so?" The doctor asked, perturbed.

"Kuroo and Jojo are getting along."

"You are not hallucinating." The sensei laughed as he began writing a prescription — "I think it would be best to run some tests on your blood."

"But I can go to school from Monday, right?"

"Depends on the test results. You seem a little anemic to me, have you been eating well?" he asked as he handed me the prescription.

"Yes," I answered promptly.

"If coffee equals proper meals, then yes, four times a day." Jojo smart-mouthed from near the door frame.

"Ready?" the sensei asked drawing his needle and at the sight of it, Jojo ran.

I was not fond of the sting that comes right after the needle, but to see Jojo flee the scene like a madman was disturbing. Was he afraid of needles? Was he afraid of seeing me get stuck with it or was it the blood that comes after?

"Alright Kosuke, let's go."

"Is it okay, if I spend some time with her? She could use the company. Clearly, the other two are not prepared to deal with this kind of–"

Before Shiroma-san could finish, his father rigidly declared a "No."

"Fine, I'll be down in a sec."

After his father left, Shiroma-san approached me and my eyes widened into a saucer, "Kaichou san, just so you know, I'm here for you."

Someone please, take this guy away from me!

"Yup, and she said bye." Jojo yanked him away from me noticing my unease.

"No, she didn't."

"Yeah, she did that thing with her eyes, now let's go down man and why don't you tell me your workout routine, you have an immaculate figure." Jojo took him away, throwing his hands over his shoulders.

Silence soared through the roof as Kuroo walked into the bedroom. He sat beside me and moments passed by. He sat there contemplating what to say and it burdened my heart to see him in that state. Tardily, his fingers entrapped mine with a gentle hold and I withdrew, unable to put him through this anymore.

"Why?"

"I–"

"You know what, don't answer that."

"All of us were in the wrong. You both like teasing each other and I dragged it a little longer. I shouldn't have put myself in this equation. I'm sorry." Jojo suddenly appeared at the door and began to apologize.

"Jerry, not everything is about you." Kuroo sighed.

"And I must confess, the rumor about us kissing, Horror chick? Horri chick? tch, whatever her name is, doesn't know what she saw. Clumsy little Bubbles had some ink near her lips and I was helping her take it off. They probably saw me caress her lips or something and must have assumed–"

"Jojo, could you leave us alone?" I asked, groggily picking up the prescription and walking towards the door. I could tell that my fever was raising and I had to do this before I lose my mind.

"Bad timing. I'm gonna go now." He chuckled, grabbing the prescription from my hands.

I closed the door shut and Kuroo shrugged, "Now what?"

"I'm dark and twisty and come with a lot of unprocessed emotions, baggage to be precise. I react to even the smallest of things and hurt you in that course. I might not look it. I might handle myself to be the perfect picture in front of everyone else but I'm not."

"I don't care."

"I don't want to hurt you anymore."

"You have no right deciding it all by yourself." He barked, holding my arms.

"I hate you." I withdrew and he was quite jarred.

I lied. I had to. He walked closer and closer, challenging me, breaking my will, piece by piece.

"I hate you, I hate you, I hate you..."

And with that, I was enveloped in a hug. I was punching him, striking at him hoping he'd make it easier on me while he was only trying to stop me from my stupidity. I needed that hug and he knew it. It was possibly the last time I was going to be hugged by him and I took that chance to feel that warmth one last time. He held me ever so tightly, suffocating me with emotions that continued to gnaw my heart.

"It's already not easy to let go–"

"Then why are you crying?" his voice broke.

Because I don't deserve you!

"Please go."

"You are trying to push me away and yet you are the one holding me so tight that I can't even breathe." He stated and I realized it was true.

I couldn't let go. I was holding him so tight, unable to let go, hoping time would freeze. I had gotten attached to the idea of him being around and it was agonizing.

"Please go," I croaked, tears rumbling down. I settled onto the bed, unable to meet his eyes.

He held me in his arms, holding me against his chest, his breath and mind aligned with mine.

"Fine, I'll back off, for a little while. But just so you know, I will call you, and if you ignore me, I'll pass a few notes in the class again. And we'll go back to teasing each other, hugging after classes, and talking all night long. I'll wait till you sort out your emotions, I'll give you all the space you need but don't you dare decide things by yourself. Don't build a wall and lock me out, not when we haven't even had to chance to work it out."

And with that, he wiped my tears one last time for the night and kissed me on the forehead — an act that made me feel loved, made me feel special, like I mattered. A pellet of teardrop that wasn't mine fell onto my lap. It was his and he sniffled in his tears, trying to hide it from me.

I've done it again!

"It's the fever talking. Get some rest." He muttered with a trembling voice, ruffling my hair.

He might have walked away but I wasn't successful in letting him go, save him from the damage and doom. I broke down realizing he deserved better, displayed I was vulnerable and in the end, I made a fool out of myself. What's worse was I didn't know how to bring myself to talk to him thereafter. Everything looked monochrome and bleak.

Perhaps it was all in my head or perhaps it was like he said, 'It was just the fever.'

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

A/N:

Do tell me, how was it? Cause, I was nervous than I've ever been when I wrote this. Your comments usually boost my morale 🤗

Your votes and comments are appreciated and it makes my day better 💖💖💖

Thank you so much for your time and support 💚

Stay Hooked folks!!!

Stay Safe and healthy 😘

~ Mata ne, Pudumaipen 💕