Because of Kazusa's sudden discomfort, the early morning date didn't turn out as romantic as Chisato had originally envisioned.
However, it was still quite enjoyable.
From the middle of their date onward, their attention gradually shifted away from the breathtaking view of the sunrise over the ocean and onto each other instead.
Kazusa was running a slight fever, making her body temperature a bit higher than usual, which gave Chisato a very different sensation.
In the midst of this, a random question he once saw online suddenly surfaced in his mind.
The questioner asked: "My wife has a fever, and all the nearby pharmacies are closed. What can I do to help her feel better?"
A flood of responses poured in—some suggested placing a cold towel on her forehead, others recommended wiping her armpits and neck with alcohol—proven methods to lower body temperature.
But amidst these responses, there was one particularly unconventional answer.
It was simple, straightforward, and rather blunt:
"Take advantage of the heat. Work up a sweat, and it'll be fine."
The most absurd part? The respondent was a woman.
Even more absurd?
Half an hour later, the original poster liked the response and left a grateful reply: "Thanks, it really worked."
Reality could be stranger than fiction—sometimes, the most outrageous solutions actually worked.
As the sun rose completely and the two walked back, Chisato's posture was slightly hunched, and his gait looked unnatural.
Kazusa, puzzled, was just about to ask when he cut her off immediately.
"I know what you're about to ask, but don't. Just… don't."
Kazusa blinked in confusion. Then, after carefully observing her boyfriend's expression, she noticed something subtly different about him.
Come to think of it, this tiny change was exactly what had startled her last night on the couch, leaving her so nervous that she barely got any sleep.
Now understanding why he was acting this way, she glanced forward with a mix of embarrassment and amusement, though her curious eyes couldn't help but sneak glances at him from time to time.
Once they left the beach and crossed a traffic light, she mentally noted:
Ah, it's settled down now.
She discreetly studied Chisato's face. He no longer seemed as tense and conflicted.
Was experiencing this kind of situation really painful for men?
She wondered about this but had no one to answer her.
…
Back at the hotel, it was still only a little past six, meaning there was plenty of time before checkout.
The aquarium exhibition they planned to visit wouldn't open until after nine, so Chisato had no intention of heading out right away. Instead, he called room service for a medical kit.
After confirming Kazusa's fever with a thermometer, he poured her a glass of warm water and handed her some fever-reducing medicine.
Incidentally, the medical kit also contained something he was quite familiar with—a suppository fever reducer.
That little "troublesome" pill meant to be taken from the back.
However, with Kazusa still conscious, there was absolutely no way he'd dare offer it to her. She would definitely kick him.
After taking the medicine, Kazusa ate some breakfast that Chisato had ordered to the room.
A light meal of porridge, a fried egg, and some pickled vegetables—perfect for someone feeling under the weather.
"You don't have to eat the same thing as me," she said while taking small sips of her porridge.
"My mom said this hotel's seafood is amazing. The tuna sashimi and salt-baked king crab are supposed to be unforgettable. You should try them."
Kazusa always wanted to give him the best within her means.
"I appreciate the thought, but who eats a seafood feast first thing in the morning? Porridge is just fine for me," Chisato chuckled, ruffling her hair.
"Once your fever's gone, if you want, we can eat it together."
Kazusa quietly nodded, agreeing with his suggestion.
After breakfast, Kazusa obediently returned to bed to rest.
The fever medicine worked to some extent, and she drifted into a half-asleep state until around ten.
When she woke up, the throbbing headache still lingered, but outwardly, she pretended her symptoms had eased.
She perked up, urging her boyfriend to hurry and head out.
She didn't want to make him worried, nor did she want to disrupt their original plans because of her condition.
Her head was still throbbing, but she figured she could hold out until the date was over.
…
At the exhibition venue, near the Marine Ecology Protection Association in Area D, the crowd was almost ridiculously packed.
If not for the numerous staff members in blue uniforms walking around with megaphones to maintain order, a serious stampede wouldn't have been surprising in the next second.
At the long, temporary table set up on-site, Yukino finally managed to sign her name, her face pale and grim.
Her expression wasn't one of anger or impatience, but rather a sign of near-total physical and mental exhaustion.
Even the usual little ahoge at the top of her head drooped lifelessly.
The situation had gone far beyond Yukino's expectations.
Being unwillingly squeezed into a sea of strangers, constantly bumping into people as if trapped in a packed train, swaying back and forth with the crowd…
The barely effective air conditioning, which did little to combat the mixed stench of sweat and cigarette smoke in the air…
The sheer density of people, making it impossible to avoid the chaotic noise—arguments, chatter, the wailing of children from who knows where…
All of it drained Yukino, leaving her feeling as if she had just completed a 24-hour triathlon on no sleep.
It was like ascending to heaven—or perhaps, passing out at any moment.
If she could find a quiet and comfortable place right now, she was certain she could fall asleep instantly.
But even if given the chance to redo it all, she would still come here without hesitation, doing her part for environmental protection.
She would just tweak her plan a little—either arrive early, right when the venue opened, or delay her visit to the afternoon when the crowd was thinner.
But what's done was done. At least the goal was achieved.
On the bright side, it was somewhat reassuring to see so many people in Japan share the same awareness and concerns as she did.
And, more importantly, she wasn't alone today—she had Iroha and Yui with her.
Otherwise, even if she had managed to get inside, she doubted she could have made it out of that crowd in one piece.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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