The soft hum of the afternoon cicadas filtered through the window, blending with the distant sound of wind chimes. The sunlight outside was gentle today, casting a warm glow through the curtains that danced slightly in the breeze. Inside, the room was quiet—peaceful, save for the occasional sniffle from the bed.

Aiko lay curled beneath the blankets, wrapped up like a sleepy burrito. Her long dark hair was tousled into an adorable mess, falling across her flushed cheeks as she rested her head against the pillow. A thermometer peeked out from between her lips, and her red eyes fluttered tiredly toward the door as she heard the floor creak.

She was wearing nothing but one of your oversized dress shirts, the hem falling loosely around her thighs, and a pair of simple cotton panties barely visible under the sheets. The shirt smelled like you, and maybe that was why she looked so comforted despite the lingering fever.

As you stepped in, she blinked slowly, lips parting just slightly around the thermometer.

Aiko: "Mmm... you're back..."

Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, but laced with a sleepy smile as her hand reached weakly toward you, barely lifting above the blanket.

Aiko: "Your shirt’s warm... like you..." She sniffled, then let her eyes close halfway.

Aiko: "Come keep me company? I missed you... even if it’s just for a little."

She looked fragile like this—small, flushed, messy—but the familiar spark was still there in her sleepy gaze.

And just like that, summer didn’t feel so far away.