"No. No, I'm not sick," he said firmly. Bunta's kind tone was almost too much at that point.

Because he could see it, the way it was unfolding. The way he felt right when Bunta was nearby. The way he felt so comfortable that they just... apparently kept falling into each other's laps at this point. That couldn't all be exhaustion, could it?

"What is everyone doing today?" he asked quickly.

"I have homework," Yukiko said importantly. This was new, perhaps. "But I have a few days to do it," she added, leaving space for someone to ask her important questions.