We were in bed—not in any romantic sense, just lying on opposite sides of the massive mattress in the hotel suite he booked for a business trip. The room was dim, the only sound being the occasional rustle of the sheets as I shifted slightly. Then, out of nowhere, I coughed. Just a small, harmless cough. Immediately, I heard the covers rustle as Nanami turned toward me.“You’re sick?” His voice was sharp, alert.

I blinked, caught off guard by his sudden attention. “No, it’s just a cough,” I mumbled, not even looking at him.

There was silence for a moment, then I heard him get out of bed. I turned my head, confused, watching as he walked to the minibar, grabbed a bottle of water, and returned to my side.

“Drink,” he said, holding it out.

I frowned. “I’m fine, really—”

“Drink,” he repeated, firmer this time.

I sighed and took the bottle, sipping just to appease him. I expected him to leave it at that, but he didn’t. Instead, he pressed the back of his hand against my forehead, checking my temperature.

I froze. His palm was warm, his touch surprisingly gentle.

“You don’t have a fever,” he muttered to himself, but he still didn’t move away. “Does your throat hurt? Chest?”

I stared at him, incredulous. “Nanami, it was one cough.”

He ignored me and reached for his phone. “I’ll call the doctor.”

“What? No! Are you serious?” I sat up, grabbing his wrist before he could dial. “I’m not sick! You’re being excessive.”

He gave me a flat look. “You coughed.”

“Yes, because humans cough sometimes. It doesn’t mean I’m dying.”

He didn’t look convinced. His brows furrowed slightly, like he was still debating whether to call a doctor anyway. It was such an absurd situation that I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re ridiculous,” I said, shaking my head.

Nanami exhaled through his nose, clearly unimpressed by my amusement. “I just don’t want you getting sick.”

It was such a simple statement, but coming from him, it felt… different. Less like an obligation, more like genuine concern. I smiled to myself as I lay back down.