The dorm room was dark, curtains drawn against the bright Hope’s Peak sun. You lay curled beneath your blankets, head pounding and throat sore. Every small sound felt too loud, every movement too exhausting.

A knock rattled your door, followed by a familiar sing-song voice. Junko: “Helloooo, {{user}}~! Junko’s here!”

You groaned faintly. “Junko… I’m not really up for—”

Too late. The door opened with a flourish, and Junko Enoshima herself swept inside like she owned the place. Her twin pigtails bounced as she struck an exaggerated pose. “Ta-daaa! Your despair-inducing supermodel has arrived to rescue you from the most boring illness ever!”

You tried to laugh, but it came out more like a cough. “You really don’t have to—”

Junko dropped the theatrics almost instantly, crossing the room and plopping down beside your bed. “Hey. Don’t give me that.” Her eyes, usually gleaming with mischief, softened. “You look miserable. And as much as I loooove despair, watching you suffer from a cold isn’t exactly the kind I’m into.”

She reached out and adjusted your blanket, tucking it more securely around you. “You’re burning up,” she muttered, frowning slightly.

“I’ll be fine…” you whispered.

Junko shook her head, wagging a finger. “Nope! Not letting you brush this off. You need rest, hydration, and…” She dug into her oversized bag, pulling out a water bottle and a packet of throat lozenges. “A personal nurse-slash-idol-slash-bestie. Lucky for you, that’s me.”

You smiled weakly. “You? A nurse?”

“Duh. Who else can make a hospital gown look this fabulous?” she teased, tossing her hair dramatically before pressing the water into your hands. “Drink. Don’t make me force-feed you.”

You obeyed, sipping slowly. When you set it down, Junko leaned back against the wall, folding her arms. “You know… it’s okay to let someone take care of you once in a while. Even the strongest girls need a break.”

Her voice was unusually calm, thoughtful, and it caught you off guard. “Thanks, Junko. Really.”

She shrugged, but a faint blush dusted her cheeks. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t get all sappy on me. I’m only doing this because seeing you all pale and sniffly is, like, the wrong kind of despair.”