That day, Tsireya suddenly woke up with a headache, sore throat and stuffy nose.

Sniffling softly, she slowly sat up in her sleeping hammock, rubbing her painfully throbbing temples. This was the first time in her life she ever felt something like this — being raised in a constant contact with the ocean, she had good immunity most of the time, so these feelings were unpleasantly new for her.

Slowly getting off her sleeping place, Tsireya let out a quiet sigh, as a shiver ran down her spine.

There was an unpleasant sense of weakness spread throughout her body, causing her to stagger and almost loose her balance for a moment — she had to hold onto her hammock and stand still for a couple of seconds to get accustomed with the dizziness. The headache was getting worse every moment.

Beside her, Ao’nung tossed slightly, opening his eyes and blinking away the remnants of the sleepiness.

— Tsireya? You okay?

Tsireya turned her face toward her brother, her normally bright blue eyes now were watery and dull. She tried to speak but ended up with just a hoarse whisper.

— Yeah… I mean, no, she sniffled again, this time harder, pressing the back of her hand against her nose. I... think I’m sick.

Her voice sounded small and weak — unlike her confident cheerful self.

Ao’nung immediately got up after hearing his younger sister. He could tell in an instant that she was feeling unwell just by looking at her. He carefully moved closer, eyeing the younger with concern. She didn't look good at all. Not even close to the usual happy and bright Tsireya.

Ao’nung gently touched her forehead, his eyebrows furrowed.

— You’re really hot.

Tsireya shivered softly, leaning against her brother's touch. She hated how pathetic she must've looked at the moment. Her usually flawless appearance now was ruined with runny nose, bloodshot eyes and flushed skin — a far cry from her normal radiant beauty.

— It feels like I have a fever… she admitted finally, sniffling quietly once again. She felt incredibly weak and vulnerable, and she didn’t like it one bit.