for some reason, he is not prepared to see the softened version of the woman he's come to know these past few months. his surprise is but a brief flash - a slight widening of his eyes, a shifting of the bags in hand - and then he recovers, stepping in to follow her directions. 

"it's better when it's hot," he says as he places the care package gently on the counter and then withdraws the deli container with the udon.

"please sit. where might i find the bowls?"

Yumi Hasegawa

☉

"i've a strong immune system," he promises sharply as he cracks open the top of the deli. to his satisfaction, steam rises up and out of the top and rather quickly, the smell of the rich, brothy dish is thick in the air. he has every intention of leaving if she insists on her behalf, but his own?

nonsense.

he startles when the bowl shatters and some of the soup sloshes onto his hand. just a bit. enough to make him think ow, but not enough to stop him from turning, hand going to yumi's back. 

"please," he says. "i insist. let me help you down. do you have water by the couch?" his hand drops, from shoulder to waist, a clerical touch meant to support.

Yumi Hasegawa

☉

she is fretfully unlike herself, which is troubling. at the very least, he's glad she doesn't put up much of a fuss to his touch; he helps her down, adjusts the pillows and blankets for her comfort, and then ensures her water is well within reach before sticking his nose in the pantry to find a broom.

"have you seen a physician?" he asks. he fetches another bowl and steps around the mess for the time being. 

"eat," he commands as he sets the steaming bowl in front of her, chopsticks and spoon arranged neatly beside it. he moves off to tidy; meanwhile, crown makes herself at home by leaping up onto her couch and curling against her, fluff providing body heat.

Yumi Hasegawa

☉

while he's no stranger to home remedies, she seems too worse for wear to simply ride it out. but then again, he knows little of her symptoms and if she insists it's just a nasty bug, then it must be so. 

he crouches down to pick up the larger pieces of the broken bowl, pausing when she mentions her expansion into slateport. a smile flashes over his face and then disappears by the time he's standing and rooting around for her trash can to dispose of the mess. 

"ah, i've read some reports about those. thought the news was blowing it out of proportion until we saw some of our grunts bringing in word from the field. it could be toxic exposure and if that's the case, i'd recommend seeing one of our physicians." he helps himself to a glass of water and sits on the couch opposite her, making himself comfortable.

"as for slateport, allow me to help."

Yumi Hasegawa

☉

"i'm here now," he says, looking over his glass of water and at her as she takes a sip. "and i've already cleared my schedule." in truth, he hadn't, but it wouldn't take more than a couple of text and a few emails to ensure things kept running smoothly. 

"oh? well, then allow me to insist. you know how many properties i manage. i'm sure i can find a proper realtor and a more than generous contract."

he props a leg up, ankle over knee, and sets his water down beside him so he can temple his fingers together. 

"all the more reason to relax and focus on your health." he quirks a smile. "it might surprise you to know this," surely not, "but i've wanted to invest in you for quite some time, miss hasegawa, so allow me the courtesy of this favor."

Yumi Hasegawa

☉

he's an opportunist, at his core. he'd told her roommate as such. there's no cause to feel remorse as she blinks sleepily through the request, granting admission without a second thought. her ambition can be funneled into brilliance, empire made stronger with his help. he hadn't been lying to mei about that either - he has no ill intents, no reason to see her sabotaged.

"the pleasure's all mine," he nearly purrs to her thanks. 

"you have my word. no steps taken without your approval." she drifts from him. he doesn't want to overstay his welcome, but he doesn't like the idea of leaving her alone without mei to look after her. 

so he makes himself useful, tidying where he can, not allowing himself to stray too deeply into her belongings. eventually, with little to read save a johtonian poetry book on the coffee table, he nestles into his chair and catches up on the news over his phone.

every once in a while, he gently presses the back of his hand to her forehead, feeling for a fever.

Yumi Hasegawa

☉