"HIMEMIKO-SAMAAAA!! WHERE'S HIMEMIKO-SAMA?!!" "WHAAA!", Mikoto kicked in the air and almost fell from her bed because of Aotake's loud voice that awfully woke her up. She frowned. "What a horrible way to start the morning", she thought. She groaned and winced weakly as she started to get up. Cough– Her throat hurts and her head feels heavy. "I can't believe I really got a fever" She sighed while checking her own temperature by placing her hand on her forehead. "Hmm..." Alice once again blinked her sleepy eyes. She was very confused and feels so hazy. "What...... is that?" Nonetheless, she feels restless for she knows she just had another weird dream. Other than the swimmy feeling inside her head, the lucid dream feels so realistic that it could fool her if she isn't used to it. There was a silhouette of a man in the midst of the foggy surroundings who was calling for someone. She even tried to speak but her voice failed her. And she can't remember the rest clearly. Again. Just like before, she also forgot this one except for the traces of emotions these lucid dreams usually leave behind. But this time, there's a scene from her dream freshly played back inside her head. A man dressed with unique brown color tinged with yellow and his robe's woven pattern includes a phoenix and a dragon-headed mythical creature she's surely seen in paintings wore by emperors. "It's unusual for me to remember some details like that from my dreams after waking up. That's weird", Mikoto thought. And she's irritated because she felt she'll finally remember more from the dream if it weren't for the stupid fish yokai who woke her up. ~ʚĭɞ~ "You, Fox! Where did you hide Himemiko-sama? She was called out by the Land deity and she hasn't come back yet!" Aotake's loud rumbling can be clearly heard throughout the corridors. "You're too loud" Tomoe welcomed him coldly inside the living quarters of the shrine. "Don't tell me, you turned her into a fish and ate her?!" The other yokai shouted in panic. The fox familiar rolled his eyes. "You're the only one who's idiot enough to be turned into a fish," A female voice said bluntly without fear. "Wha-?!" Aotake was about to refute back but he was cut off and ignored. "My, my, why are you too loud early in the morning, Aotake-dono?" Mikoto appeared in the corridor going to Nanami's room. Tomoe turned around to see Mikoto standing in the corridors. "Ah, ohaiyo Mikoto. Did you rest well?" He greeted her with a bright smile as if no visitor just had annoyed him earlier. "G'morning", she softly greets back after a quick yawn. "I feel refreshed after a good night's rest. If it weren't for some noisy fish in the morning." There was someone who shouted, "Oi!" but he was ignored once again. "Don't worry about it. I will handle it myself. Would you like to have breakfast first?" Tomoe started ushering her to the dining room. Obviously trying to avoid someone else. "Okay. But where's Nanami? I can't find my uniform in my bedroom and we'll be late for school", Mikoto continued. Tomoe looked once again at Mikoto's unusual unladylike appearance. Her pajama is still quite shriveled and holding her uncombed head which still has bad bed hairs. His brows twitched at the thought that a human still wants to go to school despite being sick. A simple fever, if not taken care of well might lead to something worse, or else... "Death." He's surprised himself that he's concerned about a human's life other than his human master. Or maybe it's because it's Nanami's orders and he had no choice but to follow. Mikoto stopped walking and looked up at Tomoe. The fox yokai still hasn't replied to her question and he just sighed. "What's wrong?" she asked. He was taken aback for a second before answering. "It's nothing. There's no need to concern yourself about it. Just focus on your health's recovery". Tomoe reassured her with a smile. Mikoto stared at him, pouted, and replied, "Okay". Then mumbled "Sorry" sheepishly before starting to walk wobbly again. "That... doesn't look bad", Tomoe thought. In fact, seeing a meek, quiet, and obedient version of her towards him is somewhat refreshing to see. Plus, her reddish cheeks from her high temperature make him think she looks... "cute". He immediately erased the thought. "Seriously, how can you carelessly get sick?" Tomoe mumbled. "Only stupid people are immune to colds", he sighed once again. Aotake can't handle being ignored and felt humiliated. "Oi, priestess! Don't ignore me. Tell me where's Himemiko-sama!" he commanded and was about to reach for Mikoto when Tomoe grabbed him. "Back off, you useless attendant", Aotake growled his warning at the fox yokai. Tomoe kept in mind that Nanami strictly told him not to make Mikoto feel uncomfortable while she's still recovering. And he knew straight from Mikoto's expression that the stupid yokai's loud voice makes her head hurt. "You're the one who should back off while I'm still being nice to you", The fox familiar reminded him. The atmosphere is starting to feel intense with bloodlust. Mikoto is about to interfere when an unexpected factor entered the place and brightened the surrounding. "Sorry to keep you waiting for ~!" Mikoto quietly felt thankful that Nanami's cheerful entrance with Himemiko saved her from the trouble.