Shizuka was surprised when Vern unconsciously put his hand on hers.  She watched as he blinked slowly awake.  Thinking it would be rude, Shizuka decided not to pull her hand away, though she did start blushing suddenly.  When he apologized, Shizuka said, [color=a187be]"Don't worry about it, just get some rest."[/color]  Shizuka got up and headed to the kitchen, coming back soon after with a piping hot bowl of rice porridge.  [color=a187be]"I hope it's to your liking.  Be careful, it's very hot."[/color]  Shizuka took a scoop and started blowing on it to cool it down, just as her mother had done for her when she had been sick.

Vern sat up suddenly and reached for the bowl.  Though there was a slight look of protest in her eyes, Shizuka obliged and handed him the bowl and let him feed himself.  Vern felt that he was being a bit more defensive than he should be, he felt vulnerable, more vulnerable than he thought he had a right to be.  Though he wouldn't judge anyone else in this way, he chided himself for showing weakness, but mostly for letting himself get to this point.  After his scoop of porridge was cool enough, he put it in his mouth.  It was a perfectly good and normal porridge.  Good and normal in the way that it was so easy to take for granted, to forget that it was good: plain, but good and consistent.  Vern had the discernment to appreciate the subtlety and felt its warmth permeate his body when he swallowed.  "Thanks.  It's good," he said.

Shizuka watched him take a few more bites in silence.  She wondered what he had been doing that would push him to such exhaustion; wondered why he was wearing workman's clothes.  But she felt that she had overstayed her welcome, and maybe these questions could be better left for another time.  Besides, a man's got his pride and his secrets.  He was conscious, so the risk of him not waking up no longer existed.  He seemed to be recovering quickly too.  [color=a187be]"There's more in the pot if you're still hungry afterwards,"[/color] Shizuka said.  [color=a187be]"I think the rain has stopped, so I should take my leave.  Please, get some good rest, and call me if you need anything."[/color]

Vern didn't know whether to ask her to stay or let her go.  He just remained silent and pondered his current state, though he did squeeze out another, "...thanks..."

As Shizuka stood in his doorway, she looked back, and gave him a gentle smile, "You're welcome," and left.

[hr]
Monday

Shizuka hung up her lab coat.  Every morning, she came to check on the status of the animals she was keeping as part of her research assignment.  She would have an elective course later in the day, followed by lunch, and another class.  She headed towards her classroom.  She hadn't made lunch today as she felt like trying what the university had to offer, planning to go to the dining hall nearest the biology building.