Chapter Three
It has been two days since I last saw Keigo and it was killing me already. I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. Is it always going to be like this? Am I always wondering about him? Worry? Miss him? I thought sitting in a small café I was quite fond of. I am sitting blank minded in front of my laptop that was begging to be worked on. I am due back to work again and I needed time to work on my report that had been neglected for days now.
I sipped my coffee enjoying the bitter taste of it and raised the sleeves of my shirt to my elbows. I was determined to get some work done. I keyed in some words when a tap on my shoulders interrupted my thoughts.
“Hello~”
A light smile touched my lips when I noticed standing behind me. She was holding two shopping bags in her hands and a gentleman stood next to her with three in each hand. “Shopping?” I asked.
patted her tummy lightly, “My baby is going to be spoilt rotten.” She answered walking towards me. “Do you mind if Choutarou and I join you?”
“Choutarou?” I repeated. “Ootori Choutarou?” I asked trying to recognize the gentleman standing in front of me. He was taller than anyone else I had met. He had a mass of silver curls and innocent gray eyes look at me. He looked liked an angel and I could’ve sworn I remembered Keigo talk about him before.
“Yes.” He answered. “Are you ?”
“Yes, but please call me .” I replied while they took a seat opposite me.
Ootori put ’s things around with a smile. “As long as you call me Choutarou it’s fine then.”
“Heard from Keigo, ?” asked as she pulled out a menu and began scanning through.
“He called me last night.” I replied as I looked at her and smiled to myself. She was an unusual person, but I was starting to like her. Understanding her made me understand Keigo a bit more. “How is your husband?” I asked. I remembered I had promised Keigo to make sure that did not kill Oshitari.
“He’s locked in his study writing.” answered flipping through the menu.
I smiled, “That’s good I guess.”
“Not when she was the one that locked him in.” Ootori said wryly.
looked up from the menu and gave me a sweet smile. “At least I know where he is now.”
I groaned as well. I was sure that Keigo would kill me if he found that out. Or no, he was going to kill if he found out that she had locked his best friend in his study. “Are you sure that is a good idea?” I found myself asking.
“Oh, I’m not worried.” said too sweetly sipping her glass of water. “I’m sure Choutarou called Ryou and Jirou to get him out when we left.” She explained.
Choutarou almost choked on his water and went into a million shades of red at her comment. “Calm down sweetie.” said softly patting his back.
I listened to the names she had mentioned. “Are these names all part of the club from school?” I asked. “I’m surprised you’re all still close friends.” I remarked as I picked my glass of water.
“Well I knew Choutarou from university.” answered. “But I didn’t know he was in the same school as Keigo during high school and in the same club. It was much later during a friendly game that they have from time to time that I realized they were friends.”
“And was that where you met your husband?” I asked curiously. I already knew the answer when I saw the light smile on ’s lips as she nodded.
“Oshitari-san was annoyed at first that a woman was going to intrude in their match.” Ootori added. “But…”
“That idiot was so rude to me….” muttered annoyed. “I wanted to wring his neck the minute I laid eyes on him.”
Despite of myself I found myself laughing. I hoped that I wasn’t rude when I did that, but I found it amusing because the Oshitari I saw was someone who adored this woman. It was hard for me to imagine that he was rude to her.
“How did you end up marrying him?”
rolled her eyes. “It’s a long story.”
“Oh, no no no…” I said excitedly. “You’re not leaving me hanging here.” I told her amused. “I need to know what changed his mind about you.”
watched as the waiter set her salad on the table and smiled. “Do you want to do me the honors, Choutarou?” she asked sweetly.
He groaned lightly moving a hand through his hair. “It’s embarrassing….” He said blushing.
“And you better not dare repeat that, Choutarou.” Oshitari Yuushi threatened as he walked into the café. He was followed by two other members. One of them had a stern looking face and the other the complete opposite.
I was startled as well, but not as much Choutarou who looked extremely uncomfortable. “Sorry.” He muttered as Oshitari sat down next to .
“Hey sweetie…” smiled innocently kissing his lips lightly.
Oshiatri smirked, “Crazy woman.” He muttered as he put an arm around her shoulders and kept it there.
“Where did you find the key?” asked.
“I always have a spare.” The man with stern look answered.
I looked at him and looked at his attire. He was more casual then the rest. Just clad in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He had short spiky brown hair and he had a solemn look on his face. A look that told me he was a person that rarely smiled. My eyes then moved to the other one standing next to him. He looked like someone who needed a hug. He had messy orange hair and a cute adorable look to him. He looked like someone who slept all the time.
“Let me introduce you to Yuushi’s other friends.” smiled at me. “They were also in Keigo’s team at school.”
“Tennis?” I asked.
“Yes.” nodded. “This is Shishido Ryou and Akutagawa Jirou.”
Shishido nodded at me while Jirou opened his eyes in excitement and peered down at me with our noses almost touching. “This is Atobe’s lady?” he asked excitedly.
I moved back a bit, but the further back I kept moving. The closer he was coming towards me. “Personal space, please…”
Before Jirou could comment, he choked as he felt his collar tighten around his neck. Shishido had grabbed his shirt from the back and pulled him away from me. I almost felt sorry for him, but was thankful that he was away.
I spent a while with all of them. Well not a while, it was more like almost three hours. By the time I looked at my watch I realized it was late and I had better get home to finish my report for work tomorrow. By now Shishido and Ootori had left. Jirou was sleeping on the table and Oshitari was typing on his laptop. looked at me and smiled, “Do you want to leave?” She asked me knowingly. “Yuushi and I can drop you.” She offered.
“No, it’s alright.” I replied. “I will walk home.”
“Oh no no….” said softly shaking her index finger. “Not at night. Do you want Keigo to kill me?” she asked horrified.
“Hmmmm…. Kill….” Oshitari muttered as he typed furiously.
I was quite surprised actually. We were in the middle of a really crowded café and he was sitting there typing a novel. “That’s good I guess.” I nodded as I started to pack my things.
“Yuushi~” said softly shaking him.
“One minute.” He muttered typing. “I don’t want to lose this plot.”
sighed. She leaned on her elbow on the table and started drumming her finger with her other hand as five whole minutes passed. “Yuushi.”
“One minute.”
She smiled mischievously and leaned in on him. “Yuushi…” she said softly against his ears and then bit lightly at his earlobe.
He stopped typing and glared at her. “Don’t do that in public.” He snapped
I looked surprised when I noticed that he was blushing. I saw him sigh as he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “Let’s go then.” He said as he saved his work and shut his laptop.
I stood up carrying my things. “What about him?” I asked pointing at Jirou who was still asleep.
“Don’t worry, this is normal.” smiled hugging Oshitari’s upper arm lightly. “He will be dropped home later.”
~~~
By the time I got home I was exhausted. When I had finally finished that damn report, I realized it was already after 2am. I was officially screwed. There was no way I was able to wake up at 6 am. I sighed rolling on my bed and touched the empty side beside me. Damn that idiot for going to Singapore, I swore softly. Just as my eyes closed my cell rang and I immediately knew who it was as I picked it up. “Don’t you know it’s late here?”
“I knew you would be awake.” Atobe said on the other end of the phone.
“How are you?” I asked.
“Not too bad.” He replied. “I should be back soon.” He answered. “How have you been? You sound like you’re in a good mood.”
“I’m not bad.” I replied. “I finally managed to finish that pile of crap that was waiting for me.” I explained. “And I met some of your unusual friends today.”
“Arn~” he said somewhat surprised, “And who would that be?”
I told him quietly about the events of the day and who I had met. He laughed at the way I had described some of them and told me that I had gotten them just right. After I was done telling him about the day’s event I asked him, “Anymore that I should be warned about?’
Atobe chuckled softly, “There are quite a few more, but they don’t mingle a lot so you’re fine for now.”
I smiled, “You’re lucky to have them Keigo.” I said softly.
“Yes.” He admitted, “But don’t go telling that or they will start hounding me for things.”
“Tell me something….” I said curiously. “They were telling me about the first time Oshitari and had met and they were going to continue, but he didn’t let them when he walked in.”
Atobe laughed out loud at that. “Well, I don’t blame him one bit.”
I pouted, “Come on! Come on! Tell me! My curiosity is killing me.”
He was still laughing and to my surprise he then went quiet, “Okay, but you didn’t hear it from me.” He said seriously.
[How Oshitari met his wife - Beginning of Story]
“Are you still mad?” Atobe asked Oshitari.
“Che! What were you thinking bringing a woman to our tennis outing. And a spoilt one too.”
“I know her, but I didn’t invite her, Choutarou did.”
“Che. What was Choutarou thinking?!” he muttered.
Atobe looked surprised at Oshitari. “Why is it bothering you so much? It’s not like anyone else had a problem with it.”
“She’s annoying.” He explained as he put his shirt on.
“You said only two words to her and they were both rude.” Atobe muttered as he put his jacket on.
Oshitari shrugged.
Atobe looked at him as he moved a hand through his hair. “Well, I’m leaving.” He announced. “Take care of yourself.”
“Bye.” He muttered as he looked around. He was the last one there as he closed his locker and walked out. “Great.” He muttered as he noticed rain pouring down. He walked out on a curb when two boys ran past him and knocked him onto the floor. Before he could even react, his glasses fell off and he fell onto them crashing them into bits.
“Damnit!” he whispered, “I don’t even have my contacts on me!” He said out loud. “How am I going to drive?!” he asked knowing fully well that with his eye sight there was no way he would be allowed to drive. He knew this was punhishment from God for pretending to need them during his school years. As he had grown up, his eye sight weakened and he became more accustomed to glasses.
“Problem?”
Oshitari sighed standing up. Not only he did he want to kill himself when he heard that voice, but he was soaked wet as the rain came unmercifully on him. He was surprised though that in a minute the rain stopped pouring onto him. He looked to his side and found standing next to him holding an umbrella above them both. “Don’t you think you should leave me here considering how rude I’ve been to you?”
To his surprise a smile formed on her lips. “I am not like you, Oshitari Yuushi.” She replied. “And I would never leave one of Keigo’s friends dying on the streets.”
He smirked lightly at that comment. “Why are you still here?”
“My car broke down.”
“I would offer to drive you, but…”
“You’re blind as a bat, right?” asked knowingly.
Oshitari nodded.
“Give me your keys.” ordered holding her palm out in front of him.
“Excuse me.”
“Your keys.” repeated. “I will drive.”
“Over my dead body.” He muttered. “No one’s driving my baby.”
“Would you rather we both drown here?” She asked sarcastically narrowing her eyes at him.
Oshitari sighed as he pulled his keys out of his pocket. “Fine, fine… but if you scratch her…”
“Oh shut up!” said annoyed as he led them to his car.
[End of story]
“So she ended up dropping him home and he hated the fact that he had to be grateful to her.” Atobe finished. “And I don’t know what possessed him, but as a thank you he took her out to dinner after he had changed.” He explained. “Soon after I realized they were seeing more of each other. hated to admit that the man who was rude to her was all she could think about and Oshitari wouldn’t even speak of her name in front of anyone because he had clearly stated that she had annoyed him when he first met her.”
I laughed at that, but then frowned. “That still doesn’t explain to me how you all knew that they were seeing each other? Or how they both admitted their feelings for one another?”
“Well…” he hesitated. “One day we were all out and she called him crying.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, apparently someone had tried to get rough with her while she was walking home and she had barely managed to escape. He was the first one she called when she got away. I should’ve been insulted that she called him instead of me, but the look on his face told me what I wanted to know about their feelings for each other. And , this is Oshitari we’re talking about; he is known for his poker face.” He stressed.
“I see.” I remarked softly. “And then what happened?”
“Apart from the fact that Oshitari drove like a maniac to her place…” he replied sarcastically. “We got in and found her all bruised and crying.” He explained sighing. It was clear to me that he was not fond of repeating this story. “We both managed to clean her bruises and calm her down. He didn’t leave her side for one minute and I just left them after she was calm.” he explained. “He stayed with her that night and didn’t leave her for some time. It was after that that they were an official couple.”
“Wow…” I whispered smiling. “I guess it ended nicely.”
“Yes.”
I realized we had been speaking for an hour and finally I hung up. Realizing it was now 3 am I sighed and fell back asleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.
~~~
Next Day
“You don’t look good .”
I sighed looking at Yukimura Seiichi. Not only did I feel like crap sitting in my office, but I was showing it too. “How nice of you to compliment me so early in the morning.” I said sarcastically.
Yukimura gave me a smile. “You look fine physically.” He explained, “But you’re mood is screaming ‘back off or I’ll bite’.”
“I didn’t’ get any sleep last night.” I explained as I yawned.
He crossed arms leaning against the frame of the door. “That’s not good.” He answered. “Do you want to get a cup of coffee with me?” He offered. “We don’t have any meetings till 10.”
“Sure.” I replied, “Let me see if …” I began, but stopped. “Just us?” I asked.
“If you don’t mind.” He answered.
I nodded and wanted to slap myself for being a total idiot. I had forgotten about their break up. “Sure and maybe you can finally tell me what happened.”
He nodded.
Fifteen minutes later I found myself sitting with him as I sipped coffee. First I was surprised that he didn’t take me downstairs to the corporate coffee shop, but I found myself outside on the other side of the street. “It’s something serious, isn’t it?” I asked.
He sighed, “I wanted to explain before you spoke to .” He answered. “She isn’t very happy.”
I put my hand on his, “What happened?” I asked softly.
“That night when we had dinner.” He said softly as he turned my hand in his and held it gently. “I was a bit surprised that you were seeing Atobe and maybe a bit jealous that you were seeing someone like him.”
Seiichi? Jealous of Keigo? I thought, but I didn’t say it out loud.
“Anyway it bothered me that my best friend was seeing someone I wasn’t quite fond of.”
“I didn’t know you didn’t like Keigo.”
“No.” he answered, “I have nothing against him.”
I nodded wanting him to continue. “Anyway…” he said clearing his voice. “ and I….” he began, and then shook his head. "Well, we were in bed and I…"
I grimaced thinking that was way too much information.
“…” he said softly rubbing his jaw lightly. “Don’t get embarrassed, but I…” he began not able to look at me. “I accidentally said your name.”
“You accidentally called me?” I repeated, and then it dawned on me. “OH!~” I covered my mouth my eyes widening in surprise when I realized what he had meant. “Why…” I began. “Why are you telling me this?” I asked meekly.
“Because I want you to realize that it was an accident and I….I didn’t mean it that way.” He explained. “But I’m afraid might not take this lightly….”
My cheeks heated up at that. I didn’t really know what to say. Seiichi was my best friend, but to tell me something like that? Even I was embarrassed. I hoped at least the facial expression on my face looked decent enough because I had a whirlwind tearing inside of me. And all this time I realized that he was still holding my hand. I immediately let go of his hand brought it to my chest. “It’s alright…” I said with a trembling voice. “I’m glad you explained it to me.”
“You’re trembling.”
My head snapped up and I looked at him. “No…”I replied. “I’m just very surprised in what you just said.” I explained. “And it is a bit embarrassing.” I admitted. My heart was pounding. Seiichi called out to me when he had been with someone else. I was having doubts now. Did he like me? I was thinking to myself. No matter what he was saying now, the subconscious has a mind of its own. It thinks for itself and allows the person to do things without thinking. Did Seiichi subconsciously like me?
He sighed breaking the silence while my head was spinning. “We should get going now.” He announced looking at his watch. “We have a meeting in ten minutes.”
“Yes.” I agreed while nodding.
~~~
Throughout the day I was numb. What Seiichi had told me surprised me. It was not how I expected my day to be. I did notice that several times had tried ignoring me. I let out a sigh realizing how hard it must be. I knew I would be mad if Keigo had called out someone else’s name while he was intimate with me.
Thinking about Keigo made my heart ache. I was missing him more than I intended. The idiot had an affect on me which I didn’t like. I was always in control of my life. Now everything involved him I realized.
As I looked up from my laptop in my office; I was happy to see that the clock had struck 6 indicating my leave time. I packed up my stuff and stood up walking towards the door and locking it. As I hurried down to the elevator I stopped a bit when I saw that had been running towards the same one. She smiled a bit, “Hello.” She said stiffly knowing fully well that she could not ignore me.
“Hi.”
She forcefully made light conversation with me not even mentioning Seiichi or Keigo and just left as soon as the elevator doors opened. I sighed, it was bad enough she was not that fond of me before. Now she hates me, I thought to myself as I walked to my car.
I was happy when I reached home half an hour later. I took off my clothes and put on my pajamas thinking only about the warm bed awaiting me. But I knew first I had to do something about the demanding stomach I had. It was growling non stop. I picked up the phone deciding that I was going to spoil myself with some Chinese takeout. After I ordered I lay on the couch and crossed my arms behind my head.
Flashbacks of today’s events rushed back into my head. My cheeks flushed involuntarily as I recalled my conversation with Seiichi. Why did I keep thinking about it? Why was it bothering me more than I wanted to? Didn’t you want Seiichi to think about you like that?
At that last question I shook my head. No, I’m with Keigo now. I shouldn’t even think about this. With that doubt in mind I fell asleep. I don’t know how long I was asleep for, but I was dreaming. This dream was different than anything else. It was warm, spicy, enchanting, and made me tingle. I felt someone else in my dream as his lips caressed my soft skin. Succumbing to that feeling in my dreams I let out a sigh and suddenly as I felt a cold drift I opened my eyes and realizes that someone was on top of me. “Oh…” I manage to let out.
“Shhh….” A familiar voice whispered as he trailed kisses on my chin. “It’s me.” Atobe whispered kissing me fully on the lips.
A while later, I lay by his side and smiled at him as I moved my tired hand lazily across his back. My hand was moving on its own and went through his hair as well as he lay there silently. “I don’t remember giving you a key to my apartment.”
He moved a bit and looked at me, “I stole it.”
I smiled at him. “I thought you were back next week…”
He rolled to his side pulling the sheets on top of us and he brought me to him holding tightly against his chest. “Surprise…” he whispered in my ears. I rolled my eyes. “Did you consider the fact that I might’ve screamed and everyone would’ve come tearing down in here?”
“Did enter my mind….” he muttered.
“You’re exhausted.”
“Ye….s”
I sighed holding his arm as he held me while I slept. He was exhausted I could tell, but he was too much of an arrogant prick to admit it. I closed my eyes and ignored my growling tummy. I had fallen asleep and knew that my takeout was by now back to where it was and there was no way they were going to deliver food to me again.
~~~
I woke up in the morning at the blasted noise of my alarm clock. Surprisingly I did not break it like I usually do and was up and awake in minutes. I let out a sigh sitting up and froze for a minute when I saw Keigo asleep on his side with the sheets of my bed gently lying on him. I smirked at that innocent look he portrayed while he slept and stood up. I picked up my clothes for work and went to shower. It didn’t take me long to change and put my make up on. As I got out of the bathroom all fresh and clean I frowned. I realized that Keigo was still asleep. I walked up to him, “Keigo?” I said shaking him lightly.
No answer.
“Keigo?”
No answer.
My frown deepened. I moved my hand lightly to his forehead and flinched at the heat that was emitting from it. His breath was also rather shallow and he was sweating. “Why didn’t I realize this?!” I thought to myself as I pulled out some towels. “Keigo, damnit wake up.”
He opened his eyes and groaned lightly as he held onto his head while rolling to his side and going back to closing his eyes.
What am I going to do? I thought horrified. I can’t leave him here! And I can’t not miss work today! I argued with myself panicking. I quickly pulled his cell phone out and looked for a number. After calling it, I called work and told them that I was coming in but was going to be late.
Half an hour later.
frowned while crossing her arms. “Nice place.” She remarked looking around my apartment.
“Now is not the time!~” I snapped half annoyed.
My snapping didn’t seem to annoy her as she walked into my bedroom. “…” she said softly. “This is normal.” She pointed at Atobe. “You think he doesn’t get like this all the time? That’s a workaholic CEO for you.” She explained.
I looked at her half surprised that she was not the least bit worried. “Im worried, his fever is high.” I told her.
She opened her bag and pulled out a pack of pills. “Nothing that this can’t help.” She said throwing the pack at me. “Be a dear and make him take it while I get a glass of water for him.”
I looked at her, “How do I give this to him?” I asked turning the pack in the palm of my hand.
“You need to put it in your mouth(1).” She explained.
I looked at her blinking confused then I blushed. “You’ve done this before?” I asked not wanting to think that she had kissed Keigo before.
“Na-uh.” She smiled softly. “Yuushi wouldn’t allow me so I let him do it.” She said playfully winking as she left the room.
I grimaced at the thought. “That is too much information.” I muttered annoyed. I walked over to Keigo who was half sprawled dead on the bed. When I reached him to my surprise he had his eyes open. “Keigo?”
“I’m awake…” he muttered as he sat down. I put my hand on his shoulder and helped him sit up. He rested his head on my shoulder and tried breathing lightly. “I have a meeting.”
“I cancelled it for you.” spoke curtly walking in holding a glass of water.
“Cancelled?” he whispered in agony. “wh…”
“Shut up, Keigo.” said lifting his chin. “Drink this.” She ordered helping him sip the glass of water. “ will give you your medicine.”
I didn’t even have time to think. I just placed the pill in my mouth and kissed him lightly allowing him to take it in his own. After I did that I couldn’t help but blush as helped him drink the glass of water again. I was surprised as well, this was the great Atobe Keigo and right now he wasn’t looking so great at all. Once we were done, we laid him on the bed and I covered him with the blanket. I frowned as I touched his forehead again; he was still warm but not as heated as earlier.
“You can go to work .” told me. “I’ll stay here with him.” She offered.
I hesitated. As much as I knew I couldn’t miss work. I couldn’t leave Keigo. I let out a sigh and touched his forehead lightly. “I’ll be back soon.” I said softly kissing his lips lightly. “Thank you, .” I said sincerely leaving.
~~~
My day was a mess. I just couldn’t concentrate. Every time I tried making a phone call or trying to type something my mind kept going to Keigo. I hated this feeling it was driving me crazy. I hated the fact that I was thinking of someone all the time. I called several times and on the third try she had told me if I called again she would suffocate Keigo with a pillow. I let out a sigh at that thought and was finally relieved that it was time for me to go home. As I quickly locked my office and turned around I bumped into someone and almost fell to the floor if the person did not catch my waist and it did not stop there. The person pulled me closer and when I looked up I found my face just inches away from the face of Yukimura Seiichi. “S…Seichi?”
He smiled at me, but did not let go off me. I realized our bodies were molded together and he had an arm around me. I also realized we were in the middle of the goddamn office and I was praying that no one would see us. “You were going to fall.”
“Y…yes…” I stammered not looking at him.
“Can you stand now?” he asked seriously.
I looked up at him confused. My eyes were looking into his deep eyes. They’re so violet I thought mesmerized by them.
“Can you stand now?”
I snapped out of my thoughts and looked away blushing, “Yes.” I said. “You can let go of me now.”
He let go of me and I thanked him. I bid him goodbye and rushed to the elevator. My heart was thumping wildly against my rib cage. It wanted to be let out, and it wanted to be let out now. Even when I was in my car I tried regulating my heartbeat but it was no use. I tried ignoring the feeling when I went home. I walked in and to my surprise I could smell a delicious aroma from my kitchen and I noticed the table was set for dinner. I couldn’t possible imagine that did all of this. I quickly went into my bedroom and to my surprise I didn’t find anyone there. I walked out and went to the study and I was surprised to find Oshitari Yuushi there. “Oh.”
He looked up from his laptop and smiled. “They’re in the guest room.”
I nodded and went there and found Keigo’s head on ’s lap as she sat there moving her hand through his hair. The sight made me jealous, but I knew there was a reasonable explanation for this.
“Thank god you’re here.” said exasperated. “I swear I don’t know whose worse? Keigo or Yuushi when they’re sick! They’re such big babies…” standing up and making Atobe’s head land on the sofa. “He’s fine, but just wants to be spoilt at the moment.” muttered.
A light smile hit my face. “Is he better?”
“Yes.” replied. “He just doesn’t have the energy to move.” She explained. “Anyway, don’t worry about him. A doctor came over and checked on him. I’ve also asked my cook to prepare dinner for us as well. We’ll stay a bit with you and I also invited someone.”
“You don’t have to.” I said softly then stopped. “You invited someone?” I asked when what she had said earlier hit me.
“Yes.” smiled. “She’s another sweetie that you must meet.”
I frowned. I didn’t think I could handle any more sweeties of Keigo’s at the moment.
~~~
~*~ For Kaho ~*~
~Who loves Atobe and Yukimura~
DeVeliCious
Edited by Kashii
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(1) I credit the medicine scene to a lot of other stories I've read before. I've seen it on more than one occasion when the reader gets to give medication/drink to her boy through the mouth when he was too tired or sick.