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On Christmas morning, just two days after flying into Tokyo after more than a yearlong absence, Takamiya Katsura was lying sick in bed. Sick as he was, with a headache, scratchy throat, and an itchy nose that it seemed he had to blow every five minutes, Takamiya was still trying to work on the English to Japanese translation of Adam Harford's literary memoir. With his head muddled by sinus congestion, Takamiya was almost relieved when the telephone rang.

"Hello," he mumbled weakly.

"Ah, Katsura, it's Kiichi. Reiji sent me over to look in on you. I'm in the hotel lobby."

"Please come up, then, but I warn you, I'm not good company."

In a few minutes, a heavily laden Aoe Kiichi appeared at the door of the suite. A shivering bathrobe-clad Takamiya let him in. only to be summarily shepherded back to the bed and bundled under the covers.

Kiichi swept the dictionaries and manuscripts off the breakfast tray that was doubling as a work desk, and reproached his brother's best friend, "You're working when you should be resting. It's a good thing that Reiji sent me over. You're a pitiful sight, you know, with those blood shot eyes," said Kiichi even as he pulled out a thermos of soup, dished it up, placed it on the tray and set it before Katsura with a spoon. "It's Haruomi's special chicken soup recipe and has medicinal properties."

The steam from the hot broth was already easing some of Takamiya's symptoms, and the first sip did much to relieve some of the pain in his throat.

"I wanted to come to the Christmas party, but as you can see, I'm not in the best shape for a social event," he said as he lifted another spoonful of soup to his mouth.

"Funny you should mention that. Reiji wanted to come and visit in person, but he couldn't make it because of the damned party. His girl friend, Mirella, have you met her?" Kiichi asked parenthetically, then answered himself, "No, that's right, you haven't. Anyhow, she invited a bunch of business contacts over, so instead of a small intimate family gathering, this is now a big social event with lots of clients to impress, so Reiji has to be there to oversee the details. You're not missing much."

After Takamiya finished the soup, Kiichi placed a palm against the sick man's forehead and commented, "I think you may have a fever. Do you have body aches? Sore throat? Headache?"

Takamiya nodded, then teared up as he pulled a Kleenex from a box of tissues and sneezed violently into it.

Kiichi reached into his pocket, pulled out an electronic thermometer, slid it into Takmiya's mouth and under his tongue.

."Did you get your invitation from my little brother to his New Year's Party?"

Takamiya nodded with watering eyes.

"You plan to come, I hope?"

Takamiya nodded again.

"Wonderful! Reiji's gone all out on this one, as usual, but we need some real friends around or my brother will be deadly dull and do nothing but talk business. We need you there to keep him in line."

"Will you be bringing a guest with you, Katsura?" he continued.

Takamiya shook his head, no.

The thermometer beeped three times, Kiichi removed it and read it.

"37.5. Yes, your temperature is elevated. A cool compress may help. "

Kiichi stepped into the bathroom and kept talking as he wet a washcloth.

"Weren't you living together for over a year with, what was his name, Julian? Reiji had high hopes for you. From what he told me, I thought things were hot and heavy in the romance department.

"I thought so too, but apparently Julian's family felt differently. It seems he was bringing shame on the family by his association with a gay 'mongrel'. His father threatened to cut him off without a penny unless he severed the connection, so he dumped me."

Kiichi stepped back into the room, and sighed in sympathy.

"That must have hurt."

"After almost a year together? Yes, it did, but I guess it's better to know sooner than later."

"Lie back for a minute," said Kiichi. When Takamiya's head was resting on the pillows, the doctor set the compress over his patient's eyes and forehead.

"Is that better?" he asked.

"Yes, that's soothing."

"There will be some very interesting people at the party. Perhaps you'll meet someone you like there who will take your mind off things."

"Well, don't go out of your way on my account," said Takamiya, just before he sneezed again, three times in succession. The compress came flying off, and he started to shiver again.

"Chills too. Well, I have something that will make you feel like a new man"

"A bottle of Nyquil?" asked Takamiya.

"Why that would be illegal for a Japanese doctor to dispense," said Kiichi. "But Haruomi has sent along a special home remedy he concocted. "I'm not quite sure what's in it," he said doubtfully as he dispensed a dose of viscous green liquid that looked suspiciously like the banned medication into a glass and handed it to Takamiya.

His patient eyed it with a cocked eyebrow, and smiled with an appreciative grimace after he downed the contents.

"Thank you, Kiichi, and be sure to convey my gratitude to Haruomi for his 'home remedy.'"

"Rest and get well soon, Katsura. I'll leave the bottle."

The medicine took effect quickly and Takamiya was drowsing comfortably when Kiichi left the suite.