"Must be the illness..." Or... whatever was ailing Ken at the time. Umi hadn't failed to notice how he'd inched away from her, either, but didn't give the action much thought. She obeyed an impulse and lay a hand on his shoulder without prior warning. So cold. Did he have a fever...?

There was a very disagreeable feeling in her stomach. She couldn't put her finger on what it was. But it disturbed her and she set it aside at once. "Are you sure you shouldn't lie down for a bit? Or... I could make you some tea."