Episode 52: The Goddess’s Distraction

The next morning.

I happened to wake up and it was already 10:00 AM.

I try to get up for now… but ugh, no go.

Well, it wouldn’t be such a struggle if I could just get better in a single day.

Since Sara-senpai was supposed to come over this afternoon, I wanted to clean up while I had the chance… but I give up. It’s impossible.

I take some yogurt out of the fridge and eat it as a substitute for breakfast.

I’m bored, but my body feels sluggish… I guess I’ll just lie down and browse the web.

「Is the paperwork summary almost finished?」

「It’s exactly as the Vice President instructed previously.」

「I see. Beyond that, please make sure to keep your working speed up from here on.」

「Y-Yes, I’ll do my best.」

The work just isn’t finishing.

Lately, I feel like my efficiency has been dropping…

「Vice President, regarding the requests from students in the suggestion box…」

「…Is there a problem?」

「There’s an increase in things we can’t judge on our own, so if you could check them once…」

「Did you check the guidelines I prepared the other day? Can you still not make a judgment?」

「Ah… no, well, I read the guidelines, but…」

Based on that reaction, they only read them…

Does that mean they don’t understand why I prepared and distributed them in the first place?

「………Where is the President?」

「The President is still in the staff room.」

「Sigh… For those who have finished their paperwork, please follow up with others, even if it’s just a little. Anything that needs checking should be gathered and sent to me. I will verify everything here. Is that clear? I made those guidelines for times like this. If you don’t understand them, read them again!」

「「「「「Yes!」」」」」

「Satsukawa-san is incredible… even though I’m older.」

「No, she’s already on a different level.」

「Look, let’s just finish up quickly.」

Checking the clock, it was already past 11:00 AM.

…If I don’t visit Takanashi-san’s home soon, lunch will be late.

Even though Takanashi-san, whose physical strength must be depleted, is waiting and hungry…

Plus, he must have worked up a sweat, so I should wipe his body down and change his clothes…

Ah, I have to buy ingredients for the meal first… this is just going to keep getting later and later.

This is a problem…

「…Is she in a bit of a bad mood today?」

「…That’s probably because you slacked off on checking the guidelines.」

「…I bet she’s thinking of ways to improve efficiency.」

「…Why don’t you learn a bit from the Vice President’s seriousness? She’s always thinking about all sorts of things for everyone’s sake like this.」

「…Let’s just do this fast. We’ll get scolded again.」

Rattle rattle rattle

「Sorry, I’m late.」

「President~ You were quite late today.」

「My bad, I got caught up in some small talk with the teacher and was forced to stay for tea…」

「President…」

「N-No, Satsukawa-san, I didn’t mean anything by it.」

「Just get back to work quickly! Takanashi-san’s lunch is going to be late!」

「I’m sorry! I’ll hurry!」

「「「「「……Takanashi-san?」」」」」

Ding-dong

!?

It looks like I fell asleep at some point.

I move my sluggish body and get up.

When I open the door, Senpai is standing there with a large bag.

「Hello, Takanashi-san. How are you feeling?」

「Hello. I’m… still as you’d expect. Ah, I’ll take your bags.」

「No. Takanashi-san, please return to bed immediately.」

「Yes……」

I can’t exactly keep arguing at the front door, so I obediently return to bed, and Senpai follows me into the room.

Once she puts the bags in the kitchen, she approaches the bed.

「Did you measure your temperature?」

「Ah, not yet.」

The thermometer… where was it?

I used it yesterday…

「Please stay still.」

Senpai placed her hand on my forehead.

She did this the other day too, but can she actually tell by doing that?

「It’s still high. From the feel of it, I don’t think it’s over 38 degrees, though. Let’s measure it again once the thermometer is found.」

「Yes…」

「First, please let your body settle down. I must have woken you up suddenly.」

Saying that, she started stroking my head again.

She strokes it slowly and carefully.

…I’ll confess.

I really love it when Senpai does this… even if she thinks I’m like a child, I like what I like, so I can’t help it.

And being able to see Senpai’s gentle smile is also…

「I’m a bit late, but I’ll prepare lunch now. Takanashi-san, please just rest like this.」

With that, Senpai headed to the kitchen.

She seemed to be checking the items I have, and after a while:

「I’ll borrow your cooking tools.」

Along with that voice:

Chop chop chop…

I can hear the rhythmic sound of a kitchen knife.

Watching Senpai stand in the kitchen from behind…

I don’t know why, but… I feel a strange feeling…