Episode 59: Change

I woke up to the sound of a RAIN message arriving.

「Good morning, Takanashi-san. Are you awake?」

「Good morning. I just woke up.」

Ding-dong.

Huh?

Who would be here at this hour… wait, given the timing, is it Senpai?

Click…

When I opened the door, as expected, Senpai was standing there.

「I am sorry for coming so early in the morning. I wanted to see your face directly and confirm your physical condition, Takanashi-san…」

「Ah, you did say you’d check in on me yesterday, didn’t you?」

「Yes… though at the time yesterday, I intended to call you, but I simply had to see your face…」

「Um, come in for now.」

「Thank you. Please excuse me.」

Somehow, I hadn’t expected to see this sight again today, and I could tell I was feeling unexpectedly happy about it.

「How is your condition? Did you measure your fever?」

While asking that, Senpai’s right hand was already on my forehead… was that unconscious?

「It was just a slight fever last night. I think I’m probably fine now.」

「You’re right. Based on the feel, I don’t sense any heat anymore…」

Touching my forehead… then my neck, Senpai pulled her hand away.

「Well then, since you’re resuming school today, please get changed, Takanashi-san. I will prepare breakfast in the meantime.」

Saying that, Senpai took my school shirt and the undershirt from the dresser and handed them to me.

Then, heading straight for the kitchen, she put the leftover rice from last night’s dinner into the microwave and started making something with eggs and ham (which she had brought yesterday).

…Wait…… this is my house, right…?

While eating the scrambled eggs Senpai made, I checked the clock. I still had a little time, so I could take it slow.

「I am supposed to meet Natsumi at the usual spot.」

「Got it. Does that mean Natsumi-senpai already knows you’re here, Sara-senpai?」

「Yes, I have already informed her.」

「I see… ah, thanks for the meal.」

This might be the first time I’ve gone to school after eating such a proper breakfast. Even at my family home, it was just bread.

「It was a modest meal. Well then, I’ll clean up.」

「Ah, just leave it in the sink. I’ll do it when I get back.」

「It will be over in a moment, so it’s quite alright.」

Um, that wasn’t exactly what I meant…

But I’ve already relied on her this much, it’s a bit late for that now…

「Yes, sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we head out, then?」

I locked the door and left the house, walking alongside Senpai. Even though it’s a sidewalk, I’m naturally on the side closer to the road.

「…I am sorry for all the trouble since this morning. Did I overdo it again…?」

「Not at all. I was able to eat a delicious breakfast, so I’m grateful right from the start of the day.」

「I am happy to hear you say that, but…… I have been a bit strange lately… when I am with you, Takanashi-san, I simply feel the need to do something for you… no… it is nothing.」

Senpai… to think of me that way… ah, there it goes again. Looking at Senpai, my face is…

Wait, she said we’re friends. Don’t go getting ideas.

「…………」

It wasn’t exactly awkward, but we walked in a subtle silence until we saw Natsumi-san.

It looked like she had arrived first.

「Morning, you two.」

「Good morning.」

「Natsumi-senpai, good morning.」

「Good, good. Looks like you made it properly. How’s your condition?」

「I still feel a little sluggish, but if it’s just this much…」

Natsumi-senpai looked back and forth between me and Sara-senpai, wearing a meaningful smile.

「I see. I guess Sara’s thorough nursing worked?」

「Yes, I relied on Sara-senpai way too much…」

「That isn’t true at all. I was just doing what was normal…」

「No, it really helped me out. It might be the same thing I said yesterday, but thank you again.」

「Fufu… in that case, ‘you’re welcome’… I suppose.」

「Yeah, yeah. I understand that things are back to normal operations.」

「「??」」

Natsumi-senpai checked the time and looked ahead.

「Well, let’s get going. Takanashi-kun is just recovering, so let’s walk slowly. You mustn’t overdo it today, okay? If you start feeling unwell at school, make sure to contact Sara. You aren’t allowed to lie anymore.」

「Ah…」

Natsumi-senpai, you didn’t have to say that!!

I was trying not to bring that back up…

「That’s right. Your health seems to have improved, and since the topic has come up, it’s time for a little lecture.」

Ah, I knew she remembered…