Episode 94: Business as Usual

「Here you go, Takanashi-san… say ‘ahh’.」

Munch.

「Munch, munch… Um, Sara-senpai… by any chance, is this all of it?」

In Senpai’s hand was my personal bento box.

Natsumi-senpai had brought it over, but Senpai, concerned about my right hand, said,

「It is fine. Please leave everything to me,」

And with those words, we ended up in this situation.

Right now, the curtains are closed and our view is blocked, but naturally, Natsumi-senpai and the school nurse are right on the other side…

「Of course it is… now, say ‘ahh’.」

Munch.

Ahh, it’s delicious.

「Takanashi-san, how is it?」

「It’s delicious. I might be hopeless without your cooking from now on, Senpai…」

「(What, has she already secured his stomach?)」

「(Secured? It’s practically her exclusive domain. Wait, did you know about this, Morishita-sensei?)」

「Because if you’re shown that Satsukawa-san dragging a boy in here on that rainy day to change his clothes, how could you not? It’s like a direct insult to a single woman like me.」

「Oh, tell me more about that.」

Hey, that’s not even a whisper anymore. Those two have no intention of hiding their conversation.

「Ufufufu… it is alright. I will continue to make it for you forever. Now, say ‘ahh’.」

And Senpai doesn’t even care… I see.

Munch.

「Now, let me see that right hand once more.」

Morishita-sensei (since Natsumi-senpai called her that earlier) began to touch my right wrist.

How is it… normally there is pain, but it is not to the point where I cannot endure it.

However, bending it is normally painful.

「…Yes, this isn’t just a matter of resting; you definitely need to go to a hospital. I’ll be contacting your parents as well.」

To be honest, I hate that, but apparently it is impossible not to contact them because of the medical insurance.

「I understand.」

「I’d actually like to send you home early… but I’ve already reported to your teachers, so if the pain gets worse or if there’s any change, go home and get to a hospital immediately.」

Saying that much, Morishita-sensei pulled out a cold patch and bandages.

「It should be better than doing nothing, so hold out your right hand.」

「Um, would it be alright if you showed me how to do it? I would like to be the one to do it for him in the future…」

Senpai spoke to Morishita-sensei while lifting my right arm as if to support it.

It certainly would be helpful and I would be grateful if she did it for me, but…

「Sure. I’ll do it slowly, so watch closely.」

First, Morishita-sensei wrapped it lightly and unwound it, and then Sara-senpai followed by repeating the process of wrapping and unwinding while receiving instructions.

While I was captivated by Senpai’s incredibly serious expression, our eyes suddenly met.

「Takanashi-san, is your wrist alright?」

「It’s fi… no, it actually hurts.」

Senpai is often happier when I tell her clearly. I don’t think I need to hide this much.

As if to stroke my wrist, Senpai placed her hand on it and began to rub it.

「There, there… I will wrap the bandage for you now.」

Senpai, who muttered that as if speaking to my wrist, began to wrap the bandage with total seriousness as if it were the real thing.

Morishita-sensei, who was watching, checked the finished bandage.

「Yes, that looks fine. Takanashi-san, is it too loose or too tight?」

I moved my fingers a bit to check, but there didn’t seem to be any particular problem.

「It seems fine. Thank you, Sara-senpai.」

「Yes, I shall be the one to do it for you from now on.」

Sara-senpai said that and showed a smile.

Even though it had only been a few days, I felt as if my daily life had returned after a very long time.

「Kazunari, how are you?」

It seemed Hayato had come to see how I was. I have to thank him for bringing me to the nurse’s office.

「It seems my wrist is no good unless I go to the hospital…」

「I see… make sure to be careful not to overdo it for a while. I’ll follow up with whatever I can, so just say the word if you need anything. Don’t hesitate, okay?」

In times like this, the existence of a friend is something to be grateful for.

I’m glad Hayato became my friend…

Natsumi-senpai, who was watching us, showed a slightly surprised expression.

「Oh, you’re quite thoughtful toward your friends, aren’t you. In that case, I’ll ask as well. Please look after Takanashi-kun, okay?」

「Of course… ah, it’s not like that, Kazunari?」

「Haha, I know.」

Still as dutiful as ever.

Even though I don’t read into or worry about the Natsumi-senpai matter anymore.

Natsumi-senpai didn’t understand the meaning of that exchange, so she made a slightly puzzled face.

「Yokogawa-san, thank you very much for coming to the classroom to report today. Since there are things that might be beyond my sight, I look forward to your continued support for Takanashi-san.」

Sara-senpai thanked Hayato…

Not just me, but Natsumi-senpai and even Hayato himself were surprised.

Sensing our surprise, Sara-senpai gave a supplementary explanation.

「? Since he is your friend, Takanashi-san, I simply gave a proper greeting, is that not so? I do not wish to cause trouble for you, Takanashi-san, by maintaining an impolite attitude forever.」

This means Sara-senpai will interact normally even with my friends… for my sake…

「Ah, that is very polite of you…」

Hayato gave a strangely polite reply.

「…A wife? Asking to look after her husband, is she already a wife?」

Natsumi-senpai was muttering to herself as usual.