Episode 100: Sara-senpai Does Her Best

「Yes, Kazunari-san, say ‘ahh’.」

Munch.

Munch munch…

「Were you always this kind of person… well, if you two are okay with it, I am too.」

Even I didn’t think we’d do this in front of my mother, but it seems Sara-senpai basically prioritizes looking after me, and her personality is such that she won’t compromise even in front of others or my mother.

「Sigh… Anyway, Sara-chan’s cooking is delicious. It’s definitely better than mine.」

Okan muttered deeply while eating the dinner Sara-senpai made. I won’t go out of my way to agree, but my taste buds definitely say Sara-senpai’s is better. This evaluation hasn’t changed since the beginning.

「That is not true. This simmered dish you made, dear mother, is very delicious. Now, say ‘ahh’.」

Munch.

Munch munch.

「Cute, kind, with the best personality, and perfect at cooking and housework… honestly, it’s more than my son deserves, but I’m really grateful. If Sara-chan stays with him from now on, my biggest worry won’t just be solved, it’ll be overflowing with leftovers.」

I’m not going to ask what that「biggest worry」is, but I understood perfectly that Okan has taken a huge liking to Sara-senpai.

「Dear mother, I am not that great of a person, you know? Besides, I intend to stay by Kazunari-san’s side from now on as well.」

「Kazunari, you definitely have to… Sara-chan…」

「I know. Honestly, even I’m getting embarrassed now.」

「Sara-chan, I’m really glad I could meet you today. I’m sorry to ask this, but please look after my stupid son.」

Since we called a taxi, the send-off was at the entrance. That said, I didn’t have much to say, so it was just Sara-senpai and my mother talking.

「I understand. I am happy that you would say that, dear mother. First, until his injury heals, please leave all of Kazunari-san’s personal care to me.」

Now that she’d been formally requested or rather recognized by my mother, Sara-senpai seemed even more motivated. I’m happy, but I’m also scared of school.

「Call me anytime if you’re in trouble. And tell me if that money from earlier isn’t enough, okay?」

Apparently, additional support came from my mother. I’m grateful, but what does it mean that I didn’t know about it?

「Thank you. It is basically just food costs, so I will be fine.」

「I can go home relieved because Sara-chan is here. Well then, let us meet again.」

「Yes, I look forward to the day we can meet again. Thank you very much for today.」

Click…

Once Okan left, it suddenly became quiet. But this is the usual, isn’t it.

「She is a wonderful mother. I look forward to the day I can meet her again. It would be nice if I could meet your father then as well…」

「I think there’s going to be a huge fuss at home after this, so I bet my old man will come next time too.」

Anyway, everything settled down smoothly, so the result is all right… Sara-senpai seemed to have a boost in motivation and was declaring that she would do her best more than ever.

After she finished cleaning up the dishes, Senpai said she’d take off my bandage. She said it was because it would get in the way of the bath, and that was true.

Yesterday I just wiped my body, and since it’s getting hot and sweaty, I was thinking I’d at least take a shower today…

「Now, let us take off your top.」

Saying that, she grabbed the hem of my shirt and took it off as if pulling it over my head.

We’re getting used to this, both Sara-senpai and I… I don’t know if that’s a good thing.

I took off everything else in the dressing room without using my right hand and entered the bathroom. And just as I sat on the bath chair…

「Ka… Kazunari-san, excuse me.」

…Eh?

Click

The one who appeared after opening the door was Sara-senpai wearing a bath robe…

I immediately looked away and turned my back. My towel is… okay, I’m fine. No, no, it’s not the towel!

「S, Sara-senpai! Why?」

「Um… I thought I would wash your back. Since you cannot wash with only one hand…」

No matter how much she’s wearing a bath robe, this is rough… it’s rough for a guy.

Judging that she could do it since I was facing away, Senpai entered and closed the door.

「S, Sara-senpai, you don’t have to go this far.」

「No, I decided yesterday that I would do this for you. Besides, I received a request from your dear mother. Knowing that you cannot wash your back, Kazunari-san, it is unthinkable that I would not help!」

Sara-senpai’s energy is a bit strange. It feels like she’s forcing herself. She must have seen my upper body when I was changing, but I guess when it comes to the bath, the atmosphere is different. And Sara-senpai is wearing thin clothing, so she must be embarrassed too.

But what should I do, I can’t turn around until Sara-senpai leaves the bathroom…

Thinking about that, I end up remembering the glimpse of Sara-senpai in the bath robe from earlier.

No, if Sara-senpai were wearing a school swimsuit or something, I’d really be in trouble… no, no, don’t imagine it.

While I was panicking, Sara-senpai apparently finished her preparations and sat down behind me.

「P… P… Please excuse me!」

A bit of the shower was sprayed on me, followed by the sensation of the body towel washing my back.

Scrub, scrub, scrub.

Ah… having someone wash you might be nice… No, not that!

「S, Sara-senpai.」

「Please tell me if anything is missing!」

Senpai, speaking faster than usual, still scrubs my back properly. I’m embarrassed, but there’s no doubt that Sara-senpai, being a woman, is feeling much more embarrassed.

Scrub, scrub, scrub.

Both of us are silent, only the sound of Sara-senpai scrubbing my back echoing.

「I will rinse it off now.」

After that continued for a while, Sara-senpai said that and sprayed the shower. It’s over… I did my best…

「W… Well then, I will be leaving, so please take care of the rest. You mustn’t use your right hand. Also… um, please do not come out of the bathroom for at least five minutes.」

Her voice trailed off at the end. Why「five minutes」?

「S, Sara-senpai, why five minutes… ah, changing! …Chang… ing…」

I somehow ended up imagining it and hurriedly tried to shake the thought.

「Ah, please do not imagine it!」

Hearing Sara-senpai’s embarrassed voice, my imagination only worked harder.

「Ughhhh.」

I shook my head to blow away the thoughts, but that was basically like telling her I was imagining it.

「…It is embarrassing… even though I am asking you not to imagine it… Kazunari-san, you’re mean…」

Click… Thud.

After saying that much, I heard the sound of Senpai leaving the bathroom as if running away. And I spent far more than five minutes agonizing by myself…