Episode 51: Home Visit

Ding-dong.

「Yes…」

Honestly, I didn’t want to answer, but it felt wrong to ignore it when I was clearly home…

Clack

I opened the door to find Sara-senpai standing there with a smile that carried a strange aura…

Wait! Why is she here!?

「Takanashi-san, how are you feeling? Before we get into the details, I’m sorry, but could I please come in for a moment?」

「Huh? No, that’s fine, but…」

「Then, excuse me.」

No sooner had she said that than she barged into the room and pushed me toward the bed in the back.

Without giving me any say in the matter, she tucked me into bed and pulled up the covers. Then Natsumi-senpai, who had followed her in, started opening the windows to ventilate the room…

I was feeling hot from the fever, so the breeze felt just right.

It seemed Sara-senpai was measuring my temperature by placing her hand on my forehead.

Her other hand was already stroking my head… It was soothing…

「Your fever seems a bit high… Are you feeling any pain?」

「Just a bit of a runny nose, I guess.」

「If you think you can manage like this, let’s hold off on the fever medicine. I’ve heard it’s better to let it run its course to heal faster…」

I think I’ll be okay without medicine too, at least for now.

But man, I can’t believe they actually came over…

Well, deep down, I figured it was a lost cause trying to hide it.

「Takanashi-san, again, I am sorry for barging in like this. But once I knew you were home with a cold, I couldn’t just stand by and watch…」

「I know you lied because you were worried about Sara, but now that it’s come to this, you’d better just sit back and let her nurse you or she’ll be sad, you know?」

When put like that… I feel bad…

「I’m sorry, Sara-senpai…」

「Natsumi, please don’t say unnecessary things. Right now, Takanashi-san should only be thinking about getting better. Please don’t give him any strange worries with your talk.」

「Y-Yes, sorry.」

Natsumi-senpai went to the kitchen and started doing something.

Senpai is in a really serious mode today.

It’s my fault…

「Takanashi-san… don’t worry about us, just relax.」

While still stroking my head, she took my hand.

It seems Sara is intent on putting Takanashi-kun to sleep… or rather, letting him sleep.

But wow, I didn’t expect to get scolded by Sara…

Well, with this incident, she’s carrying a lot of guilt about Takanashi-kun, so maybe she’s just on edge.

Best not to say anything careless.

But… hmmm…

She’s probably worried, but she looks so happy stroking Takanashi-kun’s head…

Maybe that lap pillow from the other day awakened something in her.

Am I… maybe in the way?

Anyway, while I’m at it, I better prep the porridge.

If I actually cook it, Sara will definitely get mad, so just the prep…

Whoa, this is definitely a guy living alone. Nothing but instant food… but there is rice.

Sorry, I’m opening the fridge… There are eggs, so I can probably make porridge with just this.

「Sara, I’ll wash the rice and just do the prep, okay?」

「Thank you. As for the cooking…」

Since she replied in a whisper, I guess Takanashi-kun fell asleep.

「I’ll leave it to Sara. I have to head back to school and show my face at club once this is done.」

「I’m sorry for making you come along…」

「Nah, I was worried too, so it’s fine.」

Alright, I’ll leave the rest to Sara and head back.

The cold sensation on my cheek feels so good that I lean into it.

「Fufu… so cute… Takanashi-san, can you wake up now?」

I hear Senpai’s voice… Wait, why am I…

「…Sara-senpai…?」

「How are you feeling?」

I opened my eyes to see Senpai looking at me with a worried expression.

「…I feel like I’m a bit better.」

「I see. I’ve prepared some porridge. Do you think you can eat?」

「Yes, I think I’ll be okay.」

「Don’t overdo it, just eat what you can. There’s yogurt and fruit in the fridge, so please have those tomorrow morning if you feel up to it.」

It seems she did all sorts of things while I was asleep…

「Yes, thank you. I’m sorry for everything…」

「No. Honestly, I wanted to stay and keep an eye on you for a bit longer, but I really have to head home soon.」

I looked at the clock… What!?

It’s already past 7:00 PM. I feel so bad for keeping Senpai this late…

「Senpai, thank you so much. You really saved me. I’ll be fine now.」

Honestly, I want to walk her home…

But if I said that, she’d definitely get mad, and my body’s not exactly up for it anyway.

「Luckily it’s the weekend. Once I finish my student council duties tomorrow morning, I’ll be free in the afternoon, and I can stay by your side all day Sunday to take care of you. If anything happens, just contact me via RAIN.」

「Wait, no, staying by my side all day is…」

「No. This happened because you got wet protecting me that day, so that means I have a reason to nurse you back to health. Though I would nurse you even without a reason.」

That’s a bit much…

But ah, she warned me about this before. I should just accept it gracefully.

If the roles were reversed, I’d probably be thinking of everything I could do for her and forcefully stepping in too.

And if I try to refuse, she’ll probably make that face again.

「I’m sorry, and thank you. It helps a lot…」

「Yes! Well then, see you tomorrow… Ah, that’s right. About you lying to me yesterday, you’re getting a lecture once you’re better. Goodnight, Takanashi-san.」

「…………Yes.」

Senpai’s porridge was delicious…