Episode 55: The Meddlesome Goddess (Friend Ver.) Part 3

Chop, chop, chop…

Simmer, simmer…

…I hear a happy sound… something that feels nostalgic, or like it’s been a long time…

Softly…

I felt a cold sensation on my forehead.

This feels good… it’s a huge help since I’m hot…

「Nn……」

What was I… doing again…

The presence of a person draws closer.

「Takanashi-san, did you wake up?」

「Sara… Senpai…」

「Yes, good morning… well, not really. It will take a little longer, but I’m preparing a meal, so if you’d like, please stay awake.」

My consciousness became clear.

Right, I fell asleep just like that.

That was a bit… no, it was a total cheat…

「I’m sorry, I seem to have slept quite a while…」

Looking at the clock, it was already past 18:00.

「Takanashi-san’s job is to get nutrition and sleep so your cold heals quickly. Everything else is my job.」

When Senpai gives a little smile, what the… my face is glowing… is my fever going up?

「Oh? Takanashi-san, perhaps your fever has gone up…」

Senpai walked right up to me and placed her hand on my forehead…

「Hmm, it doesn’t really feel like it has gone up.」

「No, I’m fine. It’s probably just the fever, I feel like I’m glowing somehow.」

「Ah, that’s right, I was using a cold towel earlier, so there might be a reaction.」

I see. That cold and pleasant sensation was a chilled towel.

Which means she’s been taking care of me that much.

「Thank you, somehow I feel like that cold, good feeling is still lingering even though I was asleep.」

「I’m glad. Well, I’ll finish getting the meal ready, so please wait a little longer.」

A really good smell, like stew, is coming from the kitchen.

…I already knew this, but Senpai is amazing… To be this perfect at domestic things unrelated to school or studying, what am I supposed to give her in return…

🎵〜🎵〜

Watching Senpai skillfully cook while humming something, my face starts to glow again… it’s because of the cold, right…

「Now, sorry to keep you waiting. The meal is ready.」

I’d been zoning out again, and Senpai’s voice brought me back to reality.

「Ah, thank you.」

On the table is a stew full of vegetables… I think?

「It’s creamed vegetables and chicken. It might not feel substantial enough, but your stomach and intestines might be weak from the cold, so please bear with it.」

「No way, it’s not a matter of bearing with it at all. This is more than enough!」

「I’m glad then. But I think tomorrow’s menu will also be a bit light… Once your cold is cured, I’ll make you freshly made hamburg steak as a reward.」

Freshly made!?

That makes me happy… insanely happy!

「Fufu… Takanashi-san, you’re so honest. Since you look that happy, it makes it worth making for me.」

「…Is it really that obvious?」

「Yes, very much so.」

Man, is it really showing on my face that much…

I don’t remember ever being told that before…

「Now, please eat before it gets cold.」

…Of course, I enjoyed it immensely.

Everything Senpai makes is delicious, no matter what it is…

By the time Senpai finished tidying up, it was getting quite late.

I can’t walk her home, so I have to get her to head back soon or I’ll be worried…

「Sara-senpai, I’m sorry for keeping you this late… I’ll be fine on my own now, so before it gets any later…」

「You’re right, it’s about time I took my leave. Time passes so quickly…」

「I really want to walk you home, but…」

「No, I’ll take the thought. It’s okay, even if we don’t rush, I think I’ll be inviting you to my house soon anyway.」

…Excuse me? Why and how…

「Um, really?」

「Yes. My mother told me to call you over when the time is right.」

Whaaa!!

I have to greet her mother!?

Why!?

「But for now, just think about curing your cold. Well, I’m sorry, I’ll be leaving for today. I’ll come again tomorrow morning.」

「Ah, Sara-senpai, wait a second!」

Right, if I’m asleep tomorrow morning and don’t wake up, I’ll be a nuisance to Senpai… and it’s not like I’m leaving the house anyway.

「If I’m asleep and don’t wake up tomorrow morning, I’ll be a nuisance, so please take my key.」

「………Is that alright?」

Senpai has a look of surprise and deep emotion on her face.

? Did I say something weird?

Anyway, I just handed it over without worrying, and she accepted it firmly.

「…Then, I’ll keep it. Well, see you tomorrow… Goodnight, Takanashi-san.」

Leaving one final brilliant smile, Senpai went home.

…Left alone, I looked around the room… Is it just my imagination that the same old scene looks strangely desolate now…