Episode 56: The Meddlesome Goddess (Friend Ver.) Part 4

Today was a very fulfilling day.

…though I feel bad saying that for Takanashi-san’s sake…

This is surprising even to me, but I have never hated doing housework, and cooking was actually a field I quite enjoyed.

But today, after looking after Takanashi-san’s personal needs, I never expected to feel such a sense of satisfaction.

To be honest, I felt reluctant to leave Takanashi-san’s house.

I want it to be tomorrow already…

Ah, that won’t do, I have to think of the bento menu starting from Monday by the end of today.

I must consider the nutritional balance a bit more…

…That’s right… I was entrusted… with his key.

To think he trusts me that much, I’m so happy, I’m moved.

Duru-ru-ru~ 🎵

A phone call from Natsumi.

「Good work.」

「Yes, good work.」

「How was today?」

「How… even if you ask me that, I don’t know how to respond.」

「Sorry, sorry. How is Takanashi-kun doing?」

「He still has a fever, but he’s able to eat properly. If he rests for one more day tomorrow and makes it in time for Monday…」

「I see. Did anything unusual happen?」

「No, I simply looked after him normally, you know?」

「…Just for reference, can I ask what you did for him?」

「Yes. That said, Takanashi-san was basically resting, so after that it was just the meals, tidying up… and I suppose wiping down Takanashi-san’s body?」

「I see… (The fact that you’re wiping down a guy’s body is already incredible enough, though.)」

「Ah, also, I was entrusted with his key.」

「What!!?? Takanashi-kun’s house key!?」

「? Was there some sort of problem?」

「I mean, he gave his house key to a girl!?」

「Yes. To think he trusts me that much, I’m very happy.」

「…………Eh? ……That’s it? …What about Takanashi-kun?」

「He said… it would be a nuisance if he didn’t wake up easily tomorrow morning.」

「…That’s all from his side too? …………This like-minded married couple.」

「Pardon?」

「Sigh, no, it’s nothing. So, you’re going there from the morning tomorrow?」

「Yes. Natsumi, do you have club?」

「The tournament is close, after all. Well, even if I didn’t have club, I wouldn’t get in your way… I don’t want to get kicked by a horse.」

「What do you mean?」

「It’s nothing. Good luck.」

Come to think of it, if I invited Takanashi-san to cheer for Natsumi at her tournament, would he come with me?

Knock knock…

Since I’ve been entrusted with the key, there is no need to force him awake if he is sleeping…

…It is certainly not because I wanted to see Takanashi-san’s cute sleeping face or anything like that.

Click

「…Excuse me.」

「Zzz… zzz… uuu…」

?

What is the matter?

Oh, what terrible night sweats… he must be getting better, but leaving him like this is…

…I am sorry, please excuse me for looking through your dresser… this shirt, and this top will do… I’ll prepare yesterday’s washbasin and towel too.

「Takanashi-san… Takanashi-san, please wake up.」

「U… nnn~」

「Takanashi-san… that’s right, let’s wipe off the sweat first.」

While I was wiping the sweat from Takanashi-san’s forehead and neck, Takanashi-san woke up.

「Wait… Sara-senpai…」

「Good morning. I am sorry, your night sweats were quite bad…」

It’s true, I seem to have sweated a lot.

No wonder it was hard to sleep…

「Sorry for making you do that again…」

「No, more importantly, it isn’t good to stay like this, so if you can get up, could you take off your top?」

「Eh!? Right now!? Um, if it’s just sweat, I can do it my—」

「I told you yesterday that I would do it more thoroughly today, didn’t I? Besides, this is my job.」

「…Yes, sorry, please do.」

I easily raised the white flag to that smile that allowed no argument.

As I tried to take off my top, Senpai lifted the hem at my back to help me.

…Ugh, I’ve been like a high-maintenance child since yesterday…

「Are you cold? Are you okay?」

「I’m hot, so I’m fine.」

「Then, please stay still.」

No sooner had she said that than Senpai first wiped away the sweat with a dry towel.

Then she started wiping my body with a wrung-out towel.

The difference from yesterday was that, perhaps because there was no bothersome top in the way, she was wiping me quite thoroughly.

「How is it? Is there anywhere that bothers you?」

「I-I’m fine.」

「Then, please excuse me for the front side.」

I thought this yesterday too, but Senpai doesn’t hesitate at all. I wonder if she doesn’t mind getting this close to a naked guy, even if it’s just my upper body…

Or could it be that she really thinks of me as a child!?

While I was thinking such unnecessary things, it was over… I should have stayed focused… that was improper of me.

「I’m sorry for opening your dresser without permission to prepare a change of clothes…」

「No, no, it’s fine, so please don’t worry about it.」

「Then, let’s get changed, shall we?」

When I reached out to take the clothes, Senpai tilted her head curiously.

「Sara-senpai, the clothes…」

「Yes, let’s get you changed. Here.」

Senpai spread the shirt out and held it toward me so I could put it on right then and there.

………No way, she wants me to just dive my body into it…?

Prepared to have Senpai look at me and say「What are you doing?」in exasperation, I slid my arms into the shirt she was holding open. She dressed me smoothly, matching my movements……… Apparently, this was the correct answer…