Chapter 4

"Y-You're in trouble..."

"Dangerous!"

Yugen stumbled dramatically, but thanks to Ailisa's quick reflexes, he managed to avoid kissing the ground.

However...

"Are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah... thank you." (I-I just felt something soft on my face...)

As Ailisa helped him get up, Yugen's mind wandered to the "soft cushion" that had caught his face.

Fortunately, Ailisa seemed either unaware or unconcerned.

(She smelled so good... and it was soft. In many ways...)

While leaning on the crutch Ailisa had given him, Yugen reflected.

Wasn't this a bit of a perk? But then...

"I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine. I can't be a burden to you."

Being protected by a girl was embarrassing.

This was where Yugen's petty pride kicked in.

Moreover...

This would definitely become a rumor at school.

If it got out that Yugen and Ailisa were close, some students might speculate about their relationship and even figure out that they were engaged through an arranged marriage.

There were quite a few students from families close to the Kosegawa family at that school.

You can't control what people say.

He would become the center of attention in no time.

"People who almost fall often say that."

"Ugh..."

He couldn't deny it.

Yesterday, he had struggled alone in his room.

"I don't want to owe you anything. Let me repay your kindness."

"But if we're seen together..."

"Don't worry, Kosegawa-san. I don't want strange rumors either. I understand. I'll only help you until we leave the apartment building. That way, other students won't see us."

"That... yeah, that's fine. I'll accept your help."

Thinking that she would follow him anyway, Yugen decided to accept her help.

Actually, even pressing the elevator button was a bit difficult, so he appreciated her assistance until they left the building.

"I'll go ahead. ...Are you okay?"

"Yeah, no problem."

He actually wanted her to go ahead.

It was only a ten-minute walk from Yugen's apartment to the school, and he could run into other students at any time.

"Before that, how about we exchange contact information?"

"Oh, right, we haven't done that yet."

Yugen nodded, agreeing that it was necessary.

However, with both hands occupied by the crutch, he had Ailisa take his phone out of his backpack and do it for him.

"Done. I'll contact you when I'm leaving."

"Got it."

Ailisa bowed without showing any emotion and then hurried off to school.

Yugen then slowly and carefully made his way to school with his crutch.

---

Yugen's crutch-dragging commute surprised those around him, but most of his classmates seemed to accept the explanation that it was just a bad sprain and didn't press him further.

At lunchtime, Yugen was sitting with two friends in the classroom, sharing a table.

"Here's the bread you wanted."

"Thanks."

One of Yugen's friends, Soichiro, threw the bread he had bought from the cafeteria to Yugen, who was waiting at his desk.

Another friend then placed the tea he had bought on Yugen's desk and sat down rather roughly.

"So... what happened to you?"

This was asked by one of Yugen's bad friends, Sei Ryoshinji, a student who gave off a somewhat flashy impression.

He, like Yugen and Soichiro, wore his uniform a bit loosely and had a black necklace around his neck.

The school's dress code was "appropriate attire and hairstyle for high school students" (paraphrased: as long as you follow basic common sense, you're free to dress as you like), so it wasn't against the rules.

"I bought you bread instead of cafeteria food because I was worried about your injury. Now, answer me."

Soichiro also sat down and asked Yugen.

Yugen, Soichiro, and Sei were fairly close and often hung out together.

However, they were actually in different classes.

They usually ate in the cafeteria, but today they were eating in Yugen's classroom to take care of him.

"Well... there was a cat in a tree... it's a wound of honor."

When Yugen said this...

Soichiro burst out laughing first.

Then, Sei pointed at Yugen and burst into laughter.

"The pot calling the kettle black, huh?"

"You're a real moron!"

"Shut up... the cat got violent."

"...It must have really not wanted to be saved by you."

"You got dropped by a cat! That's hilarious!"

Soichiro and Sei laughed heartily.

Yugen huffed and crossed his arms.

"Come on, come on... don't be so angry. I'm sorry... hahaha."

"I couldn't help it, it was just too funny... hahaha."

"I'm starting to doubt your personalities."

The saying "birds of a feather flock together" flashed through Yugen's mind, but he crumpled it up and threw it away.

After laughing for a while, they soon moved on to another topic.

"By the way, Yugen, how did the arranged meeting go?"

"Oh, right! You ordered a blonde, blue-eyed, fair-skinned, and well-endowed beauty. Did she show up?"

"Hey, you guys, don't say that so loudly..."

Ailisa was also in the classroom, eating with her classmates.

While the "blonde, blue-eyed, and fair-skinned" part was fine, Yugen didn't want the "well-endowed beauty" part to be heard.

"To cut to the chase, she didn't show up. ...Of course not, with those specifications."

"That's boring."

"Haah, you could have at least lied and said she did."

To Yugen's marriage talk, it was just a joke and a matter of no concern to the two of them.

...Of course, Yugen would be in trouble if they took it seriously, so that was fine too.

(I can't tell them that I'm 'engaged' to Ailisa, even if it's a fake one.)

While he believed she was trustworthy and wouldn't spread the word, he could see himself being mercilessly teased.

"Anyway, Soichiro, what's going on with you and Ayaka and Chiharu?"

"Hey, that's right! You piece of trash, spill the beans!"

"H-Hey, wait. Don't suddenly turn the tables on me."

By changing the subject, Yugen managed to avoid further questioning.

---

After school, Yugen's two friends helped him down the stairs, and he then headed to his apartment alone.

At the entrance to the apartment, Ailisa was waiting for him.

"I'll carry your bag."

"Thanks."

Yugen gratefully accepted Ailisa's kindness and let her accompany him to the door.

Even with the elevator, it was easier with some help, and having someone around gave him a sense of security.

"Okay, Ailisa, I'll be fine from here..."

"I'll help you take off your shoes. It must be difficult, right?"

"The key is in the pocket of my bag."

Deciding to take full advantage of her kindness, Yugen handed her the key.

Ailisa opened the door with her usual calm expression.

...Then she froze, eyes wide open.

"What's wrong, Ailisa?"

"What is this room? ...There's no place to stand."

Seeing the room cluttered with trash, junk, and distributed papers, Ailisa frowned.

Yugen wasn't particularly good at cleaning or organizing.

"I do try to keep it organized, and I know where everything is..."

"Whether you really do or not is another matter, but Kosegawa-san, it's too dangerous for someone who can't walk without a crutch to live in a room full of obstacles."

Despite her words, Ailisa helped Yugen take off his shoes.

Thanks to her, he was able to get into the room without any trouble.

"Kosegawa-san, the tip of your crutch is dirty. At least wipe it before you use it..."

Ailisa took out a wet wipe from her bag and carefully cleaned the tip of the crutch.

Then she sighed.

"You're a handful."

"Sorry... but I don't really mind?"

"Mind it! ...I'm leaving now, but are you going to be okay?"

Looking back and forth between the state of the room and Yugen's crutch, Ailisa said with genuine concern.

Her expression suggested she couldn't bring herself to leave.

To reassure her, Yugen tried to show that he could move around the room without any problems.

"I'm fine. This is my room, and I know the layout..."

The crutch slipped on a piece of paper, and Yugen's body tilted.

"...You're not fine."

"Sorry, really, I owe you one."

Fortunately, Ailisa was there to support him, so he didn't fall.

That was really close.

Yugen felt cold sweat break out on his body.

"Ah... I can't leave you like this. ...I'll clean up. Okay?"

There was something about Ailisa's tone that left no room for argument.

While he didn't want to have a girl his age clean his room, he couldn't deny the fact that he had almost fallen.

"Y-Yeah."

Yugen could only nod in agreement.

Current Dere Level: 4% (Heard the "well-endowed" part)

If you want to be taken care of by a cute girl if you get injured, please

bookmark and rate (change the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★ under the table of contents)

to increase the possibility of such a future (results may vary).