Chapter 5

After that, Hanako Riko took my bag and supported me in various ways.

For example, she pressed the elevator button, took out the keys from my bag, and opened the door.

Honestly, I was really grateful.

Even actions that I usually do without any trouble in my daily life were extremely exhausting with a fever and a lethargic body.

Moreover, I was more unsteady than I thought. I could manage to stand by leaning against something, but I couldn't walk properly without Riko's support.

But, it goes without saying that this only made my fever worse...

"Hey? Shinoyama-kun, you can lean on me more..."

"B-but..."

"Okay... Here, grab my shoulder like this..."

"..."

Riko took both of my hands and placed them firmly around her shoulder.

This was almost the same as hugging her.

Stop it, don't think about it.

It's too disrespectful to her, who is touching me out of kindness...

I scolded myself and tried to distract myself.

But the scent of her shampoo and the softness of her touch when we touched mocked my remaining rationality.

"...Hey, Shinoyama-kun... This position is a bit embarrassing, isn't it?"

You shouldn't say things like that...

It just makes me more aware of it!

◇◇◇

After being helped by Riko to the living room sofa,

she even offered to do the housework.

"Is there any food in the fridge?"

"...I usually just get by with convenience store bentos."

"Really? Every day?"

"Embarrassingly so..."

"Do you have any kitchen utensils?"

"I have some that my parents used."

"Then I'll go shopping quickly."

"Wait... No, that's really too much trouble..."

"I like cooking, so don't worry about it."

"But it's really cold outside, and it's snowing."

"I like the cold, so it's fine. --And didn't you say in class today that you wanted to eat hot pot with Sawa-kun and the others?"

"...!"

Sawa, you always talk so loudly...

"Do you have a favorite hot pot flavor?"

"...S-salt, I guess. But, I can eat almost anything when it comes to hot pot..."

"Hehe, but I think I'll go with salt today. How about the bath? Should I skip it?"

I know it's not good to take a bath when you're feverish, but after falling and getting my underwear wet, I really didn't want to just change clothes.

Fortunately, the IV was starting to work, and I no longer felt like I was floating in a fever.

After resting a bit, I thought I could manage a quick bath.

"I'll take a quick bath because I fell and got dirty."

"Really? Are you sure you're okay...?"

When I told her about the IV's effect, Riko understood, though she still looked worried.

"Then I'll start preparing the bath."

"Wait. The bathtub hasn't been cleaned in a while. So, just a shower—"

"Do you have cleaning supplies?"

"If my mother left them, they should still be here..."

"Then I'll borrow them. Shinoyama-kun, relax. Do you want to lie down in bed or sit on the sofa?"

I couldn't just let Riko do all the housework while I slept in the bedroom.

So, I answered that I would stay in the living room.

Riko then arranged the sofa with cushions to make it comfortable for me to lie down.

"Rest here until the bath and dinner are ready."

"I can help with—"

"No way. You're sick, Shinoyama-kun. Just stay here."

Riko, with her hands on her hips, said "no" in a tone like she was scolding a child.

I instinctively replied, "Ah, okay."

"Can you tell me where your bedroom is?"

"I'll get something to cover you with."

When I answered her questions, Riko went to my bedroom to fetch a blanket and carefully covered me with it.

"Are you warm enough?"

"Ah, yeah."

While she adjusted the blanket to cover me up to my neck, I thanked her again, though I felt helpless for not being able to express my gratitude more eloquently.

"Then I'll start."

Riko rolled up her uniform sleeves and began tying her long hair.

The way she gathered her hair with her thumbs, the way she held the elastic, and the way her hair flowed smoothly.

I was so captivated by these actions that I quickly averted my gaze.

After cleaning the bath, she went shopping while the water was filling up, and by the time she returned, she had finished preparing dinner and started cooking the rice.

And all of this happened in less than an hour since we got home.

I was amazed by Riko's efficiency.

I remember her mentioning at the entrance of the apartment that she could handle all kinds of housework.

But I didn't expect her to be a housework master.

"Wow... How do you manage to do all that in such a short time?"

When I asked her, Riko put a finger to her lips and thought for a moment.

"Probably, it's just practice and... training?"

"Training for housework?"

"Sure. After all, Hana—. Ah, no, nothing! Anyway, the bath is ready. Do you want to go in? I'll help you."

Huh?

Huh!? Help...!?

"Help with the bath..."

As I muttered in confusion, Riko tilted her head in a puzzled manner.

"Like washing your body and hair? Supporting you? If there's anything else you want me to do, just let me know."

Anything—.

For a moment, some inappropriate thoughts popped into my head, but I quickly shook my head.

No way, I can't let Riko think I'm someone who would take advantage of her kindness.

"But, it's a bath... Do you understand...?"

I wondered if she was being naive, but Riko blushed and looked down, saying, "I... I understand..."

"Wait! I'm not a pervert...!"

"..."

What kind of thing is she saying...

Moreover, she seemed very serious, blushing while saying the word "pervert" and clenching her fist tightly.

"I've studied caregiving through correspondence courses. So, don't worry about it..."

Maybe for Riko, it's the same as caregiving, but I can't think of it that way.

That's why I couldn't let her help me.

If I took advantage of her kindness and she found out about my ulterior motives...

She would surely look at me with disdain.

The thought of her looking at me like I was trash made me shudder.

Laugh at me for not having the courage to follow my desires.

I'm genuinely afraid of being disliked by girls, so I can't help it.

"I appreciate your offer, but it's different with the bath. Even if you're not thinking about it, I can't help but be aware of it..."

"Why are we talking about me being aware of you...?"

"...? Because you said caregiving."

"I said that because I thought you might not accept my help otherwise... But, I'm not just thinking of it that way...!"

"Huh?"

"Ah, forget it! Just forget what I said...! Anyway, let's go to the bath!"

"Wait, wait, that's really not okay."

"Ugh... Okay. I won't do anything that might make you uncomfortable... Instead, let me help with dinner!"

"Alright. I'll let you help with that."

"Y-Yeah...! Leave it to me...!"

For some reason, Riko said this with the same blush as before.

Why is she blushing...?

My head was too muddled to think deeply, so I headed to the bathroom.

Shivering in the cold changing room, I took off my tracksuit and opened the door to the bathroom, where warm steam enveloped me.

The water in the bathtub was milky white and smelled like milk.

I didn't have any bath salts, so Riko must have bought them when she went shopping.

I didn't have any particular attachment to taking a bath, but the idea of sinking into the warm water was incredibly appealing.

Today, my movements were sluggish, making it frustrating to wash my body.

"...Finally, I'm done."

Now...

To avoid collapsing pitifully, I leaned against the wall and stepped into the bathtub.

The cold right foot that touched the warm water sent an indescribable sensation through my body.

"Ah..."

The perfect temperature made me let out an odd sound.

I slowly lowered myself into the water.

Ah... It's so relaxing...

A deep sigh escaped my lips.

I could feel the warmth seeping into my core as I closed my eyes.

Is the bath really this good...

The joints that ached from the fever were noticeably relieved.

I felt a sense of relief.

I realized for the first time that I had been tense because of the cold.

"A quick shower wouldn't have made me feel this way."

"The bath is amazing..."

This joy I hadn't felt in years.

I felt a new sense of gratitude towards Riko for reminding me of it.

◇◇◇

--Twenty minutes later.

Wrapped in a sweatshirt as a makeshift pajama, I returned to the living room, feeling warm and cozy.

However, just five minutes later, I found myself in a serious predicament.

"Here, Shinoyama-kun. Open your mouth. Ah..."

"...!"

Riko, sitting right next to me, brought the spoon close to my face.

I could only move my eyes frantically.

What is this? What should I do...

Why did it come to this...!

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