Chapter 6

After a good soak in the bath and a chance to relax, I still felt quite drained of energy. When I finished changing and stepped into the hallway, I felt a heavy, lethargic fatigue, characteristic of when I had a cold, weighing down on me. Hanako Riko had said she would prepare a meal for me, but I didn’t have much of an appetite. What a dilemma.

As I hesitantly opened the door to the living room, a gentle aroma of dashi wafted over. To my surprise, my stomach, which had been as listless as the rest of me, suddenly perked up. Ah, maybe I can eat a little...

"Your circulation seems to have improved. But you must be pretty tired, huh...?"

Hanako Riko, who had come over, looked up at me with a concerned expression. I couldn’t meet her gaze and quickly looked away.

...Was my reaction too obvious?

"Since you might get cold, let’s go to bed. I’ll bring the congee and medicine to the bedroom, so you can rest in bed, okay?"

"O-Okay."

It wasn’t just because I was tired, but I decided to go along with it. I obediently headed to the bedroom, feeling quite lethargic. The thought of getting into bed was a huge relief.

When I lay down and was feeling a bit dazed, there was a knock on the door. After I responded, Hanako Riko entered the room with a tray, bringing a delicious aroma with her.

She placed the tray on a low table by the bed and adjusted the pillows so I could sit up comfortably. She’s so considerate, from start to finish. She’s kind, gentle, good at housework, and on top of that, a beautiful girl... Is she really just a normal person like me?

As I was thinking this, Hanako Riko moved a chair from her study desk and sat down beside my pillow. On her lap was a tray with egg congee, ginger soup, and grated apple.

"What would you like to eat first?"

"Um..."

I was drawn to the congee garnished with mitsuba, so I told her that. To my surprise, Hanako Riko picked up a spoon and scooped out a mouthful.

The steaming congee looked hot. She gently blew on it to cool it down, then smiled at me.

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

"..."

I finally understood what she meant by "helping with the meal." But it was too late. I had already agreed.

"Ah, Hanako-san, this is a bit..."

"Shinoyama-kun, you said it was okay for me to help with the meal..."

Wait.

Why does she look so sad?

And I did say I would let her help.

What do I do...?

Let her feed me...?

Is that okay?

Isn’t it weird?

But I didn’t ask her to...

Besides, I’m sick...

Yeah.

Since I’m sick, it’s not weird to act like a sick person. Yeah.

I’m sick and weak...

Just this once...

It’s okay to indulge a little, right?

I was so flustered that I didn’t even realize how weird my thinking was.

"Shinoyama-kun..."

She looked at me with a sad, almost tearful expression.

"O-Okay..."

Fine. Whatever...

I awkwardly opened my mouth, and Hanako Riko’s eyes softened in relief. Then the congee was gently placed on my tongue. The moment it touched my mouth, the slightly sweet dashi and the taste of the egg filled my senses. It was delicious. My heart felt warm. Thanks to her cooling it down, the congee was just the right temperature.

I savored it before swallowing and took a deep breath to enjoy the aftertaste.

"Was it too bland...?"

"No, not at all. It was delicious."

"Really?"

"Yep."

Hanako-san, you’re a great cook.

I wanted to say that, but I lacked the courage.

"Would you like to try the ginger soup?"

"Ah, I can do that part myself—"

"That wouldn’t be taking care of you. Here, ahn."

"Ugh..."

When I froze, Hanako Riko looked troubled and lowered her hand.

"Shinoyama-kun, you don’t have to be so tense."

"But—"

"When you’re not feeling well, it’s okay to be a little dependent on someone. What do you think...?"

Is this really happening?

It’s starting to feel surreal.

Maybe I’m just hallucinating because of the fever.

It’s that unbelievable.

Everything that’s happening is too perfect for me.

Even if it’s just a coincidence, the school’s top beauty coming to my house and taking care of me like this is like a dream.

It feels so real, but maybe it is a dream?

I’m starting to think it might be.

...If it is, maybe I should just go along with it.

Honestly, I can’t deny that I’m happy to be taken care of by such a cute girl.

I leaned back on the pillow and took a deep breath. Then I steeled myself.

From then on, I let her feed me everything—the congee, the soup, and the grated apple.

"What would you like next? But don’t push yourself. You probably don’t have much of an appetite when you’re sick, right?"

"Actually, I do. Hanako-san’s cooking is so delicious."

I naturally felt like eating more. Despite thinking I wouldn’t have an appetite, I’m a bit greedy. When I told her it was delicious, Hanako Riko showed a bashful smile. She was so cute that I almost swooned.

"Good to hear that it suits your taste. Thank you for saying it’s delicious... Hehe, I’m so happy. Ah, wait. Hehe, I got a little carried away."

"..."

She was incredibly attentive, even wiping my mouth with a cloth.

This is bad. What is this?

It’s incredibly embarrassing, but also very satisfying.

No, not satisfying.

It’s more like... I’m feeling a sense of fulfillment, probably happiness.

I don’t know if it’s because I’m sick, but the more Hanako Riko takes care of me, the happier I feel.

Is it okay to feel this way?

This is a fleeting miracle.

Once Hanako Riko finishes taking care of me and leaves, this illusion will disappear.

But the memory of this happy time will stay with me.

That’s a pretty cruel story.

I’m a plain-looking guy who probably won’t ever have a girlfriend, and I might end up living on the memory of today’s happiness until I die.

Maybe it was a mistake to be so dependent on Hanako Riko.

As I was plagued by regret, I started to feel drowsy from the medicine.

Damn, I don’t want to sleep yet.

I don’t want this happiness to end.

I, who am not good with girls, feeling like this...

But, contrary to my expectations, the illusion of Hanako Riko didn’t disappear from in front of me.

I realized this the next morning.

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I want the comment section to be a place of joy, so please refrain from leaving comments that might make me or others sad ( *´꒳`*)੭⁾⁾