Chapter 4

"......Hey, is this... the nurse's office?"

When I woke up, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling... or so I thought. It was actually the ceiling of the nurse's office, one I had seen before. That's why I could recognize the place...

Why am I in the nurse's office?

Let's see... I remember... I was called by Nanami... and I received a confession as a penalty game... Ah, that's right. A bucket fell on me...

"Ranmaru!? You're awake!!"

While I was thinking, I heard a girl's voice from the side. It was the voice of the girl who called me... Nanami's voice... Ah, she must have carried me to the nurse's office, right?

"Yeah, yeah... did Ichiido carry me here? Thank you... I must have been pretty heavy, right?"

"Thank goodness... you're awake... I'm so relieved..."

She didn't respond to my words but was crying and seemed happy that I had woken up.

I felt bad for worrying her, but at the same time, I was a little happy that a girl like her was worried about me. ...Well, let's put that aside for now. At least she's still in her usual uniform, so she didn't change.

"Hey, did Ichiido get hurt or dirty?"

"Yeah... thanks to you, I'm fine... but that's not the point!! Are you okay, Ranmaru?! You were bleeding a lot, and I'm worried about bacteria from the dirty water getting in. Do you feel sick or anything?"

Did I bleed that much? I don't feel any pain now, and I've heard that head injuries can look worse than they are. I don't feel any pain or nausea now, and I think I can sit up.

"I'm fine. But I'm glad you're okay, Ichiido."

While sitting up on the bed, I smiled at Ichiido, but she turned her face away and looked to the side. Huh? Did I upset her? I don't think I did anything to make her angry...

"Um... could you... go back to sleep, Ranmaru... I'd be... a little... happier..."

She blushed and glanced at me sideways. Something seemed off, so I looked at myself... and realized I wasn't wearing anything on my upper body. I was naked. I had been sleeping naked.

"Sorry!! I must look terrible!!"

"N-no, um... I didn't know you had muscles... you're kind of a lean athlete...? Ah, I didn't look closely, okay?!"

I don't have many friends, so I usually play mobile games or do workouts at home, which is why I have some muscle. ...It's not very practical, but I felt embarrassed that a girl had seen me naked for the first time, and Nanami seemed equally embarrassed.

An awkward silence fell, but it was broken by the nurse.

"Oh, oh, why are you both so red? I hope you weren't using the nurse's office for a date, right? Here, I brought you a change of clothes, boy. I've put your dirty uniform aside, so you can either send it to the cleaners or wash it yourself."

It seems she brought me a change of clothes, and I was relieved that the silence was broken. I took the clothes and Ichiido left the room so I could change.

The change of clothes was the school uniform, which they probably keep on hand for situations like this. At least I won't have to go to school in gym clothes or anything.

While I was putting on the shirt, the nurse explained what had happened.

Apparently, after I fell, Ichiido called a male teacher, who carried me to the nurse's office. She realized she couldn't carry me alone and rushed to the staff room without hesitation.

You were pretty calm, Ichiido. I would have panicked and tried to carry you myself.

We never found out who dumped the dirty water from the window... there are no security cameras, so it's impossible to know. But that's not really important.

"You should thank the girl. She stayed by your side the whole time, watching over you. That's what young love is all about."

Hearing that made my cheeks heat up. I decided not to respond and continued changing in silence.

"Your head injury isn't serious, but I treated the cut. Do you feel sick or have any pain? If you feel dizzy or any discomfort, I recommend you go to the hospital tomorrow."

When I finished changing, I noticed a bandage on my head. But other than that, I didn't feel any pain, nausea, or dizziness. I was fully conscious... I probably don't need to go to the hospital.

"The girl can come in now. By the way, you're quite innocent for someone who looks so mature. Blushing over just your upper body..."

The nurse called Ichiido in and left. No, we're not a couple... but, wait, she did confess to me, so maybe we are now?

"...Ranmaru... are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Ichiido, I'm fine. Thanks for calling the teacher. You really helped me out."

"I should be the one thanking you... for protecting me."

Protecting? I just shielded her from the bucket and the water. It's not a big deal... but it's a little embarrassing to be thanked like that.

An awkward silence fell between us. What should I say in a situation like this... I should remember Baron's advice...

"Answer..."

"Huh?"

While I was trying to remember Baron's advice, which didn't cover this situation, Ichiido muttered something. ...Answer?

"I... I confessed to you... remember? And I want... your answer... um... yeah... do you remember?"

Ah, right. I ran to her before giving an answer, so I never said anything. I had assumed I would get an answer, so I completely forgot... I must have been confused from the head injury.

She looked down, fidgeting nervously. Despite her flashy appearance, she looked like a shy girl. Maybe this is her true self?

I remembered what Baron said... when giving an answer, look the person in the eye... look into her eyes... it's a little embarrassing... but I need to be brave.

"Yeah... I don't know why, but if you're okay with me... I'll do my best, Ichiido."

Her worried face turned into a smile. This must be what they call a radiant smile. No, it's more like a full bloom. Even if it's an act, seeing this smile is a reward.

But her smile faded slightly, and she puffed out her cheeks a little before whispering again.

"Nanami..."

"Huh?"

"Since we're going out... call me Nanami... and I'll call you Hikari..."

She looked up at me with those big eyes, making a gesture that any guy would follow. It was incredibly flirtatious and almost unfair in its cuteness. I had only called her Ichiido in my head... now I have to say it out loud.

"Um... okay... nice to meet you, Nanami."

"...Yeah, nice to meet you, Hikari."

I extended my right hand. This wasn't part of Baron's advice, but I felt like offering a handshake.

She hesitated a little but shook my hand. Her hand was soft, warm, and very small.

"Hey, you two aren't a couple yet, are you? I've seen something good. That's what youth is all about. Congratulations, boy and girl. But remember to have a proper high school relationship. Always use protection when you do it."

When we heard the nurse's words, we quickly let go of each other's hands. Her face turned red, and mine did too.

"Teacher... shouldn't you be scolding us for doing it in the first place?"

"On the contrary, boy. It's important to provide proper sex education to high school students. Telling them not to do it will only make them want to do it more during adolescence."

The nurse responded coolly to my protest. ...Well, the chances of us doing that in a month are extremely low, but I'll take the advice from an adult. I'll keep it in mind, just like Baron's advice.

After that, we went home together.

Nanami was unusually quiet on the way home. I didn't know what to talk about in a situation like this, so I regretted not asking Baron for advice on how to start a conversation.

However, I was surprised when Nanami suggested exchanging contact information. I thought I would have to suggest it first... She seemed really happy when we exchanged numbers.

Since it was a penalty game, I thought she would exchange numbers reluctantly... Girls are so hard to understand. If this is an act, she could become an actress right away.

We had to part ways at an intermediate station, so we couldn't stay together until the end... but as we parted, I told her, "See you tomorrow, Nanami."

It might have been my imagination, but her expression seemed a little wistful at that moment.

Interlude: Nanami Afterward

"You were so cool... Hikari..."

Why am I so nervous? Why am I saying these things?

I returned home in a daze, went to my room, and collapsed on the bed. Suddenly, the reality hit me.

I... I'm going out with Hikari... I was wriggling on the bed, but there was no unpleasant feeling in my heart.