Chapter 24

After sleeping for about four more hours, Kaede woke up.

"…Are you awake?"

"It's good. You're here."

Seeing me sitting on the sofa, Kaede said this. I approached her and placed my hand on her forehead. Kaede closed her eyes and remained still, making a soft sound.

"Do you still have a fever? Let's eat something light. If you want anything, I can get it for you."

"Ah…chazuke…"

I couldn't help but laugh at Kaede's response. I remember she said something like that before. Chazuke shouldn't be too hard to digest.

"Why are you laughing… Ah, I'll make it."

"Stay in bed. I'll do it."

I stopped Kaede from getting up and filled the camping kettle with water, then lit the gas stove.

"Thank you… Ah! What do you mean by 'get it'!"

Recalling my earlier words, Kaede glared at me, pouting.

"I looked around a bit, but there were no cold medicines. I thought I might as well get them while I'm out."

"No! I don't want you to do anything dangerous…"

I said casually, and Kaede desperately tried to stop me.

"I'm feeling much better now? I'm sure it's just that I got a bit tired and relaxed, so the fatigue caught up with me…"

Kaede insisted, still claiming her poor condition was just due to fatigue. She seemed determined not to let me go outside.

We have a good supply of food here, brought initially and this morning. Even if I were to leave and Kaede were left alone, she could survive for a long time.

Perhaps she simply can't bear the loneliness, but last night she didn't try to stop me so desperately when I went out.

Did something change in her mindset overnight?

"Going out for Azami-san's errands, like yesterday, is unavoidable… But I don't want you to do anything dangerous for me."

Kaede spoke in a broken voice.

"To be honest, I don't like either… But…"

I see.

So, these are words of concern for me.

At the same time, if something were to happen because of her, she would feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility that she couldn't bear. From her experience with her father, I can tell she doesn't want to repeat the same mistake.

I can understand her feelings, but the current situation is something I created.

For me, getting food is no trouble at all, and I have no complaints about it.

But from Kaede's perspective, I'm taking risks to bring back food, and that danger is something she can't avoid to survive.

So, I think her concern might be a bit off the mark.

"Azami-san…?"

Kaede called out to me in a small voice, her face showing worry as she continued.

"Sorry, did I make you angry…?"

"No…"

Of course, I decided to help her, and I told her not to hold back. Kaede also said she would do anything in return.

…She's overthinking it.

This girl, she's just genuinely and straightforwardly worried about me. There's no need to find a reason to trample on her feelings. If I decided to help her, that's enough.

Steam rose gently from the camping kettle. I turned down the stove, thinking that the chazuke would be fine as long as it was warm enough.

"…Sorry, I was just thinking. I'll only go out for my own errands."

I said this, then scooped the rice from the pot into our bowls, sprinkled chazuke mix, and poured hot water. The pleasant aroma of tea tickled my nose.

"It's ready, let's eat."

Hearing this, Kaede got up from the bed. I moved to her side.

"Hehe, I'm fine, I can walk… Azami-san, you're really kind."

Kaede smiled, but it seemed a bit sad.

Kaede and I sat around the small table I had brought from the furniture store. Steam rose from the two stainless steel bowls.

"Be careful, it's hot."

"Yes, thank you."

Kaede replied, then waited for me to take a bite of the chazuke before closing her eyes and saying a quiet "itadakimasu" before picking up her chopsticks.

"Chazuke… It's delicious."

Kaede blew on the slightly hot chazuke to cool it down, then took a cautious bite and smiled at me.