Episode 20 – Fever

…Oh no, I thought.

As soon as I woke up to the alarm at 6 a.m., I felt intense chills, a headache, and a sore throat.

I forced my shaky body to get up and grab a thermometer, then lay down on the sofa to take my temperature.

The result was a high fever of 38.6 degrees Celsius.

(…There’s no doubt that yesterday’s incident is the cause.)

Yesterday afternoon, I went into the river fully clothed.

It was to retrieve the item that Suzukita san said was more important than her life, so I don’t regret it. But…I wish I had tried a little harder first.  

Maybe there was another way to retrieve that acrylic dome without going into the river.  

If that had been the case, I wouldn’t have caught a cold like this.  

…That’s why Renka calls me a loser. It’s a scathing insult I can’t argue with.

“The hospital…o-out of the question…”

I contacted Sena right after waking up to tell her I couldn’t go today. She’s probably angry.

But maybe this was for the best.

Renka is probably happy right now that I canceled. No one wants to go to an amusement park with someone they hate.

“…Ugh. I feel so tired and my head hurts…”

My parents are currently on a romantic getaway. I don’t have any siblings, so I’m alone at home.  

When I was in middle school, Renka used to take care of me when I was sick…but I can’t rely on her in this situation.  

I should probably eat something and take some over-the-counter medicine. But with this heaviness in my body, I don’t have the energy to do that.  

(…I guess I’ll just have to sleep it off.)

I glance at the clock. …It’s currently 9 a.m. I fell back asleep right after sending a message to Sena, but that wasn’t enough to bring down my fever.

What I need now is more sleep.

With that in mind, I crawl back under the blankets and close my eyes—

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rings, signaling someone’s arrival.

“Eh…could it be—”

I couldn’t help but imagine.  

After hearing about my condition from Sena, could it be that Renka came to visit me?  

She’s the kind of person who would do something like that. She’s the kind of person who would be kind and considerate to even someone she dislikes. Fujisaki Renka is that kind of kind-hearted girl.  

Dragging my heavy body, I managed to make my way down the stairs.

And slowly open the front door. And—

“—-Heyya, Ayatacchi ! Good morning.”

There stood a beautiful girl with blonde side-tail hair.

Well…of course Renka wouldn’t come.

After all, she’s going to Windyland to play. There’s no way she’d cancel her plans just to take care of someone she hates like me. I guess I’d let my imagination run wild again.

“…Suzukita san. I’m sorry, I’m not feeling well…”

“Fufu, I knew it. Ayatacchi was soaking wet yesterday. So I decided to take a chance and come over !”

Saying that, Suzukita san held out the plastic bag she was holding,  

“So, I’ll take care of you. Can I come in?”

“…….Eh?”

It was an unexpected turn of events.

My thoughts were clouded by the fever, and before I knew it, Suzukita san was taking off her shoes at the entrance.

◇◇◇

“—I’m here, Ayatacchi. I made some porridge.”

Suzukita san, wearing an apron, entered my room.

My vision was spinning from the headache. In that state, Suzukita san sat down next to the bed where I was lying and said,

“What should we do? Should I feed you?”

“…..Please don’t, that’s too much.”

I took the bowl from Suzukita san and put a spoonful of rice porridge in my mouth. Then,

“……It’s delicious.”

“Really? Hehe, I’m glad. In situations like this, it’s actually easier to eat something with a strong flavor.”

Suzukita san smiled happily as she said this.

However…I feel bad, but I really don’t have an appetite. I put the rice porridge on the nearby table and drank the sports drink that Suzukita san had bought for me.

“Make sure to stay hydrated. I’ll leave the medicine and water here.”

“…..Thank you.”

“Don’t sweat it. Ayatacchi is like a lifesaver for me. It’s only natural to repay such a favor, don’tcha think?”  

What’s that? That’s a bit of an overstatement.  

Well, but…to be honest, Suzukita san’s care was appreciated. If I had been alone, taking the medicine would have been a struggle.  

After finishing the over-the-counter medicine, I lay my head back on the pillow.  

“Then, I’ll put the porridge from earlier in the refrigerator. And I’ll leave Ayatacchi’s phone here. I’ll make sure it’s ready to eat, so call me if anything happens, okay?”

“…Okay.”

“Fufu. G’night, Ayatacchi.”

Suzukita san waved gently and left my room.

…No good, my head hurts. I should be expressing more gratitude to Suzukita san, but even that is difficult.

(Well…maybe it’s okay for now…)

I slowly closed my eyes.

My consciousness grew heavier and heavier, sinking into deep darkness.

In the midst of that, the figure of a young girl appeared behind my eyelids.

(I wonder if Renka is enjoying herself…)

When I imagined the smile of my childhood friend with her flaxen hair,

a sharp pain shot through the back of my head.

–

–

If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !

https://ko-fi.com/dasuitl

https://saweria.co/dasuitl