Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093083511177921/episodes/16818093089315312995
In the room where Hina sleeps, I sit beside her, staring blankly at the clock.
The time is already going beyond the night, but I’m so worried about her that I can’t bring myself to leave.
The cold towel on my forehead is starting to get a little damp.
The fever has gone down considerably, but I’m still in no condition to relax.
“Really, why are you being so reckless ……”
As I whispered, self-loathing welled up from deep within my chest.
I still haven’t heard why Hina was wandering around in the rain.
But seeing her in pain, if I’m the cause of anything -.
“…… stupid, I …….”
I closed my tired eyes as I sat on the ground beside the bed.
The only relief was that Hina was breathing peacefully in her sleep.
It seems that she fell asleep before I knew it.
When I woke up, I saw Hina looking at me in a blurry vision in front of me.
“…… Hikaru?”
Her faint voice wakes me up immediately.
“Hina, you awake? How’s your fever?”
I hurriedly reached for her forehead and she looked a little surprised.
“Ah …… I’m fine now. Thank you for staying with me and nursing me …….”
“Of course. There’s no way I’d leave you alone in the condition you were in yesterday.”
Hearing my words, Hina looked down a little and smiled bitterly.
“…I’m sorry for worrying you. Maybe I was a little selfish.”
“What do you mean?”
When I asked, Hina took a small breath and continued speaking with difficulty.
“Yesterday, I saw …… Natsuki chan and Hikaru walking together behind the school building.”
At that moment, yesterday’s scene flashed into my mind.
It was that scene after school, when Natsuki stopped me and we talked for a bit, then walked side by side laughing in the setting sun.
Did Hina see that?
“And I also happened to see Hikaru and Natsuki chan together on the day Sakine got a fever and we couldn’t play.”
I didn’t think I was seen
“So, I was kind of really shocked and …… I misunderstood it on my own ……”
“Misunderstanding?”
Her face was serious, and somehow sad.
“…I wonder if you are dating Natsuki-chan.”
I almost burst out laughing at those words.
No, I shouldn’t laugh, but–that’s what it is!
“Oh, come on, Hina. Did you really think that?”
I say with a wry smile, and she lowers her gaze more and more.
“Because you seemed really friendly, and I felt like you had a face you didn’t show me …….”
“No, no. That’s totally different.’”
I leaned back a little and looked straight at Hina.
“Natsuki was just talking to me for advice. I was listening to her problems and it took a little longer. That’s all.”
“…… consultation?”
Hina makes a puzzled face.
“That’s right. Yesterday, Natsuki seemed to be in trouble and I just helped her solve it.”
I didn’t tell her the specifics, considering Natsuki’s privacy.
“…… Is that really all there is to it?”
I shook my head with a laugh at her slightly doubtful gaze.
“That’s all I”
“…… I see. Then what about the day we were supposed to play?”
“That’s ……I still can’t tell you.”
I was unsure whether to answer that question honestly.
If possible, I’d like to surprise her with a present on her birthday, but I feel like if I lie now, I won’t be able to be with Hina in the future.
On such an important journey, I choose one route without hesitation.
“What I was really thinking about, Hina, was you.”
Her eyes widen in surprise and she seems speechless at my words.
“it’s your birthday soon, right? While I was offering advice to Natsuki, I was also thinking of a present for you.”
“For …… me?”
I was even more embarrassed when I saw Hina’s cheeks turn a little red.
“Well, I haven’t decided yet. I didn’t know what would be good at all,…… and on the way home yesterday, I was just asking Natsuki about it.”
At that moment, I noticed tears in Hina’s eyes.
“…… Hina?”
“……I’m really stupid. ……”
She wiped away her tears and smiled awkwardly.
‘All those times, all those years I’ve been alone, and I can’t believe that …… Hikaru was thinking about me like that.”
“Hey, hey, stop crying. See, if you cry, your fever will go up again.”
When I said this in a hurry, she giggled and wiped her tears.
‘Thank you, Hikaru ……, really, thank you.’
To those words, all I could do was nod silently.
I felt Hina’s smile warmly melt something in my heart.
“The present will be a treat on the day.”
“Yes!”
After that, we kept talking until late at night. As if to clear up misunderstandings and confirm our feelings for each other.
When Hina showed a relieved face, I was finally able to relax my shoulders a little.
The moon was shining quietly in the night sky after the rain.
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