The next day, Mizuha was absent because of the fever she had the day before. From her seat, Shimizu glanced over at Mizuha’s empty desk, worrying about her condition.
Meanwhile, in Hikaru’s classroom, Hikaru sat wondering what had happened to Takeru. Yesterday, he had skipped all his classes after lunch, and now he was absent.
Where could he have gone? Is he blaming himself for what happened to Mizuha yesterday? Hikaru thought.
Back in Mizuha’s class, the teacher asked for a volunteer to deliver Mizuha’s homework.
"Can someone deliver this printout to Yuki-san, who is absent today?"
Shimizu volunteered, raising her hand. "Sensei, I will deliver it to Yuki-san this evening."
"Oh, Shimizu, thanks for your help. Please deliver it to her, okay?"
Her classmates were curious about her absence. Some of them had seen Hikaru carry an unconscious Mizuha the previous day.
"Hey, did you hear that? I heard Yuki-san passed out suddenly yesterday."
"I heard that too. I also saw Hikaru carrying her like a princess, rushing to the nurse’s office yesterday with Shimizu-san."
They approached Shimizu to ask the reason.
"Um, Shimizu-san, what happened to Yuki-san yesterday? We heard she passed out suddenly during lunch break."
At that moment, they could speak to Shimizu without hesitation. They were no longer afraid of talking to her and no longer saw her as a delinquent, contrary to the rumors.
Shimizu told them not to worry about Mizuha and explained that she just had a high fever. The classmates were relieved and thanked Shimizu for the update.
Hikaru messaged Shimizu, saying that they didn’t need to eat on the school rooftop as usual and could eat in their respective classrooms. They all agreed. Suddenly, Shimizu received a message from her editor requesting an urgent meeting.
Ugh, why is this happening suddenly?
She was going to ask Eri to deliver the homework.
"Eri, can you deliver this to Mizuha? I have an urgent matter this evening."
"Shimizu-chan, instead of asking me to deliver it, why not give it to Takamiya-kun? He seemed really worried about Mizuha yesterday."
"That’s a good idea. I wonder why I didn’t think of that."
Shimizu then went to Class 1B to meet Hikaru. "Excuse me, is Takamiya-san here?"
"Hey, Hikaru, that tomboy girl is calling for you."
His words angered Shimizu. "What did you call me? I’ll deal with you later."
The classmate felt shocked, and Hikaru laughed at the scene.
Hikaru approached Shimizu. "Hey, Shimizu. What’s up? Do you need something from me?"
Shimizu handed the printout to Hikaru. "Here, take this."
"What is this?"
"This is Mizuha’s homework. I want you to deliver it to her."
"Why me? You’re her classmate, right?"
"I’m busy this evening, so I can’t deliver it. Besides, I know you want to see her. Why not use this as an excuse?"
Why not use this as an excuse?"
Hikaru felt hesitant to take it. "But..."
"Alright, I’ll deliver it this evening."
Shimizu looked into the classroom. "By the way, what happened to Takeru? I haven’t seen him since Mizuha passed out."
"Oh, Takeru skipped all classes yesterday, and today he’s absent too."
"I see. I think he’s blaming himself for what happened yesterday."
"Yeah, I think so too."
Shimizu turned to leave. "Okay, I’m counting on you with this, Hikaru. Go see your girlfriend."
"Hey, she’s not my girlfriend."
"But you like her, right?"
"Haha, you can’t hide it from me. I counted it for you, Hikaru."
Hikaru turned red, clearly flustered. "You, Shimizu!!!"
One classmate approached Hikaru. "Wow, you’re so tough, Hikaru. You can talk casually with the famously tomboyish girl like that? We wouldn’t dare talk to her like that."
"What? Her? Haha. Why are you guys afraid of her? She’s not as bad as people say. Just because her appearance looks boyish doesn’t mean she’s a delinquent. You guys were misleading all this time. If you were friends with her, you’d see she’s a great friend."
Seeing Hikaru blush when Shimizu mentioned Hikaru liked Mizuha made Akemi go silent.
When her friend asked what was wrong, she forced a smile."Nothing happened."
Meanwhile, Mizuha was still in a weak condition, lying on her bed in her room.
"Mizuha, I’m going out for now. Do you need anything?"
"No thanks, I’m fine."
"Let me take your temperature right now, my dear."
"37.9°C. Your temperature is still high. If it gets worse, we’ll go to the hospital, okay? Just get some rest, okay?"
"Alright, I will rest."
"Then, I’m going for now. Please call my phone if your condition gets worse, okay?"
Her mother turned to leaveher room. "See you later."
At the family restaurant, Shimizu was having a meeting with her editor about the novel.
"Umm, this is a very nice script. I’m waiting for the upcoming chapter, Mizuno-sensei."
"Thank you very much."
After the meeting ended, her editor left.
Huh, I’m so exhausted today. I’d better rest here for a while, Shimizu thought.
She took out her phone and messaged Mizuha: "Mizuha, how are you feeling?"
Mizuha had not read the message yet.
Hmm, she hasn’t read it yet. I think she’s sleeping, Shimizu thought.
Suddenly, she noticed Mizuha’s mother entering the restaurant. That’s Mizuha’s mother. What is she doing here? She looked in the direction Mizuha’s mom went and, unexpectedly, someone she knew was waiting for her.
Is that... Takeru? What is he doing here with Mizuha’s mother? Shimizu thought, confused as they met.
Mizuha’s mother approached Takeru. "Tak-kun, sorry I’m a bit late. I was taking care of Mizuha before coming here."
"Ah, don’t worry, Mrs. Yuki. I also just arrived a few minutes ago."
"How is she, Mrs. Yuki? Is she recovering?"
"Not yet. Her temperature is still high. That worries me so much, so let’s finish this as soon as possible."
"Okay, back to the topic I promised to tell you yesterday. I’ll tell you right now."
"Go ahead, Mrs. Yuki."
What are they talking about? I can’t hear what they’re saying, Shimizu thought.
Shimizu then noticed Mizuha’s mother drop a tear while talking, and Takeru’s face turned pale upon hearing what she was saying.
What are they talking about? I see Mizuha’s mother suddenly crying, and Takeru looks shocked, Shimizu thought, frustrated.
Takeru’s face turned pale. "I can’t believe it. Is that right, Mrs. Yuki?"
"Yes, Tak-kun, that’s why she didn’t recognize you yesterday."
"Tak-kun, please hear me out. This is a secret between us only. Only the two of us and my husband know about this. I beg you, please don’t tell Mizuha herself or even her close friends about this until the right time. Also, from now on, don’t use the name Tak-kun when you’re with Mizuha. Promise me, okay?"
"Understood. I won’t tell anyone about this. I promise."
Mizuha’s mom stood up. "Then I’m leaving now. There are things I need to buy at the supermarket after this."
Takeru bowed slightly. "Ah, sorry to take up your time with this. Thanks for telling me; I really appreciate it."
Mizuha’s mother then left.
Mizuha’s mom is rushing out of here. I bet she’s worried about Mizuha’s condition, Takeru thought.
But I can’t believe that happened to Mizuha after I moved. I... I’m sorry, Mizuha, he thought as he dropped a tear.
Shimizu watched from a corner of the restaurant, carefully keeping her distance as Mizuha’s mother left. She saw Takeru seated at a table, emotional after his conversation with Mizuha’s mother.
Determined to avoid any interaction, Shimizu acted quickly. She gathered her belongings and stood up, moving with purpose toward the exit. She looked at the door and made sure not to make any unnecessary noise or draw attention to herself.
With a final, resolute glance toward the door, Shimizu slipped out of the restaurant without looking back. The door closed softly behind her, leaving no trace of her departure.
About 30 minutes after Mizuha’s mother left, Mizuha woke up suddenly, feeling an intense thirst.
She noticed the water jugs were empty.
It’s empty already. I don’t have a choice; I need to go downstairs to refill it, Mizuha thought. Despite her weakened condition and blurry vision, she forced herself out of bed and made her way downstairs.
Hikaru arrived in front of Mizuha’s house at the same moment. I’m finally here, he thought to himself, holding a bag containing sports drinks and medicine he’d picked up at a convenience store on the way. He checked his phone and noticed Mizuha hadn’t read his message about his visit. Just then, Mizuha’s mother returned from her errands.
"Yes? Can I help you? Do you need something from our house?" Mizuha’s mother approached Hikaru.
This must be Mizuha’s mother, Hikaru thought, recognizing her voice.
"Yes, I’m a friend of your daughter, Mizuha. My name is Hikaru. I came to deliver her homework and some things I bought for her," Hikaru said, pulling out the printout and the bag from his schoolbag.
"So, you’re Hikaru-kun! The one who always walks home with Mizuha after school. She often talks about you."
Mizuha’s mother gave him a warm smile. "Thanks for being such a good friend to her."
She took the items from Hikaru. "Also, thanks for bringing these."
Hikaru frowned."How is she doing?"
"She hasn’t fully recovered yet. She needs more rest."
Suddenly, the sound of glass shattering and something collapsing echoed from inside the house. Both Hikaru and Mizuha’s mother froze.
Hikaru stiffened."What was that?"
"It can’t be... Mizuha?!"
Her mother gasped and rushed into the house with Hikaru close behind. They hurried to the kitchen, where they found Mizuha collapsed on the floor, surrounded by broken glass.
Her mother rushed to her daughter’s side. "Mizuha!"
She moved her away from the shattered glass.
Hikaru approached her. "Hey, Mizuha, are you okay?"
Mizuha, still disoriented, looked up at her mother. "Mom, you’re back already? Welcome home," she mumbled before noticing Hikaru. "Huh? Why are you here, Hikaru?"
"We can talk about that later. Are you hurt? Did you step on the broken glass?"
Mizuha reassured him weakly.
"I’m fine. None of the glass touched me."
"Hikaru-kun, could you carry her back to her room upstairs? I need to clean up this mess."
"Mizuha, can you walk?"
Mizuha tried to stand. "I can walk... I think."
Hikaru thought she was hopeless.Without warning, he scooped Mizuha up into his arms, carrying her like a princess—just as he had done the previous day when she collapsed at school.
Mizuha protested, her cheeks turning bright red. "Hikaru, what are you doing? I can still walk. Please put me down; this is so embarrassing."
"Don’t worry about it. Just leave it to me." Hikaru carried her up the stairs.
Mizuha’s mother chuckled softly at the sight, appreciating Hikaru’s care for her daughter.
Hikaru’s arms felt so warm, Mizuha thought.
When they reached Mizuha’s room, Hikaru was relieved to find the door slightly open, making it easy for him to enter without having to juggle Mizuha in his arms.
He gently laid her on her bed, making sure she was comfortable.
"Hikaru, thanks for carrying me."
"After I collapsed yesterday, you were the one who carried me to the nurse’s office too, right? I’m sorry for causing you trouble twice."
Hikaru blushed. "How did you know? You’re supposed to be passed out."
"I just guessed, and thank you for that"
Hikaru tried to hide his embarrassment. "Don’t worry about it. It wasn’t any trouble at all."
"Mizuha, for now, just rest in bed. Don’t force yourself to get up. It’s dangerous. If you need anything, just call your mother, like she said."
"But... I... I don’t want to trouble her anymore. She’s already done so much for me since yesterday." Mizuha’s voice broke as tears welled up in her eyes.
Hikaru handed her a tissue. "Please don’t cry, Mizuha."
"I know you don’t want to be a burden, but your mom does all this because she loves you."
"I bet she always takes care of you. She seems to love her daughter so much, so don’t blame yourself."
Mizuha took a deep breath."You’re right... Thanks, Hikaru."
"By the way, Hikaru, why did you come here?"
"Oh, right! I brought your homework. Shimizu asked me to bring it because she had an urgent meeting." Hikaru handed her the papers.
So, it was from Shimizu... that girl. I figured she was meeting with her editor, Mizuha thought.
Hikaru handed her the sports drinks and medicine. "Also, I brought these."
"Are these for me? Thanks, Hikaru."
Just then, Mizuha’s mother called from downstairs. "Hikaru-kun, can you come here for a moment?"
Hikaru stepped out of the room. "I’ll be right back."
Downstairs, Mizuha’s mother handed him a bowl of porridge. "Could you bring this up to her? Be careful; it’s still hot."
"Leave it to me." Hikaru carefully took the bowl and headed back.
"Mizuha, I brought you porridge from your mother."
"Oh, my mother made porridge?"
Hikaru held up a hand. "But be careful. It’s hot."
Mizuha looked down, blushing."Umm, Hikaru… could you feed that to me?"
What’s with that, Mizuha... suddenly wanting to be pampered, Hikaru thought, also blushing.
Suddenly, Hikaru remembered Mizuha had wanted to feed him a few days ago but got interrupted. Ah, that day, she seemed like she wanted to feed me her homemade tamagoyaki but didn’t get the chance, Hikaru thought. She had looked disappointed after it didn’t work out.
Hikaru decided. I’ll do that. I’ll do the same thing you couldn’t do that day.
"Alright, Mizuha, I’ll feed you, but let me cool it down for a moment." Hikaru blew on the porridge on the spoon before feeding it to Mizuha.
"How is it? Is it delicious?"
"Umm, it’s very delicious."
Even though she always looks cheerful at school, somehow, she wants to be spoiled like a child, Hikaru thought.
"Here’s more," Hikaru said, blowing on another spoonful before feeding her. Hikaru repeated the process many times until Mizuha finished eating the porridge.
"Oh, you’ve finished it already."
"Hehe, it’s just like that. I think it’s because I hadn’t eaten since morning—I’ve been sleeping."
"I’m going to take this bowl back to your mother in the kitchen. I’ll be back. Before that, here—drink this water first, then take the medicine."
"Understood, I’ll take them. See you later, then."
Suddenly, Hikaru noticed a door near Mizuha’s room labeled "No entry."
What’s with this room, and why is it labeled like that? Also, it’s locked, Hikaru thought. Never mind, this must be some private family matter they don’t want anyone to enter, he decided as he headed to the kitchen.
"Oh, you’re already back. How did it go? Did she finish the porridge?"
"Yes, she finished it already. She ate it happily."
"Really? That’s great. I was worried she wouldn’t want to eat. I think it’s because you were there with her; it gave her the appetite to eat."
"Um, does she become this weak when she’s sick?"
"Yes, she somehow becomes weak when she’s sick. This has happened since two years ago."
The last two years... does she mean during middle school? Hikaru wondered.
"But you don’t need to worry about that. I just need to keep monitoring her health every day to make sure she doesn’t get sick."
"Ah, before you go back to her, take these cooling gel sheets. Please ask her to put one on her forehead."
Hikaru took the gel sheets. "Understood, I’ll give these to her."
"I’m back... Mizuha."
Mizuha was already asleep when he entered the room.
She’s already sleeping, Hikaru thought, adjusting her blanket to cover her properly. He placed a cooling gel sheet on her forehead and sat beside her, taking her hand.
"Mizuha, I hope you fully recover after this. I’ll be waiting for you to come back to school as usual."
As Hikaru gently put her hand back down, Mizuha suddenly spoke in her sleep, "Hikaru, thank you..."
Hikaru froze. "Huh, is she sleep-talking?"
"You’re welcome..." he whispered in her ear.
I should head home now; she’s already asleep and I’m done here, he thought.
Before leaving, Hikaru looked around inside Mizuha’s room. Wow, so many drawings in this room.
Did she draw these? Hikaru wondered, admiring the artwork.
Hikaru turned to the door. "I’m leaving now, Mizuha. See you later at school."
As Hikaru arrived at the stairs on the lower floor, Mizuha’s mother approached him.
"Oh, you’re going home already?"
"Yes, Mizuha is already asleep, and I’m done here, so there’s no need for me to stay any longer."
"Oh, I see. If you say so, I can’t stop you."
Mizuha’s mother bowed.
"Hikaru-kun, thank you so much for today. You’ve done so much for her."
"Please raise your head, Mrs. Yuki. I was just helping her as a friend."
"Before you leave, take this. These are the dishes I made for dinner. Share them with your family. Consider it a gift from me for what you did for Mizuha earlier."
Hikaru took the container. "Thank you so much. I’ll share it with my family."
"Alright, Mrs. Yuki, thanks for having me here. I’m leaving now."
"Thank you for what you did earlier."
Hikaru left Mizuha’s house after that.
What a great person he is. He even came to see you when you got sick. Good for you, Mizuha, you’ve got friends who really take care of you now, her mother thought, feeling relieved that her daughter had good friends like Hikaru, Takeru, and the others who genuinely cared for her.
509Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWtH0RAOZk
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