“…………”
What in the world am I doing?
I am currently in Asuka’s room.
I was sitting on my knees with my back straight.
This is not the first time I’ve been in Asuka’s room. Although it was a familiar place, I felt more nervous than ever before.
I was even more nervous than I had been when I first came to Asuka’s room.
Not that I doubted it, but Asuka was in bed with a fever.
Fortunately or unfortunately, Asuka was asleep when I arrived, so I tried not to disturb her sleep.
(“Really, what am I doing? I should have just given her a get-well present and left quickly. …… But Asuka’s mother told me to take it easy, and I couldn’t turn back ……”).
I couldn’t help making excuses to myself.
I should go home now, after all….
Yes, let’s do that.
I made up my mind and stood up.
“Hi-Hiroto……?? W-Why are you in my room?”
Asuka woke up at the precise moment that I had planned.
It was the reverse pattern of the other day. At that time, I was shocked to see Asuka in my room.
“Ah, no, I’m, uhm, I-I’m sorry! I will go home now!”
“W-Wait! Hiroto.”
As I was about to pack up and leave the room, Asuka immediately stopped me.
“….D-Did you come to visit me by any chance?”
“N-no, it’s not like that. I-I just happened to pass by Asuka’s house, and your mother found me, and I just went along with it.”
“I see…. I-I’m sorry. I haven’t told my mom that I broke up with Hiroto yet, and I’ll make sure to tell her later.”
“……Yeah.”
Asuka puts a shadow on her face and gives a small bow.
The cold combined with the fever seemed to be fainter than ever.
“Is your fever alright?
Yes. I slept and I feel much better.”
“I see.”
“U-uhm, I’m sorry I did so many terrible things to Hiroto. I’ll make sure I don’t show up in front of you anymore. That’s all I can do for you. …… G-goodbye”
Asuka tells me in a weak voice.
My chest tightens up.
This is exactly what I was hoping for.
If I leave this room, Asuka will never come near me again.
We can part ways without a hitch.
But my feet refuse to leave this room. I really am lost in my emotions these days.
“Here, in case you’re feeling up to it. If you have the energy to eat and drink, that is.”
I was filled with nervousness, but I summoned up all my courage to speak up. I took out a convenience store bag from my bag and held it out to Asuka.
Asuka took the bag with trepidation, checked the contents,
“……. Did you buy it for me?”
“N-no. It was a coincidence. I bought it for myself.”
“…..Then I can’t accept it. Hiroto should eat it.”
“I don’t care. Just take it.”
“I don’t like it. I’m not so greedy that I eat other people’s food.”
“You know, sick people don’t need to worry about what other people eat.”
“I don’t care. It’s Hiroto’s.”
“….. Alright. I will take it home”
As I took the bag and was about to leave again, Asuka grabbed me by the sleeve of my uniform.
“D-don’t. I want it. ……”
“W-W-What’s the matter with you? Don’t change your mind so much.”
“Because Hiroto is lying…….”
“I’m not lying.”
“You bought that for me, didn’t you ……?”
“No, it was just a coincidence.”
“There are all the ones I like. In addition, Hiroto, you do not like chocolate, right?
I quickly averted my gaze to the other side.
I was careless to bring sweets with a lot of chocolate.
There was no way I could get away with it.
I hand the bag from the convenience store to Asuka again.
“Thanks, Hiroto.”
“You’re welcome…….”
Asuka smiled happily and expressed her gratitude.
I was feeling a bit uncomfortable.
“I’m going to go home now.”
“…….Ah yes. ….Understood”
I don’t stay for a long time to visit someone.
I gave her exactly what I wanted to give her, and it would be a good time to leave.
But when I put my hand on the doorknob, I stopped moving again. …… I can’t just leave like this. I haven’t said what I want to say yet.
I guess I should really look her in the eye and talk to her, but that seems a bit of a hurdle.
I kept my back to Asuka.
“I didn’t say don’t get involved with me for the rest of your life,”
” …………”
“We just broke up. I mean, we’re back to where we were before we started going out. I don’t want you to misunderstand me there. …… Uhm …… that’s all. I hope you get over your cold soon.”
After saying this in a mumbled voice, I opened the door.
I wonder if I’ve caught a fever too. My face is hot. I need to get out of this room as soon as possible.
“…Thank you”
As I was leaving, Asuka’s trembling voice snatched my ear.
I don’t know what kind of expression she had on her face because I didn’t see it. There is no reason for her to be thanking me…….
I left Asuka’s room with a slightly lighter step.