Chapter 30 Nursed by a National Idol

Nursed by a National Idol

On a weekday morning, as the alarm blared, I felt an unusual sensation throughout my body. I tried to sit up in bed, but my whole body felt as heavy as lead, and I was sweating more than usual. After staring at the ceiling for a while, I reached for the thermometer.

After starting the thermometer and waiting for a few minutes, it beeped, signaling the measurement was complete. I slowly checked the numbers and saw they were in the 38-degree range.

I can’t believe I have such a high fever…

As the faint morning light filtered through the curtains, there was a sudden knock at the door. After a few soft knocks, the door slowly opened, and my younger sister appeared.

“Onii-sama, it’s morning. Are you still asleep?”

“Sorry, I think I have a fever. I might skip school today.”

I showed my sister the thermometer I had just used.

“Oh no! Onii-sama, I’ll skip school too and take care of you!”

“No need to go that far. I’ll be fine.”

“But Mom is working part-time today and won’t be home until evening…”

“I’ll be okay, really. I just need to rest at home.”

“Okay, I understand. But please call me if anything happens. I’ll rush back, even if I have to leave school early.”

My sister said that and then left the room.

I feel like her brother complex has gotten worse lately…

Alone in the room, I began to ponder.

I wonder what caused me to suddenly come down with a fever?

Most likely, it’s because I overworked myself composing new songs.

Recently, I had been cutting back on sleep to work on them, and it seems the effects finally caught up with me.

It’s been a while since I’ve been sick and missed school, so I felt a little anxious. But I realized I had no choice but to rest. Since it was still early in the morning, I decided to go back to sleep and pulled the covers over myself.

And so, I drifted off to sleep in the warmth of my bed—

“Amagi-kun…”

By evening, in my hazy consciousness, I slowly began to open my eyes.

I thought I heard someone call my name, and I felt warmth on my palm.

I rubbed my eyes, trying to clear my vision, and noticed a figure by my side.

Who could it be?

Thinking that, I opened my eyes fully—and saw someone I didn’t expect at all.

“Sh-Shirasaki-san?”

“Ah, you’re awake.”

“Why are you here…?”

“I came to visit you. I asked the teacher for your address.”

“I see… I’m really surprised.”

“Sorry if it feels like a surprise visit. By the way, Amagi-kun, are you getting enough rest? Could it be that you’ve been busy lately?”

Shirasaki-san asked with a concerned look.

I didn’t expect her to guess I was feeling unwell because of overwork.

“Yeah, I guess I’ve been busy with composing songs lately.”

“I see. But you shouldn’t push yourself too hard, okay?”

“Yeah, I know. But honestly, Shirasaki-san must be busier than me.”

“Me? I’m not busy at all.”

Shirasaki-san replied with a nonchalant expression.

But as a top idol at the height of her career…

There’s no way she isn’t busy.

“You’re amazing, Shirasaki-san, balancing school and your career…”

“Well, I do miss school quite a bit, though.”

“For top idols, it seems difficult to balance school and work, so some people quit. Why do you insist on doing both, Shirasaki-san?”

When I asked that, Shirasaki-san seemed to ponder for a moment before replying.

“That’s… because I want to be with Amagi-kun as much as possible. See, if you weren’t in school, our only connection would be through work, right?”

“Eh?”

Shirasaki-san said something unbelievable.

Could someone really go to school just to spend time with someone?

As I pondered that question, she smiled.

“Just kidding. My mom said that if I wanted to be an idol, I should at least finish high school. I’m going to school so I can continue being an idol.”

“I-I see…”

Of course, it was a joke.

Normally, I would have caught on right away, but maybe my fever affected my thinking.

But as she said, if she had left school, we wouldn’t have much time to talk. She wouldn’t have even known I was sick today, let alone come to visit me.

As I was thinking about that, Shirasaki-san asked me something.

“Hey, Amagi-kun, are you hungry?”

“Yeah, a little…”

Actually, I hadn’t eaten anything since morning.

My fever had suppressed my appetite, but I was starting to feel a bit hungry.

“Good. I actually made some rice porridge with your sister, Nana-chan. Let me feed it to you.”

“I-Is that okay?”

To be fed by a top idol…

This might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Even though I’m sick, it feels like too much of a privilege.

“Sure, let me do at least this much for you. Here, say ahhh.”

Shirasaki-san scooped up some porridge with a spoon and brought it close to my mouth.

At first, I was a bit hesitant, but seeing her bright smile, I felt a little embarrassed and opened my mouth. As the spoon entered my mouth, she gently tilted it, letting the porridge slide in.

“It’s delicious…”

When I said that, Shirasaki-san smiled happily.

Afterward, I realized I couldn’t keep letting her feed me, so I started eating on my own. Shirasaki-san looked a little disappointed, but I couldn’t help it…

After finishing the porridge, I thanked her again.

“Thank you, Shirasaki-san. I’ll repay this favor someday.”

“…Then, if I get a fever, will you take care of me, Amagi-kun?”

“Y-Yeah… I can’t promise, but I’ll try.”

“Okay. I’ll look forward to it, then.”

It’s strange to think that someone would look forward to getting a fever…

As I thought about that, Shirasaki-san turned off the lights in the room. I thanked her for her thoughtfulness and lay back down in bed.

“Rest well, Amagi-kun.”

Shirasaki-san said in a soft voice and quietly left the room.

Left alone, I closed my eyes. The warmth of her care lingered around me, and gradually, sleep took over—

As night fell, I felt a little better and slowly got out of bed.

I feel refreshed… Maybe I’m already better.

Thinking that, I used the thermometer, and sure enough, my fever had returned to normal.

I left my room and headed to the living room, where my mother and sister were.

My sister noticed me first and asked worriedly,

“Onii-sama, are you feeling better?”

“Yeah, I slept for a day, and I feel better now.”

When I said that, my mother came out of the kitchen and asked,

“Has your appetite returned? If so, I’ll prepare dinner.”

“I think I can eat. Thanks, Mom.”

When I replied, my mother smiled and went back to the kitchen.

“By the way, is it true that you made porridge with Shirasaki-san?”

I asked my sister.

If I remember correctly, Shirasaki-san had mentioned it earlier.

She probably wouldn’t make up something like that, so it must be true.

“Yes! I never imagined Kanade-chan would come to our house; it felt like a dream!”

My sister said with sparkling eyes.

Well, that would surprise anyone.

“While making porridge together, we chatted about many things and became good friends. We might even go out together sometime.”

“I-I see. You two got close quickly.”

“Yeah. Kanade-chan is such a wonderful person! Oh, and Onii-sama, may I make a suggestion?”

“Y-Yeah…”

When I nodded, my sister spoke with confidence.

“Onii-sama, I recommend Kanade-chan as your next girlfriend!”

“Why!?”

“Isn’t it obvious? So I can call her Kanade-onee-chan!”

“I feel like I’ve heard you say something like this before!”

My sister is too much of a fan…

However, it’s impressive that Shirasaki-san managed to win the approval of my sister, who has become more critical of women after the previous incident.

Well, in the end, relationships won’t work unless the people involved feel the same way.

Speaking of which, how do I feel about it?

I can sense Shirasaki-san’s feelings for me to some extent.

The reason I’ve been avoiding her is probably because of Chiharu.

Also, I like the current distance I have with Shirasaki-san.

More than friends, less than lovers. A temporary lover…

How long will this relationship last?

Should I even continue it?

I feel like I need to come to an answer soon.

Those thoughts swirled in my mind.