Chapter 3 End The Contract with the Goddess

The Contract with the Goddess

A few days had passed since Himekawa moved in next door. One weekday morning, I woke up and immediately realized something was off with my body. My head throbbed, and my vision swayed as though I was caught in a haze.

“This is bad… my body feels so heavy.”

Maybe the fatigue from yesterday had finally caught up with me. The recent lack of sleep due to manuscript deadlines could also be taking its toll.

I tried to stand, but my legs wobbled beneath me. I had to steady myself by leaning against the wall. The dizziness was overwhelming, and with each step, the world seemed to tilt dangerously. At this rate, it seemed impossible to even leave the house, let alone go to school.

“I guess I’ll have to take the day off…”

I grabbed my phone from the desk and called the school to notify them of my absence. After finishing the call, I felt utterly drained, as if every ounce of my energy had been used up. Collapsing back onto the futon, I closed my eyes, hoping for rest.

“I really shouldn’t push myself too hard.”

Staring at the ceiling, I muttered those words to myself. Forcing myself to act when I wasn’t feeling well would only make things worse. I decided to take it easy today and focus on recovering. Thoughts of school and manuscripts briefly flitted through my mind, but I pushed them away.

When I woke up, the ceiling that greeted me was unfamiliar. It was white, plain, and carried the sterile smell typical of a hospital. For a moment, I blinked in confusion, unsure of where I was. Then, I heard a voice nearby.

“Isshiki-kun, are you okay?”

I turned toward the voice and saw Himekawa sitting there, holding a baby. She looked at me with a concerned expression.

“Himekawa…? Where is this?”

“We’re in a hospital. When I visited, the intercom didn’t respond, and your door was unlocked. I came inside and found you unconscious, so I called an ambulance.”

Himekawa sighed in slight relief after explaining.

My mind was foggy, struggling to process what had happened.

“An ambulance…? Was it that serious?”

“It was. The doctor said you’re suffering from malnutrition.”

Malnutrition. I couldn’t help but let out a wry laugh at the word.

“Seriously? Was I in that bad of a state?”

“Isshiki-kun, you haven’t been eating properly, have you? It’s pointless if you ruin your health.”

I didn’t have the energy to argue, so I just scratched my head and averted my gaze. She was right—I had been neglecting meals while focusing on my manuscript. I also hadn’t been getting much sleep.

“Sorry about that. But calling an ambulance seems a bit much, don’t you think?”

Even as I said that, I felt a twinge of guilt, realizing how much I’d pushed my body.

“It wasn’t excessive. Who knows what could’ve happened if I hadn’t noticed?”

Her expression conveyed just how worried she had been.

“I see… Thanks. Honestly, I owe you one.”

I bowed my head sincerely.

“You’re welcome… I’m worried about you, so from now on, I’ll cook for you.”

“Huh?”

I looked up in surprise.

I hadn’t expected such an offer from Himekawa.

“If this continues, you’ll collapse again. And that would be inconvenient for me too.”

Her firm tone was followed by an even more surprising statement.

“So, I’ll make proper meals for you. That way, you’ll get the nutrients you need and regain your strength.”

“I appreciate it, but… what can I do in return?”

Feeling a bit uneasy, I asked. If someone was doing something for me, it didn’t feel right not to reciprocate.

Himekawa smiled slightly, gently rocking the baby in her arms as she answered.

“In return… I’d like you to help me take care of this little one. Just occasionally, whenever it’s tough for me alone.”

“You mean… help with childcare?”

I asked for confirmation, surprised by her request.

“Yes. Of course, I’ll handle most of it, but there are times when it gets overwhelming. If you could help during those times, it would be a huge relief. Besides, Isshiki-kun, you were pretty good at soothing the baby. I feel like I can count on you.”

I see… It’s true that, among high school boys, I might have a knack for helping with childcare.

Plus, if I only needed to assist occasionally in exchange for meals, it felt like an offer I couldn’t refuse.

After thinking it over, I eventually nodded.

“Alright. I’ll help out with the childcare. By the way, Himekawa… does this include lunch?”

I asked hesitantly. Cooking for myself was a hassle, so if I could get her to make me lunch too, it’d be a huge help.

Himekawa glanced at me while rocking the baby, pausing to consider before answering.

“Lunch too? You mean… you want me to make a bento for you to take to school?”

“Well, I guess that’s what it comes down to.”

I answered, averting my gaze. Even though I felt a bit bold asking, I waited for her reaction.

Himekawa smiled and then said,

“Sure. If Isshiki-kun actually eats properly, I’ll make you a bento too.”

I was a little surprised by her straightforward response.

“Seriously? Is it really okay?”

“Yeah. It’s not like it’s a big deal. If I’m cooking anyway, I might as well make extra. And besides, you’ll be helping with this little one, so it’s only fair, right?”

Her words struck a chord with me.

The thought that I could eat homemade bento from that goddess every day…

“But you absolutely can’t tell anyone about this. This is a very important promise.”

I nodded at her words.

“I get it. I won’t tell anyone. I won’t do anything that would make you uncomfortable, so don’t worry.”

Himekawa seemed a little relieved, though her tension hadn’t fully eased. Then, as if having an idea, she extended her hand toward me.

“Then, let’s make it official. Let’s pinky swear.”

“Pinky swear?”

I was surprised, almost laughing. I hadn’t expected such a cute suggestion to come out of nowhere.

“Because a pinky swear is the most trustworthy promise in Japan, right?”

Himekawa said with a serious expression.

I couldn’t help but wonder where she had gotten that information…

But seeing her sincerity, I stopped myself from laughing and extended my pinky.

“Alright. Let’s do it.”

As we linked our pinkies, Himekawa said,

“Pinky swear, if you lie, you’ll get a thousand finger flicks!”

Did she just add her own twist to it?

I muttered to myself internally.

Wasn’t it supposed to be “a thousand needles,” not “a thousand flicks”…? I felt like she’d been given some wrong information.

However, when Himekawa smiled warmly, I couldn’t help but smile back naturally.

I hadn’t done a pinky swear since I was a kid, but for some reason, it didn’t feel bad at all.

“And now, the contract is official. No betrayal allowed.”

Himekawa said, with a playful tone.

And so, I ended up agreeing to help the cutest goddess in the school with her childcare, in exchange for her making meals for me.

End