Chapter 58 A Visit from the Heart

A Visit from the Heart

Irara Akari’s Perspective

“Arata-kun!!”

I push open the nurse’s office door.

In my hands are all sorts of leftover bread from the school cafeteria and a carton of fruit juice.

Along with them, my favorite emergency snacks—ones I had kept stashed at school—are overflowing in my arms.

Ahh!

This is the nurse’s office.

Thankfully, neither the school nurse nor anyone else is here, but I need to be quieter!

This is a place for people who aren’t feeling well…

“…Ah.”

I spot a single bed, hidden behind a curtain.

That must be where Arata-kun is.

Taking a deep breath to steady my anxious heart, I walk toward it.

Then, reaching for the curtain, I slowly slide it open.

“Arata… kun…?”

I peer inside.

Just as expected, Arata-kun is there, sleeping with a pained expression on his face.

“…I’m sorry. This is my fault…”

I place the get-well gifts on the side table and sit down on the round stool.

“Haa, haa… ngh.”

“Arata-kun…!”

His face twists in discomfort, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

I grab the damp towel from the side table, wring it out, and gently wipe away the sweat.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

Arata-kun is suffering because of me.

Because I slept in Arata-kun’s futon…

“Ah.”

His right hand slips out from under the blanket, hanging limply.

Seeing that, a childhood memory resurfaces.

When I was sick with a fever, there was one thing that comforted me the most.

That was…

—Get well soon, Akari.

“…Alright.”

I whisper softly, steeling my resolve.

Determined, I gently take Arata-kun’s right hand in both of mine and place it back on the bed.

Then, still holding his hand, I squeeze it tightly and rest my forehead against it as if in prayer.

“Get better soon, Arata-kun…!”

I plead desperately to the gods.

When I was little, having my mother do this for me reassured me and made the pain feel more bearable.

So, I’ll do the same for Arata-kun.

Because I believe that the kindness we receive should be passed on to others.

“Arata-kun…!!”

I pour all my energy into my wish, hoping even a little of my strength will reach him.

Please, gods, I beg you.

Don’t let the person I love suffer any more…

“Please…!”

Clutching Arata-kun’s hand tightly, I continue to pray with all my heart.

My breathing is ragged… My head hurts, everything feels hazy…

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a fever this bad.

It’s just as miserable as I remember…

—…rata-kun…

Huh?

What is this feeling?

It’s as if something warm and gentle is seeping into me, making my heart feel lighter…

It’s… comforting.

The pain hasn’t lessened, but somehow, I feel like I’ll be okay.

—Get better soon…

A distant, hazy voice reaches me, bringing peace, and I let my consciousness slip away.

As if my suffering had been a lie, the pain fades, and I sink once more into a deep slumber.

From outside, I hear the energetic shouts of club members at practice.

The golden glow of the setting sun streams in through the window, and I slowly open my eyes.

“Nn…”

I push myself up, moving sluggishly.

My headache and fatigue haven’t completely disappeared, but I feel significantly better than before.

Maybe the medicine has started working. Or maybe…

“…Huh? What is this feeling…?”

My right hand is enveloped in something soft and smooth.

And there’s a weight pressing down on my stomach and thighs…

I rub my eyes, clearing my blurry vision, and glance to my right.

“Nngh…”

“A-Akari!?”

Akari is leaning against the bed, fast asleep on the round chair.

She’s holding my right hand with both of hers, her angelic sleeping face clearly visible.

“She came to visit me?”

On the side table, there’s a damp towel with wrung-out marks, along with a mountain of bread, juice, and snacks.

“No way a sick person can eat all that…”

But somehow, it’s just like Akari.

I see… The reason I was able to sleep so peacefully must have been because Akari was taking care of me.

The gentle hands that wrap around my right hand.

Even now, just being held like this makes me feel incredibly at ease.

“But… she fell asleep, huh.”

That’s just like Akari.

Even though I still don’t feel completely well, I can’t help but smile.

“Arata… kun…”

“She’s even saying my name in her sleep… Seriously, Akari is just…”

Her sleeping face is more adorable than anything else in this world.

I never expected to see it twice in such a short time… But here in the nurse’s office after school, bathed in the warm orange glow, her sleeping face feels strangely romantic and precious.

Before I realize it, I lean in, wanting to see her even closer.

A part of me knows I shouldn’t, but I can’t help being drawn in.

Her quiet breaths sound more vivid, my heartbeat grows louder.

My body feels hot, though I don’t know if it’s from the fever or something else… My head feels hazy…

“Nngh!?”

“—!?”

Akari suddenly lifts her head.

Startled, I jerk back and slam my head against the wall.

“Ouch…!!!”

“…Eh, wah! Arata-kun, are you okay!? Wait, why are you awake!? Just a second ago, we were eating snacks together—wait, the get-well gift! Wait, the banana!?”

“What are you talking about!?”

Akari starts panicking.

As I clutch the back of my head in agony, she leans over the bed, getting closer.

“A-Are you okay!?”

“Y-Yeah… I’m fine…!”

The sudden closeness makes us both freeze.

“…!!!”

Akari reaches toward my head but stops, her face flushing red as she looks at me.

Our eyes meet perfectly.

For some reason, neither of us says a word.

We just silently stare at each other, bathed in the light of the setting sun.

I can’t look away.

I can’t even think of anything to say to break the silence.

As she leans over me, warmth lingering on the bed, her soft lips part slightly, and then—

“What exactly are you two doing?”

““—!?!?!?””

The curtain is suddenly yanked open, revealing a weary-looking Suzaku-sensei peering down at us.

She stares for a few seconds, then lets out a long, exasperated sigh.

“I can appreciate the enthusiasm in countering the declining birth rate, but I wouldn’t recommend it—not at your age, and definitely not here. As a teacher, of course.”

“—!!! S-Suzaku-sensei! You’ve got it all wrong…!”

“Still, I have to say, I’m glad. Both as a teacher and as someone who knows Kyogoku. It’s nice to see he has someone close to him. Though… maybe a little too close.”

“T-This is all just one big misunderstandingggggg!!!”

No matter how desperately I tried to explain, Suzaku-sensei simply brushed it off.

In the end, she ended up giving us a ride home in her car that night.

Nakano Yuya’s Perspective

The world outside is completely dark.

It’s 9 PM. Visiting hours just ended.

…They’re over.

…And yet.

Not a single person came to see meeeee!?