PART FOUR

Sigh…

This morning isn't going so great for me.

I started having a headache right before I left for school. I thought it’s just a mild headache, but it seems to have gotten a little worse.

“Shibasaki-san, good morning! Could you help review my homework answers, please?” Hoshino-san asked upon approaching my desk.

My head is throbbing so badly that it’s hard for me to say yes to anything right now. However, Hoshino-san’s request is relatively simple, so I guess it’s fine. Her request isn’t unreasonable at all.

“Hey! You should get the wife’s permission first before asking Yu-chin for a favor!” Tomoka, who was sitting next to me, interjected before I could say a word.

Hoshino-san brushed her off. “Will you, Shibasaki-san, please?” She smiled beseechingly.

“This girl’s lack of respect is real!” Tomoka fussed.

“Sure, Hoshino-san. Let me have a look.” My smile faltered a little.

Hoshino-san handed me her notes with a bright smile.

But Tomoka keeps picking on Hoshino-san as I read through her notes. “When did you become so close to Yu-chin, Aika?! You’ve had the audacity to ask her that favor when you’re not even close to her.”

“You’re making such a racket, Mizuno Tomoka! We’ve gotten closer since she made me realize I wasn’t in love, right, Shibasaki-san?” Hoshino-san is grinning at me.

“Ha-ha. Yeah? I suppose.”

“See?” Hoshino-san looked back at Tomoka.

“Tch! You’re interested in getting love ideas from my Yu-chin, aren’t you?”

“Certainly not! Shibasaki-san isn’t into it, and unlike you, I know my limit.”

“Haah?! Are you looking for a fight?! Just what limits are you talking about? I have unlimited rights as a wife!” Tomoka growled.

Having to listen to these two made my head hurt even more. They are so energetic.

Urggh... So loud!

After reviewing the notes carefully, I handed them back to Hoshino-san. As far as I can tell, most of her answers were right.

"Thank you, Shibasaki-san. You’re really kind~...” Hoshino-san smiled sweetly at me.

“Not a problem, Hoshino-san.”

Tomoka turned to me right after Hoshino-san returned to her seat.

“Don’t let Aika lure you into love stories, Yu-chin. She’s into that sort of thing.”

I forced a weak smile at her. “What’s with that... It’s alright, Tomoka. I’m not interested in that stuff at all.”

“Just making sure. For my Yu-chin to become a love consultant would be bizarre.” She winked.

“Not gonna happen. Giving advice about something that doesn’t interest me would be like the blind leading the blind. But enough about love... It’s too early for that thing.” I sighed as I rested my arms and head on my desk.

“Are you all right, Yu-chin?”

“I just have a mild headache, but I’m fine.”

“You don’t want to go to the infirmary? I’ll take you there if you like.”

“No... I’ll be fine. Thank you, Tomoka.”

“Aawh.. Yu-chin, you look like you’re at death’s door to me. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeaahh...”

The constant throbbing in my head is starting to bother me, and I’ve been struggling to focus in our English class. I’m starting to feel woozy.

Hnngh…

“-saki-san? Uhurm! Shibasaki-san?!”

“Huh?! Ah! Y-Yes, sensei?” I instinctively jumped to my feet, but I almost lost my balance!

How embarrassing! If it wasn’t bad enough, I haven’t been paying attention.

“I’ve been trying to get your attention for a while now. I hope your mind is with us.”

“I’m sorry, sensei.”

“That’s fine. Okay, let’s have you answer this. We mentioned the term ‘logorrhea’ during our discussion. How would you use it in a sentence?”

Urrk! Log-what? Why is this word even in the dictionary?

“. . . .”

Haah… I can’t do this.

“I apologize, sensei. I wasn’t paying attention, so I don’t have an answer.” My shoulders slumped in embarrassment.

“Don’t worry. Take your seat. It’s rare to see you distracted in class, Shibasaki-san. Are you all right?”

“Y-Yes, sensei. I’m fine.”

Ahh… My day couldn’t be worse!

Good thing today's Friday, and we don't have any classes scheduled for tomorrow.

I'm not sure whether I should attend classes or just go to the infirmary.

Hmm... Then again, I would hate to miss class. Maybe if I can just keep my mind focused, this might be bearable.

“Come on, let’s go to the clinic, Yu-chin!”

“I’m fineee, Tomoka….” I groaned. It’s break time, yet I’m still slumped over my desk. “Just keep your voice down.”

“What’s wrong, Yuyo?” Even though I heard Minori’s voice, I didn’t bother to look up.

“Nah... I just have a little headache, that’s all.”

“She had that headache since this morning. I’ve been trying to get her to go to the clinic, but she won’t budge.” Tomoka sounds like she’s telling on me to Minori.

“I’m fine, really. Please don’t worry.” I slackly gestured my right hand at them.

“Kyashii-chan, please come over here,” Minori called out to Kyashii.

Great… They summoned reinforcement.

Here’s another force that will try to convince me to go to the infirmary. My friends are great worrywarts.

“What’s going on?” I could hear Kyashii’s voice.

“Yuyo’s headache is getting worse, but she won’t visit the infirmary. If you could please knock off some common sense in her that she needs to go. As if by magic, her logic ceases to exist whenever she’s sick.” Minori sure sounds like a mother.

“I see...” I can feel Kyashii standing in front of my desk. “Yuyo, please, let’s go to the infirmary.”

“I’m good. Don’t worry too, Kyashii.” I’m not even sitting up, but I’m waggling my right hand to let her know I’m fine.

“It’s pointless, Mikami-san. I’ve already tried a couple of times.” Tomoka groused.

“Yuyo...” Kyashii held my right wrist with an oddly solemn tone.

“Whaatt...” I had no choice but to look at her.

“I’m taking you to the infirmary.” She’s staring at me with menacing eyes.

Despite my lousy state, I can tell from her eyes that she wants me to follow her or she won’t leave me alone. The look in her eyes said it all.

“Urgh… So annoying…” I grumbled as I got up.

“Wha-!” Tomoka exclaimed.

“What?” I squinted at her.

“Nothing, Yu-chin. Get to the clinic as soon as possible. You’re not cute anymore.” Tomoka grinned. She also gave Kyashii the thumbs up. “Way to go, Mikami-san!”

But Kyashii refused to smile. She just nodded as a response to Tomoka before yanking my hand.

“Minori, please let our teacher know that we will be in the infirmary.” Kyashii turned to Minori, who was quietly smiling and nodding at us. I even got a knowing smile from her as she motioned her hand at me.

What’s her deal?

And Kyashii looks scary that the urge to resist just flees me.

Sigh...

I guess I’ll just go along with what they say.

I could only hold my forehead tightly while letting Kyashii drag me out of the classroom.

“Ohh. Shibasaki-san, you don’t look well.” Ezaki-san remarked when we passed him standing by the door.

“Yeah, and they’re pushing me to go to the infirmary even though I don’t think it’s necessary.”

My eyes caught Kyashii staring in silence at Ezaki-san.

Yeah, of course. I forgot she’s into him.

“I see... But I would suggest that you should go as well. It’s no wonder why your wife seems upset.” Ezaki-san made an odd comment out of nowhere.

“Wife? Ahh… Do you mean Tomoka? Nah... If anything, Kyashii is more upset than she is.” What’s up with him and that strange remark? Is he into such kinds of jokes too?

Ezaki-san chuckled and stared at me in an uncharacteristic manner.

Uhh... There’s that stare again.

“Sorry, Ezaki-san, but I need to take this blockhead to the infirmary. She’ll get back to you later.” Kyashii chimed in.

Blockhead?!

“Of course, Mikami-san. I’m sure you do. You’re incredibly kind.” Ezaki-san smiled warmly at Kyashii as they looked into each other’s eyes.

Jeez! It would be nice if they flirt later rather than now since I’m still here.

Tch! So much for romance already. How annoying!

“Kyashii, I can go by myself just fine. It’s okay if you go back to class.” I muttered as we walked to the infirmary. Her silent grip on my wrist bothers me quite a bit. She seems upset about something again. I hope it has nothing to do with Ezaki-san.

“No. I’ll keep an eye on you until you’re okay.” She didn’t even glance at me.

“It’s just a mild headache, and I’ll be fine once I get my medicine.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, Yuyo, your eyes are a little moist! You don’t even realize you’re a little feverish, do you?” Kyashii asked in a cold tone.

“Huh? Am I?”

“Yes, you are! So just leave your words behind and come with me to the infirmary! Sheesh! You’re so careless!”

Ehh? What gives her the hump at times like this?

“. . . .”

Forget about it anyhow. I’m not up for bickering, as it will only go in circles. Besides, my head’s spinning just from walking alone, so let’s not waste energy fighting this huffy girl here.

“See? You’ve got a fever! What is it with you that you don’t want to come here right away?!” Kyashii is nagging as I lie down on the infirmary bed.

“Zzzzz...” Instead of responding, I teased her by feigning a snore.

My energy isn’t enough to handle her scolding. I’m also well aware that I’m in the wrong here. My only excuse is that I don’t want to miss the class, that’s all.

Kyashii sighed when she didn’t get a reply from me. “I’ll ask our teachers to excuse you from our afternoon classes. You should go home.”

“But I’ll be fine. I’ve already taken my medicine, right?” I can’t miss class. It’s going to be tough missing each lecture.

“You need to get some rest! Will you give up your stubbornness, Yuyo?!”

“Yeah, sure, but I’m going to miss our lessons.”

“Obviously! But rather than forcing yourself to attend class then embarrass yourself because you can barely focus, just take the day off!” She rebuked.

Ouch! What’s with her suddenly being on my case? What’s worse, she has solid points.

“F-Fine. I’ll let you handle it. I’ll head home around lunchtime.” These back-and-forth arguments had worn me out. Moreover, I caught some kind of bug.

“Do you think your brother will be there?”

“No, he has classes through the evening. He also works part-time. I’ll be fine, though. I’ll manage.”

“So you’ll be alone at home until evening?”

“It’s the same as always. It’s nothing new.”

“B-But you’re sick. What about your aunt?”

“Naah... I don’t want to bother them. They live three stations away. Anyway, thank you for bringing me here, Kyashii. You should get back to class.”

“. . . .”

“What?” I wonder why she’s staring at me anxiously.

“I will bring your things before lunch, so please wait for me.”

“Hmm… Thank you, Kyashii. I owe you one.” I smiled shyly at her before closing my eyes. The medicine must have kicked in because I’m all sleepy now.

I opened my eyes to a warm sensation on my face.

“Ohh… You’re awake.” Kyashii gently caresses my forehead.

“Hmm… What time is it?”

“It’s already past 12. Minori and the others dropped by just now. Everyone’s worried about you. And ermm… Just a little while ago, your kouhai was here too.”

“Ohh...” Takashi-san also came, huh?

“So, how are you feeling, Yuyo?”

“I’m still getting headaches. It looks like I’ll have to go home after all.” I sit up from the bed, clutching my forehead.

This is the worst. There’s no way I can attend afternoon classes.

“I brought your things with me. Do you want to eat first before heading home?”

“Nah... I think I’d rather go home.” I wonder if I will be able to get home on my own. I need to contact my brother.

“Okay. I’ll take your bag, Yuyo.”

“Uhh... Are you sure?”

“Yeah… I’ll carry it for you. So, let’s go?”

Kyashii’s left hand is holding mine while her right carries both of our bags as we walk to the taxi stand. She literally had her hands full.

“Kyashii, I’m sorry for being a bother. Somehow, it feels strange that you’re looking after me.”

“If you wish, I can always take care of you, Yuyo.” It was a sincere statement, I think.

“Of course. I'd love that.”

“Heeh…”

“In any case, you should have left your bag with Nazumi-san rather than carrying it all the way out here.”

“What do you mean by that? I’m taking you home. Naturally, I need my bag,” she casually replied.

“Ohh. That makes–... Huh?! You’re coming over? Why??”

“I’m sure you know the answer to that. You have no one with you at home, and your brother comes home in the evening. You must eat, but cooking is out of the question in your current state. You’re still sick–”

“Yeah... Yeah... I got it.” I cut her short. She’s undoubtedly prepared to answer that question, isn’t she? “I’m sorry you had to miss class because of me.”

"It's okay. I care about you more than anything else, Yuyo. And I’ve already explained the situation to our homeroom teacher. Minori helped me out with it."

"Uhh… I'm sorry if I caused too much trouble." I squeezed her hand.

"Don't be like that. You didn't set out to get sick. Let's not worry about it, yeah?" Kyashii glanced at me with a smile that could fill one with warmth.

That smile moves me.

". . . ."

Tears are welling up in my eyes. Urgh! Being sick gets me emotional and makes me feel vulnerable. It’s as if the only choice I have is to rely on someone I trust.

“Kyashii, thank you. I’m so glad you’re in my life,” I feebly uttered as I tightened my grip on her hand. I mean it.

Right now, I feel like it’s okay to be sick as long as I know someone will take care of me, regardless of whether I ask that person or not. While my brother would undoubtedly look after me if I asked him to, I’d still inevitably get in the way of his studies and work.

The situation with Kyashii is the same, but it makes me feel better that she does it without me even asking. That’s how caring she is.

“It’s awful to say this, but sometimes, I think it’s good to see you sick,” she giggled.

“What?? How rude...” Just as I was thinking about how kind she is, she’s telling me this?

“Haha! Don’t be upset. It’s just that you seem vulnerable and honest when you’re not feeling well. It’s far from your image of a reliable and self-reliant person. So, it looks like Yuyo has a different side to her than I thought.”

“Ohh... I get it. Yeah... I guess sickness messes with my mental state and emotions.”

“Heeh~... But I’m glad to see that side of you. I look forward to seeing more different sides of you from now on.” Kyashii’s gentle smile helped me feel a little better.