(A/N: Can you give this book a review pls ... :( )
Do you know what it's like to feel unwell?
Your body temperature rises, headaches and nausea set in, lethargy weighs you down, and both your mind and body feel utterly drained.
What people commonly call a cold.
I, Hikigaya Hachiman, was experiencing my very first cold in life.
Back when I was in the White Room, I never caught a cold.
Or rather, there were no factors that could cause one.
That place had strict climate control, always maintaining the perfect temperature. No dryness, no chill—nothing of the sort.
The food wasn't exactly delicious, but it provided all the necessary nutrients, so there were no issues on that front. Even sleep was strictly managed, so I never once experienced anything like poor health.
My first-ever cold.
Right now, I'm lying in bed, and the situation is pretty rough. My body feels sluggish, and a slight headache is creeping in.
The one stroke of luck is that I caught it during winter break.
I used up all the groceries yesterday, so now the fridge is practically empty except for some condiments.
Honestly, I don't feel well enough to go out, so I'll have to ask someone to get something for me.
…Ishizaki should do.
Ryuuen and a few others crossed my mind, but among the people I know, he's probably the most reliable when it comes to buying the right things.
If I asked Ryuuen, he'd probably come back with something like beef fat…
"Take care of it, Ishizaki…"
I texted Ishizaki, telling him I had a cold and asking him to pick up some things for me.
Placing my hopes in him, I surrendered to the overwhelming drowsiness pulling me under.
....
"What is it?"
While reading a book I borrowed from the library in my room, I received a message from Ishizaki-kun.
"Sorry, Shiina! Hikigaya's apparently caught a cold. He just asked me to buy him some stuff, but Ryuuen-senpai's got me running an errand right now! I hate to ask, but could you go take care of him instead?"
"Hachiman-kun has a cold..."
As I read Ishizaki-kun's typical message, I found something unbelievable written there.
This is serious! I have to go right away!
I quickly changed out of my loungewear into proper clothes, grabbed my phone, and headed out.
First, I stopped by the convenience store to stock up on jelly and pudding—easy to eat when sick—along with a cooling sheet for his forehead. Since I planned to make lunch for him, I also bought ingredients for porridge.
"This should be enough."
After checking the contents of my bag, I returned to the dorm.
Still, I couldn't help but wonder—why didn't Hachiman-kun ask *me* first to take care of him?
It made me a little sulky.
"I would've helped anytime..."
Feeling slightly dejected, I waited for the elevator. This time, I pressed the button for the boys' dorm floor—something I never usually do.
"This is it, right...?"
Standing right in front of Hachiman-kun's door, I suddenly felt nervous.
I've never been inside a boy's room before. And if the first one I enter is *his*, that just makes my heart race even more.
According to his message, the door was unlocked, so I took a deep breath and slowly turned the handle.
Trying to make myself as small as possible from nerves, I stepped inside. The layout seemed identical to the girls' rooms.
After slipping off my shoes, I quietly made my way to the living area, where I found Hachiman-kun fast asleep in bed.
"Hehe... out like a light."
Seeing him breathing steadily in his sleep made me smile without thinking.
Somehow, he looked really cute like this.
"I should start making the porridge."
Trying not to make any noise, I carefully put away the groceries in his fridge.
It really was empty. Good thing I bought so much.
I tied on the apron I'd brought from my room and stood at the kitchen counter.
Using Hachiman-kun's cooking utensils, I chopped the ingredients. Porridge is easy to eat when sick, after all. I wasn't sure how much he'd want, so I decided to make extra.
"Ishizaki...?"
Just as I was waiting for the rice to finish cooking, Hachiman-kun seemed to wake up. Rubbing his eyes, he looked at me—mistaking me for Ishizaki-kun.
"Sorry, Ishizaki... I'll pay you back the points later..."
"Good morning, Hachiman-kun."
"...Hiyori?"
"Yes. It's me."
I stepped closer, tilting my head up slightly to meet his eyes due to our height difference. His sleepy eyes widened in surprise.
"Ishizaki-kun said he had plans today, so he asked me to come take care of you instead."
Since he still seemed confused, I gave him a brief but polite explanation. He seemed to understand quickly.
"Oh. Sorry for dragging you in on your day off."
"Not at all! I'll always help when you're sick! So next time, make sure to ask me first, okay?"
"R-Right. I'll count on you from now on."
I might've pressed a little too firmly, but... I really do want him to rely on me in times like these.
"The porridge will be ready soon, so stay in bed. I'll bring it to you when it's done."
"Got it. Thanks."
Hachiman-kun grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and went back to bed.
Meanwhile, I transferred the finished porridge to a bowl and brought it over.
I wonder if he'll say it's delicious?
....
Once I woke up, I grabbed some water and then burrowed back under the covers.
I was genuinely surprised earlier—opening my eyes to see Hiyori standing in the kitchen wearing an apron, smiling softly at me. Honestly, it felt like the nicest way to wake up. And on top of that, she even went out of her way to make me porridge. I couldn't be more grateful.
Thanks to the sleep, the fatigue and headache have started fading. At this rate, I'll probably be fine by tomorrow.
"It's ready."
While I was just sitting there blankly, Hiyori walked over carrying a tray. I expected her to just hand me the bowl of porridge, but instead, she sat down beside me and lifted a spoon toward my mouth.
"Here you go. Say 'ahh'~"
With a gentle smile, she held the spoon out to me. Normally, I'd brush something like this off without a second thought, but right now, I don't have the energy to resist. So I obediently accepted.
As the porridge touched my tongue, I realized I'd never actually had it before—but the taste was unexpectedly mild and comforting. No wonder people eat this when they're sick.
"How is it…?"
"It's good. I never knew porridge could taste this nice."
The moment I said that, Hiyori's face lit up with a bright smile.
"I'm so glad! Okay, now—ahh~"
Still smiling, she brought another spoonful to my lips, and I quietly savored her homemade cooking. She must have made a lot, but it was so good that I ended up finishing every last bite.
"How's your fever?"
"I think it's gotten a lot better, but I'm still a little sluggish."
"I see… Do you mind?"
As she said that, Hiyori slowly leaned her face closer to mine. I braced myself slightly, wondering what she was doing—until she pressed her forehead firmly against mine.
"About 37 degrees… You still need a little more rest, I think."
Her eyes had been closed the whole time, but once she finished checking, she opened them—and suddenly, her clear blue eyes were staring straight into mine. Then, as if only just realizing what she'd done, her face started turning redder by the second.
"S-Sorry…!"
"N-No, it's fine."
Her face completely flushed, she quickly put distance between us.
…Damn. That might've just made my fever spike again.
"U-Um! I-I'll go wash the dishes!"
Avoiding eye contact completely, her ears burning red, she practically fled to the kitchen.
Hiyori really is something else. She does things like this without even realizing, and it's terrible for my heart.
I felt a little bad letting her do the dishes, but right now, making eye contact would just make things awkward. I'll just let her take care of it.
...…I'm sleepy.
Lying there, listening to the clatter of dishes from the kitchen, the fullness in my stomach started pulling me back toward sleep. Even though I just woke up, drowsiness was already creeping in.
I tried to fight it, but within minutes, I lost the battle against the demon known as sleep.
....
After finishing the dishes, I ended up making dinner as well. Given his condition earlier, cooking for himself would probably be too much, so this should be fine.
And besides…
"Hehe…"
Just remembering Hachiman-kun saying my cooking was delicious makes me grin.
I try to school my expression back to normal before checking on him again.
"...He fell asleep."
He's breathing softly, sound asleep. It's probably best to let him rest so he can recover faster.
"..."
Then, I suddenly notice something.
Hachiman-kun is sleeping on the very edge of the bed, leaving a lot of space on the other side.
"J-Just for a little while…"
I know this is wrong. I *know* it. But I lose to temptation and slip into bed beside him.
"It's warm…"
Under the covers, his body heat surrounds me.
Hachiman-kun is facing the opposite direction, so all I can see is his back.
Just knowing he's lying right next to me—even if his back is turned—makes my whole body tense up with nerves.
"His back… is so broad…"
Unlike a girl's, his back is wide and solid.
I've never been this close to a boy's back before.
"...H-Hey."
Before I can stop myself, I wrap my arms around him.
The firm, masculine feel of his back under my hands sends heat rushing through me, my face burning so much it feels like it might catch fire.
His back is even warmer than the blankets, and my heart pounds so hard I can barely think—but at the same time, I've never felt happier.
"—!!"
Then, Hachiman-kun shifts in his sleep, turning toward me.
I reflexively look away. If I meet his eyes right now, I'll lose it completely.
"Just a little longer…"
I press closer, burying my face against his chest.
Our bodies are flush against each other now, and I can feel his warmth even more intensely.
"I love you… I really, really love you…"
I'm hopeless, aren't I?
Whispering things like this while he's asleep.
I've never been this aware of a boy before—never felt this way about anyone.
I don't even know how to handle these emotions.
"I love you. I adore you…"
Even though I know he can't hear me, I can't stop saying it.
Just being able to tell him these words makes me so happy.
Every new side of him I see only draws me in deeper.
But… I'm not the only one who sees his charm.
Sakayanagi-san, Matsushita-san—even Ibuki-san has started looking at him differently lately.
"So many people know you."
It makes me miserable, thinking about all the parts of him I don't know—and yet, at the same time, it fills me with joy to know there are sides of him only I've seen.
Is it selfish to feel this way?
"But right now, at least…"
I hold him tighter.
Our bodies press even closer, leaving no space between us.
"I love you so much, Hachiman-kun…"
His warmth is so comforting, so soothing… that before I know it, I drift into a deep sleep.
...
I woke up.
I must have slept for quite a while because the overwhelming drowsiness from earlier was almost completely gone. Glancing at the clock, I realized I'd been out for about three hours.
Then, suddenly, I noticed something strange—a weight against my chest.
Hesitantly, I lifted the covers.
And there she was… Hiyori, clinging to me in her sleep, breathing peacefully with a blissful expression.
...
Today, I learned that the human brain has a tendency to shut down when faced with something too shocking to process.
What happened? *How* did this happen…?
For now, I tried to figure out how to escape this situation without waking her. But the slightest movement risked rousing her, leaving me trapped in place.
Desperate for ideas, I scanned the room—only to spot neatly arranged dishes in the kitchen.
…She cooked for me.
Come to think of it, I'd been nothing but a burden to Hiyori today. She took care of me without hesitation, even making dinner despite everything.
In that case, there was really only one thing I could say.
"Thank you, Hiyori."
——————————
And in the end?
When she finally woke up, Hiyori flusteredly tried to brush the whole thing off, hurriedly serving the food before I could ask any questions—then bolted back to her own room.
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