Akira emerged from school, his backpack slung over his shoulders, and wandered the streets.
Usually, he would head straight to his part-time job after school, but with this unexpected free afternoon, he was at a loss for where to go.
He couldn't just go home and rest; that wasn't part of his plan.
But what plan was there, really?
His original plan was to go on a date with Sajuna-chan, but then he realized he had finished his exams and had no classes in the afternoon.
However, Sajuna, who was also a university student, didn't have exams and was still at SakuranoMiya Girls' University!
Thinking this, Akira still took out his phone and sent Sajuna a message.
[Akira: Sajuna, how's school life going?]
After a while, Sajuna's message arrived belatedly.
[Sajuna: I didn't go to school today; I'm resting at home.]
Then another message came through.
[Sajuna: I caught a cold.]
Caught a cold?
Akira's first thought wasn't that his opportunity had arrived, but rather a pang of concern.
Although May wasn't scorching hot yet, it still had the warmth of early summer. But if one wasn't careful, there could still be a strong temperature difference between morning and evening.
[Akira: Wait for me]
This message was transmitted via the internet to Sajuna's phone.
Sajuna lay sideways on her bed, covered by a thick blanket, her cheeks flushed, and a nearly dry towel on her forehead.
Her phone lit up, and Akira's message appeared in the chat window.
"Eh, is he coming to my house?" Sajuna's eyes widened slightly, then she tried to type a reply, but her head was spinning, and her entire thought process stalled.
By the time she picked up her phone again, almost five minutes had passed.
He's probably on his way here now, she thought.
Sajuna gently removed the towel from her forehead with her hand, placing the back of her hand on her forehead.
Her temperature hadn't dropped, and her body felt weak and extremely fragile; even her throat was itchy and gradually drying out.
Sajuna slowly sat up, got out of bed, walked out of her bedroom to pour herself a glass of water, then crouched on the living room sofa.
Why isn't Akira-kun here yet?
Sajuna thought, hugging her knees and gently resting her face on them.
He must be really worried about me, since he rushed over without even asking any extra questions.
Her mind wandered in a daze, her previously suppressed thoughts now bubbling up from her heart like spring rain. Her face, which would normally flush with embarrassment, remained unchanged under the assault of her cold.
Only her knees, pressed tightly against her face, could feel the gradual change in her cheek's temperature.
It feels like the first time I've invited a boy over, and an adult one at that.
Sajuna waited on the sofa for about ten minutes before the doorbell rang.
She slowly unclasped her hands from around her knees, swayed to the door, and opened it for Akira.
It was in this scene that Akira saw the sick Sajuna.
Sajuna was wearing a thin, oversized white T-shirt, her fair, smooth thighs exposed, and she looked completely listless, her eyes devoid of their usual sparkle, staring blankly at Akira at the door.
Akira quickly supported Sajuna, who was standing dazedly at the door, and asked, "Sajuna, how are you feeling now?"
"Very uncomfortable." Sajuna's body stiffened for a moment when Akira supported her, then relaxed when she saw he made no other movements.
"Did you take any cold medicine?" Akira asked, pulling out some cold medicine he had bought on the way from his backpack.
"I took some this morning."
"Do you mind if I go into your bedroom?" Akira inquired.
"Ye-yes, you can," Sajuna mumbled in a daze.
"Then I'll help you back to your bedroom first," Akira decided. He sensed that Sajuna's mental state was unstable, as if just waiting for him had cost her a lot of energy.
Maintaining her composure to talk to him now was already very difficult.
The rooms in Sajuna's house all had their respective names, and Akira immediately saw where Sajuna's bedroom was. He then silently helped her back to her bedroom without a word.
As soon as he stepped into Sajuna's room, a cute aesthetic immediately greeted his eyes.
Directly opposite the door were pink curtains, tightly drawn, blocking out the sunlight from outside.
The entire room was adorned with green and white checkered wallpaper, giving the space a fresh feel. In the center of the bedroom was a small table, used for studying and other activities.
To the right was a pristine single bed, with a pink canopy over the headboard. On the bedside table sat a small brown bear and a heart-shaped chocolate box, next to a simple nightstand.
Akira gently held the already sleeping Sajuna; her soft body felt weightless, and in this state, it only made him feel more tender towards her.
The quilt on the bed was still pushed back. Akira gently placed Sajuna on the bed, adjusted her pillow, slowly withdrew his arm, and carefully covered her with the quilt, sighing as if he had completed a major task.
Sajuna was sleeping soundly, perhaps due to her trust in him; after he arrived, her mental state couldn't hold up much longer.
In the short distance from the door to the bedroom, Sajuna went from communicating to falling asleep in less than two minutes.
Akira sat by the bed, watching the sleeping Sajuna, gazing at her delicate and fragile profile. He felt an urge to gently caress her face.
So cute, I really want to kiss Sajuna.
I really want to cuddle Sajuna.
I really want to get intimate with Sajuna.
At this thought, Akira shook his head and composed himself, as if someone was telling him: Not yet, you can't get intimate!
He's an adult! Why can't he?
He thought for a moment, then walked out of the bedroom, opened the refrigerator in the living room, intending to make something for Sajuna to eat first.
Judging by Sajuna's condition, she probably didn't have the energy to cook for herself at lunchtime.
Her current low spirits were probably also due to a lack of nutrition.
Akira took ingredients from the refrigerator and walked into the kitchen.
"I'll make some porridge for Sajuna first."
Akira murmured, opened the kitchen cabinet, and scooped out some rice to set aside.
He chopped the ingredients taken from the refrigerator into small pieces and mixed them with the rice, then set up a pot, turned on the gas stove, and let it simmer on low heat.
After a while, the pot boiled, the ingredients floated and tumbled within, slowly emitting an enticing aroma.
Akira left the porridge, which still needed some time to cook, and went to the living room to take out a book from his backpack and read.
Half an hour later, Akira gently pushed open Sajuna's bedroom door again and walked to her bedside.
Sajuna was still asleep, but her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she was dreaming of something unpleasant.
Akira touched Sajuna's forehead; her temperature seemed to have dropped a little, but she probably still needed medicine.
Gently grasping Sajuna's shoulder, Akira leaned close to her ear and, while gently shaking her shoulder, whispered, "Sajuna-chan, wake up."
"Sajuna-chan, wake up."