Before heading to Arisa’s house, there was something Yuzuru needed to do first.
He pulled out his phone and called Amagi Naoki.
He apologised for calling during work.
Explained that Arisa had caught a cold.
Asked for permission to enter the house to check on her.
And requested to use part of the kitchen to take care of her.
He conveyed all four points.
It’s fine. …I’m sorry, Yuzuru-kun. Please take care of my daughter.
No, Arisa is my fiancée.
…By the way, Yuzuru-kun.
Yes… what is it?
What do you… think of Arisa?
The sudden question made Yuzuru tilt his head.
What was that about?
I think she’s someone very important to me.
…I see. My apologies—that was a strange thing to ask.
Since Naoki was working, they couldn’t talk for long.
Yuzuru ended the call, planning to update him on Arisa’s condition later.
With permission secured, Yuzuru headed to Arisa’s house.
He rang the intercom and announced his arrival.
After a short while, the door opened slightly.
Standing there was Arisa, dressed in pyjamas with a cardigan thrown over them.
Her usually neat hair was slightly dishevelled.
Half her face was covered by a mask, but it was clear her complexion wasn’t good.
“Morning, Arisa.”
“Good morning… cough, cough”
She coughed.
Thinking the cold air wouldn’t help, Yuzuru quickly closed the door behind him.
“Sorry, did I wake you?”
“No… I’m alright…”
For now, he followed her as she led him to her room.
(She doesn’t look well at all.)
Though she was trying to appear composed, her steps were unsteady.
Yuzuru decided he should stay with her for the day.
“This is my room.”
It was his first time seeing it.
A little small, but neatly arranged, with cute furnishings.
A very girlish room.
If she weren’t ill, he might have taken more time to appreciate it.
“I see. I’ll remember it. For now, get some rest.”
“…Okay.”
It seemed she really was struggling.
She obediently slipped into bed.
“Have you been to the hospital? From how you look, I’m guessing not.”
“…No. cough… My temperature’s around 37 degrees, so I thought I’d be fine.”
Honestly, she didn’t look fine at all.
But at 37 degrees, it wasn’t necessarily urgent enough to rush to a hospital.
“…By the way, have you eaten lunch? If not, I can go buy some instant porridge or canned peaches.”
He couldn’t cook porridge from scratch, but he could at least manage ready-made food.
Though if there was something already in the house, that would be easier.
“…Not yet. I’d appreciate it if you could buy something. We don’t really have that kind of stuff here… I was a bit stuck.”
“Got it. I’ll also grab some throat lozenges and Pocari Sweat. Anything else? Do you have enough medicine?”
“I have some at home, so that’s fine. Um… I’m sorry, but could you also get some cooling sheets? I’ve run out.”
“Alright, leave it to me.”
After telling her to call him if anything happened, Yuzuru headed to a nearby pharmacy and bought everything she needed.
She didn’t contact him while he was out—
But just in case, he jogged back.
“Arisa, I’m back.”
He called out from outside her room.
No response.
He knocked, then stepped inside.
(…Is she asleep?)
Thinking that, he leaned in to look at her face.
Her complexion seemed even worse than before.
“Ugh… Yuzuru-san?”
“Are you alright?”
Sweat beaded on her face, her expression strained as she opened her eyes slightly.
She looked utterly exhausted.
Yuzuru placed a hand on her forehead.
“That’s a high fever… You should check again. Can you do it yourself?”
He picked up a thermometer nearby and handed it to her.
Arisa gave a small nod, then began unbuttoning her pyjama top.
A glimpse of her white, modest underwear came into view.
Yuzuru quickly averted his eyes.
“Done?”
“…Yes.”
He took the thermometer from her.
38.7 degrees.
“With a fever like this, you should go to the hospital. It could be influenza.”
“Uu… but how…”
“I’ll call a taxi.”
He used his phone to arrange one.
Fortunately, there was one nearby, and it arrived quickly.
“Arisa, can you stand?”
After preparing her insurance card and essentials, he asked.
She nodded faintly.
“Yes… I’m alright.”
She tried to stand—
But immediately wavered.
Yuzuru quickly caught her.
“Don’t push yourself. I’ll carry you.”
“Ah—no, wait—”
Ignoring her protests, he scooped her up.
A princess carry.
She looked startled at first, but soon clutched his clothes and went still.
Carrying her like that, he took her outside, placed her into the taxi, and told the driver to head to the hospital.
Fortunately, it wasn’t influenza.
She was prescribed medicine for her runny nose and cough, along with fever reducers, and they returned home.
By the time they got back, it was already midday.
“Arisa, do you have any appetite?”
He asked as he helped her back into bed.
She shook her head weakly.
“Not really…”
“I see…”
Still, the medicine was meant to be taken after meals.
She needed to eat something.
“Could you manage some canned peaches?”
“…Maybe a little.”
He went to the fridge, took out the chilled canned peaches, and transferred them to a dish before bringing them back with a fork.
Helping her sit up, he placed the dish in her hands.
“If it’s too much, you can leave it. Just try one bite.”
“…”
Arisa stared at the dish blankly.
Then her jade eyes shifted to Yuzuru.
“Um…”
“What is it? …Can’t you eat?”
“No, it’s just…”
A faint blush spread across her cheeks.
It didn’t seem to be from the fever.
“What is it?”
For a moment, Yuzuru wondered if she preferred yellow peaches over white ones—
“…Please.”
“Hm?”
“Please… feed me.”
She said it softly, her eyes slightly teary as she looked at him.
