We were reminiscing happily about old memories at the park, but the next day, we had to go to school, and Yuuka had caught a cold.
“Oh dear, 38 degrees. Maybe it’s from exhaustion.” (Mom)
Mom looked at the thermometer and gave her judgment.
“She might need to rest for three days. Let’s go to the hospital first thing in the morning.” (Mom)
She began nursing Yuuka.
“Yuuto, I feel awful… Hug me.” (Yuuka)
Yuuka looked miserable. She must’ve been feeling even weaker than usual and wanted someone to dote on her.
As I held Yuuka in my arms…
“You’ll catch it too, so stop that. Come on, get ready for school.” (Mom)
Mom scolded me. I had no choice but to pull away from Yuuka.
“Yuutooo, don’t gooo—!” (Yuuka)
Yuuka burst into tears.
“Mom, can I stay home today and help take care of her—” (Yuuto)
Just as I was about to tell her I wanted to skip school because I was worried about Yuuka…
“You’re going to school. I’ll take care of Yuuka-chan. Come on, you’ll catch it too if you stay. Go already.” (Mom)
And with that, I got kicked out of the house.
Even as I walked away, I could hear Yuuka’s wailing through the door, but I hardened my heart and made my way to school.
Going to school alone for the first time in a while, I couldn’t shake a sense of emptiness.
I kept remembering how she always buzzed around me, rode on my back, asked for piggyback rides, or had me carry her on my shoulders.
Well, it’s just three days… I wonder if I can endure it.
This was the first time I’d ever felt so lonely without Yuuka. Maybe I’d taken for granted how she was always by my side.
When I got to school, Kaori-chan and Kouhei looked at me—
“Huh? What happened to Yuuka-chan today?” (Kaori)
“Yeah, really—she’s always with you. It’s rare to see you alone.” (Kouhei)
The two looked slightly surprised.
“Yuuka caught a cold. She’s supposed to rest for three days. Honestly, I wanted to stay home and take care of her too.” (Yuuto)
When I said that, both of them started grinning.
“It’s a boyfriend’s duty to take care of his girlfriend, after all.” (Kouhei)
“I bet Yuuka-chan really wanted Yuuto to be the one nursing her.” (Kaori)
Their comments made my face turn a little red, but I quickly shifted the mood.
“Well, mom kicked me out and told me to go to school, so here I am.” (Yuuto)
I let out a slightly disappointed tone.
“Well, yeah, parents always tell you to go to school.” (Kaori)
“If I were the parent, I’d say the same.” (Kouhei)
The two nodded in agreement.
For the rest of the day, I spent my time with a bit of a lonely feeling.
Before I realized it, school was over, and I hurried to the shoe lockers so I could rush home.
When I opened the locker door to change shoes, I found a letter placed on top of mine.
When I checked the contents, I was shocked.
It said, “Please come behind the school building after class tomorrow.”
TL Notes:
Thanks for reading!
Yes… The synopsis is finally happening…
Footnote:
- None