A Story About a Blonde Gal Angel Who Excessively Praises My Cooking. After Asking Me to Teach Her How to Cook, Feelings of Mutual Love Began to Grow - Chapter 43-44

Chapter 43: Nursed by Amatsuka (1)

“Guh…”

After treating Kurose-san to a meal, I returned home and collapsed onto the sofa like a pile of mud. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this exhausted on a day off.

“…Alone, huh.”

Usually, from here, I’d still have to cook for Chika or Manoka-san. But neither of them are around.

“I’m so tired, I don’t even have the energy to take a bath.”

Fatigue spreads through my body and mind. In my head, I saw the smiling face of Amatsuka-san and the crying face of Kurose-san at the same time.

“…Today was just about eating food.”

Lunch with Amatsuka-san and the others. It was fun. I was a bit envious too.

Cooking at Kurose-san’s place. I made her cry again. Since she said she felt like a human again, it probably wasn’t a bad thing.

That’s all it was. There weren’t any bloody events like someone dying or a series of betrayals.

So why am I this tired? But it’s not a bad kind of tiredness. That’s all I know for sure. It’s a different kind of exhaustion than from staring at prices or doing housework.

“…I’m so tired…”

And with that, I fell asleep.

☆☆☆

“Haa… Haa… Haa…”

The next morning, Sunday, I felt unbearably sluggish. I felt feverish and had no strength in my body.

“…Did I catch a cold…?”

No runny nose or cough. Just fatigue and a fever. My clothes were sticking to me from sweat, making me feel gross.

“…A phone call?”

As I lay face down, dead on the sofa, my phone was vibrating. Forcing my limp arm to stretch out, I grabbed my phone from the table.

The time displayed was already past noon. Surprised that I’d slept that long, I answered the call.

“…Hello?”

“Hello? Motobu-kun?”

It was Amatsuka-san.

“…What’s up?”

I tried to act as if nothing was wrong, even though my mind was foggy.

“Hey, Motobu-kun, are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, well, I’m fine…”

For some reason, she was already suspicious. While still on the call, I checked my call log and comments, and saw that Amatsuka-san had already tried to contact me several times. It was past noon, and I hadn’t responded to her like I usually would.

“I’m just a little under the weather.” “Wait for me.”

With that, she hung up. At the same time, I lost consciousness again.

☆☆☆

“…Nn…”

“Motobu-kun, are you okay?”

When I woke up again, Amatsuka-san was peering down at me. Whether it was because of my splitting headache or the fever, she looked more divine than usual.

“…Good morning.”

“Motobu-kun, let’s get you to bed. Can you stand?”

I’d been passed out on the sofa, and my body was aching. It seemed I’d fallen unconscious in a strange position.

“I’m fi—”

“You’re wobbling!”

I couldn’t stand. I must look like a boxer on the verge of collapsing. I couldn’t muster any strength in my legs or body.

“Motobu-kun, lean on my shoulder.”

“Oh, but I’m all sweaty…”

“You don’t smell bad.”

With that, she grabbed my right wrist and put her arm around my shoulder. Her sweet scent made my head spin. Or maybe it was just my illness…

I staggered towards the bed with Amatsuka-san’s help, feeling utterly pathetic.

“Okay, Motobu-kun, take off your clothes.”

“Right…”

I struggled to take off the clothes that were sticking to my back. It was hot, but I felt cold.

“I’ll wipe your back.”

“Thank you.”

At this point, I just let her do what she needed to.

“I feel like I’m being taken care of.”

“This is Miu Amatsuka, in charge of taking care of my master.”

Amatsuka-san smiled as she said that. Just seeing her smile made me feel relieved.

“Do you want to eat something, or do you want to sleep?”

As she took my temperature, Amatsuka-san asked me. I didn’t have any appetite. I just wanted to sleep.

“I want to sleep.”

“Okay. Good night.”

With that, Amatsuka-san covered me with a blanket. Just seeing her smiling face made me feel at ease, and I drifted off to sleep once again.

—

Chapter 44: Nursed by Amatsuka (2)

After falling asleep under the watchful eye of Amatsuka, a few hours passed.

“…I still feel sluggish…”

Even so, I was feeling much better. When I checked the time, it was past 3:00 PM. Amatsuka had stayed by my side the whole time and was now sleeping next to the bed. She was using her crossed arms as a pillow. Her long blonde hair was tied in a ponytail, probably to take care of me, and I couldn’t help but glance at her neck.

Feeling guilty, I quickly looked away. It’s not right to have such thoughts about Amatsuka. Especially not someone like me, a mere background character.

“Mm… Oh, Motobu-kun, good morning. How are you feeling?”

Amatsuka opened her eyes, meeting mine with a gentle smile. I don’t know why, but I started to feel like she was my girlfriend. Of course, that could never happen.

“Thanks to you, I’m managing somehow.”

“Are you still feeling sluggish?”

“…Yes, a little.”

“I made some rice porridge. Do you think you can eat it?”

“Thank you. I’ll have some.”

“Good!”

As I was changing my clothes after sweating again while sleeping, Amatsuka brought over the porridge.

“I’ll put your clothes in the laundry basket.”

“Thank you.”

I exchanged my clothes for the porridge. It had been a long time since I last had rice porridge. I hadn’t been sick in quite a while, so it felt like ages since someone had made porridge for me.

“I’m sorry, Amatsuka. My clothes must have smelled bad, drenched in sweat like that.”

I apologized again to Amatsuka as she went to put my clothes in the laundry basket.

“Huh? Oh, no, it’s fine! Actually, it kind of smelled go—Oh, is the porridge too hot? Is it okay?”

“It’s just right. It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad.”

Amatsuka seemed strangely happy as she watched me eat the porridge, resting her cheek on her hand.

“Uh, it’s a bit embarrassing to eat when you’re staring at me like that.”

“Sorry! I’m just happy, I guess.”

“…Are you enjoying watching me in this weakened state or something?”

“No! That’s not it, really! I’m just happy that you’re eating it so deliciously.”

“Ah… I understand that feeling.”

“Right? I was worried about the seasoning and if I messed up or not.”

Cooking for someone else. This is basic for me. When Chika or Manoka aren’t around like now, I often just make something quick and easy. You could say I prioritize cost-efficiency.

“When someone says it’s delicious, it’s reassuring, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. That’s why I can’t help but smile when I see you enjoying your food, Motobu-kun.”

Well, it’s not like I can complain when I’m the one being taken care of while sick. I understand how she feels, so I resigned myself to being watched by Amatsuka as I chewed the porridge.

“By the way, why did you come here?”

“To take care of you, you mean?”

“Yes.”

I couldn’t bear her smiling at me while I ate for more than three seconds, so I threw in a question to distract her. If it lasted any longer, I’d definitely start to fall for her. Yeah, no doubt about it. I’d mistakenly think she liked me, confess, and then get rejected, which would make me want to die.

That was a close call. Expecting things from others never ends well. That’s something I’ve learned in my 15 or 16 years of life. I’ll keep that in mind from now on.

“After lunch yesterday, I went shopping with Mom, and then I messaged you in the evening, but you didn’t reply. I thought you might be busy, so I called you today, and you sounded like you were about to die, so I rushed over… and here we are, I guess?”

Even though my question was just an escape, thanks to Amatsuka’s concern, I was starting to recover. Chika wouldn’t be back until the evening, so it could have been really bad if she hadn’t come. With how I was feeling now, I might be able to make it to school tomorrow.

“You’re looking much better now.”

“Thank you, Amatsuka. And thank you for the meal.”

“I’ll wash the dishes. Why don’t you take another nap?”

“…I’ll take you up on that.”

“Good night, Motobu-kun.”

My empty stomach was now filled with warm porridge, and my body felt nourished. I didn’t understand why I was being so honest and dependent on Amatsuka now. It was a mystery to me, but it felt nice.

Amatsuka’s kindness must have made me this way. Gratitude for her filled my weakened body, and soon after, I fell asleep again.