After My First Love Who is My Classmate Became My Family, My Childhood Friend Became Really Sweet to Me - Chapter 25

Hinata and Tsukino/Tangerine/Don’t Do it Alone

As Tsukino and I finished eating dinner, I got another message from Hinata.

[I’m thirsty, if you could bring me something to drink, that would be great.]

After I got the message, I took some water for Hinata and we went inside her room.

Hinata’s fever and headache had subside, Hinata’s face looked better than she did this morning.

Hinata was surprised when she saw Tsukino.

“Tsu-Tsukino-chan…? Perhaps you stayed for me?”

“I thought it would be a lot harder if Yuto takes care of Hinata-san alone.”

“I am so happy that you came to visit me. But I don’t want to trouble Tsukino, you don’t have force yourself to take care of me.”

“…? It’s normal to worry about your friends when they get sick, right? Besides, Hinata-san is always working hard for the student council. At least at times like this, I want to be helpful to Hinata-san.”

“…Tsukino-chan.”

“So, let me help you, okay? Hinata-san, your pyjamas are soaked with sweat. You might get cold if you leave them on, why don’t you take them off?”

“Yeah, r-right now!? Wait, wait a minute. Yuto is looking at me…!”

“A-Ah, yeah. Don’t worry, I will look away.”

As I saw Tsukino unbuttoning Hinata’s pyjamas, I turned my back in a hurry.

Tsukino was so uptight. That’s how much she wanted to take care of Hinata.

“How are you feeling? I hope you’re feeling a little better.”

“I think my fever has gone down a little compared to this morning. This morning my head really hurts and I was in a daze the whole time.”

“Was it really that bad?”

“The only thing I remember is that I had a dream.”

“A dream?”

“I dreamed that I was bathing in a lake and a squirrel came out of the bushes to wipe my back. It felt really nice and cold.”

Hinata, that is not a dream.

I was the one who wiped your back, not a squirrel.

Looks like her headache was mixing up her dreams and reality. Thank God.

After Hinata finished changing her clothes, I took the thermometer to check her temperature. She was at 38.5 degrees Celsius. It looked like she still needs to rest.

I looked at my watch and saw it was past eight o’clock.

“It’s already this late? Tsukino has school tomorrow, shouldn’t you go home soon?”

“Yuto, are you okay taking care of Hinata-san alone?”

“I can manage it on my own tonight. Thanks for today. You washed Hinata’s laundry and looked after her when I went shopping. You were really helpful.”

“No problem at all. It’s for Hinata-san’s sake. …oh, that’s right. I’ll keep quiet about the fact that you two are living together, I’ll keep it a secret. So don’t worry about it okay Hinata-san?”

Then Tsukino smiled at Hinata.

A smile that the mysterious moon angel would never show to anyone but me.

“We’re going to be neighbours from now on. If you have any problems like you had today, you can call me anytime, okay?”

“…yeah. Thankyou Tsukino-chan.”

Then I saw Tsukino off to the front door saying ‘I don’t know if I can take care of you tomorrow, but thank you for your help today.’ and said goodbye to Tsukino.

After seeing Tsukino off, I went back to Hinata’s room.

“Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat? I can make you porridge like I did in the morning, and there’s also tangerines and yoghurts. “

“I think I’ll go with tangerines. I feel like eating fruits now.”

As I was nodding at Hinata’s words, I brought a few tangerines and started peeling them.

Hinata seemed surprised at me who was peeling the tangerines.

“You’ll feed me?”

“You still have a high fever, and it is hard for you to move right? Is Hinata the type of person that don’t mind eating the white strings of the tangerine?”

“I think I’d rather to have it removed if possible, it tastes better without it.”

“Sure, wait a second.”

After carefully removing the white strings of the tangerine, I picked up a slice of tangerine using a fork and brought it to Hinata’s mouth.

Hinata’s expression lit up as she eats the tangerine.

“It’s really sweet and delicious.”

“I’m glad to hear it, I still got plenty of it so keep on eating them, okay?”

“Did you prepare that much for me?”

“I thought Hinata might want to eat them. I also have some apples and yogurt for Hinata. I want Hinata to get better, so feel free to eat as much as you like.”

Every time I feed her those tangerine slices; she eats them in no time.

But suddenly, Hinata stopped eating them.

“What’s wrong? Maybe you haven’t regained your appetite yet or…?”

“…t-that’s not it.”

With a blush on her cheek, Hinata spoke with embarrassment.

“This is the first time I’ve had someone feed me. I’m kind of embarrassed.”

“…right? I felt the same way when I was being fed by Hinata. Now that you’re in the position of being fed, you understand how embarrassing it is.”

“B-But that was a punishment for Yuto because he was late for dinner.”

“Then, are you going to stop eating them because you are embarrassed?”

“…no way. I still want to eat them.”

“Then you have to hold your embarrassment.”

“Hmm…”

Hinata ate the tangerines with a pouting face, but she seemed really enjoying them.

Then, with a giggle, Hinata let out a laugh.

“I’m sorry for troubling Yuto and Tsukino like this. It’s been a long time since I’ve been nursed like this.”

“It’s been a long time…? You have at least a family member to take care of you right?”

“I think the last time I was nursed like this was when I was really little. From elementary school and so on, I already could manage it on my own. I didn’t want to bother my mother so I didn’t tell her I had a cold.”

I was so surprised that I stopped peeling those tangerines.

Again, just as she tried to go to the student council meeting with that fever, Hinata was trying to take all of the burden on herself again, she was trying to do it alone.

“I really don’t mind nursing you. I’m used to taking care of Tsukino after all.”

“Yeah, I know it. Yuto is a very kind person, isn’t he? You are the kind of person who would stay with me and take care of me happily. You will feel happy if what you do will be good for someone.”

Then, Hinata vaguely smiled.

“But I don’t want to show Yuto how weak I am. I don’t want you to hate me…”

“Don’t be ridiculous, I won’t hate Hinata for it, I never will. For me Hinata is—”

Hinata is my first love. Yeah, I was going to say that.

But I couldn’t say it.

I felt like if I said those words, me and Hinata won’t be a family.

Then Hinata finished the few remaining pieces of the tangerines.

“You might want to go to bed early today. If you need anything else, just call me on my smartphone and I’ll be right over. …I hope you feel better tomorrow.”

As I was about to get up, Hinata squeezed my arm as if to hold me back.

“…if it’s not too much trouble.”

Hinata muttered in a pained expression.

“Stay here until I fall asleep. Just for tonight, I need you by my side.”

“Hinata…?”

“Please don’t go… Don’t leave me alone.

“…yeah, sure. I’m not going anywhere.”

How could I say no to Hinata when she asked me to stay with her with a face like that?

Well, it couldn’t be helped, I’m going to stay with Hinata the night.

“I’m sorry about today. I made you take care of me all day… I’m really troublesome, am I?”

“I don’t mind it at all. I’m not that heartless to leave my sister alone when she’s sick. I even went along with your selfishness.”

“…thankyou.”

Eventually, Hinata slowly closed her eyes… I’m sure she couldn’t think properly because of her fever.

Tears were flowing from Hinata’s eyes, she seemed really tired and sleepy.

“—————”

I even forgot to breathe at the sight of it.

Hinata said that she had to do her best because she is the student council president. She can’t cause trouble for anyone. She didn’t want to bother me or Tsukino.

But I think…

Maybe—she was just desperately trying to hide her own weakness.

“Why are you crying like that when I’m beside you? I’m your family after all. …why don’t you let me spoil you a little bit?”

Hinata is a strong girl. She is kinder, more hard working, and more responsible than everyone else I know. That’s why I admired such a girl and I found myself liking her more than anyone else.

But that’s my perspective as her classmate.

Now I’m Hinata’s family, Hinata’s little brother.

The girl in front of me, who is praised as the sunflower goddess, seemed… terribly fragile, she seemed like a girl who is in danger of breaking down at any moment.

“…Hinata.”

If tomorrow, Hinata wakes up as usual. I wonder if I can pretend that I didn’t see those tears and live my life as usual.

So, that night I thought about it for a little bit.

What I can do for Hinata.