I Thought I Was Dead After Getting Stabbed While Protecting a Girl From a Random Attacker, but a Goddess Gave Me a Special Reward and Brought Me Back to Life in My Original Body—Now, All These Girls Are Coming on to Me!? - Chapter 55: Being Taken Care of by the Girls

Chapter 55: Being Taken Care of by the Girls

As expected, or rather.

As my father had warned me, I came down with a fever the next day.

This morning, I felt a headache and body fatigue. I woke up earlier than my alarm. I had prepared a thermometer by my bedside, anticipating this situation. I measured my temperature, and the display showed [38.4℃].

I tried to get out of bed to get a drink despite my tired body. But intense muscle pain stopped me.

“Ugh…”

The pain was so strong that I groaned involuntarily. It was not just simple muscle pain. The joint pain from the fever made moving my body extremely difficult.

At that moment, someone burst into my room.

“Big brother! Are you okay!?”

“Sorry, Sakuya, did I wake you?”

“No, I just woke up early on my own. But are you really sick? Your face is red!”

“Yeah, like Dad said, I have a slight fever…”

“Slight?”

“Maybe around 37℃…”

“More like a little over 38℃, right? Okay. I’ll grab you a drink first.”

With that, Sakuya hurriedly left my room.

…It’s impossible to hide anything from Sakuya.

She returned quickly with a tray carrying tea, jelly, and fever medicine.

“I bought these yesterday. You should eat something, even if it’s just a little, right?”

“Thanks, Sakuya, you’re a lifesaver.”

“Hehe! I get to take care of you all day today, so it’s a win for me!”

“No one in the world would think taking care of someone is a win.”

“At least three other people around you would, besides me.”

“…That’s true.”

Well, those girls would probably do it happily.

It seems after school today, they’ll come over to take turns with Sakuya.

I really owe them a lot.

The refreshing citrus sweetness of the jelly stings my eyes…

“Are you skipping school today? Want to call them yourself?”

“Yeah, I can’t let you handle that too…”

“Exactly! I’ll take care of the house, so you rest!”

“Got it.”

With that, Sakuya skipped out of the room.

Normally, people think chores like that are a hassle, but Sakuya does them so cheerfully.

Maybe because I’ve watched her for so long, I don’t mind doing housework either.

With some hydration and sugar in my system, sleepiness hit me again.

If I fall asleep like this, I’ll pass out completely.

I made sure to take the medicine and contacted the school before dozing off.

Just to be safe, I also texted my friend Shinya.

He replied instantly, “Rest up!”

Reassured by his reply, I quickly drifted off into dreamland.

…

“Big brother… Big brother.”

“Hm… Sakuya…?”

A familiar, bell-like voice woke me up.

Right in front of me, Sakuya’s face was so close, it was like she was about to kiss me.

“…Miss Sakuya? What are you doing?”

“Big brother!? You actually woke up!?”

“You called me…”

“You could at least pretend to stay asleep! That’s kindness, right!?”

I opened my eyes unexpectedly, and when I spoke, she jumped back in a panic.

I feel like I’m being scolded unfairly…

“Normally, it’s fine, but kissing when I’m sick isn’t great.”

“I-I-I wasn’t planning to sneak a kiss or anything!”

“You’re panicking too much…”

After calming down with a deep breath, Sakuya spoke.

“How are you feeling, big brother?”

“Hm… still a bit tired.”

“Let’s check your temperature… oh, wait a sec.”

“Hm?”

Sakuya brushed her bangs aside and pressed her forehead against mine.

After a moment, satisfied, she pulled away.

“Hehe… I always wanted to try that~”

“…So, do I have a fever?”

“Ah!”

Sakuya apparently forgot the main point.

I grabbed the thermometer by my bedside and checked my temperature again.

[37.5℃]

“It’s gone down quite a bit.”

“The medicine’s probably working, so keep resting!”

“Okay. What time is it? How long was I out?”

“It’s about 11 a.m. Not that long, maybe?”

“I see. I shouldn’t just lie here, so maybe I’ll get up a bit.”

“Are you sure? Doesn’t your body hurt?”

At Sakuya’s words, I moved my body slightly in bed. It still hurt a bit, but not as bad as this morning.

…My recovery is pretty impressive.

I slowly got up, and Sakuya naturally supported my shoulder.

With her help, I made my way to the living room.

Ouch… Even though it’s better, the muscle pain is still rough.

I know I’ll be fine, but with this much pain, I get scared about whether I’ll really recover.

I’ll go to the hospital once my fever’s down…

“Big brother, you okay?”

“Hm…? What’s up?”

“Big brother.”

Suddenly, Sakuya grabbed both my cheeks and forced me to face her.

With a serious expression, she spoke to me.

“No secrets from me. Tell me everything.”

“Sakuya… sorry, thanks.”

“So, what were you thinking about?”

“Well, my muscle pain’s bad, so I was wondering if my body’s okay… ah.”

At my words, Sakuya’s face turned furious, and she got closer.

“Big brother! If it’s that bad, why didn’t you say so earlier!? We’re going to the hospital now!”

Oops, I messed up.

No, I wasn’t hiding it. I just didn’t have a chance to say… Wait, who am I making excuses to? Lately, my life feels full of excuses.

“Dad made a hospital appointment for tomorrow, so it’s fine. Sorry for worrying you.”

“Really? You’re really okay?”

“Yeah, I’m way better than this morning, so no problem. I’m just feeling sensitive because I’m sick.”

“Really…? Well, I’ll pamper you so much it’ll blow those sensitive feelings away!”

“Uh… sure, I’m counting on you.”

“Leave it to me!”

Then, Sakuya suddenly hugged my head and pressed it to her chest.

“S-Sakuya-san?”

“How’s this? Maybe not as much as Makoto-neechan, but…”

“It’s not about that…”

“How is it…? Does it… feel good…?”

“…It feels good.”

“Good!”

Is there any guy who could deny such a cute stepsister and girlfriend asking that? No way.

“I have to go back home today, so can I be a little selfish?”

“Hm? What’s up?”

“Well… after today, we won’t see each other for a bit, right?”

“…Yeah, until my Koshien.”

“So… can we kiss?”

“But…”

“It’s fine. I’ll wash my hands and gargle and take care of myself. …Please.”

“…Just a little.”

“…Okay.”

Sakuya closed her eyes and offered her lips.

It seems Sakuya prefers when I kiss her rather than her kissing me.

I slowly leaned toward her lips.

Gently, our lips touched.

It was the same as when we connected before.

Like Sakuya said, we won’t see each other for about two weeks.

Even though we were apart for a long time after I started high school, just two weeks feels tough now. Maybe it’s because I realized my feelings for her.

So, despite what I said, it’s hard to hold back.

I slowly knocked on her mouth with my tongue.

“Mm…? Mmm…”

At first, Sakuya made a surprised sound but slowly opened her mouth.

Our tongues intertwined like separate living creatures.

“Mmm!”

Listening to Sakuya’s glossy voice, I enjoyed a deep kiss with her for a while.

When breathing became difficult, we slowly parted our lips.

“…Sorry. I said that, but I couldn’t hold back.”

“No, I was happy feeling how much you care for me.”

Spending the early afternoon gazing at Sakuya’s cute, flushed expression was very meaningful.

After that, Sakuya and I had a light lunch and relaxed. Then, I heard the house door unlock.

“Ryu-kun! How’s your condition?”

“Makoto, where are the other two?”

“I ran into their parents outside! They had some stuff and are helping.”

“Seriously? I’ll…”

“Wait, wait! They can handle it, so I came ahead! You need to rest!”

“Really?”

“Ugh! When you’re sick, leave it to us!”

“…Sorry.”

“Good, you get it.”

Sakuya watched our conversation with a slightly lonely expression.

Her parents being here means she has to go back to our hometown soon.

“Sakuya, come here.”

“…Okay.”

I gently hugged Sakuya.

“We’ll see each other soon. We’ll call every day.”

“…Yeah.”

“Also, if you come to Phoenix, we could live together.”

“…! Really!?”

“Yeah, siblings living together is normal, right?”

“…Yeah, then I just need to work hard for one more year.”

“Both of us, yeah. If we endure, we’ll have a fun high school life.”

“…Yeah! I’ll do my best!”

A smile returned to Sakuya’s face. Yeah, Sakuya always needs to be smiling.

Soon, my parents, Kanade, and Yuna came into the room with tons of plastic bags.

They were filled with groceries and supplies. The food included vegetables, meat, and long-lasting items.

“Sorry, Mom and Dad. Thanks.”

“It’s fine. It’s a reward for your hard work at the tournament, Ryu.”

“How’s your condition?”

“It’s okay. The fever’s not completely gone, but I’m much better.”

“Go to the hospital tomorrow, even if it doesn’t hurt. You never know what injuries might pop up.”

“Yeah, I’ll get checked properly.”

“I’ll go with you to the hospital tomorrow!”

“Yuna? Thanks, but is school okay?”

“Of course. I’m such an honor student, missing one day won’t matter.”

“…Thanks.”

“Having a kind childhood friend is the best!”

“Grr… If I hadn’t lost at rock-paper-scissors, I’d be going with you…!”

“Rock-paper-scissors?”

“Ah, nothing! Kanade, I told you not to say that!”

“Mm… I’m not satisfied…”

“I’ll let you have the next chance…! Okay…!?”

“Well… I’ll forgive you then.”

“…Phew. Wait, why am I the one being forgiven?”

“Kanade’s already mastered handling Yuna.”

“Yuna-neechan’s like that is so fresh…”

“You’ll see it a lot from now on.”

“Looking forward to it!”

“Big brother! Rest properly, okay? Go to the hospital!”

“Don’t worry. You focus on your practice, Sakuya.”

“Yeah! See you in two weeks! Makoto-neechan, Kanade-neechan, Yuna-neechan, take care of him!”

Finally, it was time for Sakuya to leave for her train.

It was short, but thinking about her bright presence leaving makes me feel lonely.

“We’ll see each other soon.”

“Yeah! Until then, take care of the house properly! Don’t leave it all to the sisters! And don’t get caught by weird girls!”

The housework comment stings.

But me, picking up girls so easily…?

“I’ll keep a close eye on Ryu, so don’t worry.”

Yuna said.

“I’ll… take care of him too.”

Kanade said.

“Hehe… very closely, very closely.”

Makoto said.

Each of them responded.

Is it just me, or does my back feel cold?

I feel like overthinking it means I lose, so I’ll stay quiet.

“Alright, shall we go?”

“Yeah. Sakuya, let’s go.”

“…Okay, bye, big brother!”

“Yeah, see you!”