I Was Cheated on by My Girlfriend but My Devilish Junior Now Yearns for Me - Chapter 74

Chapter 74   Ayaka’s Nursing

The smell of rice porridge tickled my nose, and I opened my eyes. Wincing at the sharp pain stabbing directly into my brain, I slowly sat up.

“Awake?” Ayaka’s calm voice came from beside the bed, and I lowered my gaze toward her.

“How long was I out?”

“About twenty minutes. Surprised you got up at all, considering how bad you must feel.”

Ayaka, sitting against the bed without looking at me, answered while holding a manga she’d probably pulled from my bookshelf and had been reading while I slept. I had no memory of when I’d drifted off, but it must’ve been almost as soon as I saw her head into the kitchen. It was the first time she’d ever cooked for me at my place since we’d known each other. Maybe I’d nodded off because I was sick—or maybe because I just felt comfortable around her.

“Well, I’m heading out,” she said.

“Huh?”

I let out a dazed sound, watching her as she got up. She tilted her head, giving me a curious look.

“What’s with that face?”

“Oh… uh, nothing,” I stammered, shaking my head to clear a thought that had flashed through my mind.

“I’ve got a friend taking notes for me. I’m already late, but if I leave now, I’ll make it by lunch.”

“Got it, sorry… and thanks for coming by.” I clasped my hands together in gratitude. Being sick while living alone is rough, especially without anyone to help out. Just the fact that she brought food—and something easy to eat, too—felt like a huge help.

“…You look like you’re sad to see me go.”

“Guh.”

“Tell you what, I’ll stay at least until you’ve eaten. Besides, I had something I wanted to ask you.”

Ayaka exhaled and placed a cushion in front of the low table before sitting down. I could feel my face redden, embarrassed that she seemed to have seen right through my feelings.

“It’s not something to be embarrassed about. When I catch a cold, I’m like that too,” she said.

“Even you, Ayaka?”

“Yeah. I distract myself with manga that I can read without thinking too much.”

As she said that, Ayaka tapped the low table lightly with her finger. I moved to sit across from her at the table and lowered myself onto the cushion.

“Here, eat before it gets cold.”

“Seriously, I really appreciate this… Thank you.” I bowed my head and grabbed the spoon, scooping up the rice porridge. The grains of rice spilled from the spoon, shining in a way that was different from the rice I usually ate.

“I haven’t been cooking rice, but did you make this with microwave rice?” I asked.

“I didn’t think you’d be able to cook rice with how sick you are, so I just packed some from home in a container and brought it with me,” she said nonchalantly.

She said it without hesitation, sitting down with her knees touching the low table. It felt like she was watching me intently, making it hard to eat.

“…Hurry up and eat,” she urged.

“…Did you put something in it?” I asked.

Ayaka blinked in surprise, then stood up.

“Idiot, I wouldn’t do something like that to a sick person!”

“Y-yeah, you’re right. In that case—” I replied, and as I was pressed by her stern tone, I took another spoonful of porridge. Despite my dulled taste from the cold, the sensation of warmth and comfort spread through me clearly.

I paused with the spoon in my hand and let out a soft sigh.

“Delicious…” I muttered, taking another bite of the porridge.

Hearing that, Ayaka nodded and continued speaking.

“I’m glad. It’s the first time I’ve made porridge for anyone other than family, so I was a little worried.”

“No, it’s really good. If I were feeling better, I’d definitely ask for a second helping.”

“If you were feeling better, I wouldn’t have made porridge,” she replied, with a laugh.

Her response made me chuckle too. While being sick was an unpleasant experience, there was a sense of reward in this situation. If any of the people Ayaka was fond of at university knew that she would make porridge for someone, they might actually want to catch a cold themselves.

As I continued eating, I thought about what Natsuki had said about being surrounded by good people, and I finally understood the sentiment. In university, I don’t really excel at anything. I might manage a game or two in the basketball club, but compared to the competitive teams, it would seem insignificant.

The bond I have with Ayaka is something built over time, with past events shaping our relationship. But just because we’ve shared experiences doesn’t mean Ayaka is the type of person to just show up at my house. It’s a comfort that I can’t help but rely on.

I glanced up at Ayaka as I ate, and she had already returned to reading her manga. I remembered how Shinohara was also drawn to the same manga. It was probably because it had been so popular recently—its appeal must be universal.

A few seconds later, Ayaka noticed my gaze and blinked.

“Finished eating?”

“Thank you for the meal,” I said, bowing my head deeply.

The porridge had spinach and eggs in just the right balance, and I felt a little better after eating it.

I could already tell that once I was back to full health, I’d owe her a big thank-you.

“No need to thank me. As for a return favor…” Ayaka said, looking around the room.

Here it comes.

Maybe I’d treat her to a nice lunch or perhaps an all-you-can-eat buffet sometime. But then again, if she was looking around the room… could it be that—

“Don’t you want to tell me? Someone’s been coming here quite often, right?” she asked.