My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 66

“Thank you…”

After finishing what felt like a perverted game, I put on my clothes. Thanks to Yukina, I felt a bit better. It seemed like I could fall asleep right away.

“Did it feel good?”

“It was amazing… Thanks to you, I think I’ll sleep well.”

I lay down and quietly closed my eyes. As soon as I did, sleepiness washed over me. Yukina’s touch really had the best effect.

“If you want, I can make you feel even better… Should I sleep next to you?”

“Stop saying things that don’t value yourself. I’m already fine… enough…”

And just like that, I fell asleep. I don’t remember what Yukina said at the end, but I had a vague feeling it wasn’t good to say such things.

That’s probably why, even in my dreams, I kept nagging Yukina like an annoying older brother.

I opened my eyes with a start.

What time is it…?

I searched for my phone to check the time.

8:00 PM… I guess I slept for about three hours.

I sat up and stretched. Thanks to the good sleep, my body felt much better.

Speaking of which, I didn’t check my temperature earlier, but what was it?

It’s not really important now, but I’m curious.

The thermometer should be over there… Just as I was about to start looking for it, the door to my room opened.

“Yusuke, you’re awake?”

“Yukina…”

As if a floodgate had opened, memories of my pathetic plea from just a few hours ago rushed back. It’s true, when you’re sick, you really want to be taken care of…

Aaaahhhh! I’m such an idiot!

I struggled silently, my mind replaying the scene over and over, cursing my past self.

“What were you trying to do?”

While I was internally battling my embarrassment, Yukina walked closer, possibly to check on me.

“I-I was going to get the thermometer. I wanted to see if my fever had gone down.”

“I see. Then—”

Yukina leaned forward and gently pressed her forehead against mine.

We looked directly into each other’s eyes, so close that if either of us breathed, our faces would touch. Our lips were almost close enough to meet.

My heart skipped a beat before it started pounding rapidly. It was loud in my ears.

“Yep, it’s gone down. That’s good.”

Still in that position, Yukina smiled, relieved. The sweet, feminine scent she gave off tempted something deep inside me to emerge.

“Wait, you’re feeling warm again?”

Thinking it was all her fault, I quickly moved away from Yukina, who was trying to check my temperature again.

“I-I’m fine…”

“Are you sure? Oh, hold on a second.”

Yukina hurried out of the room. Left alone, I took deep breaths.

“Haah… Haah… I thought we were going to kiss…”

Even though I knew that wouldn’t happen, what she did made me jump to conclusions.

Could it be that Yukina actually likes me? A devilish thought whispered in my ear. It’s so self-centered that if I told anyone, they’d laugh. But more than that, I feel ridiculous for even thinking it, so I keep it to myself.

“Yusuke~”

As I wrestled with my secret thoughts, Yukina returned with a tray in hand, looking pleased.

“Hey, eat this.”

On the tray was a bowl of plain rice porridge.

“Yusuke, you’re hungry, right? You didn’t eat lunch, did you?”

“How did you know… Wait, did you make this, Yukina?”

“I was watching you, so I figured you’d be hungry. So, I tried my best to make it.”

“D-Did you cut yourself or anything!?”

“Nope. I knew using a knife would be dangerous.”

“I see…”

As I held back tears of pride, I couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional. Wait, why am I acting like a parent?

“I looked it up on my phone and thought I could manage, so I gave it my best shot. So, do you think you can eat it?”

There’s no way I wouldn’t eat the porridge Yukina made for me.

“I’ll eat it.”

“Okay, then—”

Yukina scooped up a spoonful of porridge and brought it to her mouth.

And then—

“Fuu, fuu… Here, say ‘ahh.’”

She blew on it gently and held it out to me.

What… Ahh? Is Yukina going to feed me?

I froze, staring at the porridge. I wanted to open my mouth, but it stayed closed. I couldn’t hide my confusion.

“What’s wrong? You don’t want to eat what I made?”

“It’s not that… But…”

“But?”

“Ahh?”

“Yeah, that’s right. I’m taking care of you, so I’ll feed you. Now, open your mouth. Ahh.”

Taking care of me… Well, if it’s just that, it’s okay, right? There’s no hidden meaning behind it. So, it should be fine to let her feed me, right?

Silently, I opened my mouth, and the spoon entered. The porridge filled my mouth, and then the spoon was taken out.

I chewed and tasted it… It was incredibly awful. It was so sweet, it didn’t even taste like porridge.

She probably mixed up the salt and sugar… How cliché.

“H-How is it?”

There was no way I could tell the anxious Yukina the truth, so I lied.

“It’s good. Thanks.”

“R-Really? That’s great!”

Yukina, realizing her cooking skills weren’t the best, smiled in relief.

“Alright, here comes another one.”

Once again, she blew on it gently and urged me to say “ahh.” But if I keep eating this overly sweet porridge, I might throw up.

So, I decided that this would be the last bite and said “ahh.”

“Yukina, I want to eat it all at once, so can I eat it by myself—”

“No way. You’re sick, so leave it to me.”

“But…”

“Are you embarrassed? You were so sweet to me earlier, so there’s no need to be shy now. You can keep being sweet to me. So, ahh.”

Ugh, I’m so weak to Yukina when she’s being kind.

Even though I decided it was the last bite…

My resolve crumbled instantly. Just her gentle smile and words telling me I could be sweet to her were enough.

This is all because of the cold… This is all because of the cold… It’s only because I’m more attached to Yukina than usual due to the cold.

I kept telling myself this as Yukina continued to feed me.