After a Heartbreak, My Bitter Childhood Friend is now Sweet Like Sugar - V2 Chapter 6.8

Chapter 6.8

The next day. 

|| “I have a cold so I will be absent from school. Please eat by yourself. Sorry.” 

I read a notification that had arrived on my phone in the morning while I was lying in bed, forcing my still sleepy body to wake up.

It’s unusual for Kokoa to have a cold. Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen her this sick in the past.

The reason why she suddenly caught a cold must be that…

I packed the rice I had cooked for breakfast into a container and took some ingredients in the fridge. After putting them in the tote bag she used for groceries, I visited her place, which was right next door.

I rang the doorbell a few times, and a weary-looking Kokoa in her pyjamas opened the door.

“What are you here?”

“I’m going to make you some food.”

Her face was somewhat feverish, and her condition seemed much worse than I had imagined, as she was having trouble speaking.

As if she realized something, she moved away from me to get some distance.

“Please don’t come any closer! I don’t want you to catch a cold!”

“You’re being overly cautious. I mean, when I was sick, you came very close to me, didn’t you?”

“I-I don’t remember anything from that long ago.”

“You look a lot worse than I thought, but if you can move your mouth that much, I guess you have enough strength to eat.”

Well, that’s a relief.

“You haven’t had breakfast yet, have you?”

“I haven’t.”

“Is porridge okay? It’s better to have something in your stomach to help you get better faster, and you need to eat to take your medicine, right? I’m in charge of breakfast today. So, excuse me!”

Without waiting for an answer, I went inside.

It’s been a while since I’ve been in this house, as we usually gather at my place. Even though we’ve known each other for a long time, I still feel a little guilty about going into a girl’s house.

“Well, isn’t that cold is partly my fault? It’s because of me that you stayed up all night yesterday to make lunch.”

“It’s not your fault, Yu! I just misunderstood and went out of control.”

“I was wrong, too. I’m responsible for not being able to stop your erratic behaviour.”

“No way… *Cough* *Cough*.”

She coughed in pain.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“No, ah, well, I slept in class to make up for it, and I got my energy back.”

“I guess that’s what happens when you do something that you’re not supposed to do. Well, you’ve been pushing yourself so hard that you became sick. You need to rest for today. I’ll be borrowing your kitchen.”

I wondered if I should make it at my home, but porridge doesn’t taste as good after a while. I want to feed her freshly made porridge.

I noticed that Kokoa had also come to the kitchen and was watching me.

“Go back to your room and sleep in your bed. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry. It’s hard for me if you don’t get some rest.”

“I understand.”

She reluctantly agreed and went back to her room.

Now, let’s see.

I filled the pot with water and turned on the fire. Then I cut up some radish and carrots and threw them into the pot. After that, I added the granulated bonito soup mix and brought it to a boil. In the meantime, I chopped some scallions and prepared some rice. On the other hand, I used the leftover rice to make a big onigiri, wrapped it in aluminum foil, and threw it in my bag. It was going to be my lunch.

After simmering for a while, I seasoned the rice with salt and dropped an egg in the pot.

After it simmered nicely, I turned off the heat, scooped it into a bowl and served it on the table with green onions. I also poured some tea into a cup and placed it beside the bowl, then called Kokoa from her room.

“How is it?”

“It’s delicious. You did a good job, by the way. I’ve never seen you make porridge before.”

“I’ve been practicing secretly, just in case something like this happens.”

“To make me eat porridge?”

“The only situation where I can make food for you is when you’re sick. Did it bother you? If so, I won’t do it.”

“How can I be annoyed?”

Her cheeks flushed red as she pouted.

What is it? Is she angry or happy to be teased?

Well, I can see that she’s happy.

“You should eat as well, or you’ll be late for school.”

“Oh, right. Let me borrow a plate and spoon.”

“Go ahead.”

I poured myself a bowl of porridge and sat down to face Kokoa. She’s right. I need to finish my meal as soon as possible and get to school…

“It’s hot!”

“Oh, what are you doing? Did you get burned? What am I going to do if the person who came to take care of me is injured?”

I hurriedly drank some water. The spot where the porridge had touched was tingling.

This time, I slowly let the porridge cool and put it in my mouth. Oh my God, I was in such a hurry that I did something awkward. I was really embarrassed.

“Do you want me to cool it for you? Foo… Foo… Ahh.”

With that said, she offered me a spoon with a scoop of porridge. I think she’s teasing me. Maybe she’s just trying to show off her energy to keep me from worrying about her in this situation.

But…

I bite down on the spoon, not wanting to be a part of Kokoa’s plan.

“Ahhh”

Then, unintentionally, she let out a small noise, and her cheeks turned bright red. I know that she gets embarrassed when I catch her off guard like this.

“Eh… Ah. Eh?”

“What? I just ate it because you said.”

“Uh, ah, ie, no, that, the cold! Yes, what if you also get the cold?”

“I’m sure I can handle this much.”

After that, Kokoa panicked, letting out inaudible screams. To say the truth, I was embarrassed too, but I couldn’t help it because I wanted to give her a taste of her own medicine. This is what happens when you try to make fun of me when you have a cold.

“Good.”

I finished my porridge at the same speed and stood up.

“Uh, ah, huh, have you already eaten? Porridge is bad for digestion if you don’t eat it slowly.”

“I don’t want to be late. Oh, yes, I’ll do the cleaning when I get back. Just leave it.”

“You don’t have to do that much for me. I can do that much.”

“I don’t care. I’ll get angry if you do. So, get some rest.”

After saying that, I picked up my bag and left the living room.

“… Mmm. I understand.”

With a pouting girl at my back, I headed off to school.