The Beautiful Girl I Accidentally Helped Who Has Somehow Become Attached To Me. - Chapter 29: Triggered Overheat.

Triggered Overheat.

Glancing at the clock, I noticed it had just passed noon.

Mikami-san, who had arrived at eight, was still fast asleep, her peaceful slumber making me wonder if she was even getting proper rest at home.

So, it’s already midday. I had been studying, but my focus was scattered. Every time I tried to concentrate, thoughts of Mikami-san filled my mind, causing my attention to drift. Hours slipped away, and although I hadn’t achieved much academically, I felt utterly drained.

Realizing that any further half-hearted studying would be pointless, I stood up and stretched, deciding to take a break. Just then, I heard a dry rustling sound—the blanket I’d draped over Mikami-san had fallen to the floor.

She slowly sat up, rearranged herself on the couch, and gave a sleepy, relaxed expression. As I approached her, I handed her a glass of cold tea and greeted her.

“Awake now? You slept well.”

“Good morning. What time is it?”

“It’s just past noon. Did you sleep well?”

“…I slept that long?”

She looked at the clock, standing up in disbelief. She seemed a bit flustered—what could be going through her mind?

“Such a valuable morning…why didn’t you wake me?”

“Well, you looked so peaceful, and starting to nap that early made me think you were probably exhausted.”

“Uwaaa…I’ve been careless. I even went to bed early to get a good start…how odd.”

Well, everyone has days like that. Sometimes you feel drowsy for no reason at all, even if you’re not particularly tired. On school days, you can’t indulge in it, but on a weekend, there’s no harm in surrendering to a bit of extra sleep. Mikami-san probably doesn’t have any looming test worries, so a little break won’t hurt.

…Actually, I wouldn’t mind if she slept a bit longer, considering my own studies aren’t going smoothly. Just a fleeting thought, though.

“I should prepare lunch… oh, ah!”

As Mikami-san headed toward the kitchen, she stepped on the blanket that had fallen earlier and stumbled, ending up falling toward me.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, thank you for catching me.”

“That’s fine, but… um, if you’re okay, could you let go?”

“No need to worry about it.”

Well, actually, I am quite worried about this position…! Even after steadying her, she remained clinging to me. Was she still half-asleep?

“Fufuu~… you’re warm.”

Oh no.

I’d been hyper-aware of Mikami-san all morning, and now I was burning up. All those usual thoughts I try to ignore were creeping up, hitting me without mercy. She’s so soft, and the faint scent was making me dizzy. Please, don’t nuzzle against me—I’m going to lose it.

“…Kirishima-san, aren’t you a little hot?”

“Huh…?”

As Mikami-san’s face nestled against my chest, she shifted slightly, tickling me. Then, she pulled back just a bit and looked up at me with those wide, expectant eyes.

“Hot, am I?” Well, of course I am.

How could I not be, with such an unintentional assault on my self-control?

And honestly, as much as I’ve tried to stay composed, Mikami-san is ridiculously cute. Right now, I couldn’t look away from her every little move. Her half-awake stretches emphasized her figure, and her slightly slurred speech was… painfully adorable. I’d already hit my limit.

“You really do feel warm… and your face is red. Are you sure you’re not running a fever?”

“N-no… I’m fine. So please, let go.”

She held my hand, and her cool touch was soothing, yet my whole body felt like it was burning up.

“We should check your temperature.”

“There’s a thermometer over th—wait, Mikami-san?”

“Please don’t move.”

“I have to ask, what are you trying to do?”

“Checking your temperature. It’s hard to measure accurately if you keep moving…”

She leaned in, stretching up on her toes, edging closer. She didn’t say it outright, but her intent was clear—she was going to press her forehead against mine.

I stepped back, slowly, but with her hand still clasped in mine, she followed every step. Without watching my footing, I stumbled backward onto the sofa—the exact spot she’d been napping on earlier. Just realizing that made my head spin again.

Taking advantage of that moment, Mikami-san settled herself squarely on my lap, pinning me down. She seemed so focused on reaching my forehead, she didn’t appear to realize what an awkward position we were in.

Come on, Mikami-san, you’re a girl—this is really… not okay.

“You’re not getting away. Stay still, all right?”

Is this… the end for me?

Her face neared, our noses brushed, and then our foreheads touched.

Trying to treat me like a patient, but with such a bold method… well, this was very much like her.

***

After being officially diagnosed with a “fever,” I was promptly escorted to the bedroom.

It seemed Mikami-san was determined to nurse me back to health. She insisted I rest and gently pushed me onto the bed, telling me to take it easy.

I didn’t actually feel sick, but I was definitely exhausted. My temperature had probably returned to normal now that we were apart, but every time I moved, she’d rush over, sending me back into a flustered state. It was like a self-fueling cycle.

Right now, Mikami-san was making rice porridge. She’d told me to stay still until she came back, but honestly, lying here doing nothing was boring. Still, I figured running would just waste energy, and I’d end up getting caught anyway, so I might as well comply.

Soon enough, she returned, carrying a tray with a pot of porridge.

“Kirishima-san, do you have an appetite?”

“Yeah, a bit.”

“That’s good to hear! Eat plenty and get well soon.”

She was genuinely worried, wasn’t she?

I felt a bit guilty about getting all this attention despite being perfectly fine… but maybe I could just relax and enjoy it a little.

I sat up, reaching to take the tray from her, but she didn’t let me. I had a bad feeling about this.

“Blow, blow… okay, open wide!”

“No, no, it’s fine. I can eat on my own.”

“Open up.”

“Really, you don’t need to go that far.”

“Say ‘ahhh.’”

“…Is there any room for negotiation?”

“Ahhh.”

I see.

Sometimes, you just have to surrender. Once Mikami-san got into this mode, there was no stopping her.

Reluctantly, I opened my mouth.

“There we go—ahhh. How is it?”

“…It’s good.”

“Really? I’m glad to hear that. There’s plenty more! Blow, blow… here, have some more.”

Mikami-san, not relinquishing the spoon, continued to feed me. All I could do was endure the embarrassment and open my mouth for each bite.

***

In the end, Mikami-san fed me every last spoonful of the porridge. I tried several times to tell her I could eat on my own, but it was no use. Expected, I guess.

“Yawn~~… My stomach’s full, and now I’m starting to feel sleepy.”

“Please, take your time and rest.”

“…Yeah, I think I’ll do just that.”

Maybe it was the warmth from the porridge, but my body felt cozy and relaxed. Being gently tucked into bed only heightened that drowsiness, preparing me perfectly for sleep.

My eyelids grew heavy, slowly closing as Mikami-san’s face faded into a blur.

“Goodnight. Sweet dreams.”

With her gentle voice guiding me, I let myself sink into sleep.

Just after, I thought I felt a faint movement in the blanket… but it was probably just my imagination.