The Beautiful Girl Who Asked Me to Pretend to Be Her Boyfriend Didn’t Want to Break up With Me for Some Reason - Chapter 39

“…Hakuto. Could I ask you for a favor?”

After finishing taking her temperature, Shirafuji, lying in bed, spoke hesitantly to me as I brought over the bag packed with her overnight essentials.

By her bedside were a thermometer and a damp towel prepared for wiping sweat. It seemed the towel had yet to be used.

Shirafuji’s temperature had exceeded 38°C, worsening since the morning. The fever increase was making her joints ache, she said. Thankfully, that was the extent of the new symptoms.

“If it’s something I can do, then sure,” I replied.

“Well… could you, um, help me wipe off my sweat?”

Shirafuji’s request was something one wouldn’t usually ask of the opposite sex.

Helping her wipe her sweat would mean she had to undress, exposing her skin, while I used the towel to wipe her down.

“I’m sorry for asking something like this,” she said, lowering her eyebrows apologetically. “I thought I could handle it myself, but with the fatigue and fever, even reaching my back is difficult.”

It was clear Shirafuji had no ulterior motive. She was simply relying on me because she genuinely needed help.

Shirafuji undoubtedly understood the implications of exposing her skin, yet she asked me because she trusted me not to take advantage of the situation.

“…Alright, I got it. You’re really okay with this?” I asked.

“Please. I’ll sit up now.”

When I agreed to her request, Shirafuji slowly lifted her body from the bed. Even such a simple motion seemed to strain her; she let out a long breath before reaching for the buttons of her pajamas.

“Hakuto, could you handle my back? I should be able to manage the front myself,” she said.

“That works. Facing the front would just be awkward for both of us,” I replied.

“If you’d like me to let you handle it, I don’t mind,” she teased.

“Cut it out. What would you do if I actually said yes?”

“…If you do, just be gentle, okay?” she whispered.

“I’m not doing it.”

Firmly rejecting her feverish banter, I unfolded the towel. Shirafuji reached for her buttons again, but her hands paused.

“…Hakuto. Could I ask for one more favor?”

From her hesitant tone, I had a good idea of what she wanted.

“…Let’s hear it. I’ll do what I can.”

“Could you help me undress? I’m struggling to pull my arms out of the sleeves, and I doubt I can remove my camisole or undo my bra strap by myself.”

“…If I agree to that, wouldn’t I also end up helping you change clothes?”

“Most likely, yes,” she admitted.

Her confirmation left me pondering what to do.

Helping her undress and change was bound to be awkward, but she was sick. There were no questionable intentions here; it was a necessity.

I had to act like a gentleman. Ultimately, all I had to do was avoid looking at anything I shouldn’t.

“Can it be done from behind?” I asked.

“I think so. If I switch to a camisole with built-in support, I wouldn’t need you to adjust anything for me,” she suggested.

“…I don’t know much about undergarments, but that should work,” I said.

I steeled my resolve and started with her pajamas.

“The buttons are easier to handle from the front, aren’t they?”

Lacking confidence in doing it from behind, I followed Shirafuji’s suggestion and positioned myself in front of her. I reached for the button just below the one she had managed to undo, at her chest.

Carefully, so as not to touch anything, I unfastened each button down to the bottom. Then, I slipped the pajama top off her shoulders and pulled her arms out of the sleeves.

Shirafuji was now in a light blue camisole. Her slim, pale arms were exposed.

A sweet scent drifted faintly in the air—likely her natural body scent.

…No, don’t think about it. Reacting to her scent would be way out of line.

Refocusing, I grabbed the hem of her camisole. Shirafuji raised her arms, and I lifted the damp fabric over her head. Trying not to notice its moist texture, I removed it to reveal her blue lingerie.

The intricate embroidery and glossy design were captivating. The cups supported her modestly-sized chest, the cleavage drawing my gaze despite myself.

“…Are you staring at my chest?” she asked.

“…Sorry. I know this isn’t the time, but…”

“It’s fine. Look as much as you want. I put effort into choosing this since you were staying over. I wanted to be prepared in case you saw.”

“Don’t put effort into something like that.”

“But isn’t it better if my underwear is cute when seen?”

…Well, she had a point.

“Don’t force yourself to act tough. Just let yourself rely on me for now.”

“…I’m already relying on you a lot,” she said with a weary smile.

“Help me with my bra next. The clasp is on the back,” she requested.

“…Got it,” I agreed reluctantly.

The moment of truth had arrived. Moving behind her, I focused on the clasp in the center of her smooth, pale back.

I hesitantly reached for it, pinched the clasp, and gently unhooked it. The straps loosened, and Shirafuji let out a small sigh of relief. I slid the straps off her shoulders and removed the garment entirely.

Her bare upper body was now exposed from behind. Although I couldn’t see anything inappropriate, the act itself felt laden with guilt.

“We’re not done yet,” she reminded me.

“…Right.”

Taking the damp towel, I began wiping her back with great care.

“Mm…”

As soon as the towel touched her skin, Shirafuji let out a soft sound. I hoped it was my imagination that it sounded so… suggestive.

“Was it too cold?” I asked.

“Just a little,” she replied.

Encouraged to continue, I diligently wiped her back. Her occasional noises tested my composure, but I managed to finish without losing control.

“How’s that?” I asked.

“Thank you. That felt wonderful,” she said softly.

“Good. You’ll need to handle the front yourself. I’m counting on you for that.”

“I think I can manage that much. But… please help me change afterward?”