The case where I was gradually getting buried in the heavy love of my childhood friend who had miraculously recovered from their illness was perfect! - Chapter 10 : Imprinted unconsciously rather than consciously

Rion recovered from her illness and was discharged from the hospital. The news quickly spreaded at school through the homeroom teacher.

Her classmates who heard the news were all happy, but Rion’s close friends, in particular, couldn’t hide their emotions and were seen shedding tears. Rion truly had many good friends.

“Hey, Rokudo! Tell us everything!”

“When can she come back to school?”

They bombarded me with questions, making it quite a challenge, but as I answered within the limits, they were finally left reassured. They eagerly awaited her return to school while I was the only one keeping in touch with Rion.

Now, for both me and my classmates, there was a lot of joyful news circulating in October. The summer heat had almost vanished, and it was gradually getting colder, so I had to pay special attention to Rion’s health.

“What are you doing?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing…”

While I was looking outside from the living room, my mother asked me curiously.

I shook my head, thinking it was nothing, and was about to leave the living room when she called me back.

“Nagisa, I’m going out for a bit. I’ll be back in the evening.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. I got invited to yoga by our neighbor. We’re planning to do some shopping together afterward.”

“Okay…”

Well, it’s Saturday, so I hope she will be having a lot of fun. I don’t have any plans myself. It’s been a few days since then, but I’m still not completely recovered from the exhaustion.

“…Yawn.”

I let out a big yawn as I returned to my room and thought about taking a nap until noon. I was still in my pajamas, and I was feeling incredibly sleepy.

To my surprise, I quickly drifted off to sleep.

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I woke up around noon. The overwhelming drowsiness I felt before taking a nap was gone, and I had a pleasant awakening.

“…So, I slept until noon.”

The best part about waking up in the morning is feeling refreshed, but staying up late is one of the privileges of having a day off the next day.

I accepted that fact and decided to go to the living room to have some instant ramen when I stopped in front of the door.

“Is someone here…? And what’s this smell?”

My mother had gone out, and my father was working on his day off. There should be no one else at home. Maybe my mother’s plans changed? Thinking that, I opened the door and entered the living room, only to find her standing there as she was pleasantly humming.

“Rion?”

Yes, it was Rion. She noticed me and smiled with a ladle in her hand.

“You finally woke up. I’ll have the curry ready soon, so please have a seat.”

“Okay…”

I had noticed the smell of curry even before I entered the room. Rion, who had temporarily diverted her attention from me, was nodding in approval as she scooped the roux with the ladle.

“Hey… Can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“I didn’t… make any promises or anything, did I?”

“Well… Do you mean that I didn’t contact you before about this? Isn’t it a little late for that now?”

“You’re right…”

I reluctantly nodded, feeling that it was somewhat different.

“Well, I originally heard from Misato-san that she was going out. So I told her that I would take care of lunch.”

“…I see.”

“It’s you we’re talking about. Weren’t you planning to have instant ramen for lunch, anyway?”

“…..”

“You’re so predictable.”

I couldn’t keep any secrets hidden from her, it seems. I scowled at her triumphant smile but didn’t say anything in response. Instead, I just sat down next to her.

“…..”

“What’s wrong? Is it bothering you that much?”

Well, it did bother me.

I mean, really…

“I mean, you were just discharged from the hospital, or to be extreme, you were like someone with an incurable disease, right? You’ve only just been discharged, and you’re already… Is it really okay?”

“Ah, I see. If that’s what you’re worried about, then yes, it’s really okay. In fact, I believe that returning to our normal daily life like this is the best thing.”

“…..”

“I have no intention of being overly concerned, putting aside what happened to me. So let me say it confidently once more — I’m okay, Nagi-kun.”

Still, even if Rion said she’s okay, should I really be at ease?

Despite her extremely sharp tongue when it came to me, I was confident she wouldn’t lie about something like this.

“I understand! Then I’ll trust you.”

“Great!”

Well, leaving that aside…

I was happy that Rion made curry for me like this, but did she even know how to cook before she went into the hospital?

“Rion, can you really cook?”

“I learned from my mom, and I also had her teach me about various other household chores. I also read some cooking books while I was in the hospital, so I can make what I’ve seen.”

“…Is that so?”

“I can make anything just by looking at it.”

“……”

What the…

Well, I guess it’s fine. If Rion says she’s okay, then she must be.

No matter how sarcastic she may be with me, she wouldn’t give me a reason to worry about this. And I can say with absolute certainty that she wouldn’t lie.

Is it safe to say that she is still extraordinary as ever?

I’m really terrible at cooking… I mean, I’m all about cup ramen, convenience store food, and bread.

I offered my thanks while looking into Rion’s eyes.

“Thank you, Rion.”

“It’s fine. Can you help me set the table?”

“Roger!”

After finishing the preparations, I ate the curry Rion made. Curry isn’t really an unusual dish, and my mom made it about a week ago… Even so, Rion’s curry somehow seemed especially delicious.

“Fufu~ Your reactions are adorable. So does that mean, Misato-san’s curry wasn’t particularly tasty?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Hehe~, I understand.”

Every time I opened my mouth, I ended up getting in trouble… But having this kind of interaction with Rion at home after a long time feels nostalgic.

I had received several calls on my phone, but… seeing each other in person and having a conversation is better.

“I know it’s a bit late to ask this… but what are you planning to do, Rion?”

“Originally, I intended to stay until the evening. However… Misato-san suggested something to me.”

“Suggested?”

“Yes.”

Saying so, Rion pointed to a slightly larger bag. I could tell that she had brought it along with her… but could it be?

“…Are you planning to stay overnight?”

“That’s right.”

“…..”

Isn’t it happening so suddenly…?

“Misato-san said she wanted to talk with me a lot. I also wanted to have a lively conversation with her, so I thought it was a good opportunity… and…”

“And?”

“…I couldn’t wait any longer — to be able to return to how I used to live my daily life.”

…Geez, if she says it like that, I can’t say anything.

I was surprised, of course, but I had no intention of refusing her in the first place… But hearing it from Rion makes me realize it again — we are starting to return to our former daily life.

“And… there are many things I want to do.”

“Things you want to do?”

Rion nodded and continued speaking.

“My illness may be cured, and even after being discharged like this, my essence hasn’t changed. So, my way of speaking, my attitude, nothing has changed.”

“Okay… so, what does that mean?”

“Even so, there is something that has changed… I will honestly embrace my feelings and take hold of the best that is to come, just as I have been up to now.”

“…What you’re saying is a bit complicated.”

Rion, who chuckled with her hand on her mouth, looked very cute.

But… it’s a bit scary, or rather, I don’t know why, but my back shivered for a moment, but it disappeared in an instant.

“There’s no need to think too deeply about it. As childhood friends, let’s continue to get along, please.”

“… Um… Sure”

Well, for now… I guess this is a good answer.

…Oh, but if it comes to this, I wonder in which room is Rion going to sleep in?

For some reason, I have a bad feeling about this.

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TL : Zenon#4120