When I Helped Out At My Classy Classmate's Family Home, They Started Going All Out To Close In On Me From Every Angle. - Chapter 45: Usually Demure, But When Weak, She Becomes Clingy —5

Usually Demure, But When Weak, She Becomes Clingy —5

I soaked a towel in a bucket of water and returned to Ayame’s room.

Taking a deep breath in front of the door to calm my nerves, I hesitantly knocked.

“U-uh… are you ready?”
“Yes. I’m fine.”

After confirming with Ayame, I opened the door.

The moment I stepped in, I gasped.

It was unavoidable—Ayame’s bare upper body came into view.

Since I was going to wipe her sweat, it made sense that she had taken off her pajamas. The front of her body was concealed by a blanket.

However, her back was completely exposed. The sight struck me like a bolt of lightning to the head, leaving me dizzy from the sheer impact.

The intense beauty and undeniable allure made me instinctively take a step back.

“Tetsu-kun?”
“Ah! S-sorry, I spaced out!”

Ayame called out, perhaps wondering why I was standing there in a daze.

Snapping back to reality, I hurried inside.

I shut the door behind me and placed the bucket beside the bed.

As I wrung out the towel, I could feel Ayame watching me from the corner of her eye.

Neither of us spoke. The silence between us only emphasized that Ayame was just as tense as I was.

Once I finished wringing out the towel, I moved behind her.

Ayame flinched slightly. Her translucent white skin had taken on a soft pink hue—and it wasn’t just from the fever.

My heart pounded louder than ever before. The hand holding the towel trembled slightly.

“A-alright… I’ll start now, okay?”
“Y-yes. Please go ahead.”

After confirming her nod, I hesitantly pressed the towel against her back.

“Hnn!”
“――――――!”

The moment the towel made contact, her shoulders jolted, and a gasp escaped her lips.

“A-are you okay?”
“Y-yes, it was just cold, so it startled me. There’s no need to worry—please continue.”
“O-oh… alright.”

Feeling my heartbeat growing wilder, I carefully resumed wiping her back.

With my mind spinning from both tension and excitement, I traced the towel over her sweat-covered skin—like gliding it over a delicate porcelain masterpiece.

“…Nngh… ah…”

Her back must have been sensitive, as quiet, breathy sounds escaped her lips, and she trembled slightly beneath my touch.

Honestly, this was unbearable. My self-control was on the verge of shattering.

Ayame is sick. I can’t let myself waver.
Ayame is sick. I mustn’t lose control.
Ayame is sick. I absolutely must not give in!

Repeating the mantra in my head, I clenched my teeth tightly, forcing down the impulses threatening to take over.

Somehow, I endured the ordeal and finished wiping her back.

Exhaling softly, I informed Ayame that I was done.

“I’m done, Ayame.”

“Thank you. Now, could you wipe the front as well?”

“…Wha—!?”

Her unexpected request caught me completely off guard, making me let out a startled yelp.

Wiping her front would inevitably mean facing Ayame’s chest. While every fiber of my instincts was cheering in celebration, my conscience was still intact—and I certainly didn’t have the courage to go through with it.

“N-no way! You can wipe the front yourself!”

“I wouldn’t mind if it’s you, Tetsu-kun.”

“Well, I mind!”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Unable to take it anymore, I shoved the towel into her hands. Ayame playfully stuck out her tongue—clearly, she was enjoying teasing me even in a situation like this.

My heartbeat raced even faster, and my face burned with heat.

Not wanting to let her throw me off any further, I turned toward the door.

“I-I’ll be waiting outside! Let me know when you’re done!”

“You don’t have to leave, you know?”

“Yes, I do!”

As I stepped out, I could hear Ayame giggling behind me.

With a quick thud, I shut the door and let out a deep breath.

“She really takes her jokes too far…”

Just wiping her back had already sent my heart into overdrive—there was no need to push it any further.

Feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration, I still couldn’t help but think—

“I’m just glad she’s well enough to joke around like that.”

I could feel a small smile forming on my lips.