When I Started a Volunteer Nursing Service, All the Beautiful Girls in My Class Suddenly Became Gloomy - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Weak and Pure-Hearted Girl

It was in the middle of the night.

I came to Mizuse’s bed to change her cooling sheet when—

“…Mmm.”

In the dim room, Mizuse rolled over a little.

The streetlight coming through a gap in the curtains softly lit up the side of her face.

She had been so noisy earlier, but now she was surprisingly quiet.

“…Her fever’s still high.”

I touched her forehead, and it felt warm.

I peeled off the old cooling sheet and put a new one on.

Right then.

“…Yu-kun.”

A sleepy voice slipped out.

“Are you awake?”

“Mmm…”

She seemed half in a dream.

Mizuse opened her eyes just a little, then closed them again like she felt safe.

“…You’re here.”

“Yeah, I’m here. I just came to change the cooling sheet.”

“…Oh, okay.”

She smiled softly.

Her face, red from the fever, looked younger than it did during the day.

“Want some water?”

“…Yeah.”

I picked up the plastic bottle by her pillow.

Then Mizuse reached out both hands while still looking out of it.

“…Can’t get up.”

“Hey, try a little at least.”

“Can’t…”

She had totally given up.

With no choice, I put a hand behind her back and lifted her up a bit.

“Here, take it slow.”

“…Mm.”

She drank in small sips.

After she finished, Mizuse let her strength go and rested her forehead on my shoulder.

“Hey, Mizuse.”

“…Warm.”

Because of the fever she was totally defenseless.

Just like she said, her pajamas were thin material and a bit see-through from sweat.

I looked down so I wouldn’t think about it.

Then I saw her thin fingers gripping my shirt tight.

“…Yu-kun, you’re so nice.”

“How many times have you said that today?”

“A lot…”

She let out a small laugh.

Her voice felt way too close, so I turned my eyes away a little.

“Come on, go back to sleep.”

“…No.”

“Why not?”

“If I fall asleep, you’ll probably leave.”

She said it in a sleepy voice.

After I thought for a second,

“I won’t leave.”

I answered quietly.

“…Really?”

“Really.”

Hearing that must have put her at ease, because Mizuse slowly closed her eyes.

But she still didn’t let go of my shirt.

With no other choice, I sat down on the edge of her bed.

The mattress sank a little with a creak.

Then Mizuse loosened her grip on my shirt like she felt safe.

“…Hehe.”

“Don’t laugh while you’re half asleep.”

“Mmm…”

Her reply didn’t even sound like words.

The fever probably made her thoughts fuzzy.

Even so, she seemed to know I was right there beside her.

The room was quiet.

I could only hear the soft hum of the air conditioner and Mizuse’s light breathing.

She had been so loud, but asleep she seemed like a different person.

“…She’s really a strange girl.”

I muttered it without thinking.

At school she’s always in the middle of the class, laughing and talking with everyone.

Bright, noisy, and she closes the distance fast.

But now she’s scared of being left alone.

I realized people aren’t only what you see from the outside.

“…Yu-kun.”

“Yeah?”

“…Don’t go anywhere, okay.”

With her eyes still closed, Mizuse whispered softly.

Her voice was so weak that it squeezed something in my chest.

“I won’t.”

The words came out naturally.

Then Mizuse rubbed her cheek against my shirt like she felt safe.

“…Mm.”

Like a kitten.

Anyone who only knows her usual energetic self would be shocked.

“…Yu-kun.”

“You’re still awake?”

“Just a little.”

Mizuse opened her eyes halfway and looked up at me with a fuzzy gaze.

“Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“Give me your hand.”

“My hand?”

I held it out like she asked, and she grabbed it tight with both hands.

It was soft and hot.

“…This makes me feel safe.”

“Aren’t you treating me like a hot water bottle?”

“Nfufu…”

She didn’t deny it.

But her laugh sounded happy.

I let out a small breath and looked down at our hands.

…What is this?

I only came here to take care of her.

Why am I so aware of someone’s body heat?

Her hand warm from the fever.

Thin fingers.

The way she held my hand like she was scared I’d disappear made her seem like a kid.

“…Yu-kun.”

“Yeah?”

“Sleepy…”

“Go to sleep.”

“Mmm… but if I sleep, Yu-kun might disappear.”

“I won’t disappear.”

“Really…?”

Her half-closed eyes shook with worry.

Looking at her face made me feel like I couldn’t lie.

“I’ll stay until morning.”

“…Hehe.”

Right then, Mizuse’s expression softened.

It wasn’t just happy.

It was a face that said she felt safe.

“Then I can sleep without worrying…”

“I’m glad.”

When I answered, Mizuse wiggled deeper under the covers while still holding my hand.

But.

“…It’s tight.”

“Eh?”

“If we stay like this, Yu-kun will fall off.”

I realized when she said it.

I was barely sitting on the very edge of the bed.

Plus she was still holding my hand, so it was pretty unstable.

“No, I’m fine—”

“…Come here.”

She tugged at me from under the covers.

“No no no.”

“…Muu.”

She sounded unhappy.

“Yu-kun, you’re too careful~”

“Of course I am!”

“Even though I’m sick?”

“That’s exactly why.”

When I said that, Mizuse stared blankly for a few seconds, then

“…Ahaha.”

She laughed softly.

“Yu-kun really is funny.”

“That’s not a compliment, is it?”

“It is~…”

She mumbled sleepily and closed her eyes again.

But she still didn’t let go of my hand.

The dim room.

The too-close distance.

The sweet smell of a girl and her feverish body heat.

It should have been a situation where I couldn’t calm down at all.

“…Suu.”

Hearing her completely relaxed breathing, I didn’t feel bad about it.

Actually.

Looking at her sleeping face made me feel a little happy.

――――――――――――――――――――――

↓↓↓

“Hey, Yu-kun.”

“What’s up?”

“Is it okay if I talk to you at school too…?”

“Sure, but won’t it bother you, Mizuse?”

“Nope! Not at all!”

“…………”

“Ah! You just thought something weird, didn’t you!”

“I was just thinking that Mizuse really is cute.”

“…………”

“Your face is red. You okay?”

“…I’m fine.”