When I Started Doing Housework For The Cool Beauty In My Class, She Began Asking Me About The Dinner Menu Every Day. - Chapter 23: The Honest Kaze-saki-san.

The Honest Kaze-saki-san.

After finishing my shopping, I checked the reply from Fujisaki. She mentioned that although her fever hadn’t subsided yet, taking the medicine and resting had made her feel slightly better, which was a relief.

She planned to eat something light before taking her next dose of medicine and asked for advice on what to eat. Given the ingredients I just bought, it seemed like they would be helpful for her situation.

When I arrived at her house, I was greeted by Kaze-saki in her pajamas. However, she still appeared to be struggling, likely due to her lingering fever. I had already intended to come inside, as letting her stay at the door for too long might worsen her condition.

“Sorry for intruding. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just felt a little dizzy.”

“Alright, let’s get you back to your room.”

As expected, even the act of coming to the door had put some strain on her. Supporting her unsteady body, I could feel the heat radiating from her. Clearly, her fever wasn’t letting up. First, I needed to prepare something light for her to eat while making sure she stayed in bed.

“I brought some sports drinks, so make sure to stay hydrated.”

“Thanks.”

“I also got cooling gel sheets. Want me to put one on for you?”

“…Yeah, could you?”

Oh? She’s surprisingly cooperative. I half-expected her to puff up and say she’d do it herself, but then again, it’s Kaze-saki. It’s times like this that she should just let herself be taken care of.

She tilted her forehead forward without hesitation, trusting me completely. Seeing her face suddenly so close made my heart skip a beat. Her flushed cheeks were undoubtedly from the fever, but… Kaze-saki, you’re dangerous right now.

“How does that feel? Nice and cool?”

“Mm… it feels good.”

With her fever over 38°C, the cooling sheet must feel incredibly soothing. With that taken care of, I urged her to rest while I moved on to the next task.

“Alright, I’ll go make some porridge. Just relax here.”

“Ah… okay.”

She looked visibly disappointed for a moment there. Could she be… lonely? If so, how adorable is that?

Well, feeling down and a little needy when sick is entirely natural. Even someone like Kaze-saki isn’t immune to that.

“I’ll be quick and come right back, so don’t look so sad.”

***

When I returned with a simple bowl of porridge seasoned lightly and topped with a pitted umeboshi, Fujisaki was lying down under her blanket.

This is how it should be—no unnecessary exertion. Good job resting properly, Fujisaki.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Mm, thanks.”

She slowly propped herself up, a weak smile spreading across her face. After letting out a few soft coughs, she apologized, her tear-filled eyes giving her a frail appearance.

“Here, I’ll set it down. Can you manage on your own?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Fuu, fuu, keh—cough!”

“…Doesn’t look like it. Sorry, but you’ll need to let me help a bit.”

Freshly made porridge is, of course, steaming hot. The rising steam made it clear that it needed cooling before eating.

Blowing on it to cool it down was a given, but Fujisaki, still coughing intermittently, seemed to struggle even with that. It must be the shortness of breath that often accompanies a cold.

Watching her like that was hard, so I took the spoon from her gently. Cooling the porridge with a few quick breaths, I brought it to her lips.

“Here, say ‘ah.’”

Fujisaki looked slightly startled but cautiously opened her mouth and took the porridge.

If she had refused, things would’ve gotten complicated, but today, she was remarkably cooperative—a real relief.

“Not too hot?”

“It’s good… more, please.”

With that, she opened her mouth again, ready for the next spoonful. It was a relief to see that she still had an appetite.

This might be my personal theory, but I believe that people who can eat well recover faster from colds. Proper nutrition, keeping warm, and maintaining immunity—those are the keys to recovery.

“Next bite has umeboshi, so it’ll be a little sour.”

“Mm… sour.”

“Not a fan of sour? Still, umeboshi is good for digestion, so try your best.”

Even though I gave her a heads-up, Fujisaki puckered her lips at the sourness, her expression scrunched up as she hesitated for a moment. However, she didn’t seem to hate it entirely, swallowing it and signaling for the next spoonful.

I wouldn’t have minded if she’d left it unfinished, but at this rate, she might just be able to eat it all.

And so, Pout-saki successfully finished the porridge.

For someone battling a cold, she showed an impressive “Pout-saki spirit.” Good job eating properly, Fujisaki.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“You’re welcome. I also bought some apples and jelly. Want some?”

“…Then, I’d like the jelly.”

“Alright, hang on.”

While tidying up the dishes from the porridge, I grabbed the chilled peach jelly I had stored in the fridge. Placing the tray with the jelly and a spoon in front of Fujisaki, I noticed she wasn’t moving—her hands were tucked under the blanket.

Instead, she looked at the jelly, then at me, as if puzzled.

“Not going to eat?”

“I am. Here—ahh.”

When I asked, wondering if she had changed her mind, she opened her mouth, ready and waiting.

Wait a second. Does she think I’m going to feed her, just like with the porridge?

Unlike the hot porridge, which required blowing to cool and minimized her effort to avoid straining her lungs, the chilled jelly didn’t need any such treatment. There was no real reason for me to assist this time.

Still, if that’s what she’s hoping for, how can I say no?

“Hey, what’s taking so long?”

“Alright, alright. Here—ahh.”

“Mm… exceptionally delicious.”

…Look at her, unabashedly leaning into being pampered.

Clearly delighted, she savored the jelly, her contentment written all over her face.

What is with this girl?

She’s way too adorable.