When Two Wounded Hearts Find Solace In Each Other, Snow White (The School's Beauty) And I Were Mistakenly Labeled As A Silly Couple. - Chapter 14: Unconsciously Doing It, Snow White Is On A Different Level.

Unconsciously Doing It, Snow White Is On A Different Level.

“Ah, ahh.”

It’s past twelve, and Himeno, with her gentle demeanor, has prepared a steaming bowl of rice porridge for me. Using a spoon, she scoops up a mouthful, blows on it to cool it down, and then brings it to my lips.

I’ve been resting, and my body is starting to recover. I find myself sitting up, grateful for Himeno’s dedicated care.

“I can manage on my own.”

I’ve been in a similar situation before when Marika fed me with an ‘aah,’ but this feels different. It’s a bit embarrassing to have Himeno, someone I’ve only recently gotten to know, taking care of me. It’s not the same as the easy familiarity with a childhood friend.

There’s a warmth spreading through my body, different from the chill of a cold. My cheeks must be flushed red. I can’t bring myself to look directly at Himeno, overwhelmed by a sense of self-consciousness.

“No, you can’t. Taka-kun, you are sick, so please eat quietly.”

I hear a soft ‘puku’ sound, likely Himeno puffing out her cheeks. Part of me wishes I could see her, cute and maybe a bit annoyed, but I can’t muster the courage to meet her gaze.

“Hurry up, or it’ll get cold. Say ahh.”

The aroma of warm rice porridge fills the room, courtesy of Himeno’s thoughtful care. She blows gently on a spoonful and offers it to me, urging me to eat quickly. It’s past noon, and the porridge is undoubtedly better when it’s still piping hot.

(Delicious…)

I take a deep breath, mentally prepare myself, and sit up. The warmth of the porridge contrasts with the lingering chill from my recent illness. Himeno’s attentive nursing has made a noticeable difference in my recovery.

Despite my protest, she insists on feeding me. It’s a bit awkward, considering we’ve only recently become acquainted. The sensation of vulnerability, different from the comfort of a childhood friend, lingers in the air.

The porridge, though, is surprisingly delightful. It’s not overly seasoned, yet the flavors are well-balanced. The vegetables add a subtle sweetness, making it a genuinely enjoyable meal even for someone under the weather.

I reflect on my cooking skills—or lack thereof. Living alone for a year should have prompted me to learn, but it seems I’ve fallen into the habit of relying on others, particularly Marika.

(It’s kind of pathetic…)

Yesterday, Marika provided comfort, and today, Himeno is taking care of me. It’s a humbling realization of my dependence. Not to mention, I’ve leaned on Marika, a childhood friend who’s been like an older sister, for as long as I can remember.

Himeno mentioned comforting me, but it was more of a reassuring embrace than anything else. Rejected by Marika, it feels like a wake-up call. Perhaps it’s time for me to break these patterns and start changing myself.

“Was it not tasty?”

Perhaps due to the complicated expression on my face from overthinking, Himeno looks at me with a sad expression. Maybe she thought it wasn’t delicious after seeing my expression.

“It’s delicious. I was just lost in thought. Sorry.”

“No, when you’re not feeling well, you tend to think about various things and get anxious.”

Certainly, when feeling unwell, it’s easy to get lost in thoughts and become anxious.

“But even if you’re feeling anxious, Taka-kun, I’m here for you.”

Himeno smiles reassuringly, and I almost misinterpret it. She’s just repaying the comfort I received, taking care of me. I shouldn’t be deceived by her overwhelmingly charming smile.

She doesn’t seem to be intentionally trying to captivate the guys around her with her smile. It seems more like an unconscious habit.

However, there’s something different about the smile I see now compared to the one she usually wears in the classroom.

At school, her smiles appear intentional, as if she’s consciously putting them on. Yet, the smile she has now seems to have come naturally and unconsciously.

It must be because she genuinely felt happy about comforting me.

“Here, ahh.”

I find myself having to eat the entire bowl with the ‘ahh’ feeding method.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“It was a humble treat.”

The act of being fed with an ‘ahh’ brings a flush to my cheeks, and as I consume each spoonful, a warmth courses through my body. It’s a sensation distinct from the fever of a cold, a different kind of heat that lingers.

Why is it that, despite having been in more awkward situations before, this moment feels just a bit… special? Perhaps, in some small way, Himeno is starting to occupy a unique place in my thoughts.

Marika remains the one I’m fond of, but these recent intense interactions with Himeno have blurred the lines. It’s challenging not to perceive her as something more after such close encounters.

Being at ease with these actions when they come from a childhood friend is likely due to the comfort built over the years. Time, it seems, has a way of making even the most embarrassing moments bearable.

“Um, your face is turning red. Did your fever go up?”

“Huh? I don’t think so.”

Even though I can feel the warmth, it’s not a result of illness.

“I apologize.”

“Wait a…”

“To check if you have a fever,” Himeno, seemingly wanting to confirm, pressed her forehead against mine.

In this modern age of digital convenience, a thermometer would have sufficed for this task. However, for reasons unknown, Himeno chooses to measure my temperature with our foreheads touching.

She’s so close that her breath is noticeable, and with just a slight move, our lips could touch like the delicate brush of cherry blossoms. Even her breath carries a sweet scent.

“It doesn’t seem like you have a fever.”

“There isn’t, so please, a little… back.”

“Oh… sorry.”

Finally realizing the embarrassment of her actions, Himeno retreats from me. Her cheeks, now distanced from mine, are an unbelievable shade of crimson.

While I’ve had Marika measure my temperature using the forehead method, it still feels embarrassing when someone else does it.

(Himeno is on a different level.)

With that thought, I find myself too embarrassed to face the situation, so I lie down on the bed, covering my face with the blanket.