I Want to Have a Girlfriend Too - Chapter 35

A beautiful girl who has fallen down still tries to do her best

 

“…uh… where am I? “

 

　She slowly wakes up in front of me.

 

“Oh, you’re awake.”

 

　I notice Saijouin waking up, and I stand up from where I am sitting.

 

” …this is my house, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, my bad. I had to go in here without permission.”

“…you’re trespassing.”

“It was an emergency, sorry.”

 

　Saijouin is lying on the bed, looking at me as she speaks.

　Her voice is still somewhat weak.

　It seemed to express Saijouin’s current state.

 

” …wasn’t I at school? “

“I found you collapsed in the student council chambers, and I carried you home──── Oh, I didn’t do anything weird, don’t worry.”

 

　I firmly deny and said that I did not do anything wrong.

 

　After I saw Saijouin collapse, I carried her home immediately.

　I reported the incident to the teacher only after I brought Saijouin home.

　This is what is called an after-the-fact report.

 

　Since I did not know her address, I contacted Kagurazaka to confirm her address and also informed her of the current condition of Saijouin.

 

“Kagurazaka will be here later.”

“…I see. I’m sorry for all the trouble…”

 

　Saijouin muttered apologetically, perhaps feeling guilty for the trouble she had caused.

　I can understand her feelings, but I wish she would be quiet now.

 

” …What time is it? “

 

　Saijouin looks at the clock on the wall.

　The clock read 10:30.

 

“…I-I have to go to… school right now.”

“I’m not going to let you go.”

 

　I drop the wet towel and grab Saijouin by the shoulders as she tries to get up and slowly lay her down on the bed.

　I brought her to Saijouin’s house instead of taking her to the infirmary because of this kind of thing.

 

　Looking at her now, I think she will force herself to leave the infirmary and attend the Sakura School Festival.

　I have a feeling that she will keep working to make the festival a good one and telling herself that she still has more things to improve.

 

“You, do you know your condition right now? “

” …it’s my own body. I know myself the best…”

“No, you don’t understand. ──── Look, you have a fever right now, and it’s probably pretty high. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have fallen on the floor like that.”

 

　I was very surprised when I touched the fallen Saijouin.

　She was so hot that I wondered why she had worked so hard until she was this bad.

　I haven’t measured her temperature yet, but I’m sure she has a high fever.

 

　…It’s not good for a man to try to touch and measure a woman’s temperature.

　I’ll ask Kagurazaka to check it when she gets here.

 

“Just be quiet today.”

 

　I say and pull the covers over Saijouin.

 

” …but I have to go… “

 

　Saijouin tried to resist but gave up pulling the covers off halfway through, perhaps because she was not strong enough.

 

　What was the reason she was trying so hard?

 

　I have my doubts about that.

　Saijouin is a person who is able to judge herself well.

　She should be a person who thinks and acts rationally with the maximum performance she can do at the moment.

 

　How could she have been so reckless?

 

” …ah, father… “

 

　Saijouin tried to get up for a while but eventually fell asleep with a small murmur.

 

“Sorry… I didn’t notice.”

 

　I whispered to the sleeping Saijouin and apologized.

 

　It was my fault for not noticing Saijouin until she was like this.

　No, I think somewhere in my heart, I had noticed it. However, I had assumed that Saijouin would be all right and turned my eyes away from her small anomaly.

 

　But it was Saijouin who made me realize that I was wrong and that I was just looking away.

　By the time I realized it, it was too late and she collapsed.

 

　What a fool I was.

 

　Saijouin’s sleeping breath and the ticking of the clock echo in the quiet room.

　The quietness seemed to tell me now to face my own foolishness.

 

* * *

 

(*Hiiyo’s point of view)

 

“………”

 

　I woke up with a cold sensation on my forehead.

　I slowly sit up, and a wet towel falls from my forehead.

　He must have left it there for me.

 

” …I fell asleep again, huh?”

 

　I look at the clock and see that it is past fifteen o’clock.

　Even if I went to the Sakura School Festival now, it would be almost over by the time I got there.

 

　There is no sign of him in the room.

　He must have left for the school to attend the festival.

　He said he wanted to see the maids’ uniforms so much…

 

　I miss him even though I take it for granted.

　Sickness is a terrible thing because our thoughts become more and more negative.

 

“But still… “

 

　I’ve slept about five hours since then, but I still feel tired.

　Is it because I haven’t taken my medicine?

 

“How are you, Saijouin? Feeling much better? “

 

　Then Tokimori-san entered the room with a tray and a small earthenware pot.

　I was surprised to see him in this room.

 

　――Why?

 

” …Why is Tokimori-san still here? “

 

　At this hour, you’ll never make it to school in time.

　He could have made it if he’d left me alone and gone to the school before.

 

“Of course, I’m still here. I couldn’t leave you alone.”

 

　He sat down near me as I was lying on the bed and put a tray near me.

 

“Tokimori-san was looking forward to the Sakura School Festival so much, wasn’t he …Didn’t you want to see the maids’ uniforms at the festival? “

 

　No, this is not what I meant.

　I should be happy to have him by my side, but I couldn’t think straight, and my apology combined with negative thoughts came out of my mouth in a slightly reproachful tone.

 

“Are you an idiot? Of course, I’m worried about you more than that. Besides, I can still see them in my maid’s uniform tomorrow.”

 

　Tokimori-san didn’t mind me saying that, but picked up a fallen towel and wet it with a bucket of water that was left nearby.

 

　――This is the kind of man he was.

　Although we did not spend much time together, I can feel that he was kind to everyone and cared more about others than himself.

 

　And now, his kindness made me feel very happy.

　I felt that the thoughts that I had been thinking in a bad way because of my apology and my health condition seemed to disappear with his words.

 

　…I’m a pretty simple person, aren’t I?

 

“Why were you working so hard? I know it because I was helping you with the work, but that wasn’t a normal amount for a single person’s work, was it? “

 

　Tokimori-san put a wet towel on the side and stared at me.

　His expression was serious as if he would not let me go until I told him.

 

“That’s―― “

 

　I turn my head and clam up.

　Everything I’ve worked so hard for is my own selfishness.

　How will he react when I tell him?

 

　Will he be disappointed?

　Will he laugh at me?

 

　These thoughts have been nagging at me, and I am at a loss for words.

　I am causing him trouble because of my selfishness.

 

　The sorry feeling that had disappeared earlier came back to me.

 

“Don’t worry, Saijouin. I’m not gonna insult your intention or purpose.”

 

　Tokimori-san seemed to understand what I was thinking, patting my head reassuringly and saying gently.

 

　——Ahh, I’m no match for him.

 

　I still felt sorry, but more than that, I felt that I had to tell him everything…

 

　That is why,

 

“I-I’ve been working hard because――”

 

　I’ll tell him why I have been trying so hard.

　Feeling the warmth of his palm on my head, I slowly open my mouth.