Liar's Lips Fall Apart in Love - Volume 1 Chapter 2.6

The Summer When Something Changes 6

After buying ice cream at the convenience store, we casually took our seats on a bench in the coffee corner. I chose a 100-yen biscuit sandwich ice cream

Houjo-kun laughed, “Nanase, you’re modest, huh? You could have picked something more expensive.”

“Uh, um. Do you have a favor to ask me or something?”

“Oh, you have good intuition.”

Saying that, Houjo-kun’s lips curved into a sly grin. Perhaps he wanted to copy my notes too. I would lend them to him even if he didn’t treat me.

However, his request was something I didn’t expect.

“I’ve been thinking about asking Saki to hang out during the summer vacation.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Hojo-kun and Sacchan really get along well. Especially recently, I often see the two of them together. I summoned my courage and asked about something that had been bothering me for a while.

“Um… Houjo-kun, do you like Sacchan?”

“Yeah. I do.”

Houjo-kun affirmed it boldly, without a hint of shyness. Oh, cool!

“But, when I invited her to the Gion Festival before, it ended up being ‘with everyone.’ Maybe Saki is on guard against me?”

“I don’t think… Sacchan doesn’t dislike being alone with Houjo-kun.”

Come to think of it, because I invited Sacchan, Houjo-kun couldn’t have his date at the Gion Festival with her.

Ugh, I’m sorry. A sense of guilt prickles my heart belatedly.

“But maybe it’s too much of a hurdle to be just the two of us from the start. So,”

Houjo-kun made a peace sign with his right hand and thrust it out towards me.

“Nanase. How about a double date?”

I was taken aback and my eyes widened.

“Saki will feel more at ease if she knows you’re there from the beginning. Well, I suppose we can split up at some point.”

“Wait a minute. I… don’t have someone to date.”

I finally comprehended Houjo-kun’s suggestion and cut him off in a panic. Houjo-kun tilted his head in confusion.

“No way, there is.”

“Sagara-kun isn’t like that!”

“I didn’t mention Sagara at all.”

Houjo-kun said nonchalantly, and I was at a loss for words.

Watching my reaction, he smirked a bit mischievously. Maybe he’s quite a tricky person behind his refreshing facade.

“Well, that’s not really the problem. Just invite anyone you deem appropriate.”

“But why me?”

Houjo-kun is well-connected. He has plenty of friends who’d go on a double date without him having to ask me.

Looking straight at me, Houjo-kun’s gaze seemed to pierce through to my very core, making me feel uncomfortable as if he could see through my facade.

“Nanase, you’re not the type to blab about who likes who, right? I have a pretty good sense about these things.”

“That’s… of course, I wouldn’t say anything.”

“Well, anyway, it means I trust you. You can refuse if you don’t like it, but Nanase, you ate the ice cream. It’s my treat.”

…Yes, I did eat it.

I couldn’t refuse when he said he trusted me. Although Houjo-kun and I weren’t that close, I wanted to help as much as I could.

It would also serve as atonement for ruining their Gion Festival date.

“Yeah. I’m okay with it.”

“Really? That helps. After the exams… let’s plan for the summer vacation. I’ll get in touch with you later.”

Houjo-kun smiled, waved his hand, and walked away.

As I watched his retreating back, I wondered what I should do. Although he said anyone would be fine, the face that came to mind was inevitably Sagara-kun’s.

◆◆◆

Sagara’s PoV

After finishing my shift at 21:00, I yawned widely. Just as I entered the backroom, I was spotted by Itogawa-san.

“Oh, Sagara-kun, you look really tired.”

Suppressing another yawn, I responded with a “Yes.”

I had worked a shift until morning yesterday, so I went straight to the university without sleeping.

Today’s shift was from 16:00 to 21:00, so I have time to go home and study now.

However, my body is sluggish. Maybe due to lack of sleep, I’m even starting to get a headache.

“Sagara-kun, you’re working every day even before exams. Are you studying properly? If you need notes for Social Economics, I have some I could lend you.”

“I’m fine. I’ve been taking notes properly.”

“That’s right. Sagara-kun is always so diligent.”

“I’m just average.”

“By the way, Sagara-kun, you look pale. Are you okay?”

…Now that she mentioned it, Nanase said something similar.

I checked my face in the mirror on the wall. I might look a bit pale, but I’ve always had an unhealthy complexion.

“Isn’t it always like this?”

“When you put it that way, maybe… but I’m not sure.”

“Well then, thanks for your hard work.”

“Bye, take care. Make sure you get some sleep.”

Itogawa-san saw me off as I left the convenience store through the back door into the moody air.

The temperature hasn’t dropped much even at night. Thinking about another tropical night made me feel tired.

As I walked towards my apartment, sweat began to pour from my forehead. It’s ridiculously hot for July, and my head feels foggy.

Staggering, I finally arrived at my apartment.

Dragging my leaden feet up the stairs, I took out my keys and opened the door.

I kicked off my sneakers and headed to the kitchen to get some water – and stumbled.

The kettle I left on the stove fell with a loud crash. I collapsed onto the tatami mats.

… Ah… this might be bad.

As I tried to get up, I felt dizzy. My body was burning up, and I couldn’t muster any strength. It felt like my whole body was at its limit, sending out an SOS.

The headline “Kyoto University Student Found Dead in His Apartment” flashed through my mind.

It’s terrible to fall ill before exams. No, at this rate, exams are the least of my concerns. I reached for my smartphone on the tatami but couldn’t quite grasp it.

Am I going to die like this? – I thought, when suddenly, The doorbell rang. I didn’t have the energy to get up. Ignoring it, a voice came from the other side.

“Sagara-kun? I heard a loud noise; are you okay?”

It was Nanase’s voice. Unable to reply, I just groaned.

“I’m coming in!”

With that, she opened the door, letting in the light from outside. A scream-like voice echoed.

“Sagara-kun!”

Nanase rushed over and shook me. When our eyes met, she sighed in relief and murmured,

“Thank goodness, you’re alive.” Her eyes, behind thick lenses, seemed to be moist.

“Should I call an ambulance?”

“…No need, I’m okay.”

Hearing that, Nanase muttered, “Then that’s good,” and gently held my hand. As soon as her cool, small hand enveloped mine, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

“Sorry, I’m turning on the air conditioner.”

After confirming my nod, Nanase turned on the AC and the fan. Along with a slightly dusty smell, cool air began to circulate.

After briskly laying out a futon, Nanase handed me a damp towel.

“You should wipe yourself with this towel and change your clothes. Need help?”

“I, I can do it myself…”

I couldn’t let Nanase do such a thing. My body felt heavy and sluggish, but I managed to sit up. While I changed, Nanase brought an ice pack and a sports drink from her room.

“Drink this for now.”

I took the bottle and let the cold, sweet liquid slide down my throat. Placing the ice pack under my neck, I lay down on the futon and started to feel better.

“Sorry to trouble you… Thank you.”

With a hoarse voice, I expressed my gratitude. Nanase smiled and narrowed her eyes.

“It’s not a bother at all. I was scared you might have died.”

“…Sorry.”

“Besides, we should help each other when in trouble. Sagara-kun, you also took care of the cockroach for me.”

That’s right, there was that time. The first time I saw Nanase’s no make up face. It’s been almost two months since then.

“You’ve helped me a lot, too.”

Nanase reached out and gently touched my forehead. Perhaps because of my fever, her touch felt pleasantly cool.

“You’re a bit warm. Might be heatstroke. And you’re overworking.”

“…I’m sweating.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll leave the sports drink by your pillow. I’ll come check on you tomorrow. Leave the door unlocked, okay? Good night.”

With that, Nanase left the room. I lay there, my thoughts drifting.