What If You Spoil a High School Girl Who Looks Like a Landmine? - Volume 1 Chapter 3.4

Seeing What Shouldn’t Be Seen 4

“…Chifuji, sorry, is it still hurt…?”

On Tuesday, during lunch break in the classroom, one of my friends who was eating with me said this, putting his hands together.

“…Ah? No…”

“But you’ve been so quiet, and you didn’t answer when pointed out during the class… sorry, my ball hit you quite hard…”

Our first class in the morning was physical education, and the subject was softball.

This friend of mine threw a ball that apparently slipped while playing catch and hit me in the side of the head as I was practicing nearby.

“It’s alright, it doesn’t hurt or anything now.”

“Really? But I caught a glimpse when you were changing, didn’t it look like a bruise?”

“….Is that so. No, it probably didn’t. You saw it wrong.”

“Really?”

There’s nothing wrong where the ball hit and there’s no pain.

So, this is not a lie. Then, another friend speaks up.

“But, isn’t Chifuji acting strange today? The reason you got hit by the ball during PE is because you seemed spaced out and didn’t notice it.”

“Is that so… was I spaced out? I was feeling a bit sluggish and couldn’t move quickly…”

That’s why I couldn’t avoid it.

Come to think of it, even now, my body feels strangely tired.

Did physical education class do this to me…?

“…Hey, sorry, I’ve been wondering, isn’t Chifuji-kun’s face red?”

“Kusakabe-san?”

This time, Kusakabe-san (a girl who’s on the gardening committee with me), who was spreading out her lunch with a group of girls nearby, turns around to join the conversation.

“Really? I can’t tell.”

“Girls notice people’s complexion really well. …Hmm? Now that she mentions it, maybe?”

My two male friends, taking Kusakabe-san’s words, intently peer into my face.

“It’s red! Excuse me a bit!”

Kusakabe-san, having stood up from her seat, comes over and puts her hand on my forehead.

“..It’s hot! You have a fever!”

It’s true I feel a little light-headed, and just as Kusakabe-san said, it was indeed above normal when measured in the infirmary.

However, it wasn’t too high, and since there was no one to pick me up, I decided to leave early for now and go home by myself.

That would have been fine, but…

“…This is bad; my fever got worse.”

I didn’t feel noticeably ill when I left the house this morning.

Even when everyone at school pointed it out, I only thought, ‘Maybe I was a bit feverish?’ But, it’s getting worse while I am on my way home alone.

Even so, I have to do something about it myself.

With shaky steps, I stop by a drugstore on my way home.

It’s especially large around here and has a good selection of products… well, is there any reason why it has to be a good-selection store?

I don’t know, I just feel like a bigger store is better.

I should buy antipyretics and, also, uh, sports drinks and jelly drinks…and what else?

…Ah, I can tell my thoughts are becoming duller.

I shake my head two-three times and let out a sigh.

Despite this, the foggy feeling doesn’t clear.

“…Chifuji-san?”

At first, I thought I was hearing things.

“What a coincidence. Are you shopping?”

“…Raihara, san?”

“Yes. This place is great, it’s big and has a selection of cleaning supplies… Oh?”

In her basket, there are products for mold cleaning.

I guess it’s that time of year, the rainy season.

“Chifuji-san, your complexion…and also, why at this time on a weekday?”

“Mold cleaning…I need to do it soon too… I even have the tools Raihara-san recommended…”

“Chifuji-san?”

“Yes? Ah, sorry….”

What was I saying now?

I feel like whatever came to my mind just came out of my mouth.

What was I asked by Raihara-san? This is not good, not good.

“Sorry, I am a bit spaced out…”

“…Excuse me.”

Swiftly, Raihara-san places her hand on my forehead; then her face shows concern.

“You have a fever… I see; you left early, didn’t you?”

“…Embarrassingly, I am feeling a bit sick.”

Come to think of it, I feel like I had such a conversation with her the day before yesterday.

She even told me to be careful as it gets cold at night, but I completely failed to heed the warning.

“So, I need to buy antipyretics and sports drinks…Oh, why is Raihara-san here on a weekday…?”

“Today is the foundation anniversary. (TN: Maybe referring to school.) No, more importantly, how about you, Chifuji-san? …how about your family?”

“Yes? Ah…no.”

I hastily close my overly relaxed mouth before it can say anything unnecessary due to the fever.

“…I’m alone today.”

“That…”

Raihara-san’s face shows concern.

Her expression seems to be vividly saying she can’t help but worry.

I could already imagine what she was going to say to me.

“With the state you are in, it might be dangerous to go home alone… Moreover, when you are sick, you need to eat nutritious food…Chifuji-san, I will accompany you to your home!”

“I appreciate your concern, but you shouldn’t…”

“Bringing a woman who seemed like a stalker into your home must be very uncomfortable, I know! But I won’t do anything strange, I swear!”

“No, ever since Raihara-san managed to speak your mind last time, I’m not worried about that at all… anyway, having you take care of me here would be meaningless… To make Raihara-san take care of me…”

My thoughts are becoming foggy again, but I muster up everything and manage to squeeze out a few words.

“You know, it’s like ruining the beginning of a successful diet by eating a cake…”

Is this the right expression?

But I think she understands what I am trying to say.

“Mmm… When you say it like that… but…”

Seemingly understanding, Raihara-san thinks hard.

I don’t want to undermine her efforts and success… I think it’s better to leave now.

“…thank you for your concern. In any case, I’ll be fine… It would be bad if I infected you with my cold… So, then…”

Saying that, I turn my body and leave the spot.

I’m happy with Raihara-san’s feelings, but I don’t want to trouble her.

Some fever reducers and several jelly drinks will do…and some sports drinks. That should be enough.

Holding the basket containing those, I go to the cashier, pay, and leave the store——

“…Cheat Day!”

At that moment, a voice calls out to me, and my arm is grasped firmly.

“Raihara-san?”

“It’s a cheat day!”

…Cheat day?

What’s that? I think I’ve heard that before.