“…………”

    What in the world am I doing?

    I am currently in Asuka’s room.

    I was sitting on my knees with my back straight.

    This is not the first time I’ve been in Asuka’s room. Although it was a familiar place, I felt more nervous than ever before.

    I was even more nervous than I had been when I first came to Asuka’s room.

    Not that I doubted it, but Asuka was in bed with a fever.

    Fortunately or unfortunately, Asuka was asleep when I arrived, so I tried not to disturb her sleep.

    (“Really, what am I doing? I should have just given her a get-well present and left quickly. …… But Asuka’s mother told me to take it easy, and I couldn’t turn back ……”).

    I couldn’t help making excuses to myself.

    I should go home now, after all….

    Yes, let’s do that.

    I made up my mind and stood up.

    “Hi-Hiroto……?? W-Why are you in my room?”

    Asuka woke up at the precise moment that I had planned.

    It was the reverse pattern of the other day. At that time, I was shocked to see Asuka in my room.

    “Ah, no, I’m, uhm, I-I’m sorry! I will go home now!”

    “W-Wait!　Hiroto.”

    As I was about to pack up and leave the room, Asuka immediately stopped me.

    “….D-Did you come to visit me by any chance?”

    “N-no, it’s not like that. I-I just happened to pass by Asuka’s house, and your mother found me, and I just went along with it.”

    “I see…. I-I’m sorry. I haven’t told my mom that I broke up with Hiroto yet, and I’ll make sure to tell her later.”

    “……Yeah.”

    Asuka puts a shadow on her face and gives a small bow.

    The cold combined with the fever seemed to be fainter than ever.

    “Is your fever alright?

    Yes. I slept and I feel much better.”

    “I see.”

    “U-uhm, I’m sorry I did so many terrible things to Hiroto. I’ll make sure I don’t show up in front of you anymore. That’s all I can do for you. …… G-goodbye”

    Asuka tells me in a weak voice.

    My chest tightens up.

    This is exactly what I was hoping for.

    If I leave this room, Asuka will never come near me again.

    We can part ways without a hitch.

    But my feet refuse to leave this room. I really am lost in my emotions these days.

    “Here, in case you’re feeling up to it. If you have the energy to eat and drink, that is.”

    I was filled with nervousness, but I summoned up all my courage to speak up. I took out a convenience store bag from my bag and held it out to Asuka.

    Asuka took the bag with trepidation, checked the contents,

    “……. Did you buy it for me?”

    “N-no. It was a coincidence. I bought it for myself.”

    “…..Then I can’t accept it. Hiroto should eat it.”

    “I don’t care. Just take it.”

    “I don’t like it. I’m not so greedy that I eat other people’s food.”

    “You know, sick people don’t need to worry about what other people eat.”

    “I don’t care. It’s Hiroto’s.”

    “….. Alright. I will take it home”

    As I took the bag and was about to leave again, Asuka grabbed me by the sleeve of my uniform.

    “D-don’t. I want it. ……”

    “W-W-What’s the matter with you? Don’t change your mind so much.”

    “Because Hiroto is lying…….”

    “I’m not lying.”

    “You bought that for me, didn’t you ……?”

    “No, it was just a coincidence.”

    “There are all the ones I like. In addition, Hiroto, you do not like chocolate, right?

    I quickly averted my gaze to the other side.

    I was careless to bring sweets with a lot of chocolate.

    There was no way I could get away with it.

    I hand the bag from the convenience store to Asuka again.

    “Thanks, Hiroto.”

    “You’re welcome…….”

    Asuka smiled happily and expressed her gratitude.

    I was feeling a bit uncomfortable.

    “I’m going to go home now.”

    “…….Ah yes. ….Understood”

    I don’t stay for a long time to visit someone.

    I gave her exactly what I wanted to give her, and it would be a good time to leave.

    But when I put my hand on the doorknob, I stopped moving again. …… I can’t just leave like this. I haven’t said what I want to say yet.

    I guess I should really look her in the eye and talk to her, but that seems a bit of a hurdle.

    I kept my back to Asuka.

    “I didn’t say don’t get involved with me for the rest of your life,”

    ” …………”

    “We just broke up. I mean, we’re back to where we were before we started going out. I don’t want you to misunderstand me there. …… Uhm …… that’s all. I hope you get over your cold soon.”

    After saying this in a mumbled voice, I opened the door.

    I wonder if I’ve caught a fever too. My face is hot. I need to get out of this room as soon as possible.

    “…Thank you”

    As I was leaving, Asuka’s trembling voice snatched my ear.

    I don’t know what kind of expression she had on her face because I didn’t see it. There is no reason for her to be thanking me…….

    I left Asuka’s room with a slightly lighter step.