Nagi opened his eyes the next morning. Soft light came through the window. He felt something heavy on his body. It was Rikka's leg. She had thrown it over him in her sleep. He gently moved her leg back to her side of the bed.
He looked at her. Rikka was sweating a lot. Her forehead and neck looked wet. Nagi reached out and touched her forehead. The fever was gone. It felt normal now.
He got up quietly and took a clean towel from the shelf. He sat back on the bed and started cleaning her sweat. He wiped her forehead, her cheeks, and her neck carefully. He made sure not to touch her boobs or private parts. He only cleaned the safe areas.
Suddenly Rikka opened her eyes. She looked at him. Nagi had the towel in his hand and was wiping her neck.
"Good morning," Rikka said softly.
Nagi nodded. "Good morning, Rikka."
Her face turned a little red. She stayed quiet for a moment.
"Turn back," Nagi said. "I will clean your back side also."
Rikka turned over slowly. Nagi wiped her back gently with the towel. He was careful and quiet. After a few minutes he finished.
"I am good now," Rikka said. She sat up and got out of bed right away. "Look, today I am fine. I can make food and go to school."
She walked to the kitchen. "I will make breakfast for us."
"Okay," Nagi replied.
He stayed on the bed for a moment. Then he stood up and went to the desk. He opened his bag and took out his notebook. He looked at yesterday's homework. "Is there any homework?" he said to himself.
He checked the pages. There was math homework and some English reading. He started doing the math problems while he waited.
From the kitchen he could hear Rikka moving around. She was making rice and frying eggs. The smell of breakfast filled the small apartment. Nagi felt relieved that her fever was gone. He didn't want her to miss more school.
Rikka came back to the room after a while. "Breakfast is ready."
They sat at the small table together. Rikka looked much better than yesterday. Her face had color again. They ate quietly at first.
"You really feel okay?" Nagi asked.
"Yes," Rikka said with a small smile. "Thank you for cleaning me this morning. I was surprised when I woke up."
Nagi looked down at his food. "You were sweating a lot. I just wanted to help."
They finished breakfast. Rikka washed the dishes while Nagi packed his bag for school. They got ready together like always. Rikka put on her school uniform and tied her hair. Nagi waited by the door.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Ready," Rikka answered.
They left the apartment and walked to school side by side. The morning air felt fresh. Other students were walking the same way. Nagi thought about Haruto. Maybe today his friend would finally talk to Yuki more.
When they reached the school gate, Rikka turned to him.
"Thank you again for taking care of me yesterday," she said.
"It's nothing," Nagi replied. "Just get better and stay that way."
They walked into the building together. Class 3A was starting to fill up. Haruto was already at his desk. He waved when he saw Nagi.
Nagi sat in his usual seat by the window. Rikka went to her own seat a few rows away. The teacher came in and class started.
During the first break, Haruto came over again.
"Hey bro," Haruto said. "I saw Yuki this morning. I said hello again. She smiled!"
Nagi nodded. "That's progress. Keep going."
Rikka looked over from her seat and smiled at them. Nagi gave her a small nod back. The day felt normal again.
But in the back of his mind, Nagi kept thinking about this morning. Waking up with her leg on him. Wiping her sweat. The way her face turned red. He shook his head and tried to focus on the lesson.
Time to go home came quickly. The final bell rang and students started leaving Class 3A. Nagi packed his bag. Rikka came over to his desk.
They walked out of school together. Rikka held his hand like a couple. Her fingers felt warm. Nagi thought it really looked like they were a couple. They walked like this sometimes and it always made him feel strange inside.
Rikka looked up at him. "Today my shift is after we go home. I will go to work."
"Yeah, I also have my shift," Nagi said.
Rikka smiled. "After part-time, we can go home together."
"Okay. We will meet after," Nagi replied.
Rikka's smile grew bigger. "Okay, bye. I will meet you after."
She let go of his hand and walked a different way. Nagi watched her for a moment then continued to his part-time job.
He finally reached the small convenience store. The bell on the door rang as he walked in.
"You came fast," Uma said from behind the counter. Uma was his coworker, a university student who worked the earlier shift.
"Yes. Okay, it's my turn. You can go," Nagi told him.
"Okay," Uma said. He took off his apron and left.
Nagi went to the back room and wore the store shirt. It was a simple blue shirt with the store name on it. He came back to the counter and started his work. While there were no customers, he thought about Rikka again.
Lately I think about Rikka too much,he thought. I am worried about her all the time. If she is not feeling good…
Suddenly the door made a noise. Someone came in.
"Wait, Nagi? You work here?"
It was Haruto. He looked surprised.
"Yes, I work here," Nagi said.
"Oo, I am surprised, bro," Haruto said with a big smile.
"Yeah. By the way, why did you come here?" Nagi asked.
Haruto leaned on the counter. "Because Yuki lives near here. I came for the first time and told her to go on a date. Yuki said yes! I am so happy."
Nagi nodded. "Oh, good. You are doing good progress."
Haruto looked excited. "When do you think I should confess?"
Nagi thought for a second. "I don't know. But you are moving forward."
Haruto grinned. "I will confess at the festival. Like in anime. It will be perfect."
"Okay. Good. I see," Nagi said.
"Then we will become a couple," Haruto said. "Then… you know."
"You are going too much," Nagi told him. "But yes, bro."
Haruto laughed. "Okay, see you. Now I also go home. Bye bye."
"Bye," Nagi said.
Haruto left the store. The bell rang again. Nagi stayed behind the counter. The store was quiet. He thought about Haruto's happy face. It was nice to see his friend making progress with Yuki.
But his mind went back to Rikka. Holding hands on the way home. Sleeping in the same bed. Taking care of her when she was sick. Everything felt close. Too close for just friends. He wondered again what they really were.
A customer came in and Nagi focused on work. He scanned the items and gave the change. The hours passed slowly. He waited for the time when he could meet Rikka and walk home together.
When his shift finally ended, he changed out of the store shirt and waited outside. Rikka came walking down the street a few minutes later. She smiled when she saw him.
"I'm here," she said.
"Let's go home," Nagi replied.
They started walking. Rikka held his hand again. The streetlights made their shadows long on the ground. Nagi didn't say anything about it. He just walked with her, feeling the warmth of her hand in his.
They reached the apartment. Nagi opened the door.
"I'm home," he said.
"Welcome home," Rikka answered softly.
They went inside together like every other day.