♡
"Sigh... What am I even doing?"
The words slipped out as I was buying a drink at the convenience store.
Leaving school early at noon, letting myself into his apartment without asking, and making rice porridge on my own whim.
It's not like I'm trying to win his affection or anything.
I was just worried, that's all.
"Sigh..."
I couldn't stop the sighs from coming.
I said I was stepping out to grab drinks, so I have to go back, but my feet feel heavy as I head toward his place.
"Huh? Hey, Yuzu!"
"...Arisu?"
Just before reaching his apartment, I ran right into Arisu.
"What are you doing around here? Weren't you sick and went home early today?"
"Ah, yeah, well. I felt a little better, so I thought I'd grab something to drink."
"I see, I see. Minato's out today too—think he's sick as well? Seems like a cold's going around."
"...Who knows."
"If I knew where he lived, I'd at least want to check in on him, you know? Minato doesn't really talk about himself, so nobody in class knows. I really, really hope he's okay."
Arisu's gaze drifted into the distance, landing on an old apartment building.
The middle room on the second floor—I know that's the one she's looking for.
But I can't tell her.
And honestly, I don't want to.
Even though Arisu is a kind friend who always looks out for someone like me.
I can't bring myself to support her feelings.
But I don't have the courage to shatter her illusion, either.
"I should get going."
"Oh, sorry for holding you up when you're sick. Make sure you're all better by tomorrow, okay?"
"Yeah. See you."
I slowly started walking in the opposite direction.
Then, once I reached the front of his apartment, I turned back to make sure Arisu was nowhere in sight.
Quietly, I climbed the stairs and returned to his room.