Night.
My body was feeling a bit better, so I went to the fridge to grab a drink. That's when I heard a knock at the door.
"...Kurenai?"
That was my first thought.
Of course, since moving in here, she's been the only person who's ever visited, so it was natural to assume it was her.
I opened the door without a second thought.
And then
"Ah, g-good evening. Ehehe."
"Miss Asou..."
There stood Miss Asou, scratching her head sheepishly.
"S-sorry for showing up out of the blue. I got your address from the manager, you see. I just, well, wanted to check on you or bring you something, I guess."
"Sorry you had to go out of your way. Um..."
I took the drinks she'd brought in a shopping bag and glanced back at my room.
It wouldn't be right to just turn her away at the door after she'd come all this way out of concern.
But I also wasn't sure if I should invite her in.
"Ahaha, I'm not asking to come inside or anything."
"Oh, no, I'm sorry. But at least let me offer you some tea
"I didn't come here to make a sick person fuss over me. But, in exchange... could I come hang out sometime?"
"Huh? I mean, I don't know about
"I wouldn't come alone. The manager said he'd like to see the place too, so we'd come together."
"Ah, well, if that's the case, I suppose..."
"Fufu, you're surprisingly proper about that kind of thing, aren't you?"
"No, what part of me do you think is improper—I mean, thank you. I appreciate this."
I bowed my thanks, and Miss Asou spoke up.
"Sorry, can I ask you just one more thing?"
"Y-yes, of course. What is it?"
"Sorry to bother you while you're sick. I just wanted to confirm... you don't have a girlfriend, right?"
"N-no. I don't."
I answered hesitantly, and Miss Asou let out a small giggle.
"Then I guess it's okay for me to meddle like this, right?"
"Meddle? You're not—"
"No, this is something I'm doing because I want to. You helped me out so much with that whole ex-boyfriend situation... I want to return the favor."
"You really don't have to worry about that."
"But I do. You really helped me a lot. Well, see you tomorrow."
She was about to leave, so I called out to stop her.
"Wait—you're walking home alone in the dark?"
"Hm? It's fine. He hasn't tried to contact me since then anyway."
"Still—"
"Ahaha, you're that worried about me? But I can't exactly have a sick person walking me home."
"I mean, I could do that much—"
"Then, want to let me stay the night?"
"Huh? I... no, that's..."
"Ahaha, kidding, kidding. I'm not that easy, you know. Anyway, get some rest."
With that, Miss Asou quickly walked away from the apartment building.
I went down to the entrance and watched her until she disappeared from sight, but I knew I couldn't go after her.
Was it really the right thing to do to be kind to her for her own sake when I can't return her feelings?
I didn't know the answer. Soon, she was out of sight.
Slowly, I made my way back up to my room.