Trial Lover 67 (Patreon)

Sequel 13 - I Ended up Getting Sick

RAW

Monday, May 24th.

When I wake up... I feel extremely cold. It was chilly when I came back from my part-time job yesterday, so I wonder if it got even colder after that.

“...Huh.”

When I try to sit up... it feels quite heavy. Even breathing is painful and my head hurts a bit. I'm also starting to feel a fever.

“I might have, caught a cold...”

My voice is also strange. Did it get my throat?

I wonder if it's because I ran as fast as I could in the guerilla downpour after working part-time for eight hours yesterday. Although it took a while, I was supposed to have warmed myself up by taking a full shower. I might have gotten sick because of the fatigue and coldness.

First, I’ll take my temperature and then I’ll tell my family that I’m not feeling well.

While feeling sluggish, I somehow made it to the living room on the first floor where the thermometer is located.

No one is in the living room, but I can see my parents in the kitchen. Aneki is... aah, this is Monday, so her lecture starts in the 2nd period, so I guess she’s still sleeping?

Perhaps they know at first glance that I’m not feeling well, my parents quickly come to me.

“Akito, are you feeling unwell? You look pale.”

“...Yeah. I have a fever and my body is sluggish. My throat feels strange. My head also hurts a bit. My stomach is fine. I think it's because I got caught in the guerrilla downpour on my way home from my part-time job yesterday.”

“I see. For now, go and lie down on the sofa.”

“I'll get a thermometer.”

With Dad’s help, I lay on my back on the sofa. My body feels sluggish, so just being in this position makes me feel better, even if it’s just a little bit.

Mom returns and takes my temperature using the thermometer she brought. When she does,

“...38.5 degrees huh.”

“That’s quite high. Take the day off school today.”

“...Yeah, I will.”

“Mother will contact the school.”

“Yeah. Thank you.”

When I return to my room, I have to send a message to Hiori, Kazuo, and the others that I'm taking a day off. I also have to tell Hiori that I can't go to school with her.

“Akito. Do you have a part-time shift today?”

“...None today. I have one after school tomorrow.”

“I see. Then, it seems like I don't have to contact your part-time job.”

“...Yeah. For tomorrow's part-time job... it depends on my condition. If it's bad, I'll contact them myself.”

“Yeah, that’s fine. Now, let's get you back to your bed in your room. Let's just stay in bed until the hospital we always go to opens.”

“Yeah, let’s do that, Dad.”

I want to recover some of my strength before going to the hospital.

I ask Dad to lend me his shoulder and we leave the living room. Even with Dad’s support, climbing the stairs is quite difficult.

When I get to the second floor, I see Aneki comes out of her room in her sleepwear. Perhaps because my face is pale and Dad is lending me his shoulder, when Aneki sees me, she runs up to me looking worried.

“W-what's wrong! Akito!”

“It seems like he’s caught a cold. He also has a high fever. Look, didn’t Akito get caught in a guerrilla downpour on his way home from his part-time job yesterday?”

“That's right, he did. I'm sure he gets sick from being tired and cold. Well then, Onee-chan will take you to the hospital and make you some porridge! Today's 2nd period lecture has been canceled, so university starts in the afternoon!”

“...Thank you, Aneki.”

“Then, I'll leave the morning to you, Akemi.”

“Yeah! Leave it to Onee-chan!”

As she says that full of enthusiasm, Aneki hits her chest with her right hand. Perhaps because I’m sick, Aneki looks very reliable.

“If Akito don't mind, how about sleeping with Onee-chan until we get you to the hospital? I think the warmth emanating from other people is good for a body that's sick...”

As she says that, Aneki’s cheeks turn slightly red and she starts glancing at me. Seeing Aneki like that, Dad lets out a small laugh, “Haha!”

“...I-I'll just accept your feelings. You might catch my cold anyway.”

“...I got it.”

Aneki says, looking a little dejected.

Recently, Aneki has been getting closer to me more than before. To the point where I can't help but call her a brocon. The trigger for this was probably when we had a study session for our midterm exam at this house about two weeks ago. During a break from studying, I was looking at my album in my room with Hiori and the others. At that time, I said, “I'm glad that Kamitou Akemi is my sister,” and Aneki was listening to that while hiding. At that time, Aneki looked very happy.

Dad and Aneki help me to my bed and I lie down on it.

I pick up my smartphone that is next to my pillow and open the usual six person group chat, and send a message, saying, [I've caught a cold. I’m taking a day off school]. I also send a message to Hiori saying, [I can't go to school with you].

Then, not long afterwards, a reply message arrives.

[I got it! Aki, get some rest! Take care of yourself!]

[Take care. And take it easy. Also, if you feel like you can sleep, you should. I think sleep is the best medicine of all.]

I immediately receive a message from Kazuo and Shimizu-san. It makes me happy to see messages from my friends. And,

[I understand. Please have a good rest. I'll go to school alone today, or if I meet Saaya-san in front of the station, I will go with her. I don't have any plans after school, so I will visit you as soon as school is over. Take care.]

I get that message from Hiori. I feel especially happy when I receive a reply from my lover. It gives me a bit of energy.

After that, Himura-san and Hazuki-san also send messages saying, [Take care of yourself. We'll visit you after school]. Most likely, just like the other day when Hiori caught a cold and was absent from school, everyone will probably come visit me.

“...I'm looking forward to it.”

I wonder if Hiori also felt like this when she caught a cold and saw the message saying that we were going to visit her. I hope I'll be in better shape by the time Hiori and the others come to visit me. While thinking that, I slowly close my eyes.

*

When the time for our family's hospital to open arrives, we head there while I’m being supported by Aneki.

When I explain my current symptoms and what happened yesterday to my family doctor,

“That’s a cold. Because of the fatigue from studying and working part-time, and coldness from being caught by the unexpected rain, your health deteriorated all at once. Eat something that's easy to digest and rest. I’ll give you a three-day supply of medicine.”

That’s the result of the diagnosis. Well, I guess that’s as expected. As the doctor said, let’s eat foods that are easy to digest, take the prescribed medicine, and take it easy.

I go home with Aneki and lay down on the bed in my room. Having walked back and forth between home and the hospital, this position feels comfortable to me.

A little while later, Aneki brings me some handmade egg porridge.

“Onee-chan will feed you!”

“...I'll take advantage of your words.”

At first I wanted to refuse because she seemed too happy when she asked that, but I could feel her kindness. I decided to let Aneki feed me the egg porridge.

“Fuu─, fuu─. Here, Aa~n.”

“...Aa─n.”

“How is it? Does it suit your taste?”

“...It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad!”

Aneki looks really happy.

The gentle sweetness of the rice and egg, and their slight saltiness is nice. My body still feels feverish, but the warmth of the porridge is nice.

Because the egg porridge is delicious, and that Aneki is feeding me, I manage to finish the whole bowl of the egg porridge.

After taking the medicine prescribed by the hospital and using the restroom, I lay down on the bed.

Because I ate porridge and took some medicine, I feel a little sleepy. I'm sick right now, so I have to make good use of this sleepiness.

“Aneki. Thank you for taking me to the hospital and making and feeding me porridge.”

“No, no. It's for my beloved little brother after all. Onee-chan will be at home until just before noon, so don't hesitate to tell me if you need anything.”

“...Thank you. Then, goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

As Aneki turns off the light, I slowly close my eyes. With that, my body starts feeling better and better. Also, I wonder if Aneki is patting my chest lightly. That sensation is comfortable. Not long after I close my eyes, I fall asleep.

────

Previous | Next