https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9531ga/97/
Episode 14: Yuriha’s Cold
“That’s a terrible fever…. I need to get going, but I’ll call the school so you can rest up.”
That was what my mom had to say while I was left groaning over the realization that I had overslept.
I could barely process the words informing me I had a temperature of 38 degrees (100.4 F) through my hazy mind. Ugh, that’s high.
I wake up at 6 every morning to get ready for school. It’s a daily routine for Mom at this point to be rushing off to work within the hour every morning, but when she realized I hadn’t woken up, she got worried and checked on me.
My dad is a bum, half-assing everything in his life other than his job, and when I finished elementary school, Mom divorced him after it became clear he was cheating on her. He got the house in exchange for paying child support, and Mom’s raised me by herself ever since. Whenever I think about all the hardships she’s had to go through to support me, I find myself wanting to do whatever I can to help her back. That’s why I always make her breakfast and a packed lunch each morning. But I can’t even stand up out of bed right now. Thinking about it, I have a vague memory of trying to use the bathroom last night, only to have to crawl down the stairs when I couldn’t walk. This might serious.
“Seriously…..such an idiot”
Betrayed by my own body! There were obvious signs yesterday that this could happen, but for my fever to have built up this high….. I guess all those yuri moments meant I wasn’t noticing just how sick I was getting.
Ah, I need to make those beautiful girls fall for me as soon as possible….. I need to make sure they’re having fun…..
While I lamented the lost time, I heard the door close down below. Mom must’ve finally headed to work. She won’t be back until the last train tonight. So, we’ll take it easy in the morning, and by tonight, I can….cook, dinner, and……
♠
Ding Dong
Ding Dong
Something’s ringing. But,
Ding Dong
By the third bell, I decided to get up. For all I knew, it might’ve been ringing long before I actually awoke. When I realized that someone was ringing the doorbell, I wondered if I should actually answer the door, but *Ding Dong* with that four ring, I figured that whoever it was, they might’ve been someone important. I picked myself out of my bed and wandered downstairs.
My world-spinning headache from this morning was thankfully gone, so more than anything, I was just feeling tired at this point. Not so tired that I might collapse either. I think this means I’ve regained my ability to walk.
But, it’s still hard to breathe. I did my best to raise my voice, “Coming—……” while I sluggishly unlocked the front door. It wasn’t until I had said anything out loud that I realized my sore throat was gone too. My voice isn’t even that hoarse.
So I opened the door, forgetting to put the chain on, and…..
“Yuri-chan~”
“S-Saki……?”
My sweet princess, Saki-chan, came crashing through my door. Aa~, just seeing her face clears my mind……no wait, I’m getting lightheaded.
“Are you all right Yuri-chan~!? Sensei said you caught a cold! And you never responded when I tried messaging you! You made me so worried!!!”
“S-Sorry…..my phone’s battery must’ve died…..”
After slamming into my body, she grabbed both my shoulders and rested her head against my chest. I can’t remember when the last time I touched my phone was. I fell asleep almost as soon as I got home yesterday. I was at least aware enough to change into my pajamas rather than wrinkling my uniform thankfully.
“So you came all this way to check on me? Thank you Saki.”
“Of course! After all, it’d make me feel lonely to go a day without my prince…..”
I patted the grumbling Saki’s head. It’s unclear which of us is the sick one like this. However, my body feels like it’s gotten a little lighter, as if wings have sprouted on my back. Ah, she’s so warm…. Oops, I almost fell over there.
“Speaking of, I’m surprised you found my house. I never told you where I live.”
“But I know what way you walk after we separate right? I knew what direction I had to go, so I thought I would find it if you lived close by!”
“Ah, that makes sense…..”
Saki’s eyes were sparkling at me. Though, there was zero guarantee she would’ve ever found my house, so I’m impressed with her tenacity.
But then, all of the sudden, she started looking my body up and down.
“Frogs…..Yuri-chan wears surprisingly cute pj’s.”
“T-They’re fine…..”
♠
On Saki’s insistence, I brought her straight up to my room and rested there. Even with the emotional high, I wasn’t feeling the greatest though, so I asked for her permission and lied down.
“I’m really happy to see you Saki, and I appreciate the handouts, but….are you okay? I’d feel terrible if you were to catch my cold.”
“You don’t need to worry about that because I never get sick~ I always take great care of my health, including taking vitamins, keeping a good nutritional balance, and always getting plenty of beauty sleep~ But more importantly…..!”
Then, twirling a finger in front of my eyes,
“If it’s Yuri-chan’s cold…..I wouldn’t mind catching it…..”
and then said that cheesy line with a touch of embarrassment in her cheeks.
“Huh? What was that last bit?”
“No, nothing.”
But when I tried playing dumb, she simply smiled and waved it off. She then not so subtly, “Anyway!” changed the subject.
“Have you eaten anything yet? By the looks of it, I’m going to guess no.”
“…..Mama Saki-chan…..”
“I’m not that old!”
Saki-chan fell back into a sulk while muttering to herself, “To think I was worried…..” Sorry. But, that question is exactly what you’d expect someone’s mother to ask. I know she hates it, but she’s so cute I can’t help saying it.
“So! What have you eaten so far~!?”
Saki got up and close to me while asking, so close that I had to draw away from her a little. I rubbed my stomach, and although it wasn’t rumbling at all, it felt flatter and emptier than usual.
“Speaking of, I don’t think I’ve had anything to eat……since lunch yesterday…..”
“That’s terrible! I’ll make something for you right away! I’m borrowing your kitchen~”
“I don’t mind you using it….but I feel bad making you go through all that trouble.”
“Quit that. Now get some rest until I’m done.”
What a total mama.
From there, after asking a couple questions like, “Do you think you handle any vegetables?” and “Do you have a rice cooker?” Saki made her way back to the first floor with an eco-friendly bag I hadn’t noticed she was holding until now. It looks like she is feeling eager to cook for me. Regardless of whether it’s love or anything other feelings, I can count myself lucky for having such a great friend.
Experimental Translations 