Part 265: Cold medicine, A capsule

Music: Tender Scenery



"Sakura…? Hey, are you in there, Sakura?"
I knock on the door.
…I gradually start to knock harder, and I'm banging on the door before I notice.

"Sakura…! Hey, say something…!"
My anxiety turns to cold certainty.
…Something's wrong.
I can't go inside, so I'll have to get Saber or Fuji-Nee

"Huh? S-Senpai? Why are you so flustered?"
"S-Sakura…!? …Oh, it's nothing. I was wondering if something was wrong, since you were in there for a while."

"A while…? Was I in here that long?"
"…?"
Sakura sounds absent-minded.
She sounds lost in thought, as if she'd just woken up.

"…Sakura. Don't tell me you were…"
"……Yes. It was so relaxing that I fell asleep a bit…"
"YYou idiot. Don't scare me like that."
I crumple down to the floor.

"…I'm sorry. I'll get out right away."
"Please do. …Man, you'll catch a cold if you sleep in the bathtub."

I lean against the wall.
…It turned out to be nothing, but I'm glad Sakura's okay.
She should be better once she gets a good night's sleep.

Music: Stop

"Huh?"
I hear the sound of something heavy falling.
It came from the other side of the door.

"Sakura!?"
There's no reply.
I feel no presence on the other side of the door.











"Sakura, Sakura…!"
I hold Sakura up in my arms.
Her body is soft and surprisingly hot.

"Ahhm"
She doesn't seem to be conscious, but she's moaning in pain.
Her hand grabs her chest, as if wanting to take her shirt off.

"Haa……"
She gasps.
…This is way too much for me.
Her body is soft, and her hair is unraveled.
Her shirt is the only thing between my arms and her body, and this isn't the Sakura I know.

Her shirt sticks to her body and emphasizes her large breasts, and I can't take my eyes off of them.
Her breasts move up and down along with her breaths, exposing her white neck.

""
It feels like my heart will leap out of my chest.
My head wouldn't be this hot even if I drank a love potion.
I realize that my mouth is watering, and I swallow with great difficulty.

"Ah… Hm……"
Her beautiful lips make my head go wild.
Her body is so hot and soft that it makes me imagine how good it must taste.

My head goes blank.
It's not a girl's body I'm holding, but a woman's.
This isn't the Sakura I know.
Thenit shouldn't be a problem if I hold her a little

"…! What the hell am I thinking…!?"
I shake my head.
This isn't the time.
Even considering that Sakura just got out of the bath, her temperature isn't normal.
Moreversimple anemia wouldn't make her clutch at herself like that.



…The hairs sticking to her forehead drop down.
Sakura slowly opens her eyes and stares at me.

"Huh? Senpai…? Why are you here…?"
"Hey, it's not 'Why am I here?'…! You should've told me if you're sick!"
"Huh…? II'm sick?"

"Who else would it be…!? Try feeling your forehead! It's burning hot!"
"Huh? But I don't feel hot at all…"
Sakura must still be half-asleep, as she is still in a daze.



"I'm taking you to your room. Don't struggle, okay? I don't know if I can keep a hold if you do."



I lift up Sakura in my arms and go out to the hallway.

"…! S-S-Senpai, you're carrying me!?"
I must have surprised her, as she clings on to my neck.

"!"
I feel something soft on my chest, but I have to ignore it for now…!

"Man, this is harder than my daily training…!"
It's a matter of speed now.
I have to carry Sakura to her room before my reasoning disappears…!

Music: Surrounded by Smiling Faces



"…I'm sorry… I guess I got dizzy since I was so nervous."
Sakura hides her face with the futon.

"You can't help catching a cold, right? You should be better by tomorrow if you drink some medicine and get a good night's sleep.
I'll leave some water here on the chair, so don't go out of the building, okay? You'll cool your body if you go outside."
I put another blanket over her, just in case, and turn the lights off.



"Sakura…? Um, I can't leave if you're holding onto my shirt like that."
"Huh?"
She must have been doing it unconsciously, since she jerks her hand away when she realizes it.

"I-I'm sorry, Senpai…! I-I-I wasn't thinking…!"
Sakura jumps up and tries to make an excuse.
Even in the dark, I can tell that she's blushing furiously.

"Um, are you scared, Sakura?"
"……I am. It's scary to sleep alone in a place I don't know."
Her hair is hiding her face, so I can't see her expression.
…But right now she seems just like the shy girl I met years ago.

"I see. You must be uneasy, sleeping in an unfamiliar room with a cold."
I sit down on the floor.
I lay my back against her bed.
It's for the best, because I don't think I can face Sakura right now.

"U-Um, Senpai…?"
"I'll stay here for a while. You should get used to the room in a little bit, and I'll go if you fall asleep before that.
To be honest, I'm worried that you might push yourself. I'll stay here for at least thirty minutes, so lay down and relax."
I raise my hand and flutter it.

"Okay. Then please keep me company for just a bit."

Music: Stop

I feel a slight movement of air.
It must be Sakura pulling up her blanket.
…I'm glad I can help Sakura like this.
This is nothing compared to what she has done for me.

""
""
The sound of the clock ticking echoes through the dark room.
I don't know if it's because I have my back to her, or because I saw her sad face.
But the emotions that assailed me when I carried Sakura have disappeared, and I'm able to calmly stare at the clock.
…And after a long period of silence…

"Are you awake, Senpai?"
A gentle voice lights up the darkness.