Part 21: Episode 20: Sick Day

After the excitement of the sports festival died down, we took our midterm exams. I was nervous about it, but Mr. Nanaki said I had done a good job, and that I might even be as smart as him one day! I’m not so sure about that, but it really made me feel good about my decision to take extra classes with him.



Later, during our lunch break, Okosan was making a big scene about the pudding being served in the cafeteria. Thankfully, I was able to stop him with the help of Ryouta.



Even after midterms, I knew I couldn’t slack off. I kept going to Mr. Nanaki’s math class.







Tanabata came quickly, and I was excited to make my wish. I looked at some of the other wishes on the bamboo tree to get some ideas, but I couldn’t really think of anything I wanted. So I just yelled something ridiculous.
I wish to crush all opposition that rises before me and rule the world with an iron fist!
Oh, hello… Is that you, Lourde?
Mr. Nanaki!

Did he hear me? I hope he didn’t think I was serious!

You should be careful out this late! It can be dangerous for a girl, you know.
I was about to head home. Would you like me to walk you to your place?

From where he had been coming from, Mr. Nanaki lived in the opposite direction that I did. I didn’t want to inconvenience him.
No, thank you. I still have some errands to run.
Oh? Well, don’t stay out too late!

Wasn’t the Keymania IIDX public playtest starting today? Maybe I’ll stop by the arcade…
And so I spent the rest of the night out.
The music stops.



The next elective day was the same as the others, and I headed quickly to Mr. Nanaki’s class. He said something about calculus being “educational candy”, but I don’t know how much I believe that.


A couple days after, everything seemed to be going fine, until…

Barely two hours into the day and I’m already hungry! Aaah, I can’t bear this…

Ryouta! We’re in the textile room next, right? Let’s walk together.
Uh… sure.

Huh? That was an awfully unenthusiastic response.

Umm… You don’t look too good. Are you okay, Ryouta?

You’re not fine!
Y… yeah… It’s my stomach.
This happens all the time. It’s nothing to worry about.
I’ll just go to the infirmary for a bit… Could you let the teacher know, please?
Can you make it there on your own?



I know he told me not to worry, but…
He never showed up for third period, or fourth.
Is he still in the infirmary?

However, as I turned towards the cafeteria, I saw him.

…Ryouta!?
Oh… Hello.
Are you okay? You look even worse than you did earlier…

I got some medicine from the doctor, but…

I’m not convinced that medicine is doing him any good!
I wouldn’t trust anything that doctor prescribed.

Something’s wrong if you go to the infirmary feeling sick and go home feeling worse!
Wait a minute, Ryouta! I’m going to go give that doctor a piece of my mind!
W-wait, Goon! It’s not his fault! I just have a weak stomach…

Even so, you’re supposed to go to the infirmary so that you get better! If that’s not happening, what’s the point at all?
That has nothing to do with it!
I’ll be back in a minute.


I stormed into the infirmary.


Barging in the door and shouting for the doctor is hardly accepted practice. Shall I prepare a sedative for you?
No, thank you.
I want to talk to you about Ryouta!
Ryouta…? Oh, Mr. Kawara. He left some time ago.
He rested here for two hours, and wasn’t any better for it! You did something to him, didn’t you!?

Well, yes, but… I mean something unnecessary!
I’m afraid I can’t respond to complaints with no evidence.
I examined his condition, and provided him with the appropriate medicine.

Waah…!

He’s probably right… He doesn’t have anything to do with Ryouta’s weak body.

I-if you did something to him…!


An evil smile flickers across his face for a moment, and is gone.
He did something to Ryouta, didn’t he…
As much as I wanted to do something, I knew I had no evidence. I decided to just ran back to Ryouta so that I could be there to help him, just in case.