Chapter 87: Silver with a hot bonbon

Translator: Soafp

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As the end of summer vacation approaches, those who attend school are likely to be sighing while looking at the calendar, counting the remaining days of their break. It’s difficult for anyone to break free from the habits of idleness that have accumulated during the summer vacation. And returning to a disciplined life from a carefree one is something nobody wants. That’s why many students during the remaining summer vacation think about playing to their heart’s content without leaving any regrets, or disrupting their internal body clock to enjoy themselves to the fullest.

However, even during summer vacation, there are those who discipline themselves and maintain a regular routine. For example…

“Hmm…”

Before the alarm on her smartphone goes off, the silver-haired girl awakens and sits up. She is the first one awake. Beside her lies Aoi, with the hood of her hoodie pulled up, and snuggled against her from behind, the dozing Moegi. On the other side, lying on her back, is Karen, showing her belly and sleeping contently.

Coquettishly pulling her clothes down to cover her belly, the silver-haired girl decides to get up and start her day. But as she tries to head towards the kitchen, she realizes her head is slightly spinning.

“Ah, huh? I’m feeling weird…”

Still, she shakes her head and proceeds to the kitchen. She brushes her teeth, washes her face, tidies her hair a bit, and then heads to the kitchen. Since moving into this house, she has been handling a lot of cooking. It’s all part of her efforts to show herself as a good wife, and she gladly does it all. However, today, she feels somewhat lethargic.

After preparing breakfast, she flops onto the sofa. Just at that moment, Moegi wakes up.

“Good morning. Sorry, you have to make breakfast all by yourself.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“…Did something happen? Your face looks a bit red.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yeah, let’s measure your temperature.”

She hands her a thermometer and begins to measure her temperature. Then, a mechanical sound of the end of the measurement rings out, and Moegi confirms it.

“You have a slight fever… Let’s go to the hospital.”

“It’s not that serious…”

“It’s not okay. Sometimes fevers can get worse later.”

“….I understand.”

“Yeah, let’s change and head there right away.”

“Alright… Thank you…”

At that moment, the door to the living room opens, and Izayoi enters.

“Good morning… Kohaku-sa… What’s with your face? Are you okay?”

“Uh, I have a slight fever.”

“No way… Let’s go to the hospital right now!”

He notices the anomaly immediately and urges her to go to the hospital. He seems quite flustered, and quickly starts getting ready.

“No need to be in such a rush.”

“We don’t have time to waste. Change quickly, let’s go!”

“Yes, I understand… I’ll change and be right back.”

As Kohaku leaves the room, Moegi and Izayoi are left behind. Izayoi faces Moegi and asks a favor.

“Could you make some okayu or something?”

“Sure, I can do that. Also, maybe some grated apple, vegetable-packed hot pot, ginger soup, stew…”

“Thank you. I’ll go buy sports drinks, jelly, and yogurt.”

Indeed, Kohaku isn’t feeling that unwell, but both Moegi and Izayoi are overly protective and cautious.

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[Kohaku PoV]

I am currently on my way to the hospital being carried in a princess carry by Izayoi. He’s clad in magical armor and flying like a thunder god to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. To be honest, it’s quite exhilarating.

Certainly, I don’t feel that bad, not to this extent. However, the fact that he’s so worried and carrying me like this, I can’t help but think it’s nice to have caught a cold. But I do feel a bit regretful for worrying both Moegi-senpai and Izayoi. We arrive at the hospital in almost an instant, and the princess carry comes to an end. Ugh, I wish the hospital was farther away… I can’t help feeling a bit disappointed.

I completed the reception process and wait side by side in the waiting room.

“Here, have this.”

“Ah, thank you.”

He hands me a sports drink. He’s incredibly considerate. At this rate, I might end up getting even hotter…

“How are you feeling?”

“Ah, uhm… I-I’m okay.”

“Please tell me if anything’s wrong.”

“Yes.”

I hold the sports drink he handed me in both hands. It’s cold, and my hands feel a little cooler, but it seems like things are heating up in various places.

“Gindou Kohaku, please proceed to Room 3.”

After that, I receive an examination, get some medicine, and then we head back home with him carrying me in a princess carry once again. I hope I don’t get a fever every day…

---

When I returned home, I found a futon and a desk set up in my usual bedroom. I lay down as prompted and rested my body. I placed a cool sheet on my forehead and just spaced out for a while.

After settling me down on the futon, Izayoi hurriedly left the house for some shopping.

He really is incredibly kind. I’ve known that, but… and on top of that, to be in mutual love with him is just overwhelming happiness. Could it be that today he’ll pamper me all day long like this? That’s almost too much to handle. It’s like a princess and her butler, I guess?

[Ojou-sama!]

I secretly like… no, I really like that. Lost in this fantasy, the bedroom door opens. In walks Karen-senpai, carrying a tray with porridge, a glass of water, and medicine. She’s my senpai and also my most formidable rival…

“How are you feeling? Is everything alright?”

“I’m okay… It’s not that bad.”

“Hmm, I see…”

She places the tray on the desk, scoops up some porridge with a spoon…

“Fuu fuu, here.”

She cools down the piping hot porridge to a temperature I can eat and offers it to me.

“…I can eat by myself?”

“It’s okay for today. Let me take care of you. Imagine you’ve been reincarnated as a villainess and enjoy being as indulgent as you want.”

“Is that so? Then, I’ll take you up on that offer… Wait a moment, why am I a villainess?”

“Because you’re making such a mischievous face. Here, ahh.”

“Alright, ahh! …Wait, what mischievous face!?”

I can’t help but retort playfully. Despite being so kind, she says something unnecessary, which makes it hard to express gratitude sincerely. Well, it’s fine to be grateful…

After being fed and taking my medicine, we have a moment of respite.

“Phew, thank you, Senpai.”

“It’s no big deal. So, what are you planning to do later?”

“I haven’t really decided… I’m thinking of watching some horror game playthroughs on video sharing sites.”

“Hmm, is that something you like, Kohaku?”

“It’s something Natsuko likes. I’m watching it to have more topics to talk about.”

“How about we watch it together?”

“No need to go that far. It’s not that scary, so I’m fine.”

“Don’t hold back. Come on come on, play it.”

Well, it’s not that scary, but since she’s willing to watch it together, I guess I’ll let her…

“But if I pass the cold to you, I’d feel bad.”

“It’s fine, really. I’ve never caught a cold or been sick before. I’m as healthy as they come.”

“Is that so?”

“Besides, we’re already talking this much, so it’s too late.”

So she says, telling me not to worry. She’s unexpectedly considerate… I don’t dislike her… in fact, I find her quite agreeable. Even if I were to become Izayoi’s girlfriend, it wouldn’t be so bad. Thinking such things, I start playing the video.

It’s a game about a girl exploring an old mansion.

“Senpai, aren’t you scared?”

“Well, I’m not that scared, to be honest. It would be a lie to say I’m not scared at all, but it’s not that bad. Though being alone might be tough, and if something really scary suddenly pops up, I might get startled a bit.”

“Same here…”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, however, this game is supposed to be among the top in the world, so it might be a good idea to brace yourself.”

“I see.”

We continue watching the gameplay video together. The eerie atmosphere of the decrepit mansion is skillfully portrayed, and even though it’s supposed to be fictional, it still manages to evoke a sense of fear. She seems to be feeling the same way, slightly jittery.

“Th-this is quite a game…”

“Yes, it is…”

Even though we should be fine, this game is on a different level.

And then… suddenly, a dark figure starts chasing from behind. She seems surprised by it.

“Kyaa!”

“What a cute voice.”

Unintentionally, I find it cute.

“T-this is too scary…”

“Uhm, if you want, we don’t have to watch it.”

“It’s okay, you’re scared too, right, Kohaku? If that’s the case, I’ll watch it with you.”

The horror continues with quite intense scenes.

“Hyue”

“Kyaa”

We both let out high-pitched voices as we continue to watch. There are a few times when I couldn’t hide my surprise with a high-pitched scream, but eventually, we approach the ending.

“I-it’s almost over, isn’t it?”

“Y-yes, it seems so.”

“It was quite a scary one, wasn’t it?”

“Y-yes, I think so. I’m a bit worried about tonight…”

Both she and I are relieved as we near the ending. And finally, the word “fin” appears!!! Yes, it’s over! I decide that I’ll complain to Natsuko later!

“Is… is it over?”

“It looks like it.”

And as we thought it was over, we let our guard down. But then, suddenly…

[Douten Tie Game Cardman!!!]

An advertisement from the video sharing site suddenly blasts at a high volume.

“Kyaaa!!!”

We instinctively cling to each other.

“What the… Don’t scare me like that!”

“An ad that’s the worst match for a horror game… and it comes out of nowhere.”

“Seriously… that was incredibly scary. Well, I’m going to clean up the dishes, so I’ll head out.”

“Okay, thank you.”

The video ends, and she leaves the room with the tray.

---

Without my condition deteriorating, rather feeling that it’s improving, I lie down on the futon, and once again, the sliding door opens.

“Aoi-senpai…”

“How are you feeling?”

“Pretty good.”

“Yeah, I thought I’d drop by since I had some free time and read you a picture book…”

“A picture book? But if you catch a cold from me, I’ll feel bad…”

“It’s okay. Even if you do, if you let me take care of you, it’s all good.”

“I-Is that so?”

She’s a cool senpai, saying manly things.

And nowadays, how many people would have a fairy tale picture book? Aoi-senpai seems to have a good collection.

“Alright, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Kachikachi Mountain, Little Red Riding Hood, which one do you want?”

“Then, Cinderella…”

“You have good taste.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“Alright then…”

She starts reading Cinderella aloud. Somewhere, it feels like my childlike innocence has returned, remembering the times my mother took care of me when I was sick, and my heart feels warm.

“…and they lived happily ever after.”

“Cinderella is such a nice story. I’m realizing that again… U-Um, senpai, why are you crying?”

“I was moved…”

Her eyes glisten with tears. However, she quickly wipes them away and returns to her usual expression.

“Kohaku, I hope your hot bonbons get better soon.”

“Yes, thank you… ‘Hot bonbons,’ huh? It’s a cute way to put it, isn’t it? I use it sometimes too.”

After entertaining me with the story, she now worries about me. Using the affectionate term ‘hot bonbons.’ I find myself using such expressions too, mainly in front of Izayoi-kun.

“Is that so? Is it cute, this expression? ‘The Kankan Grandma’ used to say it, so I just started using it too…”

She seems a bit pleased. I’ve noticed this before, but Aoi-senpai gets incredibly happy when praised, even if her expression doesn’t show it. It’s heartwarming, but there’s something else that’s been on my mind…

Who’s ‘The Kankan Grandma’?

“Um, who is ‘The Kankan Grandma’?”

“My maternal grandmother.”

“Um, is her name ‘Kankan’?”

“No. There’s a level crossing near my grandmother’s house, and it makes a ‘kankan’ sound. So we’ve been calling her ‘Kankan Grandma’ since a long time ago. Weird, right?”

“N-No, I think it’s cute.”

“I see… Should I bring some grated apple?”

“It’s okay…”

“In that case, how about a lullaby next time?”

For some reason, her mannerisms seem like those of a grandma, or maybe it’s just my imagination? I’m truly grateful though.

After that, I’m treated to an incredibly well-sung lullaby, and I drift into sleep beautifully.