Chapter 93: I’m used to being alone.

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Translator: Soafp

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“Alright, Tetsu. I’m heading out first.”

“You’ve been leaving earlier every day, haven’t you? Later, bro.”

After saying goodbye to Tetsuya, Ginji pedaled his bike with determination. He had been thinking of ways to counter Aika’s harassment ahead of time. There was a lot he wanted to talk to Sora about.

“…Yeah, just like always.”

The truth was, Ginji felt like he wouldn’t be able to talk properly unless he came prepared with topics—because if he didn't, he’d end up thinking about yesterday's kiss and lose his composure. Just remembering Sora's flickering eyes, scent, and the sensation when they got close made it impossible to stay calm. As her boyfriend, as a man, he scolded himself not to get carried away.

He sped along on his bike and arrived at the usual spot in front of the shopping district, but Sora wasn't there.

“That's unusual. Well, maybe I just got here too early.”

He put down the bike stand and tried to calm his heartbeat, which was racing both from exercise and nerves.

The summer sky was high and blue. The morning breeze was cool and pleasant. That's why Ginji liked waking up early. But even after their usual meeting time had passed, Sora still didn't show up.

Ping. A sound rang out—his phone buzzed. Normally, it would be on silent before school, but he must have forgotten in his rush. He checked it, and a message had come in.

[I fell asleep with the AC on and caught a cold. I'm taking the day off. Don't worry about coming to check on me—it might be contagious. I'm the Master of Loners, so no need to worry.]

“…What the heck are you doing?”

After sending a “Like” in reply, Sora collapsed face-first onto her pillow.

“Ugh, I even got ingredients ready for a bento… I'm such an idiot…”

She blew her nose loudly, tossed the tissue, and crawled back into bed. Who would’ve thought she’d fall asleep drawing with the AC still on? Normally, she’d at least make it back to bed, but she had gotten so excited about Ginji that she ran out of energy before realizing it.

“So pathetic… Well, I’m used to it.”

Even if she was feeling under the weather, Sora had always handled Aika's chores. She'd been living alone since middle school and had experienced her fair share of being sick. She stuck a cooling patch on her forehead—something she often used when drawing for long periods—then headed to the kitchen upstairs. She took a painkiller, chopped some veggies, and threw them into the Hel〇o oven.

“Thank you, modern technology… The rice cooker goes on porridge mode… Now back to bed.”

Even when she had no appetite, she knew from experience that not eating only made things worse. If she prepared everything now, she'd have warm steamed vegetables and porridge ready while she rested. There was nothing better when you were sick. Nodding in agreement with herself, she climbed the stairs and fell into bed, quickly dozing off.

…When she used to get sick at home, her mother would take care of her. Her father would come home early from work and gently pat her head. She remembered that clearly.

But after her mother left the house, her father stopped coming home, too. And when she told Aika—the only remaining connection—that she was sick, all she got was scolding about delaying chores and strict orders not to spread the illness. The more she remembered those warm memories, the more the loneliness crept in and chilled her heart. That's why… she stopped saying “help me” to anyone.

Ding-dong. Ding-dong.

The doorbell was ringing.

“My head… still hurts.”

Half-asleep, she got up on reflex, her steps unsteady, and made her way downstairs to unlock the door.

“Hey, you okay?”

“…Ginji?”

Her focus sharpened. Standing in front of her was the person she loved.

Ginji looked clearly flustered—sweating, breathing heavily.

“You weren't answering your phone. I got worried. Sorry to make you come to the door.”

“……My hair, my clothes, my face…!”

Suddenly fully conscious, what Sora was most concerned about was her appearance. Her hair was messy, and her face was the picture of having passed out in sleep. She thought she couldn't let Ginji see her like that—but Ginji gently placed his hand on her head and spoke in a calm, reassuring tone.

“None of that matters right now. You need rest more than anything. Come on, sick people go back to bed.”

When Sora glanced at the clock on the first floor, it was already 1 p.m.

“Ginji, what about school?”

“Huh? I left early. I usually behave myself, so it's fine once in a while.”

“Th-That's not okay. I'm used to this, so I'll be fi—”

Ginji pulled her into a hug.

“I'm not fine. And just because you're ‘used to it' doesn't mean you're ‘okay.' Don't worry about it. This is just me being selfish. Besides, Saito and the other guys in class were acting like it was the end of the world. If I hadn't said I'd go check on you, they'd probably have folded a thousand paper cranes or something.”

“There's no way…”

Sora relaxed slightly, perhaps because of Ginji's joke. Her balance faltered, and Ginji caught her, placing his hand on her forehead.

“Damn, sorry. Your fever's probably coming back. Let's go up. Can you walk?”

“…Yeah.”

Guided by him, Sora climbed the stairs to the second floor.

“Can I come into your room?”

“For you, Ginji… yes. Just this once—it's a special bargain sale.”

“A bargain, huh?”

Still embarrassed, Sora was supported as they went through the living room and climbed to the third floor. It was Ginji's first time there. There were three rooms and a bathroom. Sora opened one of the doors. Inside was a desktop PC with a tablet, stacks of books on art, and clothes scattered about. Normally, she’d care, but now wasn't the time. Ginji laid her in bed and covered her with a blanket.

“I brought some drinks—make sure to sip them regularly. Can you eat?”

“Yeah, I've got steamed veggies and porridge ready in the oven.”

“Nice. I'll bring them up, so hang tight.”

After Ginji left the room, Sora stared at the ceiling. Her nose stung and her vision blurred.

When the panic passed, what remained in her chest was a warmth so nostalgic it brought her to tears.

“So it wasn't okay… I wasn't okay after all…”

Later, when Ginji returned with the warm vegetables and porridge, he found Sora in tears and hurried over in a fluster, not knowing what to do.