Kapitel 99: Why Do They Keep Catching Colds One After Another?
"What a little foodie," Kato Megumi chuckled meaningfully after hearing Izumi Kotomi's answer.
"Has Kirigiri already gone home? I wonder how Naegi-senpai is doing now," Yui Yuigahama remarked, glancing over at Seiko Kirigiri's empty seat.
"It's just a common cold and fever. A little rest, and she'll be fine," Megumi responded as she ate her bento. Then, turning to Kotomi, she added, "Kotomi, you should also take care of yourself. Don't catch a cold, okay?"
"Don't worry about me. I'm super healthy—I never get sick," Kotomi said confidently, patting her chest as if to show her vitality.
However, the moment her hand touched her chest, it was comically repelled with a soft "bump," leaving her a bit embarrassed as she stared at her hand. Yui and the others witnessed this awkward moment, much to Kotomi's chagrin.
"Haha…" Kotomi let out an awkward laugh, desperately searching for a topic to divert attention and lighten the mood.
Fortunately, her friends caught on quickly and began chatting about the new topic she introduced, pretending not to have noticed anything earlier.
However, Megumi occasionally glanced at Kotomi from the corner of her eye. Unnoticed by the others, Megumi subtly licked her lips, as if preparing herself for a feast.
Meanwhile, after leaving Sobu High School, Seiko Kirigiri quickened her pace as she rushed home.
All morning, Seiko had been restless, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of her sister, Naegi Hibiki, who was bedridden at home. Whenever Hibiki crossed her mind, Seiko found herself unable to sit still.
By the time the lunch bell rang, she couldn't take it any longer and bolted out of the classroom, even before the teacher had left. But at that moment, she wasn't concerned about the teacher's reaction—her only focus was getting home as quickly as possible.
When Seiko reached home, she hurriedly kicked off her shoes at the entrance and dashed upstairs. As she stood at the door to Hibiki's room, she carefully opened it, trying not to disturb her resting sister.
The familiar scent of Hibiki filled the room, a fragrance Seiko loved deeply. If she could, she'd want to smell this comforting aroma every day, every hour.
"How are you feeling, sister?" Seiko tiptoed into the room and softly asked the figure resting in bed.
With an ice pack on her forehead, it was hard to tell whether Hibiki was awake or asleep.
"Cough, cough… I still feel a bit cold, but my throat's a lot better," Hibiki responded weakly. Though her voice was still soft, it had improved from the hoarse sound it was that morning.
Seiko crouched down to gather the empty throat lozenge wrappers and used water bottles scattered on the tatami mat.
It seemed Hibiki had been diligently drinking water and resting while Seiko was away. Seiko smiled softly to herself as she tidied up the room.
After cleaning, Seiko removed her school jacket and said, "Sister, why don't you try to nap for a bit? I'll go make you some egg porridge."
"You don't need to go through the trouble. I'm not really hungry… Besides, will you make it back to school in time for afternoon classes if you stay here for lunch? I told you, it's not that bad. I can take care of myself," Hibiki said helplessly, though she couldn't hide the warmth in her tone.
Seiko, however, wouldn't take no for an answer. She took Hibiki's hand in hers and, with a hint of playful pleading, said, "Please let me take care of you~ It's my fault for being too hasty yesterday. You had just gotten out of the bath, barely wrapped in a towel, and then we… ahem, anyway, it's my fault you caught a cold. So, it's my responsibility to take care of you until you're all better."
"It's not like I'm seriously ill. Is all this really necessary?" Hibiki sighed, though there was a gentle fondness in her exasperation.
Even though she insisted she didn't need the attention, hearing Seiko's determination to look after her filled Hibiki with a warm happiness, as if her cold had already improved by half.
"Let me take care of you~" Seiko's tone turned sweet, and she employed her signature technique—a soft plea, with her lips slightly biting down and a teary, pitiful look in her eyes as she held Hibiki's hands.
It was the kind of expression that was almost impossible to resist.
Especially for Hibiki. Despite growing up with Seiko's constant pleas and pouts, she still hadn't built up any resistance to them.
Blushing, Hibiki abandoned her attempt to sit up and snuggled back under the covers, pulling them slightly over her face. Her voice came out as a tiny whisper, filled with bashful affection.
"Then, I'll leave it to you. Please… stay by my side…"
Her voice was soft, but it revealed her true feelings at that moment.
"I'll never leave you. Never," Seiko replied firmly.
Not now, not ever. This was a vow they had made to each other since childhood.
As Seiko picked up the fallen ice pack from the bed, she noticed that most of the ice had already melted. She'd have to refill it with fresh ice and water when she went to the kitchen to make the porridge.
After carefully preparing the egg porridge, Seiko carried the steaming pot upstairs. Despite her confidence in taking care of her sister, she couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. This was the first time she had ever looked after her sick sister!
Usually, it was Hibiki who took care of her when she was ill. Now that the roles were reversed, Seiko was determined to do her best.
"Sister, the egg porridge is ready. You need to eat it all, okay? After that, get some more rest. Who knows, you might feel all better by tomorrow morning," Seiko said softly.
But Hibiki didn't immediately sit up. Her cheeks were flushed, her embarrassment clear, as she whispered:
"Feed me… with your mouth… feed me…"
Seiko blinked in surprise at the request, then smiled mischievously.
"As you wish~"
…
After school in the afternoon, Kotomi glanced at Seiko Kirigiri's empty seat before leaving the classroom.
Seiko hadn't returned to school all day, and Kotomi figured she was still at home, diligently taking care of Naegi-senpai.
The next morning, Kirigiri still hadn't shown up. But during lunch, Kotomi happened to run into a fully recovered Naegi Hibiki.
"Naegi-senpai, how's your cold?"
"Thanks for asking! As you can see, I'm all better now~" Hibiki replied cheerfully.
"By the way, where's Kirigiri? I haven't seen her since yesterday afternoon," Kotomi asked, concerned.
"Seiko? Well…" Hibiki smiled awkwardly. "She caught a cold today and couldn't come to school. Anyway, it's getting late. I need to go home and take care of her. See you later!"
With a quick wave, Hibiki hurried off, leaving Kotomi standing there, completely bewildered.
Are they seriously taking turns getting sick?
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein