“…………”

　What in the world am I doing?

　I am currently in Asuka’s room.

　I was sitting on my knees with my back straight.

　This is not the first time I’ve been in Asuka’s room. Although it was a familiar place, I felt more nervous than ever before.

　I was even more nervous than I had been when I first came to Asuka’s room.

　Not that I doubted it, but Asuka was in bed with a fever.

　Fortunately or unfortunately, Asuka was asleep when I arrived, so I tried not to disturb her sleep.

(“Really, what am I doing? I should have just given her a get-well present and left quickly. …… But Asuka’s mother told me to take it easy, and I couldn’t turn back ……”).

　I couldn’t help making excuses to myself.

　I should go home now, after all….

　Yes, let’s do that.

　I made up my mind and stood up.

“Hi-Hiroto……⁉︎ W-Why are you in my room?”

Asuka woke up at the precise moment that I had planned.

　It was the reverse pattern of the other day. At that time, I was shocked to see Asuka in my room.

“Ah, no, I’m, uhm, I-I’m sorry! I will go home now!”

“W-Wait!　Hiroto.”

　As I was about to pack up and leave the room, Asuka immediately stopped me.

“….D-Did you come to visit me by any chance?”

“N-no, it’s not like that. I-I just happened to pass by Asuka’s house, and your mother found me, and I just went along with it.”

“I see…. I-I’m sorry. I haven’t told my mom that I broke up with Hiroto yet, and I’ll make sure to tell her later.”

“……Yeah.”

　Asuka puts a shadow on her face and gives a small bow.

　The cold combined with the fever seemed to be fainter than ever.

“Is your fever alright?

Yes. I slept and I feel much better.”

“I see.”

“U-uhm, I’m sorry I did so many terrible things to Hiroto. I’ll make sure I don’t show up in front of you anymore. That’s all I can do for you. …… G-goodbye”

　Asuka tells me in a weak voice.

My chest tightens up.

　This is exactly what I was hoping for.

　If I leave this room, Asuka will never come near me again.

　We can part ways without a hitch.

　But my feet refuse to leave this room. I really am lost in my emotions these days.

“Here, in case you’re feeling up to it. If you have the energy to eat and drink, that is.”

　I was filled with nervousness, but I summoned up all my courage to speak up. I took out a convenience store bag from my bag and held it out to Asuka.

　Asuka took the bag with trepidation, checked the contents,

“……. Did you buy it for me?”

“N-no. It was a coincidence. I bought it for myself.”

“…..Then I can’t accept it. Hiroto should eat it.”

“I don’t care. Just take it.”

“I don’t like it. I’m not so greedy that I eat other people’s food.”

“You know, sick people don’t need to worry about what other people eat.”

“I don’t care. It’s Hiroto’s.”

“….. Alright. I will take it home”

　As I took the bag and was about to leave again, Asuka grabbed me by the sleeve of my uniform.

“D-don’t. I want it. ……”

“W-W-What’s the matter with you? Don’t change your mind so much.”

“Because Hiroto is lying…….”

“I’m not lying.”

“You bought that for me, didn’t you ……?”

“No, it was just a coincidence.”

“There are all the ones I like. In addition, Hiroto, you do not like chocolate, right?

　I quickly averted my gaze to the other side.

　I was careless to bring sweets with a lot of chocolate.

　There was no way I could get away with it.

　I hand the bag from the convenience store to Asuka again.

“Thanks, Hiroto.”

“You’re welcome…….”

　Asuka smiled happily and expressed her gratitude.

　I was feeling a bit uncomfortable.

“I’m going to go home now.”

“…….Ah yes. ….Understood”

　I don’t stay for a long time to visit someone.

I gave her exactly what I wanted to give her, and it would be a good time to leave.

But when I put my hand on the doorknob, I stopped moving again. …… I can’t just leave like this. I haven’t said what I want to say yet.

　I guess I should really look her in the eye and talk to her, but that seems a bit of a hurdle.

　I kept my back to Asuka.

“I didn’t say don’t get involved with me for the rest of your life,”

” …………”

“We just broke up. I mean, we’re back to where we were before we started going out. I don’t want you to misunderstand me there. …… Uhm …… that’s all. I hope you get over your cold soon.”

After saying this in a mumbled voice, I opened the door.

　I wonder if I’ve caught a fever too. My face is hot. I need to get out of this room as soon as possible.

“…Thank you”

As I was leaving, Asuka’s trembling voice snatched my ear.

I don’t know what kind of expression she had on her face because I didn’t see it. There is no reason for her to be thanking me…….

　I left Asuka’s room with a slightly lighter step.