This is the worst.
Mahiru muttered this thought in her mind, careful not to say it out loud. She had been feeling under the weather ever since she woke up, and by the time she arrived at school, she had realized that this bout of ill health was rather severe. Her head felt heavy, as if weighed down by stone bricks, and her thoughts were more sluggish than usual. Moving around only exacerbated the dull ache, as if being rammed by a blunt object, and occasionally, her lower abdomen would spike with pain as if tens of needles were being continually jabbed into it.
Moreover, her body felt feverishly warm, and a constant fatigue clung to her.
She had resigned herself to this phenomenon as an inevitable part of being born a woman, but the disruption to her hormonal balance was infuriating. Even though she felt slightly emotionally unstable, she was able to suppress it, soothing her frayed emotions with reason and letting out an occasional soft sigh.
For better or worse, Mahiru's condition was relatively mild compared to the horror stories she had heard from other women. Providing she took medication, she could function without any major issues. But if her condition were any worse, a visit to the hospital would be unavoidable. Still, it wasn't entirely unbearable for everyday life and remained within the realm of major discomfort. While she regretted her sex at times like these, Mahiru realized it wasn't something she could choose.
After school, having taken medication and managing to keep her discomfort hidden, she returned straight home without any detours. She had been spending her time quietly and peacefully at Amane's house, seeking mental solace…but after a while, when Amane returned home with shopping bags in hand, he looked at her intently.
"You came home early today," he said.
"Yes. I'm sorry for leaving today's groceries to you."
"Don't worry about it," Amane eased. "It just seemed like you came home early, judging by the looks of things, so I couldn't help but wonder."
Amane was right—today, she had hurried back home. Despite feeling physically unwell, she wanted to spend her time quietly, away from people. She had taken another dose of medicine before Amane's return to ease her pain, but it wasn't completely effective or fast-acting. A dull ache and lingering fatigue plagued her body, continuing to torment Mahiru from within.
"I thought it would be good to relax at home today," Mahiru replied. Smiling as she brought a hand to her stomach to mask her abdominal pain, she noticed Amane staring intently at her once again. His gaze seemed to be searching, probing for something about her.
"Is there a problem?"
"Nope, it's nothing," he responded, seemingly lost in thought, then busied himself with storing the groceries in the fridge.
Relieved by this, Mahiru blankly observed Amane as he skillfully put the ingredients away, relaxing her posture as she sank into the couch. Once he'd finished and called out to her from over the counter, she straightened up her pose.
"I'll boil some water. Fancy a drink?"
"Huh? Oh, yes please." Mahiru nodded without much thought to his sudden proposal. Amane, seemingly unaware of her distracted state, looked at her with a gaze more tender than usual.
"Do you mind if I try making one for you myself?" he then asked. "Oh, are you offering to treat me to one of your homemade drinks, Amane-kun?"
"I sure am. I'll prepare it for you now, okay?"
Grateful for Amane's offer to prepare a warm drink, Mahiru left everything to him without worry. In her view, even if he just served her hot water, that would be enough. She could simply cool it down and enjoy it slowly. Not in the mood to exert herself, she decided to fully entrust the task to Amane and leaned back on the sofa, listening absentmindedly to the escalating whistle of the boiling kettle. Before she knew it, Amane had returned to the living room.
He held a single cup in his hand.
Huh? As soon as that thought crossed her mind, Amane placed the cup in her hands, saying, "Here you go." The cup, designed with a double-layer structure to prevent heat loss, was not hot to the touch. Inside, it contained a lightly yellow-tinted liquid. Some fibrous material seemed to be mixed in too, but since she hadn't been paying close attention to what Amane was brewing, she couldn't identify the contents.
As she tilted the cup slightly, the liquid, seemingly on the thick side, flowed ever so slightly. Perhaps it had been stirred earlier, as fibers within it twirled and danced like clothes tumbling in a washing machine, drawing spirals in a swirl.
"…What's this?"
"It's honey and ginger. Great for the body and it'll help keep you warm," Amane said as he gently placed a blanket that had been draped on a chair over Mahiru's shoulders. He then placed a mysterious bag of sorts on her lap, rendering her utterly bewildered. The gentle warmth from the cup in her hand was comforting, and now the added heat and weight on her lap made her look up at Amane in confusion, who maintained a calm expression.
"Put it on your stomach," he suggested.
Realizing the mysterious bag was actually a hot water bottle, Mahiru almost let out a voice. The weight and the sound it made when she slightly tilted it confirmed it was filled with hot water. When he said, "I'll boil some water," he must have been referring to the hot water bottle, rather than making a drink for himself, as she noticed no drink prepared for him in the kitchen. It seemed he had boiled the water solely for her drink and the hot water bottle.
Sitting slightly apart from her, Amane didn't have a serious look on his face, but rather a flat expression with a tinge of concern. "Try to keep yourself comfortable. Would you prefer to lie down after you finish your drink?"
"I-I'm okay. It's not that severe."
"Then you should be fine like this for now, I suppose. Let me know if it gets too hard to bear."
Realizing she had been completely seen through, Mahiru watched Amane casually reveal that he had noticed her feeling unwell, as he fiddled with the air conditioner remote to adjust the temperature.
"Um, h-how did you figure it out?" she asked.
"…You seemed a bit under the weather, and you had your hand on your stomach. When it happens regularly, you sort of start to notice the patterns, if that makes sense."
Amane seemed somewhat apologetic as he awkwardly explained himself. It was Mahiru who felt sorry for making him worry after he had noticed something was amiss, but Amane appeared to be troubled by something else entirely.
"S-Sorry for grossing you out," Amane began apologizing. "What makes you say that?" Mahiru asked in return.
"Well, uh, you know, it might make you uncomfortable if a man knows or tries to show consideration for that kind of stuff."
Mahiru understood where Amane was coming from. Some people didn't enjoy unwanted consideration or simply preferred for their issues to remain unnoticed. While she was quite surprised to learn that Amane had noticed, she didn't feel any disgust, and could instead see how he had figured it out. She had been spending a considerable amount of time with him—especially after she had fallen for him—often staying at his place after school. It would be no exaggeration to say she was almost always at Amane's house, except for when bathing or sleeping.
Given the amount of time they had spent together, it wasn't strange that Amane had noticed her regular discomforts. While Mahiru could sympathize with his concerns about possibly being intrusive, more than that, she was reassured knowing that Amane was paying attention to her.
"…I wouldn't be happy if a stranger found out, but we've spent a lot of time together, Amane-kun. I don't mind if it's you. Besides, it's my fault for accidentally showing it on my face."
"Oh, so you were trying not to let it show."
"This pain is a monthly affair—there's no avoiding it, really. It would only attract worry if I let it show on my face."
She had accepted that her regular bouts of ill health were inevitable and nothing could be done about it. She was used to the pain, so she tried not to let it show in her expressions or gestures when others were around. However, it seemed like all her efforts were in vain since Amane had managed to see through her anyway.
While she didn't want to worry him, her feelings were mixed—also being happy that he was concerned and cared for her. Looking at Amane next to her, who was staring at her with a serious expression, she felt this contradiction of emotions.
"Taking care of someone unwell is the natural thing to do," Amane responded. "My mom had it pretty bad herself, so I've heard plenty of things about it… It's obvious that I'd do whatever I can to help."
Amane's naturally caring nature and excellent upbringing his parents provided shone through in moments like these. Over the past half-year or so, this had become increasingly apparent to Mahiru. Despite occasionally speaking bluntly, Amane was honest, adaptable, and keenly aware of those around him.
He had a knack for offering help in a way that didn't come off as a favor. His regard for others came as naturally as breathing, and he always cared for and valued Mahiru in the same way.
His lack of self-confidence and lack of regard to his own needs were his flaws, but these were more than compensated for by his strengths. These flaws had improved recently, and Mahiru felt compelled to support him wherever he fell short. To her, Amane was a wonderful person.
"That's just like you, Amane-kun."
"It's just the normal thing to do… If I were sick, wouldn't you also make sure I rested in bed?"
"Well, maybe…"
"See?" Amane declared, puffing out his chest with utmost confidence, eliciting a laugh from Mahiru. However, a sudden pang in her abdomen caused her to tense up briefly. Amane caught this subtle change, and his eyes instantly reflected a mix of concern and sadness.
"Um, if it really feels horrible, maybe it's best for you to go home and rest quietly. But, well, it really depends on how you're feeling… Some people find others to be a nuisance when they're sick, and some feel vulnerable. That's why it's probably best for you to decide whether you want to stay here or go back home," Amane explained, his words coming out in a mumbled, perplexed tone.
Mahiru placed a hand over her mouth, giggling at his response. She found herself at a loss with him, always so thoughtful, and tenderly offering suggestions with her best interests at heart.
"…At the moment, I want to stay together," she said, feeling that now, she could genuinely rely on his presence.
Originally, she should have quickly left to avoid being a bother. If this had happened when they had just started interacting, she would have most certainly found an excuse to go home. However, now, Mahiru felt comfortable enough to depend on Amane. Once again, Mahiru keenly felt how he had touched a tender part inside her, bringing a comforting warmth that, oddly, made her heart flutter. "…I wouldn't say it's unbearable. It's just uncomfortable when I move."
"Gotcha. I'll take care of dinner today, then." "…You will, Amane-kun?"
"Just leave it to me. Thanks to having an exceptional teacher, I've learned to make a few dishes myself."
"Hehe, don't forget that this teacher has an exceptional student, too." "It's all in the way you teach, Mahiru. You're really good at it," Amane insisted. Though in truth, it was largely due to his quick learning. At first, he struggled with cooking, often burning stir-fried vegetables or overcooking omelets. But once she showed him how and explained the theory behind each step, he quickly absorbed the lessons. Amane, being good at studies, likened cooking to chemistry, and his understanding of cooking procedures improved rapidly.
While his skills were still somewhat rough around the edges, he was now able to prepare a dish on his own and was honing his skills by helping every day. Therefore, Mahiru wasn't exactly worried about him cooking.
"Anything in particular you want to eat?"
"…I don't have a strong appetite, so something warm and light on the stomach would be great."
"Got it. I'll try to make something with what's in the fridge." "You've come a long way," Mahiru noted.
"Even I'm able to learn a thing or two, you know."
"Hehe." Just having this light conversation seemed to alleviate her bodily fatigue. Amane's deliberate attempt to sound a bit more cheerful appeared to be an effort to distract her from her pain. Evidently, it appeared to work, as engaging in conversation made her feel more at ease.
"…Have you taken medicine?" "I have, yes."
"Alright. Is there anything else you'd like me to do?"
Since he asked so kindly, Mahiru felt like she could keep on being spoiled forever, which made her hesitate a bit. But then Amane whispered to her like a tempting devil, "You can lean on me as much as you want," leading Mahiru to let out a small groan and then sneak a glance at him.
"I do want to take a nap, yes. But, I…um, don't want to go home."
Using his bed wouldn't be the best idea, so she wanted to take a light nap on the sofa. Amane blinked, seemingly surprised. She expected him to object to the idea of her sleeping in his house—being a man and a woman—but, truth be told, she had dozed off at Amane's place several times before. Moreover, she trusted that he wouldn't do anything inappropriate to someone who was unwell.
Hesitant, Mahiru looked at him.
What if he refuses?
Instead, Amane showed a troubled yet amused smile, more out of embarrassment than disapproval. His large palm then softly moved to rest on her head.
"Sure thing. Just take your time and rest—I'll be right here."
"…Okay." Closing her eyes slowly, Mahiru leaned against Amane's arm that was beside her. She felt his body jerk suddenly, but she had no intention of moving away.
He did say he would stay by my side.
With that thought, Mahiru figured this much closeness was allowed. The warmth that spread gently from where they touched was comforting. Turning her face slightly toward Amane, she was greeted by his familiar, refreshing scent reminiscent of mint, mixed with the subtle fragrance of soap from his fabric softener. This soft, calming aroma made her cheeks relax, and Mahiru let go of her consciousness as she savored this blissful warmth.
✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧
Awakening from a sweet dream, Mahiru slowly lifted her heavy eyelids, only to find her vision filled with gray. Her mind, slower than usual, gradually retraced what she had been doing before, realizing belatedly that she had taken a nap.
Still in a sluggish state, she raised her head.
What's this?
An obsidian gleam came into her view, and a gentle whisper soon followed. "Morning."
Startled, Mahiru momentarily froze in place, unable to comprehend the situation. Then, the owner of the voice, Amane, continued in a calm tone as if to rouse her, "Did you sleep well?"
"…Good…morning," Mahiru finally managed to reply, her voice unintentionally rising in pitch as she recalled the crucial detail that she had fallen asleep leaning against Amane.
Indeed, it made sense that she had felt unusually warm and comfortable, having slept while feeling Amane's body heat. Despite a slight physical stiffness, she felt surprisingly refreshed and satisfied mentally.
"Uhhh, let me just say this first. You did this while you were sleeping, and…it didn't feel like the right thing to do, so I didn't shake you off."
"'This'…?" Mahiru asked, tilting her head in confusion as she checked what Amane was referring to, and then buried her face again into his arm.
Somewhere along the line, she had firmly grasped Amane's hand, intertwining their fingers as if refusing to let go, sliding her own between his rugged fingers. Confronted with the fact that she had not only leaned on him but also held his hand, Mahiru nearly groaned, barely managing to hold back.
Amane must have certainly been unable to move freely. In addition to the leaning, she had also perfectly robbed him of the freedom to move one of his hands. Amane must have been quite troubled by this.
"I-I'm sorry. I must have been a nuisance."
"No, that wasn't the case at all… Still, you must've been a bit uncomfortable trying to sleep like that. It's too late saying it now, but sleeping while sitting down isn't exactly ideal."
"N-No, I was sleeping soundly!" Mahiru exclaimed, attempting to shake her hands in denial, only to realize they were still intertwined. She quickly relaxed her grip, and Amane, amused by her flustered reaction, gently disentangled their fingers with a careful movement, chuckling softly.
While suppressing a voice filled with a sense of loss, Mahiru knew she couldn't lean on him forever. She repositioned herself to sit properly on the sofa and looked up at Amane, who had also adjusted himself in the same way.
Amane seemed to notice that her condition had improved post-nap, and looked at her with relief in his eyes.
"Has the medicine kicked in yet?"
"Yes, it has. My body feels much better now. I'm sorry for the trouble." Like she had said, Mahiru believed that she had been quite the burden.
Firstly, she had made Amane worry, and secondly, her actions had essentially restricted his movements, likely leading to a rather boring time for him as he was fixed to the sofa. Additionally, by leaning on him, she had placed most of her weight on him, unnecessarily tiring him out.
While she felt quite apologetic, Amane showed the same old expression he always wore. As a matter of fact, he seemed not to understand why she was apologizing to begin with, blinking his black eyes a few times in confusion.
"Why? You didn't cause me any trouble at all. In fact, I'm happy to see you depending on me."
"…Please don't try to spoil me like that."
"Look who's talking. You're always the one trying to spoil me," Amane retorted. "Let me return the favor," he added while playfully poking her cheek, which caused her to squint from the ticklish sensation.
"That's one thing, and this is another," she replied playfully. "Huh? Playing unfair now, are we?"
Mahiru chuckled in response. "I am a sly woman, after all."
Worried that her excessive concern might make him uneasy, Mahiru stood her ground, showing the kind and gentlemanly Amane her gratitude. He was visibly dissatisfied by this, making her giggle once more. Perhaps thanks to her light nap, laughter, or the effects of the medicine, her body now felt considerably lighter despite it being a bit stiff earlier.
Glancing at the clock, it seemed she had slept for just under an hour. By this time, they usually would have finished preparing dinner, making her realize she had inconvenienced Amane yet again. As she thought this, she tried to stand up, saying, "I need to prepare dinner…" However, she found herself unable to. It wasn't that her body felt heavy, but rather Amane was physically holding her down.
More precisely, he was gently but firmly holding her back by the hand, his soft yet insistent grip clearly conveying his intention not to let her stand.
"Just stay seated," he said. "Huh? But I feel better now…"
"Even so. You still haven't completely recovered, have you? You still look a bit worse for wear. Also, I promised to cook, remember? Let me keep my promise."
Although Amane had said he would take care of things, Mahiru wanted to argue that she had recovered enough to move around normally. However, one look into his eyes told her that he was not going to budge. This was something she had come to understand about him since they grew closer: while Amane generally yielded easily, once he set his mind on something, nothing could convince him not to follow through on it. Whenever this happened, trying to resist was meaningless—he wouldn't yield until she gave in. And because his stubbornness was usually for the sake of others, Mahiru found it hard to firmly reject his intentions.
Now it was Mahiru's turn to look displeased, sending him a reproachful glare. Amane, however, merely chuckled, his determined eyes showcasing his refusal to back down.
"Don't start sulking now… Stop always trying to sort things out on your own. Rely on me more."
"…Okay."
"Good. Now just sit back and relax—imagine you're on a boat waiting for your food," Amane joked. "…It might not match up to your luxury cruise ship feeling, but still."
"Geez." Mahiru couldn't help but laugh at his self-deprecating joke, which was clearly intentional on his part.
Amane smiled back and affectionately stroked her head. Knowing this gesture was meant to reassure her, Mahiru quietly accepted it with joy. She was certain this was something special Amane did only for her.
"…It might take me a while, so you can sleep a little longer if you'd like," he suggested.
"No, I'm okay like this. I shall keep an eye on your brave efforts from here." "You worry too much." An amused smile on his face, Amane headed for the kitchen.
Mahiru watched him go, filled with a sense of happiness and reassurance. She hadn't said that out of worry. She was simply overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to see him putting in effort for her sake. She wanted to witness every moment of his caring actions, though he might not realize this himself.
Seeing Amane slip into his simple apron felt so incredibly endearing to her.
Observing him as if he were family, indulging in her own self-serving and perhaps fanciful thoughts, Mahiru intently watched as Amane began to fumble with the ingredients.
✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧
About an hour later, steaming dishes with a fragrant aroma were lined up in front of Mahiru. Despite the short distance from the sofa to the dining table, Amane escorted her with great care. Mahiru blinked frequently in awe at the meal he had prepared.
Expecting something like porridge based on her request for warm, light food, she was surprised to see that, while rice was indeed used, the dishes were that of a different culinary style.
What was served in a deep dish was a cream-colored risotto, its consistency hinting at its richness. From the aroma and appearance, it was likely a cream risotto. Not just rice, but mushrooms and spinach had been added, providing accents of tan and green.
"It's risotto made with soy milk. I tried making it with raw rice, by the way. I also used some mushrooms and spinach from the freezer, but was that alright?" Amane explained, showcasing his growth.
Taken aback by his explanation, Mahiru was momentarily frozen in surprise. Amane noticed this and added, "I did tell you I'd make it properly, you know." She hadn't doubted him in that regard, but she hadn't expected this kind of dish from his repertoire, leading to her temporary astonishment.
"Yes, using those ingredients was fine. It looks very delicious indeed," Mahiru responded.
"That's a relief. I was worried you wouldn't like it."
"Really? You already know that I'm not a picky eater, Amane-kun." "Well, yes, I do know that, but I considered that maybe you weren't in the mood for it or something."
"I wouldn't complain after making such a vague request and leaving everything to you…"
Mahiru was touched simply by his thoughtfulness and spirit, but he had actually gone and prepared it for her. What's more, she had witnessed his journey from being nearly unable to cook to now showcasing the fruits of his hard work. How could she possibly have any complaints?
"Still, I'm surprised you decided to make a risotto."
"It's because you didn't seem like you completely lacked an appetite. I looked up some recipes online, and that's how I decided. Instead of using consommé, I added white soy sauce, and a bit of miso for a more comforting taste. I tasted it myself, and I don't think it turned out badly…"
"You've even grasped the art of making your own adjustments…" "Getting that impressed about it makes me feel a bit awkward," Amane admitted. "I can do it if I try, you know."
Seeing Mahiru's frozen reaction, Amane approached with a spoon in his hand, looking a bit conflicted. Mahiru smiled and thanked him as she accepted the spoon, then turned her attention back to the freshly made risotto.
"May I eat it now?"
"Yep. Go ahead," Amane replied, watching her with a slightly nervous gaze.
Smiling reassuringly at him, Mahiru murmured a quiet "Thank you for the food," and scooped some risotto with her spoon. Knowing it was still piping hot, she gently blew on it to cool it down before tasting.
The risotto had a rich texture, with the rice cooked to a perfect firmness, offering a unique feel in the mouth. It seemed lighter than it looked, likely due to being made from raw rice, with a controlled viscosity that allowed it to pleasantly disperse in her mouth. The butter's aroma and the smoothness of the soy milk were immediately apparent, while the white soy sauce subtly yet boldly anchored the flavor, creating a gentle and welcoming taste.
The miso Amane mentioned must have contributed to the dish's subtle yet profound richness. Its presence was not too strong, providing depth to the flavor without overpowering it—a true secret ingredient. The finely chopped mushrooms blended well into the risotto, enhancing the overall umami and creating a comforting, savory, and reassuring taste.
"…What do you think?" Amane asked with a tinge of hesitance. "It tastes delicious," Mahiru answered.
"Aren't you just trying to flatter me?" "Don't just assume that on your own, geez."
As a matter of fact, she hadn't frozen in place to think of a polite but insincere response, but rather due to being genuinely impressed by the deliciousness of the dish.
There isn't any need for flattery between us anyway. Mahiru silently communicated this message with her gaze, to which Amane responded with a look of slight regret.
"It is delicious," Mahiru insisted. "I can tell that you made it with great care.
It has a gentle taste that brings out the flavor of the ingredients."
"Glad to hear that. I'll have some too." Seemingly embarrassed by her heartfelt praise, Amane began to eat his own portion of the risotto. He had already tasted it while cooking, so his reaction wasn't as dramatic as Mahiru's, but he seemed to enjoy it nonetheless, his eyes narrowing in satisfaction. "It's definitely tasty, but I've still got a long way to go compared to you, Mahiru."
"Why must you compare it to mine? I'm confused. In my eyes, it would take quite the talent to catch up to my ten years of cooking experience so quickly."
"Then it'll always be impossible for me."
Despite his rapid progress, Amane's cooking skills, experience, and knowledge were far from reaching Mahiru's level. While she had once thought that she would be in hot water if he ever caught up, she then realized that cooking together would still bring her the same joy, leading her to feel slightly ashamed of her selfish wish for him to depend on her.
"You say that, but your food is, in fact, delicious," Mahiru began to explain. "…This dish has a very warm taste—comforting, perhaps? To me, it feels as though your kindness was one of the ingredients."
"I don't think kindness can affect its flavor…" responded Amane.
"The flavor of a dish can be heavily influenced by one's mind. Knowing that you put your heart and soul into making it enhances its taste."
Cooking wasn't determined solely by skill. While the taste of a dish was obviously influenced by the cook's abilities, the thoughts and emotions of the cook also held the potential to shape the food they prepare.
Knowing the effort and care the chef put into the dish made it all the more delicious for Mahiru.
"…Furthermore, you are simply becoming a better cook, Amane-kun. The rice is cooked perfectly, and the flavors strike a delicate balance."
"I am honored to receive your praise." "…You're teasing me now, aren't you?"
"No, I didn't mean it that way," he clarified. "…Genuinely, I'm grateful to you."
"I'm the one who should be grateful, geez."
She felt deeply appreciative for his awareness of her poor health, his concern, allowing her to depend on him, and even cooking for her. Because of his kindness and thoughtfulness, Mahiru was able to let herself rely on him. She felt so well cared for that she couldn't ask for more, filled with gratitude.
Amane might not fully realize it himself, but his ability to be genuinely kind to others—a trait that seemed natural but was hard to come by—was one of his greatest strengths. Mahiru gazed at him, noticing that he seemed to remain doubtful toward her words, and murmured, "That's just like you," before continuing to eat her risotto.
✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧
After they both finished eating and took a moment to relax, Mahiru looked up at Amane, who was just about to start cleaning up.
"Next time…I'll make sure not to be such a burden," she raised.
Amane-kun's help made things much easier this time, but I don't believe it's fair for him to go to the trouble of cooking for the both of us.
…Or so she thought, but Amane's puzzled response caught her off guard. "Why?" she heard him say, her eyes widening at the remark.
"Huh? What do you mean, 'Why'? Was it not troublesome for you?"
"No, why would it be?" Amane replied, looking innocently perplexed. His next words, though, were reassuringly dependable. "If anything, I hope you can rely on me even more. If you're feeling unwell and still push yourself, you'll only make things worse for yourself. That's why I'd be much happier if you just rested."
"B-But still…"
"Besides, it isn't a burden to me at all. Honestly." Amane then seemed slightly disgruntled as he asked, "Am I that unreliable?"
Hearing this, Mahiru directed her gaze downward, unable to look him in the eye. "…If you say things like that, I might start relying on you a little too much."
"You can rely on me all you want. Look, you can even start right now. Just sit back while I take care of the dishes, okay? Leave the rest to me."
"…Okay," Mahiru returned meekly.
Amane, not considering Mahiru to be any trouble at all, smiled and said, "Good. That's what I like to hear." He softly patted her head, prompting her to look at him with a blank stare.
I love him.
He was kind, considerate, and hardworking. He was someone she could always rely on. Amane's way of encouraging her to rely on him, knowing she might be reluctant to do so, was a gesture of deep understanding and care. It was clear that he had thoroughly grasped her independent nature and was speaking from that understanding.
Someone like Amane-kun might be the ideal husband, Mahiru couldn't help but daydream, thinking he would be the ideal husband—kind, thoughtful, and always making an effort. Lost in her thoughts, Mahiru continued to stare at Amane's mature smile in awe until he raised an eyebrow in mild curiosity.
"…Are you perhaps not feeling well again? Do you want to head home and rest?" he asked, concerned by Mahiru's dazed expression. He seemed to be under the impression that her condition had taken a turn for the worse.
Mahiru, realizing she had inadvertently worried him, quickly shook her head. "N-No, that's not it! It's just, um…will you promise not to laugh?"
"What's wrong?"
"…I was thinking that you would make a good husband, Amane-kun," she confessed, feeling embarrassed by her own out-of-character remark. Amane, however, didn't react negatively. Instead, he appeared to be surprised and slightly bashful.
"I–It's not like I mean anything by that though, okay!? It simply crossed my mind because you're so caring, take the initiative, and watch over me…" Mahiru hurriedly explained, realizing her feelings were all too apparent.
She was acutely aware that she was unable to suppress her feelings, speaking impulsively without fully considering her words. The realization that her emotions were not as stable as usual was striking. As a blush crept onto her cheeks, Mahiru tried to conceal the heat rushing to her face, but to no effect.
Being under Amane's gaze only seemed to add fuel to the fire, making her feelings of joy and embarrassment burn even brighter.
"Uuu…" Unable to bear her awkwardness, she let out a pitiful moan—one of the top three most pathetic sounds she had ever made—and hung her head low. In turn, Amane too seemed visibly flustered.
"I-I'm happy you think so…b-but what I did is just what anyone would do, okay? Come on, you should really go and rest," he said, his words rushing out a tad too quickly, almost stumbling over them, as he quickly gathered the dishes onto a tray and made a hasty retreat to the kitchen.
Left alone, Mahiru remained there, her body curled up, unable to lift her head. The physical pain she had felt was gone, replaced by a persistent warmth that refused to subside, and it took her a considerable amount of time to regain control over the blazing heat inside her.