“… Hey, why is Souta here? It’s already nighttime. Aren’t you going home?”

“Don’t you say it, don’t you say it, I’ll say it again! Don’t you say it.”
“Well, because…”

Yuika woke up from her bed and shouted.

“I didn’t really think you’re going to stay with me! I’m glad, but I’m in trouble! I’m in so much trouble! I’m happier though! Yay, Souta is staying over with me!”
“Calm down! You’re leaking your true feelings! You have a fever of 38 degrees Celsius, so don’t try to say anything rash! It’ll be awkward when you get over the cold! You’ll get a sore throat, so keep your voice down!”

Sure enough, she started coughing and coughing.
I got up off the floor and grabbed a glass of water.

“Here, take it easy. Take it slow so it doesn’t get into your trachea, okay?”
“Uhh, Souta is so kind… I want to catch a cold for the rest of my life.”
“I think I’m usually kind though? And doesn’t that mean if you catch a cold for the rest of your life, I’ll have to stay here for the rest of my life?”
“To put it mildly, that would be awesome. If before we know it, the outside world is destroyed and Souta and I become the Adam and Eve of the new world, there’s nothing to say!”
“I have so many things to say. Don’t bring about the end of the world with your wishful thinking.”

She seemed to have calmed down after drinking some water. I put the glass on the bedside table and rubbed her back.

I can feel… the straps, so it looks like she’s wearing a bra. I’m a little disappointed. No, no, no. I’m not going to have that kind of evil thought today.

The lights in the room were already off. I was wearing the pajamas that Yuika’s father had lent me, and there were blankets and sheets on the floor.
I don’t know how it happened, but Yuika had a fever and I had to stay here to take care of her.
I would like to say that the parents of the two families who agreed for me to stay with her are out of their minds.

… Well, it’s true that it’s better to have someone looking after her. Since she became a recluse, neither her parents nor her brother has been allowed in her room. As the only one who comes and goes, it’s inevitable that I’m going to have to do my share of the work. But we are boys and girls of the same age. If there is a problem… ah, I’d rather think it’s a problem with those parents.
“
Speaking of which… Souta, is school okay? It’s a weekday tomorrow, right?”
“I’m going from here, don’t worry. Your mom will make breakfast for me. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“I hope so… I’m sorry if I give you my cold, okay?”
“That’s not a problem either. I probably brought the cold germs in the first place.”
“Oh…”

Yuika rarely leaves her room. And when she does, it’s never outside the house.
The only way she could get the cold germs would be from me. And since I’m fine, I guess it’s a germ that only works on people who are too unhealthy.

“… I see, it’s Souta’s fault that I’m suffering so much, isn’t it? Then you have to take responsibility for it, right?”
“… Wait. I have a bad feeling about this.”

I tried to casually move away from the bed, but my hand was grabbed a moment too soon.
Yuika spread the covers wide.

 

“Come here. I want to sleep with Souta.”

 

Yes, here it comes, the impossible task!
The door to hell, the entrance to the endurance contest, is in full gear.

“… Can I veto that”
“No, you can’t. Because it’s Souta’s fault.”
“… So, do I have the right to push you down?”
“No, I don’t. Because I’m a sick person.”
“… Is there any chance I’ll be pushed down?”
“Yes, there is. That’s why Souta has to put up with it.”
“…… This is painful.”

I’m in bed with the woman I love, I’m pampered as much as I want, my parents almost approved, but I can’t touch her. What is this, a new kind of torture?

“Quick, I’m cold when I turn the covers up. Quick, Souta, warm me up!”
“You’re totally out of line, you know that?”
“Ehehe, I don’t know, I have a fever!”

When I got ready to go to bed, she hugged me without hesitating.
Ugh, so soft! I can feel the hardness of her bra. I can feel the elasticity of her bra, but I can’t help but feel a sense of happiness! I knew this was out of the question!

“Souta~, Souta~, ehehehe.”
“Hey, you…. Hey, calm down.”
“No, it’s a sleepover so I’m going to spoil you tonight~!”

We snuggled up to each other, and she rubbed her cheeks on mine.
Oh my, this childhood friend is so cute!
I wish I was this spoiled on a regular basis. No, it’s not good! If she didn’t have the filter of being sick, I’d never be able to keep my wits!

“Hey, hey, can I unbutton your collar? I want to rub Souta’s collarbone.”

“Why? What kind of hobby is that?”
“Dufufu.”
“Your laugh is weird!”

Oi, this is an imitation of some character probably. But while I was thinking about it, my collar was unbuttoned.

Lick.

…!? She licked me! She licked me in a way that was even more graphic!

Lick. Lick. Lick, lick. Lick-

“H-hey, um, Yuika! You can’t do this, your father won’t allow it! Ugh…!?”
“I’m sorry, Dad. I’m sorry for being a bad daughter. But his collarbone is delicious. Lick, lick.”
“Stop what you’re doing! Who are you calling dad… owa!? Ahhh, I don’t know even know what’s going on here anymore!”

I fainted in bed. Every time Yuika licked my collarbone, a sweet current ran through my body. I could have been blown out of my mind at any moment. It’s amazing how human beings have such a strong sense of ethics. We’re necessary for the earth! I really don’t know what I’m saying anymore…

“Hey, hey, Souta. Can you stroke my head?”
“Okay, I will. I’ll stroke your head but stop with the collarbone.”
“Souta will stroke my head and I’ll lick yours. I’m going to start with the first one.”
“Listen to me! I won’t stroke if you lick! That’s what Washington Convention is for!”

Incidentally, the Washington Convention is the “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora,” so it has nothing to do with “stroking”. I hope you understand that’s how cornered I am. Also, what is with stroking? Is my head okay?
Anyway, I hugged Yuika tightly under the futon to block her movements.

“Uhm…”
“Hey, don’t make that noise!”
“B-but…”

The thin body wrapped in pajamas reacted with a twitch.
Whether it is because of the fever or some other reason, I saw the ear that was turning red.

“Just don’t move. Freeze. Okay?”
“…Yes, I understand.”

With a muffled voice she nodded.

“A Forceful Souta… is good, very good.”

“That’s good to hear…”

I’m walking a tightrope here, though.
Well, I somehow managed to seal the Rolodex, so I stroked Yuika’s hair. Soon after, I heard a dreamy voice saying, “fu~…”

“… I’m having so much fun today. It’s like a video game sleepover event.”
“I don’t know if there is such a thing as a last-minute event like this… I’m telling you, if Yuika didn’t have a fever, this would be an R-rated story in a heartbeat. Starring me.”
“It’s okay. It’s not just video games, there is a lot of anime and manga that are practically outrageous these days.”

Yeah, it’s not okay at all.
I’m getting a little worried about what my childhood friend usually watches.

“… I wonder if this is how everyone felt.”

As I stroked her hair, Yuika muttered to herself.
“Everyone” probably meant the characters from her favorite works. Maybe she was thinking of the hero and heroine from the sleepover event.
But if that’s the case.

“Hey, Yuika.
Hmm?
Don’t you… have a future, too?”

The reason why Yuika loves those stories is that the characters in them have a future.
They have bright tomorrows, unlike her who has decided not to leave her room.
But if she can feel the same way they do, then maybe Yuika will be able to have more hope for herself.

Of course, it was just an idea. I don’t think it will really change anything either.
As expected, Yuika laughed and passed it off. She took in everything I had to say and ducked like a loose thread.

“You can’t mix up reality and fiction. Souta is not ready for this. The more professional a NEET becomes, the more they understand reality, you know?”
“I’m not a professional NEET, and I have no intention of becoming one.”

I let the conversation go with a wry smile.
We don’t have any conflicting opinions about Yuika being withdrawn. We have never had an agreement before. And we probably never will.

“But if you can empathize with the characters like that, maybe you can make them too?”
“Eh?”

The gaze on my collarbone turned to me.

“Make… what?”
“Hmm, so… manga or games? I know you can’t do anime, but…”
“Either way, it’s impossible, of course. Making a game is a lot of work, you know. You have to start by developing a dull heroine.”
“I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I can’t even draw a manga…”
“Then you can’t.”
“I can’t.”

That’s right. It must be a lot of work to create something. It’s not something you can just start with an idea.
I hope that one day, Yuika will find something that will affirm her.

Of course, I don’t have anything that big either. Something small is fine. However, if there is just a small opportunity for Yuika to open the door to the outside on her own… I have always wished for that, but of course, it is not something that should be rushed. Yuika can just go at her own pace.

Also, my plan for tonight was casually accomplished.
By talking about something a little more serious, I was able to distract the mysterious interest in my collarbone.
Since a while ago, Yuika has been silent, looking as if she is thinking about something. I’ll just stroke her hair and let her sleep it off.

I was wondering.
My childhood friend suddenly looked up — and said something outrageous.

“Souta, I’ll give you a kiss.”
“Wha?”

I was shocked when she grabbed my cheek and pulled her face toward mine in one breath. I panicked and clamped down. What are these, scary, serious eyes!

“Wa-wait, wait, wait! What’s wrong!? You’re running a little berserk, aren’t you? What are you thinking, Yuika?”
“Thanks to Souta, I think I’ve realized something I wouldn’t have. I’m feeling very desperate and frustrated right now. That’s why I’m going to kiss you to show my gratitude and to take it out on you.”
“I don’t want to get my first kiss out of frustration or desperation! What are you even talking about?”

“What? Why are you assuming it’s my first kiss!? It is though!”
“Of course it is! I know because we grew up together! Just stop!”
“I’m going to k-i-s-s you!”
“I, don’t, want, to!”

In the end, this forceful kissing argument went on until midnight, and eventually, when Yuika’s eyes rolled back in her head from making too much noise, our first kiss was somehow saved.
No, I don’t get it anymore.
By the way, the next morning, Yuika’s fever had gone down and her cold was gone. I was worried that her fever would go up after all the noise we had made, but honestly, I’m lost.