"Thank you for waiting. Breakfast is ready."
Between the sponge bath and the change of clothes she’d given me this morning, and now a home-cooked breakfast... I was certainly being pampered all of a sudden.
"Is this the last of the laundry?"
A mountain of laundry sat before her. I felt painfully self-conscious about it, but Senpai didn't seem the least bit bothered.
I’d been half-expecting a lecture for letting it pile up...
But even when the topic of cleaning came up, she didn't show a hint of reluctance. There was no sign of exasperation or anger at all.
She really was a God... no, a Goddess.
"I’m truly sorry... I’ve just let everything go. I feel terrible about it."
"It’s quite alright. That is exactly why I came, after all. I have heard that men often find it difficult to keep up with such domestic tasks."
"I appreciate you saying that... By the way, who told you that?"
"Natsumi did."
As expected of Natsumi-senpai. She was a reliable senior who always provided the right support at the most critical moments.
"She also told me that if I found anything strange while tidying up, I should not get angry and simply pretend I never saw it."
"Pffft—?!"
"Um... what exactly would qualify as 'strange'?"
I take back my praise.
That woman was definitely just amusing herself at my expense.
"W-well, who knows? I don't own anything that could be considered strange."
I didn't, did I?
...As long as she didn't look at my PC, anyway.
"I have no intention of meddling in your private affairs, Takanashi-san, but her vague phrasing did make me a bit curious. I shall have to interrogate Natsumi later."
"N-no, I’m sure she was just being thoughtful in her own way, so let’s just leave it at that. It’s fine, really."
I’d much prefer it if Senpai stayed exactly as she was right now.
And then... it seemed it was time for me to go back to sleep.
The reason was simple: the exact same situation from yesterday was repeating itself.
Stroke... stroke... stroke...
Pat... pat... pat...
Ahhh, I couldn't help but feel like I was being treated like a child.
But resistance was futile. To be honest, I found this to be absolute bliss.
"Leave the rest to me and rest well..."
"Zzz... zzz..."
Hehe... It seems that doing this is indeed the most effective way to help Takanashi-san rest.
There may be more opportunities for this in the future, so I should be sure to remember this well.
Now then, I should start the laundry first.
The weather is beautiful today, so if I hang it out early, I might even be able to fold it before I head home.
I’ll tidy up while the washing machine is running. Since I cannot use the Vacuum Cleaner, I’ll use the Broom and Dustpan I brought from home to finish the Cleaning.
I must organize his things clearly so Takanashi-san won't be confused later...
And, of course, I mustn't forget to check on him... His feverish sweat seems to have subsided.
By the time I finished hanging the laundry on the Balcony, it was the perfect time to start preparing Lunch.
I should wake Takanashi-san up in a little while.
Lunch ended, and Senpai brought out some apples for dessert.
Rows of apples, perfectly carved into the shape of little rabbits, were lined up on the plate.
It might sound odd coming from a guy, but I was pretty sure Senpai’s Femininity was off the charts.
As I sat idly at the table munching on apples while Senpai stood in the Kitchen doing the dishes... I couldn't help but wonder what anyone else would think if they saw us right now.
Since most of the clothes were thin fabrics, the laundry dried much faster than I expected.
I folded them and put them away in the Dresser as best as I could.
As the Cleaning finally reached its final stages...
...Thinking back, I wonder if this was what Natsumi meant by "strange things."
I had intended to gather the items he said he wouldn't use for a while and put them in the closet, but when I reached for something at the very back, I pulled out a Graduation Yearbook.
.........I am sorry, Takanashi-san.
I will pretend I never saw this Graduation Yearbook. Natsumi did warn me, after all.
.........Kazuma Yamasaki, Yuzuha Sasagawa...
Phew... I must clear my head.
I’m glad Takanashi-san was asleep for that...
Well then, I’ve finally reached the last of my tasks. Shall I begin the preparations for Dinner?
Dinner was over, and Senpai was finishing up the last of the cleaning.
Once that was done, she would finally be going home.
It was getting late; I couldn't keep her here any longer.
"Well then, I shall be taking my leave now..."
"...Sara-senpai, thank you so much. Truly, I don't know how to thank you enough."
"No, if we go back to the beginning, it was because you protected me from that rain—"
"And that was only because I didn't bring an umbrella. So really, I'm the one who should be thanking you."
It was absolutely not Senpai's fault.
It was my own doing, plain and simple.
"Hehe... In that case, 'you're welcome' it is."
"I’m feeling a lot better now, so I think I can make it to school tomorrow."
"Please do not push yourself if you still feel unwell. Regardless, I will check in with you via RAIN tomorrow morning."
"Yes, thank you."
"I shall return this key to you now. Well then, Takanashi-san, please excuse me."
"Sara-senpai, thank you so much for everything. I’ll definitely find a way to repay you—"
I bowed as deeply as I could.
My parents aside, I’d never had anyone take care of me like this before.
She’d done so much for someone like me; I couldn't even think of a way to pay her back.
As Senpai stepped closer, she placed her hand against my Forehead.
"One last Temperature Check♪"
"Sara-senpai..."
Sara-senpai looked directly into my eyes from only inches away.
"It might be rude of me to say this, Takanashi-san, but these past three days have been truly fulfilling for me... Though I am now reflecting on whether I might have overstepped. I hope I wasn't a nuisance?"
"Not at all. There were so many things that made me happy; it wasn't a nuisance in the slightest."
"I see. That is a relief. This experience was very valuable for me as well. I believe I can apply what I’ve learned in the future."
In the future... Someday, would Senpai do all these things for someone else? Someone who wasn't me? That thought...
Senpai stepped away and put on her shoes.
"Well then, I’ll be going now. See you tomorrow."
"Yes, see you tomorrow."
And so, the frantic few days that had begun on that rainy afternoon finally came to a close.
Perhaps because Senpai had been by my side the whole time, her departure left me with a strange, lingering sense of loneliness...