"Here, Kazunari-san. Say 'ahhh'."
Munch.
Chew, chew...
"Were you always this type of person? Well, if you two are happy like this, I won't say anything."
I never imagined she’d do this in front of my mother, but Sara-senpai seemed to prioritize my care above all else. Whether she was in front of strangers or my own mom, she wasn't the type to compromise on that.
"Haa... Still, Sara-chan’s cooking is wonderful. It’s definitely better than mine."
Mom muttered thoughtfully as she ate the dinner Sara-senpai had prepared.
I didn't dare voice my agreement, but as far as my taste buds were concerned, Sara-senpai was the clear winner. My opinion on that hadn't changed since the beginning.
"Not at all. These Simmered Dishes you made are delicious, Mother. Here, say 'ahhh'."
Munch.
Chew, chew.
"She’s cute, kind, has the best personality, and her cooking and housework are flawless... Honestly, she’s far more than my son deserves, but I’m truly grateful. With Sara-chan around, my biggest worry isn't just gone—it's been replaced with so much more."
I didn't intend to probe into what that "biggest worry" was, but it was clear that Mom had taken a huge liking to Sara-senpai.
"Mother, I am not that great of a person, really. Besides, I wish to remain by Kazunari-san’s side from now on."
"Kazunari, you'd better make sure to—"
"I know, I know. It's getting embarrassing, even for me."
"Sara-chan, I’m so glad I got to meet you today. I hate to ask, but please look after my foolish son for me."
Since we had called a taxi, we saw her off at the entrance.
That said, I didn't have much to say, so it was mostly just Sara-senpai and my mother talking.
"I understand. It makes me very happy to hear you say that, Mother. For now, until his wrist heals, please leave taking care of Kazunari-san’s everyday needs entirely to me."
Now that she had been officially requested—or rather, recognized—by my mother, Sara-senpai seemed more motivated than ever. I was happy about it, but I was also starting to fear what school would be like.
"Contact me anytime if you run into trouble. And make sure to speak up if that money from earlier isn't enough, okay?"
Apparently, Mom had slipped her some extra cash for support. I was grateful, but since when was I being kept out of the loop?
"Thank you very much. It’s mostly just for grocery expenses, so we’ll be fine."
"I can head home feeling relieved because Sara-chan is here. Well then, let's meet again."
"Yes, I look forward to the day we can meet again. Thank you very much for today."
Click...
Once Mom left, the apartment suddenly became quiet. But then again, this was the usual atmosphere.
"She is a wonderful mother. I look forward to the day I can meet her again. I hope I can meet your father then as well..."
"There'll probably be a huge uproar back at the family home after this, so I expect Dad will come along next time."
At any rate, everything had settled peacefully, so I suppose all’s well that ends well. Sara-senpai’s motivation seemed to have spiked, and she was talking about working even harder than before.
After she finished clearing away the dishes, Senpai told me she was going to remove my bandage.
She said it would get in the way of the bath, and she was right. I had only wiped my body down yesterday, and since it was getting hot and I was sweating, I had been thinking that I wanted to at least take a shower today.
"Now then, let's take off your top."
Saying that, she grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head. Both Sara-senpai and I were getting used to this. I wasn't entirely sure if that was a good thing.
I went into the changing area and took off the rest of my clothes without using my right hand, then stepped into the bathroom. Just as I sat down on the bath chair...
"Ka—Kazunari-san, excuse me."
...Wait, what?
Click.
The door slid open, and there stood Sara-senpai, clad in a bath garment.
I reflexively looked away and turned my back to her.
My towel... okay, I was covered. No, wait, it wasn't the towel I should be worried about!
"S-Sara-senpai?! What are you—"
"Um... I thought I would wash your back for you. You cannot wash properly with only one hand..."
Even with the bath garment on, this was a lot to take. For a guy, this was torture.
Judging that she could proceed as long as I kept my back turned, Senpai stepped inside and closed the door.
"S-Sara-senpai, you don't have to go this far."
"No, I decided yesterday that I would do this for you. Besides, I received a request from your mother as well. Knowing that you cannot wash your back, it would be unthinkable for me not to help!"
Sara-senpai’s energy was a bit strange. It felt like she was forcing herself.
She must have seen my upper body when I was changing, but I suppose the atmosphere of a bath felt different. Plus, she was thinly dressed herself, so she had to be embarrassed too.
But what should I do? I couldn't possibly turn around until she left the bathroom.
As I sat there, I couldn't help but remember the glimpse I’d caught of her in the bath garment. If she were wearing something like a school swimsuit right now, I’d really be in trouble... No, no, don't imagine it!
While I was panicking internally, Sara-senpai had apparently finished her preparations and was crouching behind me.
"E-E-Excuse me!"
She splashed a little water from the shower over me, followed by the sensation of a body towel scrubbing my skin.
Scrub, scrub, scrub.
Ah... having someone wash your back might actually be nice... No, that's not the point!
"S-Sara-senpai."
"Please tell me if there is anything else you need!"
Senpai was speaking much faster than usual, but she was still scrubbing my back thoroughly. I was embarrassed, but there was no doubt that Sara-senpai was feeling it far more than I was.
Scrub, scrub, scrub.
Both of us remained silent, and the only sound that echoed was the scrubbing against my back.
"I will rinse it off now."
After that continued for a while, she rinsed me off with the shower head. It was over... I’d made it through.
"T-Then, I will head out now, so please take care of the rest. You must not use your right hand. Also... um, please do not come out of the bathroom for about five minutes."
Her voice trailed off into a faint whisper at the end. Why five minutes?
"S-Sara-senpai, why five... Ah, for you to change! ...Chang...ing..."
I ended up imagining it for a split second and scrambled to erase the thought.
"Ah, please do not imagine it!"
Hearing her embarrassed protest only made my imagination work even harder.
"Gwoooh..."
I shook my head to dispel the images, but that was basically the same as admitting I was thinking about it.
"...I'm so embarrassed... Even though I asked you not to imagine it... Kazunari-san, you're so mean..."
Click... Bam.
With that, I heard the sound of Senpai fleeing the bathroom. I spent not just five minutes, but much longer than that, writhing in agony all by myself.