“Kazunari-san, what happened!?”
Summoned by Hanako-san’s shout, Sara-san rushed over, her voice laced with alarm.
It really wasn’t a serious injury, but knowing it was the result of my own stupidity made me feel terribly guilty.
“Kazunari, show me your hand!!”
The usually composed Hanako-san practically lunged for my hand in a panic.
I didn’t mind showing them, but for an injury of this size, it was really...
“Kazunari-san, please let me see your hand!”
“No, it’s really not that big of a deal…”
“Just show it to us already!”
“Y-Yes!”
Right, I should have known. There was no way I could defy these two.
I was being pressed by the people ranked first and third on my “Unconquerable List” (second place belonged to Mayumi-san); there was no way I could resist. I obediently held out my left hand, and Sara-san took it gently, as if she were handling fragile crystal. She cupped it tenderly and lifted it to a position where she could inspect it clearly.
...What if she thinks I’m being dramatic over such a tiny scratch?
I had checked it myself just to be sure, but I really thought it was just a minor wound with a bit of blood. However, Sara-san stared intently at the cut, her brows knitting together in profound worry.
Seeing that expression on her face... I felt a surge of frustration at myself for causing someone so precious to me this much distress. I really am an idiot!
“...At this level, basic first aid should be enough.”
Hanako-san, who was peering at the wound from the side, seemed to judge the injury as minor. I agreed, and if I were being honest, I thought it would be fine even if I just left it alone. To be blunt, it was the kind of thing that would heal if I just licked it.
“The infirmary… no, we should go to the hospital…”
But Sara-san didn’t see it that way. She looked as though she might burst into tears at any moment, and the realization that I was the cause made me want to punch myself.
“Wife, first aid for now.”
“Right, um…”
“If you cook regularly, you must do this much yourself, Wife?”
“Eh? Yes, well, that’s true, but…”
Normally, that would be a given, but I couldn’t imagine Sara-san ever making such a mistake herself. At the very least, I had never witnessed her do so.
But if, by some chance, Sara-san were to cut her finger… I didn’t even want to think about it, but I’m sure I would make an incredible scene…
Ah… I see. Maybe the panic I just imagined is exactly what Sara-san is feeling right now. Ugh… that makes me feel even more apologetic.
“Sara-san, I’m fine. This is nothing, really.”
The wound truly wasn’t a big deal. I did my best to emphasize that point, putting on a smile to help her relax even a little bit.
I felt like it was starting to throb slightly, but only just. The bleeding would probably stop on its own soon anyway…
“Kazunari-san, are you really alright? If you tell a lie, you'll get a nuh-uh, okay?”
Sara-san questioned me while staring directly into my eyes. Since she always saw through my thoughts with ease, she surely knew I wasn't lying. The fact that she still wasn't convinced only showed how much she cared.
“S-She’s so cute!?”
“Wait, that was a foul! Using a ‘nuh-uh’ with Satsukawa-senpai’s character!”
“Pant, pant… This rom-com development is better than I expected, I can’t get enough…”
“Seriously, you guys, Takanashi-kun is actually bleeding…”
“…………Phew.”
“…The moe power is so high I could die.”
“Dammit, I wish Satsukawa-senpai would say that to me!”
“If I got hurt, maybe she’d… nah, not a chance…”
“Is Takanashi going to be okay?”
“It’s better not to interfere. If you try to cut in there, you’ll be slaughtered by Satsukawa-senpai and Hanasaki-san.”
“Haha, that’s a rare joke for you, Kawamura.”
“Do you really think I’m joking?”
““…………””
What should I do? I couldn’t exactly pull my arm away by force, but if we stayed like this, the cooking class would be delayed even further. We were the center of attention, and the entire room's progress had stalled because of me.
“Sara-san, I’m really okay. A scratch like this heals if you just lick it.”
“Wife, Kazunari’s right. The injury is light.”
“Yes… I suppose you’re right.”
With my persuasion and Hanako-san’s support, Sara-san finally nodded. She didn't let go of my hand, but her expression seemed to settle.
Thank goodness. If I had kept making Sara-san look like that, I wouldn't have been able to live with myself. I really need to be more careful from now on.
“But we shouldn't just leave it. Kazunari doesn't want a scene, so why not just do what you usually do for yourself?”
“I… see. If Kazunari-san is okay with it, then I will.”
“If it makes you feel better, Sara-san, I don’t mind at all.”
If it would satisfy her, I had no objections. Since she said “as usual,” I figured the treatment would be something simple.
“Understood. Then, Kazunari-san, please leave everything to me.”
Sara-san offered a small smile and guided my left hand over to the sink to wash the wound. After carefully rinsing it, she pulled a handkerchief from her apron pocket and dabbed it dry—wait, a handkerchief!?
“Sara-san! You’ll get blood on your handkerchief!”
“Kazunari-san, you promised to leave this to me, didn’t you?”
“Ugh…”
I remembered hearing that blood stains are nearly impossible to get out of fabric. A tissue or a paper towel would have been fine…
Without a hint of displeasure, Sara-san carefully wiped my index finger. However, the bleeding hadn't completely stopped yet, and red beads began to seep from the cut the moment she finished wiping.
Sara-san tucked the handkerchief back into her pocket, then brought my hand closer to her face. She stared intently at the seeping wound as if confirming its state… and then, she took it into her mouth.
“Nn…”
Schlip…
…………………Huh?
“““!!!!!!!!!??????????”””
Eh…? What…? Did she just… pop it in? She took it in? Eh… eh… eh? What… what, what… What? What just happened?
…………………
WHAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!????
“Nn…”
Schlip…
Wh-wh-wh-what-what-what—no-no-no, calm down… calm down, calm down, me!! This is exactly the time to stay cool! Think rationally!
I told Sara-san the injury wasn’t a big deal. Hanako-san agreed it was minor. Therefore, we agreed that a major fuss wasn't necessary. Hanako said she should just do what she usually does. And I said I was fine with that if it made Sara-san feel better.
Oh, I see! I even thought to myself that it would heal if I just licked it. So it’s not strange at all for Sara-san to do that if that’s her usual habit.
What do you know, it makes perfect sense. Hahahahahahahaha.
……Like hell I can accept that explanation logicallyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!
“…Eeeeeeehhh.”
“…Wh-Wh-Wh-What is she doing…?”
“…Whoa… are you… kidding me… she’s actually doing that!?”
“………Gulp.”
“…Ah… ah… ah.”
“…No way… it’s a dream, it’s a dream, just a dream.”
“…Ha, haha, no, no, my Goddess wouldn’t do something like that…”
“…S-Stop… please… stop…”
“Sara-san!?”
“Nn…”
Schlip… schlip… schlip…
Sara-san closed her eyes and held my fingertip in her mouth as if she were kissing it. The wet sounds coming from those lovely lips… the sensation…
Th-this is bad. As for what’s bad, I don't even want to think about it, so I absolutely won't, and I don't want to say it, so I absolutely won't say it, but if I had to say something, it would be “this is just plain bad!!” That’s the only way to describe it!
“Wh-wh-wh-wh-wh…”
Hanako-san, standing right there, was speechless with a look of pure shock. Her gaze was fixed entirely on Sara-san’s mouth… Well, of course. It would be impossible not to be shocked by this…
“…Nm.”
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sh-sh-sh-she licked it!!?? Just now, Sara-san’s tongue definitely…
“Nn… nn…”
Schlip… schlip… schlip…
Aaaaaaaaaaaah…
Sara-san’s tongue moved as if gently caressing the wound twice, three times… Wait, no, don't think about it!!!!! Empty. I must become empty!! My mind must be a clear mirror…
Mwah.
I’m happy, but please stop!? I’m happy, but please stop!? I’m happy, but I’m happy, but I’m happy!!!
“Nn…”
I don't know how long we were like that, but the movement of Sara-san’s tongue finally stopped. It felt like everything had happened in a split second, yet also like an eternity had passed.
Then, with a faint, wet sound, my index finger slowly slid out of Sara-san’s mouth.
The sight was so unbelievable, so impactful, that my heart rate hit its absolute peak.
Now that it was over, my comprehension finally caught up. When I realized what had been done to me, I felt my face turn bright red in an instant, like an industrial water heater.
Ugh… Sara-san… this was really going too far, no matter how you look at it…
“…Is that better now?”
Despite having done something so bold, Sara-san didn't seem particularly bothered. Even if it was her usual habit… but she surely only did it for my sake. I didn't think she had any other motives… no, she definitely didn't.
“U-Um… S-Sara-san?”
“Fufu… it’s a bit late for this, but I’m feeling a little embarrassed now.”
Where!? I almost blurted out that retort, but when I looked closer, her cheeks did seem to be a little flushed… or maybe it was just my imagination.
Feeling nothing after doing that would be impossible, after all. As for me, I was completely overwhelmed; I was far beyond just being a “little” embarrassed.
If I let my guard down, my eyes would wander to Sara-san’s mouth, and then to my finger… My finger!?
“It looks like the bleeding has stopped.”
“Eh!? Y-Y-Y-Yes, you’re right!”
I checked my fingertip. The bleeding had indeed stopped.
But more than that! I could see that my index finger was slightly wet… my finger, which was just inside Sara-san’s mouth… her mouth… aaaaah.
“Kazunari-san, how is the pain? It might start to throb after a while…”
There’s a different sensation lingering, so I don't feel any pain at all!! No, maybe it will start to hurt later, but compared to this sensation, it’s nothing!!
“…Wh… What… were you… doing…”
Hanako-san, who had been frozen until now, finally squeezed out a voice. She had been watching from point-blank range, so she knew exactly what Sara-san was doing… but she clearly didn't mean it in a literal sense.
“Eh? As I said, I was just doing what I usually do for myself…”
“That’s not what I mean!! Who told you to go that far!?”
Hanako-san rounded on Sara-san as if a dam had burst. It was rare to see Hanako-san this agitated, but after witnessing that, her reaction was perfectly natural. I still felt like I was in a daze.
“I do not compromise when it comes to caring for Kazunari-san, you know?”
“I know that! But no matter how you look at it, that was too much!!”
“Is that so? I only treated Kazunari-san’s injury. Besides, weren’t you the one who suggested I do as I usually do, Hanako-san?”
“Ugh… no, well, that’s true, but… guuu…”
Ah, this was the usual pattern where Hanako-san found herself at a disadvantage. Regardless of the extreme nature of the act, what she said was a fact… and it was the same for me. Furthermore, since Sara-san had pure intentions and no ulterior motives, you could never win an argument against her. It was the same pattern as with Natsumi-senpai.
Hanako-san bit her lip in frustration and fell silent… but more than that, I…!
“S-Sara-san, I’m really, really fine now.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Then let’s wash it once more and put an adhesive bandage on. We’ll make sure to disinfect it properly later, too.”
Sara-san guided my hand back to the sink and began to wash it carefully again.
…Just between us, I felt a tiny bit of regret, as if washing it was a waste… No, no, don't think such irreverent things, me!!
After she finished washing and drying my finger, she pulled her student handbook from her pocket—I guess she kept adhesive bandages inside—and stuck one onto my fingertip.
“Thank you.”
“Ah, wait, just the final touch…”
“The final touch?”
Sara-san brought my hand close to her face once more. What now? The bandage was already on; there shouldn't be anything left to do.
“Pain, pain, go away…… mwah.”
……………
Sara-san murmured that cutely and gave my fingertip a light kiss.
Seeing my face frozen in surprise yet again, she broke into a soft, gentle smile.
That’s unfair, it’s really unfair… how can Sara-san be this lovely? When she does something like that, when she shows me a smile like that… my love for her just overflows. I, I…
“““Gah!!”””
“Whoa, what are you guys choking on!?”
“Uuuuu, uuuuu.”
“Waaaaah, seriously, give me a break already…”
“Dammit… dammit, dammit… Takanashi…”
“H-How long are you going to keep this up… enough alreadyyyyyyy.”
“Wait… is that really Satsukawa-senpai!?”
“S-Seriously, I’ve never been more jealous… what the hell…”
“…Hey, Hanasaki-san, what you said this morning…”
“In the end, it turned out exactly as I predicted.”
“I-It was even more than I imagined…”
“Sara-san…”
“…Kazunari-san?”
Driven by my heart, I slowly reached my arms out toward her. I wanted to touch her, to hold her, to be held by her—the feelings were racing through my head.
Sara-san seemed to understand immediately. She looked into my eyes with a smile and opened her arms toward me. I leaned in, settling into Sara-san’s embrace…
Squeeze.
“Mgh…”
I thought she would hold me gently as she usually did, but Sara-san wrapped her arms around my back and head and hugged me quite firmly. My face ended up half-pressed against her usual soft spot.
“…S-Sara-san?”
“…You dummy, Kazunari-san… do you have any idea how much I worried…”
Ah…
Right, she had every right to be angry. Sara-san was kind, so she had prioritized the treatment, but I hadn’t forgotten how sad I’d made her look. In the first place, she’d been reluctant to let me participate at all, so her anger was only natural now that I’d actually been injured.
“…’m sorry.”
“…No, it is I who should apologize for calling you a dummy.”
Whether she had truly forgiven me or not, Sara-san loosened her hold on my head. I wanted to apologize properly once more, so I pulled back to face her.
“Sara-san, I’m sorr—”
Mwah.
!?
“““!!!!!!!!!!!!!”””
I had only intended to apologize, but Sara-san’s lips momentarily sealed my mouth. It was just a light, fleeting kiss, but it was enough to steal my words away.
“…I’m truly glad your injury was minor.”
“………”
“If you were to suffer a serious injury, Kazunari-san, I think I would simply cry.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Sara-san slowly and carefully stroked my head. Even though her tone sounded slightly teasing, I knew from her expression earlier that it was no joke. And because I knew that, I felt even more apologetic…
“““Kya…”””
“““KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”””
“““GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”””
Wh-What was that!?
Startled by the sudden, massive outcry, I pulled away from Sara-san. Looking around, the room was in total pandemonium: the girls were in an uproar of excitement while the boys were drowning in a sea of despair.
And there was Hanako-san, watching us with cold, dead eyes alongside Yamakawa and the others…
“………”
“I-I’m sorry.”
Succumbing to the silent pressure radiating from Hanako-san, that was all I could say.
In the end, I suppose Hanako-san’s Prophecy came true: I really did “mess up.”