Reading

"What was that just now?"

Big eyes sparkled with excitement as Sayu questioned Yusuke.

"This is the second floor! You jumped up with a 'boom.' Could it be that Yusuke is a superman?"

She fidgeted restlessly as she spoke.

"Don't move." Yusuke patted her on the head and instructed, "If you move again, I'll ignore you."

Her wet long hair was wrapped in a large white towel, which Yusuke was drying with both hands.

The girl's almost brown-black hair cascaded down from her head like a waterfall, draping over her shoulders with a silky smoothness, like a layer of gauze.

"All done."

Yusuke said lightly, removing the towel; her hair was now half-dry.

"Thank you~"

Sayu responded sweetly, then playfully shook her head from side to side. The evening breeze blew her hair, fluttering softly around her moon-like face.

Seeing this, Yusuke rose to close the doors and windows before heading to the kitchen. He picked up a tray from the counter, walked over to Sayu, and sat down next to her.

"Take your medicine."

He handed her a few white pills from an aluminum foil packet.

Her face, fresh from a bath, was flushed. Kneeling on the quilt in blue pajamas, Sayu exuded the pleasant scent of shampoo.

"What is this?"

She pointed to the item in Yusuke's hand, her voice slightly muffled.

"Cold medicine and vitamins," Yusuke explained succinctly, locking eyes with her. "Go to bed early after taking these, so you'll feel better."

"Eh~~~, but Yusuke hasn't answered my question yet."

Sayu pouted a bit childishly.

Yusuke remained silent, his gaze calm and deep, which instantly soothed Sayu.

"Are you going to take it or not?"

"...I'll take it."

Sayu responded sullenly, reluctantly reaching for the medicine.

Seeing this, Yusuke's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

Her fingers were slender and long.

"Um…"

Her fingertips lingered on his palm for a few seconds. Withdrawing her hand thoughtfully and facing Yusuke's inquiring gaze, she placed her index finger on her lips and turned to look at him.

"I have to take it anyway, why doesn't Yusuke feed me... Ouch!"

Sayu clutched her head, wincing in pain.

"As a patient, you should show some initiative," Yusuke withdrew his fingers and replied lightly.

"If you're done causing trouble, take your medicine now."

"Ugh..."

A circle of red marks appeared on her white forehead, and tears welled in her eyes. Sayu, both aggrieved and upset, snatched the medicine from Yusuke, swallowed it with water, and slammed the cup down on the tray. Then, she buried her face in the quilt, ignoring Yusuke in anger, her body quivering slightly.

Yusuke remained undisturbed. He calmly tidied up and observed Sayu still tucked under the quilt. After a moment, he gently touched her exposed little head and said softly.

"You did well, good girl."

The movement in the quilt stilled for a moment, then quieted down. After a few seconds, some awkward voices emerged from inside.

"I'm not a child..."

Sayu said softly.

"Yes, you are not," Yusuke responded as he stood up.

"Have a good rest."

The sound of his footsteps echoed in the room, seemingly heading towards the door.

Sayu hastily pulled down the quilt and sat up, spotting Yusuke with a schoolbag in hand, about to leave.

"Wait a moment—!"

She called out anxiously.

"Where are you going...?"

Yusuke paused, turned around, and raised the schoolbag towards her.

"I'm going to read in the bathroom, call me if you need anything."

"Eh...?" Sayu was taken aback. "Wouldn't it be better to stay here if you're just reading?"

Yusuke shook his head. "That will disturb your rest."

"For that reason?"

"Yes."

With that, he gave Sayu a thoughtful look.

"Are you thinking of something strange?" he asked.

Sayu gently shook her head in denial, then added, "It's comforting to have you here."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't worry about me; I can sleep even with the light on," Sayu sighed deeply and looked at Yusuke. "I feel more at ease with you around."

"So please, always stay by my side..."

Her voice trailed off, her ears turned red, and though her confidence seemed to ebb, she kept her gaze fixed firmly on him.

Yusuke was somewhat taken aback, but after a brief hesitation, he conceded.

"...I don't mind."

This was an agreement.

Sayu's face lit up with a radiant smile, blooming like a peach blossom. "Good~~"

"Then wait here." Yusuke then bent down, pulled out a small lamp from a cabinet in the corridor, and walked towards the living room, switching off the main light in the process.

The room plunged into darkness.

He made his way back to Sayu, set the lamp on a low table, and turned it on.

The lamp cast a soft yellow glow.

"At least this is better."

He then took out a textbook from the schoolbag and placed it on the table before asking Sayu, "Is it too bright?"

Sayu shook her head. "Not at all."

"Good."

Yusuke nodded and gestured with his eyes for Ogihara Sayu to try to sleep, while he started reading.

Under the dim light, he leaned over the table with a look of concentration, occasionally writing or sketching in a notebook.

Sayu watched him from under the quilt, her expression fluctuating as if she was wrestling with a decision.

As time passed, Sayu finally made up her mind.

She quietly extended one hand from under the quilt, grasped Yusuke's dangling hand, and intertwined their fingers.

This caused a slight disturbance in the calm atmosphere.

Yusuke moved as if to withdraw his hand.

A small, plaintive sound came from beside him.

After a moment of silence, Yusuke sighed deeply.

"This doesn't set a precedent."

Then he continued to read.

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