CH 9.4

Chapter 9.4: "Have you ever been love?"

¬Tachibana’s health had gotten much better the next day.

It was still hard for her to get up but she seemed more conscious than yesterday.

“How is it?”

“…38.6 degrees”

“Yeah, it’s better than before”

I took the thermometer from Tachibana and put it in the case.

It’s almost noon, I should go to the store.

“I heard Susami’s planning to come at noon, so just be patient until then”

“Chitose…ah…I see”

“Ah, also, I’m going shopping right now. Is there anything you want?

“…Water and something to eat. Along with some medicine”

“All right, I’ll get it. You don’t mind if I leave you alone for a while, do you?”

Tachibana nodded slowly.

I got ready and headed for the door.

Just before I could leave, Tachibana called out to me in a small voice.

“Kusuba-san”

“Hmm…?”

“Thanks…a lot…”

“No problem, see you in a while”

When I came back from shopping, Susami had already arrived and was in Tachibana’s room”

“Welcome back Kusuba-kun. Thanks for your hard work.”

“Ah, sorry for bothering you”

“It’s for Rika’s sake and besides, I don’t have any club activities today.”

Susami was smartly dressed in a dark green top and jeans.

She looked even more mature than she did in her school uniform, looking calm and composed which was unlike her age.

“Where’s Tachibana?” (Kusuba)

“She’s sleeping right now. She doesn’t look so bad so she should already be getting better.”

“Ah, that’s good. Did you talk to Tachibana?”

“Yes, a bit”

While taking to Susami, I put the drinks, jelly and fruits I brought into the refrigerator.

I gave the cold medicine to Susami.

“I’ll give the medicine to you, take care of the rest. With you here, Tachibana will be at ease.”

“Yes, leave it to me”

“My apartment is just on the other side. Call me if you need something”

After saying that, I took my stuff and headed out.

Susami is a very reliable person, I’m sure everything will be fine.

“Kusuba-kun”

I turned around as I put on my shoes.

“Yeah?”

“Since we are already here, let’s have a little talk.”

“Talk about what?”

“Just some small talk, I’ll get bored if I’m alone. Unless you’re busy of course.”

I thought about it and gave a small nod.

I owe Susami a debt of gratitude for coming.

And it’s not like I have anything else to do.

Thank you. Rika is sleeping, so we’ll speak in whispers, ok?”

“Alright.”

Susami smiled at me.

I can’t find any flaws in her.

The fact that I can’t find any flaws in her is one of the scariest things about her.

Beside the bed where Tachibana was sleeping, Susami and I sat across each other at the table.

It was not that we were facing each other, but rather of keeping an appropriate distance as a man and woman.

“Thank you for helping Rika yesterday.”

“I was trespassing though…”

(TL- Don’t just admit it…)

“I did give you permission. I won’t allow anyone to complain.”

“You scared me really bad that time. She was literally just lying there, you know?”

“If you hadn’t been there, it could have gotten way worse.”

“You scaring me”

“But it’s true”

Susami chuckled.

“By the way…”

Susami stood up quickly and looked at Tachibana.

“Have you ever been in love?”

She was probably checking if Tachibana was awake.

That line which I was pondering came out of Susami’s mouth.

As usual, she has a way of picking out topics people don’t like.