Aika Hoshino's head was burning—not from her fever, but from the words echoing in her ears.
"I said I love you. React however you like. I've expressed my feelings."
She lay there, staring at the ceiling, one arm thrown over her eyes. She had heard it clearly. No mistake. He didn't stutter. No hesitation. He said it like he meant it.
"...That idiot," she muttered into her pillow.
The room was quiet. Too quiet. She turned her head, expecting to see him still at the door, standing like some smug dumbass—but the doorway was empty now.
---
A few hours later
The sound of soft clinking came from the kitchen.
Curiosity—and maybe a little defiance—pushed Aika off the bed. Her fever had dropped, though her face still burned for another reason entirely.
She shuffled into the living room and leaned against the wall. Riku Kazehaya was drying a bowl, his shirt sleeves rolled up, bandaged hands working carefully. His back was slightly hunched, tired but steady.
He didn't notice her right away. She wasn't sure whether that annoyed her or... felt kind of peaceful.
"Hey. Kazehaya," she said.
He turned immediately. "You're up?"
She folded her arms. "Let's go out."
He blinked. "…Like, to the convenience store?"
She scowled. "No. I mean… like a date. Dumbass."
Riku stood there, frozen, towel in one hand. A small smile crept onto his lips.
"…We would. But first, you're still running a fever, right?"
"Tch." Aika turned away. "Yeah, yeah…"
"I'm not rejecting you. But you need to get better first."
She peeked at him from the corner of her eye. "…Fine. But don't make me wait too long."
---
The Next Morning
Sunlight spilled lazily through the curtains. Aika stirred, then sat up slowly. Her fever was completely gone.
The first thing she saw was Riku Kazehaya—sleeping on the floor beside her bed.
He had no blanket, just his uniform jacket tossed over him. His arms were folded behind his head. His usual calm face looked exhausted now, lips slightly parted, hair messier than usual.
"...You really slept there?" Aika whispered. Her heart thudded in her chest. "You're so reckless..."
She stared at him for a few seconds longer before picking up a pillow and tossing it at his face.
"Wake up, Riku."
No reaction.
She threw another.
"Riku! Wake up already, you stray dog!"
Finally, his eyes blinked open. "…Huh?"
"You didn't call me 'Kazehaya' today," he mumbled with a yawn.
Aika huffed. "Well, aren't we going out now?"
He rubbed his eyes. "Yeah. But you know I'm kinda shy."
"Oh please, you confessed while I had a fever. What's shy about that?"
He scratched the back of his neck and gave a sheepish smile. "…Fair."
She looked at his wrinkled shirt and scowled. "First rule if you're gonna be my boyfriend: stop wearing that stupid sweater in summer. We're fixing your look."
To be continued...