Chapter 62: Rainy season- cold (3)

Aya, guided by a sense of urgency, led me to the infirmary, Mizuki trailing behind us.

The room was quiet, dimly lit by the sunlight filtering through the windows. The faint scent of antiseptic hung in the air, emanating from the crisp white sheets on the neatly made beds. The quiet stillness of the infirmary had a calming effect, and I felt the exhaustion creeping back in, my steps growing heavier, my body weaker with each passing moment.

And then, I saw her.

Sitting on a bed near the window, bathed in the soft sunlight, quietly reading, her platinum blonde hair cascading around her shoulders like a silken waterfall, her posture the very picture of grace and composure. Yukikawa Reina.

‘…Oh.’ And then, the realization hit me. ‘She’s here… of all times…!’

Reina-senpai looked up from her book, her gaze meeting mine, a gentle smile gracing her lips. I shifted awkwardly, but Aya, with a calm, reassuring expression I hadn’t seen before, led me to a bed and spoke to her sister, her voice gentle. “Onee-chan, could you look after Rina?”

Reina smiled warmly, and Mizuki, grinning mischievously, added, “Rina-ring, be a good girl and rest~”. And with that, they left, their easy camaraderie a comforting sight. Their reconciliation seemed genuine.

Alone with Reina-senpai in the quiet infirmary, her gentle smile made my heart ache.

“Aya told me everything.”

“…Yes?” ‘Everything…?’ What did she mean by “everything”?

My mind raced, my thoughts a jumbled mess. About my cold? About Aya bringing me here? Or… something else?

Confused, I decided to just ask. My fever-addled brain felt sluggish, slow. “W-What did she tell you?”

Reina-senpai’s lips curved into a knowing smile as she closed her book. Her movements were so graceful, so effortless, it made me feel even more awkward and self-conscious. “How’s school life treating you?” she asked, changing the subject so smoothly, so naturally, it was almost disarming. Like Aya, the Yukikawas seemed to have a knack for controlling the flow of conversation.

I hesitated, then replied brightly, trying to sound like my usual self. “It’s… good! I like my classmates, and student council activities are fun… although studying is a bit tough.”

Reina-senpai smiled. “I’m glad to hear that. Aya told me the same thing.”

Her words made me flinch. Aya had talked about me to her sister? But Reina-senpai’s tone was so gentle, so reassuring.

We chatted easily, about student council activities, funny moments from the festival. She listened patiently, her responses quiet and thoughtful.

And then, without thinking, the words tumbled out of my mouth. “I… I came here because I admire you, senpai!”

The room fell silent, the air suddenly thick and heavy. I realized what I’d just said. ‘Wait… did that sound like a confession?’

The words had come out so naturally, I hadn’t even registered them as a confession. But they were true. The original Kurosawa Rina, before she’d regained her past life memories, had come to this school because she wanted to be like Reina-senpai. She’d admired her, wanted to follow in her footsteps.

Reina-senpai, unfazed, looked at me, her gaze slowly drifting downwards, settling on my left hand. And then, I realized what she was looking at.

‘The ring…’

She smiled, a slow, knowing smile, her eyes filled with a gentle understanding, a hint of… something akin to sadness. Her gaze, so similar to Aya’s, made my heart flutter. Even the older sister could make that expression. Calm, yet soft, her eyes reflecting a depth of emotion.

But if my heart was racing for Reina-senpai too…? ‘No, Rina!’

“…I see,” she murmured, her smile unwavering, her gaze shifting towards the window, the sunlight illuminating my left hand, the promise ring glinting softly. “But… you have Aya, don’t you?”

I instinctively clenched my hand, the metal of the ring cold against my skin. ‘…Aya…’

And then… I saw it clearly, the truth I’d been trying to ignore.

Reina-senpai smiled faintly. “Take care of Aya.” Her voice was warm, gentle, yet her words sent a shiver down my spine, a strange mix of emotions swirling within me, a sudden wave of exhaustion washing over me. “…Ah.”

The world tilted, and I collapsed onto the bed. “—!”

Reina-senpai rushed to my side, her shadow falling over me, and a warm hand touched my forehead. “You still have a fever,” she murmured, and I blinked, my gaze meeting hers.

Her smile, so calm and gentle, so much like Aya’s, was strangely reassuring, and I closed my eyes, surrendering to the darkness, her warmth enveloping me.

“You did well,” she whispered, her words like a long-awaited affirmation, a comforting balm to my weary soul. Words that would have brought the past me, the one before the memories resurfaced, so much joy. I took a deep breath, the gentle pressure of her hand on my forehead a soothing touch, and then… I drifted off to sleep.

****

The afternoon bell rang, and shortly after, the infirmary door slid open. I opened my eyes, still lying on the bed.

“Rina-ring~ are you awake~?” Mizuki’s cheerful voice called out. She walked over, her usual grin on her face, and waved her hand in front of my eyes.

“Did you get some rest?”

“Sort of…” Honestly, I felt much better, but I was still weak and sluggish. I’d rested and had some water Reina-senpai had brought me, but colds didn’t just disappear overnight.

Aya followed Mizuki, her usual composed self, but her blue eyes held a lingering worry.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah… better than this morning.”

Aya sighed softly, glancing towards the window. It was raining, a steady downpour.

“This rainy season is dragging on…” Mizuki commented, looking at the gray sky, the humid air clinging to everything. “Do you have an umbrella, Rina-ring?”

“Ah, about that…” I hadn’t brought one, my mind still foggy this morning.

And then, Aya stepped forward. “Let’s go,” she said, holding out her hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I took it, and she gently helped me up, her touch firm and reassuring.

“Aya, I can walk by myself.”

“It’s okay,” she said firmly, and I couldn’t argue, not without risking her displeasure. I glanced around, relieved that Reina-senpai seemed to be gone.

“Hmm~” Mizuki grinned knowingly, stepping back. “See ya~ Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do~” she teased, waving as she left the infirmary.

Aya and I were alone. I looked at her cautiously. “I’ll walk you home,” she said, and we left the infirmary, walking side by side down the quiet hallway, the rhythmic drumming of the rain against Aya’s umbrella a soothing counterpoint to the frantic beating of my heart.

Aya’s arm around my waist, supporting me, her warmth a comforting presence as we walked. Even this short distance was tiring, my body still weak. ‘This cold is really lingering…’ The rain continued to fall, a quiet, persistent downpour, as if trying to wash away the world.

“It’s a holiday tomorrow, so rest up,” Aya said gently, and I nodded, exhaustion clinging to me like a second skin. “I will…”

We reached my house, the rain easing slightly as we arrived. We no longer needed to share the umbrella.

And as I was about to step inside, I turned to look at Aya.

“Aya.”

She looked at me, and I smiled, my voice soft.

“I’m glad you’re here, Aya.”

It was a simple statement, a heartfelt sentiment, not something I’d consciously thought about saying. But her reaction… she froze, her eyes widening slightly before she quickly looked away, a flicker of… something… in her expression.

“…Aya?” She seemed flustered, unlike her usual calm, collected self. She would have just replied with a simple “You’re welcome” or a nod. But now… she seemed uncertain, her composure wavering.

And that… was strangely endearing.

I took a step closer and leaned my head against her shoulder. “Thank you… I just… wanted to do this for a moment,” I murmured, and I could feel her body stiffen slightly.

“…” Leaning against her like this, I could feel the warmth of her body, a comforting presence against the chill of the rain. Her steady heartbeat, the familiar scent of her perfume… it was soothing, relaxing, my body melting against hers. And then… a gentle hand rested on my head, a warm, hesitant touch.

I smiled, leaning into her embrace.

“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“…With what?”

“Just… checking.” Her ears were slightly pink. I closed my eyes, enjoying the gentle caress of her hand on my hair.

It was a perfect moment, standing there in the fading rain, the quiet intimacy a precious memory against the backdrop of the festival’s final night.