Chapter 1217 - In Return
"—It's not exactly a cold. She was just done in by the sudden temperature difference."
"I-I see..."
Thus, past noon.
Without needing to force her... or any such maneuvering, a while after seeing off Sora-san, who had obediently and voluntarily logged out. After letting some time pass, I made my way to the Yotsuya Mansion.
At the entrance, the maid, who welcomed me with a natural look on her face and immediately informed me of the situation as if it were only natural, and Sora herself had already granted me an appointment.
Her carefully chosen words and tone, along with her light voice, made my heart feel just a little lighter.
I had already received a text (message) beforehand, but getting a verbal report face-to-face really brought a different level of relief. Especially combined with the fact that these were words spoken by this maid regarding Sora.
"So... um, is she sleeping?"
"I have her resting, but she is awake. To reiterate, it is not a severe illness."
And, since I hadn't scheduled anything other than Sora-san's intensive training days since yesterday, I had come here without hesitation, but—
"...Nozomi-kun?"
"Ah, yes."
Faced with Itsuki-san, who was gesturing for me to enter, only now.
Really only now. Wondering 'No, am I in the way?', whether I should have rushed over to visit her or not... As she watched me hesitate like that, she smiled faintly.
"Both she and I are happy that you came."
Yes, faint, yet gentle.
Because the maid, who had now also become my ally, smiled like a close older sister.
"......Yeah."
Relieved, I stepped across the threshold of the entrance.
◇◆◇◆◇
"Um, really, I mean it...?"
"I know. I saw with my own eyes that you weren't in that kind of state."
In the end, I was able to meet Sora-san normally, and just as the maid had said, 'under the weather but not disheartened,' she seemed more energetic than I expected, which relieved me.
In her pajamas, on the bed, her face flushed from the fever was completely that of a sick person, but her consciousness and tone were clear, and her fever hadn't risen from the slight fever measured in the virtual world.
From yesterday to today, her body had just been startled by the temperature difference.
For the most part, whether true or false, it was probably in line with the diagnosis of the maid, who had said something like, "I may not look it, but I have a bit of medical knowledge."
To reiterate, the fact that it was a statement regarding Sora made it terrifyingly close to a hundred percent "truth." It was even possible she had obtained a medical license solely to serve Sora—anyway,
Putting aside Itsuki-san, who had left me alone in her master's room after saying, 'Well then, I leave her in your hands for a while,' right now before me was my partner, who had just finished desperately making excuses.
Conclusion: no self-awareness. It seemed she hadn't pushed herself or done anything reckless.
That made sense. We had made a promise, after all, not to overdo it. And since her body only started showing effects after logging into Arcadia, she herself had been surprised.
In other words, there was no bad child. Leaving aside the maid who lamented that a first-class maid should have seen through it even if she was asymptomatic, if that was the case, it couldn't be helped.
Since it couldn't be helped,
"......I'm sorry."
"The Earth is to blame. Of course you'd fall ill."
There was no need to apologize with such a sad face, I thought.
No symptoms other than the fever. Her body felt slightly heavy, but she didn't seem to be in any noticeable pain; still, once you realize you're unwell, it's only natural to feel a bit down.
I understand how you feel—though, having rarely fallen ill myself, that was a bit questionable. Even so, despite not fully understanding, I understood my role well enough.
Looking at her face, it was that simple.
"Sora."
"Yes...?"
Dressed in a lovely negligee, apparently the only kind of sleepwear she owned due to the maid's tastes. Even with a warm shawl draped over it, the girl's body was still delicate.
She was weakened. Combined with that fact, she looked so fragile it made my heart stir.
"I want to hold hands."
"..., ............"
Telling her to rely on me without worrying about how she looked. Sitting down on the chair by the bedside that Itsuki-san had prepared, I held out my hand to Sora, who was looking apologetic.
Placing my hand palm-up on the duvet... —The position was bad and lacked consideration; sensing the warmth of her body beneath it, I hurriedly adjusted the coordinates. Along with my line, it was completely uncool.
"...What is it, honestly."
"Like... a spoiled brat."
"Spare me putting it into words..."
Smiling gently despite being feverish, Sora scooped up my hand.
""............""
Her hand was hot, and my heart wouldn't settle. Because I was aware that Sora's body temperature wasn't the only reason for this, please forgive me for averting my eyes, unable to bear her gaze. —Why, you ask?
"...I'm sorry for worrying you."
"No, it couldn't be hel—"
A gentle squeeze of strength was put into our joined hands.
"You're worried, aren't you?"
"..............."
And my heart was seen right through.
I knew it. It was too late for that. I had tried to gloss over it reflexively, but I never thought I could hide it completely. How on earth did I look in Sora's eyes right now?
Probably—
"......As far as I know,"
I must look exactly like a terribly anxious child.
"This is the second time, after all..."
Seeing her looking energetic made me feel relieved?
—Don't be stupid, how could I possibly be relieved by just that?
Sora had fallen ill before, a few months ago. Around Christmas time. Even then, I had been extremely worried, but just like today, I received countless assurances of 'It's fine' from the maid and watched over her, temporarily satisfied. And so, I had pushed my anxiety and doubts (doubts) into the depths of my heart for the time being.
Because, that's right.
In the real world we live in now... —there was one fact that seemed like a lie.
Because, excluding sudden infectious diseases and the like, it is almost impossible for an Arcadia player to suffer from an illness—such an extremely unrealistic reality existed.
I know. It's only "almost," and the possibility is not zero.
I know. There are exceptions to everything.
But... but, still. Twice in the span of roughly three months—a span that couldn't be called short, but couldn't be called long either. An abnormality that wasn't some kind of infectious disease caught from someone else.
The fact that this had happened to Sora's body...
The fact that this had happened to a girl who had been physically weak since childhood made me unbearably anxious.
It wasn't that I blindly believed in the magical ark [Arcadia], or its various functions beyond my comprehension. It wasn't that, but I couldn't ignore the track record of what had actually been accomplished.
"...Haru?"
"Ah, sorry."
Before I knew it, I had put strength into my hand as well.
Hearing my name, I reflexively tried to let go in a panic, wondering if I had hurt her... but the girl's delicate hand would not let go of the hand trying to withdraw in fear.
"......Please don't make that kind of face."
"What kind of face am I making...?"
Really, what kind of face was I making? I intended to keep my usual composed expression, but I could guess that it wasn't holding up at all.
Sora, who was smiling in a troubled manner, could be said to be much more "as usual"—
"It's okay."
And then, with a tug... no, with a fairly strong pull, my hand was yanked.
One of us sitting up halfway on the bed, the other on the chair placed next to it. Although our eye levels were about the same, or mine was slightly higher, it felt as if I was being pulled up.
"Whoa, careful...!"
This was the real world. My body was not superhuman or anything.
With the sudden force, even if it was just a girl's playfulness, I easily lost my balance and supported my body, which was about to fall flat onto the bed... onto Sora.
With both hands.
In other words, one of Sora's hands, which had let go of mine at some point,
"Because, it's okay."
along with her other hand, gently embraced my head, which she had drawn toward herself.
"Eh, wait...!?"
A soft sensation,
"Sora, hey..."
a body temperature hot enough to burn,
"Hey, this is really..."
all of it—was swept away by the beating of her heart, which was certainly, powerfully marking her life.
From my body, thought, tension, and strength drained away all at once.
""————————............""
And then, just like that. I wonder how much time had passed.
"......Is this position uncomfortable for you?"
"......My lower back is a bit sore."
Exchanging trivial words, letting out similar laughs together... we gently separated our bodies. Into the warm room that now felt cool, the exceeding heat escaped.
"...Ehehe."
Thus, while it wasn't clear what Sora, who smiled bashfully, intended by letting go of my hands and separating our bodies... seeing her face looking slightly satisfied.
"I did something quite bold—wha...!?"
It seemed that, for once, our minds were not in sync, as I had only separated my body to hug her back.
You can't complain, this is in return.
"H-Haru...? Um, excuse me..."
And so,
"Um, listen..."
little by little,
"Uh, well..."
the way her words and confusion scattered was so "matching" it made me want to laugh.
Well, none of that mattered right now.
"...Can I be honest?"
"Y-Yes..."
"I'm super scared. I'm seriously doubting whether you're really going to be okay."
"............Ah, haha..."
Right now, I would just lay bare my anxiety.
This was no time to act cool. Desperate for a peace of mind that wasn't just a facade, even if it made me look pathetic, I spoke to Sora, who had let go of her strength and tension to entrust herself to me, just as I had done earlier.
Like a child throwing a selfish tantrum to their parents or older sister solely for their own sake.
"...I suppose so."
Thus, the answer came in a voice that seemed exasperated with herself, saying 'of course,' along with the warmth of both her arms gently wrapping around my back. I couldn't help but think about what I was making a sick person do.
But, because both Sora and Itsuki-san kept saying 'It's fine,'
I felt like I should be allowed to get angry, telling them to put themselves in the shoes of someone who still didn't know the "circumstances."
"......It was here, wasn't it? Where Haru told me about Haru."
The question born from those thoughts—
"And, because of that... I should also, soon,"
To the heart of the girl who traced my back, tickled my neck, and gently stroked my head.
"thought that I had to give something in return."
Even though it concerned ourselves, as if only now.
After a long, long time, it seemed to have finally reached her.
"—Haru."
Hearing my name, I directed my heart to her. Without loosening the arms wrapped around her body, and without separating our bodies, which made it impossible to even answer with my eyes, my reply must have reached her.
"From now on, um... I'm going to talk to you. Please don't think I'm a strange girl, okay?"
So, as Sora nodded and began to speak without waiting for my words, I quietly listened, indulging in the thought that no voice would be needed from me hereafter. Her voice, indeed, maintained its "usual self" far better than mine.
It was that kind of story.
As if to convince me that it was a story where there was absolutely no need to worry.
"I have also received Father's permission..."
Bit by bit.
"Ah, and I also heard about the two of you meeting on your own and having a 'talk'!"
Even the words I couldn't yet comprehend, and the scolding words,
"I'll have Haru tell me about that later as a separate matter, but—"
Taking it as her endearing consideration for me, I made an effort to gently put strength into both my arms.
My heart must have conveyed everything. Along with the breath of her whispering smile tickling my neck, the small hand that had been constantly stroking my head moved down to my back to soothe me.
And then, a few seconds.
"...I,"
After inserting a brief moment of silence at the very end.
"—only have memories from six years ago."
Sora began to speak of herself, as if it were nothing at all.