Chapter 4: A Lingering Presence

The classroom was quieter than usual when Aoi returned. A few students shot her curious glances, their whispers barely concealed, but she ignored them. She wasn’t interested in whatever rumors had started the moment she carried Hikari through the halls.

Sliding into her seat, she propped her elbow on the desk, resting her chin on her hand. The lingering warmth where Hikari had been against her arms still hadn't faded. She found herself glancing at the empty seat beside her.

Hikari never missed class. Even when she should.

The teacher arrived, and the lesson began, but Aoi’s mind wasn’t on the words being spoken. Instead, it wandered back to the infirmary—the way Hikari had looked so small in that bed, her usually sharp gaze dulled by fever.

“No need to trouble yourself…”

Aoi exhaled quietly, drumming her fingers against her desk.

That girl—she always tried to handle everything on her own. Even now, she probably hadn’t meant to trouble anyone. Even as she collapsed, she had been trying to reassure her.

Tch. It was annoying.

The hours passed, and by the time the lunch bell rang, Aoi had barely touched her notes. Normally, she would’ve just gone to the rooftop like always, away from the noise of the cafeteria. But today, her feet carried her somewhere else.

The infirmary.

She didn’t question it.

Sliding the door open, she stepped inside, finding the nurse scribbling something in her logbook. She glanced up at Aoi’s presence and smiled.

“She’s still resting,” the nurse said quietly. “Her fever has gone down a little, but she should stay here for a while longer.”

Aoi gave a small nod and walked over to the bedside. Hikari was still asleep, her face more relaxed than earlier. The water bottle Aoi had left remained untouched.

She stared at her for a moment, then clicked her tongue softly. “You really push yourself too much.”

She wasn’t expecting a response.

She pulled out a small carton of chilled fruit juice—the kind from the school vending machine, good for hydration—and placed it next to the water bottle. Then, she waited for a few minutes in silence.

Then the bell rang.

Aoi stood up and shoved her hands into her pockets. Without another glance, she walked out of the infirmary.

When Hikari finally woke up, the room was still and calm.

She blinked groggily, her body still feeling slightly weak but far better than before.

The nurse, noticing her stir, walked over with a kind smile. “Oh, you’re awake. How are you feeling?”

Hikari took a deep breath. “Better, I think…”

The nurse nodded in approval. “Your fever broke a little while ago. You should be fine, but you really pushed yourself too hard.”

Frowning slightly, Hikari tried to sit up. “How did I get here…?”

The nurse chuckled lightly. “You don’t remember?”

Hikari’s brows furrowed. The last thing she recalled was walking toward class… then—

Aoi.

Had she really seen Aoi? Felt her presence?

Or had it just been a fever-induced dream?

“You’re very lucky your friend brought you here,” the nurse added with a warm smile.

Hikari blinked, startled. “Friend?”

“Yes,” the nurse continued. “That scary-looking student.”

Hikari froze slightly.

Aoi?

She stared at the nurse, uncertain.

“I thought… it was just a dream,” she muttered under her breath.

The nurse gave a small laugh. “Oh no, she was here. Even after school ended, she came by again to check on you. She didn’t stay long, though—just asked how you were and left once I told her your fever had gone down.”

Hikari turned her head slightly, her gaze landing on the bedside table.

There, sitting beside the untouched water bottle, was a small carton of fruit juice and a single wrapped piece of candy.

She stared at them for a long moment.

“…She didn’t have to do that,” Hikari murmured, more to herself than anyone else.

The nurse only smiled knowingly. “She must care about you more than you realize.”

Hikari didn’t reply, her fingers tightening slightly over the blanket.

Outside, the school had mostly emptied, only a few students lingering in the hallways.

Yet, somehow, an unspoken presence remained.

And as Hikari reached for the fruit juice Aoi had left, she felt a strange warmth spread through her chest—quiet, lingering, and unfamiliar.