I retrieved an ice pack from the refrigerator and wrapped it carefully in a clean towel from the bathroom—because apparently I've become an expert in basic medical care over the past few hours.
Considering Tomoko-san's current mobility situation—or rather, complete lack thereof—I also grabbed the medicine the doctor had prescribed along with a large bottle of mineral water.
I arranged all these supplies strategically around her bedside, like a medic setting up a field hospital.
"Alright, Tomoko-san, time for some ice therapy. Fair warning—this is going to be pretty cold, so just try to bear with it," I said, settling down beside the bed and carefully positioning her injured ankle on my knees.
The moment the ice made contact with her skin, Matsumoto Tomoko let out a series of sharp "hiss... hiss..." sounds that were equal parts pain and shock.
However, her body quickly adapted to the temperature, and I watched as her tense expression gradually melted into something approaching relief.
"Ahh... that's actually much better..." she sighed, her voice carrying genuine surprise at how effective the cold treatment was.
I held the ice pack steady against her ankle with one hand while pulling out my phone with the other to start a timer.
"Tomoko-san, I'm going to leave you the spare key I used yesterday, and I'll be back tomorrow morning to check on you," I explained, already mentally planning my caretaker duties.
"You should stay in bed and rest. The doctor was very clear that rest is the most important thing for your recovery right now."
"Eh? That's really too much trouble for Sosuke-kun... It doesn't hurt nearly as much now that we've got the ice on it..." she protested with that adorable embarrassment she gets when people try to help her.
"Tomoko-san, please don't be polite with me. I bear some responsibility for your injury, so please cooperate with me so you can recover as quickly as possible," I said with enough seriousness to cut through her protests.
My earnest approach seemed to work—Matsumoto Tomoko fell silent, apparently unable to argue with my logic.
Once the ice therapy timer went off, I carefully applied the aerosol medication to her ankle, then handed her the prescribed painkillers with that bottle of water.
After making sure she was properly settled and had everything she needed within reach, I finally headed back to my own room.
---
The Next Morning.
When I quietly let myself into Tomoko-san's apartment using the key she'd given me, I found her in what could only be described as a fascinating state.
Matsumoto Tomoko appeared to be caught between sleep and wakefulness, her whole body seeming weak and her head moving with the sluggish motions of someone fighting off lingering drowsiness.
Everything around her seemed slightly out of focus, as if she couldn't quite determine whether she was still dreaming or had actually woken up.
In this chaotic mental state, she'd apparently been having some rather vivid dreams.
About me, if that blush on her cheeks is any indication.
Dreams about Ginjo Sosuke, set right here in this very room...
I wonder what kind of dreams those were. Based on yesterday's... activities... I can probably guess.
Such dreams left Matsumoto Tomoko feeling emotionally complicated—simultaneously happy and shy, while also worrying whether she was becoming too dependent on me.
Whether she was awake or asleep, her thoughts seemed to revolve around the young man who had unexpectedly entered her life and turned everything upside down.
In her state of semi-consciousness, she seemed to sense a warm, sunshine-like scent approaching, accompanied by what sounded like my familiar voice calling to her...
Time to wake up, sleeping beauty.
"Tomoko-san? Tomoko-san?" I called gently, trying to ease her back to full consciousness without startling her.
Matsumoto Tomoko struggled to lift her heavy eyelids, and when she finally managed to focus, she saw me—the same person who had been starring in her dreams—standing right there in front of her.
"Am I still dreaming? Why is Sosuke-kun here?" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep and confusion.
Still caught in that hazy post-sleep state, she suddenly seemed to register something else—a rough but incredibly comforting touch.
I had gently taken her hand in mine, providing a physical anchor to reality.
"You're not dreaming—I'm really here, Tomoko-san," I assured her with clear, steady words designed to cut through her confusion.
"EH?!" The sound escaped her like a startled bird.
My voice seemed to flip some switch in her brain, snapping her completely back to consciousness.
"Sosuke-kun? Why are you here?" she asked, now sounding more alert but still thoroughly puzzled about the current situation.
"Didn't I tell you yesterday that I was coming back to take care of you?" I replied with a slightly confused smile of my own.
Matsumoto Tomoko propped herself up in bed, her bright black eyes wide with surprise as she stared at me.
"No, I mean... how did Sosuke-kun actually get inside the apartment?" she clarified, her voice still carrying that slightly spacey quality of someone who hadn't fully rejoined the waking world.
"Tomoko-san, are you still fuzzy from sleep? You gave me your spare key when we got back from the hospital yesterday, remember? You told me to use it so I could come check on you today," I explained patiently.
"Ah... I think I do remember Sosuke-kun saying something like that last night..." she said slowly, as if the memories were gradually filtering back through the pharmaceutical haze.