Today, the weather is cloudy, between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, air humidity... air quality is good...
Mochizuki Yo's phone weather broadcast ringtone went off.
It kept repeating today's weather conditions.
"Ugh, damn it, why do I feel so dizzy?"
"Oh no! It's already past eight o'clock."
Although class times in the two-dimensional world are later, it was still too late to go to school at this moment.
What's more, Mochizuki felt his body was unusually heavy, weak all over, and a strong force wanted to pin him to the bed.
"Forget it, I'll take a leave of absence..."
"Hello, Miss Shizuka, I have a fever today, so I'm asking for a leave of absence."
Mochizuki Yo said weakly.
He almost blurted out the name he used in his heart; it seemed the fever was a bit serious.
On the other side, in the school office, Shizuka Hiratsuka replied with a slightly fierce tone, her face full of disbelief.
"And what did you just call me, 'little something,' you brat? You'd better think carefully before answering!"
Her somewhat fierce and harsh tone made Mochizuki barely clear-headed.
Although oversleeping was a reason, Mochizuki Yo would, of course, not say it out loud. And oversleeping was because he was sick!
"How could that be, my dear Miss Shizuka? I truly have a fever. I got caught in the rain yesterday, and my head is just too dizzy. Otherwise, I would be very eager to come to school to see you."
Yesterday's rain was indeed heavy; if she hadn't gone home early, she would have gotten wet too. Shizuka Hiratsuka nodded, thinking it made sense.
"Is that so? Then you should rest well. You really should strengthen your exercise!"
Mochizuki thought, once my novel is submitted and published and I have money, I will definitely exercise properly again.
"And to fulfill your wish, come see me in the office next Monday."
The leave of absence was successful, but why did it feel like he had gotten into other trouble?
Never mind, let's eat some instant noodles to replenish some energy first.
Inside Soubu High School, classroom 1-A.
On the stage, the math teacher was lecturing with great passion.
"Students, let the unknown be x, and then..."
However, Shiina Mahiru, who usually listened attentively, seemed a bit distracted.
Her eyes occasionally darted to the empty seat by the window, and then to the neatly folded umbrella in her drawer.
"Why isn't Mochizuki student here today? Could he be sick?"
"Should I ask a teacher? No, that seems a bit strange. Maybe I should just..." Shiina Mahiru thought, a shy expression appearing on her face.
Because she had something on her mind, today was a bit of an ordeal for Shiina Mahiru. After a day of anxious waiting, school finally ended.
"Shiina Student, let's go to the club together."
"I'm very sorry, I have something at home today, so I won't be participating in club activities." Shiina Mahiru replied apologetically but still gently.
"Is that so? Then we're off, Shiina Student, bye-bye."
"Mhm, bye-bye."
After her classmates left, Shiina Mahiru packed her bag and headed home, her steps a little faster than usual.
It was the same exquisite five-story apartment building, but Shiina Mahiru did not walk towards her own apartment, room 302. Instead, she walked towards room 301 and pressed the doorbell.
"Ring~"
The doorbell rang, but there was no response for a while.
Left with no choice, Shiina Mahiru had to press the doorbell again. She was still clutching Mochizuki's umbrella in her hand.
In the bedroom, Mochizuki Yo, who had been lying dizzy all day after eating instant noodles in the morning, gradually became clear-headed. He vaguely seemed to hear the doorbell.
But who would visit him? School hadn't been in session for long, and Mochizuki Yo had no friends at school; his social interactions were close to zero.
It must be someone trying to sell something, right? Still, I should go check. If I get infected, it's not my fault.
With strange thoughts, Mochizuki Yo walked to the door with heavy steps and opened it.
Is he not home? Shiina Mahiru thought.
Fortunately, a slight sound gradually came from inside the house.
Shiina Mahiru, who was about to leave, also heard it.
"Cough cough!"
"Sorry to keep you waiting, excuse me, what is it, huh!"
Mochizuki Yo opened the door, and the figure that appeared surprised him a little.
"It's alright, I apologize for intruding, it's me, Shiina Mahiru." Apologetic voices sounded simultaneously.
"Shiina, Shiina Student, why are you at my house?"
It was impossible for Mochizuki Yo not to be surprised by a visit from a beautiful girl from his class; he might even have been a little delighted.
As a result, his dizzy head barely gained a sliver of clarity.
However, what Mochizuki Yo was more curious about at the moment was how Shiina Mahiru knew where he lived.
Was he followed? That's impossible, right!
"Because Mochizuki student didn't come to school today, I was a little worried," Shiina Mahiru said, slightly embarrassed.
"Also, I wanted to return your umbrella," Shiina Mahiru said, handing over the umbrella.
"So that's it, cough cough, I wasn't feeling well today so I took a leave of absence. Thank you, but Shiina Student, how did you know where I live?"
Mochizuki was very embarrassed. He had forcefully shoved the umbrella to her, and even said, 'What if you get sick from the rain?'
As a result, the delicate young girl didn't get sick, but he himself fell ill! This isn't logical!
And she even came to visit him!
When did he become so weak?
Could it be because of long-term instant noodles, takeout, snacks, fast food, etc., plus staying up late playing games...
"Actually, actually, I live right next door, but I guess Mochizuki student probably didn't notice."
Shiina said naturally.
"What!"
Mochizuki Yo felt it was a bit unbelievable.
A beautiful girl from his class, from his school, actually lived right next door.
And he, he didn't even know!
"Sorry, that's a bit unexpected. Well, Shiina Student, thank you for returning the umbrella. I'll go back to my room to rest now."
Mochizuki Yo felt that this short conversation with Shiina Mahiru had consumed a lot of his energy.
Now he was hungry and dizzy, just wanting to go back quickly, eat some instant noodles, and continue lying down. Oh, and he couldn't fall behind on his game dungeon runs.
"Wait a moment, Mochizuki student, you're sick, right? Please let me take care of you for a bit."
"No need, no need, I'm almost better."
He said so, but combined with his pale cheeks and the appearance of being about to collapse at any moment, it wasn't very convincing.
"No, you clearly look very weak, and this is also my responsibility."
She had a gentle and cute appearance, but at this moment, she spoke seriously, radiating an undeniable aura.
Mochizuki Yo originally wanted to decline, but he only felt his feet stumble, thankfully catching himself on the door frame.
"I'm coming in, excuse me."
Shiina Mahiru stepped directly into the room, then supported Mochizuki Yo and walked towards the sofa.
But after entering, seeing the chaotic state of the living room, it was Shiina Mahiru's turn to be shocked.
Because the living room was piled with various items, and the space to step was very limited.
Shiina Mahiru truly couldn't imagine how he lived like this!
"Although I've heard that boys' rooms are messier, seeing it with my own eyes is still unbelievable."
Mochizuki Yo was a little embarrassed. It was indeed quite messy; he hadn't tidied up since moving in, and items were placed haphazardly.
But luckily, it wasn't dirty!
Although he himself was used to it, it was always impolite to have guests visit.
But he had never considered that he would have guests visit!