April 27.
It was still a day of heavy rain. Haizaki had no choice but to remain indoors, unable to go out.
Because of consecutive days without sunlight, the solar power generator's battery reserves had begun to drop sharply. Haizaki consciously started conserving electricity. At the very least, he needed to maintain enough power for lighting at night.
"How are you feeling today?"
Once again entering Yukino's bedroom, Haizaki asked about her condition. The girl in his sight could already get up and move a little. That made Haizaki breathe easier.
If she had needed help going to the bathroom, he would have had to assist her—something inevitably awkward. He wouldn't mind, but she would. Now that Yukino could stand and walk by the second day, some of that awkwardness was avoided.
But Haizaki knew the price she paid was enduring pain in her waist. He couldn't say anything about it. He could only hope she recovered quickly.
"It's almost fine."
She tried stretching, making some stronger movements. But without exception, pain flared in her waist. It was a reminder that her body hadn't fully healed and still needed rest. At least normal movement was no problem.
"Yusuke-kun, thank you for taking care of me these days."
"It's nothing. Rest well and recover soon."
Because of the continuous rain, Haizaki, like Yukino, passed the time indoors with books. But while she chose literature, he chose professional works on bioengineering.
Haizaki was glad he had selected the D-level bioengineering skill reward instead of the combat skill. Otherwise, to begin virus research he would have needed to spend huge amounts of time learning basic knowledge, or consume large amounts of points to acquire bioengineering skills. The cost-effectiveness would have been extremely low.
"Mm, I'll rest properly."
Last night before bed she had massaged her waist, hoping to promote recovery. And today, at least, the results were good. She could get up and move. If she kept at it, in three days she might fully recover. At least she wouldn't feel pain in her waist anymore.
But Yukino looked at Haizaki. If not for the bad weather making it unsuitable to go to Tokyo, Haizaki should already have gone. But because of her injury, he had to delay.
So…
"Don't worry, take it slow."
Haizaki noticed her faintly downcast look, worried she might feel unnecessary guilt, and reminded her:
"We have plenty of time. No need to rush."
Gentle girls always thought too much.
"Mm."
"I'll go back now. Rest well. Call me if you need anything."
Haizaki gave a few words of advice, then left her room and returned to his own to study.
…
April 28, 10:51 a.m.
Outside, heavy rain poured down.
On the third day after her injury, Yukino felt the pain in her waist had mostly faded. She decided to go downstairs to prepare lunch.
She couldn't do much. If she could move normally now but still stayed in bed, she couldn't accept it. So she decided to make lunch for the two of them.
"Let's stir-fry lamb for lunch!"
Yukino knew Haizaki had hunted a sheep. Other ingredients were limited. She could only use what was in the refrigerator to make something tasty.
As usual, she walked to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.
The moment the door opened, the contents inside entered her sight. Her dark-blue eyes shrank. She stumbled back two or three steps, heart pounding violently, and screamed.
"Ahhh…"
Her scream rang out instantly.
The husky, lying in the living room, sprang up. Its ice-blue eyes glared toward the kitchen, alert for danger. But looking left and right, it found nothing.
"What happened… Yukinoshita-san… was it Duke?"
Upstairs in his bedroom, Haizaki heard her scream and immediately stood, running down.
The husky, hearing Haizaki's voice, hurried to the stairs to wait for him.
"You idiot, didn't I tell you not to go near Yukinoshita-san!"
Haizaki couldn't help scolding. The husky often acted foolishly, likely forgetting his warning and approaching her. If that were the case, tonight's main dish was decided—dog meat hotpot.
Feeling Haizaki's glare, the husky shivered. Its thick fur gave no sense of safety.
"Whimper…"
It rolled on the floor, whining, insisting it wasn't involved.
"It had better not be you."
Haizaki said, walking toward the kitchen.
Why had Yukino gone downstairs? If she needed something, she could have just called him.
After a few steps, he saw her.
She stood trembling, staring at the open refrigerator, her right hand braced against the wall, her left hand on her waist, face pale, body shaking.
"Yusuke… -kun."
Noticing him from the living room, she shifted her gaze, forcing out words with difficulty.
"What is it? What's in the fridge…"
It clearly wasn't the husky's fault. So what was it?
"R-rats… there are rats in the fridge."
Her trembling hand pointed at the refrigerator.
Haizaki froze at the word "rats." Then came embarrassment. This time, it was his fault.
The three field mice he had caught two days ago were still wrapped in plastic and stored in the fridge. He had planned to eat them today. But who could have guessed she would open the fridge?
"Sorry, it's my fault."
Haizaki stepped closer, nodding apologetically.
"They're the field mice I caught two days ago. I planned to cook them for lunch."
Her fearful expression vanished instantly, replaced by disbelief as she stared at him.
Eat mice? Mice could be eaten? Could humans really do that? Wasn't eating mice something cats did?
"Field mice are clean. They're edible animals."
Haizaki explained.
"No… I…"
Yukino still hadn't recovered from the shock of seeing mice.
…
"Don't want to eat it?"
"No…"
Yukino quickly denied it, but the moment she did, she realized the problem. She had instinctively thought Haizaki meant "don't dare to eat," so she had denied it. Now she felt she had made things worse. She definitely couldn't eat mice.
"I thought you didn't want to eat. I expected of Snow Cat Yukinoshita—just like a cat, you like eating mice."
Most girls wouldn't even dare look at one, let alone eat it. But if Yukino dared to eat, how could she be frightened? Perhaps it was just the suddenness of seeing mice in the fridge.
"I'm not Snow Cat Yukinoshita…"
Her words carried a firm denial of that nickname.
Haizaki thought for a moment and understood what she meant. Some things shouldn't be said too quickly.
"Then give it to Duke. He's been eyeing your share for a while."
Haizaki didn't intend to make trouble or embarrass her. If she were forced to eat mice, she might resent him forever.
"Awwooo…"
The husky barked loudly, understanding Haizaki's words, eager to take the food. Mice were delicious too!
After its first owner and other humans disappeared, it had roamed with a few dogs. Lacking experience, they could only catch small prey. Mice were one of those prey, and the most common.
Now, seeing that its new master would cook mice, it eagerly anticipated the taste of cooked field mouse.
Drooling slightly, the husky sat on the floor, its ice-blue eyes wide with expectation.
"Then give it to Duke."
Yukino followed Haizaki's suggestion, agreeing to give her portion to the husky.
But then she thought of another problem—to cook mice, kitchen utensils would be used. Well… No need to mind that. She convinced herself it was acceptable.
"I'll prepare lunch later. You just rest these days. This time…"
Haizaki pointed to her left waist.
"Do you need me to carry you upstairs?"
Yukino finally came back to herself. The fright from the fridge had worsened her waist injury. The muscles felt torn, sharp pain spreading, forcing her to endure.
"No, I…"
But Haizaki walked up, bent down, and lifted her in a princess carry.
She froze, but didn't resist.
"Thank you."
She turned her gaze aside, embarrassed, speaking softly.
"It's nothing. Rest more, don't move around. I know you want to contribute to our team, but resting well is also contributing…"
Yukino was light. Haizaki carried her to her bedroom effortlessly.
"I understand."
"Just understanding isn't enough."
Haizaki looked at her seriously.
"Remember to rest properly. Promise me, Yukinoshita-san."
Unable to meet his stern gaze, she finally nodded. Until fully recovered, she wouldn't move recklessly again.
"Good."
Seeing her agree, Haizaki nodded with satisfaction.
In his view, Yukino had only been in the "Crystallization Mutation" world for eleven days. Many of her habits still belonged to her peaceful original world. Even after facing bears and mutants, her mindset hadn't fully changed.
Haizaki understood. And honestly, her performance in ten days was far better than most girls. She knew how to adapt, endure, and adjust to this world. She wasn't a fragile girl with no use. She kept trying to contribute, to show her value.
"Does it hurt?"
With her consent, Haizaki lifted her shirt, exposing her left waist. He touched lightly with his finger.
"Not much."
Lying on the bed, she answered seriously. She only felt his finger pressing, nothing more.
"And this?"
"Ah…"
Her body tensed, and she cried out in pain. His firmer touch felt like a needle stabbing.
"You need more days of rest."
Haizaki felt regret and guilt. If he had dealt with the mice earlier, she wouldn't have been frightened. Her injury was partly his fault.
"Sorry."
"You don't need to apologize. It's my responsibility. If not for me…"
"No, it's my fault."
Hearing his words, she guessed what he was about to say. It was her problem, not his.
"Please don't blame yourself. If you think it's your fault, I'll feel even more…"
She couldn't bring herself to say "guilty."
"I understand. Don't overthink. We're not rushing to Tokyo. Don't imagine your injury is delaying me."
"But, it's…"
"It's true, but it's not trouble. Please understand that, Yukinoshita-san."
He had to correct her view.
"If I were injured, what would you do?"
She froze, not expecting him to ask that.
"You don't know?"
His tone was steady. She answered quickly, her cool voice tinged with urgency:
"I would take care of you."
"Why? We're not relatives or close friends. Wouldn't caring for me just trouble you?"
His question made her think deeply. Finally, she said, "We're friends."
"Right…"
Haizaki smiled faintly.
"We're friends. When you're injured, I care for you. That's normal. I do it not only for you, but for myself. No one knows what will happen in the future. Maybe someday I'll be injured and need your care."
"At that time, please leave yourself to me, Yusuke-kun."
Yukino spoke firmly. But seeing his stunned expression, she replayed her words.
In an instant, her pale cheeks flushed red. Her words had sounded like a confession.
"Just don't think of me as a burden then."
Haizaki deliberately ignored her shy reaction, pretending not to notice.
Yukino lowered her head, whispering, "Not a burden. My… friend."
She would never think of a friend as a burden. Haizaki was her first friend in life.
…