"The doctor said earlier that it's best to change the gauze once a day." Sora recalled the doctor's instructions. "It's been almost twenty-four hours now, so it can be changed."
"Do you want me to help?" Mahiru pursed her pink lips, her voice soft and gentle. "It must be inconvenient for Sora-kun to do it alone."
"Then I'll leave it to Mahiru-san."
"Where is the sterile gauze?"
"It's in the first-aid kit, I'll go get it."
"..."
Sora quickly returned with the first-aid kit.
"Sora-kun, sit down properly first." Mahiru pointed to the sofa, then took the first-aid kit, pulling out the sterile gauze and antiseptic solution from inside.
After preparing the necessary tools, Angel-sama finally sat down opposite Sora and said softly:
"I'm going to clean the wound now, it might hurt a little bit."
"Doctor Mahiru, please feel free to treat it however you like. It's much easier than an anal fistula."
"Eh?"
"When I went to the hospital with my dad as a kid, we ran into a patient with an anal fistula. When they changed the gauze, their screams could be heard down the entire corridor... Does Mahiru-san know what an anal fistula is?"
"I'm sorry, I don't want to know at all."
"..."
Mahiru leaned her body forward. She first peeled off the gauze on Sora's forehead, then pursed her pink lips, widened her beautiful eyes, and began to earnestly sterilize and disinfect the wound.
The distance between the two was only a fist apart.
Sora could clearly smell the sweet fragrance radiating from Angel-sama.
Even at such a close distance, Angel-sama's skin remained perfectly smooth and supple, without the slightest flaw or sallowness. Her palm-sized small face felt like it wouldn't even be able to hold up a face mask. He had to admit, she was indeed super cute.
Under Sora's gaze, a crimson hue quietly spread across Mahiru's fair, jade-like pretty face. Her pearly white teeth couldn't help but gently bite her lower lip:
"Sora-kun, don't stare."
"It's a matter of respect to properly look at the nurse when receiving treatment." Sora retorted. "I am showing my respect to Doctor Mahiru."
"I'm not a medical professional." Mahiru glared affectionately with her bright eyes. "Close your eyes."
"..."
A moment later.
The wound cleaning was complete.
A brand-new piece of sterile gauze was applied to Sora's forehead.
"All done." Mahiru quickly pulled back to create some distance, then lowered her head to organize the first-aid kit. She began categorizing all the medicines, clearly letting her OCD tendencies flare up again. "The wound looks like it's almost healed. In another two days, you can switch to a Band-Aid."
"Thank you for your help, Mahiru-san." Sora softly expressed his gratitude. "As a reward, how about I teach you how to ride a bicycle tonight? Once you learn, going to the supermarket to buy ingredients every day will be much easier."
Hearing this, Mahiru pursed her pink lips, her gaze hesitant:
"But your forehead..."
"I just have a small wound on my forehead." Sora complained. "It's not like the crash made me stupid."
Only then did Mahiru agree: "...Then let's do it after dinner."
8:00 PM.
Night had fallen.
The residential area had quietly settled into silence.
Sora pushed the bicycle out the door and sent a message to Mahiru: "Mahiru-san, we can head out for your biking lesson now."
"Wait a moment, I'll be right out."
The door next door quickly opened, and Mahiru walked out wearing a new outfit.
Sora looked at Angel-sama under the streetlight, his eyes involuntarily lighting up.
Mahiru, who usually always presented a gentle image, had completely transformed today, clearly turning into a youthful, sporty girl.
First was her hairstyle.
Her waist-length hair was tied into a refreshing high ponytail, and her bangs were combed upwards, revealing a snow-white, smooth forehead. Her gentle cuteness now had an added touch of valiant heroism.
Then came her clothes.
Her upper body wore a regular sports jacket, and on her feet was a pair of impeccably clean white sneakers, but her skirt had actually been swapped for a pair of jeans.
The indigo jeans were surprisingly a slim-fit style. Worn on her body, they accentuated Angel-sama's slender, well-rounded, and long legs.
Is this the legendary Innate Jeans Physique?
Sora couldn't help but marvel internally.
"I searched online, and everyone says that wearing a skirt while riding a bicycle is dangerous because the hem might get caught in the wheels..." Mahiru's pretty face flushed slightly. She subconsciously turned her body sideways, clearly feeling a bit embarrassed about the jeans. However, after turning sideways, the heart-shaped curve of her rear appeared even more rounded and beautifully contoured. "So I followed the recommendations and changed into jeans, which are convenient for riding... Is that okay?"
"Of course it's okay. Jeans are indeed very suitable for practicing." Sora quickly withdrew his gaze and said nonchalantly, "I didn't expect Mahiru-san to own clothes other than skirts."
"Girls naturally have many different types of clothes." Mahiru blushed slightly and said softly, "It's just that I bought them and never wore them."
"Does that mean I'm the first person to see Mahiru-san in jeans?" Sora's expression turned serious. "Thank you for the treat."
Mahiru's pink cheeks puffed up slightly: "Hurry up and go to the park."
"..."
Sora pushed the bicycle, and Mahiru walked beside him. The two of them headed to the park at the street corner together.
A moment later.
The two walked side by side into the small park.
Japanese people don't have the hobby of public square dancing. Since it was already past 8:00 PM, the park had quietly settled into silence, with only the rising and falling sounds of chirping insects.
"Come over and test the seat height first." Sora parked the bicycle and looked at Angel-sama. "For beginners, the seat height is very important. It must be adjusted to a suitable height first."
"Okay."
Mahiru stepped forward and tried to swing her leg over the bicycle to sit on the seat, but her body wobbled, unable to stand firm.
"Get down for a second." Sora quickly instructed. "The seat is a bit high. I'll adjust the height first, until you can sit on it and have both feet touch the ground at the same time."
"The seat can be raised and lowered?" Mahiru asked curiously.
"Of course it can. If a car's steering wheel can be adjusted, a bicycle is certainly no problem." Sora crouched down halfway. "Look, it's this knob right under the seat."
Mahiru rested her hands on her knees and curiously bent over to look. The girl's hair fluttered gently in the evening breeze: "I see it... Sora-kun is unexpectedly knowledgeable."
"Please, be sure to praise me a bit more."
Mahiru: "..."
"This feels about right." Sora stood up straight. "Get on and try the height again."
Mahiru gave a light nod and got back onto the bicycle. The height was just right; after sitting down, both of her feet could touch the ground simultaneously.
"The height is good." Sora nodded, continuing to pass on his experience. "Next, try gripping the brakes."
"Here?"
"That's right."
"Rest your hands lightly on the brakes, then spread your legs and push off the ground. Let the bicycle glide slowly using friction to get a feel for the balance."
"Understood."
Mahiru's expression was serious. She rested her hands on the bicycle, and her beautiful legs wrapped in tight jeans began to push off left and right, propelling the bicycle forward.
"Don't rush to step on the pedals." Sora instructed from the side. "Glide slowly for a while first to find the feeling."
"Okay."
Mahiru nodded earnestly. Sitting on the bicycle, she wobbled and glided forward. Although her movements were clumsy, the girl's eyes sparkled brightly under the moonlight.
Time quietly slipped by, minute by minute, second by second.
Half an hour later, Mahiru was able to barely pedal for two rotations. Clearly, her body's balance and coordination were very good.
However, as she was gliding down a gentle slope, the bicycle suddenly ran over an inconspicuous rock, and her fragile balance was instantly broken.
"S-Sora!"
Angel-sama cried out nervously in alarm.