Stealing Spree

After separating from Akane and Aoi, my feet led me to the same bakery where I met Mizuki before. The favor that we had just discussed was already thrown to the back of my mind. That meeting that Aoi would arrange still needed some preparation so it wouldn’t happen anytime soon. At least, not during this exam period.

As soon as I arrived at the bakery’s vicinity, the familiar car that always carried the girl anywhere she wanted to was already parked in front of it. Her chauffeur, Suzuki-san, could be seen waiting inside the car with no Mizuki in sight.

Thinking the girl was already inside, waiting for me, I peered through the glass window of the bakery. However, she’s nowhere in sight…

Where is she? Did something happen?

Carrying that question in my mind, I approached the car.

When her eyes met mine, Suzuki-san swiftly left the car, greeting me like she would an important person.

“Onoda-sama, ojou-sama has instructed me to give this to you.”

She handed me a box covered in cloth. Judging from its appearance and the warmth exuding out of the cloth cover, it’s definitely a lunch box.

“This is?”

“A lunchbox handmade by ojou-sama.”

Did she really make this? That’s so not in her character.

Wait, that’s not the point.

“No. I mean… Where’s Mizuki? Did something happen?”

I contacted that girl before going out of the house and she agreed to meet me in this bakery…

“Ah. Wait. My question is wrong. Something certainly happened. Otherwise, you won’t be here to give me this. But why didn’t she contact me?”

“I believe ojou-sama can only answer that question. I am only instructed to go here and give you that. My apologies.” Suzuki answered, her tone never-changing. “Ojou-sama woke up early and worked on that as soon as she received your call. Please enjoy what she prepared, Onoda-sama. Well then, I have to go back to her side.”

After adding that information, Suzuki quickly turned around to go back to her car.

All of this was a little confusing and Suzuki’s usual behavior wasn’t really helping. She’s always like this, only giving me minimal answers. She’s as uninterested as ever in engaging in a decent conversation with anyone other than Mizuki.

Perhaps if I’m not Mizuki’s special guy, she wouldn’t even bother to talk to me. That’s where she’s different from Hitomi. She’s someone who didn’t really care about other people except her young lady.

“Please wait, Suzuki-san!” I shouted before she could open the car door and return inside. As that successfully took her attention, she stopped and turned to me.

“I believe I haven’t left out anything, Onoda-sama. If there is, please tell.” She tilted her head slightly before answering like that. However, I noticed something. Suzuki-san bit her lips. It’s something she rarely does. That probably meant nothing but my gut tells me that it’s like she’s holding onto something.

Even though we agreed to meet and she was even pretty excited earlier when I did message her, Mizuki didn’t leave any message regarding her non-appearance.

That’s why my mind quickly whirled to think. I pulled out my phone and as soon as I tapped the video call button, the other party instantly answered as though she’s waiting for it.

A moment later, Mizuki’s pretty face filled my screen. Her vicinity was dark so I couldn’t make out her expression properly but with the light of the phone directed to her, I could tell that her eyes were only half-opened. And although her lips were curved into a slight smile, she somehow appeared suffering from pain. The screen was shaking and judging from how her arms moved, she was alternately holding it as though she was quickly getting tired from holding it up.

So, this is it. The reason why she’s not here. I knew she was a wise girl and someone who would plan everything before acting. But in this case, it seems like she hastily made a decision and even prepared herself to be seen through by me.

Putting on a neutral expression, I started, “Mizuki, is it hard to tell me that you’re currently sick? Have you taken medicine?”

Hearing that, Mizuki, who’s trying to look fine even though she’s clearly not, coughed. It’s not a fake one but a clear cough of someone having a cold. It sounded even dry. “T-this… I’m not sick. I’m just taking a rest after preparing your lunch.”

“Yeah, right. You’re not that great at lying, Mizuki. Do you want me to worry?”

“U-ugh… If you know then you should’ve known. I didn’t tell you because you’re just going to worry.”

“Well, you could’ve messaged me that you’re not coming. That way, I wouldn’t know that you’re currently bedridden. But that’s not what you did… In truth, you wanted me to know, right? Can you be honest with me?”

“N-no comment.”

“You rarely get sick but when you do, you are always this bad at thinking properly. I wonder what went on your mind for doing this? I bet this lunchbox is also something you decided to make hastily… Oh. But don’t worry, I’ll eat whatever you make.”

She’s not that good at cooking. Ah. No. That phrase is wrong. She just didn’t have a polished repertoire when it comes to cooking. And more often than not, the food she eats is prepared by someone else; by their cook or Suzuki.

Anyway, whatever’s inside this box, knowing that she made it for me was enough reason for me to treat it as a delicacy.

“… F-fine.” And another cough. “… You’re right. I’m sick. I’m sick but I want to see you, Ruki. I should’ve been honest from the start but… I can’t think properly when I am…” The girl coughed again but she forced herself on putting on another smile.

How stubborn.

“Alright. That’s enough. Don’t talk too much and wait for me there… Before I go to school, let me take care of you.” I declared while putting on a calming smile.

Mizuki weakly nodded. “Y-yes, please.”

“Mhm… Put down the phone now and cover yourself properly, I’ll be there soon.”

After saying that, I turned to Suzuki, “Please take me to her, Suzuki-san.”

Since she clearly heard our conversation, Suzuki’s neutral expression already broke. She’s looking at me with an apologetic expression as though she also committed wrongdoing. “Right away, Onoda-sama.”

She opened the door to the backseat but before I entered the car, I handed the box back to Suzuki before running towards the bakery. I ordered meatbuns for the sick girl. It’s her favorite after all.

And when the car started to move, I interrogated Suzuki about Mizuki’s detailed condition. I had already seen through the act so, for once, I got to hear Suzuki’s voice for an extended time.

She was not there when I called Mizuki. But when Mizuki started making a noise in the kitchen, Suzuki spotted her and hurried to assist her young lady.

Apparently, although they claimed that the lunchbox was made by Mizuki, half of the effort in making it could be attributed to Suzuki. She shadowed the stubborn girl, who didn’t want to rest until she finished cooking, to make sure that no accidents could happen.

I have to thank her for that…

Furthermore, Mizuki didn’t plan to stay at home. The girl still prepared for school. Not because of the midterm exams for today but because she wanted to see me.

However, halfway through the car ride, the girl was already wobbling on her seat, losing out to the fever that accompanied her cold. Suzuki thought of bringing her to the hospital but Mizuki rejected that with her waning consciousness. In the end, before Mizuki lost consciousness, Suzuki successfully brought the girl to the condominium unit. And there, she was instructed to come to our meeting place…

Hence, the reason why Suzuki also appeared in a hurry to go back…

With how unusual the situation was, I would be an idiot if I failed to stitch it together and solve the puzzle.

Twenty minutes later, I reached the unit. With Suzuki coming in with me as well as having the same guard as before, no one or nothing blocked my way.

As soon as I saw the girl shaking in the cold while covered up with our blanket, I hurriedly moved to the bed and sat down on her side.

“R-ruki…” Even with difficulty, as soon as she felt my presence next to her, Mizuki opened her eyes and called out to me. “I miss you. D-did you miss me?...”

“Mhm… I miss you too. Alright, before scolding you for pushing yourself like this, let me first take care of you.” I put my hand on her forehead and even though I couldn’t accurately guess her temperature, it was scalding hot. She’s even in a worse condition than Coach Ayu last Sunday.

“Y-yay!” Mizuki languidly cheered. And with her pleading eyes, she weakly tugged on my sleeves.

Understanding what she wanted me to do, I slipped inside her blanket and hugged her tight, tight enough to make her sweat faster.

Well, I knew this was a dumb move and I could catch her cold instead of treating it. However, having been in a similar situation a few days ago and was still completely fine, I would believe in my immune system once again.

“R-ruki is here. My Ruki… I won’t let you go. Ehehe~ In a few years, I’ll be making you the most influential man that no one will ever question our complex relationship… When that happens, my wish to be with you forever will be fulfilled…”

And once again, Mizuki exhibited another unusual trait. She’s spilling everything in her mind… And she’s doing so while her currently weak self slowly settled herself inside my embrace.

A few seconds after that, her hot breath assaulted my neck followed by her lips. And a few seconds more, her tense body relaxed as she quickly fell asleep.

“I see. Ojou-sama is telling the truth. You’re the only medicine that can cure her, Onoda-sama.”

Appearing by the door of the room, Suzuki-san said as she attentively watched over us.