When the alarm clock rang early for the first time in a long time, even though he was mentally prepared, Naruse still struggled for a while before opening his eyes.
After turning off the alarm clock, he didn't have much time to dwell. He got out of bed, put on his winter uniform, and went downstairs to wash up.
The holiday is over and the third semester starts today.
I have to go to school in the morning to attend the opening ceremony.
After washing up, Naruse went to the kitchen and took a look, but he didn't see Naoko.
When he pushed open the bedroom door, he found that she was still lying on the bed.
"Shangzi."
"Well..."
She turned over and soon became silent again.
Naruse had no choice but to go in and said, "Naoko, get up."
She has been a little too relaxed these past two days.
He picked up the alarm clock next to him and took a look. Sure enough, the alarm was not set.
"Well..."
Shangzi turned over and opened his eyes to look at him.
"Good morning." Naruse put down the adjusted alarm clock, "You're going to be late."
She was bleary-eyed, "The alarm clock hasn't gone off yet..."
Naruse pressed the alarm clock and dialed it.
Didi didi——
"..."
Shangzi sat up, looked at the alarm clock and wanted to say something, then covered his mouth and yawned.
After waking her up, Naruse went to prepare breakfast.
Taking off her pajamas and putting them aside, Shangzi lowered his head and unbuttoned his underwear, readjusted it before buttoning it up, and then noticed that the door was not closed.
She got out of bed and closed the door. When she reached the door, she leaned out and took a look again.
There was the sound of water being used in the kitchen.
She listened for a while, but she still didn't go over in this half-naked state, and turned around to go back to the room.
The door is still open.
Dress, wash, and help in the kitchen.
The morning of the first day of the third semester was as usual, busy but not stressful.
After breakfast, the two went out together.
When we arrived at the bus stop, Morimi was already waiting.
"Good morning."
After not seeing each other for a few days, she looked a little cold and said, "Good morning."
Sensing her attitude, Naruse said nothing more and stood with Naoko, continuing to wait for the bus.
While waiting for the Takigawa sisters and the school bus to arrive one after another, he didn't see the starfish.
"Haixing is sick." Morimi said after getting in the car, "I'm asking for leave today."
"...Really?"
"I had a fever the night before yesterday."
"..."
Naruse glanced at her and suddenly understood her coldness.
"I don't know."
"Yeah."
Morimi continued to walk back and sat alone in the back row.
"When you come back, let's go see the starfish." Shangzi said.
Naruse nodded.
"I'll go too."
Hikaru Takigawa turned around, "I didn't even know Haixing was sick...she didn't tell me when she sent me a message."
"Let's go together."
The bus will start soon.
When they arrived in front of the Prefectural Tsuga, they got off the bus together. Hikaru Takigawa pulled Morimi again and asked about the starfish.
"I only found out yesterday."
She pushed up her glasses and said, "I just caught a cold and lay down for two days. I have almost recovered. Just continue to rest."
"Okay. After school, Harumi, Naoko, I, and I are going to visit her. Is Kazuyo coming too?"
"Yeah."
Climbing up the stairs in the middle to the third floor, Morimi walked to the other side and said, "I'm going to tell the teacher about Haixing's leave."
"Okay."
Arriving in the classroom and saying hello to his long-lost classmates, Naruse sat down on his seat, took out his phone and looked at it for a while, then put it away again.
Not long after, teacher Nakahara Yuki also came to the classroom.
"Xiaoxue, long time no see~"
"Hmm, happy New Year everyone."
"After the new year, Xiaoxue seems to have gained a little weight."
"No!"
When the people were almost here, she started to call their names and then explained some things.
When the announcement rang, students from the three grades came to the gymnasium to participate in the opening ceremony.
On the first day of the new semester, the dean’s speech on the stage seemed extremely long, which made people sigh.
Naoko looked at Naruse and whispered: "It's so nagging."
"I've been holding it back all winter vacation, let him talk... let's see how long he can talk."
The opening ceremony ended after nearly half an hour.
Back in the classroom, Nakahara Snow continued to explain things, and finally reminded all students:
"Classes will start as normal tomorrow, make sure you adjust your schedule and don't be late!"
The class meeting ended and the students dispersed.
"Go back." Hikaru Takigawa called to Monk Naruse, "Wait a moment Ichiyo."
"Yeah."
While waiting for Mori to meet, Naoko sent a message to her friends in the club to cancel some arrangements originally scheduled for this afternoon.
Morimi came over from Class E quickly, "Let's go."
After leaving school and waiting for the bus, Naruse went to a nearby snack shop and bought some snacks as condolences.
Returning to the platform, I looked at the snacks in his hand, and Mori's face brightened slightly.
Glancing at Shangzi, she whispered: "Haixing asked me not to tell you."
Naruse nodded, indicating that he understood.
After waiting for the bus, they returned to Aoyagi. When Hikaru Takigawa passed by a convenience store, he went in to buy something.
"Starfish like to eat this."
Arriving at Maki Hotel, Maki Seiichiro welcomed the arrival of several children.
"Haixing has almost recovered. He woke up just now. You can go up."
Arriving upstairs, Morimi knocked on the door, Haixing answered, and then several people rushed into the room.
She was leaning on the head of the bed, looking a little weak.
"...Why are they all here?"
"Who told you not to go to school today?" Morimi poured a glass of water for her and put it on the bedside.
Takigawa Hikaru sat next to the bed, "Why didn't you tell me when you were sick?"
"I forgot..." Haixing smiled and tried to deal with it.
She touched her forehead, "How do you feel now?"
"It's much better."
Naoko put down Naruse's and his own condolences and said, "Go and have a good rest."
Gazing across a certain snack in the bag, Haixing paused for a moment, then smiled.
"Well, thank you, Shangzi."
Shangzi looked at her, "Sure enough, I caught a cold because I just took a shower and went back that day."
Haixing smiled and said, "I forgot to wipe my hair... I went out and there was a gust of wind, and I collapsed when I got home."
"..."
Naruse inhaled slightly and looked out the window.
Shangzi pursed his lips, "Sorry, it's me..."
"——No, it has nothing to do with Shangzi."
Haixing shook his head and glanced at the other person standing by the window.
"It has nothing to do with anyone else, it's my own fault."
Shangzi looked at her for a while, said nothing more, and turned to take the condolence gift.
"Do you have an appetite now, Starfish? Let's eat something."
"Yeah, okay. Let's eat together."
Morimi moved the low table to the bed and put it down. Naoko and Hikaru Takigawa sat around and looked at Naruse, who was still standing by the window.
Haixing also looked at him, "Did you buy the snacks?"
"Yeah."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Can you make me some cups of tea? I want to have it now."
Stopping Naoko who was about to get up with his eyes, Naruse nodded.