In Class 1-3, Aizawa Tomo and Kubota Junichiro are inseparable—and completely oblivious. Tomo's confession last summer was answered with "I like you too, as my best friend," and since then, nothing has changed. At least, not on the surface.
Gundou Misuzu has watched them since kindergarten, and she knows the truth: Tomo's feelings are love, and Junichiro's thick skull is the only thing standing in the way. After witnessing Tomo's failed confession by the riverbank, Misuzu made a silent vow—she
Misuzu Gondo Was Watching - Feverish and Delirious — The Invisible Distance and the Unreachable Voice
That's wrong, she thought.
She understood it in her head. There was no way those two's relationship could move forward on its own without her knowing. And yet—why did the depths of her chest feel so restless?
Misuzu Gundou stopped midway up Aoba Slope. The morning air, now past the middle of September, had grown a little colder than it was last week. The cherry leaves, still green, swayed in the wind.
"Misuzu!"
A familiar voice came flying from behind her. She turned around to see Tomo Aizawa come running up the hill. Her bright brown short hair bounced, catching the morning light. A bit of bedhead stuck up at the back. Her large amber eyes were shining just a little sharper than usual today.
"Morning. You look like you're in a bad mood today."
"Of course I am! Listen to this—this morning, Junichiro, that bastard—!"
Tomo clenched her fists and started talking a mile a minute.
"He ate my lunch without asking! I ran into him in front of my house this morning, and he goes 'I'm hungry, just a little bit'—! It wasn't just a little bit! He ate every last piece of my karaage!"
Misuzu let out a small sigh. Her narrow, deep-brown eyes thinned to threads. She unconsciously tilted her head—a habit of hers.
"You two really never get tired of this, do you? Nothing's changed since kindergarten."
"Shut up! It's because he pulls this crap every single time!"
Tomo said it with a grin that showed her fang. She was angry, but somehow she looked like she was having fun. Seeing that smile, Misuzu felt a small ache deep in her chest.
(This girl always gets like this when she talks about Junichiro.)
Angry, laughing—but underneath it all, she was always watching Junichiro. Misuzu knew. Tomo's feelings hadn't changed by a single millimeter since that confession last summer.
"Hey, Tomo."
Misuzu looked up at the row of cherry trees along Aoba Slope and spoke slowly.
"You said you were going to tell Junichiro how you feel. It's been a week since then—any progress?"
Tomo's feet stopped for just a moment.
"...Not yet."
Her voice suddenly grew small.
"I know. I know I have to say it properly. But the timing just..."
Tomo looked down at the back of her own hand. There was a small old scar there—from practice at the dojo.
"This morning he just ate his lunch like normal and laughed like normal. When I see that face, I can't figure out what I'm supposed to say at this point."
Misuzu stared hard at Tomo's profile. Her amber eyes wavered in the morning light.
"Timing won't come to you just because you wait. You're the one who has to make it."
"...You're strong, Misuzu."
"I'm not strong. You're just too much of a coward. Are you an idiot?"
Tomo burst out laughing.
"That's harsh, isn't it? To your best friend?"
"I'm saying it because I'm your best friend. Do you have any idea how much trouble I go through for that thick-headed childhood friend of yours?"
The two of them walked side by side up Aoba Slope. The school building of Aoba Private Academy came into view at the top. The old building, sixty years since its founding, stood there as always, bathed in the morning light.
Tomo's house was partway up this slope. Five minutes on foot from Misuzu's house. Junichiro's house was right next door to Tomo's. The three childhood friends' homes were all clustered within walking distance.
(This distance makes those two close—and keeps them far apart.)
Misuzu thought that in her heart.
When they reached the classroom, Junichiro was at his seat by the window, reading a paperback. His black hair was cropped short, and the small nick of a scar above his left eyebrow was faintly visible in the light from the window. His quiet profile made it easy to see why he was so popular with the girls.
"Hey, Junichiro!"
Tomo came charging into the classroom.
Junichiro looked up. His deep gray eyes caught sight of Tomo.
"Oh, Tomo. You're loud as hell first thing in the morning."
"You're the loud one! Give me back the karaage from my lunch!"
"Already ate it. Once it's in my stomach, I can't give it back."
"Then give me back the money!"
"I don't have any money."
Tomo smacked Junichiro on the head. Junichiro caught it with his arm, laughing. Here and there around the classroom, their classmates let out laughs.
Misuzu watched the scene from the classroom entrance.
(There really doesn't seem to be a single millimeter of room for romance to squeeze in between those two.)
But that was wrong. Only Misuzu knew. Tomo's feelings were unmistakably love. Junichiro's denseness was a natural, well-meaning mismatch.
(Which is exactly why I have to do something about it.)
Misuzu clenched her fist slightly.
That day after school, something strange happened—suddenly.
When Misuzu finished her class-duty work in the neighboring classroom and stepped into the hallway, Tomo was standing there with a hand against the wall. Her complexion was clearly bad. Tomo's skin, usually bright as the sun, looked pale.
"Tomo? What's wrong—you look awful."
Misuzu hurried to Tomo's side.
"...My head kinda hurts. I've been feeling sluggish since this morning."
There was none of the usual energy in Tomo's voice. Her amber eyes wavered, unfocused.
Misuzu pressed a hand to Tomo's forehead.
"...You're hot. Really hot."
"Yeah? I've never caught a cold before, so I dunno."
Tomo swayed unsteadily. Misuzu grabbed her arm and held her up.
"Idiot, don't push yourself. We're going to the nurse's office."
"I'm fine... if I just rest a bit..."
"I'm saying it because you don't look fine. Come on, lean on me."
Misuzu put Tomo's arm around her own shoulder. Tomo's body was much slighter than it looked. Her karate-trained frame was burning with fever, and it felt like it might raise Misuzu's own temperature too.
When they got to the nurse's office, the school nurse took Tomo's temperature and immediately started the early-dismissal paperwork. Thirty-eight point seven degrees.
"I'll walk you home."
"Sorry... Misuzu, don't you have club..."
"If you went tumbling down Aoba Slope by yourself, I'd feel terrible. Just be quiet and let me walk you."
Misuzu took Tomo's things and left the nurse's office.
Walking down Aoba Slope, she looked at Tomo's back. Her back, usually held straight, somehow looked hunched today.
(What is Junichiro doing right now?)
Misuzu cursed him in her heart. Tomo was suffering this much, and that thick-headed idiot was probably heading home without even going to club.
When they reached the Aizawa house, Tomo's mother, Akemi, came flying out to the entrance.
"Tomo! What happened!? The school called me, but—oh, you're absolutely pale!"
Akemi was a tough, big-sisterly woman with a slightly rough edge, but the moment a family member got sick, she fell to pieces. She pressed a hand to Tomo's forehead and raised her voice dramatically.
"Ma'am, I'll take Tomo up to her room. What about the doctor?"
"I just called our family doctor. He's coming right away."
Misuzu took Tomo up to her room on the second floor. Tomo collapsed onto the bed and didn't move.
"...Misuzu, thanks."
Tomo said in a small voice.
"Save your thanks for when you're better. Just rest today."
Misuzu gently stroked Tomo's hair. Her bangs, damp with fever-sweat, clung to her forehead.
"Did you let Junichiro know?"
Tomo, eyes still closed, shook her head.
"...I didn't. I don't want to worry him."
"Idiot. Let him worry a little."
Misuzu straightened Tomo's blankets and left the room.
The next day.
Tomo stayed home from school.
Misuzu had been restless since morning. Even during class, she couldn't get Tomo's empty seat out of her head. When she peeked into Junichiro's classroom at lunch, he was at his own desk, reading a paperback as usual.
(She's out sick, and you've got that calm a face?)
Misuzu cursed Junichiro in her heart. But maybe Junichiro still didn't know Tomo was home with a cold.
After school, Misuzu headed to the Aizawa house with Carol.
Carol Olston walked beside Misuzu, her soft blonde long hair streaming in the wind. Her sky-blue eyes wavered with worry.
"I wonder if Tomo's all right. I heard she looked pale yesterday, and I was so worried I couldn't sleep."
"You were worried enough to lose sleep? You're so dramatic."
"But the idea of Tomo being sick—I just can't picture it."
Carol clutched her handkerchief with the finger she had a habit of raising her pinky on.
"True. That girl hasn't caught so much as a cold since elementary school."
Walking down Aoba Slope, Misuzu remembered Tomo's face from yesterday. Pale skin, unfocused eyes, burning forehead.
(I've never seen Tomo look that weak.)
When they reached the Aizawa house, Akemi was waiting at the entrance.
"Misuzu, Carol, thank you for coming all this way. Tomo's fever still won't come down..."
Akemi's face looked more tired than yesterday. It was rare to see the tough, big-sisterly woman looking so uncertain.
"Ma'am, did you let Junichiro know?"
Misuzu asked casually as she took off her shoes at the entrance.
Akemi's brows drooped in a troubled frown.
"I called Junichiro this morning, but... he said 'Tomo's fine with a little cold, right?' He won't come."
Misuzu's feet stopped.
(Fine with a little cold? Are you serious?)
Misuzu gripped her phone. Her fingers trembled faintly.
"...I see. That's what he said."
Her voice dropped low enough that even she could tell.
"Misuzu?"
"Oh, no—may I go up to Tomo's room?"
Misuzu held back her anger and forced a smile.
When she entered Tomo's room, Tomo was on the bed, breathing painfully. Her face was bright red, sweat beading on her forehead. By her pillow sat a half-drunk glass of water and some over-the-counter cold medicine.
"Tomo..."
Carol murmured in a small voice.
Misuzu crouched beside Tomo's bed.
"Tomo, it's me. Carol's here too."
Tomo's eyes opened faintly. Her amber eyes were moist with fever.
"...Misuzu... Carol too..."
Her voice was hoarse.
"Don't force yourself to talk. Just rest today."
Misuzu pressed a hand to Tomo's forehead. It was still quite hot.
"...Where's Junichiro?"
Tomo asked quietly.
Misuzu's words caught for a moment.
"...He hasn't come. He said you'd be fine with a little cold."
Tomo's eyes wavered sadly for an instant. But she quickly put on a smile.
"...Figures. That's just like him."
Tomo said that and closed her eyes again.
Misuzu took Tomo's hand. Tomo's hand was hot and damp with sweat.
"I'm sorry, Tomo. If I'd said something to him sooner..."
"It's not your fault... he's just dense."
Tomo's voice grew fainter and fainter.
"...Junichiro..."
Tomo murmured as if in a delirium.
Misuzu held her breath.
"...Sorry... I wanted to... say it properly..."
A single tear spilled from Tomo's eye.
(Tomo...)
Misuzu squeezed Tomo's hand. Her chest felt like it would burst.
(You're suffering this much, and you still want to see him. You still want to tell him how you feel.)
Misuzu stood up.
"Misuzu?"
Carol looked up at Misuzu anxiously.
"I'm going to make a phone call."
Misuzu left Tomo's room and walked to the end of the hallway. She pulled out her phone and called up Junichiro's number. Her fingers trembled so much she could barely press it.
(Calm down. What good does it do for me to be angry?)
But her heart felt like it was going white with rage.
The ringtone sounded three times. Four. Five.
"...Hello?"
The moment she heard Junichiro's carefree voice, something inside Misuzu exploded.
"Are you an idiot!? Do you have any idea how much pain Tomo's in!? Fine with a little cold? Don't make me laugh! Tomo's burning up with fever and calling your name! Get over here right now!"
On the other end of the line, she heard Junichiro gasp.
"...Tomo's calling my name?"
Junichiro's voice suddenly turned serious.
"That's right. You haven't been looking at Tomo at all, have you? Get over here now. Just come!"
"Got it. I'm on my way."
Junichiro said only that and hung up.
Misuzu grippe
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