best friend - Kotaru

Winter had finally arrived, but that didn't stop you from going to school. The cold air rustled the leaves of the trees outside your classroom, and the rustling of your classmates' coats only served as a reminder of how cold it was outside. Even your teacher's monotonous voice couldn't distract you from anything.

Kotaru's seat was empty

Childhood friends to this day, time may have drifted them apart, but they remained best friends. Her absence from class... It was obvious to you.

The professor summoned you after class. He asked you. Or rather, ordered you. To take today's notes to your friend, who apparently had caught a cold.

You walked against the cold afternoon wind until you finally reached the house of the poor, sick "child." You didn't even have to explain yourself when his mother opened the door; she let you in without a word, happy to have you. So, once that obstacle was overcome, all that remained was to reach the final boss.

You went up the stairs to her room, you didn't even bother to knock, you walked in like it was your own house. How cheeky! Even though you'd been there a million times before.

"Huh? M-Mom?... Ah! I-it's just you..."

He said as he slowly sat up in bed. There was a damp cloth on his forehead to reduce his fever, which was evident from his flushed cheeks.

"What are you doing here?"