CH 16

“We had a great time today!”

Just before dusk, after enjoying the aquarium to the fullest, we started walking home.

With the smell of the water lingering in the air, we reflected on our day.

“Ah!”

“Yuki. Don’t forget that you said you would protect me at the place with the tank full of small fish?”

It was said in a deliberate way.

I lightly poked Suzuka on the head.

“I won’t forget you, don’t worry.”

“Wait, why did you poke my head?”

“You say stupid things. Do I look like the kind of guy who says he’ll protect you and then immediately changes his mind?”

“I see. Then I’m relieved.”

She looks relieved.

As we leave the aquarium and make our way to the bus, we stop at a rather nice scenic spot.

“Would you like to take in the view for a little bit?”

“Yeah.”

We both look at the landscape.

Of course, we didn’t stay here just to admire the view.

With determination, I took out a small package from my bag and handed it to Suzuka, who was glued to the view.

“Suzuka. Here you go.”

“Oh, my gosh. Don’t throw things at me out of the blue.”

“I’m sorry. My bad.”

“And what’s this?”

“It’s a present for you. It’s a small one, though.”

First date.

Rather than a present with a lot of thought put into it, a lighthearted present would be better.

With this in mind, I gave her what I had chosen.

“What is it….?”

She opens the parcel nicely.

I had given gifts to Suzuka before, but this was the first time I had given her a present since we became lovers.

Fidgeting, I wait for her reaction.

After swallowing hard, the present finally emerges from the package.

“It’s a pass case!”

“It’s my first present. You don’t want me to give you something weird and fancy, do you? Well, I don’t think it’s a good idea to give it to my lover…….”

I’m the one who is on the defensive.

After I give it to her, I regret whether I really did the right thing.

Fearfully, I see Suzuka’s reaction.

“Of course I’d be happy with anything Yuki gives me, right?”

“How do you really feel about being given a pass case?”

“It’s not my birthday, and it’s not Christmas, so I’m sure I’d rather get a present that’s not so crazy.”

“That means ……”

“I mean, I’m happy. Because this present was given to me because my current pass case is getting worn down and stained, right?”

“That’s what I meant.”

“It’s a gift that shows you’ve been looking out for me. How can I not be happy?”

She told me with a kind smile that there was no need to look so worried.

A successful present.

The pounding of my heart has not yet subsided, but I feel relieved.

“That’s good to hear.”

“I mean, isn’t that a little unfair? Suddenly, you’re handing me a present. I didn’t prepare anything, you know?”

“Well, it’s a surprise for you.”

“I’m so frustrated that I’m going to prepare a present to make Yuki happy next time, okay?”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

After handing over the present, we talk for a bit, taking in the view.

When it comes to a lover’s date, things are going well.

That’s when we might kiss and do all sorts of things.

But then I realized that it’s not all about the sexual stuff.

It would be a shame to move on without slowly and surely getting to know each other.

It’s the first time, and I should be able to feel the happiness that I can’t feel now.

“You know what, Yuki?”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

“I just called out to you.”

A brilliant smile is directed at me.

Will Suzuka protect me? I remember how worried she was.

I would do anything to protect this smile.

“Well, let’s go home.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

I quit gazing at the scenery and start walking.

Walking slowly along the path to the shuttle bus, we come upon a set of stairs.

It was while we were descending the stairs, which were a bit high.

A boy running vigorously bumped into Suzuka’s back.

If she had been able to stand on her feet, she would not have fallen down.

An unexpected blow.

She didn’t have any strength in her legs and feet, and she almost fell down.

“Damn it, come on!”

I managed to hold Suzuka as she tumbled down the stairs, and she and I fell down the stairs.

“Ittsu……”

I was able to hit the ground with Suzuka in my good graces.

Perhaps Suzuka is safe.　

But I …… looked like I was in trouble.

“Yu, Yuki!? Are you okay!?”

“Tsk, ah, ah.”

I strained my voice.

I look at my screaming arms and hands, and they are clearly not looking good.

I don’t lose consciousness, but the pain fills me up and down.

I get into an ambulance, which the parents of the boy who pushed me probably called, and we ride to the nearest hospital.

Surprisingly, my arms were fine, but the condition of my fingers was not good, so I had to have surgery.

It was quite a catastrophe.

Well, it’s funny to say it’s just broken bones, though.

After a few days in the hospital, I was released without incident.

“Oops!”

Suzuka, who came to escort me out of the hospital, helps me with my bags.

My left arm is fine, but I guess she was taking care of me.

“I’m sorry.”

“Nah. If you fall down and you can only use your left hand and you’re holding a bag in your left hand, it would be hard for you to get to it, wouldn’t it?”

“I see what you mean. I’m really sorry. I’m so sorry. I even had you escort me out of the hospital.”

The hospital to which I was taken was near the aquarium.

I had surgery there and was hospitalized.

Naturally, it would take some time to come from home.

I was so grateful to Suzuka who came to check on me for a few days, including visiting me at the hospital.

“No, I’m fine. I’m fine.”

“Well, it’s been a while since I’ve been home.”

I didn’t think it would take me this long to get home from the aquarium.

With a bitter smile on my face, we took a cab home, though I was afraid of the fare.

And when we came home, Mom and Dad were away for work.

It felt strange to be home for the first time in a while.

“Well, how’s my accident going?”

“It’s been confirmed that we will pay for all the medical treatment. The lawyer said I can claim some money for damages.”

“That’s good to know.”

The cost of treatment, including surgery and hospitalization.

It’s a painful expense, even though I usually win the lottery.

“It’s inconvenient that I can only use …… my left hand.”

“Isn’t it about time for your medicine?”

Suzuka prepares water for me.

I pour the water down with the medicine I got home.

“I’m a little tired. I’m going to bed.”

I go to my room and sleep.

It had been a long time since I slept on my bed, which was completely occupied by Suzuka, as I had trouble putting down the futon with one hand.

When I woke up, it was night.

When I went to the living room, my mother and father had come home.

Apparently, they were talking about my injury with Suzuka.

“Mom, Dad, I’m home. And welcome home.”

“Yuki, welcome back. How are your wounds?”

“It still hurts, but I’m fine.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Speaking of which, I know you’ve been wiping yourself off, but go take a bath for the first time in a while. As long as you cover yourself with a bag and don’t get wet, you’re good to go, right?”

“Well, I guess so. But it’s hard to do with one hand, so why don’t you help me with the bag?”

“Oh dear, you don’t have to ask me, Yuki has a lovely wife.”

Mom looks over at Suzuka.

Then Suzuka rolls a bag in my hand.

“I’m going to go in …….”

I went to the bathroom with a towel and clothes in my left hand, but for some reason Suzuka came to the bathroom as well.

“What’s wrong?”

“Mother-in-law said I should go help Yuki bathe.”

“…… I see. We act like lovers, but formally we are a married couple.”

“So, what are you going to do?”

“I’ll go in alone if you don’t want to.”

“Hmmm. If I say I don’t mind, I don’t mind, okay? But, you know, it’s kind of awkward to say, how should I say it ……”

It is me and Suzuka, who have never even kissed before.

Washing in the bath, that’s too much of a hurdle.

We’re even just going at a slow pace.

There was no way she wouldn’t flinch at the act of skipping several flights of stairs.

But, however…

Mom came to check on us in the changing room.

“Oh, you haven’t entered yet?”

“Why did you come?”

“I’m worried about my son.”

As soon as she said that, she left.

I know because I am a family member.

Mom will definitely come back to the changing room.

What if Suzuka doesn’t help me and waits for me when she does?

Of course they would be suspicious.

If they suspect discord, that’s when mom’s meddling will hit us.

“If I don’t wash Yuki, there will be a lot of trouble, so I will wash you. I mean, Yuki was injured protecting me in the first place. Let me take care of you normally?”

“I understand. Then, please.”

“Just keep the towel around your waist, okay?”

“I don’t have a hobby that I enjoy showing off to you, and I’m going to wrap up. Turn around.”

I made her turn around and take off my clothes.

After wrapping the towel around my waist, Suzuka and I went to the bathroom.

I sat down on a chair and Suzuka picked up a sponge and started to wash me.

“After all, you don’t have to do this, okay?”

Now that Suzuka is also in the bathroom.

We are the only ones who can know what’s going on inside the fogged up room.

Mom must think I’m washing as usual.

I told her that Suzuka didn’t need to bother washing me.

“‘It’s my fault you have a body like this, so let me take care of it? Yes, turn your back.”

Suzuka starts to wash my back and arms with a scrubbing sponge.

When she starts, I’m a little embarrassed but surprisingly okay with it.

As I told Suzuka at the aquarium, I have a desire to be spoiled.

I can feel that desire being fulfilled.

“….. Damn, it’s too good to have Suzuka do this to me….”

“Well, at the aquarium, did Yuki want to spoil me?　When I asked you, you said you wanted to be spoiled. Do you feel like I’m echoing your desire to be spoiled?”

“It’s so bad it’s echoing all over the place.”

“Ehehe. I see. Then, I’ll do my best. Any itchy spots, customer?”

She scrubbed my body and washed my hair carefully.

Needless to say, I washed the important parts by myself.

After such an experience, we realize.

“We’re not too sexually active, are we?”

“I guess you could say that. Why did I wash Yuki normally without incident? If it had been normal, something would have definitely happened.”

“…… Well, is this how it’s supposed to be?”

“Ummm, yes. Isn’t that possible?”

Hearing Suzuka’s somewhat cryptic response, I made up my mind.

As Suzuka also said, we should still avoid sexual matters.

It was the first morning at home after being discharged from the hospital.

I woke up rubbing my eyes.

“Good morning. Yuki.”

“Oh, yeah. Good morning.”

I returned the greeting and looked over at Suzuka, who was sleeping beside me.

Her sweatshirt pants had slipped down a bit and her underwear was visible.

…… gulp …….

I swallow with fresh saliva.

Yesterday, I concluded that we still need to avoid sexual matters.

The stimulation hits me so hard that I almost forget that.

“My pants are slipping down. …… Oh, Yuki, you saw my underwear that was showing from my pants that were slipping down, didn’t you?”

I got my favorite teasing.

She’d say these things, but when I’d counter with something like, ‘Oh, that was ecchi’ she’d instantly get embarrassed……

“I didn’t see it.”

“Oh, really?”

“Well, I’ll say it then. It was rather naughty.”

Come on, shy away from the initial intention, like you always do.

“Huh? Oh, yeah, I see. Heh.”

Suzuka is shy as usual.

But today, she was a little different from usual.

“I can’t help it. Just a little bit, okay? …… Yes, that’s it!”

She glanced down her pants and shyly showed me her adorable, cute underwear.

I say she did that to me.

I’m already in the habit of concluding that we should still avoid sexual matters, but now it’s getting bad.

“…”

“Hey, quiet, what’s wrong with you?”

“No, no. It’s nothing, okay?”

I want to take it slow and still take care of things like we would.

But can I do that without attacking Suzuka?

“Oh, Yuki. I’ll get you a change of clothes now.”

“You don’t have to go that far, okay?”

“Yuki is allowed to be spoiled because he got hurt as a result of having to cover for me, okay?”

Thus began the days of being spoiled by Suzuka.