Spending A Lovey-Dovey College Life With A Spoiled Childhood Friend

We are now on our way back from Oarai Beach, and we’re about halfway home.

 

“It’s a little hot…”

“Hmm, I think it’s better than before.”

“The heat is already gone, what’s wrong?”

 

I felt a sense of discomfort during our conversation. In any case, my body is all right…

 

“It’s nothing, let’s go.”

 

That’s all I said, and urged them to continue the trip. ‘It’s not good to make them worry about something like this,’ I thought. [TLN: that’s a big mistake bruh ._.]

 

On the way back, we still had to go through those dark streets and up and down hills. After some time, we finally arrived at the university when the sun was about to set.

 

“We’re finally here! I’m a little tired…”

“I’m exhausted, too….”

“It’s natural for you guys to be tired, go home and get some rest, all right?”

 

Just like that, we disbanded and went home. I arrived at my apartment after a few minutes of pedaling my bicycle with a tired body.

 

The first thing I did when I entered the house was to turn on the air conditioner because the heat’s really killing me.

 

After that, I slumped down on the floor.

 

“That was really exhausting, but it was fun…”

 

I mumbled and recalled the events of the day. The long distance on my first bike trip was tiring, but I enjoyed the scenery, and Miyu was happy, so I felt it was worth it. Suddenly, I felt something strange.

 

(Is the air conditioner not working?)

 

I checked the temperature setting of the air conditioner, and it was 20 degrees Celsius. Normally, it would be too cold.

 

Come to think of it, even though I thought it was so hot, I didn’t sweat at all.

 

(Maybe because I didn’t drink enough water…)

 

On my way home, I remembered that I hadn’t been drinking much water. Because of that, I took out a sports drink from the refrigerator and drank it.

 

“Huh…?”

 

Some time passed after I drank the sports but I still don’t sweat at all. Something’s wrong, but I don’t know what it is.

 

Then I suddenly remembered what Miyu and Shun-san said earlier.

　

“Heat stroke…!”

 

I was sure of it, but could it be? In a panic, I turned on my computer and searched about it.

 

[Heat stroke, no sweating]

 

One of the pages listed the typical symptoms of heat stroke such as:

 

ChillsLack of SweatIncrease of body temperature

 

etc. were included.

 

(What about my temperature?)

 

With wobbly steps, I picked up the thermometer and managed to take my temperature. The number that came out was,

 

“39.9 degrees Celsius.”

 

(This is really bad!)

 

I panicked and called 119 for an ambulance. Fortunately, I was still conscious and had no trouble answering the call. Shortly after that, The paramedics came and took me to the hospital.

 

Then, at the hospital where I was taken to.

 

“It’s a heat stroke.”

 

The doctor assured me while I was lying down on the hospital bed. There was an IV in my hand and an ice pillow on my forehead.

 

“Is that so?”

“Yes, If you had been one step slower, you might have died.”

“I might have died!?”

“Yes, Heat stroke can cause a variety of symptoms, but this is one of the most serious symptoms.”

 

I was horrified when I learned that I was at the crossroad between life and death.

 

“Am I going to be okay?”

“Well, you are conscious and your body temperature is starting to drop, so I think you should be fine.”

“I understand.”

 

I was relieved when I heard that. It looks like I don’t have to worry about dying for now.

 

“But, I’m afraid you’ll have to stay in the hospital.”

“I need to stay?”

“There are some abnormalities in the blood test. We’ll see how you feel until the values return to normal.”

“I understand, how long will it take?”

“I can’t tell you exactly how many days, but it should be done in about a week.”

“For…a week?”

“Yes, and of course, we’ll take care of you accordingly so you can get better sooner.”

 

It’s a longer period than I expected. Of course, it was a small price to pay compared to dying, but it was a bit depressing.

 

After the doctor explained about my hospitalisation, I was taken to a private room. It seemed that private rooms were more expensive, so I talked to my dad about it.

 

 “I’ll pay that much for you. So, get some rest.”

 

He said so with concern.

 

Late at night, as I was lying in bed in my hospital room, in a daze, I heard footsteps coming from the hallway.

 

“Ryu-kun, are you okay!!?

“Ah, it’s Miyu…”

 

I had given her my phone number as an emergency contact. But, I had forgotten all about it.

 

“Don’t just ‘ah, it’s Miyu’ me!”

“I’m sorry to bother you…”

“Don’t worry about that! So, are you feeling okay!? Are you going to die!?”

 

Miyu was terribly worried. So I can’t just say to her, “If I had been a little later, I might have died.”

 

“They said it was just a heat stroke and that I’d need to stay in the hospital for about a week.”

 

I said that as cheerfully as I could.

 

“I was really worried about you! I was so surprised when I heard you were taken away to the hospital…”

 

Miyu said so with a tearful voice.

 

“I’m so sorry for making you worry.”

 

I hugged the teary-eyed Miyu to reassure her.

 

“You should be… so, is there anything you need?”

“Anything I need…?”

“If you’re hospitalised you need things like phone charger, change of clothes, and stuff like that, right?”

“Ah, I forgot…”

 

I was in a life and death situation, so I hadn’t thought about it that far ahead.

 

“Can’t blame you for that… anyways, can I use your keys?”

“Sorry for causing you a lot of trouble…”

“You don’t have to worry about that.”

“I should’ve worn a hat…”

“You really should have. You’re so careless about your own body.”

 

I don’t know what to say about that.

 

“But…!”

 

Then, Miyu gave me a hug.

 

“I’m glad you’re alright.”

 

And like that, my long bicycle trip came to an end with my hospitalisation.