Green plums cannot become lovers.

"...Around two o'clock, I think." Kasumigaoka Utaha's voice was hoarse, with a strong nasal tone.

"Really." An and Asuka sighed helplessly, "Senior, you need to take good care of yourself."

He got up to pour himself a glass of hot water, and then took out the cold medicine he always carried with him from his bag—this was something Shizuka had specially put in before she left home, just in case.

After preparing the medicine, he took the cup back to the bedside.

"Here, drink your medicine."

Kasumigaoka Utaha tried to sit up, but she was too weak and failed twice.

Seeing this, An and Asuka sat down on the edge of the bed, put one hand on her shoulder, gently lifted her up, and let her lean against them.

"Slower."

He held the medicine cup to her lips.

Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned against the boy's warm chest, the faint scent of soap wafting from him. She paused for a moment, then lowered her head and sipped her medicine.

The medicine was bitter, but I felt inexplicably sweet inside.

In front of outsiders, she has always appeared mature and calm. She is the ever-composed Kasumigaoka Utaha, the genius girl who can leave Eriri speechless.

Few people take care of her like this.

Few people could make her willing to be taken care of like that.

She tilted her head slightly to look at the boy's profile.

He was intently watching the medicine cup, carefully controlling the angle of tilt, afraid that the liquid might burn her or spill. His brow was slightly furrowed, his expression as serious as a child completing an important task.

She suddenly remembered the kiss from last night.

I remember his unguarded sleeping face.

I recall my heart pounding at that moment.

"Junior."

"Ok?"

“No,” she paused, “Asuka-kun… feels more like an older brother to me.”

An and Asuka were stunned for a moment, then looked down at her.

"what?"

"Brother," Kasumigaoka Utaha called out, her voice a little hoarse from a cold, but with a hint of mischievous amusement.

She just wanted to tease the boy.

I want to see how he reacts.

An and Asuka paused for a second, then raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, Shiyu-chan."

Kasumigaoka Utaha was stunned.

She didn't expect him to respond like that.

But soon, the mischievousness in her eyes deepened.

If we're going to play, let's play big.

"Then..." she adjusted her tone slightly, making her voice softer, "Brother..."

That "brother" was so sweet it was almost cloying.

An and the bird's bones were half numb.

"Yes, Shiyu, little sister." He forced himself to continue.

"Brother," Kasumigaoka Utaha continued, her voice growing sweeter, "Utaha feels so bad..."

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly exerted her strength and pushed An and Asuka down onto the bed.

The medicine cup in his hand rolled onto the carpet with a dull thud.

Kasumigaoka Utaha pressed herself against him, her cheeks flushed from the fever, but a dangerous glint flashed in her wine-red eyes.

“Brother,” she looked down at him, “can you comfort me?”

An and Asuka were stunned.

The two locked eyes.

He could feel her body temperature through her thin nightgown. Her breath brushed against his face, carrying the warmth characteristic of someone with a cold.

"Senior, senior..."

His voice was a little hoarse.

Seeing his rare moment of embarrassment, Kasumigaoka Utaha felt a surge of mischievous delight.

She was about to continue—

Squeak.

The door was pushed open.

"Shiyu, I bought breakfast and I'm on my way back—"

Machida Sonoko's voice abruptly stopped.

She stood in the doorway, holding a plastic bag from the convenience store, her eyes fixed on the two people on the bed.

Kasumigaoka Utaha was on top of Anwa and Asuka, their posture was ambiguous and their clothes were disheveled.

The air froze for three seconds.

Machida Sonoko blinked.

Then--

"Oh dear, I didn't see anything."

She turned around quickly, as if to leave.

"and many more!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha finally came to her senses and quickly scrambled off An and Asuka. Because of the sudden movement, she felt dizzy and almost fell over.

An and Asuka reacted quickly and caught her.

"Senior, you still have a fever."

"……I know."

Kasumigaoka Utaha lowered her head, her voice muffled.

Yin Qi Liu Yi San 2 Er Ji U Er, but her bright red ears betrayed her.

Machida Sonoko stood at the doorway, her back to them, but her shoulders were trembling slightly.

"Um..." Her voice held a clear hint of amusement, "You guys continue? I'll come back later?"

“Ms. Machida!” Kasumigaoka Utaha’s voice finally regained its usual calmness, but if you listened carefully, you could still hear a hint of embarrassment and annoyance. “It’s not what you think.”

"Oh?" Machida Sonoko turned around, a mischievous smile on her face. "What is it? Tell me about it?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha opened her mouth, but found that she couldn't explain herself.

Should I say, "I pushed down and flirted with a junior student because I had a cold and fever, and the editor caught me doing it"?

It's better not to explain at all.

An and Asuka remained calm, helping Kasumigaoka Utaha sit down, and then getting up to pick up the cups from the ground.

“Machida-san, my senior has a fever,” Anwa Asuka said. “38.2 degrees Celsius.”

"You have a fever?" Machida Sonoko's smile faded as she walked over and touched Kasumigaoka Utaha's forehead. "You really do. What happened?"

"I wrote too late last night," An and Asuka explained, "and caught a cold."

Machida Sonoko glanced at him, then at Kasumigaoka Utaha, her eyes conveying a meaningful look.

"So what was that just now... "

"Take your temperature," Kasumigaoka Utaha said expressionlessly.

What posture is needed to take a body temperature?

"need."

Machida Sonoko couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, alright, whatever you say goes." She put breakfast on the table. "Eat first, then take your medicine. Just rest in your room today, there's no rush to gather materials."

"Mm," Kasumigaoka Utaha responded, keeping her head down and not looking at her.

Machida Sonoko walked to the door, then turned back.

"Poetry Feather".

"Ok?"

"Get some rest. Don't take advantage of your illness to bully Asuka-kun."

Xia Erliu erlI Yishui Lengba Erzhiqiu Shiyu's movements froze for a moment.

Machida Sonoko smiled and closed the door.

-

The room fell silent.

Kasumigaoka Utaha sat on the edge of the bed, head down, lost in thought.

An and Asuka put the cup down and poured another cup of hot water next to her.

"Senior, let's eat something first."

"……Um."

The two ate their breakfast in silence.

Outside the window, the clouds gradually dispersed, revealing a corner of blue sky.

After a while, Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly spoke.

"Asuka-kun".

"Ok?"

“Just now…” she paused, “I’m sorry.”

An and Asuka were taken aback.

"It's nothing." An and Asuka shook their heads: "Senior is sick and her mind isn't clear, which is understandable."

"...Who are you calling mentally challenged?"

"Senior."

Kasumigaoka Utaha glared at him, but did not refute him.

The two remained silent for a while.

Then, Kasumigaoka Utaha whispered:

"However, I do want to do that."

An and Asuka looked at her.

"I wanted to tease you," she admitted. "I wanted to see you panic, I wanted...to get closer."

She didn't look at him, but stared at the cup in her hand.

“I know you have a girlfriend. I know they are important to you. I also know I shouldn’t have these thoughts.”

She paused.

"But I can't control it."

An and Asuka remained silent.

“Last night,” she continued, “I did something.”