Monsoon Romance

The morning began unusually quiet. Haruto, who typically woke to the sound of Aiko's cheerful greeting as she passed by his house on her way to school, noticed her absence immediately. He leaned out of his bedroom window, scanning the street, but she was nowhere to be seen.

He furrowed his brows, concerned. Aiko was never late.

At school, her desk was conspicuously empty. The absence of her chatter left an odd stillness in the classroom. Haruto couldn't focus during lessons, his mind wandering to possibilities—had she overslept? Missed the bus? Was she unwell?

By lunchtime, his worry had grown unbearable. He approached the teacher, Miss Tanaka, to ask about Aiko.

"She called in sick this morning," Miss Tanaka explained kindly. "It seems like just a fever. I'm sure she'll be back soon."

Relieved it wasn't something serious but still worried, Haruto decided to visit Aiko after school. On his way home, he stopped by the corner store and picked up her favorite snacks: rice crackers and a bottle of peach juice. He also grabbed a small bunch of daisies from a street vendor, thinking they might cheer her up.

When he arrived at Aiko's house, her mother greeted him warmly.

"Oh, Haruto! It's so sweet of you to visit," she said, leading him inside. "She's been in bed all day, poor thing. But I think she'll be happy to see you."

He climbed the stairs to Aiko's room, balancing the snacks and flowers in his hands. He knocked softly before entering.

"Aiko?"

The sight of her startled him. Aiko, always so vibrant and full of energy, was tucked under a thick blanket, her face pale and her hair messy. Her usual spark seemed dimmed, but her eyes lit up when she saw him.

"Haruto?" Her voice was hoarse but carried a hint of surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard you were sick," he said, setting the snacks and flowers on her bedside table. "I thought you might need some cheering up."

Aiko smiled weakly, reaching for the daisies. "They're beautiful. Thank you."

"Are you feeling any better?" Haruto asked, pulling a chair close to her bed.

"A little," she admitted. "But it's so boring being stuck here all day. I missed school. What did I miss?"

"Nothing exciting," he replied, shaking his head. "Just the usual lectures and assignments. But I brought the notes for you. Don't worry; I'll help you catch up."

"Of course you will," she teased, her voice soft but playful.

For the next hour, they talked quietly, their conversation interrupted occasionally by Aiko's coughing. Haruto told her about the class's antics, exaggerated stories about their classmates, and how Miss Tanaka had tried—and failed—to draw a perfect circle on the board.

"You're making that up," Aiko said, laughing despite her hoarseness.

"I'm not!" Haruto insisted, grinning. "You should've seen her face when she gave up and just used a plate to trace it."

Aiko's laughter was interrupted by a sneeze, and Haruto quickly handed her a tissue.

"Bless you," he said, watching as she dabbed at her nose.

"Thanks," she murmured. "You're really the best, Haruto. You didn't have to come all the way here."

"I wanted to," he said simply, his tone sincere. "It's not the same without you at school."

Aiko's cheeks flushed, and Haruto wasn't sure if it was from the fever or his words.

Before he left, Aiko's mother called him downstairs for tea.

"You're such a good friend to her," she said, smiling warmly as she poured him a cup. "Aiko talks about you all the time. I think your visit really brightened her day."

Haruto returned to Aiko's room for a final goodbye. She was drowsy now, her eyelids heavy as she fought sleep.

"Get some rest," he said gently, tucking the blanket around her. "I'll see you tomorrow if you're feeling better."

"Thanks for coming, Haruto," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

As he left her house and walked home, Haruto felt a quiet sense of contentment. The day might have been ordinary, but the simple act of showing care had strengthened their bond.

Later that night, as he sat at his desk finishing his homework, Haruto found himself smiling. Even in sickness, Aiko had a way of making the day memorable. And as he closed his notebook, he thought to himself, I'll always be there for her, no matter what.