{A Promise Between Us 1}

As the last two pages of the moon-turning calendar come into view, I start to feel a bit restless.

This is because my birthday is in November.

When I was a child, I was happy that my parents would come home early, and we could go out to eat a feast as a family. In high school, I was just happy to receive a little extra pocket money.

And now, the best part is that my girlfriend celebrates my birthday with me every year.

“Atsushi-kun, what do you want for your birthday this year?”

Unlike last year when she asked me when we met, this year she brought it up at the dinner table.

I calmly answered, trying to hide my inner excitement of “I’ve been waiting for this.”

“My birthday? Just having you celebrate it with me makes me happy.”

This was, of course, my true feeling.

To be honest, just remembering my birthday was enough for me. And if she could just cutely say “Happy Birthday” to me on the day itself, that would be perfect.

“Oh no, I want to give you a present!”

However, Miyu pouted cutely at my words.

“I received a wonderful present for my birthday, so it wouldn’t be fair if I don’t give you something, Atsushi-kun.”

“Just the thought is enough for me.”

While this was also my genuine feeling, I knew she wouldn’t be satisfied with that. If someone said the same thing to me, I wouldn’t just back down easily.

So, I made a suggestion.

“How about we have a meal together? We could also drink some alcohol if you’d like.”

Actually, I had recently discovered a place I was interested in. It was a dining bar on the main street, recommended by a friend from university. It had a reputation for being quieter than the usual izakaya, with a more relaxed atmosphere. I had heard that their hot pot dishes were recommended for the season and that we could enjoy a leisurely meal in a private room with a sunken kotatsu.

When I mentioned this, Miyu’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

“Hot pot, huh… that sounds good. I’ve never eaten hot pot at a restaurant before.”

“If that’s the case, it’s perfect. Let’s go there on my birthday.”

“But is it really okay for your birthday to just be a meal?”

She still seemed a bit unsatisfied, but to me, it was more than enough. Just being able to celebrate my birthday together with her made me happy. And if the hot pot turned out to be as delicious as rumored, that would be even better.

“Of course it’s okay; I’m really looking forward to it.”

“…Got it. I’m looking forward to it too!”

It seemed that my enthusiastic nodding made Miyu accept the idea.

With the weather getting colder lately, the hot pot we’d share would surely be wonderful. I quickly made a reservation at that restaurant and spent my days eagerly waiting for my upcoming birthday.

However…

On a chilly morning just three days before my birthday, I woke up feeling strangely hot.

Miyu, sleeping beside me, felt unusually warm, and it seemed like the heat was trapped under the blankets. The high temperature of the first touch to her hand instantly woke me up, and I sat up to look at her face.

Her cheeks were bright red, her slightly parted lips were dry, and her breathing looked labored.

Noticing my presence, she opened her eyes slightly.

“Atsushi-kun…”

She called my name with a hoarse voice, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words.

“Miyu, I think you have a fever.”

“It seems so…”

Without needing to check her forehead, I could tell she wasn’t feeling well.

I hurriedly grabbed a thermometer, and within seconds, the digital reading shot up to thirty-eight degrees.

“You should take a rest today. Let’s go to the hospital.”

Unfortunately, it was a weekday, but there was no way she could go to work with this fever. And if it was over thirty-eight degrees, it might not just be a simple cold. It seemed best for her to get a proper checkup.

“Can you contact your workplace yourself?”

“Hmm…”

Miyu answered in a voice that barely resembled a response and managed to sit up to call her workplace.

However, it seemed she exhausted herself in the process, and afterward, she lay limp on the bed, too weak to eat breakfast.

I helped her get dressed and took her to a nearby clinic.

Fortunately, the hospital wasn’t too crowded, and I supported her as she leaned against me while we waited for the consultation. Although Miyu went into the examination room by herself, I was called in by a nurse afterward.

“Are you a family member?”

“Uh, yes. I live with her.”

“Ms. Sato has been diagnosed with influenza. Here are some materials for you to read, just in case.”

The nurse handed me a leaflet without much concern for my identity, appearing to be quite used to it.

It contained information about influenza, advising to finish the prescribed medication, and to avoid going out for two days after the fever subsides to prevent spreading the infection.

I took Miyu home after the consultation, carrying the prescribed medication.

After giving her the medicine and putting her back in bed, I headed out to do some shopping by myself.

Thinking back, ever since we started living together, neither of us had been sick, and we had been in perfect health. Because of that, we hadn’t stocked up on essentials for when you catch a cold, like cooling sheets or ice pillows. It seemed wise to take this opportunity to purchase some—though I was feeling fine now, there was no telling when I might show symptoms myself.