Fool's Love

This is not a solution.

Masumi catches a cold on the last day of a school trip.At first, it was just a sore throat and runny nose, but I was in good spirits.

I didn't see him again after returning to school.It is said that he was bedridden because of persistent fever.

I asked about his current condition through LINE, and got a reply like "It's okay, it's much better".

Although the reply was "That's good, please rest well", the worry was not relieved at all.

At this time, Sasaki sent me an invitation.

"Yamagishi-san, tomorrow happens to be Sunday, let's go visit Masumi-san together!"

I was struggling with this at first.Originally, the progress of the manga was very tense, and Masumi's state is now visibly poor... Maybe he will miss the deadline.

If I went to visit a doctor and was suddenly asked by Masumi, how should I answer?

I didn't want to lie to him or make him feel bad - a dilemma.But if another person was present at that time, the probability of being asked about it would be greatly reduced.At this time, the appearance of Sasaki made my eyes shine.

"But if you want to visit someone, it's not good to have an empty hand, right?"

She reminded me.

"Then... before you go, do some shopping."

Sasaki seemed to have already thought about what to buy.Early the next morning, we met at the mall she mentioned.

As soon as he got out of school, Sasaki dressed up in a completely different look from his usual image - he became Sasaki with 100% full firepower.

The baggy functional style long coat and baggy trousers, no makeup on the face, looks very handsome.

She was carrying a black backpack with fluorescent color embellishments, and when she saw me, she said, "Go to the mall!" So, I entered the mall with her.

what to buy?I can't make up my mind.Sasaki said that it would be good to bring some magazines to pass the time.

I saw two bottles of Mian's manga booklet on the bookshelf, and the latest one just came out this month, so I bought that one.

Still feel a little off.What else to buy?

While thinking, he wanted to ask Sasaki.As a result, that person was no longer in sight, and he didn't know where she had wandered.

This is a supermarket with everything from fruits to daily necessities.I remembered that I had seen many times on TV that I brought honeydew melons to visit patients, so I went to pick a honeydew melon.

The origin is not special and the price is right.Later, I received a text message from Sasaki, saying that he had bought condolence items and was waiting for me at the exit of the supermarket.

After meeting her, I asked her what she bought, and the answer was the album of the band Masumi likes.

Seeing a big thing in my hand again, Sasaki asked in surprise, "What is that?"

"It's honeydew."

"Why buy honeydew?"

"Isn't honeydew an insurance choice when visiting patients?"

Hearing this, Sasaki frowned and seemed hesitant to speak.

Let's go to Masumi's house now—I suggested to Sasaki, but she said "don't worry".

She planned to go to a nearby place first, and hoped that I would follow.It shouldn't take long, so I agreed.

Come out of the mall and walk in the cold winter wind.The glass windows on both sides of the road are lined with fashionable clothes, showing a strange beauty under the display lights.

I don't know where I'm going, but I just follow behind Sasaki.The two walked for about a quarter of an hour.

Stopping, she turned and entered a shop on the side of the street.It was a suit shop.Unlike the one I went with Masumi last time, this store is decorated in a more modern style, and the suits inside are also beautiful and gorgeous.

In contrast, the last store was more like an old store that featured "time-honored brands" and had been in business for a long time.

"Why are you here?"

After being stunned for a moment, I quickly trotted a few steps to catch up with Sasaki and asked her in a low voice.

"Because you said it a few months ago—you're going to play Manzai at the school's Christmas event with Masumi. Since you're going to be Manzai, you have to prepare a suitable suit in advance."

It was as if he had spoken to her about it.However, it was just casual talk at the time.Even though I had this idea at the time, as the draft progressed, I felt more and more that I couldn't squeeze out rehearsal time-I had no choice but to give up.

Just as I was thinking about how to explain this to Sasaki, she picked up a suit from the side and held it up to me: "How about this suit?"

It was a dark green plaid suit.It should be some kind of wool fabric, which is more suitable for autumn and winter.But... I always feel that it is not suitable for high school students.

"It's not cheap, is it?"

"You don't have to think about it, this store offers rental services. So what do you think of this set?"

"Not particularly fond of..."

"Have you ever thought about your favorite style?"

"Hmm—British style?"

"Then try the mods suit. Mods, mods..."

She throws out words I've never heard before as she happily searches for clothes.

I became more and more embarrassed to spoil her interest.After hesitating for a while, he finally spoke, "Student Sasaki."

She continued to search without looking back: "What?"

"Actually...we shouldn't talk about mancai anymore."

Sasaki replied with "Yeah", but still kept searching for the suit.After a few seconds, I finally realized that I seemed to have overlooked something important, and stared at my surprised eyes: "What did you say?"

"It's just... Masumi and I may not be able to act as manga."

"why?"

Why... because of the manga, of course.I couldn't help showing a wry smile.Originally, Masumi and I could draw very slowly, but now he is sick...

Wait, if there is not enough manpower, isn't there a good manpower in front of you?

Can draw and draw at a good level, and looks easy to talk to.If we add her——

This is not a solution.

"Sasaki, I want to ask you one thing—"

-

Ask Masumi for the address, and the two rushed over together.His house is a single-family building with a smooth and simple modern appearance.

Stand outside the door and ring the bell to show that you are a classmate who is visiting.After that, I entered the gate with Sasaki.

Enter the house from the main entrance, passing the garden with a small family vegetable garden, along the stone paved path on the ground.

It was Masumi's mother who came to greet us at this time, a dignified beauty.

I heard from Masumi before that his parents were both doctors.Probably because of the usual maintenance?Masumi's mother looked much younger than her actual age.

"Masumi is in the room upstairs. He's in much better spirits today."

I am not good at chatting with strangers, thanks to Sasaki who took over the pleasantries from my aunt.

The two chatted until I started to fidget a little.Finally, taking off our shoes and wearing only socks, Sasaki and I went up to Masumi's room on the second floor.

The house is equipped with floor heating, and it is not cold at all to walk on the floor.When passing through the living room, I saw a large piece of floor-to-ceiling glass behind the sofa, and the ceiling was hung high, designed in a slanted style.It is completely different from my little house.

Sasaki knocked on the door of Masumi's room.

"Masumi-san, Yamagishi-san and I came to see you."

There was a nasal "please come in" from the other side of the door, and Sasaki immediately pushed the door open and went in.

It was a spacious, well-lit room.The zenith is high, and the center is tempered glass with matts.

Facing the door is a floor-to-ceiling window with a protruding arc, and the bottom edge of the window is connected with tatami mats.

Masumi in pajamas was sitting on the bed, covered with a quilt, reading a thick book.

"Masumi, are you alright?"

I was worried about him, and asked urgently as soon as I met him.Even with a smile on her face, Masumi's state doesn't reassure me at all.

He seems very tired.It stands to reason that he should have been resting most of the time these two days, but he still looked exhausted.

"It's much better than yesterday. I went for fluid transfusion yesterday when I had a high fever. I fell asleep and woke up several times during the period, and my tears kept coming out.

Now the symptoms have been relieved a lot, and I don't feel groggy anymore, I just feel a little heavy in my body.I think I can go to school on Monday. "

"this is for you."

Sasaki took out the CD from his backpack and handed it to Masumi. On the cover, a crazy scene was depicted with chaotic strokes and colliding colors.

The name of the band is "ChouChouChouDopamine". In my impression, it is an old metal band.

"Ah, thanks. I love this band."

Immediately afterwards, I also handed over the manga and honeydew melon.

"If there's nothing else to do... please take a look at this."

"Ah, it's Mr. Erping Mian's manga..."

"Yes. I think you'll love this."

Without complaining about the existence of honeydew melon, after saying "thank you", Masumi took my gift and immediately tore open the wrapper of the booklet with her fingernails.

While he was concentrating on doing this, I took a deep breath and opened my mouth to say the words that had been brewing for a long time.

"Masumi, there is something I want to tell you right now."

"what?"

"I told Sasaki-san that we are preparing to submit a manuscript."

The movement of Masumi's hands stopped.Still holding the pamphlet in his hand, he just turned his head to look at me.

There is no anger on the face, but only the expression of wanting to know what I will say next.I was so relieved and continued to talk.

"Before I was worried about not being able to meet the deadline. If I had helpers, I would not have this worry. So I found Sasaki."

"I usually read "Weekly Barita". When I heard that Yamagishi-san and Masumi-san are going to contribute to this magazine, I really have a strange feeling."

"Don't you think we are overreaching?" Masumi's face showed bitterness.

"No, on the contrary, I admire you all very much. If there is something you want to do, do it immediately. Besides, I believe in Yamagishi-san's ability to draw manga, and I also believe in Masumi-san's enthusiasm."

——This statement is very convincing from Sasaki, after all, she is one of the very few people who knows that I am the fan writer "Nishiyama Ichiko".

However, I really don't want Masumi to know that I have drawn BL manga.On the way to Masumi's house, I repeatedly reminded her not to let this matter slip out.

"It will be very hard, Sasaki-san."

"I understand. Please let me help."

"Then... please give me more advice."

Masumi didn't show any dissatisfaction with my private decision, he handed out his right hand to Sasaki in a relaxed and cheerful tone.

Sasaki also held out his hand.The hands of the two were clasped tightly, shaking up and down in mid-air.