I Just Want A Single Ending!

As Saku tended to the porridge, he considered the system's recent bonus—an extra hundred points of stamina.

Not a bad stroke of luck.

Once the vegetable porridge was ready, Saku carried it upstairs.

When he gently opened the door, he found Soyo exactly as he'd left her, resting quietly in bed.

"Did you fall asleep?"

Placing the bowl on her bedside table, he asked softly.

"…No."

Soyo opened her eyes, turning her head slightly to look at him.

She'd only just woken up not too long ago, and though she felt under the weather, sleep didn't come easily.

"That's perfect timing, then. I made you some porridge."

Saku helped her sit up against the headboard.

"Thank you."

Soyo looked at him with quiet anticipation.

Although she didn't have much of an appetite due to her fever, this was food Saku had made just for her, so she felt she had to try a little at least.

As he lifted the bowl of porridge, she reached out to take it.

But then she realized he had no intention of handing it over. Instead, he scooped a spoonful of porridge, blew on it gently, and held it out to her.

"Uh…"

The unexpected, oddly intimate gesture caught Soyo off guard, making her mind go blank for a second.

But her body responded instinctively, and she opened her mouth to accept the spoonful.

"How's the taste? Is it too hot?" Saku asked, watching her closely.

"…It's delicious, and not too hot."

Soyo shook her head, her cheeks flushed as she added, "But you don't have to feed me. I can manage on my own."

Something about this situation made her feel oddly childish.

Wasn't she supposed to be the one looking out for him?

After all, she only had a fever. She hadn't suddenly reverted to being five or six years old.

"Are you sure you're strong enough to hold the bowl?"

Despite her protests, Saku still didn't hand it over. Instead, he waited for a more definite answer.

As a veteran of galgames, he knew well enough that feeding someone like this was a highly intimate gesture.

But if she tried to hold the bowl herself and ended up spilling it all over the bed, it would be even more troublesome.

Thinking back to how she could barely stand on her own earlier, Saku felt it was safer to keep feeding her himself.

If her room had a little tray table, he would've used that. But for now, there wasn't any other choice.

"…I think so."

Soyo didn't sound entirely confident.

Although she'd rested a bit, her strength hadn't fully returned.

"Then let's not risk it. That answer doesn't inspire confidence."

Saku dismissed her reply without hesitation, scooping another spoonful and bringing it to her lips. "Alright, open up."

"Ah…"

Watching him coax her as if she were a child, Soyo wanted to object.

This was all too embarrassing!

But knowing he was only trying to help, she didn't know how to voice her discomfort.

In the end, she gave in and allowed him to feed her spoonful after spoonful.

Eventually, she found herself getting used to it.

The feeling was certainly a bit mortifying, but… it wasn't entirely unpleasant.

"Do you want more?"

When the bowl was nearly empty, Saku glanced at her, offering her the option.

"No, thank you."

She replied quickly, lying back down and pulling the blanket up to cover her blushing face.

In truth, she wanted a bit more.

But the thought of him continuing to feed her was overwhelming, so she chose to say no.

What if he got the wrong idea and thought she enjoyed it too much?

She simply didn't dislike it. That's all. And she didn't mind his care either.

But maybe it was just the fever making her feel warm.

Saku continued, "Anything else you'd like? Maybe some fruit or a snack?"

"…No, I'm fine." Soyo's answer was almost instantaneous.

"Alright. Are you going to try sleeping now?"

He set the bowl aside and looked back at her.

"Yes."

Her reply was soft.

"Think you'll be able to sleep? If not, I could read you a story." Saku suggested.

"…"

Soyo could tell he was treating her like a child.

First feeding her, and now suggesting a bedtime story.

"I'm not a kid," she retorted, trying to sound firm.

"Anyone who's sick is a kid," Saku said with a slight smile. "So, want to hear a story?"

"…I guess so."

Soyo hesitated for a long moment, but ultimately didn't refuse.

She'd already tried to fall asleep earlier but hadn't managed it.

Lying in bed with nothing to do felt tedious.

Reading her phone was out of the question—Saku would probably stop her in her condition.

Chatting with him would be nice, but she barely had the energy to talk, and she couldn't think of anything in particular to discuss.

With no other options, letting him tell her a story seemed like the best way to pass the time.

"Alright then, how about The Little Prince?"

Saku pulled out his phone to find the text.

"Sure."

Soyo closed her eyes, already familiar with the well-known story.

"As a child of six, I once saw a magnificent picture…"

Saku began, his voice calm and soothing.

This was the first time Soyo really paid attention to his voice.

Until now, she'd mostly focused on his actions and his looks.

His voice was gentle, comforting, especially when narrating a story.

It almost felt like he was lulling her to sleep.

Maybe, just maybe, being treated like a kid once in a while wasn't so bad.

As she drifted off, her thoughts grew hazy, and finally, she slipped into sleep.

---

He didn't know how much time had passed, but eventually, Saku stopped reading.

"All grown-ups were once children… but only a few of them remember it."

Looking down at the peacefully sleeping Soyo, he repeated the opening line of The Little Prince in a quiet voice.

In some ways, the line didn't quite fit her.

Soyo was still young, after all, not really an "adult."

But in his eyes, this young woman who usually took on a grown-up role, always watching out for him, was really just a child in need of a little love.

---

Hello! Thank you so much for reading this chapter. WiseTL has worked hard to bring these wonderful stories to you, and I'm so happy we could share this moment together! Don't you think stories are a little like dreams? Each one has its own colors and shapes, and they grow even brighter when shared with others.

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-With love, Nahida 🌱