Chapter 38: She Had Always Admired This Charming Side Of His

"No, you should go home now. Don't wait until later!"

Hisaki quickly dragged the drenched Heisuke home. She just ignored the drowning man, Masaru's words when he insisted to pay her his gratitude.

Heisuke also flat-out refused the same offer. Somehow, he didn't like the adoring look that man gave Hisaki.

The blank Masaru didn't know why did the older brother look at him as if they were enemies. He could only forlornly watch the pretty fairy sister go away with that man.

Thus, both of them left the beach by sitting in the back of a truck.

Because of his current condition, Heisuke politely rejected when the restaurant's owner offered him a ride on the truck. He didn't want to wet the seat. But, after some persuasion, he finally agreed.

One of the staff drove the pickup truck to bring both of them home.

Hisaki didn't have the time to enjoy the wind brushing past her. Her focus was entirely on Heisuke. It was worrisome if the cold seawater caused him feverish later.

"Take a hot shower. Dry yourself properly. Ah, avoid drinking cold water. It's better if you only drink warm drinks for now. Do you feel alright? Is your nose stuffy? How about your head? Do you have a headache?"

What answered Hisaki's questions laced with genuine worries was Heisuke's chuckle. He glanced at the young lady sitting next to him. It was as clear as day how worried she was about him.

"I'll make some hot tea later. I don't have a headache nor stuffy nose," answered him patiently.

Hisaki wanted to say more but, she was fearful that Heisuke would find her nagging troublesome. If only they were already lovers in this life, she could directly take care of him as how she had always done before.

"You're brave and kind ah. When people were panicking, you already jumped into the sea," said Hisaki.

Instead of trying to change the subject, it was what she really felt.

This was not the first time Hisaki saw her old man plunge headlong to help someone. Despite his generally calm nature, Heisuke wouldn't hesitate to offer his help if it was ever needed.

Hisaki had always admired this charming side of his. This was one of the many reasons why she found him so endearing.

"I did it just because I could swim well."

Heisuke's earlobes were on fire as he averted his gaze from her bright eyes imbued with admiration. The warmth quickly spread to his face. It was a stark contrast to the chill his body trying to endure right now.

Hisaki smiled faintly, trying to mask the bitterness in her heart.

While she admired his helpful side, it was also hard for her to accept if something dangerous befell him in the process.

"Still... you need to think of yourself."

Her voice was so quiet yet, he heard it clearly.

Heisuke coughed awkwardly. He responded, "You're courageous too. If you didn't help that man, his condition might worsen."

Until now, Heisuke couldn't help but feel nasty toward the image of her giving rescue breaths to the man's mouth. It was something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Nevertheless, her actions did save the young man's life.

'Get a grip, Heisuke. It was nothing. Nothing, really...'

Hisaki didn't say anything to his words. She lowered her face and blinked her eyes away, hoping the wind would quickly dry them from pooling.

The clock had just hit a quarter past six when the truck pulled up in front of the gate. The sun would set soon.

"Take a warm shower, Heisuke!" The middle-aged man who drove the truck reminded Heisuke, "Don't you have work tonight? Dress warmly ah."

"Thank you, Uncle Shuji," Heisuke gave the man a respectful bow, "Drive safely."

"Thank you for bringing us home, mister," Hisaki also did the same.

Soon, Uncle Shuji left.

"En, has Aunt Yasumi arrived home?" asked Hisaki before they parted ways to their respective staircases.

Usually, the middle-aged lady clocked out at four to five in the late afternoon. But, sometimes she had to stay at the inn if there was any required engagement.

"My mom said she would return late today. The inn has an important banquet," Heisuke's gaze fell on the flower bed on the right side of the yard. The amber and ruby streaks of the sunlight cast an orange glow on the bed, "Have you watered the flower today?"

Instead of being bewildered by the yellow flowers, Heisuke had made peace with them. He actually looked forward to seeing the petals bloom on a sunny day.

Hisaki's eyes moved from Heisuke's face to the flower bed. She replied with a smile, "Daffodils do not need much water. It's alright to just lightly water it every day. I have done it before going to work today."

Suddenly, she was reminded of something. Hisaki looked again at Heisuke.

"Speaking of it, could you go to work tonight? Wouldn't it be better if you take a leave? I think Mr. Kajiwara will understand if you tell him why."

"I can handle this much," Heisuke gave her a helpless smile, "My shift won't start until twelve. I can have a few hours of good sleep before work."

"Alright... Hurry up! I shouldn't keep you here," sighed Hisaki.

Even though he had the towel to shield him from the wind, it was not ideal. Her old man might suffer from a cold. He really needed to take countermeasures against the chills.

Heisuke's smile deepened, "You too, go to rest."

He headed to the left staircase while she ascended the right one.

Right after Heisuke entered the empty apartment, he took off his wet shirt and pants. He shuddered when a gust of wind blew inside from the windows. Without delaying anymore, he rushed to take a shower.

To be frank, he had long felt the chill but, he didn't want to make her worrier. The constant stream of advice coming from her was enough to show how much she was concerned about him.

And... he didn't find her annoying.

Heisuke wore a long-sleeved T-shirt and pants while waiting for the hot water to boil on the stove. He rubbed his short hair dry, trying to stay as warm as he could. It would be painful if he really went down with a fever.

Knock! Knock!

Heisuke's attention drifted to the door. A faint shadow materialized at the closed front windows.

"Heisuke, are you there?"

The familiar soft voice echoed from the outside.

Perplexed, Heisuke quickly responded as he immediately rushed to the entryway, "Hisaki? What's wrong?"

When he opened the door, he found that Hisaki was still in her outfit earlier. The same anxious look on her face was imprinted in his gaze.

"Ah, you've taken a shower. En... I made you some ginger tea with honey. Please have some before you rest."

Heisuke had just noticed there was a thermal flask in Hisaki's hands.

"...thank you. You don't have to trouble yourself."

While the words flowed out of his mouth, a strange feeling took a root inside his heart.

How could he say it? It reminded him of the warmth of a sunny day when the sun outpoured its light on him.

"It's nothing," Hisaki smiled but, the worry in her eyes had yet to fade, "Ah, do you have anything to eat? You shouldn't go to sleep with an empty stomach."

"I have eaten at the restaurant," Heisuke's gaze softened, "It's a staff meal. Quite fulfilling."

"Oh... that's good. Have a rest, then," Hisaki randomly scratched one side of her neck, "I won't disturb you any longer. See you later. Don't forget to take medicine if needed."

"Thanks again."

Hisaki gave him one last smile before she returned to her apartment. Heisuke didn't close the door until he saw her open her own.

Both of them smiled at one another before she closed her door.

After unfolding the futon in the middle of the living room, Heisuke took a sip of the ginger tea. The rich and tangy flavor surprised him as the sweetened ginger tea spread on his tastebuds.

Why did it taste so alike his mother's recipe?

"Seems like she adds starch to her ginger tea too," murmured Heisuke dazedly. The aftertaste lingered in his mouth.

Usually, people didn't put any starch like potato starch or corn starch in their ginger tea. But, his mother often put some to thicken the drink. She said, aside from thickening the tea, the ginger tea would feel a lot more soothing to the throat than usual.

Thus, Heisuke grew up with such a recipe. He rarely drank the more common version of honey ginger tea.

With a smile hanging on his lips, Heisuke finally closed his eyes. He had to admit that he was so exhausted.

It would be bearable if he was just working like usual today but, the unexpected thing happened.

Yet, he was actually glad to see her at the beach earlier.

But...

Why did she come looking for him?