"Come find me in Class 5 after the next period."
After Lucas Amaki exchanged LINE messages with Kita, she replied.
"Grade One, Class Five?"
"That's right."
Lucas nodded.
"Okay, Lucas-san."
Kita smiled brightly.
"Why… never mind. I'm heading out."
Lucas picked up his bag and left.
Both of them went their separate ways, and Lucas entered Class 5 again through the back door.
He sat down in his seat.
He glanced around and quickly realized this was a theory class—also known as a free communication period.
That meant he could talk freely with Gotoh Hitori about tomorrow's preparations.
But when he turned to look at her, she was still lying on her desk like before.
Lucas sighed helplessly.
When will she finally have the courage to lift her head during theory class?
"Gotoh-san, can we talk about your performance tomorrow?"
Lucas leaned in and whispered softly in her ear.
"Ah… ah?"
Gotoh trembled, then slowly sat up, flustered.
"L-Lucas, y-you're back…"
She said nervously.
What's with her today?
Yesterday when I came back to class, she wasn't nearly this shaken.
She looks pale… and her face is flushed.
Does she have a fever?
"Gotoh-san, are you feeling okay?"
"You look a little red, and…"
Lucas reached up and touched his own forehead, then gently reached out to touch hers.
Gotoh instinctively flinched but didn't move away.
As soon as his hand touched her forehead, he could clearly feel the heat radiating from her skin.
"Sensei, I'll be taking Gotoh to the nurse's office!" He called out.
Lucas's expression changed as he stood up.
"Lucas-san, what's going o—"
Before the teacher could finish, Lucas was already out the door.
What did she do last night? Coming to school with a fever like this—does she think her health is a joke?
He raced up the stairs toward the nurse's office.
But when he opened the door, he was stunned.
A familiar figure was inside: Kuriyama Kia, a member of the disciplinary committee.
"Kuriyama-senpai? What are you doing here?"
Lucas stepped inside.
To his surprise, Kuriyama was wearing a white coat.
"Ah, it's the idol."
She looked up.
"Huh? Idol?! Why are you in the nurse's office? Are you sick?!"
Kuriyama walked up to him, full of concern.
"Ah, no, I'm fine."
Lucas coughed lightly and waved her off.
"But… why are you here in a white coat?"
"Oh, this?"
Kuriyama smiled. "I'm studying in the medical track. Second-years are doing practical rotations right now, so I'm helping out in the infirmary."
"I see…"
Lucas nodded, still catching up.
"What about you, Lucas? What brings you here?"
"One of my classmates is sick. I came to get the school nurse."
"Eh?! Then let me come with you!"
Kuriyama offered immediately.
"Wait, aren't you on shift right now, Kuriyama-senpai?"
"Don't worry!"
Kuriyama gave a proud thumbs-up. "Both my parents are doctors. I've been learning medical stuff since I was a kid. I've got real experience!"
"…Alright. Come with me, Kuriyama-senpai."
She grabbed a medical kit, and the two of them rushed back to the first-year building.
"Kuriyama-senpai, hold on!"
Lucas sprinted ahead to the classroom.
"Lucas Amaki-san! Why did you run off earlier?"
The teacher called after him.
"I'll explain later!"
He replied, entering through the front door and circling to the back.
"Gotoh-san, come with me."
Lucas tried to help her up—and the moment he touched her, he could feel that her hands were burning too.
What did this girl do yesterday? She's burning up!
"Wait here—I'll be right back!"
Lucas dashed out again.
"Kuriyama-senpai, come quick!"
"Coming!"
Kuriyama, sensing his urgency, hurried after him.
They entered the classroom together.
"Gotoh-san, if you can still move, try to lift your head."
Lucas knelt beside her, voice gentle.
"I'm here, lucas..."
Kuriyama came in, a little out of breath.
"L-Lucas, I… I still can…"
"Good. That's good. Kuriyama-senpai, please take care of her."
Lucas stepped toward the podium.
"Sensei, may I make a request?"
"Yes, Lucas Amaki-san?"
"Gotoh-san is unwell, as you can see. I'm requesting two days of leave on her behalf."
"Alright. As long as Gotoh-san recovers quickly."
The teacher nodded, then chuckled. "You know, yesterday you two were flirting during class, and today you're all worried about her. What a diligent student—and boyfriend. Better than me, honestly."
Lucas froze.
Wait, you noticed?!
"Well then, Gotoh-san is officially on leave. Lucas Amaki, I'm leaving her care to you."
"Make sure to help her catch up on homework too. I trust you."
The teacher patted his shoulder.
"Thank you, Sensei."
Lucas bowed.
He left again and returned to Gotoh's side.
"Kuriyama-senpai, how is Gotoh-san?"
Kuriyama had just placed two fever-reducing patches on Gotoh's forehead.
"She's burning up. Lucas, what the heck happened to this girl?"
Then she gave him a teasing grin.
"Also… is this your girlfriend?"
She stared curiously, like a researcher waiting for a definitive answer.
"…Yeah."
Lucas replied simply.
That was all he could say.
Her condition was more important.
"Wha—?! Lucas, you're amazing! She's so cute!"
Kuriyama beamed.
"But listen, you need to take her home immediately. Her fever's too high—she needs rest and care. If she stays in the infirmary, she'll be exposed to other illnesses. Take her home."
"Got it. I'll bring her home now."
"Then I'll head back. Good luck, Lucas!"
Kuriyama left with a cheerful thumbs-up. Lucas nodded back.
"Gotoh-san, do you think you can stand?"
"Y-yeah…"
She pushed herself up with effort.
Seeing her like that, Lucas gave her a warm smile.
Thanks for trying, Gotoh-san.
He walked over, crouched down, and without warning, gently lifted her onto his back.
She froze in surprise.
"L-Lucas, w-what are you doing?!"
"Shhh. Don't talk. Just rest."
"…O-Okay…"
She obeyed, and soon Lucas could feel her breathing settle.
She had fallen asleep on his back.
He stood carefully and walked out, each step quiet so as not to wake her.
Little by little, Lucas made his way to her house.
He rang the doorbell.
Soon, the door opened—and Gotoh's mother was stunned at the sight of her daughter on his back.
"Lucas, what happened to Hitori?!"
"Auntie, she has a high fever. Do you know what she did yesterday?"
"Brother-in-law! I know what she did!"
A voice called out—Gotoh Futari, her younger sister, ran in from another room.
"Futari, what did she do yesterday?"
Lucas asked quickly.
"She took a cold bath, then turned on a fan right after!"
Lucas went speechless.
He carried Gotoh Ichiri upstairs. Though exhausted, he refused to let her down.
Inside her room, he gently laid her on the bed.
Just as he reached for an ice pack—
"Here you go, brother-in-law!"
Futari walked in with it, grinning.
"Thanks."
Lucas took the ice pack and placed it on Gotoh's forehead.
"I'll leave you to take care of her!"
Futari said and left the room.
Lucas sat beside her, sighing deeply.
Taking a cold bath and using a fan? Of course you got a fever.
Why don't you take care of your body?
Never mind. Let's get you better first.
He pulled out his phone, opened LINE, and messaged the band group chat.
[Lucas Amaki]: Nijika, Gotoh-san might not make it to the performance tomorrow. Sorry.
Then he opened Kita's chat.
[Lucas Amaki]: Kita-san, you don't have to meet me after class. Sorry—something came up.
He turned off the phone and looked at the sleeping Gotoh.
Why are you so stupid, Gotoh-san?
***
February 14th.
Lucas Amaki's face darkened when he looked at the date on the calendar.
This was the holiday he least wanted to spend.
But…
"Son, today is Valentine's Day. Remember to take Hitori out on a date."
Lucas's mother, Amaki Kiyoshige, warned in a serious voice.
"..."
"Mom, you know this is my first time in love. Ive never experienced this kind of holiday before."
Lucas smiled bitterly.
"So what? Not everyone has rich experience. You'll only understand it by going through it yourself."
Amaki Kiyoshige stated.
Seeing her mother's expression—clearly determined to send him no matter what—Lucas nodded helplessly in agreement.
Because of this holiday, Kiyoshige had booked a flight back to Japan two days earlier just to give him direct instructions.
She also brought him some delicious food from their hometown, but everything was given to Gotoh Hitori, with almost none left for him.
Because of this incident, Lucas even doubted whether he was really her biological son.
"Remember to change into nice clothes. Stop wearing what you're wearing."
Kiyoshige said again while eating an apple.
"Uh, Mom, isn't this okay?"
Lucas asked, genuinely confused. He'd chosen the outfit based on his own fashion sense.
"You're wearing something so formal on a date? Are you imitating your dad?"
Kiyoshige glanced at his clothes, which were basically styled like a full suit.
"Change into something casual. Now. Right now."
She added with a forced smile, teeth slightly clenched.
"Okay, Mom!"
Seeing that she was getting a little angry, Lucas immediately went to his room to change.
Opening his wardrobe, he picked out a set of casual clothes—mostly white.
A few minutes later, Lucas walked out of his room in the casual outfit.
"Quite handsome. Worthy of being my son."
Kiyoshige praised.
"Mom, I'm heading to school. Even though today's Valentine's Day, it's not a holiday."
Lucas picked up his schoolbag and prepared to leave.
"Alright, go ahead."
Kiyoshige replied.
Lucas left the house and jogged toward school.
After her son was gone, Kiyoshige took out her phone and called Gotoh Hitori's mother.
The phone rang for a while, then connected.
"Hey, Gotoh-chan, has Hitori changed her clothes?"
"Yes, this is only the third time in her life she's worn a skirt."
"By the way, did Lucas change his clothes?"
"Of course! If he didn't change, how could I let him go?"
"That's good. Even though they're dating, they've only gone out once. Valentine's Day is a great chance for them to deepen their relationship."
"Totally. Say, how about we get together sometime to talk about these two kids' futures?"
"Sounds great!"
Kiyoshige agreed without hesitation.
At that moment, Lucas sneezed.
Who's talking behind my back?
Forget it, class is about to start.
As soon as Lucas walked into the classroom, everyone froze.
Gotoh-san actually changed clothes?!
Even a skirt?!
Lucas was stunned. He remembered Hitori wore a sports shirt during their last date—yet this time, she was wearing a skirt.
And it was… pretty cute.
Only…
Why is there so much chocolate on my desk?!
I know it's a Valentine's Day tradition in Japan, but this is ridiculous!
Lucas walked to his seat and sat down.
"Gotoh-san, Gotoh-san."
He gently poked Hitori with his finger.
Hitori trembled and slowly looked up.
"L-Lucas-san, y-you're here."
She said in a small voice.
"Yup, I'm here. Want some chocolate, Gotoh-san?"
Lucas offered her a piece of chocolate from his bag.
"N-No need."
Hitori quickly waved her hand to refuse.
She was extremely nervous.
There was a piece of chocolate in her pocket.
But she didn't dare take it out—she was afraid Lucas might not want it.
"L-Lucas-san…"
She called out softly to him as he was cleaning his desk.
"Gotoh-san? What is it?"
Lucas stopped and looked at her.
"N-No… it's nothing."
Hitori looked down, too nervous to speak.
After Lucas finished cleaning up, he looked back and noticed her hands were still in her pockets.
Is that… chocolate?
Judging by the way it was sticking out, it definitely looked like it.
"By the way, Gotoh-san, you look really cute today."
Lucas said with a gentle smile.
As Hitori listened to him, her face slowly turned red—blushing like a kitten just waking up from sleep.
***
Lucas' interactions with his teacher feel so awkward
Heavily edited this chapter even so it's not as smooth as I wished