Ignoring her unnatural awkwardness, I approached her table and sat down on the chair in front of it.

Are you alright, Coach?

Although the words I uttered sounded like its filled with concern, I maintained a neutral expression.

She was still fidgeting and her eyes were seemingly unfocused. Moreover, I noticed that its not just a simple case of her feeling awkward. If Im not wrong, shes like this not because of me.

Because at the moment, shes breathing roughly and the way her eyes darted around wasnt because shes trying to evade my gaze. Its more like shes becoming feverish and restless.

Thinking back to earlier, I didnt notice anything wrong when she was dealing with the mothers. However, shes mostly silent during the latter parts of my lesson. I hadnt checked on her because I was focused on the enrollees and she disappeared shortly after I concluded the lesson.

I took that as Coach Ayu, moving back to this room. However, now that Im here, somethings not right.

I waited for at least a minute. When I didnt hear any response from her, I leaned forward to check on her condition carefully. My eyes were scanning not just her facial expression but also her bodily movements.

Shes subtly shaking and even though I was still a distance away from her, I could feel the cold being exuded by her.

This girl. She caught a cold. No. Its safe to say that shes caught influenza.

I put a hand on her forehead and just like I expected, its burning hot. Its at least one or two degrees above the normal human body temperature.

Perhaps feeling the touch of my hand, her eyes finally focused on me. Registering me in her mind, Coach Ayu then forced a smile as she straightened her body and swiped away my hand.

Y-youre here, huh? Lets see. Your pay for today is Eh? W-why cant I?

Coach Ayu tried opening one of the drawers of her table but every attempt she made was missing the handle that she needed to grab and pull. She then looked at me and asked. U-uh. Onoda-kun. C-can you help me?

How long will she act as if shes fine? This woman Is she unaware of her current state? Pushing herself not to appear weak in front of me?

In any case, I couldnt just sit here and leave her be. No matter what, even excluding my interest in her, I wouldnt be too heartless to leave her to tend for herself when I was here and noticed her current state.

Ignoring her plea for help, I pulled my phone and quickly typed in a message and sent it to Sena.

After putting the phone back, I promptly stood up and circled to her side.

When I did that, her unfocused eyes staggeringly followed my movements.

Excuse me, Coach.

Only leaving those words and without waiting for her response, I then grabbed her from her seat and carried her out of the room. Coach Ayu struggled in my arms but with how weak she was at the moment, it was pointless. H-huh? W-what are you doing? P-put me down at once!

Stop acting strong, Coach. Do you think I wont notice when its too obvious? Settle down and let me bring you to the sickroom. I reproached. You know, you shouldve told me that youre not feeling well. No matter how physically fit we are, this kind of sickness is simply unavoidable at times.

No matter how strong ones immune system is there will always be an instance when one cannot avoid being sick. Thats the same for me. And perhaps, its also the first time in a while for this woman.

Since the gym wasnt that spacious, it didnt take a minute for us to reach the sickroom. Although its a place to bring those who were injured from too many exercises, its still like a small clinic where any member could rest.

There should be a medical practitioner there but given the current time, the one assigned to look after patients was already out.

Picking one of the two sickbeds, I dropped her there and told her not to move while I looked for medicine.

With Akane and the others waiting for me outside, I couldnt stay here for long. I messaged Sena to inform her of what happened. She should be running back here by now.

Ruki? Hows Coach?!

And like I just said, the girl who looked as if she sprinted from outside to here pushed the door open and asked in a worried tone. Without waiting for my reply, her head quickly scanned the room and after seeing Coach Ayu writhing at the sickbed where I placed her down, Sena hurriedly went to her side to check on her condition.

Coach Ayu was like an older sister for Sena so its only right to inform her. Besides, I wasnt the kind of asshole who would take advantage of a womans weakened state like this. Even if this happened back before the change in my mindset, although I wouldnt go to the trouble of taking care of her completely, I wouldnt act ignorant and leave her alone upon seeing her like that.

A while later, I found the flu medicine. For the water, I found the mini-fridge in the room containing it and other beverages. After picking bottled water, I returned to their side and began administering the medicine.

Although Coach Ayu was still struggling not to be nursed at first, Sena became my assistant to hold her down which eventually made her obedient enough to take the medicine.

Since she still had her wits on her, Coach Ayu snubbed me as she lay back down on the bed and put the blanket over her head.

Well, thats fine. Its not like I will be staying to wait for the medicine to take effect. Still, I couldnt wrap my head around her decision to act tough in her room.

When Sena ran out of the room to get some water and a towel to use, Hisa-jii also appeared in the room, shaking his head at the sight of Coach Ayu whos probably starting to drift off to sleep. From the concern apparent in his eyes, Coach Ayu was probably closer to a daughter for him.

This stubborn child Hisa-jii sighed before switching his gaze on me, Onoda-kun, thank you for noticing Inahos condition and bringing her here.

You dont need to thank me, Hisa-jii. I believe I only did the right thing. Being the only one at the scene.

Hisa-jii stared at me as if trying to discern if what I said was truthful. A few seconds later, he smiled and nodded in approval.

While waiting for Sena to return, I chatted with the old man for a bit. As for our topic, the stubborn sick woman at the bed.

Well, I didnt hear anything noteworthy but Hisa-jii was filled with praises towards her. Even though she got that injury, Coach Ayu remained involved with the sport. If not for the warning from her doctor, its more than likely that shed still stubbornly fight in the ring.

In any case, hearing Hisa-jii talk about Coach Ayu. Its like Im hearing a doting father showing off her daughter thats already at her marriageable age to a potential partner.

Uh I wouldnt hold it against him. This old man probably knew a thing or two about Coach Ayus fondness for me. But thats all he did, he didnt try to probe me whether I was even the least bit interested in her.

When Sena returned with the towel and a small container filled with water, Hisa-jii told me to follow him to Coach Ayus office. There, he gave me my salary for today and asked me about my programs current situation.

Upon returning to the sickroom, Coach Ayu was already sleeping soundly while Sena told me to go and not let Akane and the other girls wait. Shes going to look after Coach and go home with her when the latter wakes up.

I see. Ill call you later to check, alright? I guess shell have a lapse in her memory about who brought her here and took care of her. Better to not tell her that its me.

Are you sure? You confirmed it, right? Youre the one she likes.

Mhm Confirming it and acting on it is different though. She wont wish to steal me from you.

As if you can be stolen. Sena laughed at that impossible thought. But youre right, shell be too conflicted if she starts acting on it. However, Ruki, dont close all the doors for Coach.

This girl She clearly didnt mind having Coach Ayu join our complex relationship but she also didnt want to dictate my actions.