Volume 1 Chapter 4 Visiting the Sick
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The day after I’d blown off just about everything.
Following a check-up first thing in the morning, I was diagnosed with malnutrition, anemia, exhaustion, and-for good measure-sleep deprivation. The verdict: a mandatory two-day hospital stay.
I tried to kick up a fuss about wanting to go home, but it seemed the doctor had been compromised. “He’ll say that, so whatever you do, don’t let him leave”-apparently, that was the order. Is the hospital not busy enough? Who the hell bribed them? And what’s with this “request for anonymity”? I’m the one footing the bill here…
Thanks to finally getting some proper sleep, my head was clear. In fact, I felt better than I had in years.
I seriously considered making a break for it, but I didn’t want the headache of a dispute over unpaid medical bills. Besides, two of my juniors from work were coming to visit, and it would be awkward if I wasn’t there to meet them.
Still, even so-
”…………I’m so bored.”
When I have nothing to do-or rather, when I’m not working-I start to get incredibly anxious.
There were tasks I’d wanted to wrap up over the weekend. I hadn’t even touched Friday’s regular workload.
Tanahashi is going to lose his mind on Monday. Well, he’s getting what’s coming to him, but the fallout is going to land right on me, so I’m not exactly laughing. I’ll end up being a burden on the rest of the team, too.
I’ve only been out for three days, yet the thought of going back feels like a mountain to climb.
”Sigh…”
I was scrolling through a news site on my phone to kill time when a notification popped up on my messaging app.
——————
Kei: You awake, Paisen¹-ssu?
Sayaka: Good morning!
Satake: Morning. I’m up.
Kei: The two of us are headed your way now-ssu!
Satake: Roger that. It’s hot today, so you two be careful.
Kei: Whoa, Paisen actually showed us some love-ssu!!
Sayaka: Yes! Thank you very much!
Kei: On our way-ssu!
——————
Having girls from the office come to visit me in the hospital… maybe my life isn’t a total write-off after all.
I spent an hour trying to look presentable, and then-
”Paisen! We’re here-ssu!” Kei shouted.
”Kei-chan, this is a hospital, keep it down… Satake-san, hello…!” Toda said softly.
”Hello,” I replied.
My juniors had arrived in their private clothes.
This bleak hospital room-it’s rude to say, but it felt like the lights finally turned on. Even the air smelled better.
Toda Sayaka was wearing a white, botanical-print maxi dress and carrying a white straw hat. It was a look that dialed her natural purity up to eleven. A true high-born lady vibe. Yeah, she’s definitely the “must-protect” type.
On the other hand, Mamiya Kei was in a three-quarter sleeve gray shirt and black distressed denim. She had this cool aura, but those glimpses of her healthy thighs were… Whoops, eyes front. Dammit, Mamiya was smirking; she definitely saw me looking.
”Toda-san, thanks for coming. Seeing you in normal clothes… it’s a nice change. It, uh… looks good on you,” I said.
”……Thank you… so much,” Toda replied.
Toda actually blushed at my generic compliment. Now she’s making my heart race.
”…Um, Paisen? I’m here too, y’know-ssu?” Mamiya cut in.
”I know.”
”What gives-ssu?! You only have eyes for Sayaka? Is this discrimination-ssu?!”
”I think you look… very nice as well, Mamiya?”
”The ‘I’m-being-forced-to-say-this’ vibe is way too strong-ssu!!”
Toda let out a refined little giggle at our back-and-forth.
”Fine then. I went through the trouble of buying a gift, but maybe I just won’t give it to you-ssu,” Mamiya huffed.
”…Alright, I’m sorry,” I said.
Mamiya grumbled, but she reluctantly plopped the gift onto the bed-right on my stomach. It was heavier than I expected, and I let out a sharp “Oof.”
”Can I ask why you chose… this?” I asked.
”Because Paisen is always drinking it at work-ssu,” Mamiya answered.
”…Um, I tried to suggest something else, but…” Toda added.
”It was heavy-ssu. Man, that was heavy-ssu,” Mamiya complained.
The “gift” was water. Four 500ml bottles.
To be precise, it was “Drinking Spring Water”², in four different flavors.
It’s true I drink a lot of water at work, but it’s just water. I only choose it because it’s the cheapest and easiest to get down. Still, it was actually a big help.
This ward didn’t have a water station. You get a cup of tea with your meals, but that’s it. If you get thirsty, you have to hike to the vending machine or the convenience store on the first floor.
So, honestly, a delivery of drinking water was a godsend.
”Still, where did you even find this?” I asked.
I didn’t know they sold spring water like this. I was actually getting a little curious about the difference.
”Have you two tried it?”
”Nope-ssu!” Mamiya chirped.
”Me neither…” Toda said.
”Want to try some? You’d probably never drink this otherwise, right? Might as well,” I suggested.
”True-ssu. I’d definitely never buy this for myself-ssu.”
”I think I’d like a taste too…” Toda agreed.
Ah, right. No paper cups.
”Alright, let’s head to the convenience store,” I said, standing up.
”Wait, is it okay for you to be moving around, Paisen-ssu?” Mamiya asked.
”Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve got tons of energy. Honestly, I don’t even think I need to be here.”
””……””
The two girls exchanged a look when I let that bit of irony slip. I’d figured it out. It seemed the mastermind wasn’t in the room, though. I appreciate the concern, but hospital life is a total drag.
”…Paisen, they don’t give IV drips to people who don’t need to be in the hospital-ssu,” Mamiya noted.
”Wait, isn’t this just a ‘might as well’ kind of thing…?”
Their stares were starting to sting. Seriously? Even though I feel this good?
Ignoring their judging eyes, I grabbed my IV stand and led my two juniors toward the convenience store.
”By the way, it’s about lunch time. What are you two doing for food?”
”We were thinking of going somewhere, but it’s sweltering out there. I really don’t want to go back outside-ssu,” Mamiya said.
”Ah.”
Toda nodded along in fervent agreement. It was a scorcher outside. I totally got why they didn’t want to leave the air conditioning.
”Sayaka, why don’t we just grab something here and eat in Paisen’s room-ssu?” Mamiya suggested.
”Um… is that allowed? With the hospital meals and all…?” Toda asked.
”Oh, yeah, it’s fine. But… are you sure? Here?” I asked.
”You get to have lunch with two girls-ssu! What’s with that ‘Are you for real?’ look-ssu?! You should be jumping for joy-ssu!” Mamiya exclaimed.
Spending your time eating with an old guy in a hospital… surely there’s something better you could be doing?
”Well, if you’re both okay with it, then sure…”
”It’s a date, then-ssu!” Mamiya cheered.
Mamiya grabbed a basket and started picking out supplies.
Sandwiches, drinks, then pudding, chocolate snacks…
”Oh, these are for the 3 p.m. snack-ssu,” Mamiya said.
”…Exactly how long do you plan on staying?”
”Hmm, I dunno-ssu. Until it cools down outside? Kidding-ssu! We just thought you might be lonely by yourself,” Mamiya said with a grin.
”…Well, I was dying of boredom, so I appreciate the company.”
”Sayaka! Paisen is being a softie again-ssu!”
”If you keep pushing him, he’s going to go back to being cold, you know?” Toda giggled.
”Put Toda-san’s stuff in this basket. I’m paying.”
”Ack! I was just joking-ssu! Paisen! Don’t separate the baskets-ssu! That’s a waste of a basket-ssu!” Mamiya cried.
In the end, I paid for everyone. I am the senior, after all.
We made our way back. We tucked the snacks into the fridge, moved the over-bed table, and the two of them sat side-by-side on the small sofa.
Time for the great spring water taste test. Toda took the lead, handing out the paper cups.
”…Can you tell the difference?” I asked.
”…Maybe-ssu…?” Mamiya muttered.
”…This one has a higher mineral count, so it feels a bit… heavier on the tongue?” Toda suggested.
”…Now that you mention it…”
”…I think so too…”
”The smell is totally different, though-ssu!” Mamiya added.
”…Is it?”
”Paisen, is your nose stopped up-ssu?”
”I told you, I’m in top shape!”
”Maybe the smell of disinfectant in here is just too strong…” Toda offered.
As we were “enjoying” our water, there was a knock at the door. Lunchtime.
Today’s menu: white rice, stir-fried pork and vegetables, a side dish of greens, and two slices of apple. And tea.
”Thank you,” I said to the nurse.
”Enjoy your meal~” she replied.
The nurse gave a knowing smirk as she wheeled the cart away. Seeing me with two girls in my room, she clearly had the wrong idea.
”That’s actually a pretty decent menu-ssu,” Mamiya noted.
”Well, it is a hospital. They have to think about nutritional balance,” I said.
My juniors poked at the menu with interest, even taking a few pictures.
”Oh look, Paisen! There’s meat-ssu! Lucky you-ssu!”
”My life hasn’t been so pathetic that I’d cry for joy over a little pork, you know?” I shot back.
I’d just happened to forget to eat, that’s all.
”Alright, let’s eat.”
”Yeah.”
Toda and Mamiya unwrapped their convenience store haul.
”Itadakimasu!”
”Itadakimasu.”
”Itadakimasu.”
It felt like it had been a long time since I’d shared a meal with anyone.
When I first joined the company, I used to go out with my coworkers, but as I got busier, I started just eating at my desk…
A hospital room doesn’t have much atmosphere, but if I get to eat with these two, maybe being stuck here isn’t so bad.
”By the way, Paisen, do you ever cook-ssu?” Mamiya asked.
”Huh? Uh… I tried a little bit back in college, but since I started working? Not at all.”
”What about you two?”
”We do-ssu! Sayaka and I switch off-ssu,” Mamiya explained.
”Switch off?”
”Yeah-ssu. Sayaka and I are roommates in a share house³, so we take turns being the chef each week-ssu.”
”Huh. I had no idea…”
I see. So that’s why they were together last night too.
Looking at the photos they sent, I thought they lived in a pretty nice place, but I guess even in your first year it’s doable if you split the rent and utilities…
”I see, so it’s a share house⁴…” I said.
”What’s the matter, Paisen⁵? You tryin’ to move in with us too-ssu?” Mamiya-san asked with a smirk.
She was seeing right through me. Wait, could I actually live there? Does that mean I’d get a front-row seat to Toda-san’s loungewear every single day? This is the dream.
”But if I did, Mamiya-san would be homeless…”
”Wait, are you kicking me out-ssu!?” Mamiya-san yelped.
”Since I’d feel bad for Mamiya-san, I’ll be a gentleman and pass,” I replied.
”Heh…”
Part of me wanted to shoot my shot, but I’ve seen way too many seniors get carried away, overstep, and get shot down with those cold, judgmental eyes. I want to believe I’m different from those guys.
”…Do you two have any specialty dishes?” I asked.
”I’ve got nothing-ssu! If I had to pick something, I can fry a mean sunny-side-up egg!” Mamiya-san declared.
”I… omurice, or maybe cabbage rolls… Since Kei-chan likes them,” Toda-san added quietly.
Mamiya-san was all confidence, while Toda-san answered reservedly. Her specialty dish is her friend’s favorite food? What’s with that level of devotion? She’s way too cute.
”Sayaka-san is actually a great cook, y’know? She’s our personal chef-ssu!”
”That’s not true… I’m just following recipes…”
Toda-san looked happy to be praised despite her humility. I swear, someone this pure has to be an endangered species.
”Do you make your own lunches too?”
Toda-san gave a small nod.
”Isn’t that a pain in the morning?” I asked.
”We just use leftovers and things like that, so it’s not so bad…”
”Man, even managing leftovers for a lunch box is tough,” I said. “I could never do it.”
”That’s because Kei-chan usually sticks to rice bowls or noodles,” Toda-san said.
”Because they’re easy and delicious!” Mamiya-san argued.
A rice bowl actually suits Mamiya-san. I can practically hear her shouting for a second helping of pork cutlet.
”Paisen, are you thinking something rude right now-ssu?”
”No, I was just thinking I’d love to try your cooking sometime.”
”Whenever Paisen is being this nice, it’s usually because he’s hiding something-ssu, right?”
”Can’t you just take a compliment?”
We kept chatting about food for a while after finishing lunch, but then Mamiya-san let out a massive yawn. That’s what happens when you stay up all night.
Looking over, Toda-san was also stifling a yawn, stretching her arms and arching her back. …Um, isn’t she being a little too defenseless?
”I’m getting kind of sleepy…” Mamiya-san muttered.
”Yeah…” Toda-san agreed.
Well, I couldn’t blame them. It was right after a meal, and the AC was perfect.
”…Why are you looking at me?” I asked.
”It’s kind of unfair that only Paisen gets the bed-ssu.”
”That’s because I’m the patient. Of course I’m in the bed.”
”…Can I sleep here too-ssu?”
”Kei-chan!?” Toda-san gasped.
”Huh?” I blurted out.
”Do you want to sleep here too, Sayaka-san?”
”!?”
Toda-san was flustered by Mamiya-san’s bombshell way before me. Thanks to that, I managed to keep my head.
A guy and a girl sharing a bed… what is she thinking? Does she even realize what that implies?
At the end of the day, we’re just coworkers. We might have gotten close, but there’s a line you don’t cross.
Call me a coward if you want. I don’t have the emotional bandwidth for a complicated romance right now. I don’t want to ruin this comfortable distance we have.
So, I surrendered the bed and moved over to the small sofa, swapping places with Mamiya-san.
”Paisen, your guard is unexpectedly high-ssu, isn’t it?”
”I’d rather not get sued for harassment, thanks. I have to stay vigilant,” I said.
”It would’ve been the other way around just now-ssu, though,” Mamiya-san replied.
She lay down on her side facing me, looking a bit awkward.
”Well, I doubt most guys would consider that harassment anyway. At least, I wouldn’t.”
”Is that so-ssu…”
Maybe my phrasing was funny, because Mamiya-san gave a little chuckle. Before long, her breathing turned slow and rhythmic.
”…Does Mamiya-san always fall asleep that fast?” I whispered.
”Yes… she’s out like a light, and she wakes up just as fast. But she tosses and turns quite a bit…” Toda-san whispered back.
”Haha, I figured. Still, I can’t believe she’d really pass out with a guy right here…”
”We stayed up a bit late last night… and I think it’s because she trusts you, Satake-san. Kei-chan really looks up to you.”
”I’m pretty sure she’s just teasing me for her own amusement,” I said.
”That… might be a little true.”
”Wait, seriously?”
”Heh…”
Toda-san gave me a genuine smile.
Meeting outside the office and talking about something other than work had finally closed the distance enough for her to show her true self.
…Or maybe it was just me who had gotten closer. I felt like I was letting my guard down way too much.
”…You can sleep too if you’re tired, Toda-san. There’s plenty of room for two. Even if she does toss and turn.”
”Heh, it’s fine. I’m used to it. …Sorry, I think I’ll take you up on that.”
Toda-san pushed Mamiya-san aside—who had hogged the middle of the bed—carves out her own space, and lay down.
Her one-piece dress tucked up dangerously high as she moved… Jackpot! Thanks for the service scene⁶!
”Good night.”
”Yeah, good night.”
Greeting me politely, Toda-san drifted off into a nap as well.
”They really fell asleep…”
Two girls their age, sleeping completely defenseless right in front of me. It was practically an invitation.
…Not that I was going to do anything.
Don’t underestimate my self-control; I still haven’t even punched Tanahashi yet.
I closed the curtains, dimming the room. Then, lying down on the sofa I finally had to myself, I forced myself to drift off for a nap of my own.
—
Summary:
Satake is hospitalized for overwork and receives a surprise visit from his juniors, Mamiya and Toda. They bring mineral water and end up having a picnic-style lunch in his hospital room to avoid the summer heat. By the way, the two girls live together in a share house.
After that, Satake learns that his two female juniors, Mamiya and Toda, are living together in a share house. After a long conversation about cooking and their domestic life, both girls become sleepy due to staying up late the night before. Mamiya boldly suggests they all nap on Satake’s hospital bed, leading to a moment of high tension that Satake defuses by moving to the sofa.
—
Trivia:
- Satake was hospitalized primarily because of malnutrition and anemia, not just exhaustion.
- An anonymous person bribed the doctor to keep Satake in the hospital.
- The hospital ward lacks a basic water station, forcing patients to buy drinks.
- Mamiya specifically noticed Satake’s water-drinking habits at work.
- Toda and Mamiya’s outfits are described in high-detail contrast (Purity vs. Cool).
- The girls were together the night before (implied sleepover or move-in activities).
- Toda’s cooking specialty is specifically tailored to what Mamiya likes.
- Satake has an unresolved grudge against someone named Tanahashi.
- Mamiya uses the ‘ssu’ particle consistently, marking her kohai status.
- Toda’s ‘pure’ nature is highlighted as a rare trait in Satake’s eyes
—
Character Insight:
Satake’s work-life balance is so poor that he considers a hospital meal ‘decent’ and has forgotten the feeling of eating with others. Mamiya and Toda show genuine concern, but their share house reveal suggests a closer bond between them than Satake realized.
Satake shows significant restraint and maturity; despite his internal monologue being filled with typical male fantasies (the ‘service scene’), he prioritizes the comfort and reputation of the girls over his own desires. Toda is becoming comfortable enough with Satake to smile genuinely and accept his offer to nap in his presence.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The ‘Drinking Spring Water’ (Onsen-sui) is a real luxury product in Japan, often marketed for its specific pH and mineral balance rather than just ‘taste’.
The term ‘Service Scene’ is a meta-reference to fan-service in anime/manga culture, used here to show the protagonist’s awareness of his own situation as if he were in a story.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Tanahashi – A management-side employee or project lead. Known for shifting tasks onto others and ignoring technical constraints.
• Satake – The protag. Tall and lean in a rumpled suit, with faint stubble, tired dark eyes shadowed by deep circles, and a perpetually composed expression, he carries the quiet wear of overwork in every line of his posture. A 28-year-old software engineer and OJT mentor, he is “Paisen” to Toda and Mamiya, the unseen “Satake Wall” shielding them from burnout. Beneath his poker face lies dry cynicism and a self-mocking “ojisan” complex, shaped by years of isolation, relentless duty, and a life lived at his desk, now culminating in a hospital stay born of exhaustion.
• Toda Sayaka – first-year hire under Satake’s OJT, she is a soft-spoken mediator to her roommate Mamiya, her modest dress and careful manners reflecting a pure, almost old-fashioned grace. Slender and pale with long, pitch-black hair flowing softly down her back, she carries a delicate beauty—wide, gentle eyes, easily flushed cheeks, and a quiet, almost fragile presence. Called an “oasis” and even a “guardian deity,” she moves through life with self-effacing kindness, cooking for others and blaming herself for small faults, her innocence preserved yet shaped by a constant, tender effort to care for those around her.
• Mamiya Kei – A spirited first-year hire at Satake’s firm, she moves through the office with quick wit and brighter energy, her light-brown ponytail and athletic frame marking her as both poised and playful. Off-duty, she lounges in casual comfort, sharing a lively home with her roommate Toda. She teases seniors—calling Satake “Paisen”—yet deeply admires him, her informal dialect and easy laughter shaped by club days, independence, and a life that taught her to stay light on her feet.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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