Fever x Role

Note: This will be a two-part chapter, wherein the first part is entitled "Fever" and the second half is labeled as "Role Assignment".

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This is the worst.

Because I got drenched from that downpour the other day, here I am in my bed, not feeling great.

I thought yesterday I was going to be fine but when I got home, I suddenly fell into my knees and the next thing I knew is that I am already in my bed.

I guess Mom carried me here. Got to thank her later.

Based from what I am seeing from the window, it should be already past 5 pm.

I never got up of this bed because I can't feel any energy inside me. My stamina has all been depleted. Opening my eyes comes with a hot sensation in my eyelids.

I can't use my phone, ugh, I'm so bored.

I guess getting well ASAP should be my priority for now.

Come to think of it, I've never been bothered by Suzuki today, even in the mail she doesn't tease me. Maybe she's busy in the class.

Well, this might be one benefit of being absent. Nyahahaha!

As I am about to sleep again, someone knocks the door.

"Mom? Don't worry, I'm not that hungry yet!"

I just ate porridge two hours ago, what is she thinking?

My presumption is that Mom is the one who is knocking but the door opens and the person behind that door was.....

SUZUKI.

Wait, what? Why is she here?!

"Tanaka, looking groggy aren't you?" asked Suzuki.

"Well, I am. Wait, why are you here?!"

"Hmm~ My gut told me that you were thinking of me, so I decided to stop by." teased Suzuki.

I thought that this day will pass without having me as a victim of mockery.

"T...Thinking of you?! I... It's not like that..."

"So I was in your mind after all." answered Suzuki as she shows her usual grin.

S...Suzuki!!!

"Hahaha, you're blushing already." added Suzuki.

"It's because of my feve....."

My body just says no even if I wanted to rise up.

"C'mon now, don't push yourself to beat me today. You have to rest." suggested Suzuki.

"I can't distinguish if you are mocking me or you are being concerned but thanks anyway."

"Here, I bought you some oranges. You need a lot of Vitamin C and fluids." said Suzuki as she puts the oranges in the small round desk.

"T...Thank you."

"How are you feeling? Are you dizzy? Does your head hurts that much? Want me to get you a Pocari?" asked Suzuki.

How unusual. Suzuki is concerned at me?

This is weird, or its just I got used to the culture that I am being teased by her always.

"Y....You really can be kind sometimes, can't you?"

"Hmm~ Does your heart somehow skipped a beat due to my kindness?" asked Suzuki.

Teasing tactic, as usual!!

"I....It didn't! It's just that the situation is kinda different since you're here being nice to me."

"Am I not a nice girl? I always thought I am." answered Suzuki.

"Hell no!"

"Hahaha! Sorry if I tease you every day." apologized Suzuki.

"I wish you can just stop teasing me and be nice to me always."

"Well I am always nice to you, you just can't notice it." smiled Suzuki.

W...What is she talking about?!

"That reminds me, then. Earlier, I heard that a lot of transfer students enrolled this second term, adding the late enrolees. The teachers said they are planning for a class reshuffle midway." revealed Suzuki.

Class change? That means.....

I'm going to get separated from Suzuki?! T... That's..... wonderful!

Without her around, I can absolutely focus in my studies since there would be no one to play tricks on me anymore!

"Hey Tanaka, do you prefer it if I'll disappear?" asked Suzuki.

"Huh?"

"If I am in the other block, then you can have a peaceful life in the class, right?" added Suzuki as she looks at me seriously.

"It's true, but...."

Why am I hesitating suddenly?

Though wait, if I imagine it, why am I feeling that I am lacking something?

There's this sense of dissatisfaction if I play a situation in my mind that she'd be gone.

Ugh, jeez.

"I....I want the teasing to stop, but I...."

"Hm?" asked Suzuki softly as she just listens to me.

"I don't want you to disappear from my side."

"Hmm~, so you want me to stay, huh?" teased Suzuki.

"I....I mean because you're a friend, after all! That's it!"

Damn it, she doesn't really go out of character.

"Hahaha! I heard you, so calm down." laughed Suzuki.

"I just said I'd prefer if you stopped mocking me...."

"My bad! Don't worry, I will not leave you alone...." declared Suzuki.

"T....Thanks for that."

"...it's because the class change will happen in the third year blocks." added Suzuki.

"That means....!"

"Yup, the class will stay as it is." answered Suzuki.

"So you knew it all along?!"

"Hahaha yep! I wanted to see your reaction about it so I did this." disclosed Suzuki.

So she's playing with me right from the start?!!

"Tanaka, I hope we get to sit next to each other again in the following terms." said Suzuki as she brightly smiles at me.

"Y....Yeah...."

"Guess I have to go now. It's getting dark now." said Suzuki.

She's right, it might be past 6 already.

"I'll accompany you to the main door."

"No, I'm fine. You should stay in bed and rest. The class will conduct a meeting in Friday for the school festival, you must come." revealed Suzuki.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll recover quickly than you expect!"

"Then, let's make a small bet. If you got well tomorrow, then you win." said Suzuki.

"Of course I'll bet on me getting fully healed ASAP! So you're on the opposite side, huh?"

"No, I'll bet that you'll be well tomorrow, too." declared Suzuki.

"I...Is that even allowe...."

"I'll be rooting for your win, so you better heal fast, okay?" asked Suzuki as she looks at me smiling truly.

M...My heart.... is beating faster than usual!

"Y.... Yeah, I'll win the wager for both of us."

"Excuse me, then. Thanks for having me. I'll come again next time." farewelled Suzuki as she leaves the room.

S..She'll come again? Hmmm...

I guess I have to tidy up my room more often.

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ROLE ASSIGNMENT

Three days quickly passed by and it is Friday.

Regarding to that wager, I got my strength at tolerable level the day after she visited me. Meaning, I completed the bet and we both won.

Now, I am here in the class assembly on what are we going to execute for the school festival.

"So, any suggestions for what booth are we going to set up?" asked Riko.

Oh, she really has the authority in the class. As expected from the class president.

"Maid cafe... Cosplay cafe..... Horror house...Cozy restaurant theme...." suggested by my classmates in background.

Maid cafe, huh? A usual theme but not so bad.

"According to my list, the other classes have already picked Maid cafe and the horror house. Please suggest other themes." said Riko.

"GAMING LOUNGE!!!!" shouted Okamoto and Tatsumi.

"Not everyone plays video games or whatsoever so rejected." decided Riko.

Those guys are visibly heartbroken. Rest in peace to your hearts, friends.

"All-you-can-eat buffet." requested Koyanagi.

"We do not have enough budget for such a luxurious style, plus you're always bringing up food, y'know." said Riko.

Even Koyanagi is down.

"Why don't we stick to the cosplay cafe? Everyone might enjoy wearing costumes, I presume." suggested Suzuki.

Oh, the queen of teasing has spoken up.

"Does everyone agree with it?" asked Riko as everyone seems to affirm.

"I guess we're set for the class booth. Now for the class presentation, what should we do?" inquired Riko.

"A singing contest? A multi talent show?" suggested by others.

"Those are common, oh, I have something in my mind. Want a theater performance? Since the event will be done at the gym area and it has a wide stage." said Riko.

Eek, theater acts. It's not that I hate it, but I just hope I wouldn't get a major role. I suck at acting, after all!

"Sounds great....Yeah..... Let's go with it!" said by others as they are obviously agreeing with the idea.

"Well, then. Let's push it through! And since you guys agreed..... BEHOLD! My own plot and script will be the one we're going to use. It's time to test something different, you know. Plus, this is not bad!! I promise! Several people have critiqued this so I am confident this is a great story!" revealed Riko.

So she has a prepared plot already? Talk about executing a plan properly.

"The main characters would be a PRINCESS, a PRINCE, and a MONSTER and GOD incarnate." disclosed Riko.

I can sense that this will have a semi medieval setting. T...Trees are abundant during those times, right? I have to hope that I'll play just as a tree.

"Let's vote for the characters. Who do you want to be the MONSTER incarnate?" asked Riko.

"Koyanagi-kun!" said by everyone.

"That's rude!!" replied Koyanagi.

"Well you're a big, fat guy and whatever so you fit for the job." said Okamoto.

"Can I slap you with an egg pie in the face?" asked Koyanagi.

HAHAHA, these two are funny.

"Who's gonna be the God incarnate?" asked Riko.

"I think it should be Amatsuka-san, she is absolutely pretty and looks more mature than any of us here." insisted Suzuki.

Amatsuka Hoshin, a girl classmate of mine. It's true that she is decently pretty and has the mature aura but....

"Are you alright with it, Amatsuka-san?" questioned Riko.

"Oh my, oh my. I guess I have to take up the offer, after all everyone insisted since I am beautiful, you said." boasted Amatsuka.

She has this twisted personality of bring overly proud.

"For the PRINCESS role, who is it that you desire?" asked Riko.

As she asks everyone for suggestion, they all focus their gazes towards Suzuki.

"Suzuki, they want you to be the princess. Are you up with it?" questioned Riko.

"Hmm..... No problem." affirmed Suzuki.

Now for the prince role, I have the chance to evade this ordeal since I do not have that appeal to be a prince. Yes yes yes!

"Since Suzuki is the princess.... Hey Kusakabe, you should be the prince." declared Riko.

WHAT?!

"W...why me???"

"Why, you ask? It's obvious, duh. You're the main character of this SERIES, that's why...." answered Riko.

H...Hey, do not break the fourth wall!!

"Besides, you two are close enough to have the best chemistry for this. I believe in you, Kusakabe." added Riko.

She's just saying it in order for me to soften up and accept the offer.

"I....I don't think I can do i....."

"Tanaka, if you cannot pull this off, then you lose. It's a bet, okay?" said Suzuki as she interrupts my decision making again.

"M...me.... losing....?! I can't accept that! Fine, I'll do the role!"

How about that, Suzuki? You think I'll fall for that? I am the toughest guy here, and I'll prove it during the event!

"It's nice working with you, my prince." said Suzuki as she grins at me.

God, lines like this makes me flustered.

"Y.... You're talking about the play, right?"

Here she goes with the misleading statements!

"Yep, I AM talking about the PLAY." answered Suzuki.

"As it is obvious already, the genre will be romantic fantasy so you better act cheesy to be able to pull this off. I'll hand the scripts after I printed copies." said Riko.

RO...ROMANCE?! I...I'm in trouble.....

"Romantic genre, huh? Then, looking forward to flirt with you, my P-R-I-N-C-E~." teased Suzuki.

"Y.....You are referring to the play, right?!"

"Yeah, I AM referring to the PLAY. Hahaha~" answered Suzuki as her tone is clearly the making-fun-of-him tone.

Jeez, I have a bad feeling about this performance~. God, save me....!!

--------END OF CHAPTER 12-------