Who Said A Hikikomori Can't be Classy? [Cellphone Novel]

♪Sleeping Beauty (Pt. 2)♪

"Ah. Let me explain."

The old fart began.

"Milady usually faints
when she has consecutively
skipped her meals."

"What..."

I looked downwards at Ichinomiya again.

A bit of warmth had finally
returned to her hand.

But other than that,
there were no indications of
when she would wake up.

Up close like this,
I could see clearly

--for the first time--

just how extremely pale her complexion was.

With her eyes closed and her lips pressed,
it felt as if the person before me was not my classmate

--but instead--

sleeping beauty who had just fallen into a century-long coma.

Why didn't I notice before?

That she wasn't feeling well?

Even her snappy attitude towards me...

The signs were right there.

But I had unconsciously ignored them,

because my pride was hurt.

I really am...the worst.

"...Gilbert,
we need to get her some food."

"Yes, of course.

Shall I call for pizza?"

Woah woah woah...

hold on..

...

...pizza?

A rich girl like her eats that stuff?

"Um,
why don't YOU cook for her, old man?"

Gilbert looked at me remorsefully.

"I'm afraid cooking is not my forte."

"But you're a butler, no?"

"Yes, but I only serve sandwiches and tea."

He clarified.

"And unfortunately,
we are out of bread."

I was dumbfounded
by this new bit of information.

"Does she order pizza often?"

Gilbert eyed me curiously.

"If not,

what do you suggest she eats?"

"...seriously?"

Needless to say,
all the displeasure I felt towards Ichinomiya Megumi vanished this very moment
and was replaced with sympathy.

How...

How could a fragile princess like her

live like...

this?

I decided to take matters into my own hands.

"Fine. I'll handle it.

Just let me take a look at your fridge...

I'm sure we can figure something out."