I let out a long sigh as I looked at the water droplets falling on the tip of the umbrella.
“I would have just quietly slept at home and returned in the afternoon if I had known this would happen.”
I suppose I was too indifferent to pain because my original body had never experienced that much agony. I wanted to immediately get a carriage because it appeared like the rain was getting harder, but maybe the weather was making it impossible. I had to find an eaves where I could take cover from the rain because I could not withstand it with just an umbrella. I was wandering aimlessly under the eaves for a way in, and I couldn’t see anyone around me, so I had no idea where I was or how I got there. Somehow, my physical condition got worse and worse.
‘It would be nice if someone would pass by…’
A whining sound rang in both ears non-stop.
‘But since it’s a residential area, I can probably talk to any house…’
My dizziness grew increasingly severe till I lost consciousness and was unable to stand up. My body felt both hot and chilly at the same moment when I puked. Whether it was in my ears or somewhere else, I thought I could hear my heartbeat. My back also felt like it was cracking open on top of that. I felt like I was going to let go of the light umbrella I was holding because I was so exhausted.
It was a pleasant moment to have a taxi app available. With this level of rain, how are you all going to catch the carriage?
As I was sweating profusely and breathing heavily, I heard footsteps coming from somewhere.
‘I’m lucky to meet people when it’s raining like this.’
I put my hands on the wall and pulled myself up in an attempt to call for help. I managed to get up, but I was so dizzy that I couldn’t see myself properly. All I could tell was that it was getting closer. My vision was so distorted that it seemed like a large shadow was getting closer. The moment I raised my hand to say something to that person, I froze.
‘No. It wasn’t because my vision was dizzy that it looked like a shadow.’
The person approaching me was dressed in pitch black from head to toe and was wearing a mask. In his hand, he held something wrapped in something that looked like black cloth, and I intuitively knew it was a knife.
‘…no.’
I had to run away. I didn’t know what’s going on, but my instincts were screaming: ‘You need to stay away from him.’ I fumbled against the wall and took a step back. Her vision was spinning and her ears kept ringing. My body was so weak that I couldn’t move it as I wanted. Even at the wrong time, I felt like the back of my head was spinning and I had a feeling I was going to pass out.
‘No, no. I can’t be defeated so easily.’
My reverse walking speed is definitely slower than a turtle’s. Of course, the other person came up to me first. Just as I was about to go into my pocket to retrieve the whistle, my opponent deftly removed the fabric from the weapon he was holding. A really sharp knife materialized. Modern people only see kitchen knives in their daily lives; they have no idea how horrific it was to see a knife used for murder in person. I felt like every hair on my body was standing on edge as I sat down. I just about managed to get the whistle in my hand, but it was too late. My physical state did not allow me to accomplish that.
‘Shit.’
Just not falling over was overwhelming. My eyes kept blinking slowly, and my vision was spinning.
“…no.”
I collapsed, muttering something I doubted I could pronounce correctly. Of course, in front of the person trying to kill me. I lost consciousness so quickly that even the cold rain-filled floor touching my cheek felt dull. Just before I lost consciousness, I felt like I heard familiar footsteps behind the shadows looming over me. The sound of crisp footsteps as you walk without dragging the floor at all. While I was half asleep, I felt someone keep touching my forehead and placing something like an ice pack on it. It was so cool and pleasant that it made me smile.
“Teacher, get well soon! Tomorrow is a work day? Uh? Do you think you can get paid if you’re sick like this?”
“Teacher, get well soon, huh?”
I vaguely remembered threatening words, whining, and the feeling of someone crawling on top of me and kissing my forehead. Even in my sleep, I reached out and hugged the warm, soft little beings. Those beings quietly leaned into my arms and shared their warmth. They didn’t need me. I needed them. I was able to fall into a deep sleep relying on that comfort. It was only when the sunset filled the room that I came to my senses. I opened my eyes in a room filled with red light. It felt bad to have my clothes soaked, but my body felt light, as if I hadn’t been sick at all.
‘I guess I was really cold.’
I discovered three thick blankets as I pushed away the bulky object that was squeezing my torso. It’s hot now instead of warm, and it’s so heavy I felt like I was going to die. I extended my reach and glanced at the status display that was hovering just beyond my field of view. The status window’s shape and name were same, Arbice Green.
“This game is still being played; nothing has changed.”
I don’t know if it’s fortunate or unfortunate. I sighed and got up, but belatedly realized that someone was in the room. For some reason, this fact felt a bit scary, so I slowly turned around. Luke, shining red in the red glow of the sunset, smiled slightly. Gray eyes mixed with the color of sunset focused on me, and I thought my heart stopped.
“Are you awake?”
Why on earth was he here? Now that I thought about it, where was I now? Yes, on the way back from meeting the inspector… I fell while avoiding the rain… I jumped up from my seat.
“Hey, me! Aren’t you dead?”
As I spoke, I checked the status window at the same time. Fortunately, two hearts were still intact. He grinned with his handsome face, as if asking what kind of idiot he was talking about. It wasn’t a mockery, but it felt like it was ridiculous.
‘…what? Did I even dream?’
“I guess you weren’t feeling well. It seems like you had a scary dream.”
“…yes?”
“The officers found him collapsed near the metropolitan police station, so they called the driver and brought him in.”
I just passed out?
‘No way.’
However, it also occurred to me that it might just be a dream. It was unusual that I was alive, if what I saw was real, and strange that nothing like this had ever happened before. Additionally, I was in terrible physical shape at the time. Above all, I felt as though I was speaking gibberish because I was discussing the Lakers as though they weren’t deserving of it. My body had lost all strength for some reason, so I curled up into the big cushion on the bed.
“I can’t believe I’m dreaming even more here because I don’t know if this world is real or not.” If I carry on in this manner, I might lose my mind.
I quickly felt uncomfortable being in the same room as Luke, so I sat down.
“I guess it’s because there are a lot of messy incidents these days. By the way…”
“By the way?”
“I’ve been… for a long time… Was I asleep?”
“I understand.”
“You didn’t come here to fire me because I couldn’t do my job, right?”
Luke sighed softly and looked at me. It was not easy to look into those silver eyes that seemed to be extremely worried.
‘I can’t believe I can change my judgment about him so easily with just a look. What the hell!’
I bit my lip tightly to come to my senses.
“Why on earth are you here?”
“The doctor told me to watch for a while because he doesn’t know when you might collapse.”
“…The Duke… You nursed me?”
“Yes.”
I tried not to show it, but it may have conveyed a hint of disgust. Luke laughed and then looked at me with a straight face, as if he was frustrated.
“It’s dangerous, so go with me from now on.”
“…You want me to go with the Duke?”
“Not only Shine and Luna, but I hope Miss Green doesn’t go too far from the mansion.”
“…But on my days off, it’s okay to go wherever I want.”
“Of course, but I’m worried. These days are scary, and your health is not good, so it would be a big deal if you got harmed.”
This may seem kind at first glance, but if you think about it closely, it’s strange. It’s not that I was going to faint from pain again, it’s that he was afraid that someone would hurt me? If he was worried, he could just order a subordinate to do it. What did he mean by asking me to go with him? And if anyone would harm me, it would be him! I still vividly remember the scene where Luke was swinging his fists at me. When I shrugged my shoulders to show my incredulity, he laughed as if it was an insignificant joke.
‘Look at that nice guy. If you just smile, everyone will ignore you, so you’re smiling.’
I didn’t accept his smile and turned my head away. As I grabbed a towel to go take a shower, Luke quickly approached me.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to take a shower.”
“Let’s wait for now.”
When I shot him a look to see if he was serious, Luke looked at me with serious eyes.
It seemed like he was sincere, but I felt like I couldn’t bear to see him face to face for too long. Just as I was about to say, “Please don’t do that,” I saw the text written in the bottom left of the status window.
[DAY 15.]
Apparently, the day I went out was DAY 12.
‘After that, three days have passed…?’
I kept my mouth shut. He was there the moment I opened my eyes, so if Luke had been taking care of me for the past three days… I couldn’t tinker anymore.
‘Please set one attitude.’
Because I was becoming more and more confused about what kind of person he was.
‘You can do whatever you want, whether you stay in my room or not.’
I bit my lip and went into the bathroom.
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Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
If you like my work please support me with Ko-fi or Patreon. Next post will be released on October, 3.
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