8 - Stubbornness 2

MIKHAIL'S POV

It was as if she had been thrown to the ground by a stone. She was startled. I knew I shouldn't have yelled at her, but I'm getting irritated with myself. Extremely stubborn. Her attitude has brought my blood to a boil. To relax, I simply close my eyes tightly. When it comes to this kid, my head hurts.

"W- Why?"

“Do as I say, okay? No buts!” This kid is making me mad. I can’t— I can’t think straight. I exhaled sharply. Damn it.

Because I didn't have a class to attend afterward, I thought it would be a good idea to go to the convenience store and get her some snacks. I bought her a bottle of full-cream milk and a Monte Cristo sandwich.  But the thing is, someone is talking to me and they are students like Era. Is this an ambush?

"Brother, might I please have your phone number?"

“Wow! He's so handsome, look!"

Uhh… What am I supposed to do? I'm completely at a loss as to how to react in this situation! Is there anyone who can help me?

"I'm sorry, but n- no."

“Oh, my god! You have a girlfriend?" Am I going to say yes even if I don’t have one? Press X for yes, press O for no.

"Yeah, that's right. She's in the car, waiting for me to come back... It’s not easy for me to lie, though! But I've already tried it on Era, and I believe it came out very naturally. And, for God's sake, they are still students. What the hell is going on?! Even better, they're dressed in the same uniform that Era is! What the hell is going on with the kids these days?!

"Sir, your sandwich is ready."

"T- Thank you."

I could tell they were following me as I made my way back to the parking lot. Like, three young ladies? I just don't pay attention to them.

"E- Era?" Shoot! What is she doing sitting and leaning against the steering wheel of my car?

“Are you okay? You want me to admit you to the hospital?"

"No, don't do it... I really don't want to..."

I led her into the car and fastened her seatbelt. She just closes her eyes all the time so I'm the one who's having a hard time for her. I attempted to give her the sandwich, but she was unwilling to accept it. What should I do to you?

“All right, I'll let you sleep for a while. I'm going to drive—"

"Do you think you're having a hard time with me?"

I was awestruck, to say the least. She’s smiling, but that question remains on my head for a couple of seconds, trying to think what to say to her. She appears to have caught me in the middle of my response. What does she want to know from me?

“Why would I?”

“Because I'm just your maid." Era explains, "Then you are like this to me. The number of favors you have done was overwhelming just so you can take me to your house,” Era softly uttered. She looks so weak and I can’t hold myself back from talking back. She seemed to think she really didn't matter— that she's just a burden.

“Because you’re my responsibility now, okay? Just stop degrading yourself—"

She has fallen asleep on the couch. Wow. Did I really confess? Again? And this is outlawed. I just have to be careful.

Carrying her to her room, this feels familiar, though. And for the second time around, I have to put a handkerchief on my eyes to blindfold myself. I undress her, damping a cold towel over her shivering body until her high temperature begins to drop. I’ve done this before yet it feels weird doing it to her.

“Ugh...” She’s groaning.

I simply put on my pajamas because she didn't have any clothes to choose from in her closet. Maybe things will turn around for her. She's been sick with a fever for a few days, and she hasn't even started cleaning my house.

I think she’s homesick.

When she finished getting dressed, I took off my blindfold and repaired the sink I had been using. Her cheek is flushed with redness. Her skin is extremely fair. As a result, I couldn't resist playing with her long eyelashes.

"Uhh... I don't want to..."

I had a flinch! Oh, god. Her brows were drawn together in a frown. I don't want to wake her up because I know it will cause her sleep to be disturbed.

Apparently, my eyes are too heavy for me to stay with her so I decided to sleep. But the thing is, I fell asleep on the side of her bed.  I only recently woke up because it appeared that someone was peering at me from behind.

That's it. She was leaning up against the door of her room, holding a spoon in her hand and staring at me. She's already awake.

"You know how to wake a person up, eh?"

“Let's have dinner. I cooked something."

I took a few deep breaths and stretched before standing up and following her. Why my gramophone is currently playing? Gymnopedie number one is still on the soundtrack, huh.

"What dish have you cooked?"

"Stewed beef."

"Wow, it's all because I work diligently," I jokingly said. When she looked at me with a frown, I just burst out laughing. It was nine o'clock in the evening. And... awkwardness resurfaced.

“Did you drink the milk? Did you also consume the soup that I prepared? What if you were to fall ill again? You should take things slowly—"

“Sir. Thank you for your concern. But you are no longer in your line.”

I walked up to the table and sat down right away. Oh my god, this is the first time in a long time that I'll be eating home-cooked meals. Mostly because I only purchase from the cafeteria or convenience shop, I am able to remove the carcinogen from my system.

"What exactly is out of line—"

“Sir. You didn't get what I say? You should not involve yourself if I get sick. It's not your problem if I'm hungry or if I'm thirsty. Sir, I've already reached the age of adulthood. And it's embarrassing to admit that I'm dependent on you from now on.”

What is it that makes her so enraged? This is simply out of worry for her, and so I'm doing it. Is there anything else to it other than the fact that I like her? Is there anything? Besides, I'm not allowed to tell her that. As far as I can tell, we'll both be in a state of fear.

“Sir, please. Maybe you shouldn't talk to me when we're at school. I don't want them to notice—"

"I do not want. What makes you think I'd follow you? Huh?"

"Sir—"

“Yeah, I get your fragile point,” I cut her, “However, you are still under my responsibility. Stop exalting yourself above others. It won’t help you be better.”

She turned and went away. Wow. Bon appetit.