Why You Should Be Responsible For Him - Chapter 2 Part 1

“……”

“……”

He was sprawled out in a perfect state to be misunderstood from the morning.

Drenched in water, he was catching his breath in front of the dormitory building’s garden, with mud and grass evenly smeared on him. Breathing heavily, he was exposing his plump flesh through the shirt that had been completely untied, revealing red marks scattered here and there, making it look provocatively indecent.

My plan to take a stroll around the garden after breakfast was ruined. Walking around with him could result in piling up last night’s dinner until breakfast was added on top.

Although I made eye contact with Ash through his wet hair, I casually turned my head, pretending not to have seen him. At this point, when everyone had left the academy, it was questionable why he was sprawled like that. However, I had a sense of foreboding that if I said something wrong, I might get entangled in something really annoying.

I didn’t see anything. I didn’t see anything at all.

I casually glanced up at the cloudy sky, and Ash’s gaze persistently followed and stuck to my face.

He was saying something like, ‘Help me.’ I responded by avoiding his gaze, asking, ‘Who are you?’

As if avoiding his eyes, I was about to turn my body when suddenly Ash started convulsing.

“Ah, oof!”

Flinch!

I was desperately trying to maintain composure, but at his short scream, it all collapsed.

Where does it hurt?!

Startled, I looked at Ash, and our eyes met again, as if he expected me to turn around. As if he had waited.

Ash’s eyes lit up with a gleam of positive energy, whether it was joy or excitement, and I realized I had been caught.

However, it was only for a moment. He groaned in pain while his body continued to writhe on the ground. His eyes were still fixed on me.

“Ah, ugh. Pl-please. Somehow…”

I usually wouldn’t waste time and effort on something unless it was beneficial in terms of money or power. However, it was impossible to ignore the fact that a person was writhing in pain right in front of me, even if I pretended not to know for ethical reasons.

Hey, Ash!

I ran over to Ash and knelt down on the grass to examine him.

“Can you tell me specifically where it hurts?”

I only knew basic first aid that everyone else did, and I had no knowledge of medicine beyond that. So, I planned to assess Ash’s condition and convey the details to a professional.

Holding my hand, Ash struggled to breathe.

“…I’m dizzy, huh.”

“Feeling dizzy?”

His fingers intertwine. Our hands are very hot together.

“No…….”

“Just slow down and breathe.”

Suddenly, Ash collapsed, stretching his body over my thigh, frantically rubbing his chest.

Ugh! What’s happening?

Thump!

Too shocked, I pushed him away and kicked his stomach.

What’s this crazy guy doing?

“Aack, ugh, it, its itchy!”

“…It itchy?”

Tears gathered in Ash’s eyes, rolling down his flushed chest and drenched body. Even his face was soaked.

Oh, it’s a perfect picture for misunderstanding.

I couldn’t get too close to Ash, fearing he might rub his chest against me again. I stayed about five paces away and asked,

“Is it… too itchy that you even tried soaking in the pond, huh? Ah, no matter how much you scratch….”

“Yeah, okay, I get it. I get it.”

That you’re an assh*le.

The flowers around the pond were crushed in a mess.

“Ash, wait a moment. I’ll call someone.”

“No, Don’t go…”

“I’ll bring someone who can help you. Just hold on a little longer.”

“Sob.”

“Hang in there.”

“…….”

I pushed myself to my feet and headed for the nearest supervisor office.

Even during the vacation, as graduation exams approached, students from the graduating class commonly stayed at the academy to study. Therefore, the medical staff was always stationed within the academy. This was to ensure that in case of any safety incidents occurring anywhere within the prestigious Academy, attended only by noble students, they could promptly respond and handle the situation.

* * *

When the supervisor contacted the medical team, the doctors rushed in, and Ash could be safely transferred.

“Stop, senior.”

“Could you let go for a moment?”

During the process, Ash held onto my clothes, and I ended up accompanying him even though he didn’t let go. Even if he had released his grip, Ash was not in a condition to fully explain his state, so it was necessary for me to accompany him.

* * *

The medical team, consisting of six doctors, meticulously examined Ash using various scientific and magical techniques for a long time. The doctors, as if performing a dangerous and major surgery, exchanged incomprehensible words among themselves, treated Ash, and occasionally wore troubled expressions.

What if something goes wrong with the crown prince… What should I do if I face any disadvantages for being with him?

I couldn’t help but feel uneasy, even though there was no reason for it.

One of the doctors turned to me.

“He got bitten by a mosquito.”

“Are you serious……. What?”

After sweating profusely and pouring a lot of examination and healing for a while, the only thing they say is that he got bitten by a mosquito? Even I can say that!

“It’s a type of mosquito that came from the northern continent, characterized by a blue line on its body. Once bitten, the affected area turns red, causing unbearable itching. Unfortunately, the young master here fell victim to a swarm of mosquitoes. It’s a rare species even in Penterion… Several dozen attacked him at once, causing a painful and itchy ordeal.”

You’ve really met a formidable swarm of mosquitoes on another continent.

I looked at Ash, who had a white towel on his forehead, closing his eyes comfortably.

“Is he okay now?”

“He’ll be fine after a good night’s sleep. Just apply this ointment to the bitten areas to prevent them from getting scratched. We’ll thoroughly disinfect to prevent such incidents in the future, so please calm your surprised hearts, young lady.”

“Yes, thank you.”

The medical team added a few words of caution regarding Ash’s recovery and then left the room.

* * *

Ash continued to breathe in various colors, still holding onto my clothes while deeply asleep. I pulled a chair and carefully lifted the blanket. Red marks were dotted from his neck to below his belly button on his bare upper body.

Luckily, there are no bruises where I kicked him.

I was worried that I might be blamed for any harm to the precious body of the prince, but I felt relieved.

“Now, I’ll apply the ointment, so don’t later claim medical expenses for the areas I touch.”

Ash may not have heard me because he was sleeping, but I made my intentions clear, and he didn’t take no for an answer.

I squeezed a white cream-like ointment onto my index finger and gently applied it to the red marks on his chest. Despite the more than thirty marks, I diligently applied the ointment, humming, and teasing him with my tongue.

“Uh, hmm…”

“Don’t toss and turn. Just stay still.”

“Senior?”

A transparent wall like a glass pane revealed itself. Ash looked surprised and only later noticed my fingers moving steadily on his chest.

“What are you doing…….”

“Can’t you see? I’m applying medicine.”

“So why are you applying it?”

The question sounded ridiculously shy.

“It’s not free, I’m getting paid for it.”

“Oh, I see.”

It was meant to be a joke, but his voice turned decidedly sour. I didn’t feel the need to reassure him, so I left it at that.

As my ointmented fingers slid lower and lower down his belly button, I could see Ash’s tight abs straining. He’s so tense.

Swish?

“Ugh.”

“Is it itchy?”

“…a little.”

“I can’t help it. Endure it.”

Upon closer inspection, Ash’s flawless, pale face was now tinged with red. Was it that painful?

Thinking that I needed to finish quickly, I applied the ointment more briskly. There was a long bite mark horizontally, and as I gently swept over it with my index finger while applying, he suddenly raised his knee, trembling as if having a seizure.

“Senior.”

“Endure it.”

This time, I moved my fingers a bit lower. The bite mark protruded about half a finger’s width, centered around the neatly buckled area.

Did a bug get into his pants? How did he get bitten like this?

Well, what can you do?

After a little consideration, I thought it’s better than getting injured, so without hesitation, I placed my hand on the buckle.

“Wait a moment!”

“The patient needs to stay still. It’s better than getting injured in the chest.”

“Can’t I do it?”

“How can you talk and blush like that? You might faint at any moment.”

“This is because it hurts…”

I ignored Ash’s words from then on.

Click.

The buckle came off easily. Ash made a painful sound.

Is it painful? With his head turned, covering his mouth with the back of his hand, it looked oddly… well, let’s not dwell on strange thoughts.

I pulled the pants down a bit and applied the ointment.

Sweep, sweep.

Due to Ash’s constant shivering, the ointment accidentally spilled to a different area. Annoyed, I pressed his thigh, and suddenly, he grabbed my shoulder urgently as if in pain.

“Well, I guess I’d better do it.”

Ash suddenly stood up, breathing heavily, and I pulled my fingers out of his pants.

“Well, if you say so.”

I handed the ointment to Ash. After a moment of hesitation, he looked at the ointment on his hand with a touched expression.

“…Senior, you’re kind.”

“I’m charging you for it.”

“Of course I will. How much would be a fair payment?”

I replied with a sly smile.

“As much as you feel appreciated.”

I joked and stood up. Ash seemed to be doing better now, so there was no need to stay any longer.

In the evenings, I have a part-time job as a bakery assistant that I’ve had for four years now, without the Academy or my family knowing. I had planned to focus on studying all morning until my part-time job, but things got completely messed up.

Seeing Ash now, comfortably stretching out his legs on the luxurious bed in the VVVIP room, the best single room in the Royal Academy, a deep sigh escaped from within me.

“I’m leaving.”

“Just a moment!”

“Do you have something to say?”

“Well, not really.”

“I hate wasting time the most. Rest well, Ash.”

Thud.

I heard the sound of the door closing behind me.

* * *

“Ugh, what a day to start the vacation.”

To finish today’s study quota, I had to sacrifice sleep equivalent to the time I spent on Ash. This meant not just a bit tired today, but it would also adversely affect my concentration on studying the next day.

The first button got messed up. It felt like ruining the first page of a newly bought pretty diary.

“Whatever, I don’t like that guy.”

I absentmindedly brushed off my clothes, even though there was nothing on them. I hoped not to get involved with that guy anymore.

* * *

The gods are not on my side.

All in all, my life has been rather far from lucky.

From forgetting to buy flowers to decorate my mother’s birthday table, resulting in me sprinting to the market, only to find her head rolling like a ball on the ground when I returned.

The fallen rose petals seeped under the hot blood, and transparent tears piled on top, completely burying them in crimson.

A man named Father, whom I had not known all my life, came and took away my mother’s cold body and enrolled to the Duke of Robensdy. I was given an older brother and two younger twin siblings, but the older brother had no interest in me and the younger twin siblings outright loathed me.

I couldn’t be a good playmate for the twin siblings.

When they locked me in the chilly wine cellar for a week or soaked a skinned mouse in my meal, I would visit their bedroom at midnight, playing similar pranks on them.

I would lay thorned nightshade flowers around their beds, or sometimes, out of frustration, I’d lift the blanket, covering them like a madman, and strike it down with a wooden club.

My pranks had consequences. Handmaiden would confine me to a dark room, out of sight, to undress, beat, and whip me. Since I received kicks in at least five places, there must have been at least five people in the room.

The Rovensdi servants were not in their right minds, like the twin bastards. They were like emotionless puppets. They seemed like marionettes with no emotions. They looked like they were going to die, not just pretend to die.

The twins were always rolling their heads, wondering how to torture me. It was natural that my attention was focused on them all day.

They were running around the mansion like dogs on a leash, trying to strangle me. As the world sang and my mind went blank, I untied the thick rope.