Why You Should Be Responsible For Him - Chapter 4 Part 3

A red envelope was stuck in a mailbox that should have been gathering dust.

Was this the wrong package? Who could it be?

I stood in front of the mailbox for a while, wondering. I thought about taking it out, but my hand didn’t move.

Maybe it was because I had a vivid dream last night about the day my mom was killed.

An uneasy feeling hovered around me this morning.

It was Ceres.

I remembered the shock of pulling out all of my mom’s teeth and receiving them in a letter like it was yesterday.

This time, what could it be? Hoping, hoping that it’s a misdelivered letter, I nervously picked it up with trembling hands.

Yveline Rovensdi, dear.

It was my name. However, the familiar handwriting and the fact that it wasn’t from the Rovensdi family relieved the tension in my body, making my veins relax to the point where the tension drained away.

“It’s Rose.”

I tore open the envelope and read the letter as I made my way to my dormitory room.

Study bug, Yveline! Are you making the most of your vacation? Of course! I bet you’re utilizing the break better than anyone, to the point where there’s no need for me to say this. Am I right?

I can almost hear Rose’s high-pitched voice right next to me.

The majority of the letter content was about how Rose is spending the delightful ‘time’ that vacation brings. There were mentions of spending the whole day without leaving the bed, traveling to other estates, and a promise of many souvenirs to look forward to and she’s enrolled in culinary school with the chef at Froese Manor.

The suggestion that I might as well hire another chef came to mind. As if reading my mind, Rose wrote the next sentence.

No matter how tasteless the food is, it’s always good when Mr. Roy makes it. I can’t help but find it adorable when he eagerly waits for my feedback after I take a bite. What should I do, Yveline?

…Seems like you’ve lost your sense of taste.

Yveline expressed genuine sympathy for Rose’s taste buds.

In fact, it was easy to see that the air between the chef and Rose had been strained since my visit to the Prowse mansion last year, so I wasn’t surprised that she had realized my feelings now.

Rose meticulously wrote about the events during the vacation, saving the main point at the end of the letter.

Oh! I almost forgot the most important part! Yveline, I invite you to our family’s villa. My father had a new villa built for me in Walton, and it’s a place I haven’t visited yet. Wouldn’t it be too stifling to stay only within the academy dorms? There’s also the sea right in front of the villa, so you can come for a change of scenery.

Ah, I did mention the invitation, but… truth be told, there’s no one at the villa. Around the time you come to the villa, I and Mr. Roy decided to embark on a spontaneous journey to the West. It might be a bit inconvenient, but please bear in mind that the villa hasn’t been assigned to anyone yet! But isn’t that better for you, Yveline? Don’t worry, the food and drinks are stocked, so feel free to relax and enjoy yourself, Yveline

The envelope felt substantial, and when opened, it revealed a map of the villa and a key.

I squeezed the key in my palm.

“Here we go.”

* * *

The decision was made quickly, and I went to Ash’s dorm room to inform him.

“I’m going on a trip, so don’t look for me for the next three days.”

“Senior?!”

“I’ll come back, and I’ll make up for the missed lesson. Just pay the tutoring fee the same.”

“Go? Where are you going, leaving me behind?”

Ash grabbed me by the waist and clung to me. I shoved his head hard in frustration.

“Hey, get off me. Don’t you dare touch me!”

After the kiss with Ash, his excessive physical contact became unbearable. Moreover, after engaging in such intimate acts and then pretending as if nothing happened, the awkwardness was too much.

Let’s clear our heads and come back together.

“Senior, I was wrong. Don’t go. Please.”

“Hey, someone might misunderstand. Can’t you let go?!”

Ash reluctantly released his grip on her waist.

“Then I’ll go with you!”

“Where are you following me.”

“I’ll follow you anywhere.”

“Quit the nonsense and review your lessons. If you can’t answer a single question on the test, you’ll be in trouble.”

Bang!

Ignoring Ash, who was trying to say something, I closed the door.

Dealing with him was like wrestling with an endless opponent. Ignoring him was the best approach, as he could go on and on. By now, he might be shedding tears like a chicken… Ignore him. Just ignore him.

* * *

Since deciding to leave for the villa, everything proceeded swiftly.

I went back to my room, packed a small bag of books and clothes, and headed to the train station to buy a ticket to Walton. The train station was packed with vacationers. I almost got lost in the crowd of migratory birds.

Thanks to helpful signs, I safely found the ticket booth. As there were plenty of tickets available for the Walton-bound train, I easily secured a seat.

Soon enough, it was time for the train to depart and I made my way to the platform.

The impulsive journey, which I hadn’t expected, is both unbelievable and enjoyable as I find myself here to catch a train. Thanks to Ash, my daily routine wasn’t boring, but following a set schedule like a squirrel in a wheel wasn’t particularly exciting. That’s why unexpected escapades like today were enough to make me excited.

With a loud sound and spewing black smoke, the train approached right in front of me. As I stood up, looking at the train about to stop, the exhilaration was abruptly crushed by a disconcerting discomfort that forcefully brought my excited emotions crashing down into the pit of my stomach.

…What’s happening?

Blink, blink.

I slowly closed and opened my eyes. Amidst the countless crowd, one chilling black figure captivated me.

Cough.

I felt a drowsiness in my throat. Gasping for breath, I staggered backward, and my breathing just wouldn’t return to normal.

…Ceres!

There he was. With his neatly combed black hair, he cut through the crowd and was walking towards me.

I hadn’t seen him in five years, and he looked exactly the same as he did in my head, without a single change, so I thought I was hallucinating. But the disgust and fear that crawled through my skin was too vivid to ignore.

How did he get here…!

Gulp!

Even though the train had come to a stop, I couldn’t move a single step. My entire body felt frozen, as if trapped on an icy surface.

However, the blood coursing through my veins burned fiercely, as if steeped in the heat of the sun. Steam seemed to rise from the top of my head.

He was getting closer.

Damn it, move! Move, I say! Get out of here!

Like a predator stalking its prey, he slowly and stealthily tightened the noose around my neck, waiting for the right moment to strike and cut off my life in one swift motion.

Ceres approached, reaching a point where he could easily grab me with an outstretched hand. And then, his dreadful hand reached out towards me.

“Senior! I won’t let you go!”

Thunk!

“…….”

A wrist was grabbed.

But it was Ceres’s… or was it?

His long, pale fingers were gripping and pulling me forcefully. Helplessly, I moved my feet in the direction he wanted. I followed him into the nearby second-class compartment.

“Ash?”

“We almost missed the train.”

“How did this happen…….”

The trembling of my heart still wouldn’t stop.

Feeling a sharp gaze brushing against my skin, I hastily looked out of the window.

A thud.

My heart dropped to my toes as if pushed off a cliff.

Ceres was precisely observing me with those black eyes. His lips, still not erasing a sinister smile, were focused on me… no, on someone.

At the slightly misaligned gaze of Ceres, Ash was within reach.

…No.

Mother’s death, the death of my twin, my father’s death, the deaths of countless servants. The images of their cold, lifeless bodies crushed his mind..

The fingers that gripped the window frame tightened until they were white.

If only I could kill that bastard……!

I rose to my feet, intent on breaking the window and getting out, when…….

Drizzle.

The curtain slammed shut. In an instant, my vision was blocked, and a large hand cupped my cheek, gently turning my head.

“I’m here.”

“…….”

“I just followed you because I wanted to see you… and you’re not even going to punish me?”

As if by magic, the discomfort that had filled my lungs dissipated, and my breathing returned to normal. The moment I saw Ash’s face, the moment I heard his voice, the anger that had boiled inside me sank deep beyond reach.

“Haah…”

I was still in a foggy mood, but I was no longer emotionally agitated to the point of losing my senses.

“…How did you get here?”

“I was right behind you all along, and you didn’t notice at all.”

Do you even realize what a dangerous thing you just did?

His innocent laughter added fuel to the fire.

You frustrating and foolish guy.

I sighed deeply, fervently hoping that Ash would stay out of Ceres’s sight. I didn’t want to witness that desperate moment again, where those around me lost their lives at the hands of Ceres.

I’m afraid I’m going to get him involved in something dangerous because of me.

Without responding to Ash’s words, I just glared at him. Suddenly, he lightly tapped my palm, as if to wake me from my thoughts.

“…….”

“Your cute little pout was too adorable; I couldn’t resist. Sorry.”

“It’s not because you followed me.”

Why did Ceres, who hadn’t shown himself in front of me for the five years since entering the academy, suddenly appear? Was it just an unfortunate coincidence, or was there more to it?

“So does that mean I can keep hanging out with him?”

Unaware of my inner turmoil, Ash’s eyes sparkled like a puppy wagging its tail.

Tsk, I clicked my tongue, then closed my eyes and leaned back in the chair.

Thump. Thump.

I felt a regular swaying behind me.

“Be careful, Ash.”

I whispered. A shadow seemed to fall over my closed eyes.

“What should I be careful of?”

Ash’s warm breath covered my lips as he replied. When I lifted my eyelids halfway, his blue eyes had a peculiar glint, seeking permission.

“…….”

“Yes, senior?”

Without much reaction, I just silently stared at him.

Ash tilted his head slightly and came even closer. Our lips brushed.

Smack!

Without hesitation, I smacked the back of Ash’s head. Due to the recoil, my lips collided with his. The strange atmosphere that was building up shattered instantly.

“It’s not lesson time. Wake me up when we arrive at Walton. I’ll take a nap for a bit.”

While Ash gently rubbed his numb head with one hand, he covered my lips with the other. I couldn’t understand what was so great about being on the receiving end of a hit. The way he laughed between our lips made him look downright foolish.

“Sleep well, senior.”

Though my surprised heart hadn’t completely settled, rather than feeling sleepy, I found my mind surprisingly clear. The situation wasn’t mentally relaxed enough to exchange playful banter with Ash, and I needed some time to organize my thoughts.

Ceres…

As much as I hate to admit it, I’m still being held captive by Ceres. No, I’m trapped. My admission to the Academy was only a temporary escape, not a successful one.

In reality, I was forced to attend the Academy to avoid returning to the mansion, and since I had no money, I was forced to study like hell to stay at the top of my class. No one would call that freedom.

Not only that, but now that I’m a student at the Academy, Ceres can’t directly affect me, but there’s no telling how he’ll shackle my ankles the moment I graduate.

My real escape would begin after I graduated.

I must gain power, power over him, so that he cannot treat me with impunity. He can’t drag me away and lock me in the mansion. I must make my place firmly established.

…and then I will leave.

In complete freedom, for my life.

* * *

“Senior, we’ve arrived. Yveline, senior.”

A gentle hand stroking my hair made my closed eyes slowly open. The firm touch next to my carotid puzzled me.

It wasn’t the window frame…

“Now, we need to get off.”

Ash’s voice echoed softly above my head.

Oh, I must have fallen asleep leaning on his shoulder. I was sure I hadn’t felt the slightest bit sleepy. I couldn’t even remember when the guy who had been sitting across from me had come over and offered his shoulder.

Wiping away the drool at the corner of my mouth, I grabbed my bag and stood up.

When I stepped out of the compartment, the train was deserted.

Looks like everyone else has already gotten off.

Having delayed long enough, I walked out quickly.

* * *