Chapter 290
Chapter 290
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 290
Chapter Title: None of Your Business
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"What are you gonna do?"
"...Gotta pull an all-nighter."
I plopped down in the library, chatting with Marronnier.
There were things I couldn't grasp just from the lectures I'd heard all day, and with the sheer volume of material, all-nighters were par for the course.
Halfway through, Cornus stopped by and peeled some fruit for me, so I got plenty of sugar to keep me going.
Cornus therapy is the best.
"...Get some sleep. What about tomorrow?"
It was 1 a.m.
Marronnier, having finished her share first, stood up from her seat.
Watching her up close, I could see why everyone called her a genius.
Even though we were solving the same problems, her solving time was 4-5 minutes faster per problem.
One or two problems? No issue keeping up. But over hours, that added up to dozens or hundreds of problems' difference.
The gap between Marronnier and me was hopeless.
"...You're still here?"
"......"
Marronnier leaned over slightly to peek at my paper, her face showing mild surprise.
Sorry for not being smart.
But I'm not the type who gets called stupid wherever I go.
I might cut corners or have a rotten personality sometimes, but I get my work done. Marronnier's just too damn smart.
"You sleep first. I'll make sure I understand all this before I go."
"......You should sleep."
At my words, Marronnier started to back away, then gathered her skirt and sat back in her chair.
She dragged her chair right up next to me. The space between us shrank to less than a hand's breadth.
"...Want me to teach you?"
Her cheeks faintly flushed as she looked up at me, head tilted like a curious cat.
"I'm good at teaching."
It crushed my pride.
So this is what a nationally certified genius is like. I felt the overwhelming brainpower gap.
"......I'll do it myself. It's more fun that way."
"I think I get it. You spend like 5 hours stuck on one problem."
It was a casual jab, but she nodded in agreement.
Guess she'd been there.
"But if you don't sleep, it'll hurt your health."
"It doesn't."
"......"
Marronnier glared at me with a displeased look for a moment.
What did she expect? She folded her arms on the desk, propped her chin on them, and stared me down like it was a tiny protest.
-Gulp.
I heard her swallow.
"Fine, I'll wait till you're done."
"...You sleep."
"We're in the same class. I did this all the time with my lab friends."
She must've thought I'd stop. Instead, it fired me up more, and I dove deeper into studying.
Marronnier dozed off lying down, woke up to stare at me, then dozed again.
"Nngh."
She squirmed uncomfortably.
I kept scribbling away, but her fidgeting got annoying enough that I had to pause midway.
"Sigh."
This is why white mana doesn't mesh with my mana.
We're both stubborn as hell and won't yield in a clash.
I always end up giving in first, just like with Blanche.
"Marronnier."
"...Yeah."
"Let's wash up and sleep."
Blanche rubbed her sleepy eyes, stood, and stretched her stiff body.
We finally packed up the books and headed to our rooms.
"Did you finish?"
"Nah. You looked so uncomfortable sleeping, so I figured I'd just crash."
"Worried about me?"
"Think what you want."
"...Sometimes I can't tell if you're kind or not."
Still, she smiled at me, so she didn't seem upset. The enslavement seemed to be fading bit by bit.
Before, even a touch would make her breathe ragged like she'd eaten a live steam whistle, all excited. Now we could chat like this without issue.
Compared to a few days ago, it was huge progress.
Maybe she wouldn't mind a hand touch anymore.
-Stroke.
With that thought, I reached out and stroked Marronnier's hair.
Her soft sky-blue locks filled my hand.
Smooth as silk. Strands poked up between my fingers, and tufts stuck out like cat ears by my thumb and pinky.
The more I looked, the more fascinating it was.
Seemed to move with her emotions.
"W-Why touch me again?!"
"Oh. Still? Just checking if my ability's still active."
"...Cancel, cancel! You're not kind. Still the same, it's still......"
"Sorry."
She lightly smacked my shoulder, then clutched my clothes.
"But it seems way better?"
"......That's, well... not better, it's 'cause I was lying in your bed..."
Marronnier mumbled in a voice small enough to crawl into a mouse hole.
Too quiet to be meant for me.
But my trip to the past hadn't just boosted my mana—my senses sharpened too, so I heard everything.
I hadn't figured out why the bed helped, but it was some perverted reason.
Made me feel like a drug.
Lee Se-young and Blanche always hugged me whenever they could, sucking up my "components" or whatever.
"What?"
"...Nothing."
She averted her eyes, figuring I hadn't heard.
Pretend I didn't hear that.
Despite appearances, it was one of Marronnier's coping mechanisms for the enslavement.
Pointing it out would just embarrass her—not the best move.
Lying in bed was fine, as long as she didn't crash with wet hair after a shower.
Chatting like that, we navigated the hallway outside the library, carefully stepping over the piles of books Sephiroth had messed up, and entered our room.
Cornus lay on the bed, eyes open.
"...Siheon."
"You awake too?"
"Yeah. Can't sleep."
"Why not? You okay?"
"Kinda... feels sore."
Oh no.
Here it comes at last.
"Sore breasts?"
Blanche stepped closer worriedly to check on Cornus.
I couldn't pinpoint the cause either, and Marronnier had no magic fix for this chronic issue.
Cornus pressed a hand to her chest like it felt stuffy and glanced at me.
"Siheon, I..."
"Ahem."
Touch my breasts.
Right before she could say it, I cleared my throat.
It was the signal not to, and she got it, clamping her mouth shut.
She'd endured a lot—enough to squeeze her eyes shut tight.
I'd neglected checking on her body for a while.
"What do we do? Call the Sage?"
I stopped Marronnier from stomping around and sighed.
Medical situation—no helping it.
"You sleep first."
"...How?"
"Happens a lot. Just give her a massage. I'll be in the changing room, so wash up and sleep."
"Changing room?"
"Kinda embarrassing to show others."
"......Embarrassing?"
Marronnier was sweet enough to keep a secret even if she found out.
But no need to tell her.
Still, lying outright could backfire if caught, so I glossed over it.
Cornus had already gotten up and waddled awkwardly toward me.
"...Hurry."
Cornus groaned.
Marronnier finally got it and nodded.
"G-Go quick. She looks bad. You sure you can fix it? If it's serious, the Sage would know."
"No big deal. Oh, but shower means the shower room..."
"I-I'll use the shower room. Do it here. You can, right?"
I soothed her and sent Marronnier to the shower room with her clothes.
"Siheon."
The moment Marronnier left with her clothes, Cornus yanked off her T-shirt.
Her bra cups overflowed with milk, dripping down.
I reached out and evaporated the milk instantly.
The scent lingered, unavoidable.
-Drip, drip.
I unhooked her bra, and her breasts spilled out, filling my view once more.
The addictive pull, like nicotine, made my whole body react.
"...I'll show you how to use the pump."
Too hard for her to do herself from now on.
I grabbed the breast pump from Cornus's bag.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I'd said it was a shower, but didn't specify how long.
-Splashhhh.
Foam slid down her pristine white skin.
-Squeeze.
Wash hair, body, treatment—15 minutes tops.
Out of the changing room, towel-drying clothes and long hair? 30 minutes max.
They done yet?
I'd called it embarrassing.
Marronnier knew hiding meant a reason.
She was the type to honor promises above all.
But without a time limit...
Couldn't camp in the changing room forever.
Marronnier eyed the firmly shut door.
"Lee Si-heon, Cornus. Done?"
No reply.
Of course. Perfect soundproofing.
She changed clothes, sat watching water droplets roll down the wall—still no door open.
Couldn't stay up all night.
Reluctantly, Marronnier cracked the door to call out.
-Creak.
She eased it open carefully.
-...Haaaang!
"?"
Cornus's moan hit her.
Marronnier froze like stone.
She knew that sultry voice well.
Not pain—lost in pleasure, the sound women make during... that.
Unable to resist, she whipped her head to look.
"...!?!?!"
Medical procedure.
...No.
Seeing him fondle her breasts with those bell-shaped silicone things in both hands.
Marronnier gasped, slammed the door shut, and clapped hands over her mouth.
-Thump thump thump.
What, what what... what.
Her mind shattered.
Shock faded quick; deep in her chest, a soiled emotion stirred.
Embarrassing stuff, huh...
For that sleazy act?
Her heart ached like it was wrung out.
Did his unique ability include this feeling? The hammer-to-head shock left her reeling.
-I only do that with you.
Why did his words pop up now?
She knew it was a lie, but it hurt like a crack in her heart.
"...Ah, aaah! Why'd you look! Blanche really, aaah!"
She pounded the floor in regret.
The brief excitement amid pain lingered; sweat beaded on her chin as she flailed her hands.
They're... that close.
Medical or not.
Playing with breasts using tools? Not normal.
Marronnier stifled her breath and flung the door wide again.
Through the gap...
Lee Si-heon was right there.
"All done."
"Eek!"
Thud!
She toppled backward.
"What's wrong?"
She scanned the room quick.
Milk scent. That occasional aroma from Cornus's body.
Cornus wore a white T-shirt; seeing it replayed the scene.
-Thump, thump.
For some reason, she felt a spark of anger.
"......Cornus okay now?"
"Yeah."
He said it so brazenly.
Marronnier pursed her lips sullenly.
Hard to put into words.
If they consented, no need for her to interfere.
...Hers was a twisted, fabricated emotion.
Theirs was probably real lovers.
Marronnier hadn't imagined he'd use his ability on Cornus too.
"Get up."
She took his hand and stood.
Sweat scent wafted from him.
Another flash: him soaked in sweat, expression thrilled as he toyed with those breasts.
Marronnier felt broken.
...Again.
That feeling rising again.
"...Gonna use the bathroom."
"Huh? Oh, go ahead."
-Creak!
Bang!
The door slammed loud.
Marronnier shoved past Lee Si-heon into the bathroom, plopped on the toilet, and yanked down her stockings.
Even after showering, her privates were soaked; a mere touch made her tremble convulsively.
"......Said it was just me. What's 'medical procedure'?"
Cornus's pained face had long faded from her mind.
Even if truly medical, and that's why he called it embarrassing—Cornus enjoyed it.
Lee Si-heon fondling those huge breasts too.
That aroused look... it drove her mad.
No sleep tonight.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Finished showering and dozed off a bit.
Marronnier took forever in the bathroom; thought about talking, but I fell asleep first.
Contact with Cornus always made me crash hard.
"......Still up?"
I sat up in bed; Marronnier was there, sitting, gearing to leave.
Her outfit was a bit revealing.
White stockings showed her underwear underneath; just a short-sleeve top and pantyhose.
She eyed me like glaring.
"...Couldn't sleep."
The one who'd yelled at me to sleep couldn't?
"Why?"
I asked blankly; she braided one side of her hair and stuck out her tongue.
"...None of your business."
A subtle blaming look.
Then Cornus stirred.
Seeing Cornus's soft face glistening softly, Marronnier glared at me harder, poutier than before.
"Whatever."
She looked ready to cry.