The Childhood Friend's Devastating Line
"……No matter what happens, I will definitely support you."
A low, soft voice. The moment that voice brushed past her ear.
.......!!!!!
Lena Youngstern's mind literally exploded into pure white.
Th-this. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. That's basically a proposal, isn't it?!
A declaration that even if the whole world turned its back on you, she alone would be completely on your side. Honestly, it was a proposal that could easily rank in the top tier of the special corner in 『Young Lady Monthly』 magazine, <100 Proposal Master Lines That Would Succeed Even If You Say Them Right Now>!
— "Oh my, if I received a confession like this, I'd get married right away." (Reader F, daughter of a duke)
— "I made my husband propose to me again after seeing this?" (Editor B, daughter of a count)
It was such a perfect proposal that it deserved special comments like these!
Contact the magazine immediately.
...No, that's not it!
Pshhhhhh. Smoke seemed to rise from Lena's head like steam.
How could he say such a destructive line so casually? She never imagined such a heavy-hitting line coming from the usually clumsy Ian Ash's mouth.
A strange emotion began to bubble up in her chest.
I-it might be nice…….
Just as her instinctive affirmative answer was about to slip out, Lena desperately swallowed it back down her throat. If he found out she was awake, she wouldn't be able to handle this embarrassing atmosphere. Because it would be like declaring that she had been pretending to sleep gloomily while listening to everything he said!
"Ung……."
But the sound that escaped her mouth as a side effect of hurriedly swallowing her breath was completely off.
"Huh, Lena? Does it hurt a lot?"
She felt Ian approaching abruptly. The sound of wringing the towel stopped, and footsteps drew closer. Lena gritted her teeth.
Oh no, what do I do.
"If it hurts a lot, I'll call a nurse."
His voice was sincere. His tone was filled with worry.
C-close!
While Lena squirmed, trying to avoid him, swish—she felt Ian carefully replacing the towel on her forehead.
Why, why is he being so kind!
The moment the cool, damp sensation touched her, flames ignited on Lena's cheeks. But this idiot, mistaking it for severe mana exhaustion, started worrying even more.
"Damn, isn't this serious? Her fever's rising even more. Where did the health room teacher go."
"……."
The sound of footsteps going to soak the now lukewarm towel in cold water again. Taking that opportunity, Lena took a deep breath.
Calm down. Calm down, Lena Youngstern. If her face keeps getting this red, she'll definitely be found out.
Let's think about this guy's flaws.
Right, flaws. The fact that he draws perverted manga. Let's start from there. She doesn't like that he draws perverted manga, right. Obviously. The fact that he got Estel to give him her underwear—just thinking about it is perverted. He probably demanded all sorts of things. Yeah. He's a bad guy.
……But.
It's obvious he's working hard. He stays up all night until he can't even open his eyes in the morning. He's so focused that he can't even take care of his own body, and it's visible that he's collapsing.
...That's why I end up supporting him.
Honestly, it was cool.
Swish. A cold wet towel is placed on her forehead. And then a hand carefully touches her as if checking her temperature.
...Rough.
The palm touching her forehead was rough. Calluses that clearly belonged to someone who held a pen every day.
But why is it so delicate.
Ian's touch was gentle and delicate, as if not wanting to wake her and disturb her rest. In this day and age, are there men this caring? A man who nurses like something out of a magazine.
Lena found herself imagining it without realizing. A harmonious mansion with two children running around squealing. And herself feeling a bit sick, being nursed by Ian. If she thought that Ian would nurse her like this every time she got sick.
……At this point, isn't he a perfect husband.
Thump, thump, thump, thump. Lena's heart began to beat more violently. In that rough heartbeat, one conclusion popped out like a wave.
I want to get married.
To this guy.
The moment that thought crossed her mind, Lena's entire body flushed hot from end to end. Fortunately, Ian was a little distance away.
"……Eut."
A short, low moan escaped her mouth.
"Hm? Lena, are you awake?"
Ian's voice came from very close by.
This is bad.
Lena's toes curled up from the tension. Her hand gripping the sheet began to tremble, feeling like everything had been discovered.
What do I do? What do I really do. If she opens her eyes now, she'll definitely make eye contact with Ian with a bright red face, and then of course this guy will ask why she's so red, and then she'll definitely—
At that moment.
Rattle—!
The infirmary door opened violently. Lena felt bright light pouring in through her eyelids and let out a sigh of relief inwardly.
...Saved.
◆
"I... Is Ian student here?"
A timid voice from beyond the door.
Woman?
The relief from just moments ago was short-lived, and Lena's nerves instantly stood on end. At the end of her slightly rolled eyes' field of vision, pink hair swayed. The woman who rushed in clung to Ian who had gone to greet her.
"Th-the Magic Tower Master blew him away, I heard and came running right away! A-are you really okay?"
"Yes. As you can see, I'm fine. By the way, is it okay for the Dean to come here just because of one student?"
Ah. So she's the Dean.
When she opened her eyes a bit wider and looked closely, it was Lucy Blossom Everpink, Dean of the Art Department. Lena sighed in relief and quickly scanned her figure. Small and slender build. Hmm, no threat at all. Since Ian is a pervert, he'd prefer a body with more to touch. A fact she could tell just from the pictures he drew. Lena relaxed her mind.
"W-well, our department's only new student was brought in! Of course, checking on the student's health is also the Dean's clear duty!"
"Ah. I thought the Dean was just free because she has no work."
"Uuuuugh!"
But at that moment, Dean Lucy suddenly grabbed both of Ian's hands and intertwined her fingers with his, making a handhold!
Wh-what's with that woman?!
A vein popped on Lena's forehead. Even if they're teacher and student, to fiddle with a man's hand from outside like that!
"...What is this?"
"P-Professor Harrington told me to make sure to check if Ian student's fingers are safe!"
Squish squish. Watching Dean Lucy squishing as if playing with the texture, Ian pulled his hand away as if annoyed.
"I'm fine. More importantly, Dean, isn't it time for your part-time job? You said you were doing it steadily to pay off your debts."
"Ah! R-right! Ian student, rest well!"
Dean Lucy hurriedly left the infirmary.
Well…… If it's the Dean, it could be because she's worried about her student.
Lena, who had been glaring at the two with narrowed eyes, let out a small sigh and rationalized. At the sound of Ian turning back toward the bed, startled, she tightly closed her eyes again. Because she still didn't have the confidence to look Ian straight in the eye.
But then.
Knock knock knock—
This time, another knock. The door opened with a cautious knock sound. Lena opened her eyes slightly again.
"I-I came to check if you're okay……."
This time it was Saintess Arina Saint.
Why is the Saintess coming to see Ian?!
Lena was dumbfounded. Ian also seemed flustered and leaned back.
"Why has the Saintess come to such a humble place?"
"I-I came to visit the sick..."
"Visit me? Were we that close?"
At Ian's near-iron-wall question, the Saintess's eyes lost their place and rolled around wildly. She seemed to be desperately looking for something to use as an excuse.
"W-we take the same classes! A-and…… I-I thought you might be in a lot of pain. I, um, as the Saintess of the church, have the duty to care for all people……."
At the obviously hastily made excuse, Lena's insides began to boil.
Liar! Anyone can see it's full of ulterior motives!
What bothered Lena's nerves the most was the Saintess's figure. The voluptuous curves that couldn't be contained under the Saintess's robes symbolizing abstinence. Her breasts are unnecessarily big! Lena gripped the blanket tightly.
"I'm glad you're really safe. It seems like it's all because of me, I'm sorry……."
The Saintess said that while carefully stroking Ian's shoulder and the bandaged area around his arm. A Saintess-like touch as if healing a wounded hero on a great mission. No. Not <like a Saintess>, but a real Saintess, right?
Ian got hurt because he was kicked by the Magic Tower Master, so why is she sorry?!
A vein stood out clearly on Lena's forehead. She wanted to separate that lewd Saintess... Saintess from Ian right away. Fortunately, Ian was keeping his distance from the Saintess with a polite and dry attitude.
"Thank you for your concern, but I'm really fine. It doesn't seem like the Saintess needs to waste her precious time on someone like me."
Yeah, Ian. Good job! Put up that iron wall!
The Saintess muttered gloomily.
"I-is that so..."
"But I really appreciate the visit. Thanks to you, I think I'll recover quickly."
"Hehe."
The Saintess laughed awkwardly and left the room.
After the consecutive visits from women, Lena felt like all her energy was being drained.
I can't do this. If I keep pretending to sleep, I might die from frustration.
Just as Lena was about to sneakily open her eyes and get up.
Bang!
This time the door opened as if it would break, without even a knock.
"Ian Ash!"
"Who is it this time?!"
Lena jumped up from her spot without realizing it.