Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Why Are You Crying?
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"Shall we make today fun too!"
I woke up in the hospital room, my face bright as I used the remote by the bed to sit upright.
I wanted to open my laptop first, but hospital meals were due any minute, so I'd eat before that.
Sure enough, the meal arrived. The nurse set up the table, placed a cushion behind my back, said "Enjoy your meal," and left the room.
'Gotta taste good to eat it well.'
I grumbled inwardly but chewed diligently on the familiar bland flavor I'd grown used to.
Today was one of the rare days my family would visit, so I polished off every bite.
They were the type to take eating seriously...
Once the dishes were cleared, with the table still warm from the tray, I set my laptop on it.
The moment I powered it on, I logged into Rebel of the Academy, the game I'd been hooked on lately.
I skipped the familiar opening, then loaded my save file from the loading screen.
Yesterday, I'd been gleefully slicing through the heretics' shadowy organization for hours, saving right before the boss room.
I checked my gear durability and potions at the boss room entrance, then stepped inside.
"Damn... living in such a flashy place. But why do you look like that?"
The room was decked out with ornate golden furniture, screaming "I'm loaded" in ultimate luxury. Standing in the middle was the boss, glaring at me in head-to-toe black like some assassin.
The second I entered, he hurled daggers. I dove into his guard, unleashed telekinesis...
'Did I even invest in telekinesis?'
The doubt was fleeting as a takedown icon flashed. I mounted him and stabbed his throat.
The assassin dropped instantly, but for some reason, I kept spamming skills on the corpse's neck.
"What is this, the boss room? Way too easy."
I was still stabbing away when the hospital room door suddenly opened. A weary-looking man entered.
His cheeks were sunken, dark circles under his eyes, exuding exhaustion. His pants had dust streaks like he'd wiped them by hand.
He asked about me with a blank expression.
"...Did you eat well? How's your body feeling lately?"
My body was beyond saving, but I smiled back.
"The food's been tasting better lately, so I feel a bit more energetic. Haha!"
Just those first words made my stomach churn.
I'd avoided mirrors for ages, not wanting to see my gaunt face. No idea what my smile even looked like.
But I forced my lips upward.
Seeing him show up in plainer clothes each time, his face more fatigued—it was torture.
"Your mom said she couldn't come today—big group booking at the restaurant."
He didn't mention my little sister.
He knew it'd hurt me.
We exchanged a few banal words, time slipping by.
Dad glanced at his watch and stood.
"...I'll come again next time."
As he left, I called after his back.
"You don't have to come so often! I've been enjoying games alone lately. What do guys even talk about that you need to visit this much? Hahaha!"
I didn't see his face as he passed through the door.
What expression was it? Anger? Sorrow? No clue... Even knowing wouldn't feel good.
"...I'll come again."
He murmured softly and left. The room held only curtained beds and me.
'...Should I just die?'
Self-loathing crashed in; I closed my eyes.
Suicidal thoughts surfaced, but this shell of a body couldn't even end itself on command.
Eyes shut, I pondered ways to die.
Recent searches for "easy ways to die" yielded only counselor numbers and cheap pity like "Hang in there" or "Good days will come." Nothing satisfying.
Opening my eyes amid that deep-sea despair, the assassin from the boss room stared back, knife in hand.
His blade pierced my throat.
Foreign pressure in my neck, blood rising—I couldn't breathe or scream.
The cold-looking steel burned hot; the patient gown brushing my skin felt icy.
Couldn't thrash—probably because his knee pinned my arms. Blood sprayed before my eyes.
As blood drained from my neck, the world lost color.
Everything turning gray...
"Gahk!"
"Son! Son! Oh... my baby, my boy..."
"Your Highness!"
"His Highness is awake!"
Through hazy vision, I saw Mother's hair as she embraced me.
Lily clutched the blanket, eyes puffy. Outside, priests and physicians rushed in.
Lily snapped to, carefully pouring water from a cup to my lips.
Water hit my parched throat. As I tried to swallow past the rawness, the phantom blockage choked me—I spat it out.
"Pfft! Cough! Cough!"
"Oh... sor... I'm sorry, Your Highness! You must have been so scared. Please... breathe slowly, okay?"
"Physician! Check his condition! Now!"
Mother eased me back onto the bed. Physicians and priests crowded around, examining me.
I just stared blankly at the ceiling.
They finished, reporting to Mother with grim faces.
"His Highness's body is fine. With proper nutrition and hydration—things he hasn't had—he'll be up in no time... The issue is..."
The physician hesitated; Mother pressed, tears streaming.
"Issue? Speak quickly... Hurry!"
"...His Highness seems to have suffered severe psychological trauma. Likely a deep-seated one."
"Oh... my son, what do we do... Mommy's... Mommy's so sorry..."
Memories overlapped.
[Mommy's... Mommy's so sorry...]
'Ah...'
Someone else crying around me again.
No reason for apologies...
Mother and Lily wept, gazing at me.
What should I do?
Right—smile.
They like it when I smile.
Then they'll smile brightly back. Yeah, smile! And answer cheerfully!
"Mother... I'm... fine..."
The words came out strained; my throat tightened with each syllable, killing any cheer.
Not good enough.
Clear my throat, smile bigger, try again!
"I... ngh! Me! I'm not hurting at all right now. Hehe.
The priests must've worked their magic! Lily~ Stop crying and give me some water."
Lily grimaced, tears flowing at my sight. Mother's blank face just shed endless tears.
Lily's trembling hands brought water; ignoring the choking sensation, I forced it down.
"Hehe! One sip and I feel alive. Thanks, Lily! So, how long was I out? Body feels stiff—like I've been down a while! Ugh, classes must be backed up... Sorry, everyone. I'll make sure to lock the windows from now on. But hey, I'm a 2nd Circle mage now! Leveled up fighting that assassin! Mother, could you ask Grandpa to come to the palace quick? Oh, where's Father?"
Looking toward the door, Father stood there.
He stared blankly, eyes quivering.
"Father! You came? Hehe, I took down an assassin! Hit 2nd Circle in the process. Did good, right? Why that face? I'm fine—no pain anywhere. Oh, but everything's gray now—could you have the physician check my eyes again? Weird... Maybe from not seeing light in ages?"
Father froze at the threshold, unable to enter.
Mother murmured "I'm sorry" through blank tears.
Lily's shoulders shook—she'd buried her face in the bed, sobbing silently.
"Come on! Why's everyone so gloomy? I said I'm fine."
I looked around—no replies.
The room filled with suffocating silence, Lily's sobs,
and Mother's endless "I'm sorry"s...
Embarrassed, I rolled my eyes—then caught my reflection.
I was smiling... while crying.
"Wh-what? Why are tears pouring out? Is that why everything's gray? Priest! Can you heal my eyes now?"
Silence blanketed the room. No one answered.
'Ah... but I'm fine...'
Guess I didn't look normal...
I just stared vacantly at my reflection.