episode_0019

Since our visit to the amusement park last time, the gentleman has been acting very strangely.

His behavior has always been a bit peculiar, but lately, it seems like he can’t see well, can’t speak properly, and has gone beyond being just strange to becoming a complete fool.

This morning, when I lightly brushed off his clothes before heading to work, he just stared at my chest and then ran away.

I wondered if there was something wrong with my outfit, but since I was wearing a yellow hoodie that didn’t allow for any slight exposure, the possibility seemed low.

I felt a twinge of guilt, thinking that maybe I had done something wrong, so I even searched through the gentleman’s room thoroughly. However, I couldn’t find anything suspicious on the bookshelves, and ever since I mentioned it before, he had placed a diffuser in the room, filling it with a faint lavender scent.

Although there was an increase in the amount of tissues being thrown into the trash can, there was nothing else out of the ordinary… Oh, maybe he’s been coughing a lot lately because he’s catching a cold?

But wait, were the symptoms of a cold frequent nose-blowing, coughing, and a rising body temperature?

Considering the number of tissues in the gentleman’s trash can and his frequent coughing…

“Wait, come to think of it, his face has been getting red and hot often lately. Could he really have caught a cold?”

The small doubt that arose quickly turned into a near certainty. It had been over a week since these symptoms appeared, so there was a possibility that they had worsened considerably.

Trying to calm my frantic heart, which felt like it was on fire, I took out my smartphone and began searching for what was good for a cold.

In the midst of this, I came across a blog recommending foods that are good for a cold rather than relying on medication, and without any hesitation, I absorbed the contents of that blog into my mind.

[1. Boiling honey in tea can relieve a sore throat.

2. Pears have a fever-reducing effect and help treat colds easily, as they are rich in juice and good for replenishing lost fluids.

3. Oranges are rich in vitamin C, effective in preventing colds and boosting immunity.

4. Ginseng is considered the best food for a cold.]

“Honey, pears, oranges, and ginseng, is that right?”

With about three hours left until the gentleman returned home from work, if I rushed to the large supermarket now, I would have plenty of time to prepare dinner.

Alright, decision made, I’ll head out right away!

…

..

.

“Meow~” “Nyaa~”

“Oh… Don’t come near me!! Aahh!”

Why! Why are these monsters chasing after me as soon as I leave the house! Just looking at their eyes makes my skin crawl, and even moving becomes difficult. Why on a day like this!

But even if you try to hinder me like this, I will never give up. I may not have gone to the military yet, but I am undoubtedly a strong man of South Korea! This much…?

“…? What did I just say… Oh no!?”

Pausing for a moment as I felt something strange in my mind, something grabbed both of my ankles tightly as I stopped. And then those soft furballs gathered around me, their faces mercilessly nuzzling against me.

“Meow~” “Nyaa~”

The chilling sensation spreading from my toes quickly engulfed my whole body, causing me to tremble as if I were being electrocuted.

Sitting down where I stood, I came face to face with the black creatures that were now perched on me, their eyes gleaming mischievously.

“Meow!”

“N-nooo!”

And when the black beast widened its pupils and let out a howl, I was overcome with tears, my hands trembling as I moved back, then mustered all my strength to run out of the monsters’ lair to escape.

Even though I felt the small monsters chasing me from behind, the fear only fueled my weary legs to step more vigorously.

“Mom, the cat lady, I brought more friends today!”

…Oh, how embarrassing!

*

Even on the way back, I was attacked by the monster horde, but I persevered and successfully achieved my goal.

Due to the recent rise in fruit prices, buying greenhouse tangerines and pears was no joke, but it was a necessary expense that I didn’t hesitate to make.

After wasting time wondering which one was of better quality, I finally finished shopping for acacia honey and red ginseng extract sticks at the large mart… and safely arrived home after another chase.

“Persistent creatures…”

I had scraped my knee on the way back, but the blood wasn’t flowing much. Most importantly, the contents of the plastic bag were unharmed, so everything was okay!

– Beep beep beep beep… Click!

Feeling proud, I took out the contents one by one, when the sound of the door lock button rang from the entrance.

Oh no! I was planning to make stir-fried pork today, but I hadn’t even started preparing yet, and if the man comes…

“I’m back…”

“Ah, welcome back, sir!”

Flustered, I went out to greet the man, who turned his head away, avoiding my gaze.

*Cough!*

Yes, something definitely seemed off. Not only was he coughing, but his shoulders were tense, and although his face wasn’t visible due to turning his head, his ears were red, indicating a high body temperature.

“Sir, just be honest. You caught a cold, right?”

“A co-cold? What cold… I’m perfectly fine.”

“A perfectly fine person starts coughing as soon as they come in? And why are you avoiding my eyes? You’re acting really suspicious lately!”

Frowning, I stared at the man, who started to look uncomfortable, placing my hand on my hip and continued to glare at him.

“Hey, I really didn’t catch a cold. It’s just a cough, and my nose isn’t stuffy, so it’s not a cold…”

“If you’re using so much tissue and your nose isn’t stuffy, then what are you using it for?”

*Cough!*

Of course, he reacts like this when he’s caught. Yes, there’s solid evidence, so where are you going to hide!

“T-that’s… well, you see…”

With no excuse to make, the man’s eyes widened in panic. I stepped forward, grabbed his face, and pressed my forehead against his to feel his temperature.

“Wow… you’re burning up, sir! Are you crazy? Seriously! You were out like this?!”

“Ugh. Hey, it’s not because I caught a cold, it’s…”

“Your ears are so hot too! Sir, just take off your clothes and wash up! Or should I fill the bathtub with water right now?”

“Really, it’s not… Fine! I’ll go wash up, so calm down, okay?”

Having successfully persuaded the man who pretends to be okay despite being a bundle of nerves to enter the bathroom, I neatly organized his bag and even set up the entrance hall with his shoes before finally being able to prepare my meal in peace.

First, I need to cook the meat, right? Hmm, seeing the right amount of oil coming out gives me a good feeling.

Now that the pink color of the meat has disappeared, it’s time to season it. I’ll add some red pepper paste… and a little soy sauce, where did the minced garlic go?

Now, if I add the vegetables and stir-fry them… it’s done!

…

I finished much faster than I thought. Even after finishing organizing the luggage, the sound of water from the shower was echoing in the bathroom.

But it seems like the person showering is taking a bit longer than usual. Or maybe they’re finding it difficult to even wash up due to not feeling well?

Yeah, that’s quite possible. Should I lend a hand then?

Oops. It would be troublesome if the water splashes, so I’ll roll up my sleeves a bit… there.

– Click

As I opened the bathroom door, a thick fog spread out in front of me, obscuring my reflection in the mirror. Carefully opening the door, the man inside the shower booth was still leaning his head down, letting the warm water from the shower hit his body.

Picking up the towel that was placed on the shelf, I grabbed the handle of the shower booth.

“Sir, should I scrub your back…”

“Eek!?”

The man, who was holding onto something with his right hand while bracing against the wall with his left hand, quickly lowered his right hand. Was it really that surprising?

Oh, but looking at him like this, is this man really in good shape? Could he secretly be going to the gym? Not only does he have abs, but his biceps are so well-defined that I can’t take my eyes off them.

“I… I said get out!!”

“Huh? I came to scrub your back…”

“I said get out!!”

I don’t understand why he’s shouting out of embarrassment. Besides, if he’s so embarrassed, shouldn’t he cover everything up? He’s practically showing it off.

“Fine, take your time and come out, okay?”

“I said get out now!”

“Okay… then take this for now.”

Handing the towel to him, I quietly left the bathroom, wiped my hands dry, and sat at the dining table, waiting for him.

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.

Why didn’t I feel any excitement when I saw his naked body? Why do I feel so accustomed to a man’s body for so long… I can’t remember anything, but after seeing the man I just checked on, I definitely learned one thing.

That our innocent-looking man, like a baby bird, was actually a real man.