Hoo. Hoo. Hoo. The breathing sounds sticky.
A strange sight.
My breathing and Noah’s breathing mix to form an odd kind of vapor.
Within it, I stood feeling like trash. For some reason, even in this situation, my heart is racing and I feel myself blushing.
“Ah… that’s Uncle…”
“Hmm…”
“…”
Noah looked at me with an awkward expression.
He must be surprised.
Even I think I’m not in my right mind.
How could I have ended up touching a girl’s body like this no matter how close we are?
Was it because Noah doesn’t have much resistance to physical contact?
“Noah.”
“Yes!?”
“Are you okay?”
Uuuuuh…
Noah’s face groaned as if it were a tomato.
It looks embarrassing.
I apologized to Noah.
“I’m sorry.”
“What? Why are you apologizing…?”
“I’m sorry for startling you. Even so, you’re a girl after all.”
“No, but…,”
“I’m sorry.”
I kept apologizing.
When I bowed my head, Noah seemed flustered and started to stutter.
“I’m really fine!”
“But… you made such a sound. It was unpleasant-”
“I’m fine! Oh… rather, I liked it!”
“You liked it?”
Noah nodded.
“Yes… actually, I was feeling a bit tired too. So… hehe.”
“I see.”
“Indeed, I was startled when you suddenly did that, but next time please let me know before doing so!”
“Understood.”
Fortunately, Noah seemed to have calmed down.
I reflected. I promised myself not to do something like that rashly again.
With that resolution, I got dressed. Noah seemed to have a wistful look on his face, but maybe it was just my imagination.
…No.
Thinking about it, despite working so hard on the massage, Noah’s face was unusually red.
Never mind.
I trust our Noah. He’s not a pervert who would pant while looking at someone else’s body.
“So, Noah, what now?”
“Yes?”
“Isn’t it time to go home?”
At my words, Noah looked at the clock.
The hour was quite late, and it was pitch dark outside.
“Should I walk you home?”
“No, then Uncle would have to come out again.”
“Then what should we do?”
The kid glanced at me, asking.
“Could I possibly stay over for the night if it’s okay?”
“That’s fine, but why…?”
“I’ll take care of you tomorrow!”
+++++
Ah…
Dripping water.
“Pheww…”
A warm shower after a long time.
With that, a long sigh escaped Noah.
‘Shower really has to be done with warm water.’
The sensation of all the dirt washing off his body.
Noah loved this feeling.
However, amidst everything being washed away, there was one thing that wouldn’t disappear.
“…Uncle.”
It was the memory of Uncle.
Today’s events lingered in his mind like old grime, refusing to fade.
Uncle’s trip to the emergency room, giving him a massage.
And…
Noah gently rubbed his neck.
Even now, he felt the strange sensation of Uncle’s hands still caressing him.
‘…Why was that?’
When Uncle touched his neck, it felt strange.
There was a slight warmth against the skin, and friction on sensitive areas.
Next, it felt like a current ran through his entire body.
To the point where stars appeared briefly in front of his eyes.
Slowly, softly touched, it made him ache inside.
So much longing welled up deep within his chest.
‘…I miss it.’
…Eh?
“What…what am I thinking, Na-noah…!”
I never thought I’d end up thinking like this.
Wishing Uncle had massaged more…
“Phew…let me get a grip.”
As Noah muttered, he dried his body.
Opening the drawer with a hand wiped clean, he saw clothes.
They were clothes Uncle had brought for Noah.
A white t-shirt and short shorts.
Though prepared as small as possible, due to the difference in body sizes, they were enormous for Noah, almost like giant fabric.
Still, impure thoughts flickered through Noah’s mind.
He chuckled nervously.
…I have to admit it.
“Really losing my mind, aren’t I.”
Looking at those clothes, I wanted to sniff them.
I wanted to fill my nostrils with Uncle’s scent.
“Phew…”
Clearing my head, I put on the clothes.
Needless to say, they were loose enough that I could’ve skipped wearing pants altogether.
But that’s unacceptable.
For a girl to not wear pants…
Of course, if Uncle liked that kind of thing, I’d wear anything—
“Ahh! Why does Uncle keep popping into my mind here!”
Na Noah, the teenage girl.
Her heart was complicated.
Haunted by the presence of one man even with her eyes closed.
+++++
Although I didn’t tell Noah, recently, I haven’t been sleeping well.
Lately, I’ve noticed how light my sleep is.
I bolt upright at the slightest sound, lost between dreams and reality until morning comes.
My body, denied even brief escapes into slumber, suffers as it starts its activities again.
Yet, something strange happens.
I haven’t taken any medication, nor has my illness disappeared, yet…
“…Did I sleep well for the first time in a while?”
If yesterday’s hospital-induced sleep was due to medication, why today without any meds?
“Good morning, Uncle.”
When I opened my eyes, someone was there. The lighting behind them made them glow like an aura.
“An angel…?”
“Wha… What angel?”
“Oh…is that so…”
No wonder my body feels so light.
“Did…did I die?”
“Who dies?! Snap out of it, Uncle!”
I heard scolding.
Only after vigorously rubbing my eyes and looking again did I realize who it was.
“…It’s Noah.”
The figure turned out to be Noah.
The kid was wearing a T-shirt that didn’t fit his body, staring at me intently.
I wondered why he was here, then remembered.
‘Today, he said he’d take care of me, didn’t he?’
Noah hadn’t gone home last night.
After showering and borrowing my clothes, he slept in the living room.
Not only that, but last night he stayed up chatting with me until I fell asleep.
And the result of that is this now.
I slept soundly, and Noah is smiling warmly at me.
“Lunch is ready, so come eat before it gets cold.”
Tears almost welled up.
“Eh…why are you crying, Uncle?”
“Noah…,”
“Yes?”
“Would you like to live together at Uncle’s house?”
Someone greeting me warmly in the morning.
How long has it been since I’ve felt this way? In my past life, I craved false warmth, but today I realized clearly.
That’s truly an angel without wings.
Upon hearing my words, Noah flailed his arms up and down.
“Wh…What kind of talk is that?! I’m still a minor!”
“Uh…? I meant I’ll lend you a room, so come live here.”
“Ah…”
“What were you thinking?”
“That’s…”
Noah hesitating. Another thought crossed my mind.
So, Noah, you…
“…Then.”
“…”
“How about coming to work as a maid at Uncle’s house?”
“Maid…?”
It’s called a maid, but in reality, it’s a housekeeper.
However, it seems Noah’s thoughts have already leaned that way.
“Ah…no thanks.”
“Alright?”
“Calling me a maid, does Uncle want to exploit me like a slave?”
Hooh! Noah’s face turns red.
Only then did I recall that this kid is similar to Kkomkmu.
This kid is also a fan.
Of fairly hardcore romance novels.
Probably in his mind right now, he’s picturing himself in a maid uniform with me as the cruel master.
“Uh…what…”
What exactly is he imagining?
Watching his expression made me feel playful.
I turned around and whispered quietly into the daydreaming kid’s ear.
“…Daring to indulge in empty fantasies in front of your master, you cheeky girl.”
“Ah…Uncle?”
“Want a punishment?”
“Hiiik!?”
Plop!
Noah jumps up.
His eyes are filled with embarrassment.
“Uncle, seriously!”
“It’s the fault of the one who lets their guard down.”
“What?! That irrational statement!”
“The world is inherently irrational. It’s always been like that.”
“…Hmph! I’d absolutely never be a maid!”
The kid haughtily turns his head and leaves the bedroom.
Saying “no.”
Actually, even if he agreed, I couldn’t let him.
There’s Kkomkmu at home, and I can’t be sure my villain job won’t be exposed.
“Uncle, hurry up! We need to eat, then there’s work to do.”
“Work?”
“Yes, I said I’d take care of you today, including rest.”
I nodded.
Assisting with rest can also be considered nursing.
Especially for someone who collapsed from overwork.
Approaching the dining table, my eyes widened.
Too extravagant for just lunch, it was unmistakably Noah’s handiwork.
Doenjang jjigae, Spam, spring vegetable salad… Noah’s skills were evident.
“…Wow…”
“How’s it look? Tasty, right?”
“…Shouldn’t you work as a maid at our place—”
“No way! Eat first. Then I might consider it specially.”
Smiling wryly, I sat down.
The hot rice and utensils placed in front of me.
The food was, of course, delicious.
Whose cooking could it be otherwise? There’s no way it wouldn’t taste good.
Constant exclamations of delight made Noah peek his head out.
It’s become daily routine now.
“Hehe…”
Well, if he looks happy, it’s fine.
That’s how I ate the warm doenjang jjigae Noah cooked, and suddenly asked,
“So, what’s next after we finish eating? You said you’d plan my healing schedule, right?”
Healing schedule.
The schedule Noah told me about last night.
Today’s rest schedule, apparently.
In response to my question, Noah pulled out a game pack and answered.
“Hehe, actually, I borrowed this from Taehwa.”
“What’s that?”
Noah’s lips curled up.
“Uncle, you play this, boom.”
+++++
