Nursing (2)

Uh, Student Council President?

Talions words naturally trickled out as soon as he saw Eleanor walking down the hallway from the opposite side.

He had heard rumors about her lately, like how she holed herself up in the physical training room, refusing to take a single step outside. So this was a rather rare occasion where one could actually catch her outside that room.

Its been a while since I have seen you. Have you been well? The last time we talked was during the Exchange Student Program, wasnt it?

Following his gentle smile was a warm and friendly greeting, befitted of his character as someone with a high social skill.

Indeed. It has been a while.

Talion tilted his head at her reply.

While to others, she might have sounded no different from normal, to him, he could feel that there was something off with her.

President, are you okay?

What is it that you mean?

Did something bad happen?

Eleanor tilted her head.

Does it look like something bad has happened to me?

No, you look the same on the outside, but

Talion scratched his head as he continued.

You touch your ears often while you speak, this means youre bothered by something. Well, thats what I heard at least.

Eleanors eyes widened as she looked at her hand.

I did not realize I had such a habit

Senior Brother told me. He said that Student Council President has many habits and

Eleanors expression stiffened for a moment.

It was noticeable enough that Talion was briefly taken aback.

Did I say something wrong?

He was so bewildered that he quietly bit his lip as he watched Eleanor.

What should I say to her now?

He noticed that she wasnt in the mood to talk about Dowd.

Previously, even the slightest mention of Dowd would make her eyes sparkle as shed rush in, attentively listening to everything.

Did they have a fight or something?

It was obvious to Talion that the relationship between those two had become awkward.

Although he didnt really know the reason, he did remember Dowd complaining that Eleanor refused to meet him despite him trying to look for her.

While he was lost in such thoughts, Eleanor suddenly asked.

Speaking of which, where are you headed?

Ah, Senior Brother asked me to look for someone named Faenol so

He stopped talking mid-sentence, horrified by the realization of what he just said.

This person in front of him was someone who knew every name of those close to Dowd by heart. Now, imagine if she were to hear that he was looking for a girl on Dowds behalf

Is that so?

But

Contrary to his expectations, Eleanors response was surprisingly lukewarm.

Even Talion was startled; So much so that he had to take a moment to properly look at her.

And when he did that, he realized that he was wrong.

She didnt give out a lukewarm reaction. Instead, what he said deepened her depression.

Almost as if she was saying, Its obvious that it would turn out that way

And her next words confirmed this.

That might be for the better.

She muttered to herself in self-deprecation.

It is probably better for him to be with other female students than with someone like me.

Huh?

From that mans perspective, I must seem quite pathetic. Perhaps, he already starts disliking

Um, Student Council President. It may be presumptuous of me to say this, but

After hearing that, Talion just couldnt let it go.

There was, of course, the discomfort of seeing a person, who was always so confident, becoming self-deprecating like this, but more than that

Yes?

If you continue to be like this, youll only make Senior Brother suffer even more.

You should know it already. Theres no way that hed start to dislike you, or find you pathetic. Did he himself say those words to you? I dont think he did, right?

I genuinely dont know why you suddenly feel so uneasy around him, but I think you should try talking to him directly. Im sure you wont regret doing it.

Even Talion knew that there were numerous people around Dowd Campbell, especially the number of the ladies, it was noticeably high.

But even among them, there was no doubt that he cared the most about the state of this woman right here.

Hearing that, Eleanor blinked her eyes and then, with a sigh, nodded her head.

Even if they were mere empty words, I appreciate it.

They are not empty words at all.

I see. I understand. Indeed, you do have quite the talent in the art of socializing, Eldest Son of Armand Viscounty.

No, Im being serious. You see, Im rooting for Iliya.

Of course, I like you too, President, but if I had to choose, Id naturally support my friend a little mo

Well, at least she knew that such a response certainly wasnt from someone whod say empty words to her.

Hmph.

Eleanor sighed and dusted off her palms.

She had just knocked out Talion, who was spouting nonsense, by striking him between the brows.

To be honest, the only reason she restrained herself a little was because he said something somewhat helpful.

-You should know it already. Theres no way that hed start to dislike you, or find you pathetic. Did he himself say those words to you? I dont think he did, right?

She knew that. Better than anyone, in fact.

Yes, she was training, but the reason she didnt try to see Dowd to this extent was because there wasnt any reason to.

All this effort was purely for her personal reasons.

What if. Just what if, when I run into him

What if she confirmed that he saw her in a negative light?

If she noticed that his feelings towards her had shifted towards dislike?

She wouldnt be able to endure it.

Rather, she wasnt even sure of how shed accept that.

However, according to what Talion just said, her actions would only make him suffer even more

.If thats the case

It should be fine.

She could stay by his side like before, as if nothing ever happened.

Just as before, she could see his warm smile again.

Those selfish desire began to quietly rise in her mind.

What an unsightly woman I am.

It had not been that long since she swore not to get involved with him more than necessary, until she gained the strength to protect him.

Not a long time had passed since she realized that she couldnt see him getting hurt because of her.

But now

She was loitering around because she couldnt endure even that short span of time. Because she wanted to see that man again.

Even if it was just for a moment, even if it was just for a little while, she wanted to feel his kindness.

She shook her head and stepped back.

Even so, she couldnt. She shouldnt.

Once she made up her mind, she had to stick to it. For both her and his sake.

As such, the alternative she came up with was to watch the man from a distance, as if she had always done so.

It was similar to how people who were quitting smoking forcefully chewed on something. She desperately wanted to talk to this man, but she endured it by just watching from a distance.

Besides, she hadnt seen the man for too long, so something akin to withdrawal symptoms were starting to appear.

And

This was the result of that.

Eleanor bit her lip until it bled when she saw Dowd lying unconscious on the bed.

He had just collapsed in the hallway and she had hurriedly picked him up and moved him to the infirmary.

-Eleanor is the most important.

-I do want to see her at least once.

-Theres something I have to tell her directly, but Ive been so tired lately

The words she had just heard brushed past her mind.

Did this man really want to meet her that badly?

The doctor said that he fainted due to overworking himself. With that, she could tell that he must have been running around trying to solve another problem again.

In a situation where he was struggling so hard for something, it was clear that he was hoping she would meet him, even if it was just for a moment.

However

This time, too, she couldnt be of any help to him.

Im sorry.

She closed her eyes, took his hand that was lying on the bed, and murmured such words.

Im sorry, Dowd.

There was really, truly nothing else she could say besides that.

After all, there was no other word to describe the heavy emotion that was sinking itself deeper into her heart.

To what extent was she harming this man?

As she stroked that hand while thinking so

Mmm

Perhaps he was talking in his sleep? Dowd turned his head.

And then, his peaceful face, innocent to the world, came into Eleanors vision.

As soon as it did

Ah.

With a Thump, her heart sank.

Her heartbeat quickened, and heat rushed to her face.

All this man did was sleep without a clue in the world, but

She

Without realizing it, found himself stroking his face gently.

What in the world do you think you are doing, Eleanor?

That thought sharply rose through the gaps of her shallow consciousness.

She knew that she didnt have the right to do this.

Who exactly had the right to was a big question in itself, but she knew that whoever the answer was, it definitely wasnt her.

What she had done was the worst thing a human being could do.

Even while being sorry Even as she apologized that much Giving in to this momentary desire was something only a lowly human who deserved contempt would do.

She was aware of that in her head.

But

Her heart.

This aura that was surging inside her heart

Wanted this man.

She couldnt control it. Just the touch of their skin made all the desires she had been suppressing burst out.

After all, she had missed him.

She wanted to see him and touch him and feel him and hear his voice.

How long had it been since she had done that?

She looked down at him, who was sound asleep, with slightly rough pants.

It might be strange to express it this way

But looking at this man now

She couldnt help but drool.

Just a little.

Wouldnt it be okay if its just a little?

Ever so slightly, so it doesnt show.

She swallowed dryly.

Im sorry.

Her voice echoed quietly.

I am really, truly sorry. I am truly a bad person.

The words were the same apology, but

.I am truly sorry.

The meaning contained was entirely different from before.

[Hey.]

[I know that youre already awake, but why arent you opening your eyes? Are you actually enjoying this situation?]

Oh, shut the fuck up.

I threw such words out while desperately keeping my eyes closed.

Dumbass, are you kidding me?

How am I supposed to open my eyes in this kind of situation?

What should I do if I open my eyes anyway? Tell her, Actually, Ive been awake this whole time! I wanted to see what you were up to? Yeah, Id be lucky if she only fucked up my jaw after that.

But seriously, what the fuck was going on?

Why was she suddenly groping around my entire body?

I regained consciousness and found myself in this state! Where the fuck am I? Who the fuck am I? Why the fuck am I? I dont even know whats what anymore!

Anyway

Considering her tendencies, everything should have ended after she gave me a tender kiss or something.

There was no way shed do anything more than

[Ooooh, her hand is gradually going lower.]

The fuck?

[Shes literally trying to take off your clothes. A kiss on the lips? What are you on about? You two have already done it before, do you think shed be satisfied with just that. Naive.]

No, Im not even worried about my lips being used at this point.

But going beyond that is, well, sort of, you know!

[She looks nervous. Look, she cant find the buttons, shes fumbling around.]

[Anyway, will you be okay? If things were to continue like this, shell eat you whole, you know?]

Stop your commentaries!

Please, for the love of all that is holy, Im also trying to figure out how to get out of this situation right now.

I have to do something!

Right as I was thinking this

The situation was resolved suddenly.

But

In a direction I absolutely did not wish for.

Mr. Dowd, I heard you collapse from overworking! Are you okay!

Mr. Dowd, a-are you okay?!

Along with those voices, the door of the infirmary burst open.

At this, Eleanor abruptly stood up, startled, and as a result, the entire bed flipped over, throwing my body onto the floor.

There was that. It was a bit of a relief, honestly.

After all, one of the voices belonged to Yuria. And I managed to avoid getting my bare face exposed.

However

Ah.

Uh.

Lucia and Yuria looked around the infirmary with dazed eyes.

So, to be more precise

They saw my figure, rolling on the floor with all my clothes loosened

And Eleanor, with her face oddly red, panting, and having been touching me until just a moment ago.

Silence stretched as their gazes met each others

Uh, Lady Tristan.

Then

Finally, the Saintess spoke in a chilly voice.

What exactly were you doing here?

Oh my poor stomach.

It hurts

Why the fuck did it always turn into this kind of situation even when I faint from overwork?

Cut me some slack. Please.

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