The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 3.8

“Yes, I heard many first-class furnishings were damaged because of yesterday’s storm. That’s partly why we’re docking.”

“Ah, because of moving furniture?”

“That’s right. The damage to the second and third class is minimal, but the first class was hit particularly hard. So they’re looking for people to repair and secure the first-class furniture while the passengers are relaxing on the island. Since they’re looking for help from the ship rather than hiring a private company, you can work too.”

“That’s great, I should go look for it.”

“You don’t need to go out of your way. I’ll tell my Hyungnim I know. He’s about to die from all the extra work that suddenly came up.”

“Would you? Thanks.”

Evan smiled brightly at Levit, whose ears turned red at the sight.

“Miss, if you’re not feeling well today, should we cancel the lesson?”

“Huh? No, no. I can do it. See you there a bit later.”

Rosette, awakening from her fantasy at Levit’s words, shook her head. Levit smiled faintly, looking relieved. Perhaps because of the storm, Levit seemed to have grown somehow. Boys this age can grow so much in just one day, she thought. Rosette looked at Levit with wonder.

“Then I’ll see you later.”

Levit left the room with a light step. Evan stretched and approached Rosette.

“You have dark circles under your eyes. You barely slept, right? How about taking another nap after eating?”

“No, I want to review what I’m going to teach today first. But Evan, are you worrying about me now? Because I’m precious to you?”

Rosette threw out a mischievous joke. Evan looked at her incredulously before breaking into a smile. He tore his portion of bread into bite-sized pieces, placed them in Rosette’s soup bowl, and said.

“Yes, because you’re precious to me.”

“….”

It was Rosette who was caught off guard. As she was avoiding his gaze awkwardly, Evan suddenly reached out his hand.

“Why, why?”

Rosette asked in shock, pushing her chair back.

“There was a bread crumb on your cheek.”

Evan showed the bread crumb between his thumb and index finger with a shrug. Then it disappeared without a trace into Evan’s mouth. At that sight, her heart pounded helplessly as though there was a drum inside her. Now that the heart flutter was no longer anxiety.

***

Arriving at the classroom a bit early, Rosette found someone blocking the doorway. It was neither Levit nor Ariel, but Laub. Compared to others who were walking around looking sickly from last night’s aftermath, he looked better. Despite the rather hot day, he wore a light blue striped shirt with a jacket and navy pants, though he didn’t look hot, perhaps because the material was cool. Lowering his hat that he had clearly chosen with care, Laub smiled.

“You’re up early. I thought I’d have to wait a few more hours.”

“What brings you here?”

Rosette responded coldly. Having written love letters until her hand was swollen—and for different women at that—she couldn’t possibly view him favorably. Though he must have detected Rosette’s feelings, Laub smiled good-naturedly.

“I forgot a few people to send letters to. If you have time today…”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have time today.”

Rosette flatly refused after hearing Laub’s purpose. It was such a sharp rejection that people nearby might feel embarrassed, but Laub didn’t mind at all.

“I see. Then how about…”

“I’m sorry, but I’ll likely be busy then too.”

“I haven’t even said when yet…”

After one refusal, she thought he would understand, but Laub was more persistent than expected. Rosette sighed and looked up at Laub directly. Meeting her pink eyes, Laub smiled with his eyes.

“Since you pretend not to understand when I hint, I’ll just say it plainly. I don’t want to translate letters that seem to toy with women.”

“My, toying with them? I’m sincere with everyone.”

Laub clutched his chest pretending to be hurt, but Rosette didn’t bat an eye.

“Anyway, I have no intention of continuing that work. I thought I should meet you once more, so this works out well.”

Saying that, Rosette took out an old wallet from her pocket. Though worn, the wallet had many inner pockets that served its function well. Rosette took out the money she had set aside and held it out to Laub. Laub just looked at the money with a slick smile.

“I’ll return this to you, as the amount you gave yesterday was excessive. This is the amount minus the average hourly wage for academy graduates.”

Laub had paid generously. So generously that it was burdensome. Having money was certainly nice, but given what she had written, it weighed on her mind. In the end, Rosette had asked Levit that morning about the average hourly wage for academy graduates.

“And if I may presumptuously advise you, try to love just one person. Ultimately, that’s the path to happiness.”

“Oh? Who says so?”

All the romance novels I’ve read said so! Rosette placed the money on Laub’s palm with a slap and pulled the door handle beside him.

“You don’t need to know that. The children will be arriving soon, so would you please leave?”

As she was entering and trying to close the door, Laub put his shoe inside. Rosette’s eyes widened at this unimaginably rude behavior.

“What are you doing?”

“So, are you going to tell everyone that I’m a guy who writes love letters to different women?”

At Laub’s question, Rosette made a puzzled expression. Then, furrowing her brow in displeasure, she opened her mouth.

“I accepted and completed the request of my own will. Regardless of whether I like you or not, I have no intention of spreading around the details of the work I did.”

“….”

Laub looked Rosette over as though surprised. Rosette, now in a bad mood, held the door handle and said coldly.

“If you’ve said all you need to say, would you please leave now?”

While Rosette was debating whether to kick the foot stuck in the door, Laub withdrew it first. Laub’s figure, smiling brightly at Rosette, gradually narrowed in the doorway and finally disappeared. Even after the door closed, Laub stood in front of it for a while before bursting into laughter.

“Haha, ha, hahaha!”

“What’s that? Must have been a crazy person.”

For a playboy, there are no normal ones, and he fits that perfectly. Rosette muttered discontentedly. Rosette didn’t particularly like novels where a playboy who went after any woman was reformed after meeting the female lead. Among them, she did find well-written ones interesting, but when the atmosphere turned suggestive, she immediately lost interest. It was like the male lead was defiling the pure female lead. Laub continued laughing for quite some time before leaving.

“See you again, Rose.”

He left behind those nonsensical words. Hearing them, Rosette scoffed.

***

The Kingdom of Eldive was truly beautiful, like a dream. In the tropical rainforest, there were bird calls she’d never heard before, and residents with innocent impressions gave flower necklaces to everyone disembarking from the ship with friendly smiles. The lily-like flowers were white, turning yellow toward the center, and emitted a sweet fragrance. Whether first-class or third-class passengers, everyone wore the same flower necklaces and walked barefoot on the sun-drenched sand. It was like being in another world.

“It’s really beautiful.”

Rosette murmured with admiration. Everything Levit had said was true. The white sand was as fine as if sifted through a strainer, and the water was so clear that even from outside, you could clearly see fish darting around between the corals.

“It would have been nice if Evanium had come too.”

“It really would.”

Ariel expressed more regret than Rosette, clicking her tongue. Evan would now be busy fixing and carrying first-class furniture. He had no choice because he had to repair the first-class items while the ship was docked at the island. He could come out at night when work was done, but Rosette wanted to show him how the sea glowed when filled with sunlight. Unlike Rosette’s regret, Evan didn’t seem particularly disappointed. When a milk mug broke, he had simply placed Rosette on the bed and cleaned the floor thoroughly without leaving a single piece, only saying one thing: Be careful today.

“Teacher, they’re selling popoco over there.”