The Beast That Licks Me - Chapter 4.1

Rosette.

In a peacefully sunken dream, someone called Rosette’s name. She didn’t want to answer, but the other person was more persistent than expected.

Rosette. Wake up.

Reluctantly responding with a casual “yeah,” she was then told to get up. No, I don’t want to get up.

But you need to get up.

The voice became gentler. But Rosette didn’t really want to wake up. The current state, free from any pain, was too comfortable.

No, it’s too comfortable right now.

Still, please wake up. I want to… with you a little more.

What could… be? Even through her foggy consciousness, curiosity arose.

What is…?

… is …

What could… possibly be? Unable to overcome her curiosity, Rosette finally opened her eyes. She was in a well. In warm water that was neither cold nor hot. Outside the well, Evan was reaching his hand toward her.

Come here, Rosette.

Evan spoke with a desperate voice. His expression looked so pained. When you make that face, I have no choice but to come to you. Rosette unfolded her curled body and approached Evan. With a sound like water overflowing from the well, Rosette’s consciousness rose above the surface.

“Rose, are you conscious?”

The voice that had been distant gradually drew closer. It felt like a massive wind was buzzing around her ears. The comfortable sensation gradually disappeared, and pain struck her entire body. Someone pressed between her solar plexus and stomach with strong force. Rosette vomited lukewarm water. The salt from the seawater made her nose and esophagus burn.

“Rose, try to get up. Can you open your eyes?”

“Teacher!”

“Teacher, are you alright?”

Rosette opened her eyes with difficulty. People with worried expressions were gathered closely on the darkened beach. Evan, Levit, Ariel… Rosette tried to rise but collapsed.

“It hurts…”

Her whole body was sore and painful, while her insides felt hot and distressed. Her esophagus and throat burned like she had swallowed fire and spat it back out.

“Teacher-!”

Levit and Ariel embraced Rosette without hesitation. Thanks to Ariel pressing her knee on Rosette’s stomach, Rosette vomited out all the remaining water. The blurry figures gradually became clearer. Even the figure of Yvonne sitting some distance away.

Yvonne was sitting dejectedly, completely soaked with seawater. Her hair, wet like seaweed, clung randomly to her nape, and her once-elegant dress was torn in places and dirty with sand. Yvonne glared at Rosette venomously. Wait, she’s glaring?

“Why did you save me?”

“…What did you say?”

“I asked why you saved me!”

Yvonne stood up, shouting shrilly. Rosette looked up at her, dumbfounded.

“You asked for help.”

At Rosette’s words, Yvonne flinched. Then, with twitching lips, she said.

“I never said that.”

“….”

This is getting ridiculous. Rosette rose unsteadily, feeling a surge of anger. Yvonne was short. Even with Rosette standing with bent knees, she could see Yvonne’s hair tangled with sand and water.

“You’re just abnormally tall.”

Perhaps feeling intimidated by Rosette, Yvonne turned sideways abruptly. Then she began walking unsteadily. Rosette’s jaw tightened. Her body still ached inside and out, and it was all because of this person!

“Are you finished talk…”

Rosette, trying to follow her, staggered and collapsed. Evan caught her firmly.

“Don’t push yourself, Rosette.”

“But…!”

You’re scratched all over; we need to treat you quickly. Evan whispered in Rosette’s ear. Hearing those words somehow drained her strength. I see. So I’ve returned here. Rosette leaned weakly against him, and Evan naturally picked her up. Though she must be quite heavy from the water, Evan held Rosette with one arm while patting her back with the other. Just like soothing a child.

“What’s her problem? That’s so unfair! Our teacher almost died!”

Unable to overcome her anger, Ariel began throwing whatever she could grab. Sand, seashells, even starfish. Then she spewed curses that made even Rosette slightly pale.

“Ariel, stop it. It’s okay.”

“I’m not okay. Teacher, you… waaaaaah.”

Ariel spoke irritably before bursting into tears. Her voice was so loud that the entire beach echoed with her crying. Despite the commotion, Yvonne didn’t spare them a glance and walked in the direction she had intended. Returning to where she had been sitting, Yvonne slumped down and picked up a liquor bottle again. Cradled in Evan’s arms, Rosette watched Yvonne growing smaller in the distance. Yvonne was staring endlessly at the darkened night sea with hard liquor in hand. The anger that had welled up from the suffocating loneliness subsided a little. Rosette looked down. Ariel was still crying angrily. Levit’s expression wasn’t clearly visible.

Evan climbed the hill path without any difficulty while carrying Rosette, though it would have been challenging for her to walk alone. With each step, the scent of salt emanated from Evan’s body, soaked with seawater.

“…Ariel.”

“Yes.”

Ariel, who had finally stopped crying, sniffled as she answered.

“You shouldn’t throw sand at people or curse at them.”

“But…!”

“Still, thank you.”

Ariel looked up at Rosette with a tear-stained face. Seeing her face covered in tears and mucus, the remaining anger melted away.

“Let’s promise not to do that anymore. It’s disrespectful behavior. Depending on the situation, it could put you in danger too.”

“….”

“Understand? Promise me.”

Still in Evan’s arms, Rosette extended her pinky finger. Though pouting, Ariel raised her pinky in agreement. The promise was made in mid-air. Thinking that her anger had dissipated thanks to Ariel standing up for her, making her unqualified as a teacher, Rosette buried her face in Evan’s chest.

“Mmm… it hurts…”

Rosette was ill all night. Evan had licked and healed all her external wounds, but she had muscle pain throughout her body from struggling so much underwater, feeling beaten. Evan placed a damp cloth on Rosette’s forehead with a worried expression. The cloth was cool, but it wasn’t enough.

“Evan…”

“Rosette, I’m right here.”

Rosette reached out her hand into the air. Evan made a pillow with his arm and embraced her. Her fever was so high that even Evan’s typically warm body felt cool. Rosette whined in Evan’s arms. Evan stroked her back sympathetically.

“Rosette, you’re so sweaty, I think we need to change your clothes.”

“Okay…”

“Can you change by yourself?”

“Yes…”

She answered, but her body felt heavy like water-soaked cotton, making it difficult to get up. Her consciousness gradually sank below the surface. Evan sighed and unbuttoned Rosette’s nightgown. Rosette weakly resisted before giving up. Her head was too dizzy. It felt like her body was spinning inside a whirlpool. Having vomited both dinner and medicine, nothing helped. Rosette shrank at the sensation of the damp cloth touching her skin.

“C-cold…”

“Shh… it’s okay.”

Evan soothed Rosette and slowly began wiping her body. The towel that normally felt fine now felt rough and stinging against her skin. Rosette complained in her dazed state.

“It stings…”

Evan handled all of Rosette’s complaints with familiarity. Today, Rosette had nearly died. Thinking about that, he could endure such complaints hundreds or thousands of times. Evan wiped from behind Rosette’s knees up to her thighs. Rosette flinched and closed her legs, but lacking strength, she couldn’t resist strongly. Evan looked at Rosette with a sunken gaze.

Today, Rosette had saved someone. And this was the price she paid—pain. He wished she would stay still and let him save people instead. He wanted to take her to a world filled only with soft, gentle flower petals that could never hurt her, and carry her everywhere, but he disliked having to leave her alone in this place full of dangers. For the first time since beginning his life, Evan felt his own powerlessness.

After changing Rosette into fresh nightclothes, Evan buttoned each button. Despite her earlier whining, once dressed, she happily hugged her pillow and wiggled contentedly. It was a habit she’d had since childhood. Evan smiled faintly and tucked Rosette’s hair behind her ear. The body wiping seemed effective; her fever had decreased slightly and her breathing had lightened. Hoping she would be better by tomorrow, Evan kissed Rosette’s forehead.