Chapter 6

‘Still…’

Even though Erin had been busy surviving in both her past and present life, and had no dating experience, it wasn’t as if she had no fantasies at all.

She just wanted her first time to be with someone she liked, or at least with someone well-mannered, where it would be a pleasant experience.

‘…It’s not like I was asking for much.’

She wasn’t wishing for a man who was handsome, fit, young, rich, had a good personality, and was well-endowed. Erin knew very well that such men only existed in unicorn-like legends or ancient records.

Even Ash, who fulfilled the first two conditions—‘handsome and fit’—was in dire straits, working as an assistant to a struggling researcher like her.

She hadn’t paid much attention to age when selecting, so she couldn’t remember that. As for personality, she wasn’t sure if he was truly good-natured, and as for the rest…

‘Judging by how his pants sometimes bulged, he seemed above average, at least.’

Gasp. Erin shook her head quickly, realizing she was unconsciously thinking about her assistant’s lower half.

To be thinking about sexually harassing her assistant while interviewing another volunteer—she was truly unfit to be a doctor today.

“…So, I’d like to ask when the trial can begin.”

While Erin was lost in thoughts about Ash, the volunteer was grinning slyly, his face showing he wanted to get started right away if possible. His eyes glistened as if imagining Erin n*ked.

“I’m really looking forward to the trial. I’m known for being polite and good with women…”

‘Ugh.’

Erin almost grimaced at the greasy wink sent her way, but managed to compose herself.

“Of course, I’m not just thinking dirty thoughts. This is all for the sake of the trial, right? But if I could suggest something, my preference is for my partner to treat me like their master…”

‘This is serious.’

She almost smacked him with the menu.

Since earlier, in the middle of the day at a cafe, with other customers around, he’d been saying things that were completely inappropriate.

‘This doesn’t seem right.’

Erin was seriously reconsidering whether she could use this man as a test subject.

‘Well, even if his personality is flawed, at least his sperm should be fine.’

…Or was it?

Maybe she should just quit. But the trial… Was there no one better than him? He was the best candidate. How bad were the others…?

Her worry spiraled endlessly. While Erin was lost in doubt, letting his unpleasant words wash over her, the cafe door chimed.

People’s attention instantly turned to the entrance.

A young man entered, whose solid build and the lower half of his face visible beneath his hood radiated unusual good looks.

Women throughout the cafe, and even some men, let out unconscious sighs of admiration.

“…….”

Erin, who was zoning out, realized who he was a bit late.

Only when the young man approached their table did she finally notice.

“Huh?”

And she flinched.

No matter how much he hid under a hood, there was no way she wouldn’t recognize him.

That perfectly sculpted body. No matter how he covered up, his handsomeness pierced through the fabric…

‘Ash?’

A wave of panic rose up.

This was the last scene she wanted Ash to see. She’d left without telling him on purpose…

But before she could call out to Ash—

Whack!

“Agh!”

Ash struck the man’s face with a heavy envelope he’d been holding.

The sound echoed through the cafe, plunging it into stunned silence.

“Wh-What is this? What…!”

The man yelled out in confusion.

Whack! Whack! Whack!

Before he could even protest, the envelope flew at him again and again.

Crash.

Ash hit so hard that the envelope burst, and the bread inside scattered across the floor.

Seeing the bread on the ground, Erin flinched.

‘That’s the limited edition morning bread from my favorite bakery.’

What a waste…

Even in the chaos, that thought flashed through her mind. Ash, however, just tossed aside the torn envelope like a broken pen and grabbed the menu.

“Uh…?”

Whack!

As if acting out Erin’s earlier fantasy, Ash began smacking the bewildered man with the menu.

His movements were ruthless and sharp, as if he was rearranging the man’s ill-placed features. He hit so hard the corner of the menu bent.

Whack, whack, whack, whack, whack!

“Ugh, ugh, agh…”

When the man, foaming at the mouth, was finally gasping for breath, Erin snapped out of her daze and jumped up.

“Ash! Stop!”

“Agh! Ack! Urgh!”

“Ash!”

She clung to him with all her strength, but it wasn’t easy to stop his powerful arms.

Only after Ash had beaten the man into a pulp and Erin was hanging onto him did he finally turn to her. The owner and customers stared at them in shock.

Before anyone could recover, Erin scolded Ash and hurried him out of the cafe.

“You’re crazy, crazy!”

She realized she hadn’t paid for the tea, but couldn’t bring herself to go back and pay.

“What were you thinking, Ash!”

Of course, she was grateful he’d hit the creep for her! If she’d heard a few more words, she might’ve hit him herself!

Still, she couldn’t shake her worry.

‘Of all places, to beat someone up in front of everyone.’

If only he’d done it somewhere private, she could have denied it, but now that was impossible.

“That guy’s a noble! What if he sues you for ass*ult?”

Her handsome, slightly rebellious but kind and gentle assistant—what if he ended up in jail for beating up a pervert? Erin couldn’t even afford bail.

While Erin was fretting—

“…Doctor.”

Ash sighed softly, grabbed Erin’s wrist, and started walking.

Soon, he led her into the entrance of a dark alley, cornering her against the wall.

“Ash?”

Erin tensed as his body closed in.

A chilly voice dropped from above her head.

“Don’t tell me… you were really planning to do it with that guy.”

Gulp.

The atmosphere grew tense and cold, and Erin instinctively rolled her eyes.

Just looking at the veins in Ash’s jaw, she could tell how much anger he was holding back.

His shadow engulfed Erin’s small frame.

“Please don’t tell me you volunteered as a test subject just to pick someone like that.”

Feeling Ash’s surging anger, Erin also felt a strange warmth.

It felt good that he’d punished the creep for her. She could sense how much he cared and worried for her. The three years they’d spent together hadn’t been for nothing.

Still, it was scary.

She’d gone out secretly because she knew Ash would be dead set against it, but he’d found out anyway.

“Um, Ash. This is, well…”

“…….”

“Come to think of it, you still wear your hood outside? I don’t think you need to…”

Erin tried to change the subject.

“When the Duke said to finish the experiment, I don’t think he meant for you to go this far.”

Her attempt was cut off immediately. Even with his vision partially blocked by the hood, Ash’s gaze burned into her.

“Is this experiment really that important?”

“…Of course, Ash.”

Erin swallowed and answered, patting Ash’s shoulder to calm him.

“It’s important to me, and to the Duke too. That’s why he kept pushing me… well, urging me. You know that.”

“…….”

“So I have to get results.”

Not just because of the Duke’s pressure or her debts. For the young heroine about to fall into a tragic romance, for those who’d die just for resembling her, for all the women in this crazy world who’d die from failed abortions, childbirth, or be forced to flee because of pregnancy.

‘Right. If a woman draws her sword, she should at least slice a radish.’

Thinking of the heroine, Erin’s face unconsciously grew determined. She was so close—she couldn’t quit now.

“It’s something I have to do, Ash.”

Despite her fear of his anger, Erin looked up at him resolutely.

“Then let me do it.”

Huh?

Let him do what?

Erin’s mouth dropped open, not understanding what Ash meant. Seeing her expression, Ash’s lips curled into a crooked smile.