Chapter 7

“I said I’ll do it.”

“Do what?”

“What you need from the test subject.”

“…What?”

Erin looked up at Ash, her mouth hanging open, forgetting her reply. Ash quietly closed her jaw, curling his thin lips into a whisper.

“I’ve finished all my tests. No infectious diseases, and I’m healthy.”

“Huh?”

“I haven’t done it with anyone before, but I’ve studied hard.”

“Uh…?”

“I’m a fast learner, so you don’t have to worry about that. I can match whatever you need, and I’ll prioritize the clinical trial and cooperate…”

“Wait! Wait, Ash!”

“What is it?”

‘You’re a student, and I’m the teacher… No, that’s not it!’

“You’re my assistant and I’m the doctor!”

“…….”

“We can’t do something like that between us. That’s…”

Erin, flustered by how far the conversation had progressed, grabbed his arm. Ash, as if waiting for this, wrapped his arms around her waist.

Suddenly, their bodies pressed together.

“What reason is there not to?”

His voice, lowered and rough, wrapped around Erin’s ears.

She couldn’t even think to push Ash away, feeling the heat rise instantly between them. The warmth blooming from their pressed chests. And…

She flinched.

All at once, something bold and unmistakable pressed against her thigh and lower body.

She wanted to say something, but her mouth wouldn’t open. Erin’s mind went hazy from the heated air. Still, he was her assistant. Wasn’t this wrong…?

Her rationality was crushed by the voice of instinct rising up inside.

‘Honestly, if it’s Ash…’

Compared to the candidate she’d just met, Ash was clearly a much better choice.

Even if the downside was having to see him in the lab every day as her assistant.

‘But better than having my first time with a guy like that.’

Better than a man who treated her body like a toy.

Ash, who always cared for her, much more handsome and fit, was surely a better partner.

Even the weight pressing against her felt substantial. She honestly didn’t think she’d regret it, even with the downside of seeing his face every day.

‘No, if it weren’t for that one flaw…’

If she’d met Ash outside the lab, not as her assistant, and he’d seduced her like this…

She would have accepted without hesitation. How could anyone refuse a man like this?

“Doctor.”

As if reading her thoughts, Ash’s lips curled even more crookedly.

Just then, sunlight streamed between the alley walls, landing on his proud nose like a spotlight on an actor.

“What will you do?”

“…….”

“Of course, even if you refuse, I’ll still push forward.”

Ash nonchalantly lifted Erin’s hand and played with it. Soon, his soft warm lips traced her fingers, the back of her hand, and her palm busily. Erin’s lower belly tingled instantly.

Ash pressed his cheek against her palm.

And then…

“I absolutely cannot stand the thought of you messing around with filthy men out there.” 

He whispered in a voice that was excessively low and sensual.

“Ah!”

Crash. Something fell over.

Probably the equipment stacked at the lab entrance, but there was no time to pick it up or tidy it.

“A-Ash!”

Erin squealed as Ash lifted her up, clinging to his neck. The sound of his laughter and the vibrations he made left her a little dizzy.

“It’s too late, Doctor.”

In that alley, as Erin nodded with a dazed face, Ash didn’t look back and carried her straight to the lab. As if the previous violent incident didn’t matter at all.

‘Right, that…’

Erin’s rationality whispered belatedly.

Come to think of it, she needed to call a doctor for that last candidate and ask him not to sue Ash…

“So please focus on this instead.”

“Ah!”

Without delay, Ash swung his arm, sweeping all the documents off the lab desk onto the floor.

It was the list of test participants Erin had been reviewing before leaving.

Soon, Erin’s body settled onto the now-empty desk. Ash, watching Erin sitting blankly on the desk, stuck out his tongue and licked his lips.

Erin, once again dazed, watched Ash’s tongue. The glimpse of red flesh looked truly sensual.

“I’d like to do this somewhere nicer since it’s your first time.”

“…….”

“But I thought you’d feel burdened.”

Ash said this as he tidied Erin’s stray hair. Erin was quietly impressed.

…Because it was true.

‘If he’d booked a hotel room, I’d have felt so pressured…’

They’d have to work together here the next day, but at least this was a place Erin felt comfortable.

‘Anyway, I’m about to sleep with my assistant, whom I’ll see every day.’

Thinking that, the excitement of doing something so bold in the place where she’d always worked was even greater.

After three years, Ash seemed to know her well, making her feel anew.

‘And I would have ended up here anyway.’

Because…

“Here, Doctor.”

Before Erin could say anything, Ash had already gone to the lab’s cabinet and returned with a small glass vial.

A glass bottle filled with a mysterious pink liquid.

It was the contraceptive Erin had made.

‘Because it was here.’

Gulp.

Unconsciously tense, Erin’s fingers trembled as she took the bottle.

She opened it, poured out a measured amount, and shared it with Ash. The taste of the new drug was as unique as its color.

‘Should I make it sweeter?’

She was absentmindedly considering adding flavor later when—

Tap. The bottle was set down.

Thud.

Erin was startled by the sound and looked down. Ash’s hand was deftly unbuttoning the front of her dress.

“Ash?”

When she called his name, their eyes met.

Ash blinked and smiled, as if to say ‘Ah.’

“Got the order wrong.”

“Huh?”

“I should have started with this.”

Before she could respond, his face drew close.

“…….”

Always, his face was too perfect. Erin couldn’t help but think the gods had sculpted him beautifully.

His shining red eyes and silver hair were such a rare combination, it felt like divine favor.

“Ah!”

Erin was admiring his approaching face when his lovely lips brushed the edge of hers, snapping her out of it.

The soft, gentle touch almost made her lose all reason.

“…Wait!”

She quickly covered Ash’s mouth with her palm. Ash looked annoyed, as if he didn’t understand the problem. Erin, feeling her face burn, shook her head.

“You don’t have to go that far!”

“…….”

“I have something prepared…”

Erin glanced at the small room attached to the lab.

There was a chair she’d modified herself not long ago.

It was designed like those in modern gynecology clinics, so that when you sat and leaned back, your legs would spread.

‘I didn’t think I’d be the one using it…’

It might be a little uncomfortable and awkward, but it didn’t matter. She’d even designed it so a curtain could be drawn around the waist.

‘That should make things a bit less awkward.’

The candidate had talked as if they’d be doing things in the usual way, and Erin herself had wanted her first time to be with someone decent…

But honestly, she’d excluded pleasure from this experiment from the start. The chair was created to prevent unnecessary f*replay or discomfort for female participants.

‘All I need is the sperm for the test.’

To put it bluntly, all that was needed was penetration and ej*culation.

The point was to prove that, no matter how much intercourse occurred, taking the drug would prevent pregnancy.

In such a trial, elaborate f*replay or caresses didn’t seem necessary. At most, some lubrication for easier entry, a few thrusts, some movement…

‘That should make things less embarrassing for both of us.’

It was purely for that reason she’d brought it up.

Ash’s brow furrowed slightly, as if displeased.