Ziff’s Endearing 

    ~06~ 

    After spending way too long hand-washing and blow-drying her underwear with hair dryer like some completely humiliated servant, I knocked on the inner bathroom door. I had been washing her things in the outer sink area.

    "Here!" I said, holding out her underwear as she peeked just her head around the door.

    "And my bra?"

    The raspy sound of her voice caught me off guard. She sounded awful. I had not realized she was really this sick.

    "Only washed that one for now,"

    I said, trying hard to keep a straight face. Why would I tell her I chose to wash only the one piece?

    It was not like I had any ulterior motives—I just did not want her to wait for too long, so I got one done, Pfft~.

    "You’re so…" Panya scowled, snatching her underwear and ducking back inside.

    I whistled, waiting outside casually, until finally, her pale face reappeared. She looked worse than ever, and I could not help but worry. Poor girl had to have lost a lot of blood.

    Seeing this, I could not help but pity women for having to suffer through period.

    "Where’s my bra!"

    Her voice was sharp, her expression suggesting she might eat me alive. I did not have to look to know that she definitely was not wearing one.

    Heh~ why did I like that so much?

    "Did you soak it in tub over there!?" She asked again, pointing at the tub I had soaked her bra in.

    When she started moving in that direction, I used my foot to move the tub away and pulled her out of the bathroom.

    "You can’t just—ugh! I feel terrible," she mumbled, pressing her hand to her temple and looking at me angrily.

    Pretending not to notice her anger in her eyes, I guided her back to the bed.

    "You hungry? Want something to eat?"

    "I want to go home."

    "What? You want porridge?" I teased, chuckling as she bit her lip and shot me a glare.

    "You’re sick, you shouldn’t go back. You live alone, right?" I said, nudging her onto bed.

    But Panya had always been stubborn, she kept trying to get up, until I leaned down and planted a hard kiss on her lips.

    "Stay down, or do I need to convince you more thoroughly?" I threatened. She shot back by hitting me square in the chest.

    "You’re a heartless scrap metal. I hate you!"

    "Ah, well, they say you get what you hate most. Hm, or you actually like me?"

    "Sob. My head hurts. My stomach hurts. I’m dying over here."

    Finally, she gave up, lying down on her back, but she did not stop her protest. I sighed, watching her kick her legs in frustration with her back to me before heading off to find something for her to eat.

    Once she had eaten and taken her medicine, she looked tired and about ready to crash. Her eyelids were drooping, and she barely move. I figured I would grab a shower, head over to the department to finish some research, then come back to check on her at lunchtime.

    But as I got dressed, I caught her staring at me wide-eyed, curled up in bed. It was strange, having someone on my bed just watching me like that.

    I did not say anything, finishing buttoning my shirt as I waited to see if she would say something.

    When she eventually did not, I finally gave in and asked,

    "What’s up? You keep staring at me." I sat down on the bed and touched her forehead, checking her temperature.

    I was a bit surprised she did not pull away or snap back like usual. Could a little flu really change someone this much?

    “My stomach really hurts,” Panya murmured pitifully.

    How was I supposed to just leave her here alone like this?

    “Do you have class today?” I asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face gently.

    “It’s Saturday. Of course not,” she mumbled, shaking her head slightly.

    “Then get some rest. I’ll swing by at noon to check on you.”

    “Aren’t you supposed to be working on the research?” She asked, which made me raise my eyebrow.

    I did not think she would remember or care much about those little details about me.

    “Yeah, but I’ll come by at lunch. Just lie down and stay put, alright? If you get up, my place will be in shambles, and I mean it,” I teased, pointing a finger at her. Panya just glared, looking a bit miffed.

    “I’m sick, not helpless.”

    “It’s pretty much the same thing. Alright, I’m off.” I made myself turn and walk out.

    If I lingered any longer, I would probably end up tangled up with her on that bed. What was it with this girl? The more I look, the more adorable and completely irresistible she gets.

    “Mmm…” she murmured, pulling the blanket up to her chin and closing her eyes.

    I distanced myself from the bed and grabbed my backpack. After checking that I had the stuff I need to bring to the department inside, I glanced back at her again. She was already asleep, so I shook my head resignedly and quietly left the room, careful not to make a sound.

    It was funny, actually—why was I suddenly so worried about every little thing?

    She was just one petite girl.that was all...

    “Someone’s in a good mood,”

    my friend from the research group commented as soon as I walked into the lab.

    “So what? Can’t I be in a good mood once in a while?” I shot back, shrugging off my backpack and put it to the ground, before heading over to the computer.

    My main task was programming, and it was nearly finished, which meant a little more free time soon.

    “Last night you were completely wasted. Did anything happen with Panya?” Ek nudged me with his elbow.

    “Nothing at all,” I shot him a glare.

    “You’ve got a dirty mind.”

    “Are you sure? Man, it would be a shame not to take advantage of such a great opportunity.”

    “I’ve got plenty of time,” I said, fingers settling over the keyboard as I picked up where I had left off with my code.

    “Good luck with that,”

    another friend chimed in, but I did not really pay attention as I kept typing away. After a while, I was bored, and my arms were starting to get sore. So, I glanced over at my team.

    “Anything major on the to-do list today?” I asked.

    I felt strangely uneasy thinking about that little fluffball lying there sick all by herself.

    “No, I still need to wire up the circuits and test if the watch lights sync up. The data from Panya is good, and I even gathered more from my sister and some other folks. I just wanted to ensure accuracy; using only one test subject can be risky.” Golf held up a checklist he had drafted.

    I glanced over it quickly before handing it back.

    “In that case, mind if I head back early? I’ve got a few things to handle, but I’ll keep sending updates and code as I go.” I threw the question out there, testing the waters. If not, no problem.

    “Sure... as long as you’re reachable.” Golf gave me a knowing smile.

    “Great, then I’m off.” I saved my work, grabbed my backpack, and quietly slipped out of the research hall.

    “Hey! Ziff. Just got here, and you’re already leaving?”

    someone called, but I simply waved without looking back.

    Honestly, I felt like my heart had already sprinted home ahead of me.

    Maybe it never left the room in the first place…

    Quietly opening the bedroom door, I saw the patient was still sound asleep. I crept over, exhaling a sigh of relief, and set up my laptop to work.

    But when I glanced toward the bathroom, I could not help but sigh.

    There was another tough job waiting for me...

    Guess... what I was doing right then?

    That was right... I was sitting there, hand-washing Panya’s bra.

    After I had hung it to dry alongside my own boxers, I returned to the room and got back to programming. Presentation day was coming up fast. I cracked my knuckles and typed away in silence, sending updates to the team via email as I went.

    It took a while, but eventually, I peeled my hands off the keyboard and glanced toward the bed. Panya, who I had assumed was still asleep, was wide awake, staring quietly at me. When our eyes met, she jerked and quickly pulled the blanket over her face.

    I chuckled at her reaction, stretching my arms before making my way over to her. Propping myself up on the bed, I heard her mumbling something faint,

    something like “Mom... officer...”

    “Hey, hungry yet? Want anything?” I asked, tugging at the blanket she was hiding under.

    She would suffocate like this.

    This was why I could not trust her to stay alone.

    “Panya!” I added a bit of sternness to my tone since she would not listen.

    Finally, sensing my growing annoyance, she peeked out, her little face adorably flustered. Usually, she was fun to mess with, but right now, she was even more so. Her cheeks and nose were rosy red, and I could not help reaching over to give her nose a gentle squeeze, making it even redder.

    “What’s wrong?” I asked, watching her nose twitch as if she were about to sneeze.

    “Say it.” I said as I saw her face grew a shade darker.

    “I want…”

    “Hmm...” I prompted when she trailed off.

    “I want to eat mango.”

    Looks like I had completely become her servant for the day.

    I spent the next little while alternating between slicing mango for her and typing away on the program. It was not long before she had had her fill, and I had to admit: today I learned my patience was on another level.

    Before long, Princess Panya had retired back to her bed.

    Nobody was currently at the research hall as they had gone out for lunch so, I sat down to watch some TV.

    But then I heard faint whimper from the bed. Panya had already found a new way to make me worry.

    “What is it now?” I asked, frowning.

    If this was not something serious, I might really lose it.

    “My stomach hurts.”

    All those meds she took, and they were not helping?

    “Do you have a hot water bottle?”

    “How would I have that lying around!” I dropped down to sit beside the bed.

    Brushing my hand to her forehead, I realized her face was ice-cold, yet covered in sweat.

    “Is it really that bad?” I found myself asking, and Panya gave a small nod.

    After a moment, she took my hand off her forehead and pressed it to her cheek, making me feel oddly unsettled

    —awkward but rooted there beside her.

    “Your hand’s so warm. I ever tell you that?” She asked. I shook my head.

    “Just let me borrow your hand for a bit, okay?”

    she said, guiding my hand over to her abdomen, causing my face to burn.

    Does she even realize the situation here? I shifted uncomfortably for a while. Feeling out of options, I settled in next to her,

    letting one arm tuck under her neck while the other rested on her stomach. The tension in her abdominal muscles were palpable, and I could feel the heat radiating off her skin. She was clearly in a lot of pain.

    “Any better?” I asked. She gave me a small nod.

    “Do you even realize what would happen if I moved my hand just a bit up or down?” I muttered, feeling uncomfortably aware of her proximity but staying put.

    Panya gave a brief pause, then slapped my chest with a loud smack!

    “Ow,” I said, rubbing where she hit me.

    “What’s going on in that head of yours, you perv!”

    “It’s true, though,” I shrugged, feeling the remnants of last night’s hangover making my head throb.

    “I never thought you’d be like this…”

    “All guys are wolves in disguise,” I said, tugging the blanket a little closer around us both.

    “Let go of me, sob. I really shouldn’t trust you.”

    “Relax, I’m not doing anything with you on your period. I’ll be your personal genie today, how’s that? Whatever you need, my princess.” I said, closing my eyes.

    “Pfft. A genie with a scruffy beard?”

    “Watch it, Panya. I’m still holding a grudge over that little period surprise.”

    “Oh, hush, you big robot genie perv!!”

    End Ziff’s talk...

    •

    I had lost track of how many days I had spent with Ziff the heartless scrap metal, but honestly, I felt like a princess. Whatever I wanted, he seemed to magically bring it right to me.

    And the fact that he washed my underwear had me utterly shocked, beyond anything.

    For the record, I never asked him to do that—he just took it upon himself, which made the whole thing that much more unbelievable.

    I was not sure if anyone else would do this for their girlfriend, or if dad would ever do something like this for mom.

    The fact that someone as stubborn and unyielding as Ziff would go to that effort for me made me unexpectedly happy.

    Today, I was helping with Ziff’s research team at the engineering department. Before we headed there, though, he and his friends stopped by the law department’s small field for a quick soccer game against the law students.

    Ziff even had his hair tied up in a little ponytail—not that it made him look soft or anything.

    When he ran on the field, he was a total raging bull.

    “Want me to grab you something to eat?” I asked him when he took a break at halftime.

    “Can you walk alright?” he asked, giving me an unconvinced look.

    It was just my period, not some major illness that prevented me from doing anything.

    Sure, I had been suffering enough that he had witnessed some embarrassing moments.

    “Get me some coffee, then. And grab a little something else for the others too,” he said, glancing at my hand holding his wallet.

    “Got it,” I replied, ready to head off, when Ziff suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me closer to murmur in my ear.

    “Gotta power up for later tonight—so, your period’s over, right?”

    I would spare the details of the physical abuse that followed. Let’s just say I had to take a moment to fan myself with my own hand before getting his coffee.

    Truth was, I just want to get away from him, how could he be so annoying.

    As I waited for my change, I glanced at the TV in the shop, where a drama was playing.

    These modern dramas depicted women’s villainous sides in an intense way. Right now, there was a scene where the villainess walked up to the hero and heroine, claiming she was carrying his child.

    Yikes… Susie could give this villain a run for her money.

    Huh!? What am I even thinking?

    I shook my head to clear my mind of those silly thoughts and headed back to the field.

    Watching Ziff chase the ball around, I felt a strange sense of awe. I had not seen this side of him much before, but he had this magnetic pull on both guys and girls alike.