Cough! Coughing up a splash of water~

Cough! Coughing up a whole new level~

Cough! Coughing up the gates of hell~

Cough! Meow, breathing fresh air at last~

Alive!

I blinked open my blurry eyes. Lott’s face filled my vision—along with his ripped pecs!

Ugh…

Must you disgust me the moment I wake up? Still, I nearly drowned just now. Did he save me? But this pinned-down position is seriously awkward…

He must’ve saved me, right? He’s the only one here…

“You okay?” he asked, concern in his voice.

“Fine… but stop this pose. It feels… like I’m on top of you.” Honestly, I won’t even rant about this position—it’s way too filthy!

“Blushing~” He poked my turned-away cheek, grinning.

“Idiot!” I aimed a groin kick. He dodged fast, rolling aside.

“Still so energetic. Scared me half to death—I thought you’d just…” He sat up, wiping sweat.

“Almost kicked the bucket!” I rolled my eyes. “You shoved me under before I could hold my breath… then water flooded in. Thanks for nearly killing me before saving me.”

“Oh, no trouble at all. You’re welcome.” He totally ignored my sarcasm, taking it as praise. Oxygen-deprived as I was, I couldn’t argue.

“Hey…” I suddenly remembered something dead serious. Seriously serious!

He snapped to attention. “What?”

“What’s the first aid for drowning?” I glared at him with dead fish eyes.

“Make the victim cough out water, then give CPR and rescue breaths,” he said earnestly. Then he blushed faintly, realizing something.

Why’s this guy blushing?! I’m about to cry here, QAQ.

“So… you touched me?” No wonder my chest ached—I’d thought it was just water inhalation…

“Yeah… had to. Anyway, no big deal. So flat.” He masked his embarrassment—or was it delight? Total jerk!

“And you kissed me too?” I touched my lips. A hint of warmth lingered.

“Yeah… saving lives comes first. First priority.” He nodded vigorously, like convincing himself.

“My first kiss!” Tears welled up. Such a precious thing… gone just like that. “I was saving it for another girl… my first kiss… you pervert… I never even tasted it—no, it should’ve been for someone special… sniff… waaah~~~~(>_<)~~~~”

“Well… life-or-death moment…”

“You owe me! Pay up! All your fault!” I hurled Oxford dictionaries one after another until he was buried under a mountain of knowledge.

“I’ll take responsibility!” he wheezed, still spouting infuriating lines.

How do I talk to sunflowers? Do I need to learn standard plant language? Urgent help needed, super urgent!

Forget it… I licked my lips. If no one knows, it never happened—but why do I feel so annoyed?! That guy’s a dude!

I glanced at him again. He’d thrown on a bathrobe, but his shirt hung open.

If only he were a girl… problem solved. Hehe! I started hunting for scissors in the bathroom. Lott~ Hero~ be my little sister~

Ahem, no. If I obsess over this, I’ll break down. What if I turn into a yandere?

“Who needs your responsibility?” I shot back. After a pause: “Can you wash a girl’s hair?”

“Why ask?” He popped his head out from the book pile. “Want me to wash yours?”

“This long hair is such a hassle. Maybe I should just cut it?” I swept my hair behind me.

“No way! Hair’s a girl’s treasure. I’ll wash it for you next time.” He crawled fully out. “Shower first. I’ll handle your hair. Quick.”

Cramped as it was, Lott had surprisingly skilled hands for washing girls’ hair. Weird… was he a girl before?

Maybe he had a sister to care for. He’d said he saw me as one (see side story). I sighed deeply, conflicted. But in this other world, having someone to rely on was good—especially a veteran like him, here half a year, so strong.

I’m glad I defected from the Hero. Maybe heaven took pity on me.

Shockingly, he pulled out my original Gothic Lolita dress. I refused though—it’d stand out too much. The Church would spot it instantly.

Still, thanks. It was born with the Dark Lord, maybe a manifestation of the world’s—or his own—will. It might have special uses: never gets dirty, decent defense like light armor, yet comfy and snug.

What did I wear in the end? Clock had clothes again. Seriously, where’d he get all these gender-specific outfits? He claimed they were for the Dark Lord. I didn’t buy it.

No hairdryer, so my hair air-dried. After a late dinner under the bright morning sun, we gathered at the table. First meeting since the reset—to discuss this morning’s sudden room search and the Royal Capital’s lockdown. Even with Clock’s royal protection, prophecy magic was everywhere here. How could the Dark Lord survive with a tech tree this skewed?!

Ordinary prophecies needed complex prep. They wouldn’t waste sacrificial rituals lightly. But once set up, the Hero, me—even Clock—were in danger.

Keeping Clock’s identity hidden was ideal.

“I’ll get you out of the city before tonight’s curfew,” Clock said, tapping the table with a finger. “Entering’s easy now; leaving’s hard. The Dark Lord’s power hides him. The Hero’s detection-immune physique makes him look ordinary to scanners. But Rui Jing—you still bear the mark. Your strength flags you as suspicious. They might track you. Stay here with me.”

“Fine. But how to leave…” I’d heard exits were strict, with Church knights checking IDs.

“Don’t worry about that.” Clock smiled faintly. His dark eyes gleamed with veteran—ahem, sage-like wisdom!

Oh, and don’t ask about the shower scene. Way too embarrassing!