Chapter 280, Then Wait
"…Why are you so tired?"

Another day when Zhuo returned home after school, he stumbled and half of his body sank into the sofa as soon as he entered the door. He didn't look angry at all, which surprised Ling who had just put his shoes in the entrance.

"Ah, I agreed to train with Kanda, and today I tried to follow him, and this is what happened."

In response to Zhuo's tired words, Ling sighed, "Hmm, so that's how it is..." and then sat down in the empty space next to Zhuo.

"The training method of the current members of the soccer club is really not suitable for me. Even so, they were able to play soccer afterwards. It's really amazing... I almost couldn't even hold my bicycle on the way back."

"If you knew it was dangerous, you should have informed me and let me come back with you."

After hearing Ling's reproach, Zhuo grumbled in response and leaned back on the sofa.

Ling came back after school, and Zhuo just came back.

Zhuo, who had just chosen to try it out on a whim, had only done an ordinary daily training with Kanda and ended up in this ugly state. Not only was his physical strength drained, but his muscles were also aching. He felt like his body no longer belonged to him.

Ling looked at Zhuo, who looked exhausted, with a hint of helplessness in her eyes. She blamed him and said, "It's a good thing to work hard, but you have to adapt step by step." She gently stroked Zhuo's head.

Usually it was Zhuo who touched Ling's head, but now it was the other way around. This made Zhuo feel mixed emotions, but the way and strength of the touch were very pleasant, so Zhuo let her touch him.

——There is an old saying about growing flowers;

There is a saying that goes like this: A man’s head is the top of the nine yangs, and even the closest person will feel uncomfortable if they touch it.

Maybe it was because Zhuo was too tired and lost the strength to resist. Moreover, he was being caressed by the person he loved, so compared to dissatisfaction, the feeling of happiness in Zhuo's heart was stronger.

Zhuo gradually became tired, and under Ling's touch, he inadvertently leaned his head on Ling's shoulder. If it was in the past, this level of pain would not have caused any fluctuations in Zhuo's heart. At that time, the sky was blue, the clouds were white, and Utsunomiya Zhuo had a clear conscience and was innocent; now Zhuo has seen his heart clearly, he has a guilty conscience, and he has evil intentions.

So Zhuo thought that this might not be a good idea, but Ling just gently pressed down his forehead as he was about to raise it, and her breath made Zhuo feel itchy.

"Don't push yourself if you're exhausted. Don't worry, I can endure some things."

"...Don't say such things! And don't try to fool me."

"I'm just taking care of you. And this time it seemed like Zhuo came over on his own."

Hesitant Zhuo had no way to refute this, so he began to struggle to get up. Ling stroked his hair and used a little strength to make him lean on him.

"Wouldn't it be better to just rest quietly? If you're not satisfied, I can lend you my knees."

"Stop saying these things to tempt me, and don't let me continue to fall into depravity..."

"You're already depraved, aren't you?"

"I'm just trying to enjoy my life in a coherent way."

"Yes." Ling's palm stroked his brow and gently across his eyes, causing Zhuo to close his eyelids involuntarily. His eyelashes trembled a little. He could feel that Ling must be tilting her head to look at him at this moment, and the hot air she exhaled also hit his forehead. It was warm, a little damp, and tasteless, but it made Zhuo feel like he was about to move, as if he could block the source of the heat as long as he raised his head, which made him daydream.

"Zhuo has been working really hard recently, and I know it. A lot of things have happened around us in the past six months. I, you, and your friends are all working as hard as we can. So, I think it's necessary to take a break."

"...How can I rest properly on your lap?"

"You're sleeping so soundly, and you still want to say that."

“… That’s because… I’m tired.”

Both last time and this time, it happened when he was exhausted, so even if Zhuo's words were not confident enough, they were consistent with the facts at the time.

Zhuo was already at the end of his strength, but Ling had no intention of letting him go. Her voice was calm and gentle, without any intonation, yet it was so reassuring.

"Then you can have a good 'rest' today, and don't resist and make me angry."

That expressionless face seemed very gentle, yet mixed with a hint of annoyance, so Zhuo pursed his lips tightly and pressed his body towards Ling.

Ling, who was bearing the weight of Zhuo's body, did not seem to feel uncomfortable. On the contrary, the hand that was stroking the top of his head began to move regularly, which made Zhuo feel the person's happiness and joy.

And the touch behind Zhuo's head was still so comfortable. The girl, who was so slender that it seemed like she could be broken with a little force, had unexpectedly fleshy and soft legs. The legs seemed to bounce back the moment he leaned against her. It was incredible... After being pressed down, Ling did not change her sitting position because of discomfort, as if to say: Even such a delicate girl can support Zhuo's weight.

"Will you continue tomorrow?"

"…Maybe. When it comes to exercise, persistence is the most important thing."

"I understand."

As he spoke, Ling let Zhuo lean against him and gently stroked his head, while his other hand covered Zhuo's palm. She could feel that after her palm covered it, the boy's fingertips twitched several times, as if he wanted to turn over his palm and hold hers... but he didn't do it in the end.

Ling sighed silently and turned to look at Zhuo who buried his face in her shoulder to hide his shyness.

Ling's eyes softened again, but he still felt somewhat helpless, helpless and self-blaming.

Zero quickly adjusted her emotions and returned to her best expressionless face.

Come little by little, Zero thought.

...After that, Zhuo's face and ears turned red due to the fact that Ling secretly stroked his ears and whispered "it's getting red" in his ear in an indifferent and emotionless tone. Zhuo was so embarrassed that his face and ears turned red. This look was clearly revealed in front of Ling, so Zhuo had to grit his teeth and endure it.

—End of this chapter—

Then wait, wait for the iron tree to bloom, wait for the crow to speak sweet words - Zero Razumovskaya Romanov

(End of this chapter)