T/N: We’re back to Nikola’s perspective. I’m posting this chapter earlier than usual because I have to go somewhere by 4 and I’m pretty sure I won’t have internet/WiFi connection. Anyways, I contacted some authors this past week and I’m hoping to receive a response soon. Wish me good luck!
'I have heard that there should be a manipulative surgeon in the Royal Palace, and that you should be able to receive the treatment of full-time manipulative surgeons if you work at the Royal Palace.'
However, Aldo who came to the treatment room since the first operation would always come to the clinic in a state where his body is stiffened.
He is an important patient and a special patient for Nikola. It’s hard for Nikola to see him suffering from the symptoms of a stiffened body.
“Mr. Aldo, aren’t you going to have a bunch of manipulative surgeons at the Royal Palace to loosen you up before your body gets too stiff?"
In the form of small talk, Nikola spoke softly as he has never met a manipulative surgeon from the Royal Palace. The patient that's the last of today is Aldo, so the small talk was able to be prolonged. 'I wanted to talk properly about Aldo’s physical condition.'
Without someone else’s intervention, Nikola wants to cure Aldo. But it’s hard to think about how much Aldo relies on his magic for his job so much. If so, no matter what Aldo relies on, Nikola can only hope that Aldo will not suffer.
While slowly raising the upper half of the body, Aldo laughed bitter.
“I try not to overdo it after I started receiving your treatment. And the manipulative surgeons in the Royal Palace……. It’s a lot of work, so the manipulative surgeons whine, saying, “I can’t do much."
"Is that so?……"
Even he's careful, it seems that the stiffness will still keep on building up.
“It’s easier than it used to be. Thanks to Nikola, it seems that I'm getting better, and work is becoming more easier. Thanks."
Bright green eyes with a gentle look, Aldo laughed. Aldo isn't getting tired anymore. Nikola is frustrated as he wants to heal Aldo more.
“I’m worried about Mr. Aldo’s body."
Nikola believes it would be best to properly heal Aldo's body right away.
“The people at the Royal Palace won't stop bugging me…… Even if I can come to you, I still have a lot of work and I rarely have days off."
Aldo himself, seems to want to come over to the clinic more. It was really regrettable that it was difficult for Aldo to go to the clinic during the clinic's working hours.
'―- If so, would it be good if he doesn't have to stick to the clinic's work hours?' The thought that came up seemed to be a good idea, and Nikola opened his mouth without thinking too deeply.
“Can you come in after hours? I can't be in the clinic for a long time, I need to go home."
Aldo stopped moving for a few seconds after hearing Nikola's remark. It can be said that he has awkwardly stiffened.
“Nikola……It’s a great offer, but I think it’s too much to take care of." After a deep sigh of emotion, Aldo answered with a slow tone of voice while wandering around with his gaze. 'I wonder if I said something off. I wonder if I made him angry.' Nikola was sad that Aldo didn’t nod.
“But I’m worried.……"
Aldo gently reached out to Nikola's brown hair and gently stroked it, as if comforting him.
“If you were so kind to anyone, you wouldn’t be here."
'Aldo, who smiles wryly while worrying over me, is very kind.
I strongly think that I want to heal a person who works hard to heal a lot of people, and I want to repay all of his merits. I don’t know if I can return more than what Aldo gave me.‘
"Mr. Aldo is special."
When Nikola said he saw Aldo as a special customer, Aldo's eyes became round for a moment, and then he laughed out “Hehe……” The expression looks somehow sexy. 'My heart is beating so hard that I feel restless.'
'There is no other intention. There was no doubt about it, but I wondered if it was a statement that could be misunderstood.'
‘He is a sought out healer, even though he looks down on himself, but he is a good man. Even if his body becomes tattered, he will continue healing people because it is his work and he thinks it's really amazing.
I thought that I should help.’
If Aldo is the patient, Nicolas will be happy to do the treatment even if he rushes in after the clinic's operating hours. Nikola will surely be happy even if he wants to undergo treatment every day. 'Rather, I want to be desired – I noticed my own thoughts, and my cheeks slowly dyed red.'
'―- You said you needed my help……. I want Mr. Aldo to think about it…….!'
“……Nikola?"
Wondering about the appearance of Nikola, who had dyed his cheeks in a red color, Aldo’s hand, which was stroking his head, comes down to his cheeks.
Being gently stroked on the cheeks, Nikola felt like he wanted to cry somehow.
'―- I love you.'
‘Grandpa, grandma, Kieran and the regular patients, I think of them as family……. I thought I should further boost my feelings to them first. Now there is a feeling of heat, fragility, and even clarity in my chest.'
'―- I want to be recognized by this person, I want to be seen by this person, I want to make this person smile, I want to be by their side.'
Nikola will not be able to say that.
Nikola happened to have been told that his uncle has a lover of the same sex, and also grew up being told that there are many relationships like that. Although there's no disgust towards the idea, but there is confusion about liking a person of the same sex.
But what about Aldo?
In neighboring countries, it is common for the marriage of the opposite sex, not only in Sugaria, but there's a few marriages between homosexuals, although it's not forbidden. There are also some who dislike homosexuals.
If things get too bad, Nikola will not be able to endure.
So, it's best to not say anything. Nikola will try covering his feelings.
‘I don’t want this person to be in pain, I want them to be healed, I want to be powerful – It's fine if I can hope.'
With Aldo's hand touching Nikola's cheek, Nikola stretched out the trembling fingers.
“As you wish, Mr. Aldo……"
Without any other intentions, Nikola pushed away his desires, persuading Aldo to take more treatments.
*******
Nikola's treatment room is adjoined with a living space, where his grandfather, the previous owner of the treatment room, lives with his grandmother.
Since his parents and his sister live a little far away, Nikola lived alone in a place close to the clinic.
It is an easy environment to live in because it is away from the center of the city, and the space is quite nice. The bed, which was made to be a little larger so that you can have more space, is also harmonious and without discomfort, and it could settle as Nikola's home. However, today’s Nikola was feeling restless in his own home. The day before yesterday, when he performed the procedure at home for the first time, he was very uncomfortable, and he can't get used to it for the second time.
'By the way, even though there was no treatment yesterday, I kept on groaning and covering my face with both hands and rumbled on the bed, so the bed at home is becoming a restless place.' “Wow ah……”
The cause of such an indecent behavior of Nikola is the person with the golden hair lying on the bed.
Even though he is lying for the treatment, there is no other intention. However, it is very frustrating that the person you like is on the bed where you are usually sleeping.
“…… Hmm……. It feels good, Nikola."
There is no other intention. No, no, no. But if you are praised in such a way with a sigh mixed in, it's exciting. It was hard to shake off the evil thoughts so that there was no strange movement in the hand that was performing the treatment.
“The day before yesterday, you said you'd make a meal after the treatment, right?” I’m sorry because I’m being spoiled by the busy you, I thought at least today, I’ll ask for takeout at a familiar shop."
Aldo said, and he gave Nicola a salad and a marinated chicken with bacon. Both of the foods looks very delicious.
"If you don’t like it, you can throw it away."
“I’m glad I don't have any dislikes or likes towards food. Throwing it away would be a waste."
After shaking his head, Nikola thanked Aldo with all the food he had received.
“I can not eat too much, so if you want, could you eat with me?”
It is a menu that would be better to eat with a companion. 'I think that Aldo might have picked up some of the dishes that could be served for breakfast tomorrow.'But the idea of being with Aldo just a little more, made Nikola a little greedy.
After loosening the elements, people need to take some time to recover. 'I know that I shouldn't ask him at this time, but the words are slipping out of my mouth.'
Aldo showed a little thoughtful expression, so Nikola said,”You don't have to……” And leaked out a lonely voice.
Aldo made a faint smile.
"No, it’s fine. However, I bought it with the intention of thanking you because of being spoiled by you, but I think that it will not be a proper thank you if I eat in the end."
"I wanted you to rest, but would it be a nuisance if I eat with you?" Aldo is caring.
Nicolas shook his head.
'―- It’s not a nuisance. I’m rather happy. I want to be with you.'
So as not to let his feelings overspill, responding quickly, Nicola nodded big as “It is okay”.
“It would be better to eat with Mr. Aldo, because it will be delicious."
“Well then, it will be a feast."
As Aldo nodded, Nikola was happy that he wanted to pat his cheeks.
“Well, I will prepare the baguette and soup! There's no tableware for customers, and the size varies."
'When I apologized because I was not prepared, Aldo raised the end of his mouth with a little joy, instead of having a disappointed face.'
"That’s surprising. You seem to like to entertain your guests."
“I like it but it's rare for customers to come here…….Mr. Aldo is the first."
As he warmed up the soup and prepared the baguette, Nikola replied. There was no reaction from Aldo, and somehow the conversation was cut off.
“…… Have you seen Kieran?"
After a strange silence, Aldo asked me in a ponderous voice.
"Yes, but not much. Even when I moved, there was not much luggage, so I refused his help. When I eat with Kieran, I will eat with everyone at the back of the clinic with grandpa grandma."
“…… Really?"
Aldo, who nodded quietly, had his mouth in a little arc, and his bright green eyes were filled with joy.
Nikola didn’t know what made Aldo happy in the conversation, but he quickly prepared dinner with a pleasant feeling as he would be happy if Aldo was happy.
“Oh, this quiche is so delicious."
“Good. The soup that you made for me is also delicious."
Praising each other’s prepared dishes, and smiling at each other. It’s strange to be happy and acting like it's a very special event to eat delicious food together.
“Do you have any likes or dislikes when it comes to food?"
Aldo nodded as he likes a lot of food. It is fun to talk about what foods in a restaurant are delicious, and about the brands of sake.
“I’m a little sick of sour stuff. Pickles. It’s fine if it's in a sandwich, but if you're to eat it alone, it’s a bit painful."
Since it is easy to make, Nikola, who makes pickles, is relieved to hear that Aldo is okay with eating it in a sandwich. 'I should remember this.'
“I’m surprised you have something you don’t like."
“Is it? Well, because I can eat without changing my facial expression, people won't notice it unless I voice it out."
Aldo laughed softly and said, “That's why you only know about this weakness.”
'―- I knew it.
Aldo is the type of person who hides things he doesn’t like and things he does like.’
When I first performed the procedure, Aldo was forced to experience something strange that he hasn't before.
I think he's trying to not make people care about him or worry about him. I know it comes from the kindness of Aldo, but it’s sad to know that Aldo has to put up with all of this.'
“Please tell me if there's anything unpleasant. I don’t want you to put up with it without knowing it."
Aldo made his eyes rounded his eyes in surprise and laughed softly. His good-shaped lips spun out the small words “Thank you”.
Nikola didn’t know why he would thank him, but Nikola returned it with a smile.
'I asked Aldo if there was anything else that he didn't like, he also told me that he doesn’t like berry fruits because of their sour connection. I wrote it firmly onto a notepad. I was happy to know Aldo's likes and dislikes, one by one.'
‘We talked about our likes and dislikes of food, while eating rice together.
After a bit of a little argument over who would clean up, we stood in the kitchen together.
After dinner, even after tidying up, and because Aldo did not seem to be uncomfortable, I had a casual conversation on a silly story.'
'When the time was too late, I said “good night” and sent him off.
“Can I come back tomorrow?” I returned the words,”Please focus on your work." In the case of today, he promised to come again tomorrow, and it gave me the joy that surpassed the loneliness of seeing Aldo leave. Like a lamp had been lit in my chest, I feel happy.'
The head of the smiling Nikola was caressed, and Aldo went home.
'It seems to be mistaken that we're dating somehow. -No. It’s treatment.
Aldo is not going to do that. And I don’t even know if Aldo has a boyfriend or not.
It might be a burden for him to go to my house after work every day.
But– Because it is for the treatment, even if I strongly tell myself no, spending time with Aldo makes me very happy. I'm glad I did it. I'll just pretend that I don't know. Aldo might be someone’s partner.'
‘Aldo will not be mine.
If he's not someone else's partner at least, it will not be painful. So I shouldn’t know.'
However, if Aldo has an important person, and Nikola took away Aldo's important time to spend with that person – just imagining it, Nikola's heart will be cramped.
'Even if I hide it in the back of my heart, the more that time passes, the more my feelings for Aldo grow.'
‘I want to know. I don’t want to know. I want to know.
Conflicting feelings are circling in my chest.'
It might be better to not know. However, Aldo is a person who does not understand his body's circumstances, does not understand anything around him, and endures it all with a calm face.
―- Before it's too late, it's best to find out.
Nikola gently grasped his fist. 'Aldo will be here tomorrow.'
'I don’t know how it will affect my love in the future.' Nikola wanted to receive the answer firmly, without turning away his eyes, and without blocking his ears.