My eyes opened slowly, and the first thing I noticed was a shadow hovering over me.
"Good morning, sleepyhead... Did you sleep well?"
When the drowsiness faded, I saw that the shadow was actually Bai Ning. Her sweet voice carried an undeniable maturity and love... But that was exactly what made everything more disturbing.
"You sweated again last night."
I shifted uncomfortably in bed when her eyes met mine.
"I guess I'll have to bathe you again. Ahh, my Ryuu... What wouldn't I do for you?"
To others, her words might sound like the concern of a gentle mother, but to me, they sounded like a sentence.
She didn't even ask for my opinion and had already started undressing me. Beside her was a bucket of warm water, and in her hands, a sponge.
"J-Just... be careful, my body still hurts."
"Mhm."
She hummed softly in agreement, but her eyes were so fixed on my chest that it didn't even seem like she was listening.
Well, it didn't really matter. The wound on my chest was almost healed. I only said that to reinforce my fragile state — not that Bai Ning cared about that — those words were for Bai Xue... if she can hear me, of course.
"..."
She passed the sponge with one hand, while the other shamelessly touched my body. I no longer cared about what she did... But God, the way she looks at me feels like she's going to devour me at any moment.
"All done..."
As soon as everything was over, Bai Ning dressed me with the same natural ease as before.
That whole bath felt like it lasted an eternity. I just wanted to close my eyes, fall asleep, and escape that reality, but Bai Ning's touch was like an anchor that kept me from relaxing.
Don't get me wrong, I don't hate her touch. It just makes me... uncomfortable. Besides the fact that she's touching me without permission, her hands are cold.
I don't know how to describe the difference very well, but compared to Xue and Yue, her touch feels empty, almost as if she were touching a relic instead of a human being.
As if I were an object...
"Haaasss..." I sighed deeply and ran a hand over my face.
Why am I thinking about this now?
I need to plan my escape.
Yes, an escape.
After my conversation with the system, I decided that getting out of here is the best option.
I could wait for Bai Xue to come rescue me, but that's not viable. Even if she becomes strong and saves me, she might end up doing the same as her mother and keep me imprisoned.
As for manipulating Bai Ning?
That seems impossible. My words don't have enough impact and simply go in one ear and out the other.
Escaping really is the best option. I can try to grow stronger by doing system missions, and I think Bai Xue would be happy to know that Bai Ning no longer has me in her hands.
My body is practically healed... I just need an opportunity!
"Ryuu... What are you thinking about so intensely?"
A chill ran down my spine when I heard that voice. Bai Ning was staring at me with her head tilted, curiosity evident on her face.
Instinctively, I activated Mind's Eye:
[What? X ------- Escape? ----- no ---- Impossible! ------ precaution ---- reinforce ---------- surveillance.]
My heart froze, and I felt my head spin.
'Bai Ning knows I want to escape?!' I thought in panic. 'But that's impossible... I never said anything or gave any signs, I spend most of the time pretending to sleep!'
I felt like I was going to faint from fear and shock, but then I forced myself to calm down. Maybe I was worrying for nothing...
"Ah-ah, I... I was just..."
My mind raced trying to find an answer, but I couldn't think of anything convincing.
"Hehehehe..."
Bai Ning laughed softly, a sound that resembled a beautiful melody. I trembled slightly, not understanding what she found so funny.
Could she read minds and was just playing with me?!
"Ryuu... Your face suddenly turned pale and then flushed."
She gave me a knowing smile and asked:
"Did I catch you imagining something indecent?"
It was clearly a tease, but I didn't feel embarrassed. All I felt was relief... At least it seemed like she didn't know anything.
I touched my cheeks unconsciously, and they were indeed warm. My heart had stopped for a few seconds, so I guess that flush is the blood flowing back to my face...
Since she thinks I was imagining something naughty, let's take advantage of that to divert her attention.
"Ermm... I just noticed that Mom is always wearing the same dress."
To make my act more convincing, I even forced a shy smile and lowered my gaze to her body — especially the curve of her hips outlined by the blue dress.
I must say, the view is very beautiful. I would be enjoying it if I weren't praying for my life at that exact moment.
'God! Please, don't let Bai Xue interpret my next words as affection toward Bai Ning, or I'm dead!'
"It must be... very tight... So I was wondering if it doesn't make you uncomfortable."
Bai Ning blinked, processing my words. Then, like the sun rising after a storm, her face lit up with a radiant smile.
"Oh my... My little son is worried about his mommy's comfort?"
She placed a hand on her chest, pretending to be touched, but her eyes gleamed with a dangerous delight.
"How adorable... You have no idea how happy that makes me."
'Damn it... I just wanted to change the subject, not give her more reasons to love me.'
[Host, you have a special talent for digging your own grave.]
'Shut up.'
"Well..." Bai Ning smoothed the skirt of her dress with her palms, slowly sliding them down her hips as she evaluated her own body. "Now that you mention it, it really is a bit tight here and here..."
She lightly squeezed her chest and thighs, and the fabric stretched dangerously.
I was momentarily hypnotized by the sight, impressed by the elasticity of the bre— I mean, the dress. Yes, that's definitely what I was going to say...
"Maybe you're right, dear. Mommy might be getting... bigger."
I swallowed hard, keeping the smile on my face while my mind screamed.
'Shit! You can't say you're getting bigger while squeezing your chest and making that expression.'
This woman was definitely teasing me by emphasizing her chest so much and smiling like a fox.
But although I was in inner turmoil, I just smiled shyly and looked away as I whispered:
"Y-you deserve to be comfortable, Mom. After all, you stay here all day taking care of me..."
"True." She nodded, as if my words were the wisest thing she had ever heard. "And since my little son cares so much, I'll go change clothes. Something more... comfortable."
She stood up from the armchair with deliberate slowness, every movement filled with a disturbing grace. When she turned to walk toward the door, my eyes — my own curse — were dragged along with her.
Her hips swayed from side to side in a hypnotic rhythm, the fabric of the dress outlining every generous curve like a second skin.
It was impossible not to look.
It was impossible not to notice how each step made her rear move softly, how her thick thighs brushed against each other as she walked.
[Host's heart rate increased by 15%.]
'Shut up! I'm just... maintaining the act!'
[Of course. Just maintaining the act.]
She reached the door, her slender fingers wrapping around the metal handle. But she didn't turn it immediately. Instead, she paused.
"Ah, Ryuu..."
Her body turned slowly, just enough for me to see her side profile and the corner of her lips curved into an enigmatic smile.
"I'll be out for a few hours. I have to take care of some annoying matters at the company." She sighed, as if the idea of working were a personal offense. "Don't worry about me, alright? I'll do my best to come back quickly."
She paused, and when she spoke again, her voice dropped a tone, becoming lower, more intimate.
"And when I return... I'll bring you a special little present."
Each word dripped like sweet poison, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"A... present?"
"Yes." She winked, placing a finger on her lips in a gesture of silence. "But it's a surprise. You'll have to be a good boy and wait for me properly."
With one last smile, she turned the handle and the door opened, letting in a glimpse of the hospital's white corridor.
"See you later, my love."
The door closed with a soft click, and the sound of high heels echoed through the hallway, gradually fading until it disappeared completely.
Silence.
I was alone.
I released the breath I didn't even know I was holding, feeling my lungs burn with fresh air. My hands, which had been gripping the sheets, slowly relaxed.
"A present..." I murmured to the white ceiling. "What could she mean by that?"
[Considering her history, the options range from 'another session of abuse' to 'an electronic ankle monitor.']
"You're very funny, you know that?"
[My job is to be comic relief.]
I shook my head, a bitter smile crossing my lips.
Bai Ning was gone. For a few hours, I wouldn't have her hungry eyes watching me, her cold hands touching me, her suffocating presence filling every inch of this room.
For a few hours, I was free.
"Maybe this is the opportunity I've been waiting for!"
I pushed the covers aside and stood up.
My first steps were slow, and even then, I almost tripped over my own foot. I had been lying down for a week without moving much, so my muscles were still stiff.
Today is the day I'm getting out of here, but I think I should do some exercises and stretch first. It would be very embarrassing to trip during my escape.
"I'm getting the hang of it!"
Push-ups were the first thing I did, followed by squats. I didn't do sit-ups... I still wasn't ready for that, my lungs still hurt a bit.
When I finished my small training, my muscles burned. It was a good kind of burn — it reminded me that I was alive.
"Haaa..."
I sighed in satisfaction.
After so long, I felt light, as if I could reach the sky in a single jump. But I still couldn't take flight... not while I was still trapped here.
"Freedom is close."
I looked at the window.
I didn't even try to check the door, because even if it wasn't locked, there would be guards waiting for me on the other side.
I was on the higher floors of this hospital, but that window was still my only way out.
"I have no other choice..."
I walked toward the window. It was a normal sliding window, no locks or anything.
I immediately slid the glass along the rails, and for the first time in a long time, I felt fresh air. The breeze from outside hit my face, brushing through my hair.
"The drop looks pretty long..."
I looked down, seeing how far the ground was. The people below looked tiny, like moving blurs.
Maybe I was on the tenth floor — or higher.
But regardless of the floor, I was no longer sure I could guarantee my escape. In fact, escaping now felt like a distant dream.
[New mission!]
My eyebrows rose when I saw the new notification.
'A mission? Show me!' I ordered in my mind.
[Reclaim your freedom]
[Objective: escape the hospital alive]