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Chapter 8
Theo’s expression as he looked at the coffee mix packets was… strange.
He looked surprised, tense, and confused all at once.
I studied his eyes carefully and came to a reasonable conclusion.
Ah—he probably doesn’t know what coffee mix is. Maybe he knows coffee, but not this.
He looks so Korean—well, an absurdly handsome Korean—but still, seeing him in a jjimjilbang outfit makes me forget he’s from another world.
“Do you not know what coffee is? It’s a slightly bitter drink, but this one is sweet and rich—it tastes really good.”
“…I know coffee.”
“Then would you like some? I’m good at making it.”
“This time, I’ll really pass. If I drink coffee now, I think it’ll interfere with completing my mission.”
“You have a mission too, Theo?”
“Yes. The system window told me before it brought me here.”
“Really? What kind of mission?”
Theo scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, hesitating. With his gaze lowered, he spoke haltingly.
“It says… I have to completely relieve Dorothy’s accumulated fatigue… using your skill.”
“Ah!”
That one.
“Since there’s no mother’s hand, my hand will heal you.”
The skill that heals tired or injured visitors.
Right… it said I had to lay him on the bed… and pat him…
I realized why Theo couldn’t meet my eyes—and I lowered mine as well.
What kind of ridiculous system is this? What kind of skill is that?
I have to make that giant man lie on my tiny, precious bed? And even pat him while lying next to him?
Wait… can two people even fit on my bed?
I glanced at my bed.
It was a super single size—spacious for one woman, but tight even for two.
“…Theo, is the reward for completing the mission good?”
“They said I’d receive enough advanced protective gear for 100 people.”
“…!!”
Protective gear for 100 people?!
Well… that changes things.
“Lie down.”
“…What?”
“Lie down before I change my mind.”
“Are you serious?”
“You’re not going to do anything weird to me, right?”
“That’s true, but…”
“Or are you worried I might do something weird to you?”
As our bizarre conversation continued, I caught sight of myself in the full-length mirror.
A girl in bunny pajamas, hood up, ears flopping, boldly making threats.
…Ridiculous.
My entire face flushed red instantly. Fanning my heated cheeks, I stomped my feet.
“I know I look ridiculous right now, but anyway! I’m not dangerous!”
“…I know.”
There was laughter in Theo’s low voice.
His broad shoulders trembled slightly—he was definitely amused.
That reaction only made me more embarrassed. Covering my face with both hands, I mumbled,
“Skill activation—Since there’s no mother’s hand, my hand will heal you.”
The moment I forcefully activated the skill—
Something unbelievable happened.
Both Theo’s and my legs moved on their own, carrying us to the bed. My strength gave out, and I collapsed onto it headfirst.
We were automatically laid down.
We stared at each other wide-eyed, stunned.
Then, lying side by side, we both scrambled to get up.
“Theo, I’m sorry. This is my first time using this skill—I didn’t know it worked like this.”
“N-no, it’s fine. I-I’ll get up—ugh!”
As Theo tried to sit up, he suddenly dropped back down, like he’d hit an invisible wall.
He tried several times, but it was useless.
“Why can’t I move my legs?”
“The skill must be stronger than expected. Just give up and lie still.”
“That’s…”
“I told you already—I won’t do anything weird.”
Just some gentle patting.
When I gently tugged at his sleeve, his half-raised body sank back down with a deep sigh.
The mattress dipped under his weight.
“Just rest. For the sake of those 100 protective suits.”
“…Are you okay with this, Dorothy?”
“I’m just happy I can help people with my small abilities.”
Two people lying side by side on a super single bed left no room at all.
My left side and his right side fit together like Tetris pieces.
The solid warmth was strangely comforting.
But apparently, I was the only one comfortable.
Theo kept squirming, trying to create distance, eventually pressing himself tightly against the wall.
A tiny gap remained—but his body looked completely cramped.
“…Are you okay?”
Muscles don’t usually compress like that…
I swallowed that thought and asked gently.
“I’m fine. I’m used to this.”
“…Then, can I start patting?”
“Pardon?”
“I think I need to complete the patting quota for the skill to finish.”
[Skill Guide: “Since there’s no mother’s hand, my hand will heal you”
After activation, you must complete 100 pats within the recovery time.]
I read the system message in a resigned voice.
Theo listened quietly—then covered his chest with both arms.
“…What’s that pose?”
“Y-you can’t touch here.”
“…?”
I glanced at where he was covering.
…His chest.
Nothing special—just a normal chest, covered by the jjimjilbang outfit.
Well, fair enough.
“Don’t worry. I won’t touch anywhere you don’t allow.”
“…Thank you.”
“Then where can I touch? Shoulder? Arm?”
“Let me think for a moment.”
He curled up further and turned completely toward the wall.
That was surprisingly defenseless for someone who had been cautious earlier.
I stared at his broad back, resisting the urge to poke it.
Even in that dull outfit, his physique was impressive.
“Nice.”
“…What?”
“…Oh.”
Oops. I said that out loud.
Pretending nothing happened, I stared at the ceiling.
After a while, Theo extended one arm toward me—without turning around.
And his hand was in a “pinky promise” pose.
Just his pinky finger sticking out.
“…You mean your pinky finger?”
“…Yes.”
“Oh. I got it right.”
Seriously? His pinky?
What kind of upbringing makes someone this conservative?
Suppressing the urge to tease him, I quietly started patting his pinky finger.
A huge man crammed into one corner of the bed, offering just his pinky…
It was absurdly pitiful.
I let out a small laugh.
[Skill Usage: “Since there’s no mother’s hand, my hand will heal you” (5/100)]
“Just 95 more. Now 94.”
“It’s not that I dislike this…”
“I know. You’re just embarrassed.”
“I’m worried I might… act improperly…”
I didn’t ask what he meant.
This wasn’t the time to tease him.
Besides, I didn’t need to—his arm was already twitching like a freshly caught fish.
His muscles reacted with every pat.
I bit my lip to suppress laughter and kept going.
By around 50 pats, even his lower body started twitching.
“D-Dorothy… h-how many left?”
“About 40…”
“C-can I lie face down instead?”
“Do whatever’s comfortable.”
At my permission, he quickly turned over, burying his face in the pillow and extending his other hand.
I sped up, hoping he’d fall asleep quickly.
[Skill Usage: (95/100)]
“Five more.”
“……”
“Theo? Are you asleep?”
From about ten pats ago, his body had completely relaxed.
No response. His breathing was steady.
He was asleep.
I gently finished the remaining pats.
[Skill Complete. Entering full recovery mode.]
Alright. Done.
Now what?
Theo’s asleep… kind of boring—
Suddenly, drowsiness hit me like a tidal wave.
And just like that, I fell asleep.
When I woke up, something felt off.
There was no presence beside me.
Half-awake, I reached out.
“Theo?”
“I didn’t wake you. You were sleeping soundly.”
His voice came from an unexpected direction.
I sat up and looked toward the door.
There he was—wearing his black robe again, hand on the doorknob.
“Is it already time to leave?”
“Yes. The system says I must leave within 10 minutes.”
“Oh… that ‘10’ probably isn’t minutes.”
“…You’re right. It says 5 seconds now. Take care. Thank you.”
“You too. See you again.”
“I hope so.”
I smiled brightly and waved.
For some reason, I felt like we would meet again.
[Guidebook for Shelter Owners in Disaster Worlds has been updated.]
