Chapter 43: Smooth Talker

Mika stayed quiet for a long, agonizing moment, staring at her with that calm, piercing gaze that made her want to crawl into a hole.

Finally, a sly grin tugged at his lips.

"That’s perfect..." He said in a warm but teasing tone, his voice carrying an almost dangerous edge of satisfaction. "That’s exactly what I wanted to hear."

The nurse nearly collapsed in relief, her hands pressed to her flaming cheeks as she trembled like a leaf.

"You were already adorable before." Mika continued, his words smooth like silk. "But now? After hearing all that? You’re ten times prettier in my eyes."

Hearing this, the nurse’s face was still glowed a deep pink as she stared down at her shoes.

Just moments ago, she’d been sobbing, convinced she was about to lose her job and fail her family. But now here she was, blushing, smiling shyly to herself, and she realized it wasn’t by chance.

’He was cheering me up.’ She thought, clutching her clipboard tightly. ’This boy...He’s not serious about firing me. He just didn’t want me to cry anymore. How...How kind can someone even be to go so far to make someone else smile?’

Her heart thudded in her chest as she risked a glance up at Mika. His expression was calm but warm, the kind of look that made her cheeks burn even hotter.

But unbeknownst to her, just behind Mika, Charlotte’s pink-glowing eyes were practically burning a hole through her skull. Her fingers twitched slightly at her side, as though it was taking every ounce of restraint not to unleash hell then and there.

But Mika didn’t notice Charlotte’s ominous aura. Instead, his eyes narrowed slightly as he caught sight of something on the nurse’s forehead.

"Is that a bruise?" He asked softly.

The nurse blinked and instinctively touched the tender spot on her forehead.

"Ah...yes." She admitted with a small, awkward chuckle. "When I was trying to block the reporters from barging in, one of them shoved me and I...well...rammed into the wall by accident."

Mika’s brows furrowed, and his hand twitched slightly as though suppressing irritation. "And you didn’t think to get that checked immediately?"

"It’s nothing, really." She said quickly, waving her hand. "I’ll deal with it later. Besides, the reporters are gone now. It’s not like I can track down the guy who shoved me..."

"But I’m still here." Mika interrupted, his voice gentle yet firm. "So I’ll apologize on their behalf."

Her eyes widened. "W-What? N-no! You don’t have to do that!"

He smirked faintly. "I know I don’t have to. But I want to. I can’t stand seeing someone get wronged and not do anything about it. So...please, just take my apology."

The nurse’s breath hitched. For some reason, hearing him say those words with such sincerity made her heart skip. Her eyes softened, and her blush deepened even further as she thought,

’He’s...He’s even more compassionate than I thought...’

Meanwhile, Charlotte’s glowing eyes intensified as her fingers twitched again, sparks of pink flickering faintly in the air around her.

Mika suddenly stepped forward, reaching his hand out toward the bruise. "Can I?" He asked softly.

The nurse froze and for some reason, she didn’t feel afraid or hesitant at all. Something about the way he spoke, so calm and respectful, made him seem incredibly trustworthy and she nodded timidly.

Seeing her give her consent, his fingers brushed against her skin with featherlight precision as he examined the bruise.

"Does it hurt?" He asked quietly.

"Just a little bit." She whispered. "But don’t worry...I can handle it."

Mika shook his head slightly, letting out a small sigh. "I was going to call a nurse to help, but it seems like the nurse is already standing right here in front of me."

The nurse blinked, before giggling at his cheeky reply.

"And unlike you, who’s clearly talented and skilled at treating others, I’ve never been to medical school." Mika said with a faint grin. "Still, there is something I can try. You see, when I was young, Yelena over there..." He nodded toward the batte angel in the room watching them with a faintly amused smile. "...taught me a little spell. She used to do it for me whenever I got hurt. Somehow, the pain would always go away instantly."

The nurse chuckled lightly, her nerves easing slightly. "A spell, huh? You’re making me curious now."

"Mind if I try it on you?" He asked, his smile soft and disarming.

For a moment she hesitated, but then she smiled and nodded. "Go ahead...It sounds cute."

He gently hovered his palm over her bruise, and in a calm, almost childlike rhythm, he recited:

"Boo-boos, vanish, fade from sight."

"Pain be gone, take swift flight."

"Wounds and aches, no longer stay"

"Healing warmth, I weave today!"

He tapped her lightly at the end, making her giggle at how silly yet endearing it sounded. She also knew that nothing was actually going to happen but nonetheless she was going to play along to his whims for all the effort he was putting in to cheer her up.

"Oh wow, my pain is actually—!?"

But just as she was about to say that it actually worked, her words caught in her throat. Her eyes then widened in surprise as she touched the spot where the bruise had been.

The pain...It was completely gone. And when she glanced at her reflection in the glass panel beside the door, there wasn’t even a trace of the bruise left.

"It...It doesn’t hurt anymore." She whispered in shock. "The pain’s really gone...and...the bruise too?!"

Mika smirked knowingly. "Well, looks like the old spell still works."

"Y-You actually healed me..." She murmured, her hands lightly touching the smooth, unblemished skin. "T-Thank you so much..."

"Don’t thank me." Mika gestured toward Yelena. "Thank her. She taught me the spell in the first place."

The nurse immediately turned to Yelena and bowed deeply. "Thank you! Thank you for teaching him that spell. You’ve helped me so much!"

"No problem...That spell was created so people like him could bring comfort to others."

Yelena smiled faintly and played along knowing that it wasn’t that spell, but Mika who helped her out.

The nurse felt her heart soar at the goddess’s smile. ’The hero I looked up to all my life is smiling at me...!’

"You should also take care of yourself." Mika said softly. "It’s fine to be dutiful and hardworking, but it’s not worth injuring yourself. Your body deserves the same care you give others."

The nurse’s blush deepened as she pressed a hand to her chest. ’This boy...he’s too kind. Too dangerous for my heart...’

Glancing at her watch, Mika thenadded. "You’ve been here a while now, you know. The doctors are probably waiting for your report."

The nurse blinked and gasped. "Oh! Y-You’re right! I need to go!" She turned, but paused, clutching her clipboard tightly.

’I...I want his number...I never do things like this, but...’

As she hesitated, she suddenly caught a glance at Charlotte’s glowing pink eyes locked onto her like a predator stalking prey and the moment she was aware of the women who looked like she was out for blood, the nurse froze, her body going cold.

Instead of asking for his number, she squeaked, "Th-Thank you! Thank you for everything!" and bolted for the door.

But just before fleeing entirely, she turned back one last time to look at Mika, her blush returning.

"M-My name is Grace and if you ever visit the hospital again, you can directly call for me...B-Bye."

She finally whispered shyly, and then practically sprinted down the hallway.

Seeing the shy, flustered smile on the nurse’s face as she disappeared through the door, and the way her eyes had lingered on Mika just a moment longer than they should have, Yelena immediately understood. ’Ah...so that’s what was going on in her mind.’

Her eyes flicked to Mika, who was still standing there with a soft smile on his face, completely calm, as though the entire encounter had been nothing but casual small talk.

Yelena then stepped closer. "You know..." She began with a sly tone. "You’re still the same smooth talker as ever, Mika. Charming women left and right...making them blush so easily."

Mika raised an eyebrow as she drew closer, tilting his head innocently. "Hmm? What do you mean?"

Yelena’s teasing smile grew as she stopped right in front of him.

"Even back in kindergarten..." She said lightly, her voice dripping with fond mischief. "You were quite popular. Do you remember? You were always surrounded by a crowd of little girls fawning over you, giggling and fighting to hold your hand."

Mika blinked, caught off guard. "Wait. That’s not—"

"Oh, it’s very true." Yelena chuckled softly, cutting him off. "At the time, I didn’t know how to feel. Whether I should be happy...that my beloved little Mika was so adored...or heartbroken...because I was terrified he’d grow up into a playboy."

Before Mika could defend himself, she reached out and pinched both of his cheeks with a mischievous grin.

"And now look at you. Using the very same spell I used to use on you as a little child with scraped knees...to win a girl’s heart over." She tugged gently at his cheeks, stretching them slightly. "You really are something else, Mika. Such a cheeky little brat."

Mika couldn’t help but laugh, wincing playfully as she pulled. "O-Ow...okay, okay, let go already."

But even as she released him, he straightened his posture and flashed a smug grin, his eyes glittering with arrogance. "Well, of course I have to behave this way."

Yelena raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she smirked. "Oh? And why is that?"

"Because..." Mika said in a smooth, almost sing-song tone. "I was already blessed with a handsome face. If I don’t have the words and charm to back it up, wouldn’t that be a waste of talent?"

He placed a hand dramatically on his chest and added. "I have to use what I’ve been given properly...for the sake of bringing happiness to all the girls in the world."

Yelena rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck. "Haaah...you really are insufferable sometimes."

But before she could say anything else, a thought struck her, and her amused smile faded slightly. Her tone shifted into something more serious, yet still playful, as she said, "That’s all fine and good...but Mika..."

She pointed with her index finger towards the corner of the room. "How exactly are you planning to deal with this?"

Mika followed her gaze, and the smug expression on his face froze.

Charlotte stood there silently, her body unnaturally still, her long lashes casting shadows over her glowing pink eyes. She wasn’t even looking directly at him, her piercing stare was fixed on the door the nurse had disappeared through, her fingers flexing slightly as though she was fighting the urge to bolt out and drag the poor girl back.

It wasn’t hard to tell she was barely holding herself back. The air around her felt heavy, almost crackling with suppressed emotion.

"Ah..." Mika said softly, scratching his cheek with a chuckle. "She’s...uh...she’s not mad, right?"

Yelena raised an amused brow. "Not mad? Mika...she looks like she’s two seconds away from hunting that nurse down and dragging her back here by her hair."

Charlotte’s lips twitched slightly as she finally turned her gaze on Mika. Her pink irises glimmered faintly, and the look she gave him sent a chill down his spine.

"...Mika." Charlotte said quietly, her voice low and almost trembling, not from fear, but from something far more dangerous.

"Well, good luck, sweetheart. This one’s all yours to handle."

Yelena took a step back, a mischievous smirk forming on her lips, as she wanted for the fireworks that were going to happen in front of her...