Chapter 330: The Best Lab Rat In The World

By now, the sun had long since set.

Cecilia and the other doctors had finished their shifts, bidding grateful farewells to Fauna as they left still buzzing with excitement from everything they had learned.

Now, only Mika and Fauna remained.

Fauna sat at the central console, tablet in hand, meticulously reviewing the final reports—cross-checking values, annotating fluctuations, ensuring every detail was perfect.

Mika, meanwhile, lounged casually on the edge of the hospital bed in his thin, one leg dangling as he scrolled idly through his phone, occasionally chuckling at something on the screen.

But even as Fauna focused on the data, her eyes betrayed her.

Again and again, they drifted—unwillingly, uncontrollably—downward.

To the prominent bulge in his shorts.

The clinging fabric still outlined everything with shameless clarity: the thick length resting heavily against his thigh, the subtle ridges, even the faint trace of veins visible through the damp material.

She could see it all far too clearly from her seat.

’Fauna, stop. Stop looking at your own son’s penis.’ She scolded herself silently, cheeks burning.

But the reprimand did nothing.

Her gaze flicked back—once, twice, a dozen times.

Each stolen glance sent a fresh wave of heat through her body, making her shift uncomfortably in her chair. Her throat felt dry; her pulse fluttered too fast.

She forced herself to speed through the reports, fingers flying over the tablet.

Finally—finally—she set it down with a soft exhale.

"It’s done, Mika." She said, voice a little hesitant as she looked up at him. "I’ve finished your full report."

Mika’s face lit up. He immediately rolled off the bed and bounded over, coming to stand directly in front of her chair—close, towering slightly as she remained seated.

"Then tell me." He said eagerly, leaning forward a bit. "What does it say, Fauna? Am I healthy? No life-threatening diseases or anything dramatic?"

"Come on, spill it quick—I need to report back to Yelena. She’s been blowing up my phone nonstop and if don’t tell her soon, she’ll probably show up here herself."

But Fauna wasn’t listening properly.

Her eyes—traitorous, helpless—had locked onto the bulge now mere inches from her face.

Up close, it was even more overwhelming.

The sheer size of it—the weight, the girth—made her throat go completely dry. She stared in silent, dazed awe, heat flooding her cheeks and spreading lower.

Mika tilted his head, noticing her silence.

"Fauna?" He prompted gently. "I asked for the results...Don’t tell me it’s so bad you can’t even say it?"

Fauna jolted, blinking rapidly as she tore her gaze upward.

"N-No! No, Mika." She said quickly, flustered. "It’s the exact opposite. You’re perfectly healthy. In fact...better than last time."

"Your body is growing stronger, more resilient. All metrics are improved. It doesn’t make sense, but given your constitution...I won’t question it."

She forced a bright, reassuring smile. "You got an excellent result. Nothing to worry about at all."

"Phew—that’s good. Really good. Now I can finally tell Yelena and stop her from pestering me every five minutes."

He pulled out his phone, thumbs flying as he typed a quick message.

"But actually." He added, glancing at the clock on the wall. "It’s getting late anyway. I should head home soon, so I think I’ll just tell her in person."

Fauna’s heart dropped.

"W-What do you mean, go home?" She asked, voice rising slightly in panic. "You’re leaving already?"

"Well, yeah." Mika shrugged, pocketing his phone. "The whole reason I came today was for the tests, right?"

"Now that they’re done...I can head back. Yelena’s got me booked solid this whole week—she’ll throw a fit if I don’t come back."

Fauna’s chest tightened.

"But...but do you really have to go so soon?"

She pleaded softly, looking up at him with wide, vulnerable eyes.

"Can’t you stay a little longer? Spend some time with me? It’s not fair—you just come, get your results, and leave. I...I want to be with you too."

Mika reached out and gently ruffled her hair, the gesture affectionate but firm.

"I want to spend time with you too, Fauna. Really. But Yelena’s got me on a tight schedule. I can’t just ditch her."

"And if she finds out I stayed over here just because you asked..."

He chuckled lightly

"Well, remember that massive sword you saw the other day? Next time it might be aimed at you."

Normally, Fauna would have laughed.

But not tonight.

Tonight, she felt raw—vulnerable, confused, terrified of being alone with the storm of thoughts swirling inside her.

Mika was the source of those feelings...and the only person who made her feel safe from them.

The idea of him leaving—of spending the night alone with these forbidden images, these aching warmths—sent a cold shiver through her.

She couldn’t let him go.

Not now.

Her eyes darted around the room in mild panic, searching desperately for any excuse—any reason—that would make him stay.

And then she saw it.

The refrigerated unit in the corner.

The answer.

Perfect. Legitimate. Unsuspicious.

And something she genuinely needed his help with.

"Wait, Mika—wait!"

She quickly stood up.

"Don’t go yet. There’s...there’s something we need to do. Something absolutely necessary. I’ve been waiting to do it with you for a long time."

Mika paused, turning back to her.

A knowing glint flickered briefly in his eyes, almost as if he had anticipated this exact reaction.

Almost as if bringing up leaving had been deliberate, bait to draw out the invitation he secretly wanted.

But his expression remained innocently curious.

"Oh?" He asked, tilting his head. "And what exactly is that, Fauna? What do you need me so badly for?"

Fauna hurried to the refrigerated unit, heart racing with a mix of relief and lingering nervousness.

She opened the secure door, retrieved a chilled case, and brought it back to him.

Inside, neatly arranged in foam, were dozens of small glass vials—each filled with clear, faintly glowing liquid and labeled in her handwriting.

"It’s this." She said, a spark of genuine excitement breaking through her earlier anxiety. "These are all new serums I’ve developed over the past year. Each one has the potential to improve countless lives."

Mika’s brows lifted in interest. He picked up one vial after another, reading the labels with growing confusion.

"Advanced Follicle Regeneration."

"Formula - D32"

"Permanent Depilatory Serum."

"Cellular Rejuvenation Compound Anti-Aging Variant "

He looked up at her, half-laughing.

"Fauna, these are all cosmetic! Hair loss prevention, wrinkle reduction and—"

He held up another, cheeks flushing slightly.

"—a whole row for erectile function and virility enhancement?"

He chuckled, shaking his head.

"I thought these were going to be groundbreaking vaccines or cures. But what’s going on? Why are they all...like this?"

Fauna met his gaze, a soft, earnest smile spreading across her face.

"The funny thing is...." She explained gently. "...after all our work together—the decade of research, the vaccines, the treatments—we’ve actually eradicated most major diseases."

"There’s almost nothing left in that category to cure. Humanity is...healthier than it’s ever been, thanks to us."

She placed a hand over her heart, eyes shining with quiet pride.

"So this year, I shifted focus. These aren’t just vanity products. They address real pain—men who suffer depression and insecurity over hair loss or performance issues, women who feel societal pressure about aging or body hair."

"These compounds will help people feel confident, happy in their own skin. They’ll reduce anxiety, improve mental health, strengthen relationships."

"It’s still saving lives—just in a different way."

Mika stared at her for a long moment.

Then his expression softened into one of deep admiration and pride.

"I...Wow." He said quietly. "I was about to tease you for making beauty potions in your spare time. But now? I’m really proud of you, Fauna."

"You’re thinking about the overall picture—treating the whole person, not just the body. And the fact that we’ve already cured so much of the world’s illness that you can focus on this now."

"That’s incredible. We did that...Together."

Fauna’s heart swelled.

Warmth and gratitude flooded her—along with the familiar, overwhelming love she always felt for him.

"Yes, Mika."

She whispered, voice thick with emotion.

"We did. I couldn’t have done any of it without you."

For a moment, they simply looked at each other—pride, affection, shared history passing silently between them.

But beneath Mika’s warm smile, another thought stirred.

This was perfect.

These new compounds—especially the virility enhancers, the aphrodisiac-like side effects some might have, combined with today’s earlier incident—created exactly the narrative he needed.

The perfect excuse.

The ideal bridge to deepen their bond...to gently, carefully guide Fauna past her hesitation and into the next level of closeness he had been dreaming of.

Everything was falling beautifully into place.

And tonight, with these vials as the catalyst, he would take the next step.

"Fine, Fauna...I’ll stay." He finally agreed.

"Really?"

Fauna’s face lit up instantly, relief and joy sparkling in her eyes like stars.

"Thank you, Mika!"

He chuckled, while looking a bit hesitant as he said,

"Honestly, though...I’m a little scared about these medicines we’re trying tonight."

"We’ve always tested vaccines and serious treatments before, but now it’s a completely different kind of stuff—cosmetic things, virility boosters, anti-aging serums."

"How do you think my body will handle them? I mean, what if I end up with a full head of hair overnight or something ridiculous?"

Fauna laughed softly, the tension in her shoulders easing.

"Don’t worry at all, Mika. It’ll be exactly the same procedure as always. There’s really nothing to be afraid of."

"In fact, these will be much easier—and far less dangerous—than the vaccines or heavy-duty medicines we’ve tested before. No risk of immune overreactions or systemic shock."

"Yeah...that does make sense." He nodded. "They probably won’t cause the kind of harm real therapeutic drugs sometimes can."

He then tilted his head, still a little skeptical.

"But still, these kinds of things often come with side effects, right? Unexpected reactions, weird symptoms..."

Fauna crossed her arms, giving him a confident, almost playful look.

"Till now, with the meticulous way I’ve designed every single compound—not one vaccine, not one medicine—has ever produced a serious or life-threatening side effect in you."

"I’m so certain of my formulations that, honestly, I could almost release these to the market tomorrow without further testing."

She paused, then sighed dramatically.

"But of course I can’t do that. It would be negligent. That’s why I need you—my perfect, indestructible test subject. Even if something unexpected happens, your body will neutralize it completely."

"You’ll be fine...You always are."

And it was true.

For over a decade, Mika had volunteered himself as Fauna’s sole human trial participant.

She refused to test experimental compounds on animals—she loved all life too deeply to cause even a rabbit discomfort.

And she could never risk harming another human.

Progress had stalled because of that until Mika, still a child but already showing signs of his extraordinary physiology, had stepped forward.

"I’ll do it." He’d said simply. "Nothing you make can hurt me anyway."

Since then, no matter how potent the vaccine, how aggressive the therapeutic agent, his body adapted instantly—processing, neutralizing, and eliminating any threat while still allowing Fauna to observe the intended effects through her custom scanners.

He was her son

And he was the ideal subject: safe, reliable, and utterly resilient.

Basically, the Best Lab Rat in the World.