GDTEA Ch 58

A Sulky Mood

When Sharti stood there with her mouth slightly open, unable to react, Ren immediately regretted his actions.

He had made flimsy excuses for avoiding Sharti when he couldn’t control his surging emotions, and then blurted out his pathetic feelings without warning.

‘I can’t even control one emotion.’

He certainly hadn’t intended to show such childish jealousy.

But perhaps because he had always been a pathetic person, seeing Sharti with Ashu made it impossible for him to act rationally.

[If I become closer to you than I am now, Doctor, would you treat me as comfortably as you do your assistant?]

That damn statement kept ringing in his head.

He envied Ashu for recognizing his pure feelings for Sharti and having the courage to express them, but it also annoyed him.

‘Jealousy-‘

Ashu was a young man who had everything that Ren didn’t.

Compared to Ren, Ashu had a much more youthful appearance, fair skin, and a kind personality that suited his innocent smile.

The straight-laced, diligent young man who seemed to have never experienced life’s hardships had an easy laugh and gentle manner of speaking.

‘Though he doesn’t look strong.’

Compared to Ren’s large build and bulging muscles, Ashu was tall but thin, looking like he might fly away if pushed. This assessment was, of course, colored by Ren’s personal opinion.

Sharti’s ideal type might be different.

‘There’s no comparison anyway.’

Above all, Ashu had a family, a home, and a stable life.

Unlike Ren, who had holes everywhere, Ashu was whole and complete.

That was the biggest reason Ren felt inferior to Ashu.

‘…Damn it.’

Ren’s avoidance of Sharti’s hand hadn’t been intentional.

He simply didn’t want to show Sharti the ugly, pathetic expression that must have been on his face. But when he saw Sharti’s retreating fingertips tremble slightly, he snapped back to his senses as if someone had thrown cold water on him.

In a panic, with his heart sinking and fear suddenly gripping him, Ren hastily grabbed Sharti.

[If you’re tired, you should rest early today.]

As Sharti turned away from him while he was drowning in self-loathing, Ren gritted his teeth.

At the same time, unexpected sorrow burst forth.

‘And after all that, I got hung up on her informal speech.’

Sharti must have thought he was being petty and stubborn out of spite.

Finally, Ren stopped making excuses as he watched Sharti’s reaction and stumbled over his words.

Then he continued speaking incoherently.

“The flower looks better than the ones I gave you, and Sha, it seems like you like this flower more… So it seems like that’s why you won’t speak informally to me.”

The more he honestly poured out his feelings, the more his head drooped.

He was losing the confidence to check Sharti’s reaction.

“…The flower, this one?”

As expected, Sharti, who had been quietly watching Ren, pointed at the flower with a very disgruntled expression.

Ren nodded without even looking.

Then a cunning thought occurred to him.

‘…Will she deny it?’

Even to himself, Ren thought he looked quite pitiful and miserable right now.

Since Sharti had always been particularly attentive to Ren’s weaknesses, she would surely contradict him.

Although he had decided to stop acting to gain sympathy, Ren was feeling threatened by Ashu and couldn’t afford to be picky at this point.

“…Ah!”

Just then, Sharti let out a small exclamation as if she had realized something.

She nodded repeatedly while patting Ren’s arm.

“You’re sulking, right?”

“…What?”

“Yes, I understand.”

This time it was Ren who looked at Sharti with a dumbfounded expression.

Ren was left speechless as he received Sharti’s continual pats.

“…..”

While Ren had criticized himself for childish jealousy and thought it pathetic, Sharti’s reaction was shocking.

His fragile pride was precariously shaken.

Ren’s lips trembled slightly.

‘Like she’s soothing a child…’

A groan escaped from his throat as irritation scratched at it.

Ren put his hand to his forehead, trying to retrace their misaligned conversation.

“Sha, no, that’s not it.”

“It’s okay. I wasn’t considerate enough.”

Sharti spoke generously, telling him not to worry about it.

Her tone was so sympathetic that Ren swallowed hard.

His grip tightened on the hem of Sharti’s robe that he was holding.

“So, Sha, I…”

“Everyone has moments when emotions overflow. Yes, and I don’t mind what happened earlier at all.”

“…..”

But you’re misunderstanding.

Ren firmly suppressed the surge of sorrow welling up inside him.

Compared to his narrow-mindedness, Sharti was certainly someone with a generous heart.

Ren sighed, dwelling on a sense of emptiness.

‘I knew she didn’t see me as a man, as a romantic interest…’

Not only did she not see him that way, she was treating him like little Tein.

‘I never thought I’d miss being treated like a patient.’

The unexpected confirmation hurt him to the bone.

This was no time to be consumed with jealousy toward Ashu.

“I understand.”

Hiding his bitter feelings, Ren returned to his usual stoic expression.

He let go of Sharti’s robe and reached out his hand.

“Then Sha, I’ll continue to be a bit sulky about your consideration.”

“What?”

“Either speak to me informally, or hold my hand. Choose one.”

Sharti looked back and forth between Ren’s face and his outstretched hand in confusion.

Watching her, Ren lifted the corner of his mouth.

“So I won’t get sulky again.”

“…!”

Ren bent slightly at the waist, bringing his face closer to Sharti’s as he whispered softly.

“Even though I may be high-maintenance, I am yours, so please look after me with your generous heart.”

Jealousy heightens one’s sense of crisis and makes people hasty. And that hastiness became the catalyst for Ren to decide to change.

Ripples began to form in what had been a smooth and tranquil relationship.

****

In the early evening, Sharti finished dinner seated together with Ashu, Ren, and the villagers.

Because they were seated separately by gender, Ren and Ashu were sitting away from Sharti. Sharti, alone among the women, couldn’t really focus on the chattering conversations around her.

She rested her chin on her hands, her cheeks cupped in her palms, wearing a troubled expression.1

‘…It keeps coming to mind.’

Ren’s smiling eyes, tinged with the sunset glow, kept appearing before her like an afterimage.

Naturally, this led her to ponder the “jealousy” Ren had mentioned.

‘Jealousy, huh.’

This unexpected word described an emotion that didn’t really resonate with her.

It was partly because the situation and reason seemed so random.

‘Well, being in a distant village with amnesia could make anyone’s mood unstable.’

Ren had a fundamentally sensitive and tender personality with an unexpectedly sulky side.

It would be natural for him to feel anxious, having traveled such a long distance while relying solely on Sharti.

‘It’s just a flower.’

How could he know whether she liked the flower Ashu gave her when he couldn’t even see her expression under her hood?

She was grateful and happy for Ashu’s thoughtful gesture, but at the time, Sharti had actually been thinking about the flowers Ren had given her. She felt a pang of regret when Ashu told her the flower’s meaning.

‘I should have looked up the meanings of the flowers Ren gave me.’

Though they might have been less refined than Ashu’s flower, the fragrance and the feelings conveyed in that moment were no less meaningful.

‘I don’t understand why he said he was jealous.’

Could Ashu’s flower have looked that much prettier to him?

Sharti continued to misunderstand, thinking that Ren’s jealousy was directed at the flower Ashu had given, not at Ashu himself.

“Doctor, what’s that flower you have next to you?”

Curious gazes were suddenly fixed on the flower Ashu had given her.

<I don’t have anywhere to put it.>

Sharti briefly explained that she couldn’t just leave the flower she’d received somewhere, so she had brought it with her.

Everyone glanced at Ashu, who was sitting at the back. The women broke into quiet laughter.

The fact that Ashu had given Sharti a flower had already spread.

“That shy boy really gathered his courage.”

“What did he say when he gave it to you, Doctor?”

The women, at an age when they dreamed of romance, gave Sharti meaningful looks.

They reminded her of Virena’s glances.

As Sharti awkwardly smiled and fidgeted, the middle-aged women quickly intervened.

“Goodness, how silly. Don’t attach so much meaning to young people exchanging flowers.”

“Doctor, please don’t worry about it too much.”

In truth, the middle-aged women were the most concerned.

Since Ashu was an adult and the village chief’s eldest son, everyone in the village was interested in his love life.

The neighbors who had often seen Ashu in a daze since meeting the doctor from outside were curious and had expectations about Sharti.

Although they were concerned and reluctant about Sharti being an outsider, wasn’t she the one who came to save them at Ashu’s request?

‘Hmmmm?’

Sharti rolled her eyes around, reminded of Virena by the women’s gazes.

Then, catching Ren’s eye, she waved slightly.

She saw Ren smile faintly.

Seeing that Ren seemed to be in a good mood despite being surrounded by strangers, Sharti felt relieved.

“Oh my, did you just wave at Ashu?”

“Is that why that slow-witted boy’s face is so red?”

The women whispered. Since Ren and Ashu were sitting close together, a misunderstanding arose.

When Ashu smiled shyly, Ren made a face that clearly said, “Ha, unbelievable.”

At that moment, one of the women watching turned to Sharti.

“Doctor, what’s your ideal type?”

“…?”

Sharti was taken aback by the personal question that had nothing to do with treatment.

On the other hand, she was happy that the villagers were opening up to her despite her being an outsider.

Sharti scratched her cheek.

‘Unlike Virena, I don’t have a specific ideal type.’

Sharti shook her head.

<I’ve never thought about it.>

But the questions didn’t stop even after the women received Sharti’s note.

“Then what standards make you think someone is attractive?”

“What kind of person would you like to have like you, Doctor?”

At this, both Ren and Ashu simultaneously perked up their ears.

Hmm. Sharti fell into thought.

As Sharti’s deliberation lengthened, everyone around her exchanged glances, leaving her to her thoughts.

“Then try choosing! Gruff person VS Someone who smiles easily.”

“Deep, thick voice VS High, soft voice!”

“Muscular person VS Tall person! Also, someone who doesn’t cry VS Someone who cries easily.”

“Older VS Same age. And someone who doesn’t talk much VS Someone who talks a lot!”

After being momentarily flustered by the barrage of questions, Sharti pondered with a troubled feeling.

‘I think something in the middle would be good for anything.’

Sharti tilted her head slightly. Thinking their eyes had met, Ashu jumped in surprise and awkwardly pretended to be looking elsewhere.

In contrast, Ren was staring intently at Sharti.

His very serious expression looked like he was extremely tense.

“Doctor, which do you prefer?”

Urged by those around her, Sharti thought carefully before moving her pen.

After reading Sharti’s note, the women covered their mouths and burst into clear laughter.

“I guess so, right?”

“That’s true.”

As the vague conversation continued, Ren and Ashu, who had been preparing to eavesdrop on Sharti’s standards, were left with question marks.

Yet the two men lacked the courage to join the women’s conversation, so they just fidgeted, waiting for an opportunity.

Just then, the woman who had asked Sharti about her ideal type secretly winked at Ashu.

“…!”

“…..”

The two men’s reactions were polar opposites.

Unable to contain his overflowing emotions, Ashu jumped to his feet.

Gathering his courage, Ashu strode purposefully toward Sharti.

“D-Doctor!”

With his hands clasped as if in prayer, Ashu squeezed his eyes shut.

Ashu’s face was so red that it looked like it might burst.

“Would you like to take a walk to help digest your meal? I can guide you!”

Caught off guard by Ashu’s enthusiasm, Sharti nodded.

She had been feeling burdened by the increasingly focused attention anyway.

“Thank you!”

Normally she would have hesitated, but escaping the situation quickly was her priority.

‘Ren should also…’

As Sharti tried to include Ren, Ashu quickly intervened.

“Y-your assistant has walked a lot today. I think he should rest a bit…”

Ashu mumbled cautiously, glancing at Ren.

Unaware that Ren was sending an intense gaze from behind Ashu, Sharti nodded.

‘He’s right. Ren must have walked and run a lot today, and we shouldn’t strain his legs.’

After a hard day’s work, it seemed best to let Ren rest after dinner.

As he left with Sharti, Ashu inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Then he glanced back.

Ashu clenched his fist toward Ren, who had risen as if about to follow them.

While Ashu meant it as a sign that he was determined to become closer to Sharti, Ren interpreted it as encouragement.

“…What the-“

Momentarily dumbfounded, Ren even lost his resolve to follow Sharti and interfere.

In that gap, Ashu and Sharti disappeared from view.

After standing there blankly with empty eyes, Ren roughly tousled his hair.

Unlike Ren, the women were in good spirits, and he could hear them chattering.

“I hope Ashu meets the Doctor’s standards.”

“…!”

Ren whipped his head around. The women were holding Sharti’s note in their hands.

Ren’s eyes had transformed into those of a bear that had spotted an opportunity.