The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 5

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 5
But unfortunately, we didn’t have that much time.
Shortly after, someone visited our secret hideout that we’d kept hidden from everyone.
Like a bird of prey before snatching its quarry with talons, she spoke with her golden eyes gleaming.
“So you were hiding in a place like this, like rats?”
―Mimosa!
My small heart dropped straight to the floor.
In that instant, all the blood drained from my fingertips.
“Anette. I’m truly disappointed.”
“…Ma’am.”
Mimosa spoke coldly, gripping a sharp switch in her hand.
“I trusted you because you were such a model student who never caused any trouble.”
Gulp―
The tension made me swallow hard involuntarily.
As the worst-case scenario I’d only imagined in my head became reality, panic threatened to overwhelm me.
“….”
Sisrain seemed frightened too, his breathing growing ragged. He’d already experienced harsh punishment from Mimosa before.
‘What do I do? We can’t be discovered right now.’
I hadn’t even overcome his water trauma yet, and there was no natural way to return him to The Forest.
If this continued, he’d be beaten…!
What came next was predictable.
Sisrain, who had barely opened his heart a little, would be thrown back into the cave, and the situation would become far worse.
Mimosa walked around the hideout, tapping the furnishings with the tip of her switch—tap, tap.
“Everything in this place was stolen too, wasn’t it? Sisrain… to think you’d do something so audacious.”
Startled by her cold gaze, I quickly shielded Sisrain behind me and cried out.
“Sisrain did nothing wrong. It was me!”
“Anette. I understand your compassionate nature and how you care for the Trees, but you mustn’t shield them unconditionally.”
“It’s true, ma’am. Please believe me… I beg you.”
“Sisrain has already violated the School Rules eight times. I cannot forgive him.”
Ah…. That’s one more. Because of me.
“In the first place, he threw a tantrum about not wanting to bathe and ran away into the cave. Don’t you know how worried the instructors were? …How many times have I emphasized that the School Rules must be strictly observed?”
In The Forest, children who cause problems face harsh punishment.
“Move aside.”
As expected, Mimosa shoved my shoulder and swiftly raised her switch toward Sisrain.
Whiiiish!
Ugh, he’s being hit!
That switch must hurt so much…!!!
In that moment, I pulled Sisrain into my arms with all my strength and exposed my own back instead, crying out.
“Sisrain isn’t throwing a tantrum—he’s afraid of water!”
Mimosa’s switch froze in mid-air. But her stern golden eyes still showed no sign of forgiveness for either of us.
“Anette, regardless of the reason, the fact remains that Sisrain has violated the School Rules.”
“….”
“If you don’t step aside, I’ll have no choice but to punish you as well.”
In my small frame, the adult wielding that sharp cane seemed impossibly terrifying.
Yet I couldn’t retreat.
Sisrain was trembling like a puppy caught in the rain all day, and I could feel every shudder of his fear pressed against my body.
I was trembling and frightened too… but I held firm, steeling my gaze and keeping my eyes fixed straight ahead.
“I will take responsibility and correct him, Mimosa.”
“….”
“I’ll make sure Sisrain bathes properly, doesn’t run away, and follows the School Rules perfectly!”
I had staked everything on this.
“If I fail… I will accept punishment alongside Sisrain.”
Reading my resolve, Mimosa’s eyebrows rose sharply. Her expression held both cold suspicion and a flicker of intrigue.
“Sisrain has always struggled to adapt to The Forest and caused problems. Do you truly believe this is possible?”
“Yes, Mimosa.”
I nodded with unwavering clarity in my eyes.
“Punishment will only frighten him further and make him hide. You know this as well.”
A faint crack appeared in Mimosa’s stern expression. She understood the truth too—that punishment alone would require a far longer road to success.
“You have three days.”
Three days felt impossibly short….
But there seemed to be no room for further negotiation.
‘I’ll make it work no matter what.’
I stopped deliberating and nodded with fierce determination in my eyes.
“Yes, Mimosa. I promise.”
Only then did Mimosa lower her cane. What a relief.
“Tidy this room and return Sisrain to the Living Quarters.”
Yes! I’d succeeded in persuading her!
“However, Anette, you will go without supper for three days as punishment for breaking the School Rules. As for Sisrain….”
Mimosa’s gaze swept over Sisrain’s skeletal limbs as she spoke.
“See that he receives proper nutrition quickly.”
“Yes, Mimosa!”
Going without meals was nothing I couldn’t endure. As long as my little one was safe, that was all that mattered.
Hearing my spirited reply, Mimosa finally left our Secret Hideout.
“Phew….”
My body, released from tension, went limp like a stuffed bear with its seams burst open.
Only then did Sisrain gently lift his head from my embrace. His ruby-red eyes glistened with the unmistakable anxiety of a frightened child.
“Anette.”
I gently stroked that small head of his.
“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine, Sisrain.”
And I smiled warmly at him.
* * *
I stayed with the anxious Sisrain for a while longer before making my way down to the Living Quarters.
‘Perhaps this turned out for the best.’
Once I returned to The Forest, I’d have a warm bed to sleep in and delicious food to eat.
The fact that I’d escaped a beating today was nothing short of a miracle.
The real challenge was overcoming Sisrain’s water trauma within the tight three-day window….
‘Let me think about how to approach this.’
Surely, I could help him overcome it.
Alright! Let’s do this!
Brimming with positive energy, I opened the Living Quarters door.
The children lying snugly in their small beds lit up at the sight of me, their faces breaking into radiant smiles as they waved their stubby little arms.
“Anette!”
“Big sister! Big siiiiister~”
“It’s a bit cold today. Achoo!”
Julian, with his fluffy blonde hair and large eyes as blue as a lake, sneezed, and a strand of mucus dangled from his nose.
“Oh? That’s because you left the window open. You’ll all catch a cold. Come on, let’s close it!”
“Yes!”
The children answered cheerfully and eagerly shut the window.
I wiped my nose. This must be what it feels like to wield absolute power. Hmm, twelve years old really is exhilarating—the best.
I wiped Julian’s nose and made my way to Heinrich’s bed.
“….”
Heinrich was sitting facing the wall, his entire demeanor radiating indignation.
It was the kind of behavior he displayed when something bothered him.
Oh, what an adorable little thing!
“Heinrich―”
“….”
“Where did my good Heinrich go?”
I pretended to search for him, even though he was plainly visible right in front of me.
I could see Heinrich’s soft, mochi-like cheeks twitch slightly.
Then he opened his mouth in a huff.
“You were punished with skipping dinner, weren’t you? …Whether you eat it or not is up to you.”
Apparently, he’d quickly read the notice board where punishments were posted.
Where Heinrich was pointing, there lay a soft piece of bread.
Growl―
The moment I saw the bread, I became ravenously hungry. I took a big bite, and it melted away in my mouth with the most delightful sensation.
With my cheeks stuffed full of bread, I spoke with uncertain pronunciation.
“This is so delicious, Heinrich.”
“…I would’ve threatened to kill the baker and squeezed out even more if I’d known you’d like it that much.”
“Oh no! We can’t do such wicked things!”
“Put me to bed. I’m sleepy.”
The moment I tried to scold him, Heinrich immediately changed his attitude and whimpered.
I nibbled on bread while pulling the sheet up to cover Heinrich’s chest as he lay in bed.
Then I patted his chest gently.
Like a cat responding to its master’s touch, Heinrich’s violet eyes softened instantly.
Moments like these reminded me why he was truly an angel.
My heart, which had melted like pudding, soon hardened again as I posed the question that had been nagging at me all along.
“Heinrich, tell me honestly. Did you mention the room where Sisrain is? …That Secret Hideout—only you, me, and Sisrain knew about it.”
“What? That’s impossible!”
Heinrich’s eyes narrowed like a mischievous cat’s.
“You hate bad children so much.”
I’d definitely seen a child’s shadow in the Corridor of the Secret Hideout. If it wasn’t Heinrich, then who had told?
‘Who on earth could it be?’
I swept my suspicious gaze around the Living Quarters, but I couldn’t pinpoint any likely culprit.
…There wasn’t really any child who disliked me.
Surely this wouldn’t continue to interfere with my plans going forward?
I needed to cure Sisrain’s water trauma quickly and return him to The Forest, while maintaining a good relationship with Heinrich.
Both were necessary steps for the happy future of my favorite Heinrich and the increasingly precious Sisrain.
So what came next was crucial.
No matter who might try to interfere, I absolutely couldn’t stop.
‘Though the first impression was a bit rough, children naturally grow closer when they play together frequently.’
Of course, Heinrich’s jealousy was far worse than I’d anticipated, but there was a solution.
I poked Heinrich’s shoulder repeatedly with my index finger and spoke.
“Heinrich, I love you the most. You know that, right?”
The ultimate “Mom had another baby but still loves you the most” strategy!
As I smiled brightly with clear eyes, Heinrich’s cheeks flushed crimson like plums in an instant.
“…!”
Heinrich’s eyes, which had been sullen, grew misty as he closed them.
“Hmph.”
Then he spoke sulkily.
“Of course.”
I should have heard what came next, but Heinrich rolled over, and I couldn’t quite catch it.
“I love you the most too.”
His whispered voice was so soft and tender.
“…So don’t let anyone take you away from me.”
* * *
The next morning.
I rushed to where Sisrain was, having crafted something since early dawn.
This was what I’d prepared to help him overcome his water trauma.
“Ta-da!”
A pink stick with a rounded end.
I stared blankly at the rod and asked.
“Anette. What is that?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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