Veridis Quo

Chapter 53 - You're Not My Mom!

A spoonful of soup prodded my lips, politely requesting entry.

"Mh..."

"Johnny-kun, we went over this enough," the vixen sighed before returning the spoon with miso broth to the bowl, her disappointment rivalling her patience.

"No..."

My stomach growled, the furious blush saturated. It had to be because of the hot soup though I haven't eaten any of it... yet.

"You're hungry, you need to eat to regain your strength. Come on, open," she paused, her smile became teasing, "Here comes the airplaaaane~"

"I can feed myself!" I yelled quietly before coughing into my arm.

"Of course you can. Why don't you go ahead?"

Grinning knowingly, she placed the spoon on the right side of the supported tray over my lap. Her hands rested over her own lap, one atop the other. I stared at the utensil in challenge. Picking up the spoon properly, as my hand drew closer to the steaming bowl, it began shaking uncontrollably, a hiss followed by the clatter of the silver tool.

"Oh, what happened? Would you like to try again?" she jabbed mercilessly, her right hand patting my leg.

"...Just do it."

"With pleasure~"

She scooped a little of the soup and brought it to my lips. I closed my eyes in shame before parting them.

"Say 'aaaah~'"

"..."

"Johnyyyy~"

"A-aaaaah..."

The spoon entered my mouth, slowly turning to deposit the miso goodness on my tongue. My tastebuds celebrated joyously, the toasty liquid warmed my throat, my belly was very pleased with the start of the meal.

"Johnny-kun, please, look at me when I feed you. I might miss if you can't see it," she explained her flawless logic, the tip of the second spoonful bumped into the corner of my mouth.

Swallowing whatever remained of my pride, I looked her in the eye, at last receiving the second bite.

"Good boooy~" She giggled deeply, enjoying this too much for her own good.

I wanted to disappear. I wanted nothing more than to blip out of existence and scream into the void. This was demeaning! Undeserved pampering by a stranger who was too nice to be real! No one, and I mean no one, would do something like this without a reason.

But she did have a reason. It's just that I had a tough time buying its authenticity.

For the past... I lost track of time. I believed spring was either in its peak or departing. I've been on a steady road to recovery. After my close brush with death itself, I had enough time to reflect and realize a number of harrowing truths.

I was not safe in this world. Be it the academy, outside, the middle of butt-fuck nowhere, I was in constant danger. Where there was life, there was bound to be at least one animal willing to do unspeakable things to me.

Why, oh why, were they so fixated on me? What did I do to deserve this fate? I didn't go out of my way to beef with everyone and their mothers, I minded my own business, I didn't hurt nobody... well... that was water under the bridge.

Was there even a reason for all of this? Was it my looks? Did I have a magical magnet on me or something? Were pheromones in play? Only ants were brainwashed by them... Plus, these were intelligent, sapient beings I was talking about, a little self-control was rightfully expected of any person! Telling the judge that "the chemicals in the water turned me gay" wouldn't slide and best case your lawyer would plead insanity – not because you planned to, but because he thinks you are insane.