The Apothecary Diaries: Volume 4 (Light Novel)

“This will be my pillow”—and put his head smack on Maomao’s knees. The crown of his head was pressed up into her stomach, and his arms were wrapped around her back.
“Master Jinshi...”

After a long moment, it was Maomao who spoke first: “I’m sorry, but might I ask you to protect me, Master Jinshi?”

She was going to be the adult here. Interestingly, though, the little shit received a knock on the head anyway, without Maomao’s having to do anything.

He didn’t say anything. She didn’t say anything. Neither of them said anything. After a long moment, it was Maomao who spoke first: “I’m sorry, but might I ask you to protect me, Master Jinshi?”

Basen could only clutch his head in his hands. It made him fear for his hairline

Jinshi gazed at Maomao’s face. There was blood on it, and her left ear was swollen, although it had been smeared with ointment. None of this would have happened to Maomao if she had never gotten involved with him. The thought made his heart ache.

True, Maomao’s cousin looked and acted much like she did, but unfortunately, Jinshi didn’t swing that way.

“How long do you mean to deceive us with that assumed form?” Lakan said, watching Jinshi through his monocle. Or rather, watching the man Ka Zuigetsu, who wore “Jinshi” like a second skin. Zuigetsu swallowed heavily. He’d always known this moment would come. Now it had. It was time for him to face it.

But even though he’d convinced himself that he was perfectly calm, he now saw that he had been far more out of sorts than he had realized. “Where is Maomao?” he asked.

Almost before he knew what he was doing, he had grabbed her wrist. She couldn’t conceal her shock.