“No. I just got distracted for a moment. What were you saying?”
“We were talking about what happened in the garden!”
“What happened?”
“I knew you hadn’t heard.”
Keslan nodded eagerly as he started chattering.
“There was this group gossiping about you in the garden… Well, it wasn’t that serious, but anyway, there were people like that.”
It seemed he was referring to the usual bunch who liked to whisper behind Banteon’s back. There were so many, it was hard to pinpoint just one or two.
“Delroz completely wiped them out. Two of them are supposedly too injured to return.”
With animated gestures, Keslan began reenacting the scene. He said it was the ones notorious for spreading wild rumors among the gossip crowd. They had been running their mouths as usual, praising Esrante’s skills while slyly throwing shade.
Apparently, Delroz—who never even stepped foot outside—was wandering around the garden that day and stomped on the group without a shred of mercy. He didn’t even use his abilities, just beat and trampled them physically until they were in critical condition. Keslan’s shoulders trembled as he spoke.
With hearing like a phantom’s, Delroz probably caught every word they said, even from afar.
“He’s definitely aiming for an official match with you. Otherwise, why would he react so sensitively to other people’s gossip?”
“…Maybe that’s not it.”
As Keslan spoke, a strange sense of déjà vu surfaced. Something like this had happened before—Delroz had intervened because of something involving Banteon. It had been when the two of them stayed at an inn after coming down from a mine.
Drunken strangers had mocked Delroz for “buying a man,” and he’d flown into a rage. This might be the same sort of situation.
Perhaps he couldn’t tolerate rumors implying Banteon was involved with another male Guide. When Banteon explained this, Keslan’s face lit up.
“Really? You’re not involved with him in any way, right? It’s just a contract, right?”
“There’s nothing between us. There never will be.”
Keslan’s face softened, and he nodded vigorously. His soft brown curls bounced with the motion. Banteon reached out and stroked his hair as if drawn to it, and Keslan giggled, grabbing Banteon’s arm.
Then he yanked with such force that Banteon’s body tilted—only to plant a sudden kiss on his cheek.
With a loud smack, their lips briefly met and parted.
“I’m glad you didn’t waver. I know he’s not your type, but still… I was worried.”
Seeing the boy cling with such a cheerful expression made Banteon let out a helpless chuckle. Keslan had never been this forward before. The clumsy show of affection suited his age and wasn’t unpleasant. With a gesture of approval, Banteon ruffled his hair.
Then, in return, he gave Keslan a brief kiss on the forehead. Since the hallway was empty, this much contact should be fine.
“You don’t have to worry too much.”
“Hehe.”
His clear cheeks flushed a gentle pink. Banteon wasn’t attracted to Delroz, and Delroz himself was only forcing tolerance for Banteon’s sake—so there was no need for Keslan to worry. Reassured, Banteon spent some peaceful time with him.
But at that very moment, from a far-off place—out of Banteon’s sight—someone was watching them with a piercing gaze.
***
Unlike the clear afternoon, rain began to fall in a steady drizzle as evening set in. It started as light droplets falling over the bushes, then gradually turned into a downpour.
After locking the window and pulling the curtains shut, the sound of rain slamming the frame filled the room. Fresh from a shower, Banteon lit a scented candle. Though it was still early evening, the thick clouds blanketed the sky in darkness, making it feel like night.
He strolled leisurely through the room filled with soft fragrance before sitting down in a chair. He thought about brewing some tea and reached for the kettle—when a knock came from the door.
“Who is it?”
No reply came.
It was rare for anyone to visit Banteon’s room. If it were anything urgent, it would probably be Tearot.
Could it be that Tearot, who hadn’t contacted him in a while, decided to drop by for a prank? Had he been ignoring calls just to set this up? With that thought, Banteon called his name.
“Tearot?”
The knocking stopped.
So it was Tearot. Acting like a child despite being fully grown… He’d definitely have to scold him for this. With that in mind, he opened the door.
What met him was a massive wall—or rather, someone’s chest. Tearot was tall, but not this tall…
“You must spend nights with that guy too, huh.”
“What the hell are you doing here?”
The last person Banteon wanted to see even during the day was now standing in front of his door. Instinctively, he scanned Delroz’s surroundings—everything seemed stable, just like usual. If it wasn’t for Guiding, there was no reason for Delroz to come here at this hour.
Banteon let out a heavy sigh at the incomprehensible intrusion. At that, Delroz’s brow twitched.
“What are you doing here at this hour? You know Espers aren’t allowed in the Guides’ quarters without permission, right?”
“So that’s a rule now.”
“For god’s sake…”
Where to even begin? As Banteon prepared to scold him out of sheer exasperation, a faint sound reached his ears—footsteps, echoing from far down the corridor. If this kept up, someone was bound to catch Delroz visiting a Guide’s room at night. By morning, the entire Center would know.
Left with no choice, Banteon pulled Delroz inside and shut the door.
The room, which had been filled with a pleasant aroma just moments ago, now brimmed with an oppressive presence.
“When that person walks past, leave quietly. Don’t let anyone see you.”
“Why?”
Banteon looked at Delroz. Was he genuinely asking, or was he mocking him just to get a rise out of him? It was impossible to tell.
“If someone sees and misunderstands, it’ll be a problem.”
“And why would that matter? I thought you didn’t care what others think.”
Hearing that from Delroz, who cared even less than he did about the opinions of others, made Banteon’s blood boil. It was true—he had no reason to restrain himself just because of what others might say.
But if the rumors involved Delroz? The mere thought of it was disgusting. Delroz likely felt the same way.
“Don’t act like this has nothing to do with you. If word gets out you secretly visited a guy’s room, you won’t feel too great about it either.”
“Doesn’t bother me.”
“What?”
Delroz said it so casually, as if his reputation meant nothing to him.
“Why would it be a problem if I visited my Guide?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Did he really think words alone would make it okay?
“You keep calling me your Guide, but let’s get one thing straight. I’m not your Guide, and I never will be. Maybe you’ve forgotten, but temporary matching means it can be dissolved or changed at any time.”
“……”
“I could end up paired with a different Esper. Even if that doesn’t happen, talking about people like they’re property is incredibly disrespectful.”
Was Banteon really going to have to spell out every basic principle like this?
Delroz’s expression hardened as he stared at Banteon. It wasn’t clear which part had gotten under his skin, but the discomfort was plain to see.
Still, Banteon wasn’t about to stop.
“And the Guide quarters are off-limits to outsiders. Unless you’ve received official approval as a romantic partner.”
“Then I’ll make it official.”
“What?”
“Matching or relationship—doesn’t matter. I’ll take either.”
Was he really saying this nonsense with a straight face? Banteon couldn’t even mask his disbelief.
“Did you drink or something?”
“No. I’m completely sober.”
Delroz stood in front of him like a wall, unmoving as Banteon tried to shove him away. The posture radiated pressure. It was the first time Delroz had ever used his strength against him. Banteon’s body stiffened instinctively.
Even though Delroz had always been stronger, he’d never once tried to physically dominate Banteon before. He’d never been kind or especially polite, but he’d never harmed him either—and that had lulled Banteon into a false sense of security. He bit his lip lightly.
“There has to be a reason for this.”
He tried asking one more time, but Delroz didn’t reply. Maybe he was just as confused by his own actions—his flickering gaze didn’t waver as he stared straight at Banteon.
It’s no use trying to treat someone with decency if they can’t be reasoned with. Banteon muttered under his breath, exasperation boiling over.
“You really only do the exact things people hate.”
“So you hate this.”
Banteon shoved at Delroz’s chest. The man wavered slightly, giving him a narrow opening, and he reached for his device. But before his fingers could make contact, a massive hand caught his wrist and yanked it upward.
Delroz clutched Banteon’s pale wrist and pulled.
“You used to like this sort of thing.”
Delroz’s face came close, right up beside Banteon’s. No way— surely not.
Banteon’s eyes widened in horror.
Delroz, still restraining Banteon’s arms, leaned in and pressed his lips against Banteon’s right cheek. The heat and softness of the touch burned into his skin.
Even as Banteon struggled in panic, Delroz didn’t loosen his grip. When his squirming made their faces shift, Delroz seemed displeased and moved his lips from Banteon’s cheek to his neck instead.
The damp warmth of his breath tickled against the skin.
Dang I didn’t expect that 😳 😞