Kang Biso spent the entire time waiting for Hwang Seol-bin to get off work, his heart pounding as memories of what had happened in the Guiding Room played on repeat in his head.
Seol-bin had looked unbelievably beautiful back there.
That flushed face, and the soft moan that had slipped out—maybe without him even realizing—kept echoing in Biso’s ears, refusing to fade. If just that small, breathy sound could make him this aroused, what would it be like to hear Seol-bin cry out louder?
Kang Biso licked his lips, frustrated that he hadn’t been able to take things further.
Still, it was fine. He’d have plenty more chances. Seol-bin hadn’t pushed him away because he disliked it—it was just because they were in the Guiding Room. If he took his time and approached him with just enough boldness, Seol-bin wouldn’t turn him down.
Besides, surprisingly enough, Seol-bin seemed really sensitive to touch. That just made the idea of dominating him even more thrilling.
Once he made sure Seol-bin couldn’t escape him, one day—sooner or later—it’d be Seol-bin who reached out to him first, his face flushed deep red.
Kang Biso couldn’t wait for that day to come.
“Kang Biso-ssi!”
A familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts. When he turned his head, he saw Hwang Seol-bin walking toward him briskly.
His face was expressionless as usual, but the look in his eyes was completely different. Those eyes, filled with warmth and affection, made Biso’s chest tighten with excitement. Just seeing him like this stirred something in him. Smiling wide, Biso waved and walked over to meet him.
Did Seol-bin even realize how he looked when he gazed at him like that?
Now that he could feel it—Seol-bin truly caring about him—it made Biso feel impossibly happy. As the distance between them closed, he spoke with a gentle tone.
“Hyung, what’s the rush? You didn’t have to hurry.”
“…Did you wait long?”
“No, not really. I haven’t been waiting that long.”
Biso casually reached out and took Seol-bin’s hand. Seol-bin flinched a little in surprise but then gently returned the grip, his fingers closing around Biso’s.
That subtle gesture—it pleased him more than it should have. The soft warmth of Seol-bin’s hand made the corners of Biso’s lips curl up on their own.
He gave the hand a light squeeze and started walking with him, side by side.
“You’re hungry, right? Let’s go grab something delicious.”
“Ah, about that… today, I…”
Biso had brought it up expecting they’d naturally eat dinner together—especially with the excuse of walking him home—but Seol-bin hesitated, then spoke carefully.
“You waited all this time, and I feel bad, but… I think I have to head home early today.”
“…Why? Something going on at home?”
He couldn’t quite hide the tinge of disappointment in his voice. Seol-bin hesitated a little, then shook his head.
“…It’s just something personal. But how about dinner tomorrow instead? I’ll treat you to something nice.”
He wanted to say no. That he wanted to eat together not just today, but every day. But the fear of pushing too hard and getting rejected made him swallow the words.
“…Alright. If you say so, then I guess I can’t do anything about it. But you better keep your promise tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Let’s do that.”
He said he was fine with it, but his lips still stuck out in a pout.
It’s not like Seol-bin had a shrine to guard at home—why was he in such a hurry to get back? No way… could it be the owner of that outfit he’d seen back at the hotel?
The thought tugged at him, sour and unwelcome. But Biso shook his head firmly, trying to snap out of it. No. That couldn’t be it. If that were even possible, he would’ve already moved into the Guide Dormitory to live with Seol-bin himself.
But only Guides were allowed inside. No outsiders—period. So he’d had no choice but to give up on that idea, for now.
Suddenly, the image of the man he’d seen in the hotel CCTV flashed in his mind.
…He’s been taken care of, right?
He’d had Kang Bijun dig into that mysterious man from top to bottom, but they hadn’t found a thing. Nothing. He’d planned to quietly erase the guy once they uncovered his identity—but it was like he’d never existed in the first place.
There was no telling when he had disappeared—or worse, when he might reappear. And that made Biso uneasy. What if that man was a Guide… and staying in the dorm with Seol-bin right now?
“Ugh, my hand. That hurts.”
Seol-bin’s sudden groan broke his train of thought.
Startled, Biso looked over to see him wincing, his gaze locked on the wrist Biso was still holding.
“…Ah, sorry. Did that hurt?”
He hadn’t even realized it. Caught up in his own jealousy, he’d squeezed too hard without meaning to. Flustered, he quickly let go and checked his wrist. Thankfully, it only looked a little red—no real damage.
Still, just to be sure, he gently took Seol-bin’s hand in both of his and began rubbing it softly, as if massaging the pain away.
“I’m really sorry. I was just lost in thought… Look at that. It’s all red. I didn’t bruise you, did I?”
“…It’s fine, just…”
“Huh?”
“It’s fine, so could you maybe… stop…”
When he looked up at Seol-bin’s voice, he caught sight of the faint pink tint coloring his ears.
Even just holding hands made him blush. And when I touched him like that? He got all flustered again.
Seriously, how is Hwang Seol-bin this cute—from head to toe?
Kang Biso found himself smiling as he glanced at Seol-bin’s reddened ears.
They kept walking, chatting casually, and before he knew it, they were already in front of the dormitory.
…Feels a little too soon to say goodbye…
“We’re here. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Seol-bin said.
Apparently, he was the only one feeling reluctant.
The second they arrived, Seol-bin quickly let go of his hand and turned away.
Caught off guard, Kang Biso instinctively called out.
“Hyung!”
“…Yes?”
He’d called out on impulse, but now that he had Seol-bin’s attention, he didn’t know what to say.
His mind went blank. He stood there, hesitating, fumbling for words.
Then he felt Seol-bin’s gaze—curious, innocent, waiting.
Those clear eyes, completely unaware of anything improper, only made Biso more flustered.
He bit his lip hard, unable to contain the tension building inside him. Then, all at once, he closed the distance between them.
Startled, Seol-bin flinched as Biso stepped in—fast, close.
His eyes went wide.
—Smooch.
Kang Biso leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the lips, then just as quickly pulled away.
Seol-bin froze, eyes wide, hand covering his mouth as he stared in stunned silence.
Honestly, Biso had held back a lot. He’d wanted to kiss him deeper, longer—but if he did, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to stop.
So he’d reined himself in with everything he had.
“I’ll come pick you up in the morning.”
Still dazed, Seol-bin nodded slightly, blinking as though trying to reboot.
Then, as if realizing what just happened, he turned and practically ran into the dormitory.
Only after he’d completely disappeared from sight did Kang Biso finally turn around, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips.
***
Once I got back to the dorm, I leaned against the door, my hand still hovering over my lips.
Whenever I was with Kang Biso, I always got swept up in whatever he did.
Just that one kiss left me overheated—and I couldn’t cool down no matter how long I stood there.
I mean, I’m old enough to know better… so why was I still getting so embarrassed over something like this?
I stayed by the entrance for a while, trying to calm down, before finally stepping inside.
“…I’m home.”
“……”
As soon as I entered, I saw Baek Beom sprawled out on the sofa.
He glanced my way when I spoke, but quickly looked away again like he hadn’t heard anything.
The sight made me sigh.
I’d skipped dinner with Kang Biso just to come home and smooth things over with him, knowing full well he’d be sulking.
I’d figured we could at least talk it out over a meal. But that plan vanished the second I walked in.
I turned toward my room to get changed, but then I felt eyes on me.
When I turned around, I saw Baek Beom again—now sitting up, his arm resting on the back of the couch, just silently watching me.
“What? Are you hungry or something?”
The tension eased a little once I confirmed it was just Baek Beom, but then he opened his mouth.
“Hey… I’ve been thinking.”
“About what?”
“You’re mine.”
“……What?”
“We’ve lived together this whole time, haven’t we? So why are you acting like we’re nothing? Why the hell are you going out with that Esper?”
He raked a hand through his hair in frustration, his tone rough and irritated.
So that’s what he’d been stewing over all weekend, locked up in his room.
I clicked my tongue silently, then replied.
“I’ve already told you—this is just a contract. That’s the only reason we’re living together. You and Kang Biso aren’t even in the same category. You can’t compare the two.”
“Why not?! What makes it different? I like you too! Doesn’t that mean I have a chance?”
I stared at him, completely dumbfounded.
He didn’t look like he was listening to a single word I said.
I rubbed at my temple, my head beginning to ache.
“Why would I date you? We’re just helping each other out, that’s all. I’m fine with keeping it at that. Anything more than this? Not interested. Got it?”
At my blunt rejection, Baek Beom paused for a second.
Then he bared his teeth, narrowing his crimson eyes like some kind of predator.
His glare made it perfectly clear—he didn’t like what he was hearing.
He suddenly stood and stalked toward me, stopping right in front of me before muttering in a low voice.
“…I don’t like that.”
“What?”
“I don’t want that kind of relationship.”
He growled softly, almost like a wild animal.
Yeah, his expression looked threatening, sure—but so what? That didn’t change anything.
The only reason I’d kept him around was because he brought the Book of Wishes—and, okay, because he looked kind of cute when he acted like a puppy. But that was it. Nothing more.
No matter how much he pouted or whined, it didn’t change what he was in my eyes.
“Tough luck. That’s what this has been from the start. You’re the only one who misunderstood.”
Even after I laid it out as plainly as possible, Baek Beom shook his head.
“No. You’re mine. Mine!”
“I said I’m not.”
“Then just fall for me already!”
“…What?”
I froze mid-sentence, staring at him in disbelief.
I was so taken aback by his ridiculous outburst that I literally couldn’t move.
Baek Beom, on the other hand, looked smug as hell. He flashed a sly grin, his eyes gleaming with determination as he declared:
“If you fall for me too, then it’s not a problem anymore, right?”
“Why would I?! I don’t even want to date you in the first place!”
“Then want to! You’re my Guide! And I’m not letting you go!”
After that bold declaration, Baek Beom nodded to himself a few times, satisfied, then flopped back onto the couch like nothing happened.
Where the hell was he getting this shameless confidence from?
It felt like I’d just swallowed a whole mountain of sweet potatoes—my chest was tight, and I was suffocating.
It didn’t matter what I said. He wasn’t listening to a damn thing.
All the effort I’d put into coming home early to patch things up… completely wasted.
…Maybe the real reason Baek Beom acts like this is because human language doesn’t work on him.
Was he a literal mutt in his past life?
The urge to smack the back of his round, stubborn head surged through me.
But I swallowed it down.
If I lost my temper now, he’d probably cause an even bigger mess.
