While Lee Tae-rim was lost in thought, Seon Juho, who had just checked the contents of the box, looked thoroughly pleased. His face was so adorably satisfied that Tae-rim had to stifle his laughter and chuckle to himself in secret. Juho’s expression resembled that of a well-fed puppy—one of those fluffy little things lying on its back with a full belly, basking in happiness.
After that, they spent the rest of the evening as usual. The two had dinner together and watched a drama, just like they always did. The show Tae-rim had been faithfully watching, That Girl Is No One’s Daughter, delivered a massive plot twist today that blindsided all the viewers. The episode ended with the shocking revelation that Eugene, the child everyone had believed was a daughter, was actually a boy.
“Whoa…”
Even Juho hadn’t seen that one coming, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. Tae-rim, still stunned, stared blankly at the screen as commercials began playing, then picked up his smartphone to search for more info. The child actor playing Lee Eugene was just so pretty—he needed to know if the kid was actually a boy or a girl.
— That Girl Is No One’s Daughter: Kim Sung-hyun, who plays Lee Eugene, is a boy in real life!
A news article explained that since this was Kim Sung-hyun’s debut role, his agency had deliberately left his gender off his profile to preserve the twist. Apparently, the moment the director and writer saw him walk into the audition room, they cried out, “Dear God!” That’s how stunningly pretty he was—like an actual girl. Even his real age matched the character: four years old.
Tae-rim sat there, dazed. Juho, peering over his shoulder at the phone, looked just as shell-shocked.
“I totally thought she was a girl…”
“Me too…”
After the drama ended, they rewatched an old variety show. Normally, Tae-rim would’ve fallen asleep right after the drama, so he kept yawning nonstop. But he had to endure.
“Huaaam.”
“Ah! Hyung, you can’t sleep yet!”
Tae-rim was currently sitting on the sofa, unable to move. That was because Juho had firmly warned him not to turn around toward the kitchen. It was painfully obvious what he was up to, but Tae-rim had to play dumb.
They could’ve just celebrated in the morning… He’d suggested that earlier, only to get scolded. So now he tried his best to focus on the TV. But damn, he was so sleepy. His internal clock kept telling him it was time for bed, and his eyelids grew heavier and heavier.
As he sat there blinking through the drowsiness, staring at the screen, everything suddenly went dark.
“Juho?”
Both the living room lights and the TV had turned off at the same time. Tae-rim looked around, but going from light to complete darkness made it hard to see anything. Juho was being thorough. He’d even drawn the curtains.
Just then, a familiar scent drifted toward him—and someone sat down beside him. As Tae-rim’s eyes slowly adjusted to the dark, he turned and saw Juho’s face, right in front of his.
“Happy birthday, Hyung.”
Juho wrapped his arms around Tae-rim’s waist and pulled him close, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. Tae-rim turned his head when he noticed a faint glow coming from the table. He hadn’t even realized when the candles were lit, but now a birthday cake stood there, flickering gently, with number candles “2” and “3” burning on top.
“Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday dear Tae-rim Hyung~ Happy birthday to you~~”
Juho sang quietly and then clapped all by himself, smiling. Tae-rim just sat there, watching him in silence. Something felt strange—his chest tightened with a swell of unexpected emotion. He had to press his lips together to keep from tearing up.
“Huh? Hyung, are you crying?”
Without saying a word, Tae-rim let a couple of tears roll down his cheeks. He’d had countless birthday wishes before, but for some reason, this one made his chest feel warm—almost painfully so.
Maybe… this was the first time he was feeling something real.
Tae-rim had been living a cold, isolated life, barely staying in contact with his family. His so-called mother’s only message was “Are you coming?”—and from the rest, he hadn’t even heard their voices once.
“Thanks, Juho.”
“Hyung, don’t cry!”
Usually, it was Juho who ended up crying, but this time, the roles had reversed. Tae-rim laughed through his tears, dripping down his face.
“Thank you. Really… thank you so much.”
He pulled Juho into a hug. Juho, as if afraid Tae-rim might slip away, quickly wrapped his arms around him tight—like he never wanted to let go. And once Tae-rim was in his arms, the familiar pheromone scent enveloping him brought a quiet sense of comfort.
Juho’s deep voice, unexpectedly soothing, made Tae-rim’s heart flutter just a little. Hearing that voice softly sing in the dark, so close to his ear—it tickled. Honestly, it made him a bit giddy.
He couldn’t tell Juho that, of course. If he did, Juho would definitely use it against him every chance he got. So Tae-rim just smiled quietly to himself in Juho’s embrace.
“Feeling a bit better now?”
“Yeah.”
Juho used his ability to float the cake closer. Tae-rim leaned in and blew out the melted candles with a soft breath. As soon as the flames were gone, Juho picked up the remote and turned the lights back on in the living room.
“Champagne?”
With the lights on, Tae-rim could finally see what had been set up on the table. A cake, a bottle of champagne, and a bright, vivid bouquet of red roses. He had no idea what Juho had searched to come up with this setup, but the thought of him scouring the internet so earnestly made Tae-rim laugh. It was just… adorable.
When Tae-rim saw the champagne, the first thought that crossed his mind was, This baby drinks?—but then he remembered Seon Juho was already twenty-one. Besides, Espers don’t get drunk. So even if he did have a bit, there’d be no problem.
“I bought it since I figured I wouldn’t get drunk anyway.”
The label revealed it was a seriously expensive bottle. Tae-rim was sure it hadn’t been in the fridge earlier—so where had it even come from? He touched the chilled bottle and then turned to look at Juho.
“Where did you hide this? I didn’t see it before. Same with the flowers!”
“Heh. Secret.”
Tae-rim narrowed his eyes at him, suspicious. Juho darted his gaze away, eyes rolling innocently. Tae-rim decided to let it go, even if he was curious.
While Tae-rim cut the cake, Juho popped the champagne open with a pop. Using his Esper telekinesis, the cork came out ridiculously easily. It was almost anticlimactic.
Tae-rim had thought the cheap wine opener he bought at the dollar store worked pretty well—but compared to an Esper’s powers, it was laughably inconvenient. He looked at this human corkscrew in wonder.
“Honestly, I kind of like drinking alone…”
“Hmm? Then why haven’t you until now?”
“Well, things were kind of hectic… and you were around, so I didn’t bother. But, Juho, from now on, you handle all my wine bottles, yeah?”
“Obviously!”
Juho puffed up with a smug little laugh. Tae-rim smiled brightly and poured a glass of champagne, handing it to Juho. It was his first time drinking champagne this pricey. His heart thumped with excitement—honestly, he felt even more giddy than when Juho had sung to him earlier.
“Hyung, it kinda feels like the booze impressed you more than my event.”
Ah, crap. This brat can probably sense my mood with his pheromones. Tae-rim cleared his throat and held out his glass.
“Cheers.”
“…Cheers.”
Staring at Juho’s sulky face, Tae-rim took a sip of champagne.
“Oh wow.”
Oh wow. The aroma was amazing. Tae-rim took another sip, savoring it.
But Juho swallowed just one mouthful, grimaced, and held out his glass with a twisted expression.
“Ugh, it’s so strong. Tastes awful!”
Tae-rim took the glass from him, and Juho immediately stuffed a bite of cake into his mouth. Tae-rim’s heart fluttered at the thought that the rest of that exquisite champagne was all his now.
So that’s how it is. Juho really does have a child’s taste—alcohol just isn’t for him. Tae-rim didn’t say it out loud, but he watched Juho, now happily munching on chocolate cake, with affection.
He’d gotten used to his work as a Guide, and things with Molt were finally settling down. Maybe now, he could afford to enjoy life a little. Tae-rim thought about his very full bank account and decided he’d try all the expensive liquors he’d never even touched in his previous life.
“Hyung, you look way too happy right now…”
Juho, with a mouthful of cake, didn’t look like he was eating something sweet—he looked grumpy. The kind of face that basically screamed: Ugh. Annoyed.
“Yeah. In my past life, I lived so normally that I never got to drink stuff like this. But now? I’m an S-rank Guide. I’m rich, Juho.”
Even as Juho’s expression darkened in jealousy, Tae-rim was far too caught up in his champagne-induced bliss. He took another sip of the sweet liquor, then popped a beautifully plated piece of cheese into his mouth. Ah, this is the life.
“Tch. Well, fine. If it makes you happy.”
“Thanks, Juho. The cheese is amazing too.”
The cake, wherever it had come from, was absolutely delicious. Juho must’ve really gone all out. Tae-rim was so touched that he reached out to pat Juho on the head.
Juho still wore a slightly pouty expression, but eventually, his face softened into a smile. If you’re happy, then I’m happy too.
“I wanted to give you a cooler gift, but you love booze so much, I got totally overshadowed.”
With a slightly bitter smile, Juho held out a ring box. Just at a glance, Tae-rim could tell it was insanely high-end. He quickly set his champagne glass down and took the box carefully with both hands. Juho’s lips curled up ever so slightly at Tae-rim’s gentle, almost reverent touch.
Omg l… l proud of you hınggg this make me so happy