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In fact, if they were an ordinary couple, just mentioning that a hotel restaurant had been booked in advance for such a day would have been enough to understand the implications.
But Set couldn’t grasp the true meaning even after hearing about the hotel restaurant reservation. It wasn’t unexpected, but… Fearing that Set might ask when they were going home, Ji-ho decided to speak more directly.
Then, a response came from Set, who had been staring blankly at Ji-ho.
“Okay. Let’s do that.”
Ji-ho’s mouth opened slightly at the plain answer. This wasn’t the reaction he had expected. He had imagined something more… passionate, more excited.
But now it felt awkward to say more, so Ji-ho licked his parting lips and hurried his steps. The hospital appointment had ended later than expected, making the restaurant reservation time tight.
As soon as they entered the hotel lobby, a warm air enveloped their entire bodies. Since Ji-ho had also reserved a suite room in advance, he easily completed the check-in at the reception. Soon, the two boarded the elevator connected to the restaurant.
“Welcome.”
Following the polite server’s guidance, Ji-ho and Set took seats by the window, which had the best view among the restaurant seats.
As he sat down, Ji-ho swallowed, removing the scarf that Set had carefully wrapped around him and placing it aside. In fact, everything up to this point had gone according to Ji-ho’s plan. The suite room prepared for tonight, the romantic dinner at a nice restaurant.
He had worried that it might be too cliché before coming, but Ji-ho decided it was better to stick to the basics. Set was new to dating, and even more so to this world.
Ji-ho pretended to look over the menu the server brought, though he had already decided on the menu when making the reservation.
“We have red wine and white wine prepared. Which would you prefer?”
“No alcohol.”
Set rejected with a sharp voice at the server’s words. He glanced at Ji-ho’s swollen belly and looked at the server as if telling him to leave quickly. Realizing belatedly that Ji-ho was pregnant, the server smiled gently, bowed his head, and retreated.
Ji-ho’s expression became slightly gloomy as he watched Set.
Of course, he had no intention of drinking alcohol, which wasn’t good for his pregnant body. He wasn’t particularly fond of alcohol even normally. But there’s such a thing as atmosphere, isn’t there?
Even if they didn’t actually drink, just having it poured and set aside could have contributed to the mood.
As he thought this far, Ji-ho felt like someone desperate to spend the night with Set today. …In fact, there were some regrets.
After first confirming their feelings for each other, there hadn’t been time for leisure due to successive events. After that, knowing about the baby, Set naturally became cautious.
“Today’s appetizer is salmon tartare with sesame cookies.”
Bael was a child who came like a blessing to both Ji-ho and Set. But Ji-ho didn’t want to be just someone carrying Set’s child. He always wanted to be a beloved partner to him.
That’s why he had booked and prepared all of this for today…
“Ji-ho, should I cut it for you?”
Set picked up a knife, offering to cut even the bite-sized cookie and salmon tartare. Ji-ho hurriedly shook his head.
It was true that he needed to be careful about everything due to the pregnancy, but it didn’t mean he should be treated like he was made of glass, unable to even touch things. Ji-ho looked down at the appetizer with a gloomy feeling and slowly moved his spoon.
The meal continued quietly. Although he hadn’t adapted to this world, Set was someone who already had dining etiquette ingrained in him from his noble background. He adapted to the elegant and refined restaurant atmosphere more easily than Ji-ho and continued with the meal.
By the time the two stood up, the sun had already set outside the window.
“Ji-ho, are your feet not sore?”
That was what Set said as soon as they got into the elevator. Ji-ho silently shook his head.
At this point, Ji-ho decided to give up any further expectations. Set now saw him completely as a pregnant person, and it was obvious that tonight would pass uneventfully, just like yesterday, the day before, and the day before that.
Maybe he no longer appeared attractive to Set. As embarrassing as it was, such thoughts even crossed his mind. He had heard in passing that after pregnancy, some men no longer see their wives as objects of desire. Ji-ho was too upset to even speak anymore.
“The key… Ah, it’s a card.”
As Ji-ho became passive, Set started to move on his own. Taking the key card from Ji-ho, he quietly held it up to the room door.
Lost in his gloom, Ji-ho didn’t think about how Set knew about ‘key cards’ or how he was so familiar with opening the door. He just stepped inside as the door opened.
And the moment both of them entered the room, the door closed. Click. As the light from the corridor disappeared, darkness enveloped the room.
“Ah, Set. That key card…”
Ji-ho finally realized that the lights weren’t coming on because the card wasn’t inserted into the card reader. Knowing that Set wouldn’t know this, he reached out his hand to ask for the key card.
“…!”
Ji-ho’s eyes widened. Set suddenly embraced his thighs and buttocks and lifted him up. As his feet left the ground, the surprised Ji-ho stumbled and steadied himself on Set’s shoulders.
“S-Set?”
“Ji-ho.”
“Y-Yes?”
Ji-ho stuttered unknowingly, not understanding why Set was suddenly acting this way. As he lowered his head, he could see Set’s odd eyes glowing blue in the darkness.
The suite room Ji-ho had reserved was a city view room with one wall entirely made of windows, and of course, everything outside was visible from there. Thanks to this, he could see what kind of expression Set was making now by the neon lights from the street.
“Do you know how good a Sword Master’s hearing is?”
“…Hearing?”
Ji-ho tilted his head at the sudden question. A faint smile appeared on Set’s lips.
“Even when I’m sweeping the front yard of the pension, I can hear all the conversations you have with Isquis in the kitchen.”
“…What?”
“In fact, if I concentrate, I can often hear even more than that. Sometimes I can even hear your voice at home when I’m at the neighborhood supermarket.”
“Why suddenly…”
It wasn’t something Ji-ho was completely unaware of. There were times when Set would approach Ji-ho after hearing even the slightest sounds. So, the reason for bringing up this already known fact now…
At that moment, realizing something, Ji-ho covered his mouth with his hand.
“D-Don’t tell me, at Dr. Nam’s office…?”
This afternoon, right after their appointment ended. Ji-ho had asked Set to wait while he asked Dr. Nam a question privately.
‘Set, could you wait here for a moment? I have something to ask Dr. Nam privately.’
‘…Something to ask? What is it?’
‘W-Well… It’s nothing much. Just wait here for a moment, please!’
And although he had firmly closed the sliding door, it made no difference to Set. So, Set had heard the question Ji-ho asked Dr. Nam at that time.
‘Um, Doctor, can I ask one more thing?’
‘Oh, what is it?’
‘Uh… Is it okay to do it now?’
‘Hm?’
Dr. Nam blinked at Ji-ho’s question. Then, as if understanding belatedly, he slapped his knee and said,
‘Ah, you mean sexual intercourse?’
‘Y-Yes, yes.’
‘Of course. Just be careful. Ho ho, young people these days…’
As soon as he heard that, Ji-ho thanked Dr. Nam and fled the office. Of course, that question was for tonight.
Ji-ho kept rubbing his face dry as he realized that Set had known his intentions all along. He felt like he had become someone very forward.
“You know, Ji-ho.”
At that moment, Set called Ji-ho in a low voice. Ji-ho, who had been burying his face in his hands out of embarrassment, carefully raised just his eyes.
“Sometimes I wonder if I’m a demon or a human.”
Set walked towards the bed, carrying Ji-ho without wavering. Then, he placed him on the bed very carefully.
“But when I see you, I realize that I was human.”
Set’s voice, speaking almost in a whisper, was monotone. Sitting on the bed, supporting himself with both arms behind him, Ji-ho faced the large shadow of the man crawling over him on his knees.
His huge body, enveloped in darkness, seemed to swell even more, and that shadow looked like it might take the form of a demon, as some had shouted.
“Otherwise, I couldn’t have endured this well.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
Oh ho.. 🫣
Damn cliffhanger…