Just like in the past, he kept backing down, even in the face of Delroz’s blind devotion. It was easier to keep him close, and the affection Delroz yearned for tasted sweet. It was like shaking candy in front of someone without any intention of giving it to them—just savoring the attention without offering anything in return.
Because of that, even with Tearot, even with Keslan, he’d suffered—and yet, he kept making the same mistake. Maybe it was because he’d just witnessed something similar. His mind suddenly felt clear.
He’d gone looking for Delroz in anger, but simply arguing over boundaries wasn’t the real issue. Something deeper was still unresolved.
Delroz surely wasn’t lacking in potential partners, so it was time to steer his gaze elsewhere. He had to discard him, cleanly and without lingering regrets.
“I’ll be heading in now.”
“I’ve kept you too long. Get home safe. Oh, wait.”
From the document case cradled in her arms, Yormin Asel pulled out a sheet of paper.
“It’s a notice from the logistics center. They’ve been storing all the consolation gifts and packages sent to you while you were recovering, but now they’re out of space and are asking for them to be collected.”
“Ah, I’ll send someone soon to take care of it.”
Ever since the incident at the Center had gotten out, an absurd amount of gifts had flooded in. It had gotten to the point that they had to officially announce that each family would only be allowed to send one token gift, with everything else returned. Banteon’s room, already filled with medical equipment for his recovery, had no space left for such things.
The Center had agreed to store them out of goodwill, but it seemed even that had reached its limit.
Folding the notice carefully, he saw Yormin off. Once she was a fair distance away, he turned his back and let out a long sigh. Delroz would probably already be in the room.
But the moment he started walking toward it, his body felt heavy, as if moving through water.
***
As soon as he stepped inside, the warm scent of black tea enveloped him. On the table sat a perfectly arranged setting with cake and tea, and even the bed—which had been momentarily left—was neatly made. For someone who looked like he’d never cared about tidiness in his life, Delroz surprisingly had a meticulous side.
Items that once seemed foreign to his hands were now handled with ease. The tea was brewed just right, leaving no bitterness or astringency—only its natural, elegant aroma.
“Looks like you were out. Want me to pour a fresh cup? This one’s cooled a little.”
“It’s fine. This is still warm enough.”
The porcelain teacup in his fingers retained a trace of heat. Delroz must’ve been constantly warming the cup and preparing fresh tea, not knowing when Banteon might return. Even without words, the care behind the act was palpable—yet it brought no comfort.
Forcing a composed expression, he sat at the edge of the bed and ran his hand over the mattress. The sheet had been tucked cleanly between the bedposts and smoothed flat all the way to the top. There was nothing left to fix—an immaculate arrangement.
Ignoring the tea he used to enjoy, Banteon sat motionless on the bed, prompting Delroz to ask, puzzled,
“Did something happen?”
“Did you touch my terminal?”
At Banteon’s question, Delroz’s hand froze. After a brief hesitation, he looked up, his usual composure lost.
“I heard you talked to Baiheron.”
“……”
“Why’d you hide it?”
Delroz stayed frozen, offering no excuse. Lips pressed tightly together, he turned his gaze slowly toward the window. Outside, the sky was already tinged red from the setting sun.
“……He’s an Esper too, isn’t he? His voice sounded young.”
An abrupt guess about Baiheron’s identity.
“Just how many Espers do you have around you?”
“That’s not really the point right now, is it?”
Pointing out the irrelevance of the question to their current reality shattered Delroz’s expression. He scowled and ran a hand through his hair. The rough movement unraveled the carefully styled strands.
“You said you wouldn’t restrain me. You said you wouldn’t do things I hate. Were those all lies?”
“No.”
“Then what is this?”
He pressed again. Words said and actions taken didn’t line up—he couldn’t tell which was true. He wished Delroz would just admit he forgot to pass on Baiheron’s message. Even if it was hard to believe, at least say it hadn’t been on purpose. But Delroz’s darkened face made it clear—that wasn’t the case.
“I didn’t mean to deceive you. It’s just……”
His voice trailed off, and after a sigh, Delroz spoke more quietly.
“I really thought I could hold myself back. I was sure I could. But after we touched… I can’t control how I feel anymore.”
“……”
“It doesn’t feel like me. There are times when this unbearable urge wells up. So… No. I guess those are just excuses.”
Delroz dropped his head and let out a hollow breath. His words made Banteon laugh under his breath. So, once he got what he wanted, he couldn’t restrain his Esper possessiveness. That greed made him try to claim something that wasn’t his—Banteon. He said he’d try to hold back for Banteon’s sake, but in the end, he acted just like every other Esper.
“What I hate most is being swayed by someone else’s hand against my will. And I really hate when people move without my permission. In any situation.”
“……”
“Fine. It’s partly my fault, too, for not saying things clearly.”
Banteon resolved to make his position clear when he next faced Delroz. Now was the perfect time. Rather than getting angry about Delroz blocking the message from Baiheron, it was better to draw a clean line for the future.
“I think you’ve misunderstood something because of what happened last time. That was an accident. It was just a medical procedure—nothing more. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t assign any other meaning to that night.”
“Just a procedure, huh…”
“So don’t act like you had me because of that. It’s irritating.”
Delroz looked like he was forcing himself to swallow words he desperately wanted to say. Banteon knew he was making him uncomfortable, but he didn’t stop.
“I have no intention of having that kind of relationship with you. If you need someone to spend the night with, find someone else. You certainly don’t seem short on options.”
At those last words, Delroz’s brows furrowed. He retraced his memory, trying to figure out who Banteon meant—until it landed on the female Guide he’d passed by earlier.
“So you saw something pointless and jumped to conclusions. If it’s about that, I already turned her down—”
“It’s fine. There’s no need to explain, and I don’t need to hear it either. What’s the problem with an Esper and a Guide meeting anyway?”
“……”
“Besides, we’re not in the kind of relationship where we need to report those things to each other. Just meet her. She seemed like a decent enough match.”
“You know I don’t need any other Guide.”
“Even if guiding doesn’t work, that’s not a reason not to meet someone.”
The moment he finished, he felt Delroz’s stare searing into the side of his face.
“You’re doing it again. Always trying to send me off somewhere.”
Delroz muttered bitterly, grinding his lips together.
“The second some unknown female Guide showed up, you bolted like you’d been waiting for an excuse. Now what nonsense is going through your head again? If you’re mad that I hid something from you, then just say so. Don’t start pushing someone else at me.”
“I’m not pushing anyone. I’m stating the facts.”
The guilt-darkened look in Delroz’s eyes snapped. The once-calm golden hue sparked and flared, a violent aura spilling out around him.
“Ahh, I see. Since it’s clear you won’t be guiding me anymore, you’re telling me to go get off with someone else? Wow. Just like they say—you’re so thoughtful. Worrying about my dick and all.”
“Fine. If that’s what you think, go ahead. Maybe you’ll meet someone who’s actually a good match. Someone who really suits you. A guy like you would be welcomed anywhere.”
Delroz let out a hollow laugh, then slowly stepped forward until he stood directly in front of Banteon. A long, dark shadow fell over his bowed head.
“Well. Thanks for the kind and thoughtful explanation. Really warms my heart. I appreciate how highly you seem to value me.”
“……”
“Since you’re being so considerate, how about you take care of it yourself? No need to find someone else—you know I can get hard with just you.”
Delroz leaned in, placing his hand beside Banteon on the bed. The mattress dipped under the weight as he pressed in close.
“You seemed to enjoy it that night. You didn’t stop.”
The obscene insinuation made Banteon’s face freeze. The memory he had tried so hard to suppress surged back. He bit his lip, then let it go slowly.
“If you’re going to spew that kind of disgusting filth, then get lost. I don’t remember a damn thing because of the suppressant. If you want a damn reward, just say so and I’ll give you one.”
“A reward?”
“Yeah. A reward. Or compensation. You helped me, so I’ll give you something for it.”
He shoved Delroz away. His hand moved sharply, almost like brushing away filth. Pushed slightly back, Delroz’s mouth twisted into a feral grin.
“Hahahahaha. A reward? A reward, huh… I like the sound of that.”
Delroz doubled over, laughing like a taut string had finally snapped. Then he raised his head with a threatening glint in his eyes.
“Sounds interesting. Let’s see how grand the legendary Esrante’s ‘reward’ really is. What are you gonna give me? Gold? Land?”
“Whatever you want. As long as you swear never to interfere in anything I don’t consent to ever again, I’ll give you anything.”
“Wow, you’re really generous. Guess offering my body was worth it after all.”
