Chi-yu never realized he was the type to be this possessive. Reporting Catdog’s secret to the higher-ups was sensitive enough on its own, but he ignored all of that and stopped it simply because he hated the thought of Sung Ji-yeol and Hyun Tae-oh being alone together. The more he thought about it, the more he saw how petty and small-minded he was being.
“Chi-yu.”
“Sorry. I don’t know why I get this way, but in that moment, I just couldn’t stand it….”
“You’re not petty.”
“Sorry for being such a narrow-minded boyfriend.”
At Chi-yu’s small, whispered apology, Tae-oh’s arms tightened around him. The long sigh that slipped from his lips carried a strangely tender warmth, and the hand stroking the back of his neck was endlessly gentle.
“You’re not narrow-minded. If anyone is, it’s me. Whatever you hate, I hate too. Honestly, even if you don’t hate it, I probably would. I can’t stand people—anyone but you. You know that’s the kind of person I am.”
“……”
“I don’t know what he wants to talk about, but it’s not important enough to put up with something that only annoys you. If he wants to expose something, let him. No matter what happens, I can protect both you and Catdog.”
Whether those words were his true feelings or just an attempt to soothe him, Tae-oh’s reassurance eased Chi-yu’s heart. It was as if nothing else mattered—not duties, promises, or obligations—if it meant calming his jealous, possessive lover. His whole focus was on Chi-yu. That was Hyun Tae-oh.
And Chi-yu knew it would always be that way. His childhood friend, now his lover, would never change. That certainty was extraordinary, and Tae-oh was the one who gave it to him. He really was remarkable.
From deep within his chest, the words came out.
“I love you.”
Like wasn’t enough. Even love didn’t capture the whole of it, but it was closer than like could ever be. With a deep breath, he let the words fall again, this time filled with every bit of his heart.
“I really love you.”
For the first time in his life, he confessed—not to anyone else, but to his oldest friend, the one he had secretly loved for years, his very first partner. The words were heavy with every ounce of his feelings.
Tae-oh’s arms tightened fiercely. Chi-yu clutched him back just as hard, the two of them embracing so tightly that not even a sliver of space remained between them. As if letting go would mean losing each other forever, they held on and breathed deeply.
“I love you, Kang Chi-yu.”
The low, husky murmur spilled from Tae-oh’s lips. His rich baritone had always made Chi-yu’s heart flutter, but now, carrying the word love, it broke something open inside him. Without warning, tears welled up and spilled over.
He bit his lips, unwilling to wear the disgrace of being called a crybaby as a grown man, but the dampness around his eyes gave him away.
“I love you about twenty-five times more than you love me.”
Tae-oh brushed his tears with his thumb, speaking softly.
“And how exactly do you know how much I love you, to say twenty-five times more?”
Chi-yu let out a shaky laugh.
“Doesn’t matter. However much it is, I love you twenty-five times more than that.”
“Unbelievable.”
Chi-yu buried his face back in Tae-oh’s chest.
“You can meet with Guide Sung Ji-yeol if you want.”
“No need.”
“It might be better to make sure he keeps quiet.”
“……”
“I know I said I wouldn’t be narrow-minded, but… I really don’t want the higher-ups finding out about Catdog.”
“More than that, it’s better if no one finds out I’ve Marked you.”
At those words, Chi-yu’s head snapped up.
“What?”
“If they knew I Marked you, they’d start scheming again.”
Tae-oh stroked his hair as he continued.
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure whether to tell you this. I debated for a while.”
“……”
“But knowing how strong and incredible you are, I figured it’d be better if you knew. Easier to fight back when you’re aware, right?”
“…What is it?”
“This isn’t something to talk about here. Let’s go home first.”
Before Chi-yu even fully nodded, Tae-oh had already teleported them to his house. He sat him down on the sofa, opened the fridge, and pulled out the fresh fruit juice Chi-yu liked.
Opening the cap, he handed it over before sitting at his side.
“I think the lab needs both of your abilities.”
“…What?”
Chi-yu’s eyes went wide as he accepted the bottle.
“It’s not officially confirmed yet, but I think the Bureau, the Association, the government, and the lab have been conspiring to create Mutant Beasts.”
“…What!?”
“I’m almost certain.”
“Why the hell would they—!?”
“I don’t know the reason. But I’m convinced every single Mutant Beast discovered until now was actually created in the lab.”
“……!”
“And Catdog is one of those test subjects.”
“……”
“What I’ve said so far is a mix of what I’ve seen and what I’ve deduced. But what I’m about to tell you now—it’s still speculation, but I have strong grounds.”
Chi-yu gave a silent nod.
“I think the lab hit a wall with their creations. Probably the problem of Rampages.”
“……”
“I know some C-rank Guides who only had Rampage Recovery were brought in for experiments. But even with them, the lab couldn’t get the results it wanted. That’s when they must’ve thought of you.”
“……”
“You’re the only Guide who can both recover Rampages and stabilize wavelengths. That’s why you were assigned to First Division.”
“…They want me to suppress the beasts’ Rampages?”
Tae-oh nodded.
“That’s probably why, during the Black Gate, they deliberately summoned a beast mid-Rampage inside the Guide safety zone. When you calmed it, that confirmed they needed your power.”
“……”
“That’s as far as my theory goes. We won’t know how close it is to the truth until we get proof.”
“…And Catdog?”
“I’m still investigating, but it seems like Catdog might be a key.”
“A key?”
“A key to how your power can be used.”
“……”
“They can’t exactly drag you out every time a beast goes berserk. And creating beasts at all is already taboo. If the World Peace Committee finds out, it’ll blow up into something massive.”
“……”
“I don’t know exactly what plan the lab, the Bureau, the Association, and the government are scheming, but one thing is certain—they’re already moving. And they’re desperate to extract your ability.”
Chi-yu swallowed hard. He couldn’t even imagine how they’d “extract” his power. But the idea that Catdog might be the key sent a cold shiver down his spine.
“They might try to separate you from Catdog—”
“No! I won’t let that happen!”
Chi-yu shouted instantly.
The creature had already become too precious. When it went missing earlier that day, he realized just how much. He couldn’t lose it. He had to find it safe. If he didn’t, it would hurt as badly as when his cat had crossed the Rainbow Bridge years ago. Catdog was already family. No matter what danger it might bring, he could never let it go.
“That’s why I’m saying—all of this is still conjecture. If you don’t want to be separated from Catdog, then I’ll find another way. I don’t want to send him away either.”
“……”
“But if…”
Tae-oh’s expression turned grave as he looked at him. Chi-yu’s heart plummeted. He already had an idea what was coming.
“If Catdog ever becomes a threat to you—if it hurts you—I’ll have no choice but to kill it.”
Chi-yu’s lips trembled. His reddened nose and bloodshot eyes signaled tears about to fall. He tried to hold them back, but they broke free, spilling down his cheeks.
“…It might not come to that, right?”
“Of course. It’s fifty-fifty.”
The tears poured faster, like a broken dam. Tae-oh wiped them gently away, trying to soothe him.
“Nothing’s certain yet. My theory could be completely wrong. Just keep it in mind, that’s all.”
“……”
“Chi-yu, when you cry like this, it makes me want to kill myself for being the reason.”
Chi-yu shook his head.
“As long as Catdog doesn’t threaten you, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him by your side. So don’t worry about anything.”
Wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, Chi-yu nodded firmly.
“Then… it is true the lab’s been creating beasts?”
“Yeah. That part’s not speculation. Min Yu-hyun is gathering evidence at the lab right now.”
“…But why would they…?”
“I don’t know. What matters is, they have no intention of stopping. Countless test subjects have already been created. And Catdog… is the thirty-ninth.”
“…Ah! That number above its belly button!”
When Chi-yu cried out in shock, Tae-oh nodded once.
“Exactly.”
“……”
Chi-yu fell silent, words failing him. Tae-oh pulled him close, pressing a tender kiss to his hair.
“Even if it costs me my life, I’ll protect you. Just stay alert to anyone suspicious who tries to get close.”
“That’s not comforting. What am I supposed to do without you?”
The quiet, matter-of-fact words struck deeper than any dramatic declaration of love. Tae-oh stared at him for a long moment. Then he wrapped his arms around him tight and murmured low:
“Ha… seriously. Kang Chi-yu, you love me way too much.”
And the murmur was filled with nothing but happiness.
