The moment the three of them saw the matching rings sparkling on Lee Tae-rim and Seon Juho’s fingers, they gave Seon Juho a big thumbs-up. Not only that—they actually praised him for doing such a great job.
Tae-rim, meanwhile, found himself learning once again how to give up. Life, after all, was something you had to live on your own.
By the time he returned to the Center from the field, everyone already knew he and Seon Juho were dating. Even if you overlooked the matching rings, the way Seon Juho’s face practically radiated happiness made it impossible to keep their relationship under wraps.
According to Seon Juho, these rings were only temporary. He was planning to get real ones for Tae-rim’s upcoming birthday and was currently having the time of his life consulting with a ring designer.
Lee Jae-hwa had introduced him to the designer. There are fewer than ten people in the entire country who can craft accessories using monster by-products, and it’s notoriously hard to book them. But by some miracle, Seon Juho managed to snag an appointment right away—with one of the top three, no less.
It honestly felt like the universe was on Seon Juho’s side in everything he did. Who would’ve guessed that this famous designer was Lee Jae-hwa’s uncle? Thanks to his connections and his status as an S-rank Esper, Seon Juho didn’t even have to wait in line.
Because of the nature of their work, Espers couldn’t wear rings made from ordinary metals like regular civilians. Even aside from their jobs, Espers were simply too strong—if they let their guard down, they could easily crush or damage a ring without even noticing.
That’s why accessories made from monster by-products were preferred. Depending on the grade of the monster, the cost could be astronomical. But for something like a wedding ring, which had to last, most Espers chose monster-crafted rings when proposing.
This was all news to Tae-rim.
For now, the ring he was wearing was just titanium. It wasn’t a problem for him, but Seon Juho was a different story. You could tell he was being extra careful when using his left hand, and he had to take the ring off entirely during workouts or training. He clearly hated that.
Still, since Seon Juho was S-rank, the monster by-product for his ring would have to be S-rank as well… Tae-rim couldn’t help but worry about the price. Seon Juho had insisted he’d take care of everything and told him not to worry, but still.
“Are there any other S-rank Imprinted couples?”
“Not in Korea, right?”
“Maybe overseas?”
“Let’s check.”
The three of them sat around in Tae-rim’s private Guiding room, searching with dead-serious expressions.
“Wow… There are two couples.”
“That’s surprising. I could understand if they were just married, but actually Imprinted?”
“Damn, I thought we’d be the first in Korea.”
“Right? That would’ve been kinda cool.”
It had only been fifteen days since Tae-rim and Seon Juho started dating. And yet, there were already rumors about Imprinting.
It was probably because Seon Juho had already Imprinted on him, but Tae-rim wasn’t sure how to deal with it. Was Imprinting really that easy? It definitely wasn’t—so why was everyone talking like it was the most natural thing in the world?
“Tae-rim, you’re doubting again. I’ve told you a hundred times—you don’t get veto rights. You’re weak to hot guys.”
Okay, sure. If that’s the reasoning, then yes, maybe he did have no say in the matter. But Imprinting wasn’t something you did because someone was good-looking. Tae-rim let out a sigh.
“Everyone else starts at the beginning, but you’re starting halfway down the track. Just a little further to go. Esper Seon Juho is already waiting at the finish line.”
These people were absolute experts at shutting him down. Tae-rim sighed again.
“Honestly, I’m kind of excited. I wonder how much hotter Esper Seon Juho’s going to get.”
“Right? He’s already literal sunshine. If you two Imprint…”
“Oh man. I’m going blind already.”
At their dramatic exaggerations, Tae-rim finally laughed out loud.
“Wow, he’s laughing. Look at him, all smug now that Mr. Perfect is officially his.”
“Well, uh… I mean, I’m not denying it… hahaha.”
“Why does it sound so obnoxious when he’s just stating facts?”
“God, I’m jealous. I want a sweet Esper too.”
“We were wasting our time feeling bad for Jung Jae-heon…”
“We were way out of line.”
“Yep.”
“Totally.”
The three of them gave Tae-rim a look of mock disdain, then linked arms and huddled together, deliberately excluding him.
“So, how’s that romance life, huh?!”
“Feelin’ good?! So good you could die?!”
“Must be! OBVIOUSLY!”
“Pfft!”
Weren’t these the same people who kept pushing him to start dating? Now they were giving him grief because he was dating. Tae-rim couldn’t help but laugh. What even was this ridiculous energy?
“I’m gonna fall in love too, just you wait!”
“With a sweet, sweet Esper!”
“Let’s goooo!”
The three of them continued teasing Tae-rim with exaggerated mock threats until lunchtime rolled around—at which point they bolted out of the room, declaring they had no interest in witnessing any sickeningly sweet moments between him and Seon Juho.
“Hyung, something good happen?”
Tae-rim had been chuckling to himself, still amused by their antics, when Seon Juho walked into the Guiding Room and asked the question right away. Tae-rim couldn’t help but smile as he looked at the radiant, puppy-like man in front of him.
He really shouldn’t be laughing, but the grin just wouldn’t leave his face.
Not knowing the reason, Seon Juho simply took a seat next to him and smiled back. He didn’t need to understand why Tae-rim was happy—just seeing him smile was enough to lift his mood. Tae-rim found him so adorable that he couldn’t resist grabbing both his cheeks and stretching them.
“Hyuuung! That hurts!”
“What am I supposed to do with you being this cute, huh?”
“Huh?”
Tae-rim let go of his cheeks and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Seon Juho blinked in surprise, his eyes going wide before glancing around the room like he was checking to see if anyone saw—even though he already knew they were alone. It made him even more endearing.
“Hyung…”
That handsome face leaned in closer. The way he shyly closed his eyes and moved in made Tae-rim’s heart flutter. He was so beautiful in that moment, it almost scared Tae-rim—like maybe he didn’t deserve to be loved this much.
A few soft butterfly kisses followed. When Seon Juho gently nipped at his lip as if asking for more, Tae-rim parted his lips without hesitation.
Heat bloomed between them instantly. Tae-rim felt his own pheromones rise, sweet and overwhelming, drawn out by Seon Juho’s Alpha scent. The air in the room filled with it. It was a strange feeling. Even though this space was used by others, only the two of them could sense the thick perfume hanging in the air.
Still… part of him felt a little guilty.
This wasn’t the future Seon Juho had chosen for himself. The Alpha Awakening, triggered and sealed by pheromones, felt like an invisible prison. Seon Juho didn’t seem to mind—in fact, he seemed perfectly happy with how things turned out—but Tae-rim couldn’t shake the fear that he’d closed off other paths for him.
And yet, there was also comfort.
Knowing Seon Juho belonged to him brought a quiet, selfish joy. The guilt lingered, but so did relief. Tae-rim was only able to endure this place because of him. When he first arrived, all he could do was dig into the ground, lost in depressive thoughts. But once Seon Juho entered his life, everything became chaotic in the best way.
He’d been convinced he was dead. When he woke up in that hospital bed, he thought he’d been reincarnated into some strange world, forced to live as a villain—alone and without purpose. That was why he buried himself in work. It was all he had. Nothing else seemed real.
And then Seon Juho came crashing in.
What started as a random rescue turned into an Incomplete Imprint, and before he knew it, Seon Juho was dumped on him without warning. Tae-rim had only intended to take care of him out of pity, but Seon Juho had snuck into his heart and settled in without asking.
Now he clung to him like a piece of gum that wouldn’t come off—completely and hopelessly stuck.
Tae-rim did find it a bit overwhelming at times, but he could never push him away. The way Seon Juho tried so hard to be loved was too endearing. No matter how much he whined or begged, Tae-rim always gave in.
He was clingy, needy, and endlessly affectionate. But to someone who had been so desperately lonely, Seon Juho was the first to reach out his hand. How could he not love someone like that?
Sure, there were times like now when he turned into a complete beast—but even then, he was still unbelievably adorable. Tae-rim could feel his heart pounding in his chest as strong arms wrapped around him and those searing eyes locked onto him.
He couldn’t imagine life without Seon Juho anymore.
“Haah… Hyung…”
Seon Juho lifted Tae-rim and settled him onto his lap. Strong arms wrapped around his waist and shoulders, their body heat merging until he couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began. Tae-rim gasped against his lips, breathless from the deep, urgent kisses.
Seon Juho was desperate for him.
“Hyung, I love you so much.”
Tae-rim flushed at the heat rising between his thighs. No matter how many times this happened, he never got used to it. He always thought, I should accept this. I should give in. But even if the pressure didn’t bother him, the embarrassment sure did.
He had no idea how he was supposed to look him in the eye afterward.
“You’ve got that dirty-thought face again.”
“Wh-What? No I don’t!”
“Hyuuung. If you make that face, I really can’t hold back…”
Seon Juho pressed against his waist, subtly grinding his hips upward. Tae-rim’s face went bright red.
“Hey—! This is a Guiding Room!”
“There’s no one here.”
Smack.
Seon Juho kissed behind his ear, then started unbuttoning his shirt, burying his nose in the crook of his neck.
“How long do I have to keep holding back in here?”
……
This damn mutt.
The way he buried his nose in Tae-rim’s skin, nuzzling and breathing him in—it was all too natural now. If a stranger saw them like this, they’d think the two were already way past the casual stage.
