* * *
Neither of them had a specific destination in mind when they got into the car.
So when Beom Sinje asked, “Where should we go?”
Doyoung hesitated briefly before replying.
“Let’s go wherever you want.”
Then, a thought crossed his mind—what if that just made it harder for Beom Sinje to decide?
After all, aside from commuting or work-related travel, he hardly ever drove anywhere.
Did he even know any good spots for a drive?
“Hold on.”
Doyoung quickly pulled up a search engine, intending to look up places nearby.
“How about we just follow the river?”
Beom Sinje asked as he started the car, seemingly prompted by a green light.
Doyoung’s fingers paused mid-typing.
He looked up. A large river flowed just a few blocks away from the guild building.
Driving along it and then looping back didn’t seem like a bad idea.
“Let’s do that.”
Just then, a hand reached over and brushed against his cheek.
It lingered at the corner of his eye before sweeping up his hair—an unexpectedly gentle touch.
Feeling a bit ticklish, Doyoung squinted and cleared his throat.
“Ahem.”
He needed a distraction, so he turned on the radio.
[There will always be dungeon-related threats and illicit groups like the Dungeon Ecology Research Lab.]
Hearing those words as soon as he switched the channel, Doyoung froze for a moment.
Of all things, it had to be about the Dungeon Ecology Research Lab.
Naturally, his interest was piqued.
[But the reason we don’t have to worry too much is that we have Chunho as our shield.]
At the host’s overly flattering tone, Doyoung furrowed his brows.
Lately, any mention of Chunho seemed to drift toward the guild master’s love life.
He had hoped for something insightful, but this was just another fluff piece.
Clicking his tongue, Doyoung reached to change the channel—only for Beom Sinje to grab his hand and stop him.
“…What?”
He was about to say it wasn’t worth listening to, but before he could, the voice from the radio continued.
[So, does it really matter who the guild master is dating or who that person was in the past?]
Doyoung blinked.
[If anything, as long as they’re together, they’ll be an even stronger shield for us. Maybe we should be cheering them on instead.]
The host’s words carried a hint of amusement.
“…Are they seriously saying that on air?”
Doyoung turned to Beom Sinje in disbelief—only to catch the corners of his lips subtly curving upward.
“…Don’t tell me you put them up to this?”
“Of course not.”
“Well… yeah.”
It was Doyoung’s job to handle guild publicity.
If something like this had been planned, he would have known about it.
Unless Beom Sinje had deliberately hidden it from him, but that seemed unlikely.
[Ah, don’t misunderstand. While I am a fan of theirs, I’m also speaking as a concerned citizen. Anyway, let’s wrap up with ‘Love is Beautiful Because It’s You.’]
Doyoung groaned.
Even the song title felt like an attack.
Feeling his ears heat up, he wanted nothing more than to change the channel.
But he still couldn’t, because Beom Sinje was holding his hand.
No, that was just an excuse.
The truth was, the playful yet affectionate melody wasn’t so bad.
Neither of them let go.
The music continued playing, and outside the window, the late afternoon scenery unfolded—a sky tinged with softer hues, a gently flowing river, tall buildings rising and falling in the distance, and mountain ridges curving beyond them.
Warmth and a steady weight rested in his palm.
“…It’s nice.”
Gazing at the peaceful view, the words slipped out on their own.
“…I think so too.”
The grip on his hand tightened just slightly.
A gentle pull brought him closer, and he felt the soft press of lips against his skin, along with a ticklish breath.
Doyoung held his breath for a moment, then exhaled as the melody repeated.
He thought he had gotten used to moments like this, but every time, his heart still raced.
“…What was that?”
“I just… like this.”
Unlike Doyoung, Beom Sinje looked so composed that it was almost fascinating.
Doyoung sneaked a glance at him.
Maybe Doyoung was mistaken.
Now that he looked closer, even Beom Sinje had his brows furrowed, looking just as nervous as Doyoung was.
Doyoung smiled silently.
Then, just as Beom Sinje had done earlier, he lifted their joined hands and pressed his lips against them a few times.
“Me too.”
Now, he thought he understood why Beom Sinje kept initiating contact like that.
The warmth of his lips, the faint scent of his skin—everything about him was an irresistible temptation.
As they drove east along the river, the two of them listened to music, occasionally caressing each other’s hands or pressing soft kisses against the delicate skin on the backs of their hands and wrists.
The once densely packed buildings gradually disappeared, replaced by the hues of the setting sun as evening approached.
“Should we stop there for dinner?”
At the edge of a national road where the four-lane highway narrowed into two, Beom Sinje nodded toward a small restaurant with its lights on.
[Ugly’s Sundaeguk]
Doyoung chuckled as he read the sign.
A date, and they were having a humble dish like Korean blood sausage soup?
And what was with the name ‘Ugly’?
Curious whether he was serious, Doyoung turned to look at Beom Sinje, but the man’s impassive face suggested he had simply mentioned the first place he saw.
“Craving something warm?”
Doyoung asked playfully, and in response, Beom Sinje reached out and gently stroked his cheek.
By now, this seemed less like a conscious action and more like an ingrained habit.
Doyoung let it slide, but this time, the touch trailed from his cheek to his lips, lingering there as if tracing their shape.
“What are you doing?”
When Beom Sinje tapped lightly at his lower lip, Doyoung shot him a questioning look.
Instead of answering, the man pressed his thumb against his lips and pushed inside.
His nail grazed Doyoung’s lower teeth before delving deeper, teasing his tongue.
Curious about his intentions, Doyoung let it happen, only for Beom Sinje to playfully tangle their tongues together for a few moments before retreating.
“What was that?”
It didn’t seem to carry any particular meaning.
“I just thought you should eat well.”
Beom Sinje deliberately avoided answering the actual question.
Still, it was something Doyoung wanted to hear.
“Why?”
Why was it so important for him to eat well?
Before Beom Sinje could respond, the light turned green, and he slowly started driving again.
Their destination was now set—the sundaeguk restaurant.
“Because it’s a date.”
“And? So what?”
Doyoung asked again, still not quite understanding.
But instead of answering, Beom Sinje only smiled in that enigmatic way of his, making Doyoung a little suspicious.
The meal turned out to be decent.
Considering it was a spontaneous choice, the soup had no unpleasant odor, and the broth was rich.
The radish kimchi and fresh kimchi served on the side were crisp and spicy.
“Should we head back now?”
By the time they finished eating, Doyoung had completely forgotten about their earlier conversation.
His stomach was full, and his mood was content.
All he wanted was to go home and get some rest.
* * *
