* * *
“Let’s wash up first.”
Too many shocking things had happened, but right now, he just wanted to wash his body, soaked in fluids, and get the mess inside him out.
Then, change the sheets and maybe sleep.
“Okay, I’ll wash you.”
Siwoo, now sober, answered in a clear voice.
Raon gave him a suspicious look but didn’t have the energy left to argue.
“Just washing. Nothing else.”
“Got it.”
Siwoo nodded solemnly before scooping Raon up in his arms and standing abruptly.
Raon looped his arms around Siwoo’s broad shoulders, blinking drowsily.
“If you’re sleepy, just rest.”
“Mmm… Alright. I’ll leave it to you.”
Raon didn’t resist, closing his eyes.
His body soon went limp as he fell into a deep sleep.
When Raon opened his eyes again, everything was still dark.
He sat up, blinking as he glanced around.
Gradually, his vision adjusted to the darkness.
More than that—this was a place he recognized.
The meeting room he frequented when he was the guide for Alpha Team 1.
It’s been a while… but why am I here? I was just—
“Ugh—”
A splitting headache struck as fragmented memories surfaced.
Raon hunched over, swallowing a groan.
He pressed his fingers hard against his throbbing temples.
Click.
“…!”
The door opened, and someone stepped inside.
Raon lifted his head, eyes widening.
“Siwoo!”
Overjoyed, Raon shot up from his seat and hurried toward him—only to freeze mid-step.
Siwoo’s expression was cold, sharper than usual, his gaze distrustful.
“Siwoo, why are we—?”
Raon reached out, voice warm, but his hand jerked to a stop mid-air.
[WARNING!]
“Warning?”
Raon’s eyes widened at the red system window flashing before him.
A chill ran down his spine at the familiar sight.
[‘Villain Sub-Character’ Han Raon must NEVER approach ‘Sub-Lead’ Yoon Siwoo recklessly! ٩(๑`^´๑)۶]
[Penalties will apply for actions inconsistent with your character!]
“Tch.”
Raon stood speechless as more red windows popped up.
Then, frustration surged.
Why should I be controlled by this damn system?
Even if he played the villain’s role perfectly, the end was always death.
So what was the point?
But then—a fleeting thought crossed his mind.
If I die one more time after regressing, I can return to my original world.
“……”
Raon tore his gaze from the system window to look at Siwoo.
His face was just as murderous as before the regression, staring at Raon with open hostility.
I’d rather die than go back to that.
“Get lost!”
For the first time, Raon defied the system’s command.
He swiped his hand violently, and the red windows flickered like a broken screen.
Ignoring it, he grabbed Siwoo’s arm.
“Siwoo, listen to me!”
He didn’t care about the penalty—what could be worse than death?
Steeling himself, Raon opened his mouth—
“It wasn’t my intention to—”
But no sound came out.
Raon clutched his throat in panic, but his voice was completely sealed.
“Ghk—!”
His vision swayed violently, as if a hammer had smashed into his skull.
Raon staggered, body lurching.
No… Siwoo…
Siwoo’s face above him blurred.
Raon could feel his suspicious gaze, studying him.
But his lips wouldn’t move.
So this is the penalty.
Is this how it ends?
I can’t even reach you anymore.
Bracing for what was to come, Raon squeezed his eyes shut.
I don’t want to do anything anymore.
Transparent tears streamed down his closed eyelids.
“Hyung!”
“Hah—!”
Raon’s eyes flew open.
This time, Siwoo’s face was different—filled with worry, not hostility.
Raon exhaled shakily, blinking.
“Did you have a nightmare? You’re drenched in sweat.”
A warm hand carefully brushed his forehead.
Raon steadied his breathing, forcing down the lingering panic.
“A nightmare… Yeah. Just a nightmare.”
His eyes darted around nervously, but the system windows were nowhere in sight.
It was just a dream.
The system hasn’t come back yet.
It can’t have.
“It’s okay, hyung. It was just a dream. You’re safe now.”
“…Yeah.”
Siwoo pulled him into an embrace, patting his back.
Raon rested his ear against Siwoo’s chest, nodding at the steady heartbeat.
The rhythm slowly calmed him.
Right. The system hasn’t returned yet.
I don’t have to push Siwoo away with cruel words.
Who knows how long this freedom will last, but…
If I’m just going to be dragged back into that nightmare eventually…
Raon tightened his arms around Siwoo’s waist, murmuring inwardly.
If I’ll be trapped by the system again like it’s fate, shouldn’t I enjoy this freedom while I can?
Selfish as it was, he didn’t want to distance himself from Siwoo out of fear.
On impulse, he spoke.
“Should we live together?”
“…Huh?”
Siwoo stiffened, stunned.
His expression flickered with disbelief.
…Does he not want to?
Raon hadn’t even considered rejection.
He’d assumed Siwoo would jump at the offer.
But Siwoo had refused even guiding before—something Raon never expected.
Even if they were partners, cohabitation wasn’t guaranteed.
Biting his lip anxiously, Raon tensed—until Siwoo finally replied, hesitant.
“…You’d really live with me?”
“Huh?”
“I thought… you hated the idea.”
“Ah.”
Technically, guides paired with S-rank Espers were required to cohabit—stable guidance was crucial.
But since Raon was also guiding Alpha Team 1, Seokhyun (the center director) hadn’t enforced it.
Of course, it was always an option.
But because Raon never brought it up, Siwoo must’ve assumed he disliked the idea.
Raon bit his lip, then grinned.
“Why would I hate it? I was just busy with gate incidents.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah.”
He had no choice but to lie as he gently stroked the back of Siwoo’s head.
In response, Siwoo rubbed his nose against Raon’s shoulder like he did when he was drunk.
“I like it, hyung. Let’s live together.”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll be really good to you.”
“Haha, I’m looking forward to it.”
Strangely enough, the anxiety that had completely consumed Raon just moments ago vanished while holding Siwoo.
The trembling in his body also subsided, no longer leaving him shaky.
Yeah, it’s okay for now. For now.
Raon repeated the words to himself and held Siwoo even tighter.
By the time the two woke up, two days had already passed.
They’d spent an entire day doing that, and the next day he completely passed out in exhaustion.
Raon blinked with a dazed expression.
“Hyung, let’s eat.”
“Uh… yeah.”
It was a bright, glittering morning, yet it all somehow felt unreal.
Raon raised the blinds and watched the sunlight pour into the room before getting up.
“Why did you make so much?”
“I just threw together what we had.”
As he approached the table, the food Siwoo had prepared came into view. L
ast time it was sandwiches, but today it was soup.
Seeing the doenjang-jjigae, steaming white rice, rolled omelets, and various side dishes, Raon finally felt the pangs of hunger and swallowed hard.
Western brunches were nice and all, but Raon was definitely a Korean food kind of guy.
Watching Siwoo modestly downplay his cooking, Raon looked at him with something close to pride and quickly took a seat.
“Mmm, this is delicious.”
Raon said in awe after taking a bite of the soybean paste stew.
It wasn’t too salty, and the flavor was clear and refreshing—just the way he liked it.
How can he cook something that fits my taste so perfectly?
Raon looked at Siwoo, who was only now picking up his chopsticks after hearing the compliment, with a soft, appreciative gaze.
‘Siwoo’s definitely going to end up doing all the cooking.’
If they officially moved in together, the Center would arrange a new home for them.
Like the Center’s own dorms, household chores like cleaning and laundry would be handled by outside staff when the residents were out.
It was a government service set up for high-level ability users who often entered Gates or were frequently needed at the Center.
But with how good Siwoo was at cooking, he’d probably refuse the food service altogether.
Raon didn’t want to stop him either—he genuinely enjoyed Siwoo’s cooking.
‘Then… what am I supposed to do?’
Still, the idea of just sitting back and being fed all the time didn’t sit right with him.
He felt like he should contribute something.
But he’d always been terrible at housework since he was a kid, and cooking wasn’t any better.
If he tried to help, it might only make things harder.
‘Then… bedroom stuff?’
At the sudden thought, Raon involuntarily choked on his own spit and broke into a fit of coughing.
* * *
