* * *

Right. He understood it must be hard to believe.

An adult man unable to sit up properly… it sounded ridiculous.

How embarrassing.

There’s that saying, “A man’s strength is in his back,” after all…

“Um, if it’s not too much trouble, could you help me to my chair…?”

“Hmm…”

“…Please?”

Elliott didn’t answer.

He just stared curiously at Heewoon’s back, as if questioning if it truly was as weak as he claimed.

Damn.

The embarrassment doubled.

Heewoon instinctively raised his hands to cover his burning face.

“Please… just help me over…”

“Hold still. I’ll help you relax.”

“Huh? No, that’s not nec…”

Before he could finish, Elliott pressed his thumb into his side, and Heewoon’s mouth involuntarily opened.

“Hah…”

It felt good.

He hadn’t realized his muscles were so tense from sleeping so much these past few months.

Elliott’s hands gently loosened the tight knots in his muscles, and it felt amazing.

Though a bit embarrassing, it was undeniably beneficial to accept Elliott’s help.

Placing his hands lightly on Elliott’s shoulders, he closed his eyes and allowed his body to relax.

Starting at his sides, Elliott’s hands moved to his back, then to his neck and shoulders, gently easing the stiffness in each muscle.

“Feels good?”

“Yeah… you’re… really skilled…”

He melted under Elliott’s touch.

Despite his delicate appearance, Elliott was an Esper.

He could easily snap Heewoon like a twig if he wanted to.

But Elliott skillfully applied just the right amount of pressure, expertly loosening his muscles without going overboard.

Was it because he worked at his foundation, helping people with physical limitations?

‘Guess that’s why he’s a main character in an R-rated novel…’

Though Elliott’s main talent certainly wasn’t massage.

With his eyes closed, Heewoon savored Elliott’s hands.

He then felt Elliott’s intense gaze on him and slowly opened his eyes.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I think I understand Rex a bit better now.”

“What?”

“…I think I might be an animal too.”

“Wait…?”

The hand that had been soothing his neck slid down his side and unexpectedly settled on his abdomen.

A pale hand pressed into the skin just below his belly button.

“Ah…!”

A soft sound slipped from his lips.

Shocked by the sound he’d made, he quickly covered his mouth.

Elliott’s face drew closer, his own cheeks tinged pink, his eyes smoldering as they held Heewoon’s gaze.

And at that moment, he realized the meaning of the hand on his stomach.

His lips parted slowly.

“Heewoon, how about me instead of Rex? I might not be such a bad choice for your first. I promise I’d make you feel good.”

“What? I… um…”

“If you feel hesitant about seeing me as more than a guide, then just think of it as work. Membrane guidance, level two. Since we’ll need to do it someday, I’d like me to be your first. You were my first for level one, after all.”

He was… losing it.

Now that he thought about it, he had been the one who suggested the level-one sensory guidance with Elliott, who’d previously avoided it.

So maybe he was responsible for taking it to level two…?

His head was spinning, his thoughts in complete disarray.

Why was he so hyper-aware of a hand resting on his stomach?

Clearing his scrambled mind as best he could, he replied.

“Right now… isn’t the best time. But… I’ll think about it…”

“Good. I hope you’ll consider it… positively.”

With a slight smile, Elliott withdrew his hand.

Finally, Heewoon took a long breath, calming himself.

Whether it was the massage or his urgency to avoid the situation, he found he could finally move.

In a hurry, he slid down from Elliott’s lap.

Fortunately, Elliot didn’t bring up the “Phase Two” conversation again after that.

“In preparation for Huimang’s discharge, it wouldn’t hurt to buy a few things, right? Even if I send him off, I can’t send him empty-handed. And it’s not like finding a good home will happen immediately.”

Since I was already out, I’d asked Elliot to come along to help choose some items for Huimang’s discharge.

He eagerly took up the role of a devoted dad, intently selecting items.

Toys, strollers, hygiene products, all kinds of tableware and kitchen items… his idea of “a few things” was on a scale that would make anyone’s heart race.

But the place Elliot lingered longest was, predictably, the clothing section.

“Hope’s been growing so fast every day; I’m not even sure what size to buy for him.”

“Why don’t you just get clothes right before he’s discharged?”

“It’s hard not to get carried away when you see adorable outfits you want to try on him.”

“Then buy them in a bigger size.”

“But if I’m going to dress him, I’d prefer it to fit just right and look nice.”

“Hmm…”

Is that so?

I’ve never been too particular about clothes, and I know Eunsoo will be growing quickly soon too, so I’ve just been putting him in the free-sized outfits Rex gave us.

They look cute even if they’re a bit loose, so do we really need something that fits perfectly?

‘But maybe he won’t listen.’

Seeing his eyes blazing with determination to dress Huimang in only the cutest clothes, I figured trying to persuade him was pointless.

Besides, Elliot isn’t the type to splurge without reason, so I let him do as he pleased and went off to handle my own errand.

Right, the charger.

I hadn’t charged my device properly before heading out, and the battery had died on me during the taxi ride.

“Are you looking for something? Why do you keep glancing around?”

“Oh, well…”

Lately, I’d been so focused on Eunsoo that I hadn’t been attentive to Huimang.

I needed to contact Eunsoo but thought it wouldn’t go over well if I openly mentioned finding a charging spot.

So I tried to do it quietly, but of course, Elliot noticed.

As expected, the moment I mentioned needing to charge my device, Elliot’s expression stiffened.

“There’s no one else you could possibly be contacting, is there?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Then try not to think about it for a moment. It’s just a few hours at most, right? You’ve been together for months; can’t you be apart even for a little while?”

“Still, I need to reach out…”

Elliot’s face twisted.

The bright smile he’d had while browsing children’s items was replaced with visible displeasure.

I sighed inwardly and spoke up.

“I know I’ve made you feel disappointed, and I’m sorry. But you know he’ll be looking for me, so I can’t just disappear without a word. Please try to understand.”

Elliot remained silent, but his expression was far from accepting.

He lowered his gaze, then suddenly turned his back on me, signaling he was done with the conversation, though I could tell he still wasn’t entirely on my side.

The atmosphere between us felt chilly, and his face stayed hardened.

I’d noticed before that Elliot seemed especially uncomfortable with Eunsoo.

‘Come to think of it, in the original story, Elliot was always the one who clashed most with Eunsoo.’

They were like fire and ice.

A duo of strong-willed personalities—no wonder they’d butt heads.

As I hurried back from charging my device, I thought about how to smooth things over with Elliot.

I caught up to him and grabbed the hem of his coat.

“Elliot.”

“Don’t call me. I’m upset.”

“Just listen to this one thing. Hope has become this healthy, all thanks to you.”

“…”

“Thank you. I know I pushed this on you, but you’ve treated him so sincerely. It’s a bit late, but I really appreciate it.”

Elliot stopped walking.

He bit his lip and raised an arm to cover his face.

“Why do you keep… making me feel so small?”

I blinked in surprise.

Why would he say that?

“I meant it as a compliment.”

“That’s not the point… You really have a knack for wounding a person’s pride, you know.”

Did I do something wrong?

While I was struggling to find a reply, Elliot turned toward me.

His long, pale fingers gently cupped my cheek, and he leaned in, leaving a brief kiss on my lips.

I didn’t understand what he meant, but his smile suggested his mood had improved.

His smile was so lovely that I found myself smiling in return.

“Heewoon.”

“Yes?”

“Have you thought of a new name for Huimang? No offense, but ‘Yang Huimang’ just doesn’t feel quite right.”

True.

The meaning is nice, but it does lack a certain elegance, especially with the surname ‘Yang.’

“Well, I do have one…”

“I thought you might. Let’s hear it.”

I looked down, a shy smile forming on my lips.

“Heesoo. Yang Heesoo.”

“Hee…‘Soo’?”

“Yes… If it’s no good, you can just pick a new one with the character like your ‘Hee.’ Just think about it.”

It’s a bit embarrassing.

Elliot doesn’t know the real reason I picked the name, so I feel self-conscious about it.

“…Are you serious?”

But for some reason, Elliot’s mood shifted.

His gaze seemed hurt.

“Yes? I… I am.”

“No, if that’s what you want…”

Elliot seemed at a loss, pressing a hand to his forehead and mumbling in a shaky voice.

“If that’s the case, what were you doing with me all this time? Did you just think, ‘Wow, what a fool to hand over 500 million won,’ and decide to stick around? Did you think I’d look after the child too? Though, I guess it ended up that way.”

I was taken aback.

* * *