* * *
“That was because you—”
“Me?”
Who could possibly keep it together when being teased like that?
Still, there wasn’t really anything else for Ben to say in return.
It might’ve been awkward in the moment, but there was nothing wrong with calling each other’s names affectionately.
Just like Moria had said—it really wasn’t a big deal.
So, Ben, deflating a bit as his initial irritation faded, conceded.
“…Yeah. It was because of you, Haimar. Now can we go look for the next item?”
Before Haimar could dig any deeper into that embarrassing subject, Ben took a step toward another aisle.
His quickened pace made his back ache slightly, but thankfully, Haimar silently followed along without comment, allowing Ben to get back to the business of grocery shopping.
Milk, eggs, some ready-made meals, sale items, and low-running cereal—all generously added to the basket.
With that much, they probably wouldn’t have to worry about food for a few weeks.
But just as they finished the groceries, the household goods aisle came into view, and Ben couldn’t bring himself to walk past.
The items were nothing he couldn’t find at the store near their house, but some needless burst of energy made him feel like he had to get everything done in one go.
So, he headed into the aisle.
“Haimar?”
He grabbed a few boxes of tissues from the shelf and turned to put them in the basket—only to find that Haimar, who had been silently following him this whole time, was no longer behind him.
Surprised, Ben looked around and spotted Haimar about ten steps back, staring off as if deep in concentration.
But as soon as he heard Ben’s voice, he snapped out of it and walked over.
There was nothing readable in Haimar’s face, but that was just how he was—his poker face had always been exceptional.
Tucking the tissue boxes between his injured arm and his side, Ben wordlessly reached out a hand to him.
“What?”
“That’s my line.”
Ben’s hand gently touched Haimar’s platinum hair, brushing past his ear as if to soothe him.
He knew full well that he wasn’t very good at comforting people, but somehow, that clumsiness was exactly what made it feel like him.
Haimar let the touch linger for a moment, then pulled Ben’s hand toward his lips and kissed his palm.
The slow, steady pulse starting from Ben’s wrist and traveling to Haimar’s lips gave off a calming rhythm.
Ben, hand still in Haimar’s grasp, fell into thought.
Maybe it was the chaotic environment, but he couldn’t pick up Haimar’s signals as clearly as he could back at home.
Was he still too inexperienced at this?
Even without reading him fully, Ben’s expression alone made his thoughts fairly obvious.
Haimar let go of Ben’s hand and said,
“There’s just a loud man nearby.”
Holiday supermarkets were crowded by nature.
So many people, yet somehow only one man’s voice was standing out?
In fact, before Ben had even touched him, Haimar wasn’t sure if the voice he was hearing came from someone’s thoughts projected through a lingering stare or someone actually speaking aloud.
The wide, open space, stuffed full of colorfully aggressive products, felt like some modern art installation.
The mingling voices, footsteps, breathing, thoughts, the constant hum of machines, and those persistent stares clung to him like shadows, relentlessly poking at his skin.
For Haimar, this place was a chaos of overstimulation.
And yet, despite being somewhere he’d never voluntarily come to, the fact that he was relatively calm could only be attributed to yesterday’s guiding session—and the man standing beside him.
He wasn’t yet able to fully control his senses, but the fact that he could even endure this much was practically a miracle.
“Who is it?”
“You’ve got good ears. You’ll find out soon.”
Just as Ben frowned in confusion, a familiar voice rang out from behind.
“Hey! I thought I recognized that voice!”
“I recommend you ignore him.”
“It’s already too late.”
“What the hell! Ignore me? I can hear you, jerks!”
Waving his arms wildly as he approached was Elgran, the same man they’d had a serious conversation with just the day before.
Judging from his energy, he looked like he’d charge over like a runaway train again—but for some reason, he was walking instead, holding hands tightly with a man Ben didn’t recognize.
Judging by the tension in their joined fingers, it was possible Elgran wanted to run but was barely restraining himself because of the grip.
“Damn, never thought I’d see Haimar Eilec in a supermarket. You look so*out of place.”
“El, as I always say—watch your mouth. Apologies. I’ll apologize on his behalf.”
“Ugh! Lus, seriously, you don’t have to apologize for every little thing!”
The man Elgran called Lus looked far older than Elgran, who was in his early twenties—maybe mid-forties.
He wasn’t especially big, but his solid build and kind face left an impression.
If anything, he resembled a bear.
Lusna.
Based on reasonable deduction, that man was probably the guide Elgran always talked about.
Seeing him in person was both surprising and surreal—like meeting a celebrity from TV. Then again, it made sense.
That chaotic Elgran had fallen head over heels for this man.
The scarf Elgran always wore around his neck like a badge of affection?
Lus was wearing the exact same one now.
“Haha, sorry for the abrupt approach without an introduction. I’m Lusna Nigel, Elgran’s guide. Please, just call me Lus. You must be Ben Plaskun, right? Heard quite a bit about you. It’s been a while, Haimar.”
“Nice to meet you, Lus. I’m honored,” Ben replied, shaking Lus’s hand.
He had thought the man merely looked like a bear, but now that he was actually holding his hand, he could feel it—thick, firm, and somehow not quite aligned with his gentle appearance.
Elgran, however, seemed thoroughly displeased, glaring with his catlike eyes and snapping at Ben.
“Lus is mine, so don’t call him Lus. Call him Lusna.”
“Uh… I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You’re so annoying, Ice Boy.”
“Ugh!”
Even when Lus had greeted them, Haimar had stood with his arms crossed, silently watching.
Now he cut in with a chilly remark that sliced through the tension.
Elgran shrank back as if he’d met his mortal enemy and ducked behind Lus’s tall frame, peeking out only with his head.
He flicked his eyes nervously between Ben and Haimar before finally looking up at Lus.
Lus, in turn, just smiled kindly and patted Elgran’s head.
Buoyed by that bit of affection, Elgran jutted out his lips in a pout and changed the topic.
“Hey, but seriously. You didn’t check your messages?”
Oh, right—Ben vaguely recalled seeing a message from Elgran when he’d woken up earlier.
He’d meant to check it later but forgot.
Only now did he take out his phone and read it.
[Okay yeah, I was kinda harsh earlier, but don’t take it too hard. Not saying sorry though? Lus made me write this. You think I’m soft enough to text you of my own free will?]
[Apparently I was harsh or whatever. Harsh my ass. Was it really that harsh? Seriously! Now I’m pissed again. Anyway! Just fix it already. Take my words as top-tier advice, you got that?]
Even though he was reading it, it was like hearing Elgran’s voice right beside him, clear and animated.
Elgran still had Lus’s hand clutched tightly and wore an annoyed expression as Ben read, but Ben couldn’t stop a small laugh from escaping.
Sure, Elgran’s words had been sharp yesterday, but clearly, he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it.
If Lus hadn’t nudged him into it, Elgran probably would’ve sulked for days, too embarrassed to speak and too busy watching Ben and Haimar from the shadows.
He acted all aloof, but Ben knew Elgran had a lot going on beneath the surface.
Of course, his excessive attitude was a problem—but that sliver of basic civility he did have?
That was probably thanks to Lus.
“Are you laughing? You think this is funny?”
“Yes, yes. Thank you for the advice.”
“Unbelievable. I shouldn’t have worried at all. Whatever. I don’t need to see it to know. You did it, didn’t you?”
“…Why do you know unnecessary things like that?”
Ben had been calmly deflecting, but now he stiffened, caught off guard.
How? How did he find out?
Was it just the fact that he and Haimar were together at the store?
Elgran lazily pointed at Ben’s neck.
“You seriously think you can deny it with that mark on your neck?”
Ben’s hand instantly flew to the back of his neck.
The throbbing pain confirmed it—yeah, that was where Haimar had bitten him hard last night.
Crap. Totally forgot about that.
‘How did I miss this?’
* * *
