* * *

“Room…?”

Saewoo gaped, his small lips moving soundlessly.

His mind was in utter chaos at the completely unexpected request.

“Why are you so surprised? Weren’t you planning to find a tenant for the third floor anyway?”

“Well… I mean, yeah, but….”

“Then just give that room to me.”

“Ah….”

Cold sweat trickled down his back.

The ramen was mild, so there was no reason for it to be spicy, yet he was breaking into a nervous sweat.

“What? You don’t want to?”

Jibeom, having read Saewoo’s reaction, asked bluntly, making him even more flustered.

“I-It’s just… That room isn’t ready yet… I need to renovate it first….”

Saewoo blurted out whatever excuse came to mind, even though he knew full well that once Jibeom had decided on something, there was no talking him out of it.

“Why renovate a perfectly fine room? That’s just wasting money.”

As expected, Jibeom wasn’t swayed in the slightest.

“Well, then why are you leaving behind a perfectly fine place…!”

That was exactly his point. Why was Jibeom trying to move when he already had a great place?

There was no way this wasn’t just an elaborate way to mess with him.

As Saewoo snapped back in frustration, Jibeom’s sharp gaze glinted.

“What’s with that reaction? Are you saying you’re picky about your tenants?”

And of course, Jibeom latched onto that.

“So, the dopey tiger and that stubborn old lion were fine, but I’m not?”

“T-That’s not what I—”

[Tenant Requirements: Must provide proof of vegetarianism. Must have low reproductive capability. Must have no teeth…]

For a brief moment, the absurd conditions listed on the illegal rental flyer flashed through Saewoo’s mind.

But those weren’t his rules, so he couldn’t exactly use them as an excuse.

“If anything, shouldn’t I be your top priority? I helped you catch that scammer, kept you company because you were scared to stay at the bear’s place alone, gave you a down comforter, even bought you meals. And after everything we’ve been through together….”

“W-What….”

“With that much physical contact, I figured your place is as good as mine, so I’m just asking for a room. But wow… you’re really coldhearted.”

“…….”

Saewoo was left speechless.

Jibeom was obviously being ridiculous, but the way he put it made his conscience prickle.

It was true that, in his own twisted way, Jibeom had helped him.

Even so, simply handing over a room just because of that didn’t sit right with him.

‘If we end up… getting even closer…’

If Jibeom moved into the third floor—right below him—he’d see him every single day….

Thump.

The moment he let his imagination run, Saewoo felt his heart start pounding erratically.

Something felt off. He tried to push the thought away, but suddenly, Jibeom’s face was right in front of him, that familiar smirk in place.

“If calling it physical contact sounds weird, then maybe a ki—”

Saewoo’s vision filled with Jibeom’s lips. His heart lurched, crashing down in his chest.

“G-Get away…!”

He shrieked, clamping both hands over those infuriating lips like a pair of tongs, determined to keep him from coming any closer.

“You—! You keep pulling these sneaky tricks…!”

Flustered, Saewoo panted, glaring at Jibeom, who leaned back ever so slightly, his amber eyes gleaming mischievously.

As Saewoo reluctantly let go of his lips, Jibeom chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.

“So? How was that, sweetheart?”

“…What?”

“Didn’t your blood pressure just shoot up?”

“…….”

Saewoo had completely forgotten.

It hit him then—Jibeom had done all that on purpose, just to mess with him.

“…Ha.”

Realizing the truth, his sky-high blood pressure immediately plummeted.

He was too stunned to even laugh.

Grab.

Before he could recover, Jibeom suddenly took hold of his limp hand.

What now?

Saewoo frowned, staring at him warily.

Surely, the heat from Jibeom’s palm was just his imagination.

“But I’m not just playing around.”

Despite the serious words, Jibeom’s face still carried a smirk, making Saewoo resolve not to fall for it.

“If this isn’t a joke, then what is it?”

He grumbled, trying to pull his hand free, but Jibeom’s grip didn’t budge.

“I can’t do that.”

“Can’t do what?”

“I’m anxious.”

“…Huh?”

The unexpected confession made Saewoo’s eyes widen.

“Because of you.”

“…What are you—”

“It’s to the point where I wonder if I’ve developed anxiety or something.”

“…….”

Saewoo still didn’t get it.

For a moment, he even suspected this was just another prank to lower his blood pressure.

Jibeom would totally do that.

“You really don’t understand?”

Jibeom looked exasperated.

He didn’t seem like he was acting—his face was too serious.

Holding Saewoo’s gaze, he finally spoke, voice unwavering.

“Baek Saewoo. I want to be closer to you.”

“……!”

[Actually, my boyfriend’s place is really close. I just wanted to be as close to him as possible….]

Out of nowhere, Minho’s words surfaced in his mind.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

And just like that, the heart he had just managed to calm down went wild again.

His entire body flushed with heat, a dull ache pressing against his chest.

“Baek Saewoo…?”

Jibeom’s expression stiffened as he noticed the sudden change in him.

Saewoo quickly shook his head, trying to regain composure, but Jibeom must’ve sensed something was wrong—he reached out, gripping Saewoo’s slim shoulders.

“Baek Saewoo! What’s going on—”

“W-Wait… just… a sec….”

Smack!

Without thinking, Saewoo slapped Jibeom’s hands away.

The sound was louder than expected, even startling himself.

He shrank back instinctively.

‘What… What’s happening to me?’

The places Jibeom had touched burned like fire.

It was completely different from when that raccoon hybrid, Junwoo, had touched him.

That time, he’d felt pure discomfort, but now…

Thud.

His racing heartbeat pounded so loudly it drowned out everything else.

Jibeom was saying something, his face filled with concern, but Saewoo couldn’t hear a word.

“Are you okay? Do you feel sick? Is this low blood pressure or something? Baek Saewoo!”

Jibeom hesitated to touch him again but bombarded him with worried questions.

“…….”

Meanwhile, Saewoo could only stare at him blankly.

His gaze fixated on Jibeom’s face, lingering on his lips—lips that, under normal circumstances, were just healthily pink but now, after eating ramen, had turned a deep, ripe strawberry red.

‘…Yeah. I bet they’d taste just as sweet as strawberries….’

Saewoo’s eyelids slowly drooped as he spaced out, lost in thought.

He took a deep breath through his nose—sniff—and caught a sweet scent.

It wasn’t the distinct smell of a beast.

It was the pleasant fragrance he had recently come to associate with Jibeom.

‘Ah… what do I do? I… I really, really….’

[ I want to lay eggs. ]

Snap.

The moment he heard his own voice from somewhere, Saewoo’s eyes flew open.

Even before he could process the meaning of those words, his vision was filled with Jibeom’s face, making him jolt in shock once more.

“What’s with you? Finally coming to your senses?”

“Ugh—!”

Letting out a sharp scream, Saewoo bolted upright.

Quickly piecing together the situation, he scrambled away from Jibeom and shouted in a panic.

“If… If you’re done eating, you should go now!”

“What?”

“Go! Just go!”

At Saewoo’s near-hysterical outburst, Jibeom’s eyes widened slightly before he stood up, as if understanding something.

“I’m a guest who even cooked ramen for you. And you’re just kicking me out like this?”

“Ugh… It’s just that… I’m not feeling well….”

Feeling guilty, Saewoo mumbled an apology under his breath.

But even as he spoke, he kept inching backward, trying to escape Jibeom’s scent.

Jibeom, who had been standing still, suddenly stiffened as he watched Saewoo.

“…You’re being too much.”

“I-I’m sorry….”

Saewoo knew full well that he shouldn’t treat Jibeom like this—especially after all he’d done, not just cooking ramen but taking care of him all this time.

But all he could think about was how dangerous it was to be alone with Jibeom right now.

“Fine, I’ll go. But if you’re really feeling sick—”

“I’m fine! Totally fine! So just go for today…!”

The moment Jibeom took a step closer, Saewoo frantically clung to the refrigerator beside him and practically screeched.

His entire face was drenched in sweat.

Jibeom hesitated in place for a moment before silently turning around.

“…Alright. Lock the door properly.”

“Y-Yeah… I will.”

Without another word, Jibeom strode toward the entrance, pulled open the door, and left.

“Hahh… Haaah….”

Thud.

The moment the door shut behind him, Saewoo’s legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the floor.

* * *