* * *

Beom Sinje froze as he was about to carry a large bowl, momentarily stunned by Doyoung’s offhanded comment.

His expression stayed neutral, but his eyes seemed to flicker with surprise.

“Sometimes he just acts so young,” thought Doyoung, amused, finding it oddly endearing.

Sinje placed a steaming bowl in front of him.

“I don’t think so,” he replied. “Anyway, eat up.”

“Thanks,” Doyoung replied, not hesitating as he took a bite of the warm, neatly arranged porridge.

The taste stirred his appetite even more.

“Every time you see those ideal type talks on TV or the internet, they always seem to mention it, right? Like, an ideal man is one who cooks well, is kind, and family-oriented.”

“Honestly, I don’t think that’s something anyone has ever said about me,” Sinje replied.

“Why would they say that? I mean, as an S-class hunter and guild master at your age, you’re obviously competent, good-looking. It’s more likely your impression, no?”

With a slight tilt of his head, Doyoung looked questioningly at Sinje as he took another spoonful, only to pause at Sinje’s next question.

“What about you, Hyung?”

“Hm?”

“What kind of person am I to you?”

Doyoung took a big spoonful, savoring the warm, subtly sweet flavor as it melted in his mouth, the comforting warmth spreading through him.

He glanced at Sinje.

It reminded him of when they first met, so different from the dignified guild leader before him.

Back then, he’d been as disheveled as a Cinderella in rags.

But after he’d fed, dressed, and cleaned him up, that scrawny young man had transformed, now the proud head of one of the most respected guilds.

Doyoung felt a sense of pride, finally answering.

“How could you be anything but impressive? You’ve got the looks, and you’re so well-positioned for your age—it’s hard not to admire that.”

At Doyoung’s words, Sinje seemed to turn to stone, his gaze fixed, unblinking.

“Do you really mean that?”

How long had he been holding his breath? His voice sounded softer, lower.

“Of course. I mean, it’s a risky job, but you’re definitely appealing enough to stand out on your own. Have some confidence.”

For once, Sinje broke into a rare smile.

“Geez,” thought Doyoung, “he’s even better-looking when he smiles.”

With that, he resumed eating, noticing how Sinje’s eyes hadn’t left him.

He felt a slight warmth, knowing his words must have been encouraging.

Then, Sinje suddenly asked, “Hyung, what kind of person do you like?”

“Huh?”

“Who are you interested in?”

It was only then that Doyoung realized he had misunderstood Sinje’s question.

“Ha, for a moment there, I thought he was asking if I was interested in someone.”

Not that it would be out of place in this conversation, but somehow, discussing ideal types with Sinje felt surreal.

He looked up at Sinje, who sat quietly across from him.

Who am I interested in these days?

The person in front of me, without a doubt.

Talented, attractive, with a quietly tragic backstory.

In the novel, Sinje had been fascinating enough as a character, but meeting him in person had made Doyoung’s heart race.

“And…?” Sinje prompted, his curiosity piqued.

Doyoung gave a little shrug.

“Lately, my main interest is just one thing.”

As proud as he felt watching him now, Doyoung wasn’t about to confess his thoughts aloud.

“It’s kind of embarrassing.”

To admit he’d become Sinje’s fan… How would he even respond?

So, Doyoung tried to divert the topic.

Since Sinje was giving him an expectant look, Doyoung took his chance.

“I’m just wondering when you’re going to take me back to my original place.”

The mood, which had softened, immediately cooled.

Doyoung could sense it.

Sinje’s expression shifted in an instant.

“Ah, he’s still so young.”

The kid wore his heart on his sleeve, especially for a former villain like Doyoung.

“No matter how many times I say it, it feels like a waste of breath, but I’ll say it again. Look at me—I’m frail.”

Doyoung emphasized his bony arms and shoulders, hoping Sinje would understand his point.

“But after a few days of running around thanks to you, I’m really exhausted. Standing by your side only makes things worse. To take care of myself, I think a quieter place is best.”

The pleading look in his eyes made his meaning clear: please, let me go.

Sinje crossed his arms, staring him down with a slight, mysterious smile on his face.

“And yet, the doctor said you’ve got two abilities. Telekinesis and… enhancement?”

Doyoung froze.

He had an inkling his abilities might come to light during their long and thorough tests, but the timing was a bit too soon.

“I thought you were just an intelligent Esper,” Sinje continued, “but it turns out you’ve got a very different set of skills. Do you know what I thought when I heard?”

Sinje’s cold stare drilled into him.

“You’re like an onion.”

A deep sigh followed.

“No matter how many layers I peel, there’s always something new beneath.”

Doyoung couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty at the way Sinje’s words pricked his conscience.

“How could I let someone like that live alone?”

He couldn’t argue with that.

It reminded him too much of the tone when Sinje insisted he return to work.

“So, what now?”

He couldn’t help the bitterness in his voice.

Old villains don’t go down without a fight.

“We’ll live together from now on, so keep that in mind.”

That remark wiped the expression from Doyoung’s face.

“…What?”

“You’re right. Leaving someone unwell on their own isn’t safe. From now on, I’ll stay, eat, and live with you. Don’t worry.”

This wasn’t what Doyoung wanted at all.

He tried to refuse, but Sinje didn’t let him.

“You won’t refuse, right? You did say you’d do as I wished.”

Sinje used his own words against him, sealing the deal.

What should he call this?

Digging his own grave?

Or biting off more than he could chew?

“Hah…”

One thing was for sure—Doyoung found himself completely bewildered by the situation.

He watched in a daze as people entered his home, carrying and rearranging furniture and belongings.

“What is all this?”

Less than half an hour after Sinje’s declaration, Doyoung had received a call from Park Chanoh.

‘We’re on our way to move the Guild Master’s belongings upstairs. Try not to be too surprised.’

Doyoung, who was dumbfounded, decided to stand his ground in the living room, wanting to see what was going on.

And then he found himself face-to-face with this very situation.

“The Guild Master has decided to work from home for a while, so we’re setting up a space for him to work,” Park Chanoh explained, warning the staff to be careful not to scratch the desk being brought into the empty room across from Doyoung’s bedroom.

“Working from home?”

“Yes.”

Park Chanoh’s gaze was laden with the unspoken question: ‘Don’t you know why this is happening?’

‘Right. Looks like Beom Sinje must have had his reasons.’

Doyoung couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt.

After boldly declaring they would live together, Beom Sinje had gone as far as to work here, causing such a commotion and inconveniencing others in the process.

“And where is the Guild Master right now?”

The one who’d caused this whole situation, however, was nowhere to be seen.

“Oh, he’s attending a meeting for the Argentina delegation,” Park Chanoh replied.

“Ah, right…”

Doyoung nodded, as he had heard about this before. But a bit of curiosity crept in.

“Will the Guild Master also be going?”

He asked, sounding a little hopeful, but Park Chanoh shook his head.

“No. It’s just wrap-up work, so there’s no need for the Guild Master to go. Team Leader Yeo Giwon and eighteen others will be participating.”

Though slightly disappointed, Doyoung was somewhat relieved to hear that Yeo Giwon would be attending.

While not quite to the level of Beom Sinje, Yeo Giwon was also someone Doyoung kept an eye on.

“Then, when will the Guild Master be back?”

At this question, Park Chanoh cast him a meaningful glance.

‘What’s with that look?’

Wondering if something was amiss, Doyoung turned to look behind him, but there was nothing out of the ordinary.

“Rather than asking me, could you maybe contact the secretary? As you can see, I’m a bit busy right now,” Park Chanoh said, his tone sounding almost like a plea.

Feeling a prick of conscience, Doyoung quickly apologized. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

Come to think of it, Chanoh was up here doing all this work because of him and Beom Sinje.

“No worries. It’s not like it’s your fault,” Park Chanoh replied.

Then, as if this was his chance, he cautiously continued, “By the way, since we’re on the topic, may I ask you something?”

“Of course, go ahead.”

If it wasn’t anything troublesome, Doyoung was willing to listen, especially since Chanoh was working so hard.

He watched him expectantly, and Chanoh’s gaze wandered briefly around the house.

“I’ve actually been really curious for a while now… How do you know the Guild Master, exactly?”

Then, as if realizing that wasn’t quite the right question, he rephrased it.

“No, more than that… why is he doing all this?”

For some reason, Doyoung found himself unable to answer right away.

In that moment, he felt an uncharacteristic curiosity as well.

‘What exactly is my relationship with Beom Sinje? And why is he doing this?’

One thing he did know: it was because he didn’t trust him.

But as for the rest… that, he couldn’t figure out.

Was that really a good enough reason for him to go as far as working from home just to keep an eye on him?

“Well…”

Under the pressure of Chanoh’s pleading eyes, he opened his mouth, but he really had nothing to offer by way of an answer.

While he was struggling to think of an excuse, Park Chanoh’s phone rang, offering a timely distraction.

Checking the caller ID, he gave Doyoung an apologetic look before answering.

“Yes, this is Park Chanoh. The Guild Master is likely in a meeting right now. I’m currently out for another engagement… The secretary?”

‘Are they asking for me?’ Doyoung wondered.

Park Chanoh glanced at him briefly before continuing.

“No, I don’t think he’ll be able to greet them in person… Who’s coming, did you say? ATE Pharmaceuticals?”

At the mention of that name, Doyoung’s eyes turned icy.

* * *