* * *

Once they reached the bathtub, Doyoung shouted in protest.

Beom Sinje merely looked down at him, bending over slightly.

“Are you sure you can wash by yourself?”

“Of course, I can!”

He didn’t have the heart to refuse at this point, and his mind had cleared enough from the shock.

After hesitantly pushing Beom Sinje out of the bathroom, Doyoung let out a breath and slid into the tub, feeling drained.

“Good grief… all this from one phone call.”

He sighed, only to feel something crinkling in his pocket.

Reaching inside, he pulled out a small packet of pills Sarah had given him.

“These don’t exactly boost stamina, do they…”

Regretting not asking for something like that as well, Doyoung shook off his exhaustion and stood up.

Slowly, he took off his clothes and immersed himself in the warm water, his mind growing clearer.

His gaze drifted to the pills he’d set aside to keep dry.

With Beom Sinje outside, now seemed like the best time to take them without getting caught.

After drying off, Doyoung tore open the packet and took two capsules, swallowing them with the help of the shower’s running water.

Psychic power would’ve been nice, but it wasn’t what he needed right now.

What he wanted was the special ability he’d hidden away all this time.

‘To help Beom Sinje from now on, I’ll need it.’

Clenching and then relaxing his fists, Doyoung finished his shower and tucked the pills deep into a shelf before stepping out.

“Ah!”

There he was, Beom Sinje, standing like a statue outside the door.

Startled, Doyoung almost gasped.

“Why are you standing there?”

“You were in there for so long, I thought you’d lost consciousness.”

“Oh… I was just trying to clear my head a bit.”

“Feeling better?”

As if he’d been that drunk.

Though he thought that, Doyoung just nodded, knowing it wouldn’t make Beom Sinje leave without further argument.

“Here, take this.”

Beom Sinje handed him a hangover drink.

Feeling a bit like he was being treated as an alcoholic, he took it and drank without complaint.

“Do you feel up to visiting my mother tomorrow?”

“Is your schedule clear?”

“Yes, I’ve taken care of the busy stuff.”

Since he saw no reason to refuse, Doyoung nodded, setting their plans for the next day.

After waking at around the same time and having breakfast, Doyoung exchanged a few work emails with ATE Pharmaceuticals while Beom Sinje handled some of his own tasks.

In the underground parking lot, Beom Sinje led him to a car he’d never seen before.

“Not going with Mr. Park today?”

“No, I’m driving.”

“You have a license?”

Doyoung vaguely remembered that Beom Sinje hadn’t had time to study for it with everything going on after turning eighteen.

But Beom Sinje just nodded indifferently.

“I got it recently.”

“So you’re still a newbie, huh?”

Why was he saying that so confidently?

Doyoung, a bit skeptical, moved to the driver’s seat.

“Hyung?”

“I’ll drive. You can take the passenger seat.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Hey, as much as I trust you, driving isn’t one of the things I trust you with.”

Just as he was about to open the door, Beom Sinje blocked his way with a long arm.

When Doyoung looked up, he met Beom Sinje’s gaze.

“I’ll take you safely. Don’t worry.”

This was shaping up like yesterday.

Doyoung raised an eyebrow in irritation, but also felt a twinge of curiosity—fine, let’s see how he handles it.

He didn’t notice Beom Sinje’s satisfied grin as he got into the passenger seat.

Beom Sinje’s driving was unexpectedly good.

Not just good, but impressively smooth, especially for a beginner.

“Wow… protagonist perks in action.”

It really drove home how the world revolved around Beom Sinje.

Wasn’t he supposed to have at least one weak point?

“What?”

“Annoyingly good driver.”

Beom Sinje glanced over at Doyoung, who was slouched in his seat with his arms crossed, and smirked.

“Thank you.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Beom Sinje’s eyes lingered on Doyoung’s sulking lips before he turned his gaze back to the road, the car picking up speed as it left the city.

“Nice.”

Doyoung’s gaze shifted to the window, admiring the river that stretched out as they exited the highway.

It struck him that this was his first leisurely moment since he’d entered this body.

‘Escaping to a small town wasn’t exactly a vacation.’

Back then, he’d been in rough shape, constantly on edge, only venturing around town out of fear of being discovered.

And before that, he’d been busy adapting to the role of villain Na Doyoung, working to change the organization’s direction, searching for and managing Beom Sinje.

The only places he’d ever gone were dungeons or business trips.

“It’s beautiful scenery.”

Beom Sinje’s calm voice came from the driver’s seat.

“You must’ve been here a few times.”

“Yes.”

His reply was short, almost uninterested.

Then, as if realizing he might seem indifferent, he added,

“I’ve never really looked around because I was always focused on driving.”

“Well, you are still a rookie.”

Doyoung accepted it easily.

With Beom Sinje’s skilled driving, it was easy to forget he’d only just started.

“Yes. But going out with you like this, it’s… I like it.”

Their eyes met briefly, and a faint smile formed on Beom Sinje’s otherwise stoic face.

“Is that so.”

Whether or not Doyoung’s presence really brought him ease, Doyoung just replied vaguely.

“Since we’re out, should we go for a walk?”

“Your mother’s probably waiting, so why the sudden need for a walk?”

“Or, we could stop by that cafe on the way—the one with good bread and coffee.”

As if he were suggesting some date itinerary.

Doyoung sighed, exasperated, and suddenly remembered he’d come empty-handed.

Well, even if he’d been in a hurry, he should’ve thought of that.

“Fine. Let’s stop by the cafe for a bit.”

He didn’t bother saying it was to pick up something for her; Beom Sinje would probably handle it anyway.

Just as they entered the cafe, they were met with a murmur of surprise.

“Oh my god, that’s Hunter Beom Sinje!”

“It’s the first time I’m seeing the Cheonho Guild leader in person!”

“Unbelievable! Can we get a picture?”

Doyoung hadn’t realized how popular Beom Sinje was—or maybe he’d just overlooked how big and well-known this cafe was.

The place was packed, and as soon as people spotted Beom Sinje, they gathered around, eyes wide with awe.

“Hyung, this way.”

Doyoung was flustered, but he let himself be pulled along by the steady hand on his arm.

“Wow… you’re really famous.”

They barely managed to escape into a back room labeled “Private Reservation.”

Doyoung muttered, and Beom Sinje looked at him apologetically, his eyebrows furrowing.

“I didn’t know this place would be so crowded. I’d only seen it from outside in passing.”

“So, what do you plan to do now?”

Even in this moment, Doyoung found himself thinking that Beom Sinje looked annoyingly handsome.

He sighed.

“Hyung, just wait here a moment. I’ll go buy the food.”

“Those people outside are here because of you. What do you think will happen if you go out?”

“Ah…”

Does he really not get it?

“Stay put. I’ll go. What do you want to drink? Don’t say ‘whatever.’”

Beom Sinje paused for a second, then gave a slight smile.

“I’ll have an iced Americano.”

“Got it.”

A strong character should go for a strong coffee.

* * *