* * *
The way Beom Sinje rolled the sensitive bud between his thumb and index finger sent tingling sparks through his body.
It was just a part of his body before.
But now, if someone touched it, he reacted.
After teasing him a few more times, Beom Sinje’s hand trailed downward again, brushing over Doyoung’s trembling waist.
The gentle yet ticklish touch made him want to laugh, even in the midst of their kiss.
“What?”
Beom Sinje pulled back slightly, tilting his head in confusion.
“Nothing. I just… like this.”
Doyoung spoke honestly, feeling like it was okay to do so at this moment.
At that, Beom Sinje’s lips curled into a smile.
“Me too.”
His usually sharp expression softened at just those words, a sight that only Doyoung got to see.
That made it even more satisfying.
This time, Doyoung was the one to lean in first.
Beom Sinje didn’t hesitate—he immediately pressed their lips together again.
The kiss was deeper, more passionate, and undeniably raw.
The friction of their tongues rubbing, sucking, and tangling filled the space between them with heat.
Only after thoroughly exploring each other’s mouths did they finally part.
“Ha… This wasn’t why I called you here.”
Doyoung ran his fingers through Beom Sinje’s hair, rubbing at the nape of his neck and the edge of his ear as he sighed.
Beom Sinje, seeming just as reluctant to end things, kissed Doyoung’s fingertips before trailing soft pecks along his jaw, nose, and cheek.
“My bad.”
“I wasn’t asking for an apology.”
It wasn’t like Beom Sinje had forced him.
If anything, Doyoung had gone along with it, had even responded more eagerly toward the end.
“It felt good.”
So he chose to be honest.
Beom Sinje’s eyes widened briefly before curving into a fond smile.
“Me too.”
And then, he kissed him again.
Before things could escalate further, Doyoung lifted his hands to push him away.
But to his surprise, Beom Sinje pulled back first this time.
“So, what did you want to talk about?”
Since he was finally asking about the actual reason, Doyoung spoke up.
“I want you to set up a space where Kim Jinsoo can develop weapons.”
“Weapon development?”
“Yeah. He’s come up with some seriously useful designs. If given the chance, he could start making practical weapons right away.”
“Hmm… That’s true.”
Having regained most of his lost memories from the research facility, Beom Sinje was well aware of Kim Jinsoo’s exceptional talent for weapon design.
He had no reason to oppose the idea.
“If his inventions get out there, they’ll be a huge asset to hunters. So make sure he gets full support.”
“That’s fine and all, but…” Beom Sinje’s expression darkened slightly. “Why do you care so much about Kim Jinsoo?”
He didn’t like how Doyoung kept paying attention to someone other than him.
Now that he thought about it, it had always been like this.
From his former subordinates in Antithesis to Kim Jinsoo, there were always too many people receiving Doyoung’s concern.
“What? Are you jealous?”
“Yes.”
Doyoung had only meant it as a joke, but Beom Sinje answered immediately.
His lips twitched in surprise.
“Don’t laugh. I’m serious.”
Beom Sinje grumbled, as if he had already caught on.
Finding him adorable, Doyoung couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Me? You really want to entrust something like that to me?”
Kim Jinsoo blinked in disbelief. He was having a hard time accepting that what he had just heard was real.
“You’re really letting me take part in weapon development?”
It sounded like a dream.
“Why? You don’t want to?”
“No! Not at all! It’s just… I’m still new here, and my skills haven’t been fully verified yet.”
Kim Jinsoo had dreamed of this for a long time—once he gained enough experience, he wanted to shift to research and development, creating weapons that would help hunters.
But after joining the government organization, he’d started doubting whether he’d ever get that chance.
Research labs dedicated to weapon development were scarce, and with limited budgets, importing foreign weapons had become more common than producing new ones.
“Of course, you can. And there’s something you seem to misunderstand, Kim Jinsoo.”
As Doyoung added a condition, Jinsoo nodded to himself, thinking, ‘Of course.’
There was no way they’d expect something grand from a rookie like him—someone with no proper education or experience.
“What I mean is that you’ll be conducting your own independent research, Hunter Jinsoo. You won’t be joining another team.”
“…What?”
“Wouldn’t that be more convenient? You won’t have to worry about anyone else and can work freely.”
“Uh……”
Well, that was true. But… was that really okay?
Jinsoo was more aware than anyone else that he lacked experience and had yet to achieve anything significant.
Without realizing it, he stole a glance at Beom Sinje, who stood like a statue beside Doyoung.
The guild master didn’t say anything, which meant he wasn’t particularly opposed to the idea.
In fact, when their eyes met, he even gave a small nod, as if telling him to do as he pleased.
“…I can really do whatever I want?”
Doyoung smiled and nodded.
“Yes. If you need anything—money, people, materials—just let me know. I’ll provide full support.”
“But… weapon development requires a massive budget. And I don’t even know how long it’ll take.”
“You already have some ideas, don’t you?”
At Doyoung’s subtle probing, Jinsoo’s eyes gleamed.
“I do. It might look a little rough, but if I build it, the performance should be solid…”
He quickly pulled out his tablet and handed it over.
This was the first time someone had shown genuine interest in his ideas, making him feel both thrilled and a little nervous.
Doyoung studied the blueprints and 3D-rendered models on the screen.
He had only ever imagined these weapons in text, but seeing them visualized made him even more excited.
“Here.”
After scanning through them, he handed the tablet over to Beom Sinje, who had been quietly standing nearby.
Jinsoo tensed up even more than when Doyoung had been examining his work.
As Beom Sinje gave the screen a cursory glance, Jinsoo unconsciously gulped.
This was somehow more nerve-wracking than an interview.
“…It’s better than I expected.”
At last, a positive remark came from the guild master’s mouth.
“Hah-wuah…”
A strange noise escaped from Jinsoo in response.
Beom Sinje turned his gaze to Doyoung, who now looked noticeably more at ease.
Sensing the stare, Doyoung turned to him.
“What?”
“Are you done with everything?”
“Well, for today, yeah.”
The issues on the internet weren’t something that could be resolved immediately.
For now, all he had to do was discuss weapon development with Jinsoo.
When he nodded, Beom Sinje spoke again, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“Then, how about a drive?”
“…A drive?”
The sudden suggestion made Doyoung tilt his head in confusion.
“Yes. The weather’s nice.”
At those words, Doyoung turned to look out the window.
As Beom Sinje had said, the sky was clear and blue, with a few white clouds scattered about.
As he gazed at the scenery, a realization struck him.
“…Sure.”
Since they started dating, they hadn’t spent much personal time together.
“Let’s go on a date.”
* * *
