I may be a sick Sparrow, but I am still the Landlord chapter 9

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It was different from when he had been shoveling down kimbap out of sheer hunger.

The tea was so unexpectedly delicious that it made him wonder if Jibeom had slipped something into it.

It reminded him of the yuzu tea his mother used to make every spring.

“…”

A sudden wave of sadness hit him, and tears welled in his eyes.

If Jibeom hadn’t been sitting beside him, he might have broken down crying right then and there.

“I thought birds liked fruits and flowers, so I tried spraying it… Guess not.”

“Huh?”

As Saewoo fought back tears, Jibeom mumbled to himself.

When Saewoo looked up, Jibeom just shrugged, as if it was nothing.

The tips of his ears were slightly red—he must have scrubbed them with the wet wipes earlier.

“So, you own a building, right?”

The question caught Saewoo off guard.

He didn’t bother asking how Jibeom knew; it wasn’t exactly a secret.

After all, once they had introduced themselves, it wouldn’t have taken much digging to find out.

Given the way people gossiped, the rumors about him had probably spread far and wide already.

Seeing that Saewoo didn’t respond, Jibeom grinned and continued, “The real estate agent said you bought a building.”

“That bastard…! Do you know where that scammer is?!”

Before Jibeom could finish his sentence, Saewoo dropped his kimbap and shouted.

He thought the scammer had fled without a trace, but this sounded like a lead.

With hope rekindled, Saewo’s eyes sparkled as he stared at Jibeom.

“Curious?”

Jibeom smirked and plucked a stray grain of rice from Saewo’s lips, popping it into his mouth.

“Yes! If I just knew where he was…”

“Come with me.”

With that, Jibeom stood up and walked out of the store without another word.

“He could’ve just told me the contact info… Where is he even going?”

Despite his misgivings, Saewoo found himself following Jibeom.

Was it really wise to chase after this eccentric guy after everything he had gone through that day?

But then, he glanced at the citron tea Jibeom had given him, and his resolve wavered.

“Just… Just one more check. That’s it.”

Yeah, he’d just follow him for today, and if Jibeom tried anything suspicious, he could always turn into a bird and fly away.

With that thought, Saewoo downed the rest of the tea and left the store.

---

“Uh… I don’t think I want to ride.”

A sleek black sedan, the same one Saewoo had ridden once before, was waiting right outside.

Jibeom stood by, holding the door open for him.

“Okay. Let’s walk, then.”

Sensing Saewo’s hesitation, Jibeom slammed the door shut and shrugged on a navy jacket.

If Jibeom had insisted, Saewoo would’ve bolted, but thankfully, that wasn’t necessary.

“This way.”

Jibeom walked ahead, about three steps in front of Saewoo.

His pace wasn’t fast, but his long legs made it hard for Saewoo to keep up.

‘Am I just short…? No, I’m perfectly normal.’

Saewo tried to rationalize it, but it felt exactly like that old saying: “A wagtail trying to follow a stork only tears its legs.”

Thud.

“Ah!”

Suddenly, Jibeom stopped, and Saewo, not paying attention, bumped his head against Jibeom’s broad back.

Before Saewoo could react, Jibeom slipped off his jacket and draped it over Saewo’s shoulders.

“I’m too hot.”

The oversized jacket wrapped around Saewo’s small frame, carrying the distinct scent of a black panther shapeshifter.

It wasn’t unpleasant, but the sheer size of the jacket made Saewoo feel awkward.

“I’m fine, really.”

“Just wear it.”

“I said I’m fine…”

“Want me to carry you?”

“…”

At that, Jibeom’s golden eyes glinted with a mischievous spark, and Saewoo went stiff, unable to argue further.

He knew from experience that Jibeom wasn’t just making empty threats.

“I’m not going to eat you.”

“W-What?”

Reading Saewo’s thoughts, Jibeom smirked and resumed walking.

‘What’s with this guy…?’

He hummed a tune, completely oblivious to whether it made any sense or not.

‘It’s warm…’

Maybe it was because of the jacket.

His body, which had been shivering earlier, gradually felt warmer.

He’d rushed out without even grabbing a coat in the frenzy, but just having the jacket draped over him made the tension in his body melt away.

Sniff, sniff.

‘…Not bad.’

Surprisingly, the jacket Jibeom had worn didn’t reek of strong cologne. Instead, it carried Jibeom’s scent. It wasn’t exactly pleasant—like the scent of a predator—but oddly enough, it felt reassuring, almost protective.

Like a shielded garment against danger.

If anyone passed by now, they wouldn’t be able to tell whether Saewoo was a harmless passerby or a predator himself.

“There, that’s the place.”

Just when Saewoo thought they’d walked far enough, Jibeom pointed to a building down an alleyway.

“Just ten more steps. Though, for you, maybe twenty.”

“…”

Hearing Jibeom chuckle at his own joke, Saewoo felt a twinge of annoyance.

Annoyed, he took larger strides, stomping ahead of Jibeom, who burst into hearty laughter behind him.

‘What the hell is so funny?’

Just as Saewoo’s cheeks started to flush with embarrassment, Jibeom caught up and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Before Saewoo could react, Jibeom effortlessly lifted him and set him down in front of a door.

“This is it.”

“This… is it?”

Saewoo blinked.

Instead of a real estate office or some shady hideout, they stood before a shabby dumpling stew shop.

‘Dumpling stew…? Isn’t this just a restaurant?’

The rusty, faded sign only added to his confusion.

‘Don’t tell me… are we going to be steamed like dumplings?’

Remembering Jibeom’s earlier mention of kimchi dumplings, Saewoo felt a cold chill run down his spine.

Creeeak.

While Saewoo stood stiff with suspicion, Jibeom slid open the door and walked inside.

The place was bustling with people, including several other beastfolk.

“What are you waiting for? Come in.”

Without another word, Jibeom maneuvered through the crowd with ease, leaving Saewoo with no choice but to follow.

“Uh, wait… let’s go together…”

Though Saewoo was worried about getting lost in the crowd, Jibeom somehow stayed within sight the whole time.

“This way.”

Jibeom grabbed Saewoo’s hand and led him to a quieter area.

Unlike the front, which had tables and chairs, the back room was a cozy ondol (heated floor) space.

Jibeom slipped off his shoes and entered, engaging in a quick conversation with the owner near the kitchen.

“Jibeom! Long time no see. I’ll set the table real quick. Sit over there.”

“Everything I asked for is ready, right?”

“Of course! It’s all set. Go sit down and relax.”

The elderly owner waved Jibeom off, urging him to settle in.

Jibeom turned toward Saewoo, catching his gaze as Saewoo stood there, unsure of what to do.

He gave Saewoo a playful grin.

“This room’s the warmest. Come on in.”

“…”

Reluctantly, Saewoo took off his shoes and entered the room.

The heat embraced him instantly.

The walls and ceiling, coated with clay, gave off a faint earthy smell that mixed with the cozy warmth of the room.

“Birds like places that feel like nests, right?”

“Huh?”

Jibeom tossed two cushions onto the floor for Saewoo, though it didn’t seem like he was expecting an answer.

Saewoo picked up one of the cushions and put it back in the corner.

Jibeom blinked in surprise.

“Why’d you put it back?”

“One’s enough.”

“These cushions have no padding. I told the old man to buy better ones, but he’s so stingy. Wouldn’t two be more comfortable?”

Saewoo felt an unexpected pang of emotion.

“I may be short, but one is fine.”

“Wait, what? No, that’s not what I meant…”

“…?”

If that wasn’t what he meant, then why did he think Saewoo needed two cushions?

Saewoo stared at Jibeom, puzzled.

Then, he noticed Jibeom’s gaze slowly drift downward—toward his backside.

“…I just thought it might be more comfortable. My, uh… mine’s pretty big, you know.”

Jibeom’s expression wavered between awkwardness and smugness.

‘What… What is he talking about? What’s big…?’

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