I may be a sick Sparrow, but I am still the Landlord chapter 28

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“Feel free to contact me anytime if you need help, Saewoo.”

“Ah… thank you.”

Before leaving with Jibeom, Baekseol handed Saewoo a business card, which had her title and the name of her restaurant printed on it: President Jo Baekseol.

Saewoo quickly saved her contact on his phone and followed Jibeom outside.

“Did that lady spout any nonsense?”

Lady? Technically, it wasn’t wrong to call her that since she was married, but it didn’t quite match Baekseol’s ethereal beauty.

That’s why Jibeom’s dismissive tone bothered him.

“…I actually found it really meaningful. I learned a lot, things I hadn’t known before.”

At Saewoo’s unexpectedly firm response, Jibeom raised an eyebrow.

“Really? If she mentioned anything about me, just ignore it. It’s all nonsense.”

“…”

Saewoo had thought they’d be close since they looked so much alike, but it seemed they were actually more like rivals.

“What’s with you? Not answering?”

When Saewoo didn’t respond, Jibeom stopped walking, matching his pace to Saewoo’s with a slight frown.

Saewoo only smiled faintly and changed the subject.

“More importantly… there’s something I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“I was just wondering… It seemed like Baekseol was able to get along with the tiger beastmen quite well. Has it always been like that?”

Having never seen anything like this in the story he was now part of, he asked in hopes of understanding.

“Not quite.”

“Oh, is it the scent thing?”

“Oh, well… not entirely, but…”

He was curious about that too.

As a bird beastman, the scent of predators was almost unbearable to him, so he found it surprising how Baekseol, a swan, could live so comfortably among them.

“It’s because of her.”

“Really?”

“I don’t like it myself, but for some reason, the Tiger Leader practically worships her. He won’t tolerate anything that bothers her, so any tigers who don’t get along with her tend to end up working under me.”

Hearing this explanation left Saewoo wide-eyed in surprise.

“So… you actually took all those people in?”

“They had nowhere else to go, so what choice did I have? You know predator beastmen are limited in the jobs they can do. Ugh… it’s exhausting. Do I look like some employment agency that’ll take in anyone?”

“…”

Despite his grumbling, Saewoo could tell that Jibeom had likely accepted all those homeless tiger beastmen.

And he now understood why Jibeom’s relationship with Baekseol wasn’t so friendly.

Jibeom continued to mutter complaints about Baekseol, but Saewoo could tell it was all rooted in the unfair accusations faced by the tigers under him.

“Pfft.”

Saewoo couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“Pfft?”

Jibeom’s eyebrow shot up.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh… nothing at all.”

“Nothing? Come on, tell me. What’s so funny?”

“It’s really… pfft, nothing…”

Even as he said this, Saewoo couldn’t wipe the smile from his face.

It was impossible to hide the fact that Jibeom seemed like a different person from the one he’d first met.

He finally realized this change wasn’t due to Jibeom, but rather, to his own shifting feelings.

“What is it? Laughing for no reason?”

Jibeom’s expression turned fierce, which was a bit intimidating, given his predator aura.

In the past, Saewoo might’ve been frightened and considered flying away, but now he just found himself amused.

“By the way… it’s gotten so late. Haven’t you eaten yet?”

Ignoring Jibeom’s question, Saewoo changed the topic.

Rather than pushing further, Jibeom started walking beside him again.

“Worry about yourself. You barely ate anything earlier, just a tiny bit.”

Jibeom often seemed to forget Saewoo was a sparrow beastman, constantly grumbling about how little he ate.

Oddly enough, Saewoo didn’t mind this attention.

“I’m fine, but I think you might…”

Just then, as they were crossing a bridge by the river, a cold wind whipped past them, strong enough to make Jibeom’s heavy coat flap.

“Oh…!”

Saewoo stumbled, and Jibeom quickly reached out, catching his slim waist as the wind pressed in on them, drawing them closer.

“See? You almost got blown away because you don’t eat enough.”

“…”

Being so close that he could smell Jibeom’s scent, Saewoo’s face flushed.

“Thank you… ah.”

As he tried to pull away, something caught his eye.

A full moon was rising in the night sky, large and luminous, shining over Jibeom’s broad shoulder.

“Oh… the full moon.”

Jibeom noticed his gaze and tilted his head, his profile coming into focus in Saewoo’s eyes.

He realized Jibeom’s nose was quite prominent.

“Jibeom… aren’t you hungry?”

Staring at the full moon partially hidden by Jibeom’s face, Saewoo asked.

“I am. But there’s a special way to satisfy hunger on a full moon night.”

Saewoo turned his head back to look at Jibeom, who now seemed serious, with golden eyes holding a hint of intensity instead of their usual playfulness.

Caught off guard, Saewoo thought his eyes were truly beautiful, then quickly snapped himself out of it.

“A way to fill your stomach on a full moon night…?”

Yeah, right.

He knew Jibeom was definitely up to something strange again.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you curious about what kind of method it is?” Jibeom asked, noticing Saewoo’s suspicious stare.

Saewoo, not saying a word, gripped Jibeom’s firm arm tightly.

“Fine. We’ll settle with this for tonight!”

“What…?”

With a loud exclamation, Saewoo stood on his tiptoes.

The height difference was still too much, so he reached up, tugged Jibeom’s coat collar, and pulled him down closer.

Just then… Saewoo closed his eyes and lifted his head, pressing his lips firmly against Jibeom’s.

Softly.

The small, soft kiss pressed against Jibeom’s lips, and his gaze shifted.

Wrapping his arms around Saewoo’s waist, Jibeom gently bit down on Saewoo’s lower lip, pulling it slightly into his mouth.

“Mmm…!”

Saewoo let out a small sound, vulnerable to the stimulation, and parted his lips, allowing Jibeom to slip his tongue inside, exploring.

Warm breaths mingled between them, carrying a faintly sweet scent, maybe from the pumpkin drink Saewoo had earlier.

Jibeom smirked, savoring the taste as he leisurely explored the warmth of Saewoo’s mouth, then finally pulled back.

He wanted to keep going, but Saewoo, flustered, began pounding his shoulder with a small fist.

“Ha… I told you…”

“What? Didn’t like the kiss?”

“No, it’s not that… it’s just… I won’t fall for it again, alright? So… tired…”

Saewoo, cheeks flushed and lips tinged red, panted as he spoke, and Jibeom simply tilted his head as if waiting for more.

Catching his breath, Saewoo finally asked, clinging to Jibeom’s hand.

“…Was that your way to fill up for the night?”

“What?”

Despite Jibeom’s confused reaction, Saewoo put on a triumphant expression.

Jibeom let out a low chuckle at the sight of Saewoo’s smug look, like a naïve little bird who thought it had won.

“You sly little thing.”

“Wha–… Mm!”

Jibeom’s lips captured Saewoo’s again, this time with a force that left no room for gentleness.

A sound of fierce desire filled the room as Jibeom’s kiss grew hungrier, exploring every corner of Saewoo’s mouth, sending him reeling.

“Hngh… W-wait… mmm…!”

With Jibeom showing no intention of slowing down, Saewoo’s eyes brimmed with tears.

Despite his struggle, Jibeom kept up the relentless kiss until Saewoo melted helplessly in his arms.

Finally, he pulled away, and a thin, silver strand stretched between their lips under the moonlight before breaking.

“…That’s what I call a meal. Don’t you think?”

“Ugh…”

Jibeom ran his tongue along his lips, satisfied, and whispered into Saewoo’s ear as he slumped weakly against Jibeom’s shoulder.

Saewoo, overly sensitive from the kiss, shivered and gave a faint nod, knowing that if he wasn’t careful, Jibeom would likely go in for another round.

“Alright then. Now that I’ve eaten well, let’s head back. Only four more times to go, my love.”

“…”

With a look of contentment, Jibeom lifted Saewoo into his arms and began walking leisurely.

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