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    The two walked back to the car along the sidewalk now emptied of exam-takers like an ebbing tide.

    As it turned out, they had both been under different misunderstandings. Woo-jin thought Jae-chan was taking the Intelligence Bureau transfer exam, while Jae-chan assumed Woo-jin knew he was taking the Esper selection test.

    “I wanted to spend as much time as possible with you… that’s why I took the Esper exam.”

    Jae-chan began his explanation.

    He had been contemplating ways to share more time with Woo-jin. Since he couldn’t join E-SOF immediately due to the unfair regulation that only allowed A-class Espers and above, he had been considering options within his reach.

    The first example that came to mind was Han Tae-hoon. Han Tae-hoon was both an S-class Guide and an A-class Esper. Thanks to his high rank, he was automatically assigned to the Esper team and often assisted with field operations as an Esper.

    “When you went to Zone Z for joint training in August, we couldn’t see each other for two weeks, and if you get sent overseas, we might not meet for months. So if I couldn’t accompany you as a Guide, I thought I could at least follow as an Esper. Having connections in different places creates at least one more possibility.”

    Therefore, he never intended to join the Intelligence Bureau. While it was undoubtedly an honorable and meaningful position, joining would clearly mean even more demanding work than now. It was obvious that not only dating time but also time for the ongoing [SUCCESS PROJECT] would decrease. It was a choice where the disadvantages outweigh the benefits.

    “But… I’m sorry for surprising you. I should have explained properly.”

    Jae-chan fretted anxiously and reached out to gently rub Woo-jin’s chest with his palm.

    Covering that hand with his own, Woo-jin felt his scattered thoughts slowly returning. The sensation that usually became clearer when he was with Jae-chan became even more distinct this time. Simultaneously, he realized how incredibly vulnerable he had become when it came to Jae-chan. It was truly ridiculous.

    While Woo-jin stood there momentarily stunned, Jae-chan, thinking his mood hadn’t fully improved, spoke glumly.

    “I could have postponed the exam to next year or the year after.”

    He muttered, wanting to somehow improve Woo-jin’s mood. After all, his lover was currently the top priority in Seon Jae-chan’s life.

    Woo-jin snapped out of his thoughts, forgetting his irritation at his own weak-mindedness.  He quickly stopped Jae-chan.

    “Don’t say that.”

    Woo-jin’s quiet voice continued, saying that important life decisions shouldn’t be made impulsively. Jae-chan, listening intently, furrowed his brows.

    “I guess I was too focused. I just wanted to do my best at everything.”

    The Esper exam wasn’t as competitive as the Guide exam. He only needed to avoid failing subjects, and Jae-chan himself had long since moved past his obsession with rankings and bare meritocracy.

    “Am I becoming more like you? Because I love you.”

    And yet, he’d found himself doing his best, almost as if mimicking Woo-jin’s consistent, silent diligence.

    Suddenly meeting Woo-jin’s eyes, Jae-chan carefully whispered, “I love you.”

    A brief but breathtaking silence followed.

    In the air filled with stillness, Woo-jin’s long eye corners curved slightly. His red lips, forming a gentle curve, opened. Another confession overlapped with Jae-chan’s.

    “I love you too.”

    A low whisper that could melt one’s eardrums.

    Jae-chan’s face instantly flushed at the affectionate voice. He absently rubbed his tingling ears with his palm, carefully examining Woo-jin’s softly relaxed expression.

    “Anyway… I’m really sorry for not explaining properly from the start.”

    He definitely seemed okay now.

    Jae-chan apologized again while contemplating.

    Now he wanted to do more than just smooth things over – he wanted to make his lover happy. After thinking for a moment, Jae-chan spoke up with what he considered a playful joke.

    “As an apology, should I wear a thong tonight? Like Mr. Ted?”

    The moment he heard it, Woo-jin realized Jae-chan was joking. The rounded corners of Jae-chan’s eyes crinkled, and his pupils sparkled mischievously.

    Yes, it was clearly a joke. Woo-jin could have just laughed it off as well, but…

    “…”

    Somehow, no words came out.

    In his mind, he couldn’t help but imagine Jae-chan wearing a thong. While the thong in the B-grade movie was meant as a comic element, and Jae-chan clearly had the same intention, Jae-chan had always been a different genre for him.

    Woo-jin could imagine the thin line diving between the round curves below that recently painfully slim waist. The smooth skin it would cross, and those slender, long legs extending down, always spreading as much as he desired.

    He wanted to see it, even while knowing Jae-chan was feeling awkward.

    ***

    “Um, well then…”

    Jae-chan, clearly flustered with reddened cheeks, quickly feigned enthusiasm, his eyes lighting up with determination. Even without guiding, Woo-jin could easily guess what was going on in his head. Jae-chan was determined to wear it, and if he couldn’t find appropriate underwear in time, he would make it himself.

    Woo-jin sighed at his own greed for not refusing immediately and pulled Jae-chan’s shoulders into an embrace.

    “…Then.”

    He repeated Jae-chan’s words. Holding back what he really wanted to say, he offered a compromise.

    “Don’t wear anything underneath.”

    Jae-chan nodded at this suggestion, which seemed much easier to accept than a thong. Woo-jin pulled him close, embracing his warmly heated body. He gently pressed his lips against those that often whispered love to him.

    *

    No underwear instead of a thong. No, actually it was better without any underwear… but still…

    In front of the Guide Bureau’s back door, Jae-chan was waiting for Woo-jin while awkwardly touching his damp hair ends. He had rushed to the public bathroom right after finishing work, showering in just 5 minutes before dashing out. As Woo-jin had asked, he wore nothing underneath.

    Just as he was grimacing at the strange empty sensation below, Jae-chan spotted the classic car entering the back parking lot. He immediately forgot his discomfort and ran over.

    “Did you shower?”

    Woo-jin asked immediately upon noticing the wet hair as Jae-chan got in the car.

    Jae-chan rolled his eyes before nodding sheepishly. It was all because of not wearing underwear. He had hurriedly used the shower because he knew Woo-jin would try to touch him without letting him clean up first, but somehow he felt like he was the pervert here.

    Not wanting to explain all this in detail, Jae-chan shrugged with a ‘well, I guess I am the pervert’ mindset. At the same moment, he noticed the fresh scent hitting his nose. In the bluish early evening darkness, Woo-jin’s cheeks held a refreshing coolness.

    “…Did you shower too?”

    “Yes.”

    Woo-jin answered. His voice was as serene as the early evening.

    “To look good for you.”

    For a moment, it reminded Jae-chan of something Woo-jin had said while having his photo taken – that playful voice saying he tried to look more handsome in front of him.

    As usual after showering, Woo-jin had his hair down naturally. Under the rich, well-textured hair that flowed down in soft lines, dark eyes containing both calm and passionate light gazed directly at Jae-chan.

    Meeting his gaze and enveloped in an indescribable heat, Jae-chan barely managed to reply, “Me too.”

    “…Let’s leave quickly.”

    Jae-chan blushed at how eager and impatient his own voice sounded as he urged while kissing Woo-jin’s cheek.

    *

    Neither the rush hour traffic nor the busy hotel lobby could suppress their ardor.

    Finally reaching the top floor suite. Neither the tall windows showing the impressive skyline and night view, nor the gently crackling real fireplace caught their attention. The two who had kept their distance like strangers while waiting for the elevator immediately came together like one body upon entering the cozy room decorated in white, dark green, and beige.

    “Ahn-“

    Jae-chan let out a short m0an. It was due to the hand that slid like a snake into his lower garments. The curious touch was thoroughly exploring his unclothed lower regions.

    Ah, it hurts a little…. As Jae-chan raised his heels to avoid the firm fingertips that kept pressing behind his sack, he suddenly looked up in surprise at the touch that penetrated deeply. He met two pitch-black gleaming eyes that wouldn’t leave him.

    “…”

    Meeting that almost frightening gaze, Jae-chan realized this was one of those days.

    A day when Woo-jin acted overtly. When he showed his s3xual desire too explicitly.

    Sometimes Woo-jin would reveal his unbridled desire. To the point where Jae-chan might question if he really was twenty-three, or rather… feel like he was the older Go Woo-jin.

    The signs were there from when he attempted the not-quite-imprisonment earlier. Not that Jae-chan minded. If anything, it meant Jae-chan had that much attractive appeal to provoke such a reaction. The more appeal of any kind he had, the better it would be to keep Woo-jin’s heart captivated until he could propose years later. Clearly that was true, but…

    …The problem was that Jae-chan lost his reason just the same. He didn’t want to keep having moments where he kicked his blankets in frustration while lying alone at the dorm.

    Woo-jin kissed the corner of Jae-chan’s eye which reflected both arousal and anxiety. Woo-jin asked,

    “Are you very hungry?”

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