SS 9 Part 1

Side Story #9. Wedding March

“Ugh, it’s so cold.”

“Come here.”

As Bomin shrank his neck against the biting wind that threatened to slap his face, Shi Yu-hyeon opened his arms wide.

“Shall we go inside now?”

“No. It’s cold, but being like this is warm.”

Shi Yu-hyeon’s embrace was cozy enough to melt away the shivers that had just been wracking his body. Bomin met his gaze, which was fixed on him with tenderness, and returned the smile.

“It’s so nice to be out after so long.”

The mansion had returned to normal. Everything had fallen into place after Song Jaeho woke up from his coma. Thanks to that, Bomin was spending each day full of life, unlike before.

He went out with Shi Yu-hyeon on a day when winter had taken a sudden step closer because of his request.

‘There’s somewhere I want to go with Bomin-ssi today.’

It wasn’t a difficult request, and Bomin was also excited at the thought of going out for the first time in a while. He had been cooped up in the mansion for so long that he was curious about how the outside air had changed.

It was because he had been given a long vacation after Song Jaeho woke up from his coma. He was excluded from all missions until it was certain that his physical condition had completely returned to normal.

Thanks to this, Bomin was able to reminisce with Song Jaeho, recalling their past experiences one by one and enjoying the memories.

“But where are we going? I think you can tell me where we’re going now.”

They had come to the city in a car driven by Shi Yu-hyeon. They ended up walking on the windswept streets because Bomin wanted to.

“Just a little further.”

Shi Yu-hyeon walked with Bomin in his arms. The gazes of people passing by were drawn to them, but with the sudden drop in temperature, there were many couples huddled together like one.

The two entered a building where a large event was being held, looking even more affectionate than other couples.

“A wedding expo?”

The inside was filled with warm air. Shi Yu-hyeon put Bomin down, interlocked their fingers, and headed inside.

Couples holding hands like them gathered in one place. Bomin’s widening eyes fell on the banner hanging at the entrance.

“I really… wanted to come here with Bomin-ssi.”

It was an unexpected place. In reality, Bomin and the Espers, including Kim Seohun, were practically in a common-law marriage. However, they couldn’t enter into a pair contract, which was considered more definite than marriage between an Esper and a Guide.

Those with abilities affiliated with the association usually didn’t marry. Even if they were closer than lovers, it was common to maintain a common-law relationship.

It was an occupation with a high risk of death or serious injury, and there were often cases where they had to have s*xual contact with multiple partners depending on their matching rate, so there was a strong tendency to avoid marriage.

“Can we get married too?”

The reason Bomin hadn’t thought about marriage before was that he wasn’t living with just one person. In Bomin’s common sense, a wedding ceremony was a ritual to publicly declare that two people were becoming each other’s eternal partners.

“Even if it’s legally difficult, I really wanted to have a ceremony.”

Shi Yu-hyeon lifted their joined hands and pressed his lips firmly onto the back of Bomin’s hand. Bomin’s heart began to race uncontrollably at the sight of his shyly curving eyes.

“If Bomin-ssi is okay with it.”

Shi Yu-hyeon’s heart pounded as he brought Bomin here, unsure of how he would react. As if reading his expression, this time Bomin pressed his lips to the back of Shi Yu-hyeon’s hand.

“Of course, I’d love to. I was just surprised because I hadn’t thought about it.”

Bomin had vaguely imagined it before.

Back when he only had one lover in his life. He wondered what it would be like to go to a country where marriage was possible and exchange vows with Jeong Hotae.

It was a fantasy he hadn’t entertained since Jeong Hotae suddenly disappeared. Even though it was something he could realistically imagine now.

“It will be an unprecedented wedding.”

One bride and seven grooms. It was like a real-life version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

* * *

“No matter what, it has to be white. It’s the clothes to wear at the wedding.”

“But pink suits Bomin’s skin tone so well… Or a light sky blue would be pretty too…”

“Beige would look good as well.”

An unexpected debate unfolded in the mansion.

“Bomin-ssi, drink this.”

“Thank you.”

Taking the mug offered by Shi Yu-hyeon, Bomin watched those who were asserting their opinions without an inch of concession.

The one insisting on white was Han Biseong. Kim Seohun was talking about pastel tones in a small voice. It was Song Jaeho who subtly suggested beige.

“But isn’t the opinion of the person involved the most important?”

Jeong Hotae threw in his opinion while tousling Bomin’s hair with his fingers.

“…I like everything.”

Won Seongwoo added his opinion, blinking his half-closed, sleepy eyes. It was a comment that didn’t help reach a consensus at all.

“I also think Bomin-ssi‘s opinion is the most important. Bomin-ssi, what color do you like?”

Shi Yu-hyeon, who had taken a seat on the sofa opposite Jeong Hotae, caressed Bomin’s cheek. The eyes of those who had been engaged in a heated debate a moment ago were all focused on Bomin in an instant.

Bomin, as if accustomed to the intense gazes that would have made others take a deep breath, leisurely savored the coffee in his mug.

“Hmm…”

Why couldn’t he make coffee taste like this when he brewed it himself?

Shi Yu-hyeon’s hands were truly special. Even though they used the same machine to brew coffee, the coffee Shi Yu-hyeon made had a much richer flavor.

“Ah, I’m so frustrated. Hurry up and tell us, Lee Bomin. Honestly, you want to wear white too, right?”

Impatient with Bomin’s prolonged silence, Han Biseong raised his voice.

“Why are you rushing him?”

Displeased by that, Song Jaeho lightly hit the back of Han Biseong’s head. Although it was a painless touch, it made him feel incredibly annoyed.

Han Biseong’s sharp gaze landed on Song Jaeho. Dangerous flames flickered in his clenched fist, where tendons bulged.

“If you’re going to fight, both of you get out.”

Kim Seohun happened to be sitting between Han Biseong and Song Jaeho. Bomin’s eyes narrowed coldly.

When Bomin beckoned Kim Seohun to come to his side, Kim Seohun quickly approached and crouched at Bomin’s feet.

“…It’s always just me you pick on.”

Han Biseong felt wronged. Because Song Jaeho had started it, but Bomin’s gaze coldly swept over both of them equally.

“So, what color suit do you all want me to wear? Tell me one by one.”

Bomin let out a soft sigh at Han Biseong’s childish behavior, which contrasted with his age.

“I want white.”

“Bomin-ah, I like pink.”

“Hmm. I like beige.”

“…I said I don’t care.”

“I want whatever color Bomin-ssi wants.”

“I like whatever you want, Bomin-ah.”

As the six of them each expressed their opinions, the front door opened and Yoon Bisam walked in.

“Everyone’s having a blast, huh?”

Yoon Bisam’s expression was as impassive as ever. But those who saw him noticed that he was in a worse mood than usual.

Their gazes intertwined in the air in a chaotic manner. Because Yoon Bisam usually displayed such a cold attitude when someone among them had caused trouble.

“Han Biseong, why did you apply for a long vacation? Is your workplace your playground?”

The gazes of those who had been exchanging glances, asking who had provoked Yoon Bisam, suddenly focused on Han Biseong.

Only then did Han Biseong rise from his seat with a sly grin.

“Shouldn’t Song Jaeho be able to return to work now? Look at his condition. He’s the most energetic one in this mansion.”

Han Biseong pointed his chin at Song Jaeho ostentatiously. As he said, Song Jaeho, who spent all day rolling around with Bomin in the mansion, looked better than ever.

His skin was even gleaming with a healthy glow.

“I’m saying I’m going to rest now because I worked my ass off while he was resting. Is that something to be so serious about?”

Han Biseong seemed genuinely clueless as to why he had to act like he was in the wrong.

“I’ve been too lenient with you.”

Yoon Bisam took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. If Bomin was the one in the worst condition when Song Jaeho was in a coma, Han Biseong was the next most unstable.

Because of that, Yoon Bisam had even taken care of Han Biseong’s tasks himself.

Thanks to this, Yoon Bisam had been working day and night, not only while Song Jaeho was in a coma but even after he had regained consciousness and recovered.

He recalled an incident not long ago where he had to give up his turn to another guy because he was too busy with work, even though it was his day to spend time with Bomin.

‘It was that bastard.’

The very same flaming son of a bitch who was currently looking at him with a mischievous smile.

The floor around Yoon Bisam began to freeze over. All the things he had endured, uncharacteristically patient, were about to explode, triggered by what Han Biseong had done today.

“Yoon Bisam, wait a minute.”

Finally, Bomin rose from his seat. He felt sorry for Yoon Bisam when he saw the dark circles under his eyes.

He was the one who worked in the position of association president in place of these idle guys. He happened to be so good at his job that no one suggested electing a replacement for Yoon Bisam.

Even when Yoon Bisam subtly suggested a change in presidency, the association’s ability users and staff would band together and reject the proposal, so only Yoon Bisam among those living in the mansion couldn’t rest and continued to work.

“Isn’t it about time the association runs well without you?”

Yoon Bisam quickly controlled the power that was leaking out enough to freeze the surroundings as Bomin approached.

Bomin stood in front of him and stroked his haggard cheeks. The intertwined gazes at close range gradually heated up.

“Let’s go on a honeymoon after our wedding this time. A long one. If they all cling to your pants and refuse to let you go, even if you say you’re going to rest…”

Slender arms wrapped around the back of Yoon Bisam’s neck. As he pulled Yoon Bisam’s neck and exerted force, Yoon Bisam naturally lowered his body to Bomin’s eye level.

“Let’s just rampage, then.”

The last words were whispered into Yoon Bisam’s ear.