Chapter 70

Back at the center, Haon immediately received treatment. Cha Yugeon was there beside him. He stood at an awkward distance, nervously watching Haon.

He was too guilty to approach but too worried to stay away. Haon noticed his conflicted feelings, which made him more concerned about Cha Yugeon.

Thanks to the high-level healing espers who treated him, Haon’s broken nose healed quickly, and the bruises from being thrown around vanished. After the treatment, Haon moved to a private room to rest.

But even there, Cha Yugeon maintained that awkward distance.

“Come here, Cha Yugeon. Why are you standing over there?”

“…”

Cha Yugeon didn’t respond to Haon’s question, only stepping half a step closer. Haon knew he was acting this way out of guilt, but it was still frustrating. Haon thought of a way to bring Cha Yugeon closer.

“Hey, Cha Yugeon. Help me adjust the bed. It’s not working.”

Haon intentionally fiddled with the bed’s angle adjustment button and called Cha Yugeon. Hesitantly, Cha Yugeon slowly approached.

“Why isn’t it working? You just have to press the button.”

“That’s why I need you to do it. I can’t make it work.”

Eventually, Cha Yugeon came to Haon’s side and took the bed control button from him. When he pressed the button, the bed’s headrest folded up, turning into a backrest chair.

“See? It works.”

Cha Yugeon, exasperated, said as he began to step back. But Haon wasn’t going to let him leave. He grabbed Cha Yugeon’s wrist, stopping him.

“What are you doing?”

“Don’t go.”

Haon responded calmly to the surprised Cha Yugeon. Cha Yugeon seemed unsure of what to do.

Haon tightened his grip on Cha Yugeon’s wrist.

“Don’t go.”

“Why…?”

“Just because. I like it when you’re beside me.”

Haon replied honestly, without beating around the bush. Explaining why he wanted Cha Yugeon by his side would be complicated, but he simply wanted him there.

Fortunately, Haon’s words seemed to work. Cha Yugeon silently pulled a chair close to Haon’s bed and sat down. Only then did Haon release his wrist.

Despite the reduced distance, there was no conversation between them. The awkward silence continued to grow, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable. In fact, Haon liked it.

Spending time quietly with Cha Yugeon felt nice.

“…I’m sorry.”

“If you say sorry one more time, I’ll kill you.”

The long silence was broken by Cha Yugeon’s apology.

Haon sharply warned him. Cha Yugeon clammed up, looking unsure of what to say.

“Just say thank you. That sounds better.”

“…Thank you.”

“That’s much better.”

Haon smiled in satisfaction. Cha Yugeon looked surprised at Haon’s smile. Haon chuckled at his reaction.

“Why? Never seen me smile before?”

“No… it’s not that. I just didn’t think you’d be able to smile.”

“Why?”

“Well… I thought you’d be upset…”

“Why would I be upset? We caught those bastards, you’re safe. We should be celebrating.”

Cha Yugeon said nothing, just quietly looked at Haon. Haon looked back at him. Their gazes met in the air. Haon tilted his head, wondering why Cha Yugeon was staring at him like that.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because I don’t understand.”

“What don’t you understand?”

“…Why you came to save me. I don’t understand that.”

Haon’s brow furrowed at his question. How could he not know?

It was obvious… obviously… Why did I save Cha Yugeon?

The answer should have come easily, but Haon found himself at a loss for words. Simply saying it was because Cha Yugeon was his esper didn’t seem convincing even to himself. Would he have acted the same if it were another esper? Haon wasn’t confident he could say yes.

Because it was Cha Yugeon. There was no other answer.

‘So, does that mean Cha Yugeon is special to me? Is it simply because he’s my esper?’

Unanswerable questions kept coming up.

Haon, feeling complicated, bit his lower lip unconsciously.

“Don’t bite your lip.”

“What’s it to you if I bite my lip or my finger?”

“It makes me want to kiss you.”

“Then do it.”

It took Haon three seconds to realize what he had just said. He blinked his eyes in shock, but it was too late to take it back. Cha Yugeon was already smiling faintly and stepping closer.

“You told me to do it.”

“Th-that… ugh.”

Before he could make any excuses, Cha Yugeon’s lips covered his. Haon felt like this wasn’t right, but as Cha Yugeon’s soft tongue teased his lips, he couldn’t help but open his mouth. Cha Yugeon’s tongue slipped inside.

The soft, smooth sensation stirred inside Haon’s mouth, brushing over his teeth and stimulating him deeply. Cha Yugeon’s tongue pulled Haon’s forcefully.

“Mm, ngh.”

A small sound escaped between their joined lips. At that moment, Cha Yugeon’s hand moved to Haon’s side, gently playing over his ribs like a piano. The delicate touch made Haon shiver and tremble.

“Ah, mm, ngh.”

The moans escaping between their lips deepened. Haon wondered if this was okay, but the growing sensations made him want to give in. Cha Yugeon continued to touch him freely.

Haon let himself be enveloped by the sensations. He hesitated for a moment before wrapping his arms around the back of Cha Yugeon’s neck. The kiss grew even more intense.

With their lips locked, they focused on each other’s warmth.

* * *

Two days later, Haon was discharged from the hospital. He had recovered quickly enough to leave the same day he received treatment.

However, due to Cha Yugeon’s insistence, he stayed two extra days. This allowed Haon to rest thoroughly, even though he felt restless. It was nice to have a proper break.

“Hey, let me carry that. Give it here.”

Even though he had only been in the hospital for two days, Haon still had to pack some essentials like toiletries and a towel. Before Haon could get ready, Cha Yugeon had already packed for him and insisted on carrying the bag despite Haon’s objections.

It wasn’t heavy, and even if it was, Haon didn’t want Cha Yugeon to carry it. Feeling embarrassed, Haon repeatedly offered to carry it himself, but Cha Yugeon didn’t give it up. In the end, Haon half-gave up and followed behind Cha Yugeon, who was carrying the bag.

They walked down the long hallway in silence. It wasn’t awkward; in fact, Haon found the silence comfortable. He realized that true comfort with someone meant enjoying silence together. Haon was surprised at how comfortable he felt with Cha Yugeon.

Lost in thought, they soon arrived at Haon’s dorm. Finally, Haon took the bag from Cha Yugeon. It was so light it felt like he wasn’t carrying anything. Feeling a bit embarrassed that Cha Yugeon had carried it the whole way, Haon thanked him.

“Thanks.”

Haon scratched his nose and expressed his gratitude. Cha Yugeon shrugged lightly, as if to say it was nothing.