PV Ch.15 Part 1

#15. The Ecosystem Destroyer Appears

“Bomin-ah, is it tasty?”

“Mhm. Should we get more?”

“Should we get the same kind? Or do you want to try a different flavor?”

“Hmm… Let’s try bulgogi.”

“Okay.”

After spending a few days lounging around Song Jaeho’s spacious quarters with Kim Seohun, Bomin decided to venture out, enticed by the pleasant weather. There were numerous restaurants within the Association, enough to be considered a small village. 

Today, they were at a brunch cafe with outdoor seating. It seemed like they weren’t the only ones who thought the weather was nice, as all the outdoor tables were occupied. 

Kim Seohun cleared their plates, carefully setting aside the one that held the remains of Bomin’s ham and cheese sandwich. He pressed the call button embedded in the table, his gaze lingering on Bomin’s face. 

“What?”

“You have something…” 

The sandwich had been huge, and some of the sauce had smeared on Bomin’s face. 

“Then wipe it off.”

Bomin leaned closer to Kim Seohun, used to being doted on. 

Kim Seohun gently dabbed at the corner of Bomin’s mouth with a napkin. The sunlight seemed to accentuate the fairness of his skin.

“Just kiss me if you want to. You don’t have to be so shy.”

Seeing Kim Seohun staring blankly at his face, Bomin was the first to kiss him. Kim Seohun covered his lips with his hand and nodded slightly with a flushed face.

“Are you full after eating just that?”

“Yeah, I think I’ll get a stomachache if I eat any more.”

“You eat so little.”

Bomin looked at Kim Seohun’s stomach with a worried expression. The size of the sandwich easily exceeded twice that of a regular sandwich. At other tables, sandwiches were usually cut in half and shared.

Bomin was the strange one for devouring an entire sandwich and still wanting more.

“Can I take your order?”

“Ah, yes. One more bulgogi sandwich, please.” 

“Alright.” 

Kim Seohun ordered another sandwich and gently ran his hand through Bomin’s hair. He found it fascinating how Bomin never seemed to gain weight, despite his appetite. Mentally, he began compiling a list of restaurants he knew served delicious, high-calorie dishes. 

“Hot news, hot news!”

“What’s with all the commotion?”

“Guess where I just came from?”

Their peaceful meal was interrupted by a loud voice coming from the table next to them. Kim Seohun and a few other patrons turned to look at the source of the disturbance.

Judging by his uniform, he was a B-rank Esper. He seemed oblivious to the stares, his face flushed with excitement as he addressed his companions.

“Where? Tone it down, you’re embarrassing me.”

His companion, face red with embarrassment, tugged at his arm. 

“No, listen! A new S-rank Esper has awakened!”

“What?”

“The testing area is in chaos right now!”

“Really? An S-rank Esper?”

“I’m telling you! Why would I lie about something like this?”

The scoffs and disbelieving looks were replaced with wide-eyed surprise. S-rank Espers were a big deal. Their rarity meant that each new awakening was a significant boost to a country’s power. 

“An S-rank Esper…?” 

“Yeah. How strange. There haven’t been any S-rank awakenings in a while.” 

Even Bomin, who had been focused on his drink, perked up at the news.

“An S-rank Esper? Not a Guide?” 

“Bomin-ah, what’s wrong?” 

Unlike everyone else who was buzzing with curiosity, Bomin’s face had darkened. Kim Seohun, sensing his unease, placed a comforting hand on his cheek. 

“It’s just… I have a bad feeling about this…”

According to the original story, the next S-rank awakening was supposed to be Shi Yu-hyeon, who was supposed to awaken as a Guide. But this… this was different.

Had his encounter with Shi Yu-hyeon somehow disrupted the natural order, leading to a different outcome? A wave of dizziness washed over him.

“An S-class Esper has appeared? But for some reason, it seems like that person is coming this way…”

“Who?”

Kim Seohun’s gaze was fixed on something behind Bomin. Bomin turned around. 

“It’s been a while, Bomin-ssi.”

“…Yu-hyeon-ssi?” 

“Yes, it seems you haven’t forgotten my name.” 

The man before him was radiant, his smile brighter than the sun. 

His platinum blond hair shimmered, framing sapphire blue eyes that seemed to pierce right through Bomin.

“I’ve been wanting to see you.”

“Ah…”

As Shi Yu-hyeon leaned down, gently cupping Bomin’s face, Bomin understood those stories of people losing all reason at the sight of beauty. 

He should have been trying to comprehend the situation, but his mind was blank. He just stared back, speechless, until he felt a tug on his arm.

“Bomin-ah, are you okay? Do you know him?”

Kim Seohun pulled Bomin onto his lap, his fingers brushing against the spot where Shi Yu-hyeon had kissed him. 

Alarm bells blared in his head. Out of all the men Bomin had been involved with, Shi Yu-hyeon was by far the most beautiful. 

He was more stunning than most women, his features delicate, yet undeniably masculine, with his tall frame and broad shoulders.

The gentle warmth in his eyes as he looked at Bomin vanished the moment he turned to Kim Seohun, his gaze turning as cold and sharp as an arctic glacier. 

A shiver ran down Kim Seohun’s spine. This man was dangerous.

“Yes. We met before… Are you… the new S-rank Esper?” 

“Yes, I am.” 

Shi Yu-hyeon’s reply was melodic, his tone unwavering. Bomin’s jaw dropped.

The original story had been completely derailed. He didn’t know if he should be relieved or terrified by this unforeseen turn of events. 

“And Bomin-ssi, you’re a Guide. An A-rank currently, but I have a feeling you’ll become an S-rank soon.” 

Shi Yu-hyeon’s smile returned, as bright as a honeybee that had found a field of flowers. 

“I wanted to request an exclusive guide contract, but they told me it was up to you.” 

His gaze never left Bomin. 

“Bomin-ssi, will you sign an exclusive guide contract with me?” 

“Ah…” 

Bomin almost blurted out ‘Yes’ before catching himself. He had to get a grip.

Pairing agreements were binding for both Espers and Guides, tying them to one another. Exclusive guide contracts, however, offered more freedom.

More specifically, they offered more freedom for Guides. 

Guides could enter into exclusive contracts with multiple Espers, while Espers could only have one exclusive contract at a time.

“Are you sure you’re okay with just me?”

He felt a pang of guilt he hadn’t thought he was capable of feeling. Not only had he taken Shi Yu-hyeon’s first time, but now he would be limiting his options as well. But Bomin firmly believed in the freedom of relationships, for himself, and for his partners.

“There’s no one else I want to be with but you, Bomin-ssi.”

Shi Yu-hyeon’s answer left no room for doubt. 

“Then… I’d like that.”

“That’s a relief.”

Shi Yu-hyeon finally let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. He might have appeared calm and collected, but it seemed like he had been more nervous than he let on.

“Let’s go sign the contract.”

He offered Bomin his hand. Bomin stared at his hand, then up at Kim Seohun, who was now trembling slightly. 

Kim Seohun had never felt so frustrated by the fact that he was a Guide. Despair washed over him. 

If only he were an Esper, he would be the one asking Bomin to sign an exclusive contract with him. But as a Guide, he couldn’t offer Bomin anything concrete, nothing to solidify their bond.

“Kim Seohun, it’s alright. Look at me.”

“Bomin-ah…” 

Bomin gently cupped his face. Kim Seohun’s eyes were filled with unshed tears. 

“I’ll be back soon. We can sleep together tonight, okay?”

Bomin wiped away a stray tear and kissed him, then stood up and took Shi Yu-hyeon’s outstretched hand. Kim Seohun watched them leave, his own hand clenching into a fist, his nails digging into his palm. 

* * *

“Are you close to that person?”

“Seohun?”

“…Yes.”

Shi Yu-hyeon looked down at Bomin, who was walking beside him, their hands clasped together. Bomin seemed different compared to the first time they met.

The fragility, the feeling that he might shatter at the slightest touch, was gone, replaced by a newfound sense of ease. 

“Yes, we’re close. In many ways.” 

Bomin squeezed Shi Yu-hyeon’s hand, a playful smile on his face. Their every move drew curious glances from those passing by.

Shi Yu-hyeon was still in his civilian clothes, but his striking appearance made it obvious who he was—the newest S-rank Esper. 

“Are you… having s*x with him, too?”

Shi Yu-hyeon’s hesitant question was met with a silent gaze. Bomin’s eyes held a mix of amusement and something unreadable.

“Do you… not like it when I have s*x with other people?”

Shi Yu-hyeon remained silent, caught off guard by the question. Their relationship was still undefined. 

Signing an exclusive guide contract would only formalize a professional arrangement. But he wanted more. He wanted to be someone important to Bomin, more than just a client. 

It had been a brief encounter, but they had found their way back to each other. Perhaps calling it ‘fate’ was too grandiose, but that was how it felt to him.

From the moment they met, his eyes had been drawn to Bomin, captivated by his presence. Now, reunited, he found himself wanting to know everything about him. 

“To be honest… I think so.” 

Bomin stopped walking at his hesitant reply. Shi Yu-hyeon, following suit, watched Bomin’s unreadable expression with nervous anticipation. 

“I really enjoy s*x. I don’t like being tied down to one person. Restraining someone, or being restrained… it holds no value to me.”

Bomin released Shi Yu-hyeon’s hand. But as he attempted to pull away, Shi Yu-hyeon tightened his grip, his fingers interlacing with Bomin’s. 

“If that’s what you want, Bomin-ssi… But I will always be willing to be bound to you.”

Shi Yu-hyeon saw Bomin as someone who had built walls around himself to protect his wounded heart. 

He remembered Bomin clinging to him, seeking warmth and comfort in their brief encounter. It had been a desperate, yet empty plea for something more than just physical pleasure.

Shi Yu-hyeon was a genuinely kind person. Out of all the people Bomin had been involved with, very few had considered his feelings before their own. From the very beginning, Shi Yu-hyeon had treated him with gentleness and care. He had saved him from danger.

Bomin had approached him with ulterior motives, but Shi Yu-hyeon’s innate kindness, as radiant as the spring sun, had taken him by surprise.

“You’re the first Esper who has asked me to sign an exclusive guide contract, Esper Shi Yu-hyeon.” 

“Really?”

Bomin smiled, swinging their intertwined hands slightly. He felt at ease with Shi Yu-hyeon.

With Shi Yu-hyeon, the world, which usually felt as precarious as walking a tightrope, seemed to stabilize, as if his feet were firmly planted on solid ground. 

“I look forward to working with you.”

“Likewise.”

* * *