PV Ch.17 Part 4

Bomin watched the screen, his eyes cold. He had picked this movie because of its 19+ rating, but it had been over an hour, and all he had seen was melodrama. 

Even the initial guiding scene was rushed and underwhelming. 

He reached for the popcorn bucket, realizing it was more than halfway empty. 

His hand paused. He felt something… different amidst the popcorn. He glanced down, seeing two hands intertwined within the bucket. 

He wiggled his fingers, playfully tracing the lines of Shi Yu-hyeon’s palm. Shi Yu-hyeon’s fingers twitched in response, and Bomin giggled, finding this far more entertaining than the movie.

His eyes darted around the theater, like a thief in the night. 

“…Bomin-ssi?”

Shi Yu-hyeon whispered, his voice low. Bomin had suddenly climbed onto his lap. 

“The movie… it’s so boring.”

Bomin wrapped his arms around Shi Yu-hyeon’s neck, his lips brushing against his ear. Shi Yu-hyeon’s eyes widened as Bomin whispered in his ear.

“Can we… Do something more fun?” 

Bomin’s lips trailed from his ear to his cheek. Shi Yu-hyeon’s face was shrouded in darkness, thanks to Bomin blocking the light from the screen.

But his eyes, still bright, remained fixated on Bomin. 

Bomin closed his eyes, his lips brushing against Shi Yu-hyeon’s. He savored the feeling, his breath catching.

Was this what it felt like to kiss a cloud?

The touch was so soft, so fleeting. He gently sucked on Shi Yu-hyeon’s lower lip, resisting the urge to use his tongue. 

It was a subtle but stimulating kiss, like the way he had been tracing Shi Yu-hyeon’s palm moments ago.

Shi Yu-hyeon’s lips were getting wet. The sounds of their lips parting and meeting were drowned out by the movie’s soundtrack.

It was a sound meant only for them. Bomin smiled as he felt the unmistakable bulge pressing against his ass.

That hot, wet flesh rubbed against his lips, tracing the lines of his mouth. Shi Yu-hyeon’s eyelashes fluttered as he felt Bomin’s tongue teasingly tracing the outline of his mouth. 

Shi Yu-hyeon’s hand came up to cup Bomin’s cheek, his tongue slipping into his mouth. Bomin met it with his own, their tongues tangling. 

A pleasurable tingling sensation spread through his body.

“Mhm…”

Bomin pulled Shi Yu-hyeon’s hand under his shirt, his touch leaving him wanting more. 

“Let’s… not do this here.”

Shi Yu-hyeon gently stopped him, his fingers caressing Bomin’s flushed cheek. His touch was filled with affection.

“How about… we just sit here and watch the movie?”

“Okay…”

Shi Yu-hyeon helped Bomin take off his shoes, pulling him close. Bomin nestled his head against Shi Yu-hyeon’s chest, content.

Shi Yu-hyeon stroked his hair, his touch gentle and soothing. Bomin’s eyelids grew heavy.

Soon, the only sound in the darkness was the soft sound of their breathing. Shi Yu-hyeon watched him sleep, his eyes filled with more passion than the actors on the screen.

* * *

“Haa… ”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes… I never knew movie theaters were such good places to take a nap.” 

Bomin wiped the sleep from his eyes, looking around the now brightly lit theater. He had been tempted to have s*x with Shi Yu-hyeon, but… 

This wasn’t a private screening, and there were other people around. He didn’t mind, but Shi Yu-hyeon might have felt awkward.

Thankfully, Shi Yu-hyeon had stopped him, and he had fallen into a deep sleep. 

“You must be hungry. I heard there’s a food truck festival at the Han River today. Would you like to go?”

“The Han River?” 

“Yes. It’s a nice day for a walk, and I thought it would be fun to try some of the food.”

“Okay.”

The Han River had been a popular date spot in his original world too. 

Last time, it was a luxurious meal at a hotel. This time, it seemed like Shi Yu-hyeon was going for a more… typical date.

Bomin didn’t mind. He enjoyed spending time with Shi Yu-hyeon, regardless of the activity.

* * *

“There are so many people.”

Bomin squeezed Shi Yu-hyeon’s hand, his eyes scanning the crowd. There were families, couples, groups of friends—everyone seemed to be enjoying the warm weather. 

The area where the food trucks were gathered was especially crowded. It had been a while since Bomin had been in such a busy place. 

He noticed a few people wearing the black uniform of the Association scattered throughout the crowd. 

“There are Espers here too.”

“Even though dungeons are well-managed these days, there’s always the possibility of rogue dungeons. The Association dispatches Espers to crowded areas as a precaution.”

There were several dungeons located within the Han River. A barrier had been erected to protect the surrounding area. 

Bomin, looking at the mana stones embedded within the barrier, tried to calculate their worth.

Hundreds of billions of won, at least. 

Back when the monsters first emerged, no one thought they would ever be able to enjoy the Han River again. Looking at the happy faces of the people around him, he felt like the government’s investment had been worth it.

“Is there anything you want to try, Bomin-ssi? It seems like they have everything here.” 

Shi Yu-hyeon was right. The food trucks offered a wide variety of cuisines—Korean, Chinese, Western, Japanese, even Southeast Asian. 

“I want something spicy.”

“Something spicy… How about some spicy chicken feet?” 

“Yes!”

Bomin’s eyes lit up. Spicy chicken feet, or dakbal, was one of his favorite foods. If he had to choose between Hanwoo beef tenderloin and dakbal, he wouldn’t hesitate to choose the latter. 

“Can you handle spicy food, Bomin-ssi?”

“I’m not… super tolerant, but I love it.”

Bomin smiled, his mouth watering as the spicy aroma wafted towards them. 

“Should we go for level 2? Level 3 might be too spicy.”

“Okay.”

Shi Yu-hyeon, seeing the warning sign next to level 3, suggested they go with level 2. The words “We are not responsible for any hospital visits” seemed ominous.

“I’ll go find a table. Wait here.”

“Thank you.”

It would be wise to grab a table as soon as they saw one, given the crowd. Bomin quickly found an empty table and sat down.

He swallowed hard, his gaze following Shi Yu-hyeon as he made his way towards the dakbal truck. It wasn’t just Bomin; everyone seemed to be captivated by Shi Yu-hyeon’s presence.

He was so handsome that just looking at him made Bomin feel full. It was a strange sense of satisfaction, as if Shi Yu-hyeon were his own son. 

Bomin rested his chin on his hand, a thought that would have horrified Song Jaeho crossing his mind. He smiled as he saw Shi Yu-hyeon walking back, carrying their food. 

“I also got some steamed egg and rice balls. I thought they’d go well with the dakbal. Is cola okay for you?”

“Perfect.”

It was the perfect combination. Bomin’s eyes were glued to the cheesy dakbal. The moment Shi Yu-hyeon handed him chopsticks, he reached for a piece. 

“Ah…!”

“What’s wrong?” 

“Are you sure you’re okay with dakbal, Yu-hyeon-ssi? A lot of people can’t handle it.” 

He was already getting used to Shi Yu-hyeon catering to his needs. It was strange, considering they had only known each other for a short time. 

“I enjoy it.” 

Shi Yu-hyeon, as if to reassure him, smiled and took a piece of dakbal.

“….”

“….”

They both took a bite at the same time, then froze. Their eyes met, both reflecting the same thought. 

Their faces flushed as they chewed.

“…It’s quite spicy.”

“Here’s some cola, Bomin-ssi.”

Bomin’s eyes were watering. It was much spicier than the extra-spicy tteokbokki he usually ordered.

“Wait… wasn’t this level 2…?”

“It seems like they were serious about that warning.” 

He couldn’t even imagine how spicy level 3 would be. 

“It’s delicious, though.” 

“Yes, you chose well, Bomin-ssi.”

Shi Yu-hyeon smiled, his finger gently wiping away a bead of sweat from Bomin’s nose. 

Bomin blushed, his cheeks heating up for reasons other than the spicy food. The dakbal might have been fiery, but Shi Yu-hyeon’s smile was sweet as honey. 

* * *

“Cheers.” 

Bomin opened a can of beer, the sound of the tab snapping open echoing in the air. He raised his can towards Shi Yu-hyeon, who clinked it against his own. 

“Ahh… It’s been a while since I’ve had beer. It tastes so good.” 

Bomin scrunched up his nose, savoring the crisp taste. 

“Is your stomach okay?”

“Yes. What about you, Yu-hyeon-ssi?” 

“I’m fine.”

Shi Yu-hyeon took a sip, feeling the refreshing coolness spread through his body. 

He couldn’t take his eyes off of Bomin, his cheeks flushed like ripe peaches in the setting sun.

“Bomin-ssi, tomorrow… We should…”

BOOOOM!!!

“E-Everyone, run…!”

“Mi-jin! Where are you?”

“Waaa… Mommy…”

Shi Yu-hyeon’s words were cut off by a deafening explosion. He turned towards the source of the noise. 

“Yu-hyeon-ssi… That…”

“Stay behind me.” 

A giant fireball had crashed into one of the food trucks, engulfing it in flames. There was another deafening explosion as the truck erupted. 

Debris and flames shot out in all directions, engulfing the crowd. Those who had been inside the truck, along with two customers standing nearby, were instantly incinerated. 

“Everyone, this way!” 

“Please stay calm! Don’t push! You’ll only get hurt!” 

Espers rushed towards the scene, their voices barely audible amidst the chaos as they tried to control the panicking crowd. 

BOOOOM! BOOOOM!!!

But it was no use. The explosions continued, the Espers outnumbered, their words lost in the panicked screams. 

“M-Mommy…” 

“Bomin-ssi, stay here! Don’t move, okay?” 

“Yes, go quickly!” 

A little girl, separated from her mother, had fallen, her voice filled with fear. 

Some people stepped over her, but most were too focused on escaping to even notice her.

Shi Yu-hyeon, unable to ignore her cries, ran towards her. Bomin, terrified that she would be trampled, urged him on.