PV Ch.3 Part 3

“Hannam Station, please,” Bomin told the taxi driver as he slumped into the back seat. Just walking from the dorm to the Guild entrance had exhausted him.

He closed his eyes, his mind racing as he tried to recall details from the novel. He knew for sure that Shi Yu-hyeon worked at a bar in Hannam-dong. 

The problem was, he didn’t know the exact location. There was no sign, and it wasn’t listed online. It was a place you had to be introduced to, a hidden gem known only to a select few. 

He racked his brain, trying to remember the name of the building. He thought it started with a J, or maybe it had two letters… 

His memory was good, but he’d only skimmed that part of the novel, and the details were fuzzy. Then it hit him—the name of a building mentioned in passing, located near the bar. 

It had a unique exterior, described in detail in the novel. 

“Driver, sorry, but could you take me to HH Building instead?” 

“Sure thing.”

He closed his eyes again, grateful for the smooth ride, the gentle hum of the engine. He needed to conserve his energy, even if it was just for a few minutes. 

“We’re here.”

“I’ll pay with card.”

“Alright.”

He took the card from the driver and stepped out of the taxi, his legs wobbly.

“Interesting taste.”

The HH Building was unmistakable. A massive dragon statue coiled around its exterior, its head reaching towards the sky, its mouth open in a silent roar. The artist had captured every detail, every scale, making it seem as if the dragon might come to life at any moment. 

“Left or right?”

He remembered it was near this building, but he couldn’t recall which direction to go. He squinted, his head swiveling from side to side.

“When in doubt, go left.” 

He muttered the words, more to himself than anyone else, and began walking, his steps slow and hesitant. 

“Bingo.”

Fate seemed to be on his side. There it was, the bar, just as it was described in the novel. The setting sun cast a warm glow on its unassuming facade, the perfect time to slip inside unnoticed.

The sound of classical music grew louder as he descended the stairs, the notes echoing in the enclosed space. He reached the bottom step, his heart pounding, his earlier defiance fading. 

Tears pricked at his eyes, his gaze blurring. He pushed the door open, his head ducking instinctively as he felt the weight of curious eyes on him.

He walked towards an empty table and sat down, forcing himself to appear calm, collected. But inside, he felt like he was about to shatter. 

His breath came in ragged gasps, his skin clammy with sweat. He was acutely aware of the scent of sex clinging to him, the musky odor of Han Biseong’s cum. For a moment, he panicked, worrying that he might smell, but then he remembered. 

Even in this world, even after everything, he still smelled good, his sweat carrying a faint, sweet scent. It was a quirk he’d inherited from the original Bomin, a detail that had often been remarked upon with envy. 

He had the same face, the same name, the same age. It was easier to believe that even these small details, these seemingly insignificant traits, remained unchanged. 

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, willing his heart to stop racing, his thoughts to settle. He raised a hand, his fingers trembling, and beckoned to a passing waiter.

He felt a wave of heat creep up his neck as he realized everyone was staring at him. Their gazes lingered, their interest palpable, sending a shiver down his spine. He hunched his shoulders, forcing back tears, conjuring up sad thoughts to keep his eyes moist. 

There wasn’t a single decent man among the male leads in this novel. 

If there had been even one, he wouldn’t be going through all this trouble, wouldn’t be rushing to get to Shi Yu-hyeon. But Han Biseong’s actions had been a wake-up call. He was heading down the same path as the original Bomin, and it would only end in heartbreak and misery. 

His initial plan had been to cycle through the male leads until Shi Yu-hyeon made his appearance. But now, he knew that would be a mistake. By the time Shi Yu-hyeon arrived, he’d be used up and discarded, just like the original. 

No, he needed a different strategy. He needed to turn the tables, needed to make them crave him. 

He needed Shi Yu-hyeon on his side.

That’s why he’d dragged his aching body all the way here. The male leads were all rotten to the core. 

Shi Yu-hyeon, on the other hand, was the protagonist, a beacon of justice and compassion, a man who stood up for the weak and challenged the strong. He was different, and that difference was precisely what would draw the male leads to him, intrigue them.

He would use Shi Yu-hyeon as his shield.

“Haa…”

The problem was, he couldn’t seem to find Shi Yu-hyeon. The dim lighting and the throbbing pain behind his eyes made it difficult to focus. He couldn’t help the soft whimpers that escaped him as he shifted in his seat, his body aching. 

The events that were supposed to bring Shi Yu-hyeon to him hadn’t happened yet. He probably didn’t even know Bomin existed.

The other patrons were hesitant to approach, their gazes lingering but their bodies staying put.

Just as he was starting to wonder if he should make the first move, a man approached his table. He was handsome, well-dressed, a pricey watch glinting on his wrist. 

“You seem to be alone. Care to join me for a drink?” 

His looks, physique, and voice were all decent, but compared to the male leads, he was utterly unremarkable. And the way he was looking at Bomin, his gaze traveling up and down his body, made his skin crawl.

“I-It’s okay…”

Bomin put on his best damsel-in-distress act, his voice trembling convincingly. 

He’d hoped for this, for someone to approach him, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of disgust. 

His lips trembled as the man sat down, his arm brushing against his shoulder. He wanted to lash out, to curse him, to tell him to get lost, but he knew he had to play the part.

“Don’t be shy. How old are you? You look young.”

The words, so cliché, so reminiscent of bad romance novels, made Bomin want to gag. He shuddered, a wave of goosebumps erupting on his skin. 

He bit his lip, shifting slightly as if trying to escape, playing right into the man’s hands. As he’d anticipated, the man pulled him closer.

“I… I should get going…” 

He pretended to struggle, his hand reaching up to push at the man’s arm as he scanned the room, searching for Shi Yu-hyeon. He had calculated that, given his personality as described in the novel, Shi Yu-hyeon wouldn’t stand by and watch this happen.

“You’re here alone, which means you must be lonely. I can take care of you.”

The man’s voice, a husky whisper in his ear, sent a shiver down his spine. Bomin clenched his fists, his gaze darting around the room. 

It seemed human nature was the same, whether in fiction or reality. No one was stepping in to help. They were all watching, their gazes curious, amused. He felt his faith in humanity dwindling further. 

He bit the inside of his cheek, hard, the pain bringing tears to his eyes. 

“P-Please… Let go…”

He let the tears fall, hoping to garner sympathy.

He hadn’t been crying for long when he felt a sharp pain on his jaw. He cursed inwardly. Even the nameless extras in this novel were assholes.

“Ahh…”

He was sure he’d have a bruise shaped like the man’s fingers. He might not be an S-rank Esper, but he was strong, his grip bruising.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.” 

The pressure on his jaw increased, and Bomin knew if he didn’t do something, his jaw might actually crack. He was about to lash out when, finally, his savior appeared. 

Shi Yu-hyeon. 

He knew the moment he saw him. Even in the dimly lit bar, Shi Yu-hyeon stood out, his platinum blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes drawing every gaze, as if he was a being from another world. 

He was half-Korean, which explained his unusually striking features. Most Espers’ hair and eye color changed when their abilities manifested, but Shi Yu-hyeon had been blessed with those otherworldly features from birth.

His gaze, sharp and intense, softened as it landed on Bomin. 

He was the most beautiful person Bomin had ever seen. Bomin himself was considered pale, but Shi Yu-hyeon’s skin was flawless, as if he’d never seen the sun. 

For a moment, Bomin forgot he was supposed to be acting, lost in the other man’s beauty. He could understand why the arrogant male leads were so captivated by him.

He blinked, startled, and realized he was standing in front of Shi Yu-hyeon. He tried to take a step back, but his legs gave way, and he collapsed.

“…Sir?”

Instead of hitting the cold, hard floor, he landed in a warm embrace, his head spinning. 

“Hnn…” 

He was dimly aware of being lifted, carried, his senses overloaded. He hadn’t been feeling well even before he’d left the dorm, but he’d pushed himself, desperate to meet Shi Yu-hyeon. And now, having reached his destination, his body was giving up. 

Even as his vision faded, he was acutely aware of the man’s gaze on him, a gentle warmth he hadn’t felt in a long time. He felt himself being held carefully, protectively. 

By the time they reached the apartment, he was mostly conscious again.

“Hnn…” 

He felt the softness of the bed beneath him, the warmth of another body near his own. He curled in on himself, reluctant to let go of the comforting heat.

The fever lingered, and despite having showered earlier, he was drenched in sweat again. 

“Excuse me.”

Even his voice was beautiful, a smooth, low baritone that sent shivers down his spine. He felt a hand on his shoulder, shaking him gently, but he kept his eyes closed, pretending to be asleep.

“You have a high fever.”

A cool hand touched his forehead, the sensation soothing against his burning skin. He almost smiled, but caught himself just in time.

“I’m not… doing this because I… want anything from you,” the man said, his voice a nervous murmur. “You’re sick. I’m just trying to… help.” 

Bomin wanted to laugh. 

He wanted to tell the man to help himself, to take whatever he wanted. He lay there, anticipation thrumming through him, wondering what the man would do. 

He heard the rustle of fabric, and then his shirt was gone, the cool air hitting his bare skin. He felt the man’s breath hitch, his movements faltering. 

“Haa… Please… Stop…”

He whimpered, his hand reaching out to push the man away. Shi Yu-hyeon had a trauma. His best friend had been tricked by the man he loved and gang-r*ped, driven to suicide by the ordeal. 

Bomin felt a pang of guilt, using the man’s past pain to his advantage. But he quickly pushed it aside. 

He was playing a dangerous game, walking a tightrope. If he let his conscience get in the way, he’d end up dead, just like the original Bomin.