SS 6(2) Part 2

“I’m so full… I think I’ve gained weight since coming here.”

“Where? Really?”

Kim Seohun seemed genuinely puzzled by Bomin’s words. He carefully scanned Bomin’s front and back, then tilted his head.

“I think you’d look good even if you gained a bit more weight, Bomin-ie.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You’re too thin right now.”

Since everyone loved to exercise, the mansion had a room filled with dozens of pieces of exercise equipment. Bomin also made time every day to work out using the equipment for his health.

He hadn’t thought of himself as having low stamina normally, but he often felt drained after dealing with these monster-like people every day.

s*x itself was a strenuous activity that burned a lot of calories. On top of that, with the added workouts, Bomin’s body had no time to gain weight. It was even more so because he had a constitution that didn’t gain weight easily.

“Then, shall we go back to our rooms and have a late-night snack?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I think the food here agrees with me.”

Bomin had just tasted every single dish at the restaurant. Kim Seohun looked worried at the mention of wanting another snack. He wanted Bomin to gain weight, but he didn’t want him to overeat to the point of getting sick.

“Then go on ahead. I’ll buy a variety of things and bring them back.”

Bomin nodded in agreement with Jeong Hotae’s words. He felt full, having eaten more than usual.

Right now, he wanted to go back to the comfortable room, stretch his legs, and relax rather than walk around.

When he returned to the room and finished washing up, the food Jeong Hotae had bought was spread enticingly on the table.

“What’s this? I didn’t see it at the restaurant earlier.”

“It’s Rösti. I bought various kinds.”

“Is it made with potatoes?”

“That’s right. There’s one with bacon, one with onions, cheese, and apples.”

Bomin picked up a plate and inhaled the strong, savory scent of butter.

“It’s still warm? It should have cooled down on the way back.”

“I warmed it up in the oven. Have this while you eat.”

Shi Yu-hyeon placed a glass of red wine in front of Bomin. Won Seongwoo, who had been quiet, brought a towel and stood behind Bomin.

As Won Seongwoo dried Bomin’s hair with the towel, massaging his scalp with just the right pressure, Bomin smiled contentedly with half-closed eyes.

“It feels so good…”

“Bomin-ah, ah—”

Kim Seohun cut the Rösti into bite-sized pieces, picked one up with a fork, and brought it to Bomin’s lips. Just as Bomin opened his mouth like a baby bird to taste the late-night snack Jeong Hotae had brought…

Ding-dong—

A jarring sound intruded upon the peaceful atmosphere.

“I think someone’s here?”

Jeong Hotae, who had been watching Bomin’s happy expression with a satisfied smile, got up. It was late.

If it were official business, they wouldn’t barge into their accommodation like this. They would visit after sunrise tomorrow or call beforehand.

Fortunately, there was only one presence felt outside the door. And Jeong Hotae had sensed a similar presence earlier that day.

“I think it’s my guest.”

After taking a sip of wine to cleanse his palate, Bomin rose from his seat.

Jeong Hotae and the others followed Bomin as he headed towards the front door. Just before opening the door, Bomin turned his head.

“Everyone, keep eating. Why are you following me?”

“Well, that’s…”

Kim Seohun hesitated, unable to voice his concerns. He felt as if the visitor might harm Bomin. Although the conversation earlier that day had gone well, there was no telling what might happen.

“Nothing to worry about.”

Unlike the others, whose minds were filled with worry, Bomin seemed at ease. This time, without hesitation, Bomin opened the door. The person he expected was there, tapping their foot anxiously on the floor.

“Esper Yoo Min wouldn’t have let you come alone. You managed to come by yourself?”

The Bomin of the original story had spoken informally to Bomin from the beginning. Bomin, too, had at some point dropped the honorifics, as if they were old friends.

“I came because… there’s something I want to talk about… just the two of us.”

At the mention of Yoo Min, Kang Yihan’s shoulders trembled slightly before he whispered in a small voice. Bomin reached out and grabbed Kang Yihan’s wrist.

At the touch, Kang Yihan’s fingertips curled into a fist.

“Yes. You came at the right time. I also wanted to talk to you alone. It’s cold outside, so let’s talk inside.”

Kang Yihan consciously avoided looking in Won Seongwoo’s direction. Won Seongwoo did the same. To him, Kang Yihan was nothing more than a potential threat to Bomin.

“We’ll talk in my room. I trust you won’t eavesdrop.”

Before heading to his room, Bomin looked at the others and gave them a warning. With the hearing of an S-rank Esper, they could hear even the sound of Bomin undressing if they wanted to.

“…..”

“Alright. You’ll come down soon, right?”

Unlike the others, who protested silently, Shi Yu-hyeon was the first to surrender. He knew full well that once Bomin was stubborn about something, it was nearly impossible to change his mind.

“Yes. You really don’t need to worry.”

Bomin gave Shi Yu-hyeon a gentle smile and then disappeared into his bedroom with Kang Yihan.

“Nothing… will happen, right?”

Kim Seohun bit his lip anxiously. He was relieved that Kang Yihan was a Guide and not an Esper, but the relief was short-lived.

“I’ll take action before anything dangerous happens.”

Jeong Hotae positioned himself near the room where Bomin and Kang Yihan had disappeared. Bomin had told them not to eavesdrop, but he still didn’t trust Kang Yihan.

Earning Bomin’s resentment for a few days was better than letting something dangerous happen to him because of a moment of carelessness. And if nothing really happened and Bomin came out, he could just move somewhere else.

Kim Seohun also positioned himself near Jeong Hotae. He lacked combat abilities, but he felt like his anxiously pounding heart would calm down a bit if he did this.

Won Seongwoo and Shi Yu-hyeon leaned against the wall opposite Jeong Hotae. The door, where the four gazes landed, remained tightly shut, concealing the two people inside.

“Sit here. Want something to drink?”

“…No, it’s okay. I didn’t come here to drink tea with you.”

“Okay.”

After seating Kang Yihan in the chair, Bomin sat on the bed. He’d offered tea because Kang Yihan’s hands were red and frozen, but since he refused, Bomin didn’t press further.

“…How long have you been in my body?”

“Well, I haven’t really kept track of the dates.”

Kang Yihan was the first to start the conversation. Lost in thought at Yihan’s question, Bomin mentioned the date that popped up on his phone screen when he first woke up in this world, sensing something was amiss. A strange glint appeared in Kang Yihan’s eyes.

“…Same as me.”

“Did you wake up here right away?”

“…Yeah.”

Bomin had also thought about it a lot. What kind of personality did the original Bomin have?

Perhaps because he was inside Kang Yihan’s body, but he seemed more timid and self-conscious than Bomin had expected. To the point where Bomin wondered how someone like this could even think of killing Shi Yu-hyeon. Of course, that was a story from the novel that would never happen now.

“…He attempted suicide. I woke up in his body in the hospital.”

“Kang Yihan… must have been having a hard time.”

Not knowing what to say, Bomin chose the most neutral words. Kang Yihan nodded. His clasped hands fidgeted constantly.

“At first, I thought about going back. …This isn’t my body, after all.”

Yihan’s voice was heavy, as if recalling the past. Bomin understood his concerns. The ‘Gongs’ Bomin had initially encountered in the novel were all, without exception, deserving of the label ‘trash.’

Just how much had Bomin suffered because of them? It was fortunate that Bomin’s temperament was easygoing and that he had a lot of s*xual experience before entering the novel.

If an average Korean man had entered instead, they wouldn’t have lasted long before their mind broke down.

“But… I met Yoo Min here.”

Unlike the sadness in his eyes until now, they were filled with a warm light as he thought of Yoo Min.

“He’s different from me. Bright, kind, …and warm-hearted.”

Even just those few words conveyed how much the original Bomin loved Yoo Min. That’s why he felt relieved. If Yoo Min was still living a miserable life, Bomin wouldn’t have been able to shake off his guilt.

“I can’t lose Yoo Min. He’s the first person who ever liked me. …He never treats me carelessly and always comes to me first, before I even contact him.”

Suddenly, Bomin recalled the messenger window filled with only one-sided messages. For someone starved of affection, Yoo Min’s love must have been as intense as food tasted after a long famine.

“He still doesn’t know that I’m not Kang Yihan. …He just thinks my memory is hazy after waking up from the coma. We’re… childhood friends.”

Only then did Bomin understand why the original Bomin had sought him out tonight. Even with Yoo Min showing him affection so clearly, he couldn’t believe that the affection was truly meant for him.

“Did Yoo Min treat you well from the moment you woke up?”

“…Of course. Yoo Min is really kind.”

Bomin had glimpsed Yoo Min’s expression when he was protecting Kang Yihan for a moment. He wasn’t someone who could be described simply as ‘kind.’

“How did he treat you well? Like, having s*x and all that, just like now?”

“W-What…?”

Yihan’s eyes widened, trying to gauge if what he’d just heard was real.

“Did you guys kiss, have s*x, and all that when you regained consciousness? Why are you so surprised?”

Bomin, on the other hand, was confused. They were practically on the verge of signing a Pair Guide contract. It wouldn’t be strange if they were having s*x daily, yet Kang Yihan’s cheeks were excessively flushed.

“W-We haven’t done anything like that yet…!”

“What…?”

Now it was Bomin’s turn to be surprised.