UR Chapter 49

Chapter 49

“Th…then, I’ll just have a little. Just this one piece.”

Under the twinkling Christmas lights, the piece of steak looked even more appetizing, its surface gleaming as if polished.

It looked like the kind of delicious food he had only ever seen in pictures. I-bom swallowed unconsciously as he stared at the plate. The growl in his stomach had already betrayed his earlier claim that he wasn’t hungry, but maybe eating a bit before leaving wouldn’t be so bad.

Hesitantly, he picked up his fork and carefully placed the piece of steak into his mouth. He intended to eat just one piece before heading out. The table was full of food, and the man had asked him to at least share the meal before going. But the moment the juicy, tender steak melted over his dry tongue, a spark lit in I-bom’s eyes.

So much for “just one piece.”

“Tastes good, huh?”

As the savory juices spread in his mouth, his fork began moving faster.

“Want to try something else?”

Nod, nod. I-bom’s eyes sparkled like a child’s as he parted his lips slightly. The man casually speared another piece of meat with his fork, catching any dripping juice in the palm of his other hand. The steak fork slipped into I-bom’s mouth, and as the smooth juices seeped over his tongue, the corners of his eyes relaxed in bliss.

Through the dark glass window, the Christmas lights glittered in reflection.

I don’t want to go home.

Watching the view outside, I-bom wiggled his toes.

The snowfall had grown heavier, changing from light sleet to round, fluffy flakes tumbling down in waves. The warm cream-colored lights on the Christmas tree and the sparkling chandeliers of the hotel seemed to lift the atmosphere to new heights.

Though his stomach was full after finally feasting on meat again, something still felt lacking. It wasn’t hunger—it was emotional. He wanted to stay a little longer, see a little more…

Forgetting completely about Soo-hyun’s request to ruin the date, I-bom felt a twinge of guilt. Yet he couldn’t stop himself from stealing glances at the man’s face and smiling foolishly.

…Just a little longer. Just a tiny bit more time together. Even if it was selfish.

“Do you like ice cream?”

At the man’s signal, a waiting staff member walked over slowly with a tray. As if already knowing the answer, a red-colored ice cream dish was placed before him.

The moment it landed with a soft clink, a sweet, tangy scent rushed up, making his mouth water. Strawberry ice cream—rare enough for him to splurge on. It was topped with rich chocolate, crowned with a delicate pink foam, and chilled to perfection.

“…But I had shaved ice earlier.”

I-bom murmured nervously, his shoulders stiffening like a rabbit before a predator.

The man, unfazed, placed a spoon over the ice cream.

“This place is famous for its ice cream.”

“I’ve already eaten a lot…”

In the man’s large hand, the dessert spoon looked like a toy. I-bom glanced at his hand, uncertain.

“If you had something salty, you should follow it with something sweet. They say it helps digestion.”

Does it?

Sweet and salty foods alternated had nothing to do with digestion—or so he thought.

When I-bom only stared blankly at him, the man moved the ice cream dish to the center of the table.

“I ordered it because I wanted some too, so don’t feel pressured—just try it.”

“Ah… should I?”

“Yes.”

The man scooped a spoonful and held it out to I-bom.

“….”

A sweet-and-tart scent lingered between breaths. As he swallowed, the tangy aroma teased his lips. Mesmerized, I-bom leaned forward and took the bite.

Ah, whatever. I’d already let him feed me all that meat.

“Wow, this is so good…!”

The rich fruit aroma spread through his nose while the cold, sweet flavor melted on his tongue. Blinking as he savored it, I-bom saw the man look pleased with himself.

“I told you this place does ice cream well.”

“Y-yeah… really.”

I-bom nodded, agreeing with him.

He already loved strawberries. Whether in drinks or snacks, he never turned them down. Ice cream made from fresh strawberries blended with cream was exactly his kind of thing.

“Wait, but… aren’t you going to eat any? You said you wanted it.”

He suddenly realized the man hadn’t taken a single bite, only feeding him—just like with the shaved ice earlier.

It’s the same thing as before.

He’d been self-conscious enough about how much he ate, and now the man wasn’t even eating, just feeding him. Alarmed, I-bom subtly pushed the ice cream dish toward him.

“I forgot.”

“…That’s not right.”

I-bom muttered with a faint pout.

“Come on, have some. I feel awkward like this.”

He bit his lower lip lightly, then lifted the spoon. Scooping up a bit of the melting ice cream, he held it out to the man.

“….”

All he’d done was hold the spoon out, but the man froze and stared at him.

“…What’s wrong?”

“….”

The man ran a finger over his lips as if unsettled.

“…There’s only one spoon.”

“Huh? So what?”

“…I’ll ask the staff to bring another spoon.”

The man turned slightly and raised his hand. A waiting staff member, seeing his gesture, began to approach slowly.

“It’s fine. We can just share.”

I-bom shrugged as if it was nothing and once again held the spoon close to the man’s face.

What’s the problem?

“Earlier, you clearly said, Mr. Kang Soo-hyun…”

“Do you not want to share with me?”

What is he trying to say? With a puzzled expression, I-bom brought the ice cream closer. The man seemed to lean back slightly, hesitated for a moment, then parted his lips and accepted the spoonful of ice cream I-bom offered.

Between the smooth lines of his forehead, his fine brows twitched as if breaking slightly. A complicated expression flashed across his face, then quickly disappeared. His gaze, hot and unblinking, swept over I-bom’s face.

After staring intently, the man murmured in a low voice,

“Mr. Kang Soo-hyun.”

His deep voice brushed against I-bom’s ear like a tickle.

“Uh… yes?”

I-bom blinked and looked up at him.

“Just now.”

“…”

“You said you had obsessive-compulsive cleanliness, if I recall.”

Oh, right. I-bom unconsciously froze mid-motion.

“That—well, for just one bite, I… uh… canines aren’t that obsessed with cleanliness. Unlike felines.”

What kind of stupid thing was that to say? Ahhh—biting the soft flesh inside his upper lip, I-bom squirmed in embarrassment.

“I see. I’ll take that as a species difference.”

As if some tension had snapped and relaxed, he laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling. Time, which had been crawling along like a turtle, suddenly sped up with his changeable smile.

“Stop smiling…”

I-bom mumbled, scrunching his nose as if shy.

“Why?”

The shadow over his face grew closer and closer. I-bom forgot to even breathe, swallowing hard. The sweet background music faded away until he could hear nothing at all. Slowly, the tips of the man’s fingers were about to touch the bottom of I-bom’s chin when—

“Well now, look who it is.”

A loud voice shattered their private moment. Turning his head instinctively toward the sound, I-bom saw a man in a black suit stomping toward them with a boisterous laugh.

“…?”

As I-bom turned his head in confusion toward the stranger, the man beside him swiftly reached out an arm to block in front of him.