He just stared at him as if entranced.

“Achoo!”

For quite a while, until an untimely sneeze burst out. Choi Gang-hu frowned and took off his coat, draping it over Ryu Seo-ha’s shoulders.

“Was the temperature control function insufficient?”

Then he lifted him up as if handling a baby.

“Let’s go inside.”

“I’m fine.”

“When is Ryu Seo-ha not fine?”

He entered the indoor space without hesitation, leaving behind the event he had prepared so carefully.

“I can walk on my own…”

“If you can’t walk. Will you obediently stay in my arms?”

As he mumbled awkwardly looking down at his perfectly fine legs, a chilling reply came back. Coming from a man who had crushed Han Gangseok’s legs before, it couldn’t be taken lightly.

Of course, he now knows. That he wouldn’t easily harm his body. But like an ingrained habit, his mouth clamped shut. Choi Gang-hu chuckled and moved through the spacious living room towards the master bedroom.

“Why here…”

“It’s late at night.”

The scenery of the master bedroom, which he was entering for the first time, was much more barren than expected. The wallpaper, furniture, lighting, curtains, even the flooring were all black.

It felt like not a single ray of light would enter even if the sun rose. Although the overall interior of this mansion was in black and white tones, this room was particularly extreme.

“You’ll sleep here tonight.”

Choi Gang-hu announced as he gently placed him on the bed, even the bedding matched in black. As he looked up with round eyes, Choi Gang-hu patted his cheek.

“You said you know my sleeping habits.”

His expression was like expecting an all-night pajama party with a friend who had shared secrets for the first time. The man’s longing was palpable – having just returned to civilized society but unable to invite anyone into his bedroom.

“Why. Afraid I’ll pounce on you?”

The momentary wavering of pity and sympathy was brief. Ryu Seo-ha flinched at the words added with a sly smile. He must have meant the reaction due to external vigilance, but it was misinterpreted as impure content.

“You don’t need to worry.”

Choi Gang-hu narrowed his eyes as he pulled out clothes to change into from [Subspace].

“I’ll just sleep holding your hand.”

He hadn’t expected this development. He was overwhelmed with bewilderment without knowing the exact reason.

“…My sister will be waiting.”

“Secretary Jang will have contacted her separately.”

“I’ll just go home and sleep.”

“You’ll catch a cold in the night air.”

“It’s right next door.”

He had seen a greenhouse corridor built before, yet now he was going on about the cold air. Even if he caught a cold, it could just be treated.

Despite repeated refusals, Choi Gang-hu ignored him and handed over additional toiletries, then pushed him into the bathroom. Whether he had used a skill or not, the door was locked and he couldn’t get out.

“…”

He had no choice but to shower and change clothes. The soft silk pajamas clung to his body. It felt like wearing mild butter.

“Come here.”

Choi Gang-hu, sitting on the edge of the bed, gestured with outstretched arms. He had already showered and changed into comfortable indoor clothes instead of his sharp suit.

As he approached without a word, Choi Gang-hu pulled him onto his lap in one swift motion like an experienced fisherman, and gently stroked his hair.

You are exposed to the range of the skill ‘Flame Storm’.

The touch brushing up his bangs and flipping his thick hair this way and that to dry it continued longer than expected.

He had definitely blown away the moisture in one go earlier on the rooftop. Though he thought it strange, he couldn’t stop his eyelids from getting heavier.

“Ryu Seo-ha?”

His eyes, blinking slowly, closed without him realizing. As he dozed off enjoying the gentle touch, his body slowly tilted to the side as strength left it.

“…Don’t tell me you fell asleep?”

“Mmm…”

The voice that sounded somewhat dejected pulled his consciousness to the surface briefly.

“I didn’t even use a sleep skill this time.”

Using the voice muttering as if disappointed as a lullaby, he sank into dreamland.

❖ ❖ ❖

“You beast!”

His eyes flew open at the familiar voice shouting. Instead of the soft feeling of the bed, he felt something very elastic supporting his back.

“You pervert! Thief!”

Before he could be surprised that he had slept soundly even with the ceiling light on, the intruder with hands on hips asserted her presence again.

“…Sis?”

It was Ryu Jeong-ah, who had appeared wearing colorful eye makeup she never normally wore. Her outfit was also much fancier than usual.

“Take responsibility for my brother! Unconditionally! For life!”

Though she kept raising her voice as if angry, her face showed undeniable mischief. It was the expression she showed when determined to tease him and his younger sister.

“We seem to be more like-minded than expected.”

A heavy voice brushed his ear as he felt a faint vibration from behind. Only when he turned his head did he realize. Choi Gang-hu was lying down, supporting him instead of a blanket.

“You can sleep more.”

As he tried to get up and slip away, a thick forearm tightly squeezed his waist. The other hand gently patted his chest covered in pajamas as if soothing a child.

Ryu Seo-ha shook his head with a troubled expression and met eyes with Ryu Jeong-ah standing at the door. Though clearly nothing had happened, his face flushed red with embarrassment.

“Sis, this is…”

“Seo-ha, listen carefully.”

Ryu Jeong-ah’s gaze was quite impure as she cut him off, pretending to be serious.

“Don’t let your guard down easily. At least until you stamp the marriage registration.”

As expected. She was definitely determined to tease him.

“You understand? I won’t expect premarital chastity, but when you have relations, at least make sure you have the initiative…”

“Aaaah.”

Unable to properly say “stop”, he covered his ears with both hands and shook his head. As expected, her delighted laughter rang out loudly.

“You look good. Seems like you slept well. I’m glad.”

After laughing for a while, Ryu Jeong-ah wiped the moisture gathered at the corners of her eyes and finished speaking. Her voice sounded somewhat relieved. Befitting someone who knew better than anyone that insomnia tormented him every night.

“…Where are you going?”

Ryu Seo-ha, feeling even more shy, quickly changed the subject. Squirming in the embrace he couldn’t escape from.

“Party party! An exciting party!”

“Huh? Party?”

Her outfit was particularly eye-catching. A white blouse with lots of frills and a flared skirt pleated like morning glories. It wasn’t her usual style. It seemed she had matched the dress code for a party.

“Do you remember Yejin?”

“Your high school friend?”

“Yeah. Turns out she became a hunter. She’s throwing a grand birthday party at a hotel.”

Ryu Jeong-ah’s cheeks were flushed as she grinned. He couldn’t tell if it was makeup with peach-colored blush or if her complexion was strong with excitement.

What was clear was that she was very excited about meeting old classmates after a long time. It was fitting for someone who had always maintained good relationships with many friends since childhood.

“That’s great. Have fun. Don’t worry about anything else.”

“I was going to, but he’s not allowed in.”

Ryu Jeong-ah nodded and lightly shook the birdcage she had put down in a corner of the room.

“Pibit!”

A dissatisfied bird cry hit a sharp high note. It seemed to have gotten quite stressed from being moved while caged.

“I’ll keep him today. Instead…”

“Don’t worry. Your lover already doubled my security detail.”

Ryu Jeong-ah winked and informed him of what had already been agreed upon. Ryu Seo-ha glanced at Choi Gang-hu. As he had suspected since he was lying down holding him, it seemed he hadn’t slept a wink.

Otherwise, Park Je-hyun would have prevented anyone from entering the room. He felt sorry for making the man who could only sleep leaning against a wall uncomfortable for no reason.

“Well, I’m off. I won’t be back until evening.”

Ryu Jeong-ah opened the cage door and turned around coolly.

“Okay. Be careful.”

With the image of his older sister leaving the room waving her hand as a backdrop, the small red bird fluttered up. And rushed towards Ryu Seo-ha.

“Ah…”

The very next moment, it collided with a translucent membrane generated in mid-air and bounced far away. With a “Piyuu” cry like air leaking.

“It will keep bothering you if you indulge it once.”

Choi Gang-hu said coldly as he lifted the red bird with telekinesis and put it back in the cage. Thinking this was a bit much, Ryu Seo-ha gently grabbed his arm, but he ignored it and even locked the door.

He hadn’t grown attached to it either. The birth of the red bird itself had blown away one of his survival options. Still, he didn’t want to see an innocent animal being treated roughly.

“What are we doing today?”

Seeming to notice his discomfort, Choi Gang-hu slipped a few pieces of charcoal into the cage and quickly changed the mood. Only then could Ryu Seo-ha relax his facial muscles.

“I need to go to work.”

More precisely, he needed to receive the elixir. He had already finished preparing to take it.

“Let’s take a day off and get some fresh air.”

What kind of guild master keeps encouraging his guild members to play hooky? Just yesterday he wouldn’t let him out saying he’d catch a cold in the cold air.

“I’ll use my day off tomorrow.”

When he mentioned a specific alternative date with a faint smile, Choi Gang-hu raised his eyebrows as if surprised. Ryu Seo-ha just smiled silently.

He wanted to stop postponing without a set date. With that mindset, the moment he received the elixir as soon as he arrived at work, he had a good feeling. That it would be effective this time.

He felt excited and nervous all day. All he could think about was going home after work and taking the elixir. At least until he saw Ryu Jeong-ah’s cold corpse.