By Zephyria 
“What are you doing while we’re eating? Get up.”
“Jin Mu-hae has long legs.”
“You’re stepping on my toys.”
“I already picked them up. Haha!”
The soles of the feet are less sensitive than the hands and are calloused. Even so, it was vividly clear that the skin touching his feet was soft and felt good.
Feeling inexplicably anxious, he tried applying strength again, but the captured leg showed no sign of breaking free. He wondered where this idiot, who possessed such mindless strength, was choosing to use it.
“Hmm.”
Joo-oh, who had rubbed his head against the foot to his heart’s content, began to nuzzle the ankle and leg. He seemed to like the texture of the freshly changed trouser legs.
Lick. A damp sensation licked the ankle bone, and then he bit the surrounding area so weakly that it didn’t even sting.
For a moment, Mu-hae felt as if an electric current had shot straight to his lower abdomen. It was his foot that had been bitten, but he felt a throbbing sensation further up.
“You…”
As he reached out to grab the giggling fellow, he felt a vibration at his wrist.
Damn it. A call this early in the morning. Of all people, the caller was the Defense Force, making it impossible to ignore.
“Yes, this is Jin Mu-hae.”
—This is Kim Seon-oh from the Administration Office. I apologize for the early hour, but are you available to talk? I’m contacting you because we need consent before sending the cleanup crew.
“Did something happen?”
—No. Nothing major. There was a Beast attack on the northern route to Seogyeong City, and the night shift responded immediately and wrapped it up without any significant damage. However, you mentioned that if a Beast combat incident occurred on a training date, you wanted to be notified before the cleanup…
Ah. He had inquired with the Field Management Office about whether he could conduct a class at a site after an actual combat engagement if the opportunity arose. Since there had been a battle at dawn, it seemed they had contacted him hurriedly before proceeding with the established process.
“Yes, that’s correct. Thank you for letting me know. How long can the post-processing be delayed?”
—Since they deployed around 4 AM, it would be best not to exceed half a day, but since you requested to use it as teaching material, probably…
Squish. As he listened to the call, the inside of his calf was pressed. The round head released the foot it had been holding and, before he knew it, had climbed up and leaned against his leg.
Regardless of who the owner of the leg was talking to or whether he was eating, the creature rubbed its head vigorously, completely indifferent and in a great mood.
Mu-hae barely managed to regain his wavering focus and gave a small cough.
“Given the timing, ahem, it would be better to proceed with the class as quickly as possible.”
—If it’s alright, it would be better to go straight to the site without stopping by central. I know it takes quite a while for you to get there, so I contacted you before you started your commute.
“Ah, of course. Thank… ”
Nibble, squish. The clueless Aberrant began nipping again under the table, rendering his efforts futile.
This time it was the inner thigh. After rubbing his cheek and sniffing, he took the other man’s leg—trousers and all—into his mouth and chewed softly.
Looking down, he saw Joo-oh smiling foolishly with his eyes half-closed. Rather than an intention to interfere, it seemed he was simply burrowing in because he liked it.
“Stop it.”
He growled a warning, making sure it didn’t bleed into the phone call. However, the fellow who had already burrowed between his legs only continued to rub his head, seemingly pleased with the warmth enveloping him.
—Instructor Jin?
“Ah, yes. Sorry. What is the procedure?”
—Please give us a notification once you arrive at the site, and after that, we will deliver the official document…
Of all times, a call like this comes through, so he couldn’t even yell. His crotch was already damp; it felt like the fellow had drooled a whole bucket.
A small breath tickled his skin through the fabric. When he spread his legs slightly to push him away, a faint, characteristic fragrant scent wafted up.
Damn brat. Just because he didn’t pet his head after searching the rainwater tunnel today, he’s clinging to him as if there’s some kind of contact quota.
Since no sharp words flew his way, the creature made a whimpering sound and climbed a bit higher.
Throb. A strange stimulation traveled up his spine. He pushed the head down with his hand and saw the tip of Joo-oh’s ear peeking out.
Usually white and round, it was now reddish, making him look happy. It was a sight that made Mu-hae want to cup his face and fiddle with it.
“Mmm-nn.”
He shook his head as if telling him not to push and buried his head deeper. “Jin Mu-hae smell,” a very small, slurred mutter was heard.
—…so we will also notify the scheduled members in advance upon their arrival…
“…Yes.”
Wet hair spilled haphazardly between his fingers.
Damn it. It seemed a switch had been flipped. As if he viewed Mu-oh as some kind of addictive drug or silver vine, Joo-oh would occasionally act intoxicated after smelling Mu-hae.
Whenever that happened, Mu-hae would stroke his face and back before pushing him away and telling him to have enough, but currently, neither was feasible.
Information that needed to be memorized was continuing to pour into his ear. Since this was a hastily created opportunity born of goodwill, he had to be as considerate as possible to the other party.
—It may be a hassle again, but since a certain number of members will be absent at once, you will need to write a confirmation if the training runs long. I will send this along with the official document.
“Yes, I’m familiar with the form. During the last practical… um.”
Naturally, the fellow who had burrowed in of his own accord had no intention of considering such circumstances. In the brief moment he moved his hand to check a document, Joo-oh finally rested his head on his thigh.
A slight sense of volume touched him, pulsing with body heat. Even though he was wearing both underwear and trousers, it felt as if a bare face were rubbing against him.
Jin Mu-hae eventually frowned and closed his eyes. He almost let out a suspiciously sharp breath.
Despite the incredibly awkward situation, his lower half betrayed its owner’s mood and gradually grew in size.
“Yes. Thank you. Then, as you said, I will contact you again…”
A vein popped in his temple. He clenched his teeth between words, making his jaw rigid.
Then, as weight was added once more to the object that was now becoming frustratingly tight, he finally flinched and let out a small groan.
—Instructor Jin?
Fuck. He was on the verge of breaking into a cold sweat. Mu-hae finally kicked the body that was clinging tenaciously.
The fellow who had been entwined the whole time screamed and tumbled away. Until just a moment ago, he hadn’t thought of moving even when the leg shook; perhaps he had let his guard down, or perhaps he had let go while pretending to be defeated.
“I’m sorry. I spilled a hot drink… would it be alright if I called you back?”
—Oh dear. Are you hurt? I’ve delivered the important parts, so if there are further requirements, I’ll guide you along with the official document.
“Thank you.”
Click. Only after the call ended did the breath he had been holding burst out at once. He felt a tingling sensation all the way to the top of his head.
After taking a deep breath as if vomiting, Jin Mu-hae pushed his chair back and lowered his head.
“Woo.”
The fellow who had rolled away quite a distance was curled up. He wanted to smack that head of his, but the lingering sensation of the impact on his toes bothered him.
He was sure he had kicked him in the face. He abruptly grabbed the other’s chin and examined him.
“You hit me.”
Naturally, there were no signs of swelling or bruising. Honestly, there wasn’t even a graze.
Yet, this insane brat wore a sad and pitiful expression. Crazy bastard. Why the hell did he stop eating his cereal to bite someone’s leg?
“What did I tell you about when I’m working?”
“…Not to interfere.”
“And yet?”
“This time, I was smelling Jin Mu-hae first.”
The sheer audacity to insist that he wasn’t interfering because he had started first.
Moreover, looking at that aggrieved expression, his eyes claimed that he had no intention of interfering and had merely been quietly smelling him.
The trousers he had just licked were damp, which was absolutely absurd.
“Who told you to touch my foot?”
“Not ‘someone.’ It’s Jin Mu-hae.”
“If you’re not hungry, get away from the table. Stop doing weird things.”
“…”
Lately, Joo-oh often became sullen over the smallest things. He recovered quickly, but it was a stark contrast to how he used to be steadfast even after receiving all sorts of scoldings.
Since he was a guy who could even act mysterious with that empty head of his, there was clearly some unspoken problem.
“I did it because Jin Mu-hae smells good.”
“Why do you smell it from down there?”
“Because Jin Mu-hae has to eat.”
“Do you expect me to enjoy my meal after you’ve messed with me like that?”
Since he had some bulk to him, the way he had his body crumpled up looked somewhat pitiful. Mu-hae pushed the chair back further to make space for him to get out and sighed, gesturing with his hand.
“Just come out for now.”
“You didn’t hug me yesterday or today.”
“I get it, so just come out.”
Joo-oh glanced at him tentatively and crawled out bit by bit. Then, instead of standing up, he leaned against the leg again and closed his eyes.
“You said you’re watching Snowball. You should get ready quickly.”
“Suddenly, I wanted to see Jin Mu-hae more.”
“You’re looking at me.”
“…”
He opened only one eye slightly and looked into the air. Then, he spread his arms, gesturing to be picked up.
Mu-hae lifted him and sat him on his lap. Only then did a pleasant, humming laugh reach his ears.
Press. His weight pressed against the object that was still half-swollen. The innocent humming made the area below his waist hot, and Mu-hae licked his dry lips while checking the time.
There was plenty of time left before he had to leave for work. Mu-hae quietly looked at the bag placed next to the bed, then pressed his lips against the nape of the fellow who was sniffing him again.
Snowball wasn’t going anywhere. Excuses filled his mind as the reddened rim of an ear flickered in his vision.
“Open your mouth.”
“Mmm.”
He probably hadn’t had a single bite of cereal yet, but the tongue he bit and pulled tasted sweet.
236 – I Became an Anomaly in a Dead Game