-04-

‘Chiusa una porta si apre un portone.’

Chiusa una porta si apre un portone.

When one door closes, a bigger door opens.

Following Yeon-ho across the threshold of the mansion, Marteo recalled the old Italian proverb.

He had been prepared to hear a few harsh words, since his half-lie had been exposed, but…

“Sit.”

Far from hearing unpleasant words, he was even being brought home.

He was in danger of smiling due to the pleasant misjudgment.

Yeon-ho had tossed his car keys and phone onto the table a moment ago. Seeing him take off his coat, it was clear he had no intention of going out again.

Even though he knew, he put on an expression as if he didn’t understand what was going on.

After a while, a sharp remark pierced his ears.

“Clear out your room at the goshiwon.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’ll look for a decent room. Until then, stay here.”

All efforts to suppress his smile were meaningless at this moment. Could such an overbearing and unilateral command be so sweet!

No matter how much he bit his tongue or pinched his thigh, it was hard to hold back his laughter. Marteo quickly lowered his head. But even that couldn’t hide his subtly trembling shoulders.

Fortunately, Yeon-ho was still misunderstanding him.

‘Tsk. He said he was fine, but it must have been tough. But still, to be this moved?’

He felt complicated. On one hand, he had mixed feelings.

He had fed and clothed all sorts of guys, but he had never shared his home with anyone… Even if he couldn’t leave the kid in the goshiwon, was this the right thing to do? Maybe he should have just booked a motel room…

But he had his own excuse.

─That guy, if you let him wander the streets, he’d get a truckload of business cards. Manage him well.

As Seung-won said, what if he carelessly threw him into a place where all sorts of people gathered and some weirdo snatched him up?

This was, above all, management, not just concern. Yes. That’s right.

At the end of his forceful conclusion, he opened his mouth with a colder tone, as if hiding his true feelings.

“But it’s not like I’m letting you stay for free. While you’re here, you’ll have to earn your keep.”

Earn his… keep…?

Marteo, who had been looking down, raised his head at those words.

“I told you before, I don’t like dealing with people, so I don’t hire help. But I’ve already brought you into the house, so what else would I do with the spare manpower?”

“……?”

“Cleaning, laundry, cooking. Housework is your responsibility.”

“…….”

“Any objections?”

It was a matter before objections. How many times had he ever done the things Yeon-ho listed?

His daily life involved having someone bring him even a single sock or a glass of water. Cleaning and laundry were even more out of the question.

If he offered to do housework, wouldn’t Tony look into hospitals first? Or would he tremble, thinking he was being told to fire someone in this way?

But seeing Yeon-ho’s raised eyebrows, the only answer he could give was:

“No, sir.”

“Good then. The luggage in the goshiwon can be moved gradually… No, leave it there and move it when you move out. You already paid the rent, right?”

“Yes.”

“They probably won’t give you a refund.”

“…….”

“Anyway. You should have told me about this sooner. I told you your body isn’t yours anymore. Do you know how much your physical condition is affected by the environment?”

“…….”

“Anyway, we’ll talk about the rest tomorrow. I’m going to shower now. You can use the bathroom in the living room. I threw away the toothbrush you used last time, so take out a new one. As for clothes… I wonder if my size will fit you. I think someone might have left something behind.”

He had been silent while being lectured, but at the last words, Marteo’s face stiffened. Yeon-ho, not missing it, twisted his mischievous lips.

“If you don’t like it, you can just sleep naked?”

But after a pause, the response that came back was an unexpected affirmation.

“I don’t mind, sir. If Do Yeon-ho is okay with it.”

“…….”

Clearly a calm tone with no hint of sexual tension. But why did he suddenly feel like he wasn’t okay with it?

“…I’ll have to find pajamas.”

It was when he hurriedly got up from his seat with an unnecessary cough.

“But… what about the room?”

“Room…?”

“You didn’t tell me which room to use.”

…Ah, come to think of it, he had forgotten that.

At Marteo’s glance towards the other side of the hallway, Yeon-ho also turned his gaze. The 50-pyeong mansion had three spare rooms besides the bedrooms.

But as he said, the ‘spare’ rooms had no proper furniture. Yeon-ho, rubbing his chin, drawled.

“By any chance… can you sleep on the floor?”

Marteo gave an answer faster than usual.

“No, sir.”

“…….”

“My back gets a little sore.”

The words he added as an excuse were actually unnecessary. Yeon-ho’s lips unconsciously stretched into a smile.

Right, he brought him here so he wouldn’t suffer in the cramped goshiwon, so making him sleep on the floor wouldn’t be ‘managing’ him, would it? But would he, the homeowner, use the empty room?

With a nonchalant tone, Yeon-ho shrugged.

“Then there’s no choice. You’ll have to share my room.”

It seemed he wouldn’t need to find pajamas after all.

♥ ♥ ♥

Marteo, having separated from Yeon-ho for a while and entered the bathroom, first looked for his phone, not the toothbrush he was told to take out.

Goshiwon.

Tap. Tap tap. His fingers, typing consonants and vowels into the portal search bar, were quite fast. And a few seconds later. The search results that finished loading made his already weary eyes narrow sharply.

‘A… prison?’

It was a rude but the first word that came to mind.

Narrow corridors that seemed to be no more than 1 meter wide, with several wooden doors attached side by side.

The housing type, which had no aesthetic corners to be found even if you washed your eyes and looked, was not much different in the detailed room scenery.

‘Why is there a desk on the bed? Are they sleeping with their feet under the desk?’

‘Besides, why is the shelf in that position? It’s right above your face when you lie down.’

There was nothing that could be called an understandable structure. But it was too early to be surprised. At least the desk and shelf ‘existed’. It was because he realized that there was more that didn’t exist than what did.

Small things like closets or refrigerators… and big things like faucets and sinks. Moreover, what was even more shocking was the fact that there wasn’t even a bathroom.

Unable to believe the environment, he repeatedly zoomed in and out of the screen, wondering if there were any blind spots not captured in the photos, and finally a sigh burst out.

Goshiwon, he finally understood properly why Yeon-ho had reacted that way earlier.

A prison was better. From his perspective, it was a slightly larger coffin. Or a chicken coop with a bed.

He would refuse to stay even if he was given bundles of money, but to even have to pay… shouldn’t this be legally prohibited?

But the undeniable fact was that he had benefited from a form of accommodation that completely ignored human housing rights and dignity.

If the goshiwon wasn’t like this, Yeon-ho wouldn’t have brought him home.

As his thoughts continued, a bitter smile leaked out.

Indeed… what kind of image did Do Yeon-ho have of him? He should be trying to win him over with a great appearance, but instead of being sponsored, he was even being pitied…

But, thinking again, there was no other way.

Avian Morpheus. Eagle was the worst, right? Whether it was sponsorship or pity, the first thing was to please Yeon-ho’s eyes and heart.

‘To do that…….’

Marteo, who had been tapping his feet, erased the search window and looked for his call list. A monotonous ringing tone continued several times, and soon today’s enthusiastic voice split the receiver.

“Young Master!”

Marteo, who hadn’t even been able to take the phone away from his ear, frowned at the booming voice.

“Where are you now? When are you coming back!”

Recently, this was always the case when he answered the phone or did anything. Well, his precious young master had left only a memo and flown to a foreign land, so it was natural to be worried.

But Marteo was more urgent about his business. Without further ado, Marteo held the phone and immediately got to the point.

“That’s later. I called because I have something to ask, are you busy?”

It was three in the afternoon in Italy. The daily schedule of ‘Tony’, who managed the mansion, was by no means easy.

From waking up to going to bed, he inspected the working status of the workers, received reports on each room, garden, flower garden, and vehicle maintenance, and even coordinated the day’s menu with the chef.

Well, it would be a little better in that the ‘homeowner’ who would eat the meal was away.

After asking, Marteo quickly corrected himself, just in case.

“No, even if you’re busy, I come first.”

“…Why. Wh, what’s wrong? Is there something wrong with your safety!”

Tony, who had been holding his breath, received the words with a similar but different urgency from before. If that was the case, he was ready to buy a ticket to Korea right away, but unfortunately or fortunately, the anxiety didn’t last long.

The words that followed from his young master, who had started with an unusually serious and fast tone, were something he couldn’t even guess.

“Do you, by any chance… know how to cook?”

“……Pardon?”

Tony’s face became dumbfounded. His head began to distort the words at will. He stammered.

“D-do you know how to hunt?”

“What are you talking about?”

“No, a little while ago, you said Cacciare…….”

It was a misunderstanding caused by the similar pronunciation of Cucinare (cook) and Cacciare (hunt). Marteo, realizing this, frowned.

“No. I’m not asking if you know how to hunt, I’m asking if you know how to make food.”

“……Ah, fight.”

This time it was Pugnare. Marteo ran his hand over his forehead, with his empty hand, and simply changed his words along with his grinding teeth.

“Never mind. You’re useless, just change to Moretti. Or give me his personal number!”

Only then did Tony realize that he hadn’t misheard.

Marco Moretti. He was the chef of this mansion. Tony, who dropped his jaw too late, even bounced his shoulders in shock.

“Wh, what is it? Why Marco? Don’t tell me…… you’re thinking of cooking? You’re going to make your own food?”

If he was going to understand, he should have understood sooner!

Still, there was still a difference. It wasn’t so much that he was going to make his own food, but that he had to make it and serve it.

─Cleaning, laundry, cooking. Housework is your responsibility.

Marteo, recalling Yeon-ho’s words, pressed his temples. Honestly, even if he borrowed the power of machines for cleaning and laundry, ‘cooking’ was a truly different world.

But he had said it, hadn’t he? He had to please Yeon-ho somehow. It wouldn’t make sense to back down from the start, saying he couldn’t do it.

“Just answer me. Can you do it or not?”

“Well… I can do it to some extent. A capable butler is supposed to do the minimum for the convenience of his master in any situation…….”

“That’s enough. I don’t have time, so just tell me the recipes you know.”

“……Really, are you serious?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

It’s not a joke, it looks like you’ve gone a little crazy. Instead of saying words he couldn’t bring himself to say, Tony pursed his lips sullenly.

It was a great relief that his young master wasn’t in front of him right now. In the meantime, are you listening? Marteo urged again. Finally, Tony let out a long sigh.

“I have a lot of questions I want to ask, Young Master. But first, let me ask you the most important thing. What kind of food do you want?”

“What… kind of food?”

“You have to at least explain the situation so I can recommend something that fits. For example, is it for breakfast or dinner, is it a simple meal or a formal one, is the main dish meat or fish? At the very least, are you going to steam it or grill it, and so on.”

“…….”

“For your information, I don’t recommend anything complicated. It’s a miracle if you can even crack an egg properly. If you grab a knife and hurt your hand instead of the ingredients… Madonna santa! This Antonio will never be able to close his eyes.”

Was he worried about him feeding him or what?

The words with even praise attached were very annoying. Still, he was right. Marteo, who had been hesitating, moved his lips with a voice that had lost some of his initial confidence.

“Is there anything… simple, but looks complicated?”

“…….”

“If possible, something that requires less use of tools.”

Tony’s feelings were, of course, the same.

He had lived as a butler with pride for decades. But this simple and complex order was truly the first time.

♥ ♥ ♥

“Why did you take so long? I almost fell asleep.”

Entering the bedroom, which seemed to have been deliberately left open, Yeon-ho poured out a light scolding while looking at his phone.

The time had been delayed more than expected because he had been receiving a crash course in cooking, let alone showering. Yeon-ho had come out a long time ago, and his wet hair was slightly dry.

As their eyes met, Yeon-ho touched his hair.

“I was too lazy to dry it. Why, are you going to use the dryer?”

If he did, he would want to dry Yeon-ho’s remaining hair, not his own… but it looked good even slightly damp.

When he shook his head, Yeon-ho, changing the subject, gestured next to the bed where he was half-lying.

“Then come and look at this.”

Marteo was empty-handed except for the bath towel wrapped around his waist, as he couldn’t put on the clothes he had been wearing all day.

Nevertheless, Yeon-ho, as if a man’s naked body was nothing special, easily asked him to come closer and held out the phone he was looking at.

As he sat on the edge of the bed, his shoulder touched Yeon-ho, who had come even closer. A good smell wafted from Yeon-ho’s body.

Marteo, barely suppressing the desire to bury his nose in it and inhale, focused his gaze on the phone that was held out as if to divert his consciousness.

“How is it?”

What Yeon-ho showed was a picture of an unfamiliar room.

‘Better than a chicken coop….’

That was exactly how he felt. When he turned his eyes as if asking what it was, Yeon-ho shrugged.

“I looked for a place for you to move into.”

He was quick. He had just brought him here, and he was already choosing a place to move out?

“Anyway, you don’t have much luggage, and I’m mainly looking at studio apartments… Do you have any other conditions you want?”

“No, sir.”

“It’s a new building, so all the furniture and appliances are built-in. It’ll be more convenient than buying everything separately, right?”

“I don’t mind.”

“But it’s on the first floor, which is a bit of a problem. It looks like it’ll be easily visible from the outside….”

“Excuse me….”

“Yeah?”

“By the way, what’s the rent here….”

“That’s not your problem.”

It meant that Yeon-ho himself would pay. Marteo, who had expected this, did not miss the opportunity and lightly snatched the phone from Yeon-ho, who was continuously looking at pictures of other houses, and turned off the screen.

“What is it? Aren’t you going to look at the room?”

“I’ll find it myself.”

“…What?”

“Actually, I was planning to leave the goshiwon soon anyway, and I don’t want to be indebted for things like this….”

“Geez. Who said I’d buy it for you? When things are settled with you, the room will be cleared out too, of course.”

“Then it’ll only be more complicated later. I’ll just find a place that suits my level.”

“…….”

“Please take care of me in the meantime.”

Yeon-ho, who was about to say something more, closed his mouth. His expression didn’t look very good.

“Did I upset you?”

“No, well, it’s not like I’m upset, but it’s always strange. Isn’t ‘thank you’ the usual thing?”

“…….”

How many of those guys were in that ‘usual’? The names he heard through Seung-won were four. Including the guy he saw on set, five.

Maybe there were even more than that.

Thinking about it, it was Marteo who felt bad instead. While controlling his lips, which were trying to sink downwards as much as possible, he finally brought up the words he had been burying.

“I have something I’m curious about too.”

“……?”

“The maximum length of a sponsorship relationship was said to be 6 months… Were there any partners who lasted longer than that? Someone a little more special than usual, someone like that.”

He had asked first, but what he expected was Yeon-ho’s snort. He wanted him to cut it off nonchalantly, saying there was no such thing.

But unexpectedly, Yeon-ho’s face hardened. The snort he had been hoping for came out much later.

“Well. There’s one person… Someone hard to forget.”

Marteo’s pupils narrowed.

There was? And even someone hard to forget?

It felt like he was digging his own grave and covering himself with dirt. He wanted to ask something more, but his mouth wouldn’t open properly.

He wasn’t given that opportunity either. Yeon-ho, changing his posture as if to say he wouldn’t talk about useless things, burrowed into the bed.

“If you’re not going to look at the room anymore, turn off the light. Let’s go to sleep.”

Even if it was the same command, this one really didn’t please him.

One interesting thing about the sleeping patterns of birds is unihemispheric sleep. That is, they can sleep with one eye closed and the other eye open.

Of course, even if Anima was a chicken, it didn’t apply to Yeon-ho, who was human… but today was different.

‘Are you asleep? Are you really asleep!’

Even with his left eye, the one that had met Marteo’s, closed, his right eye had been simmering since a while ago.

The reason was simple. He had told him to turn off the lights and go to sleep, but was that really what he meant by sleep? To a gay adult man, could ‘sleep’ mean anything other than koo-oo?

However, Marteo, who had turned off the lights as told and lay down next to him, hadn’t moved a muscle for quite some time.

He hadn’t even bothered to find him pajamas on purpose. Instead, he himself was wearing smooth, silky pajamas! How could he not even twitch, not even flick a finger? What had he done with the things he’d taught him that morning?

His pride was getting a dog-like wound at the thought of poking him in the ribs first, but he was also getting frustrated at the thought of just going to sleep like this.

Finally, Yeon-ho opened his other eye wide. Compared to humans, who have a 180-degree field of vision, chickens have a whopping 300-degree field of vision.

Of course, he couldn’t do that much now without releasing his Anima, but he could still see Marteo, who was breathing evenly and had both eyes closed, clearly.

‘Should I punch him? Or should I just splash him with water?’

A rough desire, fueled by irritation, also welled up. However, it didn’t last long. Even with his eyes closed, even in the dark, he had such a handsome face. It was a waste to slap him in the face before even eating him.

‘Damn it. I’d rather die than suffer! I shouldn’t look. If I don’t look, I’ll be less frustrated!’

Yeon-ho, gritting his teeth, turned his body to the side, which he had been lying straight on until now. Well, he did pull the shared sheet all the way to his side out of spite.

It was at that moment.

“…Aren’t you sleeping?”

A low voice flowed in from the side where he had barely managed to take his eyes off and turned away. It was a voice that clearly didn’t have a hint of sleepiness. Yeon-ho’s sharpness, which he had been trying to suppress, exploded at this moment.

“What if I’m not sleeping!”

Was he supposed to sing him a lullaby? He was about to spit out childish sarcasm. If it hadn’t been for the warmth that suddenly rushed towards him as he turned back around. If it hadn’t been for the sweet breath that touched the hair behind his ear in succession.

“…!”

The man who was looking down at Yeon-ho, who had stopped halfway through turning around, narrowed his face even more. The eyes that met his were smiling. Lips that seemed like they would barely touch parted softly once again right in front of his nose.

“I’ve been thinking… if all the housework is my responsibility, does this include it too?”

…What?

“Since the bed is also in the house. I was wondering if bed-related things are also housework.”

It was something that anyone who wasn’t a chick just hatching from an egg could understand. Above all, Marteo’s lower body, which was subtly pressed against his pelvis as if rubbing against it, was clearer than words.

Yeon-ho, who had been dazed for a moment, finally contorted his face. Then, he bit his lip as if groaning.

“Seriously… I was going to make sure you wouldn’t get away with just passing by today… Why are you saying something so obvious!”

The burst of scolding came after that. Marteo, who understood each other’s words, paused and then dropped his head and laughed. Yeon-ho hit that forehead mercilessly.

“Don’t laugh! What are you so happy about? You should have understood right away when I didn’t give you clothes to change into!”

“Do Yeon-ho was wearing them.”

“Ha. Are your eyes just for decoration? There are only three buttons. I went out of my way to pick something easy to take off.”

Despite the warning, Marteo’s shoulders shook even more at the extremely honest complaint. Then, he suddenly raised his head and frowned.

“Then why were you like that earlier?”

“Like what.”

“You were going to just break up after eating. I read that as a sign that today wasn’t the day… Did I misunderstand?”

“That’s!”

“That’s…?”

Yeon-ho hesitated for a moment as he recited after the end of the sentence. Marteo, who didn’t miss it, whispered once more right in front of his lips, almost touching them.

“That’s what. Why are you stopping mid-sentence?”

“……”

“Aren’t you going to answer me?”

The voice, which was both childish and seductive, tickled him. Yeon-ho’s lips naturally curled inward. And then, unlike his confident attitude until now, he turned his head as if avoiding his gaze…

The mumbled voice came a long time after that.

“Because of my… stomach.”

“…Pardon?”

“I said it was because of my stomach! It was right after we ate back then. How could I do the first round looking so sloppy with my stomach sticking out so much? Are you that clueless?”

It was a sound he had never heard in his life. It was also somewhat unfair that the atmosphere, which had been erotic until just now, had suddenly turned into a scolding atmosphere.

But… Yeon-ho, who was glaring back at him, this man who was worried about his stomach after eating, was more cute than any other feeling.

He couldn’t bear these feelings, this overflowing heart. The mushy lump that had been boiling in his stomach and stirring in his chest finally burst out of Marteo’s mouth after going around and around.

“Ha, haha…. Ahahaha!”

The wide-open mouth was different from the smile he had seen until now. It was a refreshing burst of laughter that made his face, which boasted a perfectly balanced beauty, completely lopsided.

But this time, he couldn’t tell him not to laugh.

The sun and sunset blazing inside the tightly folded corners of his eyes, even as he continued to burst into loud laughter. The soft expression of the man looking down at him as if he were looking at the most lovely thing in the world.

“You’re cute….”

At the whispered murmur, a sigh broke into Yeon-ho’s mouth. Arms that could no longer bear it finally grabbed Marteo’s neck.

The remaining laughter and the spreading sweet breath quickly sank into each other’s mouths.

♥ ♥ ♥

Yeon-ho said he had chosen clothes with only three buttons to make it easy to take off… but as a result, it was an unnecessary choice.

This was because the large hands that had been groping his chest over his pajamas while frantically sucking on their intertwined tongues had simply grabbed the front of his top and ripped it open.

Tududuk, the small buttons attached to his pajamas were helplessly flung in all directions by the grip that had no hesitation.

‘Huh? I paid quite a bit for this?’

The moment he thought absentmindedly even while engrossed in the kiss, his plump tongue was bitten tightly. Marteo raised the corners of his lips as if he had done it on purpose when he groaned in pain.

“…Are you worried about it?”

Even though he was asking playfully, his voice was much lower than usual. He didn’t even have time to answer.

I’ll make it up to you later. The kiss that followed again with those words passed his neck and collarbone and fell to the chest where his collar was open. It was instantaneous for lips moistened with moisture to swallow his nipples.

“Haaah.”

He said he’d bite the clothes later, but he’s biting here now….

He couldn’t even think about the buttons that had been flung off when the tip of his tongue, which was much smoother than the silk pajamas, wrapped around his flesh, and the fingers that were tormentingly pulling on his nipples were maddeningly electrifying.

Yeon-ho, who reached out his hand, grabbed Marteo’s hair. The signal to stop was naturally not there.

“Harder, harder….”

Lips that immediately accepted the shameless request gathered the thin flesh of his chest even more strongly and sucked it into his mouth.

The sound of air being crushed between the flat chest and lips disturbed the bedroom.

“Ugh… hng.”

Not only the fingers that were holding Marteo’s hair, but even his toes were curling inward.

The tingling current that had spread from his chest solidified into a hard form below his navel.

Marteo’s hand, which had been pinching his nipples, slipped further down to the obvious arousal that could never be hidden by the thin cloth.

The fingers that had easily dug into the pants with only rubber banding, however, unexpectedly had no choice but to stop moving.

Marteo, who had been about to suck on his nipples without letting go, took his wet lips off. Then, he uttered a bewildered voice for the first time towards Yeon-ho, who was holding back a faint groan.

“…You’re not wearing underwear?”

As he said. There was no cumbersome piece of cloth that should have been in Yeon-ho’s pants.

Yeon-ho narrowed his eyes primly.

“That’s why I told you. I was going to make sure you wouldn’t get away with just passing by today.”

Then, he wiggled his waist and even bounced it up as if urging the stopped touch. The plump and hot sensation that touched his fingers directly, and the pubic hair that was roughly rubbing against him, felt like they were stabbing his heart and tickling his solar plexus.

Marteo, who bit his lip, continued what he had stopped at Yeon-ho’s urging. However, it wasn’t a petting using his hands.

Because he couldn’t bear this feeling with just his hands.

Marteo, who had pulled out the hand he had barely pushed into his pants, grabbed Yeon-ho’s waist. The pants, which were pulled down with a little force, were taken off in one fell swoop below his feet.

Yeon-ho’s mouth involuntarily burst into an exclamation as his dick, which was rubbing against the smooth silk, trembled.

Yeon-ho’s lower body, which was exposed without anything to hide, was twice as pretty and sexy as he had imagined.

The blood vessels of the shaft that was more than half erect and slightly bent forward, the shape of the glans that was dripping with fluid… the wrinkles of the foreskin that was slightly covering the glans, and even the narrow glans.

Even the lip pigment was light, but this place was reddish.

Marteo, who was leaning his face down as if possessed, inhaled the breath he had been holding back in front of the fluffy pubic hair.

Along with the feeling of his lungs filling up, his desire grew even bigger. Without thinking, Marteo’s mouth sucked in all of Yeon-ho’s lower body.

“Heuk!”

Yeon-ho’s neck was naturally bent by the dampness and heat. It wasn’t like he was doing this for a day or two, so of course he expected this to happen.

But he thought he would give him a few kisses and a few touches. To think he would swallow him raw without even shaving his hair….

His determination to teach him his preferences one by one, such as that he was weak under his scrotum, or that it was better to bite the shaft slightly than to lick it, was completely shattered at this moment.

Just do whatever you want….

What did preferences matter? The primitive stimulation of being rolled around in his mouth whole was the law that reigned over preferences.

Marteo repeatedly sucked on Yeon-ho’s thing as Yeon-ho’s groans scattered like groans and he was showered with nasal sounds above his head.

The smell of flesh, which was much stronger than his chest, and the taste of Do Yeon-ho, which was extremely sexy.

His stomach was boiling even more as Yeon-ho’s pre-cum, which had already been pooling up, mixed with his saliva and went over the back of his throat.

He himself didn’t know he would be this excited. He thought he would be able to maintain some reason and pinpoint the attack points even if he did it with Yeon-ho, but it was a ridiculous complacency.

Every moment, everything about Yeon-ho was stabbing him in the back and making a fool of his judgment. Reason was useless in front of a man who captivated people every time he saw him.

The prey that was flapping with breath was bound to be a stimulus to the Eagle by instinct.

Marteo’s head, which had been pushed even further forward by the violent impulse, finally crashed into Yeon-ho’s belly as if stuffing it in.

“Augh!”

The flesh that had completely disappeared into his mouth without a trace and the man’s erect nose that was stabbing his belly. Yeon-ho was unable to come to his senses and repeatedly burst into heated groans with the mouth that was repeatedly tightening and loosening.

He thought about it when he first kissed him and when he had his chest sucked on earlier… The overly skillful mouth movements were far from elegant this time as well. The caress that seemed like it would dig into his intestines was not at all affectionate.

But I told you. That’s why it’s even better.

Even if they didn’t know each other’s thoughts, their hearts were perfectly matched.

Yeon-ho, who had once again inserted his fingers between Marteo’s hair, began to bounce his hips following his head movements.

Marteo skillfully moved his tongue even with the flesh stabbing his palate. He wrapped it around the shaft and gnawed at the boundary of the glans with his teeth.

While fully enjoying the firm elasticity and soft texture, Yeon-ho’s orgasm reached his chin with the persistent mouth movements. Yeon-ho’s toes, which were stretched taut with an unbearable feeling, pushed against the sheet.

The heat that had been swirling inside his body finally poured into Marteo’s mouth as if exploding. It was an unusually fast orgasm and a long, long ejaculation.

The leg muscles that were repeating contraction and relaxation trembled uncontrollably. The flesh that was still in the man’s mouth was no different. Whether to soothe him or to stimulate him further, Marteo repeatedly swept the urethral opening with the tip of his tongue.

It was even to Yeon-ho’s taste that he was scratching the shaft with his teeth, which he hadn’t even taught him, as if he had matched it.

This is a hundred and twenty points….

Marteo, who had received all of Yeon-ho’s fluids that had been squeezed out until the last drop, lifted his head from Yeon-ho’s crotch, which he had buried himself in.

Yeon-ho, who had dropped his swollen chest when the cold air touched his hot lower body, also exhaled a languid breath. When he opened his eyes again, which he had unknowingly closed, he saw Marteo’s face, which had come close to his nose in the meantime.

There were no obvious and childish questions like whether it was good or okay, but his heated eyes were examining his reaction. Yeon-ho, who was smirking, tapped Marteo’s cheek with his fingertips, which were filled with languor.

“You… use your mouth well.”

“……”

“Wait a minute.”

Judging from the fact that there was no reply, he seemed to still be holding what he had poured out. Yeon-ho, who turned his upper body, reached out his arm towards the side table. However, this was also a futile effort. The man grabbed his shoulder again, which had been half-raised, the moment his fingertips caught on the soft tissue.

Pultteok! His back was crushed back onto the sheet by the pulling force. Marteo naturally overlapped his body on top of him.

The shadow cast over his face and the heavy weight of the man. It was nothing special, but his heart dropped with a thud for no reason.

Would he know what was going on inside him? Marteo, who had met his eyes, began to spit out the fluids he had been holding in his mouth into his palm as if to show off.

The milky saliva that flowed down between his sensual lips, and even the thin lines that connected them, were not dirty at all, but excessively sexy.

Instead of asking what he was doing, Marteo slowly moved his lips towards Yeon-ho, who had held his breath.

“I use other places… even better than my mouth.”

When he realized that it was an answer to the compliment he had given him earlier, the hand soaked with semen was already parting Yeon-ho’s buttocks.

Of course, there was no need to ask what he was doing this time either.

The man’s hot lower body was clearly felt with their bodies stuck together. The texture and volume were different from what he had tasted with his foot before.

It didn’t make sense that he didn’t know what it meant for his hands to be parting his buttocks and fiddling between the narrow holes.

Yeon-ho’s excitement was quickly revived even though it hadn’t been a few minutes since he had ejaculated. Instead of giving strength to his buttocks, he relaxed his body as much as possible, and Marteo’s fingertips, who had realized his unspoken consent, dug further into the narrower wrinkles.

It was a familiar act, but on the other hand, it was an unfamiliar touch, and a suppressed groan flowed from Yeon-ho’s bitten lips as if it were an experience he was having for the first time in his life. Unlike the hasty and reckless caresses of the past, Marteo kissed his forehead and then his shoulders several times before carefully opening his body over time.

As he gradually became accustomed to the texture and temperature that had dug in, Yeon-ho’s groans also changed in kind from rough elasticity to a languid, erotic throat. The feeling of the long, thick fingers hooking and groping his inner walls was now closer to a tingling sensation than discomfort.

Finally, Yeon-ho gave strength and grabbed Marteo’s fingers as he slowly poked and pulled out. Marteo, who had paused, laughed softly. Then, instead of retreating, the number of fingers increased to three.

“Ah!”

His shoulders trembled slightly at the volume that was forcibly squeezing through the already narrow hole. Even during that time, the man’s fingers, which were moving alternately up and down, were urging Yeon-ho’s deep senses.

The area around the hole that had been dug up stickyly, and some heat that had not yet been completely given, continued to burn Yeon-ho’s lips. Yeon-ho repeatedly exhaled scattered breaths with his parched mouth. The man, who had bent his upper body, licked his chest again.

His hips tightened once again when his tongue was crushed against the flesh, which was still sensitive from being sucked and licked earlier. His fingers were naturally sucked further inside.

Marteo swallowed hard when the tough tightening that firmly held his bones trembled. The feeling of swallowing while sucking on his nipples was completely conveyed to Yeon-ho.

Both his top and bottom throbbed. Yeon-ho, who couldn’t bear it, grabbed Marteo’s head.

“That’s enough, stop it now……”

It was clear that he didn’t mean to stop the act. Yeon-ho repeatedly drove in the wedge.

“Stop it and put it in quickly. Just fuck me.”

The crude request was just right for his head to spin even more. Marteo’s lips, which had lost even a shred of reason, found Yeon-ho’s lips again and bit them. It was natural that he snatched the tongue that had come out to greet him hastily as if he had been waiting for it and sucked it into himself with all his might.

“Ugh. Ugh…”

Instead of a clear moan, Yeon-ho repeatedly whined as he was showered with kisses. Marteo’s fingers, which had been probing his rear, finally withdrew, and the empty space was filled with a frighteningly erect Cock.

“Hng!”

The wrinkles that had been trembling with anticipation contracted inward at the hotter-than-expected volume. The massive weight, felt even without seeing, had its head completely wet. It was so wet that his own fluids weren’t even necessary.

Yeon-ho, who had been completely lost in the kisses, belatedly came to his senses.

“W-wait a minute…!”

Yeon-ho frantically shook his head to avoid Marteo’s face, which was clinging to him, and breathlessly grabbed his shoulder.

Surely, he wasn’t going to say no now, was he?

Doubt crept in, but he had no intention of obeying him anyway. Regardless, Marteo grabbed Yeon-ho’s hips. He felt his narrow hole widening with the force pushing him forward. “Hick!” Yeon-ho, who had been holding on, even dug his nails into Marteo’s shoulder.

The stinging pain that spread across his skin was rather a reward. His excitement grew uncontrollably. The Cock pressed against Yeon-ho’s hole was no different.

The trembling of the wrinkles, as if savoring the taste, made his eyes burn. Marteo, swallowing a rough breath, readjusted his grip on Yeon-ho’s hips and thrust his lower body forward.

“Ah…. Ugh!”

Yeon-ho’s mind went blank as the flesh steadily filled him bit by bit.

He’d never had anything this big before….

His past experiences were rendered useless. The pain of being torn apart raw was more overwhelming than expected. But, ironically, that made his body burn even more. The texture of the man filling him completely without any gaps, and the heat that seemed to burn his insides.

The last bit of reason he had left, the thought that he should use a condom, crumbled without a trace the moment Marteo’s glans finally forced its way through the hole.

Following the man’s pulse that throbbed in his depths, Yeon-ho’s heart also pounded wildly.

It was good… it was too good.

Thick, hard, and moreover…

“Hng!”

The Cock that began to dig inside in earnest was even impressively long.

Ah… he didn’t expect it to reach this far in the missionary position….

To immediately hit the hidden spot deep inside his body with just one insertion.

His already dazed eyes glazed over, and his eyelids trembled uncontrollably. The pain of his body being forcibly opened was nothing compared to this stimulation.

Marteo felt the same way. The movement of the writhing wrinkles, swallowing his Cock whole. The body heat transmitted intimately through their connected bodies. Most of all, what he couldn’t stand was Yeon-ho’s disheveled face beneath him.

The way his eyes were stretched out messily, the way his neat lips were panting, the way his cheeks were flushed red with heat, even the single drop of sweat flowing down his forehead, he couldn’t take his eyes off it. He couldn’t bear it any longer without kissing him.

As if driven by thought, Marteo’s lips crashed down on Yeon-ho. His eyelids and the bridge of his nose. His collarbone and chest. His arms and shoulders. The kisses, with no order or direction, finally reached his lips, and Yeon-ho moaned once more.

It was because Marteo’s upper body, leaning forward to kiss him, and his connected lower body heavily stabbed inside. He felt like his hole, stretched to its limit, would burst at any moment.

Even so, he had no intention of pushing him away. Rather, Yeon-ho eagerly responded, pushing his tongue into Marteo’s mouth.

The wet sounds of sucking endlessly soaked the bed. Saliva that he couldn’t swallow in time flowed down between their lips, tongues frantically moving back and forth, taking and being taken.

Before he knew it, Yeon-ho wrapped his arms around Marteo’s neck and squeezed the man’s waist with his wide-open legs.

A perfect embrace with no gaps. Marteo burst out with a boiling groan.

Finally, their two bodies began to sway together. The massive flesh buried deep inside Yeon-ho’s body pulled out to its limit with a thud! Quickly pounding his inner flesh, and with the successive thrusts that slapped his buttocks, Yeon-ho also put strength into his toes.

Retreating and pulling, tightening and loosening, the Cock that stabbed and the hole that received it were a surprisingly good match for a first time. But the perfect harmony didn’t last very long.

Yeon-ho’s legs gradually began to tremble with Marteo’s increasingly steep and rapid hip movements. In proportion to the rising excitement, his body slowly drooped. The flood of pleasure was so overwhelming that even breathing was difficult.

Eventually, one of Yeon-ho’s legs, unable to withstand the penetrating speed, fell limply onto the sheet. The tightening of the hole that had been holding the flesh also changed.

The trembling, unable to maintain its balance and shaking wildly, was perhaps close to a spasm.

For Marteo, it wasn’t a bad situation. The irregularly tightening inner walls were good in their own way. But he didn’t like Yeon-ho’s body falling away from him. Marteo stroked Yeon-ho’s thigh, which was stretched out on the sheet.

“Is it hard?”

Even with hazy eyes, Yeon-ho frowned slightly. He seemed to have hurt his pride. But Marteo’s intention was elsewhere.

Before he could even answer, he quickly wrapped Yeon-ho’s legs around his waist again.

“Then, leave it all to me.”

What…? He didn’t know which was faster, the narrowing of his brow or Marteo’s firm arms digging under his waist and pulling Yeon-ho’s upper body forward.

By the time he felt his upper body floating in the air, the man who had embraced Yeon-ho tightly had completely stood up.

“Ahk?!”

Whether he was surprised or not, a high-pitched moan immediately burst from Yeon-ho’s mouth. A position that changed from missionary to lift in an instant.

With the weight concentrated downwards, the man’s hard Cock stabbed even deeper into his belly. He could feel rough pubic hair beneath his buttocks.

It was a hackneyed expression, but sparks flashed before his eyes for a moment.

An insertion that was too deep. To exaggerate a bit, it wouldn’t be strange if his genitals popped out of his mouth. Moreover, the position of standing on the swaying mattress, and his helpless clinging to such a man, was too unstable.

Yeon-ho belatedly hugged Marteo’s neck with all his might.

“What are you doing? Put me down now?”

“Why are you holding on tighter when I’m supposed to put you down?”

“Don’t joke around!”

“I won’t drop you, so just stay still.”

“This position is harder, you know?”

“I’m the one doing the work.”

“So put me down.”

His coaxing words ultimately didn’t work. Unlike his words that he was doing the work, Marteo, who easily lifted Yeon-ho’s body even on the soft mattress, even gave his waist a jolt.

“…Yaat!”

His belly shook much more than the swaying bed. Thanks to the unstable position, his tense body received the stimulation doubly sensitively.

Marteo, who sweetly examined Yeon-ho, who screamed in many ways, brought his lips to the tip of his chin.

“Just cling to me without worry.”

Seeing his whispering voice, it seemed pointless to argue further.

“You better not drop me!”

Yeon-ho, who let out one more word, kept digging into Marteo’s arms. He could feel his heart pounding against his tightly pressed chest. In time with the beat, Marteo began to grind his hips in earnest.

“Ah, ah! …Hng!”

The mattress shook without fail. Even though he had regained his balance, Marteo’s feet, unable to stay in one place for long, gradually slid forward little by little.

Before long, Yeon-ho’s back touched the back wall of the bed. Reassured by the support, Yeon-ho relaxed his arms.

But as if scolding him, the man’s Cock slammed violently into his hole. At the sensation of his belly being completely turned upside down, Yeon-ho hurriedly clung to Marteo again.

“Hold on tight.”

The man, who deliberately bit his earlobe, gave a warning. The speed and intensity of thrusting upwards became even more severe at that moment.

With thrusts that didn’t care about his circumstances, his thin belly trembled, and his wide-open hole gaped without a chance to close.

“Hng! Ah… ah……!”

Thwack, thwack. Everywhere the man kept stabbing was all a point. With each thrust, his spine stiffened, and when his cock pulled at his inner walls as it went out, it felt like all his organs were shifting to one side.

So this is what it means to feel like your bottom is falling out!

It was overwhelming. It was overwhelming, yet there were countless small climaxes. It was as if someone was repeatedly pressing the pleasure button, and his vision repeatedly turned white and black.

From the tip of the Cock that had poured out once, pre-cum that had newly gathered was already dripping down. His Cock, bent all the way to his belly, throbbed tightly. He wanted to stroke it with his own hands as much as he wanted, but he couldn’t.

The instability of the position was no longer a problem. Now, for another reason, Yeon-ho, who hugged Marteo, pressed his flesh against the man’s chest and began to call out his name instead of moaning.

“Tony… Tony…!”

It was also a plea to end this burning thirst soon. A plea to crush all the excitement that had come right before his eyes.

But what was this?

Thud! A large hand suddenly covered Yeon-ho’s mouth.

“……”

The eyes, simmering but somehow different from excitement, looked at Yeon-ho with great dissatisfaction were a bonus. His head tilted involuntarily at the strange mood that had frozen after going so well.

‘…Why?’

Marteo, who was holding Yeon-ho with only one arm, even stopped thrusting in the meantime. He couldn’t move rashly, and he couldn’t argue.

Yeon-ho, who blinked his eyes several times, tightened his hole as if protesting with his butt instead of his blocked mouth. This worked to some extent, and the handsome brow in front of him narrowed.

After some time, Marteo finally moved his lips.

“…Theon.”

“……?”

“Please call me Theon instead of Tony.”

What?

“It’s the name I used when I was young. Call me Theon instead of Tony.”

The end wasn’t a request, but rather a wedge that told him to do so. Even if he was hit in the back of the head while walking down the street, he wouldn’t be this dumbfounded. At the absurd command that was so absurd, a snort burst out instead of his still-blocked mouth.

He blocked someone’s mouth just to say that? No, blocking his mouth is one thing, but stopping thrusting at a time like this??

“Is that not okay?”

But… the annoyance quickly dissipated at the anxiousness in his tone, which asked as if pleading with a slightly lowered tone. Yeon-ho gave strength to his butt again.

‘Ah, you have to release my hand to call you or not!’

Even though there was no sound, the meaning was clearly conveyed.

Marteo, who had loosened his stiff face, finally smiled and released the hand that had been blocking his mouth. Then, as soon as he readjusted Yeon-ho’s body, which had slipped slightly because he was supporting him with one arm, he thrust his waist with all his might.

“Ahht!”

Perhaps because he wanted to hear the name he had told him to change to, the stimulation given was twice as rough and thrilling as before. In front of the pleasure that the man asked for and that he couldn’t help but feel, Yeon-ho shouted the name he had stopped calling out anew.

“Theon… Theon……!”

As if responding, Marteo, while moving his waist frantically, kept showering kisses all over Yeon-ho’s face.

Had he ever received so many kisses while having sex with someone? …He couldn’t remember. He vaguely remembered who he had sex with and what kind of sex he had before.

He just felt unbearably hot below, and his heart was ticklish as if it was melting. Even though he was swallowing the man to the limit, it still felt insufficient.

Yeon-ho, who tightened his bottom hole once more, squeezed Marteo’s waist with both legs. A boiling moan leaked from Marteo’s neck as he bit and sucked Yeon-ho’s lower lip.

“Do Yeon-ho-ssi….”

The name spat out in a turbid voice was more stimulating than the Cock stirring inside his belly. He didn’t know why he felt so excited about something like this. As Yeon-ho’s back trembled, Marteo’s Cock, which was stabbing inside his hole, also twitched greatly.

Was one step back a prelude to two steps forward?

Reason was now completely gone from the two bodies that had briefly stopped and then accelerated again.

With Yeon-ho’s head thrown back at the violent movements that kept pounding Yeon-ho in succession, Marteo immediately set his teeth on his exposed neckline, but he didn’t feel any pain even with the teeth that bit down hard.

Only the Cock that was making quick entrances and exits through his bottom hole, which had been widened to its limit, was the entirety of his senses. Without even realizing what he was doing, Yeon-ho even began to bounce his butt.

“Theon, Theon!”

Yeon-ho was panting, his throat was burning, and Marteo’s ears were burning. They were each other’s limits. Finally, Marteo hugged Yeon-ho’s body, which was slippery with sweat, anew. The grip that tightly gripped his buttocks was almost about to burst his flesh.

Then, in the next moment, the two bodies suddenly began to pour down under the bed.

“……?!”

It was a short moment that didn’t even take a few seconds, but the air crushed behind his back quickly climbed up Yeon-ho’s shoulders.

It was a dizzying fall and a gliding sensation. An indescribable thrill made his whole body tingle.

“Ah!”

At the same time as a short scream, the second climax burst out from the Cock that was bent all the way to his belly. It was also at the same time that Marteo’s stuff poured into the hole that had been tightened more than ever.

A climax that came unexpectedly at an unexpected moment. The sparks that had been flying in his head were now completely white without a single speck. His eyelids trembled as much as his belly, which was shaking wildly.

Even so, on the one hand, it was strange. The man’s fluids warming his belly felt much more stimulating than his own climax.

After emptying and filling his ejaculation, his back barely touched the sheet with a thud.

Yeon-ho’s hair, which had been lifted up and was slowly sinking down, and the man’s movements, who was looking at such Yeon-ho and continuing to grind his waist.

The endlessly overflowing fluids for two people soaked his belly and under his butt. The sheets were soggy, and his breathing wasn’t easily regulated.

Even so, neither of them had any intention of taking their bodies apart. As if they would be stuck together like this forever, they just found each other’s lips and kissed them as if it was the first time.

Beyond his distant head, an Eagle suddenly came to mind.

Their dangerous and thrilling mating flight, where the couple grabbed each other’s claws and soared into the air and fell down…….

Ah. Perhaps the feeling of flying in the sky was like this.

♥ ♥ ♥

‘It’s warm….’

This was the first thought that came to mind as his consciousness, which had been vaguely and darkly fading, slowly returned.

The chest that was swaying rhythmically up and down as if he was lying in a cradle, and the unidentified temperature spreading under that chest….

What was it? Even though he wondered, the coziness that clung to his skin had a strange sense of stability.

‘This is nice… should I sleep a little more?’

His body’s senses already told him it was morning, but it didn’t matter.

Instead of opening his eyes, Yeon-ho curled up his body and wriggled to find a more comfortable position. And he was about to bury his head on the still-warm spot.

Poke, poke poke!

Suddenly, a strange texture was felt as if poking under his belly. His paused brow narrowed.

A firm but soft, soft but not just soft, throbbing. It was the source of the temperature he had been enjoying until just now, and it was a strange but somehow very familiar sensation.

‘No way. No way this is……?’

In the moment he realized, the sleep he had been about to fall into disappeared without a trace. His eyes opened wide as if Sim Cheong had opened his eyes.

At the same time, a scream burst out.

Cock-a-doodle-doo!!!

The first syllable that almost pierced his vocal cords, and the two hands that tried to stop him, if they existed properly. If they did.

What had been flapping hard but stopped in the air as it couldn’t reach his mouth due to its structure were not fingers but a pair of red and glossy wings.

What he was holding under his belly was also not an ordinary egg, but Marteo’s ‘balls’.

Cluck… cluck cluck. Cluck cluck cluck!

In other words, this was crazy or fuck!

Since there was no beak to bite, Yeon-ho’s face, which would have bitten it, turned pale. Of course, even if he did, it wouldn’t show now, but anyway, this kind of thing was a problem for later.

The Anima had been released.

It was the first time in over ten years that he had become a chicken without realizing it.

‘Why the hell… when did I become like this!’

His heart, which would normally beat at 60 to 100 beats per minute if he were human, was beating at almost 500 BPM. This was almost the level of a chick on drugs.

‘F-first, I have to get my body back, I have to get my body back!’

Yeon-ho, who still couldn’t reach it but was only pretending to press his chest, tried to calm down the feathers that had puffed up in a fluster and concentrated his mind.

‘Come back, quickly. Change quickly!’

But… what was this again?

Not only had his Anima been released on its own, but his body wouldn’t listen to him at all.

Usually, just as his fingers would move on their own when he tried to grab something, the Morpheus’s Morphosis wasn’t much different, but his body wouldn’t do as he pleased, like a newborn baby.

Fuck. What the hell is it really!

He was once again heartbroken that he didn’t have hands to grab his hair. In the meantime, the man’s morning erection was still poking at his chest and belly. The sight of him embracing it as if he was hatching it was still crazy no matter how many times he looked at it.

He had put the other person’s Cock in his mouth as soon as he woke up, but he had never incubated it~!

Beyond the encroaching daze, he concentrated his nerves again. Hands and feet, head and chest. This time, he also put all his strength into it, like when he first learned to walk, while imagining more specific images.

It was then.

“Umm….”

A small sound echoed above his head, where not a single feather had yet disappeared.

Did he realize the foreign sensation of his entire lower body being crushed and flapped against? Marteo was trying to wake up.

His comb bristled. Transformation or whatever, without thinking, flap flap! Yeon-ho, spreading his wings, escaped the nest, no, the man’s lower body, and flew out of the bed.

But the short flight was truly short.

Oh dear!

The escape route, the bedroom door, was closed. He hurriedly looked back at the bathroom’s double door, but the situation was no different.

His body, ceasing its flapping, dropped to the floor.

Was it even possible to grab the doorknob and pull it down with chicken feet, to open the sliding door?

Not unless he had the grip strength of a bird of prey ten times that of an adult male. Shit! Of course, a chicken wouldn’t even come close! And what if he got caught flapping around trying to open the door? What then?

Unable to do anything with the relentless conclusion, another sound came from near the bed.

“Do Yeon-ho-ssi…?”

The sound of sheets rustling and a voice unconsciously seeking him out. It was only a matter of time before he noticed the empty space.

Yeon-ho’s neck, which had been examining the doors closed on all sides, turned 180 degrees. It was fortunate this time that a chicken had 14 cervical vertebrae.

Then he found it. A space under the bed that a human could never enter, but a chicken could somehow manage.

‘There!’

He had thought about changing the bed because of the dust that accumulated there, but the laziness he had put off day after day was now paying off.

Without further ado, Yeon-ho turned and kicked off the floor. He tucked his wings in tightly and pushed his head first into the narrow gap.

Just as he had hidden even his last tail feather, he finally felt the bed frame shake.

Thud. Thud.

Step by step, the man placed his heels on the floor.

Yeon-ho, holding his breath, gleamed his eyes. A narrow, enclosed space gave a chicken psychological stability, but now it just made his hair stand on end.

Surely he wouldn’t look in here? If he got up, he should quickly go somewhere else, why was he still sitting there!

Even though he had woken up calling for him, Marteo, true to his word, wasn’t moving at all.

He couldn’t go out and check, he couldn’t make a sound. He kept burning inside, but then, he cleared his throat.

It wasn’t just a hoarse throat, but a stifled sound as if he was suppressing something, and it even seemed like he was holding back a laugh.

‘Why…?’

At that moment of questioning, Marteo fortunately raised the rest of his body.

“Do Yeon-ho-ssi?”

In a much calmer voice than before, he opened the bedroom door and went outside to look for him.

Excluding the bedroom, there were three rooms outside. How long would it take to search the utility room, veranda, and bathroom as well?

It wouldn’t be short, but it wouldn’t be long either.

There was no time to hesitate. He pulled his body back out of the bed, where he had squeezed in with such difficulty. In the end, his plump buttocks got caught, and he struggled for a long time, but he stubbornly gave it strength. After a hard struggle, pop! His tail feathers barely came out.

Without even shaking off the dust clinging to his body, he shouted once more.

Cluck. Cluck cluck!!

Change. Please change!!!

After some time, the airflow surrounding his body finally began to change.

Like water rushing into a shrunken balloon, a heavy and undulating sensation spread from his spine to every corner of his body. The bones and muscles hidden beneath the feathers twitched.

The red comb gradually shrank and hid its traces, and instead, a rich head of hair flowed down. Following that, the wings attached to his flanks and the sturdy chicken legs also sprouted into sleek and slender shapes.

‘It’s working, it worked!’

Considering it was only a matter of 2 or 3 seconds, the transformation felt like it had taken half a day. How relieved he was to finally be back in human form… Yeon-ho, drained of strength, collapsed to the floor.

How welcoming was the cold, hard floor felt under his smooth, featherless buttocks!

‘Ha… What a mess this is from the morning! Really.’

Yeon-ho, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, took a rough breath. Then, just as he was about to grab the bathroom’s double door, barely holding on,

“What are you doing? There.”

Marteo’s voice cut through the bedroom. With a flinching shoulder, he turned around to see the man standing in front of the door.

Thank goodness. This time, he could chew on his tongue to his heart’s content instead of his beak.

Did he find a person by airplane? How could he be back so fast!

He was going to make some water sounds and pretend to be washing, but it was all for naught.

Yeon-ho, belatedly equipping himself with brazenness, slammed the half-open double door shut as if he had just come out.

“I, geez. Why are you asking such rude things? How many things are there to do in the bathroom?”

If he wasn’t washing, he was shitting.

Marteo, reflexively looking down at Yeon-ho’s soft hands, seemed to stretch his lips for some reason, then cleared his throat.

“It’s not that, I was just wondering if you’d been in the bathroom the whole time. I didn’t hear any sounds….”

“This house is well soundproofed.”

“……”

“More importantly, why are you coming in from there?”

“I woke up and you weren’t next to me. I was about to call.”

So the reason he came back to the room was because of his phone. He almost got screwed if he was just a little late.

Returning his exhausted mind and body to the bed with a newly pounding heart. Marteo, who had come closer, looked into his face. He was nervous that he might be suspicious, but what followed was concern.

“You look tired. Didn’t you sleep well?”

The terrors of a one-night stand. Without hesitation, the fingers that reached out slowly stroked his cheeks and eyelids.

It was quite a sweet mood, but he couldn’t imagine that a chicken head had been in that position until just a moment ago.

Shaking his head at the absurd thought, Yeon-ho shook off his fingers.

“Whose fault is it?”

“Because of me?”

Even with the deliberately cold tone, Marteo gently pulled at his lips.

Honestly, he was flustered by the Anima being released as soon as he opened his eyes, but the man was definitely responsible for his body being exhausted.

Last night, the two climaxes he had reached unusually quickly. That was just the beginning.

Once lifted into the air, once in the missionary position, and twice in the doggy style position. By the time dawn broke, it was meaningless to count how many times he had come.

Thick, hard, and long wasn’t enough, he was even incredibly virile.

As Yeon-ho’s gaze drowsily scanned his lower body, Marteo’s smile deepened as he looked down as well.

They had both poured it out several times, but his thing was still half-raised. Anyone could see that he didn’t look tired at all. Thinking about the days ahead, it wasn’t a loss for him either, but as a fellow man, his pride was subtly scratched.

“Do you happen to take any medicine or anything?”

“……?”

“Something good for a man’s body.”

He was still only laughing at the obvious meaning of the grumbling. But if he made a sound, it wouldn’t end with just a glare.

Marteo, feigning ignorance, shrugged his shoulders.

“I just had a bit of a lewd dream.”

Dream?

“I dreamed that someone was groping my lower body all night. No, it was closer to crushing it?”

…That someone wasn’t a beast with a comb, was it?

Stung to the core, Yeon-ho couldn’t argue any further and tilted his head to the side, pointing to Marteo’s clothes lying nearby.

“If you’re not bragging, put them away.”

He was reluctant to put on unwashed clothes again, but it wasn’t the time to object. If Yeon-ho’s gaze reached him one more time, the other half would surely rise up as well.

Marteo readily reached out his hand, and Yeon-ho, taking the opportunity, picked up his pajamas.

It was then. Suddenly, Marteo’s gaze, which had stopped moving, turned to somewhere near Yeon-ho’s feet.

‘What is it? Did he find a button or something?’

Yeon-ho, looking down at the front of his pajamas, which had been torn off the night before and had nothing to close, blinked his eyes.

But the peace was soon shattered.

Marteo slowly bent down as if to pick something up. When he raised his head again after groping under the bed, he had something other than a button in his hand.

Yeon-ho’s eyes widened like lanterns. On the other hand, Marteo, with his brows furrowed, had an incomprehensible expression.

“Chicken… feather?”

“……!”

That’s right. Anyone could see that it was a cover feather from a rooster with a reddish tint.

Damn it! No wonder his butt got caught. It must have been pulled out when he was getting out of bed!

Who said chickens couldn’t fly? At this moment, Yeon-ho was definitely flying. Flying like a butterfly and stinging like a bee, he snatched the cover feather from Marteo’s hand in a flash. The time it took was only 0.01 seconds.

Marteo raised his eyebrows at the feather that had appeared and disappeared, and from Yeon-ho’s mouth, which was clenching his fist as if to crush it, rapid words poured out without thinking.

“It’s a duck feather!”

“……Duck?”

“It must have fallen out of the duvet.”

“The color was quite red for that, though…?”

“Don’t you know about red-headed ducks? Making duvets with them is trendy in Korea these days.”

“……”

Yeon-ho knew it too. This was definitely killing a chicken to claim it was a duck.

The duck feathers commonly used in bedding are the down feathers of Pekin ducks raised for farming. On the other hand, the red-headed duck does not grow naturally on the Korean Peninsula, and in its main habitat, North America, it is illegal to capture or import and export them without permission under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Above all, these bastards only have red heads, true to their name. If you were to pluck red feathers and make a duvet?

Then they would have to change their name to bald-headed ducks.

But what could he do? This was better than confessing that it had fallen out of a chicken’s butt!

Half in doubt, Marteo looked back at the duvet tucked into the corner of the bed with a still uneasy face. It would be a disaster if he were to look at the care label. Yeon-ho, with the chicken feather hidden behind his back, hugged the duvet tightly in his arms.

“Now that you mention it, I should run the washing machine. This is completely soaked in sweat.”

“……”

“You should finish getting dressed.”

Yeon-ho, who was only half-dressed, left his spot while he was at it.

‘Oh dear. Did I tease him too much?’

He felt a pang of regret at the sight of him hurrying away.

But it wasn’t the time to worry about others.

“Oh! When you’re done getting dressed, make some breakfast.”

A saucy command that suddenly returned after leaving the door.

This time, dark clouds gathered on Marteo’s face.

A simple but seemingly complicated dish.

The answer that Marteo’s faithful butler came up with after much deliberation in response to Marteo’s absurd request the day before was Risotto.

A dish that didn’t require a specific shape and could be made with just one pan. But no matter how much crash course he had received, cooking was still like asking someone who hadn’t even climbed the neighborhood mountain to climb Mount Everest for Marteo, who had never even cracked an egg himself.

‘…Where on earth should I start?’

Should he use a frying pan or a pot? He also had to wash the rice… Where was the rice again?

Had he ever felt so powerless in his life? Yeon-ho’s kitchen, standing alone, was like a guillotine on the day of execution.

After a few minutes of that.

“What are you doing?”

A voice echoed from behind. Marteo, who was in the same situation as before but with the positions reversed, looked back with a hesitant expression.

Yeon-ho, who had stuffed all the duvet he had taken into the washing machine and came out with a light heart, was scanning him with suspicious eyes.

“Are you hot, perhaps?”

The teasing that pointed out Marteo, who had been standing in front of the refrigerator with the door wide open, followed.

No matter how he thought about it, if he tried to cook like this, it was obvious that he would not only fail to score points, but even the rice-sized points would fall to the floor.

‘Right. Cooking… requires practice, even just once.’

Marteo, who had no choice but to revise his initial plan, closed the refrigerator door. Of course, he made an excuse instead of confessing that he was not confident.

“Well, there aren’t any suitable ingredients.”

“……Ah.”

Fortunately, the excuse worked. Even Yeon-ho, the owner of the house, didn’t really know what was in the refrigerator. Yeon-ho, who had easily accepted it, shrugged his shoulders, erasing his mischief.

“Then let’s just order something today. We can go grocery shopping later.”

Grocery shopping? He was happy with the previous words, but the latter was happy in a different sense. Marteo hurriedly left the kitchen, chasing after Yeon-ho, who was turning away without regret.

“Is it okay to order anything?”

Yeon-ho, who was sprawled on the sofa, was already looking for a delivery app. Marteo, who had narrowed the distance, carefully opened his mouth.

“Later… are we going grocery shopping?”

“You said there were no ingredients.”

“So… what time later?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t you have to go to work?”

Come to think of it, today was Friday. If he was a working man, he should have gone to work. Yeon-ho, who finally understood the intention of the question, twisted his lips.

“Well, I’m a self-proclaimed salary thief. Everyone will just assume that’s how it is.”

“……”

“Why. Do you think I’m pathetic?”

But what came back was an immediate denial.

“No. I like it.”

This was the first time he had received such a reaction for skipping work.

Could he have mistaken it for ‘I wish I could’?

But there was no way that a man who spoke Korean like a native would make a mistake with a simple ending. Yeon-ho, who had been caught by the words he had thrown out to embarrass him, cleared his throat. Then, he deliberately changed the subject to a gently smiling face.

“Oh, right. About what happened yesterday. It’s the first time, so I’ll just let it go, but be careful next time.”

“……?”

“You didn’t use a condom yesterday. There are condoms in the bedside table. And there and there too.”

Yeon-ho’s white fingers pointed to somewhere in succession.

The TV cabinet and the bathroom in the living room. The last one was the kitchen sink….

He could run out of ingredients to eat, but he wouldn’t run out of condoms?

Marteo’s face hardened at the location of the condoms hidden all over the house like a squirrel collecting acorns. Yeon-ho, who had checked out of the corner of his eye, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

That’s right. I can’t just be swayed by a guy who’s eight years younger than me, can I?

But the small sense of accomplishment didn’t last long. It was because Marteo, who had been silent for a long time, continued the question in a casual tone.

“What size are they?”

“Huh?”

“The condoms you bought. Are they the right size for me?”

“……”

He was at a loss for words. Yeon-ho’s gaze, which had been kindly pointing to the drawers, naturally fell to Marteo’s crotch.

Size…….

The condoms he had at home were usually the most common size available on the market. There had been guys who were loose, but there had never been a guy who was tight…,

He wouldn’t know if he hadn’t experienced it. The thing he had seen with his own eyes and felt with his own body was definitely far from ‘ordinary’.

“When we go grocery shopping later, buy new condoms….”

Marteo grinned.

“Should I throw away the ones we have?”

“It’s okay. Other guys will use them.”

Well. His face was crumpled again at the answer that came back.

But these small arguments weren’t unpleasant to each other.

Even with the mischievously giggling laughter and the sulky expression, the distance felt definitely closer than before. In the end, it wasn’t long before even Marteo’s eyes were helplessly bent.

“Oh, right.”

Yeon-ho turned his head again. What kind of mischief was he going to play this time? He braced himself inwardly.

But the mischief he had planned would have been better.

“But you, why Theon?”

“…Pardon?”

“You said that yesterday. You told me to call you Theon instead of Tony. Antonio and Theon… there’s not much of a connection, is there?”

Evil is of a worse quality when there is no intention.

An unusually pure question covered the Eagle like a noose.

One must be careful when hunting… It was a mistake that was obviously blinded by greed.

But even if he turned back time, the situation would be the same. How could he have endured hearing the name of another man flowing from Yeon-ho’s mouth in that situation? He wanted to hear his name, even if it was only a half-baked etymology.

Marteo, who had been clenching his fist, barely opened his mouth after much deliberation.

“…It’s not a name that just anyone can call.”

“Huh?”

“It’s from my surname. I told you before that my surname is long.”

“And?”

“I can’t just let anyone shorten my family name and call me that. It’s a childhood name that only those I’ve allowed can call me.”

Yeon-ho narrowed his brows as if he was understanding or not. It wouldn’t be strange if the question came out, what is that long surname right now? But before long, it was unexpectedly a crumpled smile that cut off Yeon-ho’s mouth.

“Now that I see it, you’ve got a bit of a perverted side to you?”

“Pardon?”

“You want me to call you that childhood name while we’re fucking? I thought you had changed your name when you grew up.”

“……”

“Still, well… Theon suits you much better.”

Marteo, who was inwardly stung, paused.

“…It suits me?”

“Yeah. Honestly, when I said Tony, it didn’t really click… Theon, Theon… Yeah. This one sticks better.”

Yeon-ho, who had been repeating his name over and over again like yesterday, bent his eyes at the end.

A wave of relief and reassurance. And the same regret.

When will the day come when those lips will fully call his name?

Marteo, who had unconsciously reached out his hand, changed his grip and put another sincerity into words.

“Do Yeon-ho-ssi’s name is pretty too.”

“Huh?”

“Yeon-ho… Every time I call it, it feels like wind is blowing in my mouth. It suits you well too.”

“……”

Instead of Director, he was going to call him Do Yeon-ho-ssi no matter what, was that the reason? And now he was even calling him you?

It was an unannounced rudeness. But strangely enough, he didn’t feel particularly bad this time either.

Rather, the two syllables of his name, ‘Yeon-ho,’ which flowed from the man’s lips without the surname, tickled somewhere on his face, carried on a breath as if it were truly wind.

It felt like it had become a special name, like his nickname that he didn’t allow just anyone to use.

Yeon-ho, belatedly clearing his throat, turned his head for no reason. But that made it even more visible. His slightly flushed earlobe and the nape of his neck tinged with shyness.

He had held back a moment ago, but this time it was difficult to resist. Marteo finally reached out the hand that had been gripping his towards Yeon-ho’s shoulder. With just a slight force, Yeon-ho’s body was easily pulled to his side.

Without hesitation, Marteo’s lips, drawing closer, landed on the bridge of Yeon-ho’s nose.

“Do Yeon-ho-ssi….”

The wind now stirred within his chest as well. His whole body rippled softly. Yeon-ho’s fingertips slid onto the man’s chest in response. As he had done yesterday, he lightly tugged at Marteo’s nipple, and Marteo’s shoulder twitched.

Yeon-ho, slipping his fingers further between the buttons of the shirt, raised his head from just below Marteo’s chin.

“I’m asking just in case… are you very hungry?”

The answer that should come out at this timing is naturally ‘no.’ However, Marteo pulled away Yeon-ho’s hand that was caressing his chest.

“Yes.”

……Yes?

At the action, and then again at the reply, Yeon-ho’s eyes, which had been tilting wickedly, flashed.

In that instant. Marteo, pulling his lips into a smirk, snatched Yeon-ho’s finger and bit down on it with his teeth. The remaining answer spread languidly only after he licked between each joint with his tongue.

“I’m hungry. I feel like I can’t get enough, no matter how much I eat….”

Ah…. So you’re the type who learns two things when taught one?

Similarly, Yeon-ho’s stomach, which had been giving, tightened.

♥ ♥ ♥

Last night, Yeon-ho, who had tumbled around with the man and fallen asleep as if fainting, first opened his eyes to find the sun still up, though it was late afternoon.

However, the second time he woke up, after mixing bodies again, leaving the food he had ordered behind, the surroundings were completely dark.

Still, one thing remained the same: his lingering impression in his daze.

‘Warm….’

This time as well, Yeon-ho, who had unconsciously been chasing the warmth, startled and opened his eyes.

‘Wait. Don’t tell me I’ve turned into a chicken again?’

Fortunately, his worry ended as just a worry.

The body stretched out on the bed was smooth and sleek, without a single tail feather. Of course, the limbs of another person wrapped around that smooth body instead of a blanket were a separate matter.

Yeon-ho, confirming the source of the warmth, swallowed a sigh with multiple meanings.

In the morning, I was holding his lower half in my arms…….

The rigid arm firmly supporting his head, the long leg thrust between his thighs… Marteo’s face was within kissing distance if he just lifted his chin slightly.

Even in the dim surroundings, Yeon-ho took a fresh look at the man’s features, which seemed particularly clear.

‘Damn. He’s handsome the more I look at him….’

His body was in terrible condition here and there due to excessive sex over the past two days, but the big fish he had caught was top-notch no matter how many times he looked at him.

It was when his fingertips, reaching out without him realizing it, touched the man’s hair, passed over his forehead, and went down to the tip of his nose.

“I prefer lips, if possible.”

A voice filled with laughter flowed from Marteo’s mouth. Yeon-ho, who stopped his hand as it was and widened his eyes, made Marteo open his eyes, which had been closed.

Then, he lightly pressed his lips to Yeon-ho’s lips as he had said.

“Did you sleep well?”

“……”

“There wasn’t time to say it this morning.”

More than half the reason was because his Anima had been released, but in any case, it felt awkward to be saying hello so late in the evening.

Anyone would think I was an owl, not a chicken.

Yeon-ho pushed back Marteo’s face, which he had placed close and wasn’t letting go.

“How long did I sleep?”

“About two hours.”

“Are you awake or still asleep?”

“…Well.”

The answer that was neither one nor the other seemed to be the latter. Yeon-ho groaned.

“Is it really the age difference….”

“Not really. I’m not that young.”

It was a sulky reaction, even though he hadn’t said anything to him. After saying that, he pressed down on his waist with his large hand as if changing the subject.

“More than that, how’s your body? Are you okay?”

At the sensation of the tense muscles loosening, Yeon-ho, groaning in another sense, gave his honest impression.

“I’m dying. I feel like I have no sensation below my navel. And I’m hungry.”

To say it properly, ‘good’ should be added before ‘I’m dying,’ but it was true that he was hungry. Marteo, stroking his waist a few more times, slipped his arms under his back and below his thighs. Yeon-ho shrugged at the experienced mood.

“What are you going to do?”

“You said you have no sensation below your navel. That means you can’t put any strength in your legs, right?”

“So?”

“Should we go to the kitchen?”

“Did you get addicted to holding me in your arms or something?”

“I haven’t held you that much yet.”

Marteo, feigning ignorance at the rebuke, finally lifted Yeon-ho up and stood up from the bed. He was about to say one more word but closed his mouth.

Sex, kisses, a sweet greeting asking if he slept well, and a pose holding him like a princess. It wasn’t usually his style, but honestly, he wondered if he would ever have another opportunity like this if it wasn’t for this guy.

Above all, being able to move without lifting a finger. Isn’t it convenient?

Yeon-ho finally nodded.

“Go to the sofa instead of the kitchen.”

That would be better than the hard dining table chairs. The clothes he had thrown off before getting into bed would also be scattered there.

Marteo, smiling briefly at the decision that combined practical benefits, finally took a step.

The living room with the lights off was brighter than he had thought. Moonlight and artificial city lights filtered through the living room window where the blinds were raised.

As shadows fell on Marteo’s face, the sculpted shadows became even more prominent.

The man, noticing Yeon-ho who had unconsciously looked up, lowered his soft gaze, asking, “Why?” Instead of answering, he quickly lowered his head.

Whether the pounding heartbeat was his or the other person’s… an unclear pulse was felt through the ear pressed against the broad chest.

If he wrapped his arms around his neck like this, if he kissed his chest… would this sound get louder?

During the short time it took to move to the sofa, useless thoughts kept flooding in. And it was when Marteo’s feet finally stopped in front of the sofa.

Piri-ri, piri-ri-ri.

A sudden call tone cut through the living room.

Marteo, who couldn’t easily put Yeon-ho down, and Yeon-ho, who didn’t tell him to put him down either, both turned in the same direction.

The wall pad was lit up.

“Is anyone supposed to come?”

“No?”

However, the call tone rang repeatedly. Marteo, changing direction under the pretext, approached the screen. Yeon-ho, still clinging tightly to Marteo’s arms, didn’t think about getting down either and just turned his head.

The doorbell was just being used nicely. Until now, he had every intention of pretending that no one was there, no matter who it was.

But as a result, he couldn’t do that.

The face peering at the screen while hovering at the underground parking lot entrance was familiar, very familiar.

Yeon-ho, rubbing his eyelids, finally twisted his body.

“Put me down…. Put me down and get dressed.”

“……”

“It’s my sister.”

In fact, Marteo had recognized her too. He just didn’t know which of the twins she was. As such, he decided to just resent them both.

The volume and warmth of Yeon-ho leaving his arms. Anyway, it was worth it to this extent.

Ignoring the body that was screaming all sorts of things, he barely managed to fasten the last remaining button when Ding-dong! The sound of the front door bell rang.

Yeon-ho, taking a breath, approached the front door. The welcoming smile that poured out as soon as he opened the door, “Yeon-ho-ya~,” belonged to Do Seo-hee.

He would have preferred if it was Seo-jin. He had realized the existence of his older sister from when he saw the screen, so it was difficult to turn her away.

“Come in.”

Yeon-ho, stepping back as he briefly spat out the words instead of asking what was going on, Seo-hee finally crossed the threshold. In her hands, she held quite heavy-looking bundles wrapped in cloth.

“What’s this?”

Seo-hee exclaimed, “Ah!” as he readily snatched them.

“Hey. Be careful. The soup will spill.”

“Soup?”

“My aunt packed it for me. I got yours at the same time.”

He was reminded of the last family gathering. He hadn’t been able to pack side dishes because of the sudden talk about marriage.

Yeon-ho, reading the situation, furrowed his brow.

“Are you coming from home?”

“Yeah.”

“What for?”

9:30 PM. Seo-hee would usually be happily spending time with her husband who had come home from work at this time. Did his brother-in-law go on another business trip? As he continued to think, Seo-hee, taking back the bundles, headed to the kitchen.

“Just. I came out for something and thought I’d see Seo-jin too.”

“Is Do Seo-jin at home?”

“Huh?”

“No, he seems really busy these days.”

Seo-hee’s hand, which had been placing the bundles on the table, stopped for a moment. But only for a moment. This time, she turned to Yeon-ho with a furrowed brow.

“What about you? What are you so busy with that you don’t answer your phone? I called you over ten times.”

He now remembered the phone that he had thrown on the table after ordering delivery food.

“Were you sleeping, perhaps?”

It was clearly a question with its literal meaning, but his conscience was pricked. Yeon-ho’s gaze unconsciously turned towards the other side of the hallway.

Towards the bedroom where the man he had ‘slept’ with was hiding.

Of course, Yeon-ho had nothing to hide about his sexual preferences now. About what kind of relationships he had with men and how he enjoyed them.

But… today was different.

He had told him to get dressed, but he would rather be naked. Marteo’s shirt, which had been messed up over the past two days. Especially the pants, which had dried saliva from the handjob that had started on the sofa a few hours ago, were covered in someone’s saliva.

How could he introduce him to Seo-hee in that state? He would definitely receive a sharp glare.

Fortunately, Marteo didn’t object to the decision to have him go into the room.

‘I need to buy clothes to wear tomorrow, never mind condoms.’

As he continued to think, a bitter smile came out. But it seemed that Yeon-ho was the only one who thought it was a bitter smile. Seo-hee tilted her head with wide eyes.

“You, is something good happening?”

“Huh?”

“No… your face looks a bit….”

“Ahem! What good thing could be happening? I just feel refreshed because I slept well.”

“……”

“Anyway, did you come to give me side dishes?”

Yeon-ho, appropriately using Seo-hee’s misunderstanding, changed the subject. There were suspicious aspects, but Seo-hee didn’t bother to press the issue.

Whatever the reason, it was advantageous for her that her younger brother was in a better mood.

“Well, I also wanted to see your face… and there were things I was curious about.”

“Curious about?”

Seo-hee, taking a deep breath without showing it, swallowed.

“It’s nothing much, but I heard from Seo-jin that your company invested in an audition program this time.”

“So?”

“Well… one of my friends runs a production company.”

“One of your friends?”

This was the first time he had heard of it. Seo-hee’s social circle wasn’t that wide. As he recalled the few faces, Seo-hee hurriedly took over the words.

“She’s a friend you don’t know. A friend I made recently….”

“That’s unusual. But why is that friend asking?”

“She said that these days, when you make something, you have to keep overseas expansion in mind. Otherwise, it’s not easy to recoup the investment. Are you guys okay?”

“We’ll have to see when we open the lid.”

“Are you interested in production investment as well as agency work?”

“Well. It’s Yoon Seung-won’s dream. To catch both rabbits.”

“You don’t oppose it either?”

“I’m just watching the show and eating the rice cake.”

“……”

“But… why are you really asking this? Is that friend asking you for something?”

Basically, Seo-hee had a soft heart. She was the type to listen to unnecessary insurance sales calls.

As he became alert, wondering if a gnat in the name of a friend had gotten caught, Seo-hee shook her head vigorously.

“No. What favor? I just thought of you while talking to that friend, and then I heard about it from Seo-jin today….”

“Heard what?”

“Ah… that you guys participated in the investment. I didn’t know at all….”

“What is it? Are you perhaps feeling left out?”

“…Left out? Rather, you should be the one feeling left out.”

“Me?”

“I feel like I haven’t properly paid attention to your work, let alone our company’s problems.”

“Oh, come on. Why would my sister worry about something I don’t?”

“I’m your older sister, so I’m worried….”

“……?”

“Um… Seung-won-ssi really plans to expand the market to production? If that’s the case… what about Europe?”

“Europe? Suddenly?”

“That friend said that the Asian market is already a red ocean. Considering investment potential, it’s not bad to turn your eyes to Europe. The scale itself is different after all.”

“That’s true, but with just one program we’ve invested in? It’s too early to talk about this.”

Yeon-ho shrugged lightly. But Seo-hee shook her head once again.

“It’s not too early. Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of content coming from Europe. Isn’t it important to get a head start in these things? Don’t just seriously think about it. There’s a time for market expansion. If our company had been satisfied with raising chickens, would KL be where it is now? What if you prepare everything from start to finish and miss the train?”

Something was strange. It was too much meddling to be simple concern, unlike Do Seo-hee. Yeon-ho tilted his head at the belated feeling of unease. In that instant, Seo-hee spoke again.

“While we’re on the topic. Yeon-ho, why don’t you learn another foreign language?”

“A foreign… language?”

“English is fine, but if you’re targeting the European market, it would be helpful to learn their language in many ways. In my opinion, French isn’t bad, and German is also good, or…….”

Seo-hee trailed off at this point. Then, she glanced up and looked at Yeon-ho’s expression. At the same time, Yeon-ho realized the identity of the uncertain unease. He also knew what Seo-hee had swallowed.

Yeon-ho, whose expression turned cold in an instant, continued the rest of the words that had been cut off in her place.

“Or what.”

“……”

“Italian instead of German?”

Startled! If embarrassment were born as a person, that would be it.

Unlike Seo-jin, Seo-hee didn’t have the talent to hide her expressions. Seo-hee’s lips, which were quickly curling inward, made his doubts turn into certainty once again.

Yeah. It was strange from the beginning. Investment potential? Market size this and that?

Yeon-ho’s suppressed laughter soared from his mouth as he confirmed Seo-hee’s hand tightly gripping the corner of the table.

“Wow. People are really… determined to sell me off? Why. Did Do Seo-jin tell you to? To go and sound me out?”

“What are you…. No. It’s not that!”

“What do you mean it’s not. You came here to tell me to sell myself, not just about work.”

“Do Yeon-ho!”

“If you’re so desperate for that Averto or whatever the hell it is, tell Do Seo-jin to get married. Or my sister can get divorced and remarry!”

The last words he spat out were quite strong. But there was no way good words would come out when even Seo-hee was acting like this.

Yeon-ho, bypassing Seo-hee who had frozen pale, left the kitchen. The way he dropped his body onto the sofa and crossed his legs as if telling her not to touch him was obvious.

Seo-hee twisted her lips, which were already curled inward, a few more times. After a while, a low voice flowed out, mumbling.

“If I could have, I would have done that….”

“What did you say?”

“Would that family accept a divorced woman? You’re better off.”

“Is this a joke!”

“I’m not saying you have to get married. There’s no guarantee that they’ll like you. But… since the opportunity has come, it wouldn’t hurt to leave the possibility open a little. What’s the harm in acting friendly? Honestly, it would help your company too.”

These words made him feel even worse. Are we going to starve to death if it’s not Averto? What opportunity? Who the hell are they to choose me!

Yeon-ho’s jaw, which was clenched tightly, was bulging. He was about to explode even without being touched now.

“If you’re going to keep saying that, leave.”

“Yeon-ho….”

“Just leave.”

The cold air was blowing over the seat, not even looking at him. The expression that had seemed so good a moment ago seemed like a lie.

Seo-hee, who seemed to be about to say something more, finally dropped her shoulders with a heavy sigh.

“I’m sorry.”

“……”

“I’ll go…….”

The way she turned around powerlessly after saying that made it seem like she was doing it on purpose, making him even more angry.

Not long after, the sound of the front door closing echoed. As even that sound subsided, the air became heavy all at once.

It was after some more time had passed that Yeon-ho’s shoulder, which hadn’t moved from its spot, flinched.

When had he come out of the room? A large hand that had reached over the backrest gently stroked Yeon-ho’s head.

It was Marteo.

He wanted to vent his anger for no reason, telling him not to touch him, but… the fingertips that passed through his hair and caressed his cheek, the eyes that lifted his face and met his were too affectionate, so the thought could only remain a thought.

Marteo’s gentle smile deepened even more as Yeon-ho bit his lip tightly.

“Can’t do that.”

“……?”

“You said you were hungry. We really have to eat this time.”

He realized only a few seconds later that he had made a face that wanted a kiss, as if he was sulking.

“Don’t touch it. That’s poison.”

Marteo, who had been reaching for the bundle that Seo-hee had left on the table, turned his head at the voice that had popped out sulkily.

Yeon-ho, who hadn’t gotten up from the sofa even while he was bringing the food that had been delivered to the door earlier, had already followed him into the kitchen.

Marteo, who had been switching his gaze between the wrapped box and Yeon-ho, narrowed his eyes. Yeon-ho wouldn’t know, but he had actually kept the bedroom door slightly ajar throughout the twins’ conversation.

Eavesdropping on others’ conversations was unseemly, but… he couldn’t resist the curiosity of knowing which of the twins had come to see Yeon-ho and what their business was.

According to the information he’d gleaned, it was definitely ‘food’.

Pretending not to know, Marteo tilted his head.

“If it’s medicine, is it some kind of tonic…?”

“No. Rat poison.”

Trying to catch someone with something like this. The corner of Yeon-ho’s mouth twisted. Judging by his reaction, he had no intention of touching the food in the wrapping.

He didn’t want to upset him, but… still, the plastic bag that had been left in the hallway for hours couldn’t compare to the carefully wrapped package.

Despite the warning, Marteo untied the tightly bound wrapping.

“Hey!”

He gave Yeon-ho, who was naturally complaining, a stern and resolute look for the first time.

“Food is innocent.”

It was obviously better to feed him the side dishes brought for Yeon-ho than to let him eat delivery food. While Yeon-ho hesitated, Marteo rummaged through the cupboard, took out a plate, and evenly arranged several side dishes on it.

This much he could do. It was much better than making Risotto. Filled with confidence, Marteo even rummaged through the delivery bag. Fortunately, there was rice.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to sit down?”

“…….”

At this point, Yeon-ho was too annoyed to say anything more. No, seeing the food neatly arranged in front of him, his stomach growled involuntarily. The tremendous amount of exercise he’d done over the past two days. In contrast, he’d been fasting for too long.

Right. Do Seo-hee brought it, but Aunt made it, right?

Seeing Yeon-ho’s face gradually relax, Marteo smiled faintly and pulled out the remaining chair. It was then.

“What are you doing?”

Yeon-ho frowned again. Then, he gestured with his chin towards the rice bowl, indicating Marteo, who was hesitant because he didn’t understand.

“Are you going to eat it like this?”

What else?

“It’s cold. You have to heat it up.”

Heat it… up?

This wasn’t pizza dough, what was he going to ‘heat up’?

The question didn’t last long. Yeon-ho then pointed to the microwave. Side dishes aside, warm rice was the norm in Korean culture. Marteo knew that much.

However… there was one problem. Marteo had never used a microwave, a common appliance found in every household that warmed up cold food.

He had never even entered a kitchen, so who would have ever served Marteo cold food? Marteo, also looking at the microwave, hesitated. Meanwhile, Yeon-ho handed Marteo the container filled with rice.

“Heat it up properly. It’s not good if it’s too hot.”

The confidence he’d gained while taking out the side dishes quickly faded.

Properly…. How much was ‘properly’?

Vague expressions were not a very practical concept in Marteo’s vocabulary.

Was this how Tony felt when he gave vague instructions?

He was realizing the feelings of his employee in front of the microwave, something he had never considered before.

But one way or another, he couldn’t keep Yeon-ho waiting. Marteo straightened his awkwardly bent back, grabbed the container, and stood in front of the microwave. At least putting it inside was manageable.

However, the square box had surprisingly many buttons. Starting with power output, there was quick defrost, auto cook, memory cook, reheat, microwave, keep warm…….

Even if he didn’t know the ones in front, weren’t the ones in the back all the same?

After a short but intense deliberation, his finger chose ‘auto’ cook. When you don’t know what to do, there’s no word as trustworthy as ‘auto’.

As he pressed the start button, the inside of the microwave, lit with an orange light, began to spin.

It was the right choice. Marteo inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. But soon, a problem arose.

Even after one minute, even after two minutes, the microwave showed no sign of stopping. The wrapping around the rice bowl gradually began to swell like a blimp.

Even he could tell that it had exceeded the level of ‘properly’ that Yeon-ho had instructed.

Just in time, Yeon-ho stretched his neck out.

“Is it done yet?”

“Well… it’s still running….”

“Huh?”

As he said, the microwave panel showed that there were seven minutes left. ‘Cook’ and ‘reheat’ were clearly different domains. Realizing this, Yeon-ho scowled.

“What are you doing? I told you to heat it up properly. Just turn it off.”

Turn… it off?

His thought process couldn’t be more tangled. Marteo’s eyes darted around, searching for the literal ‘power’ button. Then, when he couldn’t find the button, he made a bold decision.

The hand that reached out finally grabbed the plug attached to the kitchen wall and yanked it out.

The microwave stopped with a thud, and the light went out with a pop! At the same time, the light went out in Yeon-ho’s astonished expression as well.

“…….”

“…….”

He realized that his choice wasn’t normal only after seeing Yeon-ho’s expression when he turned around.

Just like when he said he’d borrowed clothes from a rental shop, a lame and pathetic excuse parted Marteo’s lips after a long pause.

“To save… electricity.”

“…….”

“Housework… is my responsibility.”

“…….”

“…….”

“…Yeah. Thanks to you, I’m going to be very rich.”

It was clear that the response that came after a pause wasn’t a compliment. Marteo cleared his throat, trying to hide his embarrassment, and hurriedly opened the microwave. Then, he grabbed the rice so quickly that it was too hot, and he dropped the bowl with an “Ouch!”

“Move.”

Yeon-ho shook his head, pushed Marteo aside, and grabbed the bowl with the sleeve he’d pulled down.

The wrapping that had been swelling had rapidly contracted in the meantime, pressing down on the rice grains. Well, Marteo’s expression was more crumpled than that.

Yeon-ho glanced at him and finally let out a hearty laugh.

“Are you preparing ancestral rites now? Why the long face?”

“…….”

“Don’t lose your appetite, come and eat.”

Soon, the sound of utensils clinking filled the air between the two, who had finally relaxed and sat facing each other.

Yeon-ho was eating quickly, as if he was very hungry. Marteo, who was watching to make sure he didn’t choke, was about to get up again to find a water bottle.

“How much did you hear?”

Yeon-ho spoke in a seemingly casual but sharp tone. When he stopped moving, the words flowed out again after a pause.

“You knew the thing my sister brought was side dishes, didn’t you? You were listening to what we were saying, weren’t you?”

……He noticed.

It was only a question in form, but the definitive atmosphere made it seem pointless to deny it. In a way, it was a relief that he had brought it up first.

Marteo, choosing his words carefully, followed up with a quiet question instead of an answer.

“Are they telling you to get married at home?”

“You heard everything.”

“…Do you dislike it? Marriage.”

“…….”

“Judging by your sister’s attitude, it doesn’t seem like a bad match….”

Yeon-ho put down his chopsticks with a clatter.

“By whose standards?”

His expression was full of prickliness.

“Is it all about the conditions? No. It’s not even that the conditions are good. We have different nationalities and a big age gap. It’s obvious that we won’t agree on anything, from our upbringing to our thoughts. And above all….”

Of all things, it’s Eagle!

Yeon-ho bit his lip. Then, he corrected his words as if he was grinding them.

“Above all, he’s arrogant and cocky. He completely disregards people.”

“Disregards?… Haven’t you even met him yet?”

Marteo’s brow furrowed. But Yeon-ho simply scoffed.

“You can tell everything from one thing. Do you know how this marriage talk came about? All they did was send a single card to our house. And it’s not like they were coming in with their tails between their legs, it was more like, ‘Do you have anyone in your house who’s good enough to marry? If you do, hand them over. We’ll make the choice.’ If that’s not disregard, what is?”

“Even so… they wouldn’t say it like that….”

“Ha? Why would I make up things to you? If you haven’t seen it, don’t say anything.”

That was true. If he had known this would happen, he should have examined the contents of the card more closely. It was a pity that he hadn’t properly checked because he hadn’t expected this situation.

Marteo’s mouth felt bitter, and he clenched his fist under the table. Even as he did so, Yeon-ho’s criticism continued endlessly.

“Besides, I bet our house isn’t the only one that got this kind of offer, right? It’s like they’re handing out open sale flyers to everyone, and they’re going to pick and choose as they please. They even want to do the matchmaking while they’re running errands. I’m so dumbfounded. Am I on standby 24/7? Do I have to say ‘yes’ and go out whenever he wants to see me?”

“…….”

“My sister said he’s good-looking, but now that I think about it, that’s probably a lie too. If he was, he would have had someone by now. Or he has a truckload of hidden lovers he’s dating separately from marriage.”

“That can’t be….”

“That can’t be? I even tried to find a picture, but there wasn’t a single one to be found. He runs a company too, but if he didn’t have anything to hide, why would he be so thorough in not revealing his information? Either there’s something fishy, or he has a face that’s hard to show to others, one of the two.”

“…….”

“Anyway, from the very beginning, he’s been unlucky as hell. Whoever marries him, I can see their life clearly without even looking.”

The more he heard, the more his heart sank. He knew he would be disliked, but he didn’t know he would be so disgusted.

But he couldn’t back down like this. Marteo, clenching his fist again, carefully opened his mouth with a thoughtful voice.

“If… if they formally apologize and ask again politely?”

“For what?”

“For the marriage. It may have started badly, but… it might have just been a mistake.”

“A mistake?”

“I heard they’re a household that employs servants, so someone else might have written the card….”

“Then it’s even worse. They’re leaving their marriage talk to someone else? And they didn’t even check? What kind of irresponsible and foolish thing is that?”

“Maybe there was a reason. So… if you just met him once, as your sister said…….”

“No way.”

Before he could even finish speaking, Yeon-ho cut him off. Then, he narrowed his eyes thinly, as if to show off.

“Take this opportunity to learn too. These things happen once, then twice, then three times. You have to cut off what you don’t like from the root in the beginning, or you won’t see a good end if you’re dragged along aimlessly.”

“……So really, you have no intention of meeting him at all?”

“I like things the way they are now. There’s nothing unnecessarily bothering me. I can meet guys as I please, I can earn enough money to spend, what’s lacking?”

“It’s not necessarily because something is lacking that people get married.”

“Then why do they get married? Don’t tell me it’s love?”

“…….”

“If that’s the case, then there’s even less need to go on this blind date. Do you think either of us has that kind of thing?”

“That’s… you never know. The other person might like Do Yeon-ho.”

“Ah, forget it. Honestly, I hate that even more. Who is he to like me or not?”

“…….”

“Marriage is not in my life now or ever. When I get old, I’m going to go to a retirement home. If there’s no place I like, I’ll just build one.”

His future plans were very ambitious. Marteo’s head dropped down, finally speechless at the unwavering declaration.

Yeon-ho, who was watching his expression, raised his eyebrows.

“What’s wrong… with you. Don’t tell me you want me to do this marriage?”

“…….”

There was no answer to the question he asked just in case. Seeing that, he felt like he was getting upset.

Why was this guy’s silence more annoying than his sisters, who were so eager to put him on the matchmaking market? Why was his face so grim when he said he wasn’t going to get married?

Yeon-ho’s voice, feeling frustrated, naturally became sharp.

“Hey. Snap out of it. You can’t even tell the difference between right and wrong.”

“……?”

“If I’m distracted by blind dates and marriage, who’s going to lose out? I won’t be able to pay attention to you like I do now, right? It’s actually a good thing for you.”

Stop. Marteo stopped moving for a different reason than before. Then, when he raised his head again, there was something different in his eyes.

The voice that flowed from his lips, which had been closed in a straight line, as if he was groping for words, came several seconds later.

“You… pay attention to me?”

“……?”

“What you just said. So, am I perhaps one of the reasons you’re not going to get married?”

“…….”

“You mean… I’m more important than the blind date, right?”

Now that he looked at it, the level of misinterpretation was considerable. But the face that had been gloomy was slightly relieved, and he was waiting for an answer anxiously, so he couldn’t not give him an answer. Yeon-ho gave a short answer without dragging it out.

“Yeah.”

“……!”

“For now, anyway.”

Although he was unhappy with the added condition, his heart, which had been endlessly frustrated, was relieved by just this one word. As he said, it was good enough for now.

A smile slowly spread across Marteo’s face. Yeon-ho, who had been feeling uncomfortable for no reason, also lowered his eyes shyly.

‘Damn. He should have done this sooner. Was he worried he wouldn’t be able to get a sponsor?’

It was when he picked up the chopsticks he had put down again.

“Still… how about studying a foreign language?”

Unexpected words parted Marteo’s lips again.

“What foreign language? Don’t tell me Italian?”

Since he had heard everything they were saying, he thought it was likely to be that. Marteo nodded lightly without denying it.

“You never know what might happen. It’s not just because of the blind date, you might need it someday. It wouldn’t hurt to learn it.”

“Oh, please. I’d rather sleep more in that time. Am I going to take time out to go to a language school?”

“Instead of a language school, how about 1-on-1 tutoring?”

“What?”

“I can teach Italian.”

Marteo had intentionally avoided information about himself until now, but this was a bold move he had made up his mind to make. Of course, he had a safety net.

“If you want, I can also do French, German, and the things your sister mentioned earlier.”

What was he talking about? Yeon-ho’s eyes, which had been listening casually, widened belatedly.

“Wait. So you… speak five languages?”

He had been listening to him speak fluent Korean all along, so that went without saying, and he was from Scotland, so English would also be basic.

On top of that, Italian, French, and German? This… was completely profile-worthy, wasn’t it?

“Did you talk about this during Next Icon too? No, why are you telling me this now? What other special skills do you have besides languages? What else are you good at?”

Yeon-ho quickly switched to business mode, forgetting the time. His eyes, full of expectations, were sparkling.

Had he earned some points? Marteo slightly gauged the situation at the unexpected double gain. Perhaps this was another opportunity. Marteo, after a pause, deliberately blurred the end of his words as if he was embarrassed.

“More than what I’m good at… there’s one thing I’m not good at.”

“Not good at?”

“Actually… I’m not confident in kitchen work. So, how about I teach you a foreign language instead of cooking… that’s my proposal. Is it difficult?”

It was the second safety net. With this, the excuse that he would teach him Italian was more persuasive.

As expected, Yeon-ho, who had paused, looked back at the microwave with the plug pulled out.

Now he understood why Marteo had looked so strangely awkward earlier, and he let out a short “Ah…” Marteo seized the opportunity and drove the wedge in.

“This is definitely more beneficial than clumsy food.”

“Are you really good enough to teach someone?”

“Properly.”

The ‘properly’ that he had disparaged so much earlier was now a very convenient word. Yeon-ho began to tap the table. After a while, he suddenly narrowed his face.

“Then… what’s ‘get lost’ in Italian?”

“……Pardon?”

“Don’t you have any curses that would make someone run away on the spot?”

…What are you going to use that for?

He wanted to ask, but there was no need to ask. It was too obvious who Yeon-ho’s eyes, which were already shining ominously, were imagining.

Marteo lowered his gaze as if he was rearranging his chopsticks.

“I don’t know….”

“You don’t know?”

“I don’t remember that well…….”

“And you’re going to teach me something like that? Then I can’t get out of kitchen work.”

“…Anyway, please eat first. It’s going to get cold.”

“Cold? It’s still steaming. I even burned the roof of my mouth earlier. Want to see?”

Ah, Yeon-ho even opened his mouth to show him. Marteo’s gaze became even more confused at the teasing. Then, he waved his hand over the rice bowl.

“Is this… enough?”

His voice was trying to sound calm, but his earlobes were slightly flushed. It seemed like Yeon-ho was about to clear his throat now.

No. He was shameless when it came to sex, but why was he like this about something like this?

He even had the absurd thought of asking what ‘let’s do it’ was instead of ‘get lost’…….

As soon as he had that thought, his mouth naturally closed. But in the end, what broke through that gap was a smile that bloomed like a bud.

“Why. Again….”

It was even more so when he saw Marteo subtly looking at him.

He had listened to his complaints that had nothing to do with him, and he had faithfully responded to his unnecessary teasing. They were sitting side by side, eating rice together, using small jokes as side dishes.

When you thought about it, it wasn’t a big deal, but the unpleasantness that had remained after Seo-hee’s visit had completely disappeared.

‘Indeed. Is this why people get married…?’

It seemed like he could understand, just a little.

♥ ♥ ♥

Day 6 of living together.

It wasn’t quite the 7 days it took the Creator to create the world, but in those 6 days, Yeon-ho felt like his world had truly changed.

He’d thought sharing a house with a stranger would be a nuisance… but no. The inconvenience he’d worried about was, in reality, something to welcome with open arms.

If their arms and legs overlapped while sleeping, a kiss.

If their hands brushed while reaching for a glass of water, a kiss.

These subtle entanglements frequently led to strange sensations without brakes, and the indulgent days that started with a kiss and easily led to shedding clothes were truly dissolute.

He’d never disliked sex, but this went far beyond just not disliking it.

With each joining of their bodies, the man thoroughly grasped Yeon-ho’s weaknesses, ultimately drawing out even sensitivities he hadn’t known he possessed.

He never thought he’d feel it in his elbow. He never knew his soles could feel so erotic.

Thanks to that, the two of them had only gone outside twice in the past 6 days.

Once to buy Marteo’s clothes and condoms. And the other time… was because they ran out of condoms early; otherwise, they would have definitely stayed cooped up at home the whole time.

But all things must come to an end. This morning, Yeon-ho’s Anima was released once again.

Just like the first day he slept with Marteo, he was horrified to realize he’d turned into a chicken without realizing it. The feeling of his comb bristling was not welcome, even after experiencing it again.

Why did this happen in a row? What’s the problem?

Just like last time, Yeon-ho barely managed to return to his human form before Marteo woke up. He had no choice but to make a decision, avoiding Marteo, who was trying to hug him, asking, “Did you sleep well?”

He didn’t know the exact reason, but if they stayed together, either he or Marteo would want to rub their faces together. He had to prevent the major disaster of his Anima being released during that.

After much deliberation, he used ‘going to work’ as an excuse. He hadn’t shown his face at the company for 4 days, excluding the weekend, so it was about time he made an appearance.

But… sitting in the office right now. Yeon-ho was deeply regretting his decision.

He didn’t notice when he was happily rolling around with Marteo, but his back hurt terribly. His throbbing butt, still feeling like something was inside, was also overly assertive.

More than the uncomfortable body, the image of Theon that flickered in his mind was twice as bothersome.

‘Going to work…?’

The expression on his face, shoulders drooping like a lost puppy when he said he had to go to the company….

‘Seriously, does he want to become a celebrity or not? I need to work to support him…’

A sigh leaked from Yeon-ho’s lips as he grumbled. Even so, his gaze was already directed at his phone.

12 PM.

It felt like almost a hundred years had passed, but only 3 hours had passed since he came to work.

He always thought this when he came to the company, but today, time felt especially slow and sluggish.

Should he just use half a day of leave? No…. He came out saying something mature about playing too much, how could he go back home already.

More than that, he wondered if that guy had eaten. He said he wasn’t confident in cooking… he should have told him about a good restaurant nearby.

No. Should he just order delivery for him??

His fidgeting fingers were about to press the call button.

“Do Director?”

Someone knocked on the desk and called out his title. Startled, Yeon-ho dropped his phone and looked up, frowning when he recognized ‘who’ it was. It was none other than Seung-won, who seemed even more surprised than Yeon-ho.

“Hey. What are you thinking about that you don’t even notice someone coming in.”

“…What. Why are you here?”

“Why else. I heard our precious Director finally came to work, so I came to see you.”

“…….”

“What were you doing? Busy?”

Couldn’t he tell? It wasn’t just Seung-won who had been waiting for Yeon-ho to come to work. A pile of documents waiting for approval was stacked on one side of Yeon-ho’s desk. He’d only touched one of them.

“Get to the point and tell me what you need.”

“Always with the temper. Let’s eat. A sushi restaurant opened in front, we need to have a welcoming meal.”

“No.”

It was a refusal without hesitation.

How could he be enjoying sushi when he didn’t even know if the guy at home had eaten?

Even so, his face crumpled at the thought that followed.

‘Seriously. Why am I so worried about this?’

On the other hand, Seung-won, interpreting Yeon-ho’s expression differently, tapped the stacked files as if to show off.

“Hey. This will never end in an hour or two. Just work overtime.”

“…….”

“What. I have something to say while we eat.”

Something to say…? Yeon-ho raised his eyebrows, ignoring the overtime comment. He looked like he was saying the main point was at the end, after all the nonsense. Seung-won pouted and stretched his voice.

“You haven’t contacted that writer yet, have you?”

“Who. Lee Chang-hoon?”

Yeon-ho reacted quickly. He was the photographer he was going to ask for Marteo’s profile picture.

He had received his contact information from Seung-won, but he was too busy with other things—of course, this was also because of Marteo—so he hadn’t contacted him yet. Yeon-ho straightened his posture for the first time.

“Why Lee Chang-hoon. Did hyung perhaps contact him?”

“Only when it’s something like this you call me hyung. Yeah. You hadn’t contacted him, so I called him yesterday. I asked if he could take a picture of our guy.”

“What did he say. He didn’t refuse, did he?”

“It’s not that he refused… he just doesn’t have time.”

“He came to Korea, didn’t he?”

“He came, but he’s leaving again the day after tomorrow. You know Lee Young-in? He’s going to England with him for a shoot.”

“Then when is he coming back?”

“He said it’s a week-long trip…. He also has a project he’s in charge of when he comes back?”

“Did you mention that he’s the guy I picked?”

“…….”

“Then that bastard is doing it on purpose. He’s always been annoying.”

As mentioned earlier, Yeon-ho didn’t like Lee Chang-hoon. And Lee Chang-hoon, who knew that fact, felt the same way about Yeon-ho.

Just as Yeon-ho was grinding his teeth, Seung-won cleared his throat. Yeon-ho frowned at his hesitant expression, as if he had something left to say.

“Why?”

“No… but he didn’t refuse, did he?”

“What do you mean?”

“Actually, that writer contacted me again a little while ago….”

“And?”

“He said he has time today. He has some free time after three o’clock… he said to bring him if it’s okay.”

“…….”

“I said I understood for now… but as you said, he’s probably doing this on purpose, right?”

What else could it be!

Were the kids’ profile pictures a joke? The photographer also needed to prepare for the photos that would be shown everywhere for the first time.

They needed clothes, hair styling, and skincare from a few days before.

But to say ‘bring him if it’s okay’ on the day of, just a few hours before? That was a more frustrating action than a straight refusal.

Seung-won shrank his shoulders as Yeon-ho’s expression turned fierce.

“It’s… not going to work, is it?”

“…….”

“Hey, yeah. It’s not like Lee Chang-hoon is the only photographer. Lately, it seems like Lee Chang-hoon isn’t what he used to be? He’s just chasing after famous kids.”

But Yeon-ho knew, and Seung-won knew too. That working only with those famous kids was the industry’s reputation.

Yeon-ho twisted his lip. After a while, he looked up at Seung-won with glistening eyes.

“No. Say we’ll go.”

“Huh?”

“He said he’s free after three o’clock, right? Should we go to Lee Chang-hoon’s studio?”

“You’re… going?”

“He only has time today.”

“That’s true, but to prepare everything….”

“It’s okay. That bastard is just natural for profiles anyway.”

Overflowing arrogance. But Seung-won, who had met Marteo, couldn’t disagree.

Indeed… that was true. He was nodding without realizing it.

“If you’ve said everything, get out of here. I’m busy if I want to finish by 3 o’clock.”

Yeon-ho waved his hand as if to drive him out. Seung-won widened his eyes.

“What… are you going too?”

“Of course? Send him alone when he doesn’t know anything? Who knows how that bastard Lee Chang-hoon will act.”

“No… there’s quite a lot of this to look at.”

“That’s why I’m saying I’m busy. Ah, go quickly!”

It had already been 3 hours since he came to work. As he said, Yeon-ho had only looked at one document. And he was going to finish the rest in the remaining time? Why was he taking his time until now if he could do this?

Seung-won frowned. But who cared? Yeon-ho’s hands and eyes were sorting through the documents at a terrifying speed.

He had a reason to leave work early (?)…

‘If I finish in an hour, I can feed him first, right?’

The corners of his lips were already faintly curling up.

♥ ♥ ♥

At the same time.

Marteo, left alone in the empty house after Yeon-ho was taken to work, was struggling.

“Mannaggia!”

The curse he spat out without realizing it and his terribly crumpled brow. An unidentified small solid object was stuck to his once smooth hand without a scratch, but he had no time to care about the burn that covered his skin.

“Porca miseria. What’s the problem?”

Chup. In front of him, after he licked his hand without any dignity, was a frying pan steaming like Mount Vesuvius. Next to it, in the sink, were just two pots that had been thrown in a similar state….

Marteo sighed at the miserable sight and even touched his forehead.

‘I thought one practice would be enough…….’

It was a groundless arrogance and an absurd delusion.

At this rate, would he be able to achieve his goal before Yeon-ho returned? Would it be impossible even if he lived his whole life…?

Cooking, especially ‘making Risotto’, was like a huge rock he had encountered for the first time in his life, for Marteo, who usually learned everything quickly and produced plausible results.

Of course, he had been exempted from kitchen work under the guise of 1-on-1 tutoring. Still, this was a matter of male pride.

He couldn’t continue to bear the shame (?) of being unable to even operate a microwave like an idiot. More than anything, he was also looking forward to how surprised Yeon-ho would be when he made something he said he wasn’t confident in.

Because of that, after Yeon-ho went to work, he thought this was an opportunity, went to the mart alone to shop—this process was not easy either—and stood in the kitchen with determination……. The result was, as you can see, this mess. It was impossible not to curse.

‘Maybe it’s because the rice is different. Or… is it because the butter is different? I used pretty good wine…….’

He couldn’t get an answer even if he repeatedly asked himself. Aside from the ingredients, he had been wrong from the start with the fire control!

Marteo, seriously looking down at the sauce that was boiling down to a yellowish color, finally threw the frying pan on the stove into the sink. Then he started rummaging through the cupboard again.

‘Okay. I’ll try one more time. This time… I’ll make the fire stronger!’

Just because that was the only way to cook the rice was a very reckless challenge. Rice grains, almost raw, barely dipped in water, were poured onto the newly taken out pan without being soaked again. The butter, only ⅓ left, also made its last dive.

‘Let’s leave out the onions. This bastard cooks too fast.’

The choice to boldly limit the innocent main ingredients, regardless of flavor, followed. It was when he was stirring the pan that was already sizzling from the start.

♩♪♩♬♭♩♪

The ringtone flowed from the phone placed on the table. The time difference between Italy and Korea was 7 hours. The number of people who knew his newly opened number was also limited.

Marteo threw down the spatula and immediately reached out. Then, his expression relaxed as soon as he checked his phone.

[Do Yeon-ho]

He was afraid of being caught with an excited voice. He cleared his throat a few times and pressed the call button.

“Yes.”

“It’s me.”

Even though he already knew who was calling, his lips turned up at the simple two syllables.

“What were you doing?”

Even so, he felt a sense of regret at the question that followed.

How long had it been since they were apart that he missed this man so much? He wished all the companies in the world would go bankrupt.

Beyond the absurd thought, Marteo moved his lips.

“Just… was here.”

“Just? Did you sleep again?”

He knew the man was awake when he left for work, but it wouldn’t be strange if he had fallen asleep again.

From Marteo’s point of view, that might have been more productive.

When he couldn’t answer easily, Yeon-ho’s voice was filled with a faint smile, as if he had taken it as a yes.

“Then you haven’t had lunch yet?”

Marteo hesitated once more. His tone was slightly raised than before. He was suddenly smiling, and he wondered if he thought he was lazy.

“No. I ate.”

“You… ate?”

“Yes. A little while ago.”

“…….”

He wouldn’t know he was lying, but this time Yeon-ho didn’t answer.

Marteo was about to cut off the call, so he hurriedly added.

“What about you, did you eat?”

“…….”

“Surely not yet?”

“…No. I ate too.”

Thank goodness. It was his first time going to work in a week, he thought he was too busy to eat.

“What did you eat.”

“Why.”

“Just, curious….”

“Sushi.”

Would it be strange to ask who he ate with and if it was delicious?

He wanted to continue the conversation as long as possible, but he was getting impatient with the simple answers.

Tsk. For some reason, Yeon-ho clicked his tongue. The words he muttered shortly after were muffled, as if he had covered the receiver and spat them out, so the pronunciation was unclear.

He seemed to have said something about coming early…?

Yeon-ho continued to speak as he tilted his head.

“Anyway, food is done… you had a white shirt among the clothes you bought last time, right?”

“……?”

“The one we went out and bought together. Don’t you remember?”

Of course, he remembered. One of the only outings he had in the past week. Yeon-ho, who had dragged him to the department store, had given him a bunch of clothes with his card.

At the time, Yeon-ho had told him not to feel burdened because it was an investment, but… the reason he was surprised was different.

He bought so many clothes… but the price was cheaper than he thought.

Anyway, he didn’t think he was trying to start a conversation like him. Marteo quickly cut off his thoughts and carefully continued.

“I remember. But why that clothes?”

“Wash up and change into it. Choose jeans or dark tones for the pants.”

Was this an order to greet him in a clean outfit after bathing?

Even if he was dazed, he naturally had no intention of refusing if that was the intention. But his guess was wrong. In a much better direction than expected.

“Change and come out by three o’clock. The car keys are in the hallway drawer, and I’ll send you the address by text.”

Marteo’s eyes widened on their own.

He thought Yeon-ho’s work ended at 6 PM at the earliest… but it was three hours earlier than that. Moreover, he was asking to meet outside?

‘Could it be a date request? …No. The other person is Do Yeon-ho. Don’t have high expectations.’

While he was calming his mind, his head was quickly nodding up and down.

“I understand.”

“Don’t be late?”

Yeon-ho, who had briefly smirked at the smile that had returned as if he had seen it, ended the call abruptly. But there was no need to feel regret.

He had already washed this morning, but he quickly turned around, thinking he should take another shower.

It was then. Chi-i-i-ik The sound he had heard several times today, the familiar acrid smell, brushed past his nose.

Marteo, who had hesitated, slowly turned around. Then, his beautiful face was distorted in a good way.

The hazy smoke rising unreservedly above the pan and the cooking ingredients scattered all over the sink counter. The pans in the sink, in a miserable state, were also waiting for Marteo without giving up.

‘Don’t be late.’

Yeon-ho’s last voice faintly brushed his ears.

Marteo touched his throbbing temples beyond the groan he didn’t know how many times he had made today.

He had never cooked, but he had nothing to say about washing dishes either.

When would he clean all that up….

It seemed like finding detergent rather than body wash was a priority.

♥ ♥ ♥

2:40 PM.

Yeon-ho, who checked his watch at the sight of the tall silhouette that came into view as soon as he turned the corner, frowned.

He definitely thought he would arrive first today….

It was Theon again, who recognized the car entering the alley and slightly raised his hand as usual.

As soon as he parked the car in the parallel parking line, he immediately approached and opened the driver’s seat door.

The attitude could be seen as flattery at first glance, but the neat and elegant movement was more like a refined gentleman than servile. Yeon-ho, feeling awkward as if he had become a lady being escorted, cleared his throat.

“You came early. When did you arrive?”

“A little while ago.”

He said that, but he thought he would have given the same answer whether he had come 30 minutes ago or an hour ago. Yeon-ho, who cleared his throat once more, looked around.

“The car. Where did you park it?”

Marteo showed an ambiguous expression for the first time at Yeon-ho’s search for his second car.

“Do you have to go back to the company later?”

“No. I’m going home?”

“Yes. I thought so, so I left it.”

“……?”

“If I bring the car, you and I have to go separately when we leave.”

The answer came after returning a question with a question. It was a word that didn’t need to be interpreted.

He used to say, “Don’t act up,” to this kind of attitude… but he just felt itchy inside.

In the meantime, Marteo, who had come a little closer, began to scan the surroundings.

“But why did you want to meet here? It just looks like a residential area.”

Whether intentional or not, Yeon-ho was glad the topic had changed. Yeon-ho brushed against Marteo’s body.

As instructed, he wore a neat white shirt with tidy black slacks. Choosing suede loafers was also a nice touch.

But above all, his natural looks were the most outstanding.

Yeon-ho smoothed Marteo’s shirt collar, which didn’t need any more fixing. On a whim, he also neatly swept back the hair that had fallen over his forehead.

Marteo’s eyes soon became languid, like a docile beast accepting his touch, though he paused for a moment.

‘I like this expression… I knew I didn’t need any other preparations!’

Yeon-ho curled up his lips. Then, he tilted the fingertips that had been caressing Marteo to the side.

“I have something to do here.”

The place his thumb pointed to was a two-story Western-style house right next to the road where they were standing.

“H-here?”

“I mentioned it once at the company before. Do you remember Lee Chang-hoon?”

Marteo’s eyebrows furrowed. He wondered if he was one of the men Yeon-ho had sponsored, but if that were the case, he would have remembered immediately.

At the end of his vigilance, an exclamation of ‘Ah!’ filled his mind.

“He’s a pretty famous photographer in this industry. I asked him to take your profile picture, but today was the only time he was available.”

I didn’t tell you in advance because I thought you might get nervous. Yeon-ho glanced at his expression and added the remaining explanation. However, Marteo’s feelings were naturally 180 degrees different from his concerns.

He had braced himself that it might not be a date, and not to get his hopes up too much… but he never imagined it would be work.

‘If he didn’t have time, he should have just kept not having time.’

As he stared insolently at the closed gate with unwarranted resentment, Yeon-ho, still misjudging his mood, tilted his head.

“Why? Are you nervous?”

Now that he looked at it, his face seemed more amused than worried. Could it be that he didn’t tell him in advance because he was hoping he would be nervous?

As the thought occurred to him, his slight disappointment easily dissipated. He almost laughed at Yeon-ho’s mischievously sparkling eyes.

Well, what does it matter what the reason is? He was happy enough to see Yeon-ho early.

Marteo put on a poker face and composed himself.

“Not really… Should I be nervous?”

“……”

“More than that, is this okay as it is?”

“Huh?”

“You said you were going to take a profile picture, right? I didn’t have any special preparations, so I was wondering if it was okay.”

Tsk. He really doesn’t seem nervous. How can he switch so quickly?

Yeon-ho, who had expected him to be a little flustered, pouted at his composed attitude.

“It’s fine. You don’t need any preparations.”

“……?”

“You’re beautiful enough.”

Such unrestrained admiration in front of him. Marteo, who had been so composed he was almost nonchalant, coughed at these words. Then, he quickly clenched his fists and hid them behind his back.

Otherwise, he would have grabbed Yeon-ho’s waist and kissed him right then and there.

Yeon-ho, completely unaware of his inner thoughts, approached the gate with a bored expression. Then, with an exclamation of ‘Ah!’, he turned back to Marteo.

“Oh, right. But still, prepare yourself mentally. Lee Chang-hoon, that guy, he’s skilled, but he’s also a jerk. Just think of whatever he says as him talking out of his ass.”

Talking… out of his ass…

He had been babbling such lovely words that made his heart flutter. Who was the one switching quickly?

Still…

“Shall we go in then?”

His expression melted at the light touch on his back, pushing him forward with a bright smile.

Lee Chang-hoon might be a jerk, but he had no way to resist Do Yeon-ho.

On the outside, it looked like an ordinary house, but the interior, which he entered following Yeon-ho, was far from a typical residential format.

From the entrance, the polished concrete floor allowed them to enter with their shoes on, and the walls were finished with rough paint instead of wallpaper.

As if the existing house structure had been completely removed, the ceiling, which was open to the second floor, was high, and the first floor had a curved horizon, as if almost all the rooms had been removed.

Instead, the large space was filled with steel storage cabinets placed everywhere, and each compartment was packed with various filming equipment.

But what stood out most was that there was one unnecessary structure that didn’t fit in such an office-like space.

Marteo turned his gaze and looked up at the high ceiling. The steel frame structure of the ceiling was exposed, and lighting and rigging systems were densely installed above, but in that corner, a strange wooden box was perched precariously. It wasn’t placed with any particular care, and it was certainly not something systematic.

To put it bluntly, it was roughly made…

It was as he was thinking that a young woman pulled back the thick blackout curtains that had been hanging on one side of the wall and revealed herself.

She was an employee of this studio and Lee Chang-hoon’s assistant. She was the one who had responded to Yeon-ho’s ringing of the bell and opened the front door.

In her hand was a hastily prepared tray. It seemed that the inside of the blackout curtains was a kitchen or pantry.

She quickly approached Yeon-ho and Marteo, who were sitting on the sofa, and awkwardly handed them two cups on the tray.

“I’m sorry. We’re out of coffee.”

As she said, what was floating in the glass was a commercially available tea bag. Yeon-ho glanced at it, the contents of which were not even properly steeped, and raised his lips instead of reaching out. However, it wasn’t a very pleasant smile.

“Mr. Lee… must be coming from far away.”

“Well, he said he was almost here… Should I call him again?”

“It’s okay. He’ll come when he comes.”

It was an unnecessary effort. He wasn’t almost there, he had deliberately gone out to match the time we arrived.

Maybe he even told her not to give us coffee on purpose?

Yeon-ho’s lips twisted even more at the highly probable suspicion.

A long time passed after that. Just as the green tea in the cold water barely shed its plain water color, a clattering sound came from the entrance. The woman, looking pleased, ran out to the front.

“Sir! Why are you only coming now? The guests have already arrived.”

Despite her anxious cries, a man in his late 30s with piercing eyes slowly entered.

As Yeon-ho stood up from his seat, the man shifted his gaze and then pretended to be surprised.

“Oh, Director Do? Did you come here yourself?”

He definitely heard it from Yoon Seung-won. That’s why he was messing with them, but he was good at talking out of his ass.

Yeon-ho repeated the advice he had given himself.

That’s not words, it’s shit. Shit. You don’t avoid shit because you’re afraid of it, but because it’s dirty.

“It’s been a while.”

“Haha. If I had known you were coming, Director, I would have hurried more. The road was so congested… Did you wait long?”

“It’s okay. You took the time out of your busy schedule, so you should at least show some sincerity.”

It was a normal response, but there was something about it that sounded off. At the same time, Yeon-ho let out a groan and frowned.

“Oh dear. My words got twisted. It’s not that you took the time out of your busy schedule, but that you. gave. us. your. valuable. time.”

“……”

Chang-hoon’s expression, which had been smiling, shattered at the corrected words.

Twisted, my ass. He’s saying that he’s the one giving us his valuable time, isn’t he? He’s saying I’m not being sincere, right?

Yeon-ho knew that Chang-hoon had caught on, so he smiled twice as brightly for his sake.

He said he avoided it because it was dirty, but he didn’t say he would take a long detour, did he?

“Anyway, let’s start with introductions. This is the friend I told you about on the phone.”

Then, as if to cut off any bullshit, he quickly turned his head. Chang-hoon’s cheeks twitched.

Do Yeon-ho, who considered diligence the greatest sin in the world, had brought a complete rookie all the way here, and he called him a friend?

However, the complaints he grumbled inwardly soon crumbled without a trace.

The man he hadn’t had time to examine because he was dealing with Yeon-ho. His appearance finally caught his eye.

Chang-hoon’s eyes, which were already piercing, widened as if they would spill out. Yeon-ho glanced at Chang-hoon and smugly swallowed his laughter.

Yoon Seung-won was mesmerized at their first meeting, so how could he be any different?

“My name is Antonio. This is photographer Lee Chang-hoon.”

Following the explanation, he gestured, and Marteo approached Yeon-ho.

As always, he bowed slightly with an elegant gesture that was full of poise, but this alone was more than enough.

The most important thing for a photographer is balance, and he was a perfectly composed subject that he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Chang-hoon, who had realized that he had even opened his mouth, quickly composed himself as if swallowing a cough. However, his free eyeballs were busy scanning Marteo up and down.

Yeon-ho, who had kept his distance as if telling him to look to his heart’s content, belatedly pretended to tilt his head.

“Mr. Photographer?”

“……”

“Mr. Lee.”

“Ah… Yes?”

“What’s wrong? You’re staring at him so intently. My friend must be embarrassed.”

He was the one who pointed it out so he would be embarrassed, but Yeon-ho was just as good at talking. Chang-hoon, his face flushed, glared lightly at Yeon-ho. Then, he grabbed Yeon-ho’s arm and pulled him to the side.

Yeon-ho, caught off guard, stumbled a few steps in an unsightly manner and raised his eyes as if asking what he was doing. Chang-hoon, who had brought his head close to his ear, poured out a question that was completely devoid of formality.

“Director Do. By any chance… has your taste changed?”

“What?”

“Does Doit now accept Morpheus too?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Isn’t he… a Morpheus?”

Of course, Chang-hoon knew. Yeon-ho was good at picking out the best guys and eating them up, but Morpheus were an exception.

Still, it was suspicious. That height, that appearance. Morpheus are more outstanding in appearance than ordinary people because of accumulated data!

“Right? Morpheus.”

Chang-hoon’s eyes shone with conviction. Yeon-ho barely suppressed the snort that was about to burst out.

Seriously, this Morpheus supremacist. Everything good is a Morpheus?

“You’re mistaken.”

“……Not?”

“No.”

“Really not?”

“Yes.”

“Why! He looks like that!”

Was it a question or a denial? His voice naturally rose, and saliva splattered on his earlobe. Seriously, this is so disgusting. Yeon-ho couldn’t stand it and pushed Chang-hoon away. No, he tried to.

If Marteo hadn’t grabbed Yeon-ho’s shoulder and pulled him to his side first, that is.

The two people, who were forcibly separated in an instant, shuddered as their eyes met Marteo’s.

“What are you saying, without me?”

His voice was calm, but his expression was strangely cold. The hand that was tightly gripping Yeon-ho’s shoulder was also full of strength.

What’s wrong with him? Yeon-ho glanced at Chang-hoon, who was out of character.

He was a guy who was so impeccable in his attitude that he never thought he would interfere like this, but it didn’t look good no matter how he looked at it.

But fortunately, Chang-hoon’s embarrassment was different from Yeon-ho’s.

“What, what is he? Why is his Korean so good?”

Yeon-ho, who was almost embraced by Marteo, seemed to be an afterthought. Somewhat relieved, Yeon-ho finally shook off Marteo’s hand.

“He lived in Korea when he was young.”

“Even so, his pronunciation is completely native?”

“He’s quite talented in languages. I heard he speaks about five languages.”

He naturally added an appeal, taking advantage of the opportunity. From stylists, hair designers, and reporters to photographers like Chang-hoon. It wouldn’t be surprising if industry people spread rumors through back channels.

It was a secret operation in the hope that his light mouth would do a lot of work far and wide.

However, Chang-hoon’s repeated exclamations were still far from Yeon-ho’s wishes.

“No, is he even smart? But he’s really not a Morpheus?”

Yeon-ho’s face, which he had been holding back, finally contorted.

“Please, that’s enough. Mr. Photographer, what you just said is discrimination if you think about it.”

“What, why is it discrimination? Isn’t Director Do the one who has a strong prejudice against me?”

“Seeing what you’re doing now, it wouldn’t be strange if I developed a prejudice. Morpheus are rude.”

‘What?’

Marteo’s eyebrows shot up at the last words. Yeon-ho let out a low sigh towards Marteo.

“I was late in explaining, but Mr. Photographer… he’s a Morpheus.”

That’s right. The greatest Morpheus supremacist in the world. Chang-hoon was a Morpheus, as he said.

As such, his praise for Morpheus should be seen as not just simple goodwill towards Morpheus, but as a product of his intense self-love.

That was also the biggest reason why Yeon-ho found Lee Chang-hoon so annoying.

As Yeon-ho shot him a look of contempt, Chang-hoon finally reluctantly pouted.

“No, I was just wondering because his profile is so good… But, he’s really not a Morpheus? Not even any relatives?”

“Mr. Photographer…”

“Ah, I know, I know. Well, maybe he’s not a Morpheus. I was just saying it as a compliment. You’re being so harsh.”

“……”

“Anyway, let’s formally introduce ourselves. I’m photographer Lee Chang-hoon, and I’m an owl Morpheus.”

He’s even an avian?

Leaving aside his personality, Yeon-ho understood again why he disliked Lee Chang-hoon so much.

And also what the box hanging in the air was.

Owls generally use the surrounding structures and don’t put much effort into building nests. He must be very proud of being an owl, so that clumsy box, no, nest, makes sense.

Marteo looked down at Chang-hoon’s hand, which had suddenly reached out to him.

The very hand he had wanted to break off since he had grabbed Yeon-ho earlier.

The impulse was still there, but… he was able to endure it because he saw Yeon-ho mouthing something behind Chang-hoon. Don’t forget.

‘A.ss.hole.’

Marteo, who quickly bit his lips to keep from laughing, barely composed himself and shook Chang-hoon’s hand.

‘If he’s a Morpheus and even an avian, he’ll never get close to Yeon-ho.’

That was the end of his brief impression of Chang-hoon.

He soon felt bitter that he was in the same situation.

After some time, Chang-hoon’s assistant, who had been standing far back, carefully narrowed the distance.

“Um, sir.”

“Yeah?”

“How should we prepare for the shoot? Should I… take out the equipment?”

“Ah…”

Chang-hoon groaned and bit his tongue for a moment.

To confess, he had actually planned to mess with Yeon-ho until the end today. By making excuses that one of the main equipment was broken or that the power suddenly went out.

He had also coordinated with his assistant for this in advance. If he said, “Start,” they would proceed as planned. If he said, “Prepare,” they would stand by properly.

The scale of his heart was more than 80% on the former.

But when he saw the subject Yeon-ho had brought, the photographer’s desire to capture it in the viewfinder grew.

‘Seriously, Do Yeon-ho is unlucky in so many ways. Why is his eye so good?’

Chang-hoon, who was echoing Yeon-ho’s feelings, reluctantly admitted defeat.

“Prepare.”

“Yes!”

She seemed relieved that she wouldn’t have to be tired in the middle anymore, and she answered in a loud voice and hurried to the horizon.

Chang-hoon, who had scanned her once as she arranged the reflectors and tripods that had been pushed to one side, turned to Yeon-ho.

“Okay, let’s talk about work now. You need a profile picture. What kind of atmosphere are you going for? Chic, or a fresh rookie feel?”

“Please take care of the atmosphere, and just be careful not to overdo it. I’d like it to be as natural as possible.”

“What is it? You’re asking me to take care of it and ordering the most difficult thing?”

“……”

“What about the composition? We’re not just going to focus on the upper body, are we?”

It’s a common trick to use when the face is okay but the overall body profile is lacking. Instead of answering, Yeon-ho pointed to Marteo with his chin.

Was there any need to say it with his own mouth?

Chang-hoon, who had also agreed with him once again, grumbled and took a step towards the storage cabinet. His eyes, which were choosing a camera lens, were more cautious than ever.

Yeon-ho inadvertently turned to Marteo and tilted his head.

“He’s a jerk… but he’s skilled.”

“……”

The words were reversed from what he had said before entering the studio.

Suddenly, he wondered what kind of evaluation he would receive.

He hated avians so much, but the reason he came to see Chang-hoon was because he had real skill, as he said.

If he wanted to be that kind of existence for Do Yeon-ho, he couldn’t afford to be clumsy in a single word or action.

♥ ♥ ♥

From preparing for the shoot to the actual work and the final selection, the profile shoot took about two hours.

It was partly because there was no need for separate makeup or clothing preparation, but Marteo was largely responsible for the work ending earlier than expected.

The worry that he might freeze in front of the camera was just that, a worry. Marteo skillfully followed Chang-hoon’s instructions, and from the moment the number of cuts increased, there was no need for any special direction.

The dramatic mood that was created simply by slightly tilting his head, and the unique atmosphere that the subject possessed.

The most difficult thing when working with a rookie is hiding their awkwardness and bringing out the model’s charm to the fullest, but in this regard, there was no room for Marteo to be criticized.

Thanks to this, Chang-hoon, who had only repeated “Good” and “Okay” for two hours straight, finally complained after the shoot was over.

It would be difficult to pick the best, to decide what’s an A-cut and what’s a B-cut with this.

To that, Marteo gave the exemplary answer, “It’s because the writer’s skills are excellent,” which earned him extra points, and unlike at first, Chang-hoon even showed the kindness of seeing him off.

“You worked hard today.”

“The writer worked hard.”

“Haha. Does it come out that way again? Anyway, let’s see each other often in the future. Oh, right. Here’s my business card. Contact me anytime if you need anything.”

As if that wasn’t enough, he even placed his personal business card in Marteo’s hand. It was an extraordinary favor to bestow on someone with no experience.

However, unlike Chang-hoon, who was excited about the outstanding talent, Yeon-ho, who had been unusually quiet since leaving the studio, had no particular reaction.

Even after exchanging glances with Chang-hoon and getting into the car, he didn’t even turn his head once, even while driving out of the alley.

He didn’t expect to be praised for doing well, but he thought he would at least say he had worked hard…

Marteo, who was carefully watching Yeon-ho’s expression, finally parted his lips first.

“…Are you tired?”

“……”

“Or, did I make some kind of mistake?”

Two questions came out with a pause. Only then did Yeon-ho glance at Marteo, but the answer was very short.

“No.”

With that kind of response, it was difficult to ask anything more. Above all, there was nothing he could guess.

Yeon-ho hated waiting, and he finished work early by concentrating, and as warned, he didn’t get involved in Chang-hoon’s often annoying behavior, and he thought he had even earned points.

But this cold reaction…

Just as Marteo frowned at the unpredictable coldness, a small brown bag suddenly caught his eye.

The bag, carelessly stuck in the console box between the driver’s seat and the passenger seat, was something he hadn’t seen when he rode in Yeon-ho’s car before.

Marteo reached out and picked up the bag. When he opened the entrance, he could smell the sauce and see the crumpled wax paper.

‘Sand…wich?’

The moment he realized, Yeon-ho snatched the bag away. Then, he threw the bag, which was crumpled much more than before, into the back seat of the car.

“What are you looking at?”

Was he asking if he was looking at the sandwich bag? Or his face?

He didn’t know which one it was, but Marteo tilted his head, blinking repeatedly.

“Did you eat that?”

“……”

“When? You said you ate sushi for lunch.”

A reasonable question that didn’t give in to the bluntness. Yeon-ho bit his tongue.

Both a few hours ago and now. The trivial words that he had roughly eaten on the way because he couldn’t have lunch with him got stuck in his throat strangely. And adding even this made him feel even more uncomfortable.

Marteo seemed uncomfortable with Yeon-ho’s reaction, but in fact, Yeon-ho himself was more so.

‘What exactly is he so unhappy about… Why do I feel so bad?’

Of course, he was 100% sincere when he answered ‘no’ to the question of whether he had made a mistake.

Far from making a mistake, he made such an excellent start that he even won Chang-hoon’s personal business card.

But ironically, the unidentified discomfort that had been gnawing at him all along was precisely that there was no ‘mistake’.

Someone even gave up lunch and followed him to the filming like a mother fanning the flames…

He matched Lee Chang-hoon’s tastes well, and they worked together seamlessly. Marteo became one with Chang-hoon like an old partner.

At first, he was somewhat proud, but that was only for a moment.

How awkward it was to be reduced to a mere spectator, tearing at the sofa cushions, with no room to squeeze in between them.

He even ate on his own, and he even did his work on his own. Then what am I? Why did I come here?

Above all, since when did they know each other so well that they would see each other often? What business would they have to contact each other separately when I’m clearly here?

Is the good result only thanks to Lee Chang-hoon?

The more he thought about it, the more upset he became. Of course, the most annoying thing among these was,

‘When did he say chicken was the best…? Does he like all birds?’

It was himself who was having such childish thoughts for no reason.

Finally, Yeon-ho, who had readjusted his grip on the steering wheel, sighed. Then he looked back at Marteo.

Even though he was clearly being difficult, his expression was silently waiting for his answer without showing any signs of displeasure.

‘Anyone would think my lunch menu is a very important issue.’

But… he didn’t dislike the attention that was completely focused on him. Yeon-ho, who struggled to gather the emotions that were difficult to define himself, finally parted his lips after a long time.

“I ate it in the morning.”

“……”

“What about you?”

“……?”

“What time did you eat lunch? Aren’t you hungry?”

He wasn’t hungry at all, he hadn’t eaten anything all day, but Marteo smiled faintly at the attention he received in return, just like Yeon-ho.

“I can bear it.”

“Bear it. Why would you bear something like that?”

“……”

“Buy something to eat on the way home.”

Even though there was still some bluntness left, there was no room for disagreement. Marteo immediately nodded.

But about 30 minutes later. The peace that had been outwardly restored, whatever the inside was like, was once again in crisis.

It was because the car’s route and the surrounding scenery were too familiar to Marteo.

Marteo, who was quickly scanning the surroundings, unconsciously let out a hesitant voice.

“Where are we going now?”

“Where else? I told you we’re going to eat and go in.”

“But… why here.”

The road that Yeon-ho’s car, which had just changed lanes, had entered, had a building at the end of the uphill road that Marteo knew very well.

The Crest Seoul.

It was the very hotel where Marteo had stayed before entering Yeon-ho’s house. Marteo’s face hardened at the exterior, which he didn’t need to look at again.

Some of the staff might remember the suite room customer who was treated as a VVIP, although not all of them.

What if they recognize him and say hello?

But Yeon-ho, who of course had no idea about Marteo’s worries, opened his mouth in a nonchalant manner as expected.

“It’s a profile shoot, but it’s still the first shoot. We can’t just eat anything. The food here is good.”

What he feared was happening. Marteo cleared his throat once again.

“Even so, there’s no need to go to a hotel… I don’t mind anything.”

“……?”

“Let’s just go back.”

It was a clear refusal that came out after a long time. Only then did Yeon-ho pause and look back at Marteo. Then, after a few seconds, he let out a sigh at Marteo’s face, which was strangely hardened unlike before.

“Why? Are you afraid I’ll ask you to eat something else after we eat?”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t tell me you think I’m trying to hit on you under the guise of food?”

Ah… Only after the follow-up words did Marteo realize Yeon-ho’s misunderstanding.

When it comes to hotels, there’s an inevitable purpose. Especially when you remember how often we rolled around for the past week, it’s not difficult to make the connection.

But if he said that wasn’t the case, it was obvious that they would go straight to the hotel as it was. Marteo hesitated for a few seconds, unable to say yes or no easily, and this time Yeon-ho’s face began to harden.

He certainly didn’t have that intention, but even if he did, wasn’t this like being rejected before he even tried to make a move?

The stomach that he had barely suppressed bubbled up again. His pride was hurt for the first time in a long time.

Yeon-ho, who had reached the front of the hotel, finally turned the steering wheel and made a U-turn.

“Okay, let’s drop it.”

“Do Yeon-ho…”

“If you don’t want to, then don’t.”

With that, his lips were finally sealed in a straight line, and Marteo was no different.

It seemed that all his efforts had gone to waste, with no reward for his hard work all day.

♥ ♥ ♥

“Order what you want to eat.”

As soon as he got home, Yeon-ho only added these words and went straight to the bedroom. He said to order what he wanted to eat, but seeing that he closed the door with a bang, it meant he wanted to eat alone.

Marteo, who couldn’t bring himself to hold Yeon-ho back and was left standing blankly in the living room, let out a sigh that he had been holding back.

The kitchen, which he had cleaned thoroughly with all his efforts so that Yeon-ho wouldn’t find out, didn’t have any traces of the tragic morning, but he still felt messy and helpless.

‘Why… can’t I be skilled when dealing with that man? There could have been a more plausible excuse, but why do I always end up being clumsy?’

He naturally had a bitter taste in his mouth, so he couldn’t have an appetite.

Marteo turned around and buried his long body in the sofa. Then he ran a hand over his face and tilted his head back.

‘Well, it’s not surprising that I’m acting like this now. I’ve been looking bad in front of that person from the beginning.’

With self-deprecation, the lips that had been bitter nevertheless loosened slightly sweetly.

His memories slowly went back a long time ago.

♥ ♥ ♥

The Eagle Family, with history, prestige, wealth, and power. Marteo was born as the eldest and youngest son of the Averton Family.

His contradictory position, which was difficult to understand, stemmed from the fact that his father, Sergio Avvertone, had not had an heir for a long time with his first wife.

A family head who could not leave behind a child would become a powerless scarecrow. Especially in a famous Morpheus family, whether or not they could pass on their bloodline was a matter of survival and authority.

Surrounded by the eyes of others and his own impatience, he eventually had a child with a woman other than his legal wife.

Bigamy was legally prohibited, but in a Morpheus society where preserving the bloodline was more important than anything else, there was a strong tacit understanding that breeding came before ethics.

But a few years later. Marteo was born to the legal wife, whom everyone had given up on.

Marteo’s mother, who had not divorced until then, handed over the divorce papers as if she had been waiting for the birth of the child.

As if the birth of the child was the sole purpose of the marriage she had endured. Adding complexity to the succession structure, it was the woman’s revenge that she had endured until now.

It was welcome news to the new woman, who had given birth to two sons earlier and had been subtly acting as the mistress of the family.

However, the son left by the legal wife was newly annoying. Even if they were divorced, the legitimacy of the legal wife’s child was an area that could not be ignored.

Still, one fortunate thing was that there was a flaw in the legitimate son.

Unlike typical Golden Eagles, the child was born with one red eye. Marteo had a sense of alienation that vaguely reminded him of an albino. She didn’t miss it.

‘Who does he look like? There are no eagles with red eyes.’

‘Yes. It’s important to find out about your roots at this time, isn’t it?’

Words that were packaged as concern and sincere consideration on the surface. The knife hidden under her tongue drove young Marteo to a foreign land.

Under the pretext of only ¼ of his blood flowing, to the unfamiliar land of Korea.

No one, including his father, objected to her decision.

For Sergio, survival of the fittest was a natural order, and his biological mother ended her role and revenge by giving birth to a child.

The maternal family, which had expanded its business with the power of the Averton Family, also chose political neutrality under the pretext that it should not interfere in the succession structure. In short, the immediate benefits were prioritized over the uncertain future of the grandson with a different surname.

Marteo was clearly aware of all the complexities and inner workings of this relationship.

This was a well-off exile.

At the age of 7, Marteo was finally sent to Korea. Only Antonio, a butler, was attached to his side.

Fortunately, he had never felt parental affection or brotherly love in the first place, so he didn’t feel lonely.

However, only one thing was very annoying and disturbing.

He was fine, but the faithful butler, who was in tears because the precious legitimate son of the Averton Family was living in a foreign land, started pushing him into various gatherings.

That day was no different.

“Okay, young master! Friends. First, you need to make friends. Networking is a very important virtue.”

At a social gathering of bird Morpheus of a certain size. Tony clenched his fists with a determined face in front of the garden party venue.

It was ridiculous. Having sent him into exile, there was no way his stepmother would let Marteo form a network.

He had less judgment than young Marteo.

Moreover, based on previous experience, a mixed-race child with a different appearance was nothing more than a curious spectacle to his peers.

As expected, the adults who knew that he was the third son of the Averton Family looked down on the castrated eldest son with pitiful eyes and their own interests, and their children each spat out rude remarks with twice as much light curiosity.

─Why are your eyes different colors?

─What kind are you?

─Don’t you have a mom and dad?

The voices that chattered non-stop were enough to make his head hurt.

Eventually, while Tony was distracted, Marteo hid in the bushes behind the building. The backyard, away from the commotion, was quiet without anyone looking for him.

Should I just transform into an Eagle? It wouldn’t be bad to get out of here like this.

Marteo, who looked around, even let out a sigh that was not like his age.

Rustle, a sudden rough sound was felt from behind the bushes where he was hiding. Who? Marteo, startled, immediately turned his head, but it was already too late.

Thud! No sooner had he turned his head than he felt a considerable impact on his forehead. His body, which had been pushed into someone’s chest, lost its balance for a moment and fell backward.

Thump. It was obvious that he had fallen to the ground on his butt in an unsightly manner.

Marteo, who had never sat down on the dirt floor like this since he was born, blinked blankly for a few seconds, unable to come to his senses.

In that instant, a hysterical exclamation burst out from above his head.

“Aish!”

Someone who was rubbing his solar plexus was glaring at Marteo with a frown.

How old was he, around his early teens? He was clearly displeased, considering he was looking at the child he had bumped into by mistake. The words written on his face were closer to ‘Why are you bothering me?’ than ‘Sorry’.

Marteo looked up at the boy, still unable to get up from his seat, at the fresh and brazen attitude.

The boy, whose features were distinct for an Asian, had classic eyes and delicate lips at the same time.

Among the people he had met in Korea, he was by far the most impressive beauty… Judging by the well-dressed clothes, it was easy to guess that he was an invitee to the social gathering.

‘Is this person also a Morpheus…? What kind is he?’

While such a strange thought came to his mind first, the boy pouted his beautiful lips.

“Are you hurt?”

“……”

“Or get up.”

The perfunctory tone was still closer to an order than a concern. Still, perhaps because he had a shred of conscience, he reached out his hand at the end.

He could have gotten up on his own, but he reached out his hand as if he was possessed by the white hand that was stretched out in front of him.

But the moment was short.

“Do Yeon-ho. Hey, where are you!”

Someone was raising their voice from beyond the path where the boy had appeared.

At the same time, the boy, probably Do Yeon-ho, pulled Marteo’s body, which was half-standing, back to the ground.

It might have been a mistake a moment ago, but this time it was clearly a deliberate force. The throbbing of his pulled arm and the repeated rudeness. But this time, he couldn’t protest either.

“Shh!”

Because the face that had poured out to his nose in an instant, the man who hugged his shoulder and lowered his body together, had raised his finger in front of his lips.

“Stay still.”

Even though he was whispering, his wide eyes were definitely threatening. Perhaps that’s why his heart was suddenly pounding.

The position of being tightly hugged by Yeon-ho was unfamiliar and awkward. Because no one had ever hugged him like this before.

The words that he couldn’t spit out and were trapped in his mouth were swallowed down the back of his throat along with his saliva. Even during that time, Yeon-ho focused his ears on the side that was constantly calling him.

The time it took for the woman who was looking for him to gradually move away and for silence to return was both infinitely long and short.

“Haa~.”

Finally, Yeon-ho let out a long breath. The hand that had been holding his shoulder all along also lost its strength. And the next moment, the corners of his lips, which looked back at Marteo, were pulled up a lot.

“They’re gone.”

Marteo’s eyes widened at the unexpected timing of the sparkling smile he faced. It was a smile that seemed mischievous at first glance, and at the same time, extremely bright.

That was the same for Yeon-ho. Yeon-ho also widened his eyes with the same smiling face.

“Oh. Your eyes are different colors?”

It was a word he had heard countless times before and today, but his heart sank. Marteo turned his head without realizing it. The curious question was nothing new, but suddenly his face seemed to be heating up.

How would his different eyes be seen by him? Would he think it was strange? Maybe he would think it was unpleasant.

But even after a few seconds, the words were not continued. He wasn’t particularly looking at him either.

Moreover, that wasn’t the only thing he hadn’t expected. Yeon-ho, who had gotten up first, suddenly grabbed him under both armpits without asking for permission.

Marteo, who had forgotten what he had been avoiding, widened his surprised eyes at the feeling of his feet and body floating.

Even with the gaze that collided once again, Yeon-ho’s interest was still away from his eyes.

Instead, he frowned and focused on Marteo’s lower body.

“Hey. Your butt is really dirty? I need to shake it off.”

As he said, there was a lot of dirt and grass tangled around his butt, which had been rolling on the ground.

It went without saying that his pride was hurt by the repeated, unsightly displays. Stumbling like a child, being lifted up, and even showing such a messy side.

Marteo, who had narrowly avoided Yeon-ho’s hand, hurriedly hid behind him. Then, he made an effort to clear his throat.

“I’m… okay. I can, do it, myself.”

However, the pronunciation, which came out in fits and starts, was clumsy no matter how you looked at it.

Would it have been better to keep his mouth shut? Why was he being so foolish?

It was a rare moment of regret.

“What, you can speak Korean?”

“…?”

“I thought you couldn’t speak our language since you kept your mouth shut the whole time?”

Yeon-ho, blinking, unexpectedly pointed out something else. He was relieved, but also slightly dumbfounded.

When did he even give him a chance to speak? Who was it that suddenly attacked him and told him not to open his mouth…?

However, his self-centered brazenness wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

Although he was conscious of his awkward pronunciation, Marteo carefully rolled his tongue once more.

“A little, can speak. Study, did.”

“Hmm?” Yeon-ho snorted. Then, this time, he nodded demonstratively.

“I see. You really only studied a little, huh? Even now, your pronunciation is terrible.”

“…!”

His cheeks flushed despite himself. If that was the case, why didn’t he say something from the start? The delayed evaluation was merciless even towards a child.

Marteo glared at Yeon-ho without realizing it. But how effective could a glare from a child with cheeks as plump as peaches be?

“Oh?” Yeon-ho stretched out his cheeks as if it didn’t even tickle. Like the shoulder where his hand had touched earlier, the throbbing pain that spread was hot once again.

Even with his cheeks pulled out unflatteringly, he somehow couldn’t shake off his hand and only clenched his fist.

On the other hand, Yeon-ho, who easily let go, scanned his surroundings and changed the subject.

“More importantly, what were you doing here? Were you playing hide-and-seek with the kids or something?”

…Hide… and, seek?

“A game where you hide and find each other.”

He even kindly explained it, thinking he might not understand, but Marteo’s eyes became even more displeased.

As if he was treating him like a child.

Well, if he was hanging out with kids, he probably wouldn’t have come to such a secluded place.

If so, there were only a few reasons left…

“Or did you need to pee?”

“…!”

“Hmm. Guess it’s not that either. Then did your mom scold you?”

“……”

“Or, are you an outcast?”

Another word he didn’t know. But there was no need for an explanation. The precocious and intelligent Marteo guessed the meaning of the word from Yeon-ho’s lowered voice.

Of course, it was his choice to come here to avoid the children, but in a broad sense, the current misunderstanding wasn’t entirely wrong.

His stepmother, who saw him as a thorn in her side, and his half-siblings, who were always bickering with him. It was true that he was being ostracized from the group.

A fatigue unbefitting his age faintly crossed Marteo’s youthful face. Yeon-ho, who had been guessing, hesitated for the first time.

‘What, did I have to run into the most troublesome case?’

Anyway, he was the one who made the kid fall, so he was just going to say a few words and leave, but suddenly his feet felt heavy.

‘Seriously. These young ones learn the bad things first….’

Yeon-ho, who had been glancing around, couldn’t help but let out a big sigh.

“Why are the kids bullying you? Is it because your eyes are a different color?”

This was also wrong, but right. A different individual from his mother. To his new mother, his eye color was an excellent target for attack.

When Marteo remained silent, Yeon-ho, thinking his guess was correct, scanned his two different colored eyes and scoffed as if to say, “Look at that.”

“Hey. Don’t be discouraged. You won’t die if you don’t have friends.”

“……”

“You know that, right? The strong species don’t need packs.”

His face, tilting his chin up as if boasting, looked haughty. In an instant, a question slipped out without him realizing it.

“Then, there… too?”

“Huh?”

“There too, strong, so alone? So… here alone?”

A pronoun used instead of the word “hyung”. His pronunciation was still poor, but his ability to quickly apply what he heard and even return the question was remarkably high.

Yeon-ho, caught off guard, was momentarily speechless. His gaze unconsciously turned towards the chairman’s side, from which he had escaped.

Far from being strong, he was a species that couldn’t even fly properly, which other birds did, and was ostracized.

Strictly speaking, Yeon-ho was more of an all-around ‘outcast’.

As his averted gaze lingered for quite some time, Marteo frowned slightly. He was anxious because Yeon-ho wasn’t looking at him.

After some time passed in that state, Yeon-ho turned back to Marteo with a blunt expression.

“You… is this why you’re an outcast? You’re unnecessarily smart for a kid.”

That’s right. Marteo was smart. It was a compliment, but not really a compliment. Enough for him to immediately realize that Yeon-ho was displeased.

Even his chest stung now. He was used to animosity, but just the fact that the other person’s expression was sullen made his emotions flutter uneasily.

Marteo, more embarrassed by his own reaction than by Yeon-ho’s attitude, moved his lips hesitantly for once.

At that moment, Yeon-ho, narrowing his eyes slightly as if he had an idea, brought his face closer.

“Curious?”

“…?”

“Want to know what my Anima is? Want to know if it’s a strong species or not?”

The question that had been in his head since he met his eyes. The answer went without saying.

However, Marteo shook his head. Because he knew that Yeon-ho’s mood had changed since his question.

“No.”

Yeon-ho’s eyebrow rose. To be honest, he had been prepared to immediately cut him off with a “no” if he had said “yes”…

Seeing him respond much more maturely than himself, even with curiosity flickering in his eyes, the sulky feeling melted away.

“You’re perceptive, too?”

He was smart and perceptive, so he probably didn’t have to worry about the kind of childishness that came from not knowing the difference between heaven and earth.

Above all, if he wanted to finish the story he had started, this was the fastest and most effective way.

Yeon-ho, taking a fresh look at the desolate surroundings where no one seemed to be coming, finally made up his mind and raised the corners of his lips.

“Take a good look. This is a reward for guessing right.”

His whispered voice tickled Marteo’s ear. And the next moment, flap flap! A powerful flapping of wings, completely opposite to his voice, cut through the air.

Marteo’s two different colored eyes widened to their limit.

His head, tilted far back, shook his hair and frantically chased after the wind that had passed, no, the trajectory of Yeon-ho that had caused the wind.

Two wings spread out like a fan, gleaming with a glossy sheen. A full tail firmly holding the center. Blue and red, brown and silver-gray. A colorful contrast between the outer and inner feathers. Yeon-ho’s body, receiving the sunlight coming through the leaves, sparkled like metal.

He couldn’t take his eyes off him for even a second after he released his Anima. Meanwhile, the sound of flapping wings that had been confusing his ears landed on a nearby branch.

It was definitely not a long flight, but it was more than enough for Marteo.

No, it was the first time he had ever seen such a dazzling flight that stole his eyes.

His ears were still ringing for a while after the sound stopped. It was only after some time had passed that he realized it was because of his pulse racing next to his temples.

Yeon-ho, standing on a tree about 2 meters tall with his golden claws, still looked down at Marteo, who was still staring up in a daze.

Then, just like when he had flown up, he jumped down in front of Marteo with a flurr.

Yeon-ho’s body, which had been much bigger than Marteo, was now, of course, not even half of Marteo’s size. Nevertheless, his confident aura hadn’t diminished at all.

Marteo blinked slowly. Yeon-ho did the same.

Whether it was an eye contact or an eye fight. After being in that state for a while, a small exclamation finally flowed from Marteo’s lips.

“Rooster….””

It was an unfamiliar word to Yeon-ho, but he understood that it was referring to him. As if in response, although this was entirely from Marteo’s point of view—Yeon-ho’s tail feathers and comb shook as he bobbed his head.

‘Ah….’

It was a colorful and beautiful color even when he saw it again. He hadn’t realized that the bird called a chicken could be such a dignified and magnificent species.

While he was lost in thought, Yeon-ho came closer. Marteo reached out as if possessed. He even bent down close as if to hold him in his arms.

However, before his fingertips could touch the feathers, peck! His back of his hand was mercilessly pecked by a small, adorable beak.

“Ahi!”

Marteo groaned. Even in the midst of this, he didn’t withdraw his hand towards Yeon-ho, so Yeon-ho pecked at him again, aiming for the back of his hand.

Even though he had turned into a chicken, his glaring eyes were clearly readable.

It seemed like he was looking down on him, nodding his head repeatedly at Marteo.

And then he even bounced off the ground with his sturdy legs.

‘Look here!’

It was only after a few more seconds that he realized the meaning.

Yeon-ho’s clothes, left on the ground because he had released his Anima. Marteo was stepping on the corner of it.

Ah…. As he let out a small exclamation, Yeon-ho looked up at Marteo, who had finally stopped pecking. This time, the meaning was also clear.

‘Turn around.’

I don’t want to. I want to see him a little more like this….

But if he hesitated, the merciless pecking would start again.

Marteo barely turned his body. Even so, his attention was all focused on his back.

He couldn’t express it exactly, but it felt like the flow of air was changing. It seemed like Yeon-ho was controlling his Anima.

His expectations were right, and soon the sound of his clothes brushing against each other rang out.

“Don’t look?”

Yeon-ho’s voice returned as well.

Marteo, who had almost turned his head as he was told, clenched his fist. After some time, when he turned his gaze again, he saw Yeon-ho buttoning his shirt.

“I told you not to look.”

Yeon-ho frowned, but he had no time to pay attention to his expression. The white skin of Yeon-ho, slightly visible between the dark shirt, was a clearer contrast than the outer and inner feathers of the chicken.

Thump thump. The sound of his heart, which had barely calmed down, grew louder again. His ears were hot, and he hurriedly lowered his head as if he couldn’t find a place to look now.

Yeon-ho, raising his eyebrows at the sight, spat out a sullen sound.

“Why. Is it more boring than you thought?”

…What?

“My Anima. Are you disappointed?”

At the added words, his head, which he had barely lowered, was immediately raised.

Yeon-ho, who had finished tidying up his clothes, was looking up at the tree he had been sitting on until just now.

“That’s the limit for me. As you can see, it’s a chicken.”

“……”

“You know that, right? What people say about chickens among birds. What’s the point of having wings? They’re only there to incubate eggs. It’s more of a side dish on the table than a bird. What else is there…?”

The examples he listed, even counting on his fingers, were of course things Marteo had heard before. But he didn’t want to nod his head.

His mouth opened on its own at Yeon-ho’s self-deprecating words.

“But… special, is.”

“What?”

“Different from, other birds. So more special.”

Yeon-ho stopped moving. After a few seconds of silence, his eyes, which had been widened into circles, narrowed.

“Are you trying to butter me up right now?”

Butt…er up?

“Or, do you mean especially, particularly bad?”

“No! Not like that, my, words… really….”

His inadequate Korean skills, learned in a crash course, had never been so frustrating. Yeon-ho, looking down at Marteo, who was twisting his lips as if he knew his feelings, shrugged his shoulders.

“Forget it. Why is a kid giving me unnecessary comfort? That’s even more annoying.”

“……”

“I guess it’s true that it’s especially bad, even if I think so.”

“……”

“But… both my Anima and your eye color, we can’t help it. It’s a kind of price.”

…Pri…ce?

“Do you know what that means? That the world has to be fair.”

“Equa…lity?”

“You’re smart after all. Yeah, Equality.”

Yeon-ho, who had recited it as if teasing, then pointed to his own chest with his fingertips.

“I’m telling you. Except for being a chicken, I’m not inferior to anyone, no matter where I go, right? But what if my Anima was even better than that? Would the world be fair then? Or not?”

“……?”

“There has to be at least one flaw so that other bastards can live too. The same goes for you.”

Judging by the fact that he was invited to today’s party, his entry, and so on, he was not an ordinary child.

Moreover, although he didn’t even reach his chest, his already long limbs and striking face were fundamentally perfect.

Even if his peers might avoid him now because of his alien appearance, it was clear that the situation would be reversed when he grew up more.

In a word, he was a very promising prospect.

Considering that, the momentary hardships he experienced in his childhood were literally nothing.

“It’s unfair if everything is concentrated on one person. So even if someone hates you, just think of it that way. It’s a trial given to me by God because I’m too good, and there’s no way to balance the world. Do you understand what I mean?”

With those words, he flicked Marteo’s forehead with his fingertips. As Yeon-ho’s smile deepened, Marteo’s eyes trembled.

He couldn’t figure out whether the cheeks that flushed several times today, the noisy heart, were due to his brazen confidence or the man’s smile.

In the meantime, Yeon-ho straightened his bent waist and made a light sound.

“Okay, is that it now? I’ve paid the price for bumping into you, right?”

As if the only reason he had dealt with him was for that reason, he quickly turned his feet.

Thump, from the heart that had been pounding until now, a different echo spread this time.

Anxiety. And an indescribable regret.

Marteo reached out his arm. His fingers, which had unconsciously spread out, grabbed Yeon-ho’s collar tightly.

Yeon-ho, who hadn’t even taken two steps because of the pulled collar, looked down at Marteo.

The traces of the smile he had been wearing until just now were not left on his crumpled face. Of course, the same was true for Marteo.

Marteo opened his mouth in a voice that sounded hasty even to himself.

“Where, going?”

“Where am I going? I’m going where I need to go?”

“Where is, that?”

“Why do you need to know that? Don’t tell me you’re going to follow me?”

Marteo’s face became even more clouded at his openly disgusted expression.

Yeon-ho was naturally embarrassed.

He had shown him his Anima and given him advice that would be helpful to him. At this rate, it was as if he had become a bad guy?

A strange sense of injustice was accompanied by childish spite. Yeon-ho snatched the grabbed collar mercilessly. Then, after thinking about it, he raised his hand far above his head.

“Look. If you want to play with hyung, come back when you’re this much bigger.”

But Marteo didn’t miss the condition he had attached out of spite.

“Really?”

“……?”

“Really, play with me? When, grow that much?”

“…Well, it would be nice if you could increase your size in many ways.”

“……?”

“When you’re old enough to understand these words. I’ll play with you.”

It sounded like he was teasing him casually. But Marteo still didn’t give up.

“How much…?”

“How much?”

“How much, play with me?”

Seriously. This kid is more persistent than I thought?

He was getting tired of teasing him. Yeon-ho blurted out whatever came to mind.

“What. As much as you want?”

An extraordinary glow flickered in Marteo’s eyes.

Yeon-ho flinched without realizing it. The height he had shown with his hand was almost 2 meters.

It would take a long time for this little kid to grow that much, right? By that time, he might have completely forgotten what happened today.

Even so, he strangely felt like he had made a mistake.

Come to think of it, what kind of species is he? He’s not a bird of prey, is he? Those bastards are very tenacious….

Yeon-ho, who had become inexplicably creeped out, hurriedly retreated this time without even saying goodbye.

It was right after that that Marteo’s eyes, which had been gleaming unnaturally, widened once again.

The direction Yeon-ho had run was not towards the chairman’s side. The back garden overgrown with bushes. The fence and fence located outside of that.

Why there? By the time he thought that, Yeon-ho’s palm was already holding onto the iron bars on the fence.

At the same time, Marteo saw it.

Swoosh, Yeon-ho’s body, soaring into the air in a graceful arc, the second flight that had risen high above the sunlight and disappeared in an instant.

Ah…. Whether he was a chicken or in human form, it was the same flight that was engraved in his retina.

It was after some time had passed that something suddenly caught Marteo’s eye, who was still standing there in a daze.

The place where Yeon-ho had disappeared. Marteo picked up something infinitely light that had fallen near his feet.

At the same time, a sound that broke the non-daily life that had been separated came.

“Young master! Young master∼ Where are you!”

He felt Tony’s presence, running to the back garden in a hurry to find him from afar. He quickly pushed the thing in his hand into his chest pocket.

Tony, who found Marteo a beat late, came rolling over with a pale face.

“What are you doing here? I’ve been looking for you for a long time!”

Wasn’t he too late to find him?

But… it was fortunate that he found him too late, yes, that he found him too late.

Instead of the panting butler, Marteo looked back in the direction where Yeon-ho had disappeared. Tony, who was chasing his gaze, became serious again.

“Wh, what is it? Don’t tell me you were thinking of going out there?”

“Isn’t this place quite high?”

“Of course! You can’t do it without releasing your Anima.”

“I see… but he flew anyway.”

“Yes? Who, who was here?”

Without a word, he lifted his foot. “Young master~” Tony’s whining voice chased after him again, but he paid no attention to such things.

─When you’re this big. I’ll play with you then.

Following the voice that tickled his ear, Marteo found himself parting his lips.

‘Do… Yeon, ho. Do Yeon…ho.’

Pronouncing each character individually was fine, but stringing them together proved difficult.

Only the last breath escaping between his lips felt ticklish. Before long, Marteo stopped walking again.

“Do you know what it means to ‘increase your size’?”

“Size?”

“Not height.”

“Hmm. If not height… then weight?”

“…Never mind.”

“……?”

“Instead, increase my language lessons starting today. Especially focusing on Korean.”

When he met Yeon-ho again, he wanted to be able to say his name properly.

So he could surprise him instead of teasing him. So he could hold onto the blowing wind.

Marteo gently placed his palm over his suit.

It felt like a warm circle was slowly spreading over his chest, hiding something along with his pounding heart.

By the time he lifted his head after spending a long time in one position tracing memories, considerable time had passed.

The scenery outside the window, which had been tinted by the setting sun, was now preparing for the city’s night with buildings lighting up one by one instead of hazy colors.

As if shaking off lingering thoughts, Marteo lightly brushed his hand over his face.

“Do Yeon-ho….”

A name he could now pronounce clearly, just as he’d wished when he was young.

Yeon-ho still showed no signs of coming out of the bedroom.

Should he wait like this longer? Putting aside the bitterness, he was even starting to feel worried. Buzz, a vibration was felt from his pocket.

Marteo casually pulled out his phone.

But a few seconds later, “Ah…” A small gasp escaped as his face crumpled into something between a laugh and a cry.

The sender of the text listing unfamiliar business names and phone numbers side by side was none other than Yeon-ho.

It didn’t take long to realize that the names he’d sent were restaurants near the house.

Really… he was just the same as ever.

Such pointed, prickly affection.

He must have been paying attention to the silent space outside the room, just like me.

Overwhelmed by surging affection and tenderness, he could no longer wait quietly. Marteo, who had widened his eyes to their fullest, sprang up from his seat. His quick steps naturally headed toward the bedroom.

That’s when it happened.

Ding dong! Another noise pierced his ears. Marteo, who had stopped in the middle of the living room, turned to look back.

The bell sound came from the front door intercom, not the building’s main entrance.

Had he already ordered food? After hesitating briefly, he changed direction and approached the front door.

If Yeon-ho had ordered food for me, he thought it would be better to set the table and call Yeon-ho.

But the mistaken expectation that had swelled his hopes was precisely that—a mistake.

Click. The moment he opened the front door, someone who clearly wasn’t a delivery rider raised their head as if they’d been waiting. The smile that had been on Marteo’s face quickly hardened.

The other person felt the same. The man’s eyes widened behind his glasses with evident embarrassment.

The lenses, which were almost thickness-free as if he didn’t have poor eyesight, reflected his facial features without distortion. The mask casually hanging from his chin wasn’t enough to completely hide the contours of his face.

But even if that weren’t the case, Marteo would have recognized the man at a glance. His name appeared in bold letters in his mind.

‘Oh… Tae-jin.’

The man from the panel he’d seen in the Twit corridor. In other words, Yeon-ho’s former sponsor partner.

Blue veins bulged on the back of his hand gripping the doorknob. Meanwhile, Tae-jin, who had been hesitating, finally moved his lips with a bewildered voice.

“Who… are you?”

After saying that, as if he had some inkling himself, he quickly scanned Marteo up and down. It was a different kind of probing than the previous embarrassment.

Soon enough, Tae-jin furrowed his brow. His following voice carried displeasure.

“The managing director is inside, right?”

“……”

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Tae-jin tried to step over the threshold. But of course, it was impossible. Marteo, who was already blocking half the entrance, thump! immediately braced his long arm against the doorframe.

Tae-jin, who had tried to push his way in arbitrarily, flinched his shoulders. Then, as if to hide that he’d been intimidated, he glared at Marteo with irritated eyes.

“Hey. I’m Oh Tae-jin from Twit. Don’t you know who I am?”

Instead of saying “That’s why I’m doing this,” Marteo continued to scan Tae-jin, who was about 10 cm shorter than him, with an expressionless face. Tae-jin, as if frustrated, completely pulled down the mask that had been hanging from his chin.

“I said, I’m Oh Tae-jin. I have business with the managing director, so move aside.”

That’s when he tried to grab and pull Marteo’s hand. Bang! This time, a leg longer than his arm blocked the passageway.

It was a posture reminiscent of a back-alley thug, with none of his usual elegance.

Having been in the industry for about three years now, and having risen to a position where everyone respects him, this was rudeness Tae-jin hadn’t experienced in a long time.

Unable to bring himself to touch the leg—afraid that if he did, he’d be kicked this time instead of hitting a wall—Tae-jin bit the inside of his cheek with an increasingly angry face.

“Maybe you don’t understand Korean? I said I’m Oh. Tae. Jin. Actor. Actor. Do you understand?”

“……”

“Ah, shit. Move aside!”

When that still didn’t work, he finally raised his voice at the end. And then, with that same volume, he was about to shout “Managing director!” for Yeon-ho.

In the blink of an eye, Marteo changed his stance again and, with the nature of an eagle snatching its prey, grabbed Tae-jin by the collar.

Kek! With such a rough grip that his feet nearly lifted, Tae-jin let out a choked groan before he could even think of calling for Yeon-ho, his voice cracking as his eyelids trembled.

“Why, why… are you doing this?”

Marteo slowly brought his head closer to him.

“That person isn’t home.”

“…What?”

“Don’t make a scene and get lost.”

I thought maybe because he’s a foreigner he doesn’t understand, but his diction was better than mine. Especially the two syllables of “get lost” were perfect, including stress control.

In a different sense, Tae-jin’s pupils shook again.

A body profile superior to mine. An atmosphere mixing elegance and violence. And on top of that, he speaks Korean well!

If this guy enters our field, it wouldn’t just be trade erosion.

The moment this pointless thought occurred, Marteo, as if he had no more business here, pushed Tae-jin’s body, which he was still holding, outward as if throwing him.

Tae-jin, who couldn’t even use his strength and staggered like a paper doll, belatedly reached out his hand, saying, “W-wait a minute!” but of course, Marteo paid no attention.

After driving out Tae-jin and locking the door, Marteo brushed off his hand that had grabbed the collar as if something dirty had touched it.

That’s when it happened.

As he turned his body toward the living room.

Yeon-ho was standing in front of the open intermediate door. The “Wait a minute!” that Tae-jin had shouted, the hand he’d frantically stretched forward—they weren’t aimed at me.

When exactly did he come out of the room? How much did he see?

But the question wasn’t really necessary.

“…What are you doing.”

“……”

“Why are you arbitrarily chasing away my guest.”

The calm yet cold tone meant he had been watching or listening to our confrontation from the beginning.

‘Should I… make an excuse? Say I did it because I thought you might be tired.’

But even I know that’s nonsense. I didn’t even hear what Oh Tae-jin’s business was and even grabbed him by the collar—such a cute excuse wouldn’t work.

While hesitating, the doorbell started ringing again. “Managing director!” Tae-jin’s voice knocking on the front door followed in succession.

Yeon-ho, who had run his hand through his hair, approached the front door with a sigh.

“Move aside first.”

He seemed ready to open the door immediately. Marteo, boiling inside, reflexively blocked his way.

“What are you doing. Can’t you hear me telling you to move?”

Yeon-ho’s eyebrows were now properly furrowed. But of course, Marteo was the one more anxious inside. Finally, instead of a lie, honest words split his lips.

“I don’t want to.”

“…What?”

“I don’t want you meeting with Oh Tae-jin.”

What, what is that… Yeon-ho, who had flinched, blinked his eyes. I knew this would happen, but it seems easy words aren’t easily heard. Faced with the full-faced doubt, Marteo bit the inside of his cheek again.

“Why… can’t a sponsor be jealous?”

“……What… did you say?”

“I know. What we’re doing isn’t dating. But right now, I’m your partner, and at least I’m before Oh Tae-jin, right? So why should you share your time with someone else? Why should you entertain someone who came here arbitrarily? I don’t want to yield even for one second.”

“……!”

“So when you’re with me, focus only on me. Even if it’s just a 6-month sponsorship, I can be this greedy, right? You can indulge me, right?”

After pouring it all out, by the end his voice was almost pleading.

But Yeon-ho couldn’t open his mouth. He wasn’t in the right state of mind to do so.

Jealousy.

A word whose dictionary meaning he knew, but had never projected onto his personal relationships. Because it was currently spinning circles in his head.

And finally, his cheek flushed hot.

‘So… this is what it was.’

The anxiety he felt watching Theon getting along with Lee Chang-hoon. The uncharacteristic irritation. The jumbled, unidentified emotions—what they were had finally been defined.

‘I’m going crazy. Really…!’

The realization brought relief along with complexity. He should say something mature like “Don’t cross the line,” but he absolutely couldn’t.

The guy might not know it, but emotionally, I was the one who crossed the line first, wasn’t I? And on top of that, I childishly holed up in my room…

The more I thought about it, the more embarrassed I felt. Like an unreachable spot in the middle of my back that itches, my body twisted on its own.

Meanwhile, Marteo, who had poured out his feelings, closed the remaining distance.

When I reflexively avoided his gaze, I could see out of the corner of my eye Marteo pausing and clenching his fist tightly.

“…Are you angry? Because I said something presumptuous.”

A single word would suffice as an answer. ‘Yes.’

But no matter how hard I tried, the words still wouldn’t come out. Instead, what split my lips was a completely different sound.

“…No.”

“Then… look this way. Show me your face.”

Long fingers grabbed Yeon-ho’s cheek. As their gazes tangled, Marteo’s eyes gradually darkened.

“We’ll have dinner together, right?”

Let me say it again—I’m really going crazy. Why does my heart ache and act up over such an ordinary statement? What kind of emotion is this again?

Instead of finding an answer, the response I should have given initially jumped out arbitrarily this time too.

“Yes.”

Marteo smiles. Soft lips land on Yeon-ho’s lips as if to say “well done.”