"I'm not saying I dislike this mansion, but if I have to live here for the rest of my life, I'll be left wanting more. I want to move to a new house. It doesn't even have to be newly built—just not by the sea."
Yes. A move.
Getting out of here and starting fresh somewhere far away.
The truth was, moving was even more crucial than keeping the secret of his regression. In four years, a gate would open right in this house's front yard. That meant Jae-jin had no choice but to leave—the sooner, the better.
If he wanted to survive, changing his residence wasn't optional.
"Hmm..."
Seo Eui-woo slowly lowered his eyelids, his long, delicate lashes falling like elegant brushstrokes. His breath grew slower, and the steam in the bathroom seemed to compress under the pressure of his presence, sinking toward the floor.
"Shall we, then? Let's move, together."
"Yes. As soon as possible."
"But, Jae-jin... You changed the subject, didn't you? You really don't want to talk about the past, huh?"
"The past? No, I just got lost in thought. I guess I didn't hear you."
"Right… sure."
Seo let out a quiet chuckle, followed by a sigh that was half amused, half resigned.
"Alright, I won't pry if you don't want to tell me. I just want to do things that make you happy now. I have to win you over, after all."
"..."
"And honestly... it's more fun trying to figure things out myself. Maybe it's better I don't hear the answer."
His soapy hand slid lower, moving between Jae-jin's legs. Having already washed his upper body, it was now time to tend to everything below the waist.
His touch was careful—deliberate, as if he was mindful not to cause any discomfort. Whether it was genuine consideration or something else entirely was unclear, but his voice was slightly husky as he spoke.
"You know... how about we build a new house from scratch? I want to design everything—layout, structure, interior, even the doorknobs—just the way you like it."
Seo's hand moved languidly along Jae-jin's thighs, fingers pressing lightly into the creases behind his knees.
"So that you'll really love it. So much you won't know what to do with yourself..."
Jae-jin let Seo touch him as he pleased, curling his toes beneath the water where Seo couldn't see.
"By the way, just curious... You do know how to smile, right?"
"...I smile as much as anyone else. I just don't have much to smile about right now."
"That's tough. I smile without even trying... just because I'm happy."
"Good for you..."
"Jae-jin, I like you so much. It's almost weird how much I do."
"...Yeah, yeah..."
---
After the bath, an overwhelming drowsiness crashed down on Jae-jin.
Stumbling through the exhaustion, he clumsily threw on a bathrobe and shuffled toward the bedroom, half-asleep already. Seo offered several times to carry him, but Jae-jin flatly refused, brushing him off. His entire body ached—he was done.
Collapsing face-first onto the bed, Jae-jin heard Seo following close behind, watching him with a grin. Wrapped tightly in the white bathrobe, Jae-jin looked like a baby swaddled in a blanket. Seo considered teasing him about it but thought better of it—he didn't want to get scolded again.
"Jae-jin, are you asleep?"
"..."
"Going to sleep now?"
Jae-jin didn't answer. He was too far gone to respond.
Seo chuckled under his breath, rubbing his damp hair dry. After watching Jae-jin for a moment, he turned to the bedside table and pulled open the drawer.
Inside was a chaotic mess of sleeping pills and a bottle of whiskey. Seo casually opened a bottle of pills, poured a handful into his palm, and washed them down with tequila from the nightstand.
Half-lidded, Jae-jin squinted and caught him in the act.
"...Spit it out."
His voice came out as a groggy mumble, too slurred to sound authoritative.
"Huh? You weren't asleep?"
"Spit... it out..."
"Uh?"
Seo climbed into bed, still wrapped in nothing but a towel around his waist, and lay down beside Jae-jin.
"I already swallowed them. See?" Seo opened his mouth wide, showing off his empty mouth like a child trying to prove a point. Jae-jin frowned deeply, annoyed beyond words.
He knew Seo needed proper sleep—real sleep, not drug-induced stupor—and it was his job to make sure that happened. But instead, this idiot was popping pills and downing them with alcohol.
Muttering under his breath, Jae-jin tried to form a coherent complaint, but exhaustion slurred his words. Seo leaned in, tilting his head to catch what he was saying.
"What? I can't hear you."
"...People... need to sleep..."
"Haha, are you sleep-talking? Or just grumpy?"
"...Just... sleep..."
"Alright, alright. I'll help you sleep, Jae-jin."
Seo set the tequila bottle back on the nightstand and pulled Jae-jin into his arms, patting his back in a soothing, rhythmic motion. The gentle touch was oddly comforting.
But this wasn't how it was supposed to go.
He was supposed to be the one putting Seo to sleep.
Not the other way around...
Ah, screw it.
Jae-jin's body gave in to the weight of sleep, and he drifted off before he could protest further.
Watching him, Seo stifled a quiet laugh. He brushed the back of his hand lightly across Jae-jin's cheek, savoring the unguarded, peaceful expression on his face.
Each touch sent a wave of silent pleasure through Seo's body—faint, but noticeable. Even with lingering moisture on his hands, the guiding effect wasn't entirely blocked, leaving him feeling oddly satisfied.
"Hmm..." Seo let out a small, contented sigh and pulled Jae-jin tighter against him.
With their bodies pressed close, Seo slowly closed his eyes. Whether it was the sleeping pills, the alcohol, the guiding, or all three, he felt a rare sense of peace.
The walls of insomnia that had loomed over him for years began to crumble, piece by piece.
His breathing slowed, the heightened sensitivity in his body eased, and the tension that had kept him rigid as a diamond sculpture gradually softened.
As sleep enveloped him, tangled up with Jae-jin, Seo felt a deep, swelling joy—almost overwhelming. But he held himself together, knowing he couldn't afford to lose control.
No matter what happened, he couldn't allow himself to spiral or give in to chaos.
After all, harboring an unregistered guide and relying on him like this—well, that was already crossing the line.
One he really shouldn't have crossed...
Eventually, his thoughts blurred, and sleep took over, severing his consciousness entirely.
---
Weeks passed.
If Jae-jin's life had been a novel, the comment section would've been filled with complaints by now: "Author, please feed Jae-jin properly! Why do you keep starving him?!"
Determined to set things right, Jae-jin piled a mountain of freshly steamed rice into his bowl. The braised short ribs, simmered to perfection for an entire day, were so tender that the meat fell off the bone with a single touch. Though the soy-based marinade was on the salty side, it would pair perfectly with sticky white rice.
For side dishes, he had made fluffy cod roe omelets and buttery grilled abalone. To complete the meal, he whipped up a quick stew with miso and gochujang, and neatly sliced some store-bought napa and green onion kimchi to serve alongside. It was a flawless spread.
'Even if it were the 13th iteration of Seo Eui-woo, he wouldn't leave a single bite behind,' Jae-jin thought with grim determination as he locked the dining room door.
This time, he would eat in peace. It had been too long since he'd had a proper meal.
Let's eat.
Picking up his spoon, Jae-jin scooped a generous portion of rice and topped it with a piece of galbi. He dipped the spoon briefly in the marinade before bringing it to his mouth. The savory aroma made his mouth water, and his appetite surged uncontrollably.
"Jae-jin! There you are!"
Goddamn it.
The dining room door swung open without warning, and Seo Eui-woo strode in, bright and cheerful as ever. Of course, no lock could keep him out—he'd probably just used telekinesis to undo it.
Ignoring Seo entirely, Jae-jin shoved a spoonful of rice and ribs into his mouth, determined not to let anything ruin this meal.
Food first. Seo Eui-woo later.
Food over guiding.
Today, it was all about the food.
Like a stubborn hamster, Jae-jin stuffed his cheeks full of galbi, chewing with fierce resolve—intent on finishing as much as he could before Seo could interfere.