“Among us, the youngest is Xinlu, right?”

“Huh? Yes. Why do you ask all of a sudden?”

Maurer asked with a worried expression, as if he were listening to Taeui’s delirious talk.

Jeong Taeui did not answer, quickly checking his messages.

As expected, the sender was Xinlu. The content was nothing special, just a reminder to take care of his health. Even though it was just a normal message, it was enough to make Jeong Taeui smile. But when he read the second message, his face darkened.

[‘See you at the weekend. Good night.’] 

Weekend. That word reminded him. Actually, he hadn’t told Xinlu that he couldn’t meet this weekend. He hadn’t had the chance to visit Xinlu’s office and hadn’t run into him either.

“I have to tell him…… that I can’t go……”

Jeong Taeui muttered sadly. He stared at the intercom next to the bed. He wished there was some reason for the weekend training to be canceled so everyone would have free time. But even if that happened, Xinlu and he still couldn’t comfortably go for a walk.

“……Aishhh.”

Jeong Taeui got up, shaking his head. Maurer, who was holding a crossword puzzle, looked at him with a strange expression.

“I’ll go see Xinlu for a bit.”

Jeong Taeui put the pager in his pocket and headed for the door. Although he could call, he thought this kind of thing should be said in person.

“Xinlu? He’s probably not in his office at this hour.”

“Then I’ll go to his room? What’s the big deal?”

“During exchange training, the basement level 1 is off-limits to members. You can’t meet privately with an instructor. Xinlu’s room is also on basement level 1.”

Maurer mumbled as if stating the obvious. Jeong Taeui stopped, his eyes wide open, looking at Maurer. Maurer frowned as if to say: ‘You didn’t know that?’.

He knew, but he had forgotten.

Jeong Taeui thought for a moment. But he decided to go and meet him; his desire to see Xinlu grew stronger. ……He had to meet him. It wouldn’t be good to break a promise by telling him too late.

Jeong Taeui waved at Maurer and left the room. Maurer called out: “Hey”, but Taeui pretended not to hear.

As soon as he stepped outside, the cold air hit his skin, but it didn’t matter. He had no intention of causing trouble and didn’t want to react to anyone’s provocation. No one dared to stop him even though he heard mutters of: “Coward”, behind his back, which he ignored.

He stopped in front of the elevator but realized it wouldn’t be wise to show signs of going to the basement, so he took the stairs instead.

He was used to going up and down, so climbing 6-7 floors was not difficult for him. 

The stairs here were twice as high as regular stairs, with considerable distance between floors and high ceilings.

When he asked his uncle why the building was designed this way, his uncle laughed and said: “For exercise.”

“Even without exercise, life itself is a training, uncle.”

Jeong Taeui muttered to his uncle, knowing he couldn’t hear while climbing the stairs. 

Whenever something bothered him, he often complained to his uncle, and even though his uncle couldn’t hear, it made him feel better.

When he reached basement level 1, there was a new sign: [No entry except for personnel]

This meant only those assigned to that area could enter, not branch members.

Jeong Taeui pretended not to see and opened the door. He worried that the door might be locked or someone might point a gun and say: “No entry”, but nothing happened.

There was only a sign and no other measures, so Jeong Taeui scratched his head while standing in the basement level 1 hallway. Perhaps they relied on the conscience of the members. Not every school operates this way; they should trust what is trustworthy.

The basement 1 usually had very few people, so even moving freely, it was rare to encounter anyone. Jeong Taeui walked leisurely but remembered there were cameras everywhere.

“……If I get caught later, I’ll be in trouble.”

Jeong Taeui sighed.

But did it matter? He roughly knew where the cameras were. Other members did too. They could move through the blind spots of the cameras.

However, it was unavoidable when he reached the instructors’ rooms. He would be caught on camera. There might be hidden cameras he didn’t know about.

Jeong Taeui pondered for a moment. Should he go back? He could call after all.

But knowing that, he still walked down the hallway. Whatever, if he got caught and locked up, so be it. Even jail wouldn’t be much worse.

He walked to Xinlu’s room. After getting lost the first time, he no longer got lost. Fortunately, he had a good sense of direction.

Xinlu’s room wasn’t far from the stairs. Just a straight walk and a turn, and he was there. He had thought about what to say if he met someone, but luckily, he didn’t encounter anyone on the way.

Jeong Taeui knocked on the door. After a while, no one answered. He knocked harder, thinking Xinlu might not have heard or wasn’t in the room.

“If no one is there and I get caught without achieving anything, that’s really unlucky……”

Jeong Taeui clicked his tongue, mumbling and shaking his head. Perhaps even meeting directly, he should have called first.

However, his worries disappeared when the door opened. Xinlu looked at him with surprise.

“Taei-hyung! Why are you here? You shouldn’t be here at this hour…… Come in.”

Xinlu glanced around and pulled Jeong Taeui into the room. Only then did Jeong Taeui worry that his visit might cause trouble for Xinlu, but it was too late to regret it. Since he was already here, worrying about other things wouldn’t help.

This was his first time in Xinlu’s room.

Although nothing was different, Jeong Taeui still looked around curiously. The room was clean and simple, with no unnecessary items but not too empty.

“If someone sees you, you’ll get in trouble. Why did you come here suddenly?”

Xinlu took out two cans of beer and asked worriedly. Seeing the beer, Jeong Taeui was a bit surprised. But thinking back, Xinlu, though adorable, was an adult. Drinking beer was normal. Being surprised by this was strange.

Jeong Taeui accepted the beer from Xinlu and thanked him, then hesitated for a moment. 

Since it was a private room, there was no guest sofa. Xinlu pulled a chair from the desk to sit opposite Jeong Taeui, quietly waiting for him to speak.

“About the weekend……”

“Oh, yes. The weather forecast says it will be clear and sunny this weekend.”

When Jeong Taeui began to speak, Xinlu smiled brightly. This made Jeong Taeui feel 

anxious. He came here to cancel their appointment, and hearing Xinlu speak like that made him feel even guiltier.

“Um……”

When Jeong Taeui hesitated, Xinlu’s face became serious. Xinlu tilted his head, quietly observing him.

“The thing is, I just found out we have training this weekend. I can’t be absent……”

When he said that, Jeong Taeui couldn’t continue. Xinlu, on the other hand, simply nodded and smiled.

“I see. I had a feeling something was wrong. Last time and the time before, during joint training, we had to train all the time without any days off. I thought this time wouldn’t be different.”

Xinlu nodded while speaking and then smiled sadly.

“I was looking forward to going for a walk with you…… It’s a pity.”

“I’m sorry……”

Jeong Taeui bowed his head in apology.

Anyway, he felt relieved. It was clear that Xinlu had anticipated this. Actually, Xinlu had been here longer than him, so it made sense for him to know in advance. It seemed he had worried unnecessarily.

But still, canceling the appointment made Jeong Taeui feel guilty. Xinlu looked sad, but when he saw Jeong Taeui apologize, he shook his head and smiled again.

“It’s okay. The training schedule is what it is. After the training is over, we can go for a walk. The beach isn’t going anywhere.”

“Yes…… After the training, we will go for a walk.”

Jeong Taeui said, and Xinlu nodded happily. Then he added,

“After the training, on the weekend, we can leave the island and go to Hong Kong. I also have some things I need to buy.”

“Oh, great. Going together sounds good. I also have to pay back some cigarettes to Tou.” – Jeong Taeui happily agreed.

He came to cancel the weekend appointment but ended up with two new appointments – going for a walk and going to Hong Kong – which made him feel very pleased. Even though the weekend plans were canceled, having two new appointments made him happy.

“But…… I still feel bad. I was really looking forward to it.”

Xinlu said softly, his head lowered in front of Jeong Taeui. Hearing that, Jeong Taeui’s face turned red.

Strange. Although he lost his composure in front of Xinlu, he was used to dating. He knew how to charm and win over someone’s affection after many club visits. Therefore, dating and spending the night with others wasn’t difficult for him.

But with Xinlu, it wasn’t that easy. Perhaps this is what people often say about not being able to treat the one you like casually.

Though he found himself ridiculous, this feeling didn’t bother him. Jeong Taeui blushed and smiled shyly.

At that moment, Xinlu hesitantly reached out. His hand gently touched Jeong Taeui’s hand. His small nails brushed against Jeong Taeui’s fingertips. Xinlu looked at him with a shy and questioning gaze.

Jeong Taeui almost laughed. This innocence and cuteness in his charm. Never had he encountered such direct yet adorable charm. It made him want to hold his hand, place a gentle kiss on it, and smile.

But.

His hand didn’t move. His face turned red, and it grew warmer.

Jeong Taeui looked at Xinlu. The slender fingers gently touched his hand.

His lips were dry. He felt tense. Now, right now, the voice in his head whispered. Now is the opportunity.

Jeong Taeui clenched his hand. He slowly reached out and placed his hand on Xinlu’s shoulder.

He didn’t dare look directly at Xinlu’s face. Maybe if he did, he would look ridiculous. A man blushing like a boiled shrimp, not knowing what to do. He only hoped Xinlu didn’t see him like this.

Jeong Taeui stood halfway up. He pulled Xinlu’s shoulder and kissed his cheek. He intended to kiss his lips but was too nervous, so he only kissed his cheek.

But for Jeong Taeui at this moment, the important thing wasn’t where he kissed. The important thing was that he kissed Xinlu for the first time. His lips touched Xinlu’s soft skin.

He felt Xinlu’s surprised gaze. Jeong Taeui didn’t dare face it directly; he stepped back and wiped his lips with the back of his hand.

“……”

“……”

Both were silent. Jeong Taeui lowered his head, his hands unconsciously twisting his fingers. When he glanced up, he saw Xinlu also had his head lowered, his cheeks flushed red.

Was everything okay? Was Xinlu angry? His heart pounded as if it were about to explode.

Not knowing what to do, but a smile kept spreading on his lips. Jeong Taeui tried to hold back the smile, but he couldn’t.

He raised his hand to cover his mouth. When he looked at Xinlu, he saw him looking up at him. When their eyes met, Xinlu laughed with a red face.

Xinlu’s sparkling laughter initially confused Jeong Taeui, but then he also laughed along.

His heart was racing. Perhaps Xinlu felt the same way.

After laughing for a while, the atmosphere became awkward and shy, enveloping the space.

“So, I’ll go. See you after the training…… Thanks for the message. I read it.”

“Oh, yes…….Let me see you off.”

When Jeong Taeui stood up, Xinlu also stood up. Jeong Taeui felt happy. Xinlu, like a little puppy, adorably followed him.

Although Jeong Taeui said there was no need to see him off, Xinlu insisted. The two walked almost in silence down the hallway. There was no need to say anything, just feeling the warmth of their clasped hands was enough.

The two of them walked hand in hand in silence, their faces flushed. If his uncle saw, he would look at them with a familiar gaze – “Look at you two, having so much fun……”

But Jeong Taeui didn’t care. Let whoever wanted to see, see. After all, they were just holding hands.

Jeong Taeui looked at Xinlu; he was half a hand taller than him. Xinlu’s hair gently swayed, still faintly smelling of soap. He wanted to bury his face in his hair but could only blush and smile shyly.

At that moment.

As they neared the stairs, they would have to let go of each other’s hands once they reached the 6th floor, which made him feel regretful.

Someone was coming out from the wall near the stairs.

Taeui tightened his grip on Xinlu’s hand. It was not beneficial for Jeong Taeui if anyone found out he was on this floor. Although he might have already been recorded by surveillance cameras, being directly caught felt different.

Jeong Taeui thought and clicked his tongue, wondering who it could be, hoping it was one of the instructors so he could justify his presence, until he realized who it was and his steps suddenly halted.

He didn’t expect to meet that person on this floor; more precisely, he shouldn’t have met that person here. Riegrow – that brutal man.

That man also saw Jeong Taeui. His gaze slowly moved to Xinlu standing next to him. Then his eyes fell on their clasped hands.

Those dark and unfathomable eyes couldn’t be read. They narrowed suspiciously, appearing somewhat amused, slightly pleased, or even dissatisfied or greedy.

When this final thought crossed Jeong Taeui’s mind, he hardened his expression. He recalled his conversation with Tou that morning before coming here.

“──There’s no young and pretty boy who’s still untouched.”

Jeong Taeui’s heart turned cold. He clenched his hand and reflexively stood in front of Xinlu. Xinlu, confused, fidgeted behind him, but Jeong Taeui silently stood in front of him.

Danger. That thought flashed in his mind instinctively.

It wasn’t a life-threatening danger like he had felt before. This was a more urgent, pressing threat, something more valuable than life could be lost.

Riegrow stared at Jeong Taeui. His expression almost reflected all his thoughts, a vague expression slowly forming on his lips as if it was unclear whether it was a smile or something else.

“What’s wrong…………?”

He whispered. His voice was somewhat unclear, but the faint laugh inside it was evident.

Jeong Taeui clicked his tongue silently. He shouldn’t reveal his weakness to others, especially to this threatening and cruel man. Yet, in a moment, he had exposed his weakness.

“Xinlu. Go back.”

Jeong Taeui said softly over his shoulder. Xinlu seemed hesitant, his eyes glancing at Riegrow for a moment. Xinlu’s eyes were cautious and scrutinizing Ilay.

“Hyung……..”

“It’s okay, go back. See you later.”

Jeong Taeui calmly reassured Xinlu, who was whispering while holding onto his sleeve. Xinlu hesitated for a moment, then said goodbye to Jeong Taeui and turned to leave. As he walked back, he looked back once or twice. Xinlu’s gaze lingered on Riegrow. Riegrow also returned Xinlu’s gaze with a suggestive look.

Soon, the sound of the door closing echoed behind Jeong Taeui and Riegrow. Riegrow continued to stare at Xinlu’s retreating figure before finally shifting his gaze back to Jeong Taeui.

Jeong Taeui looked at him with annoyance.

He had met someone he didn’t want to see in a situation he didn’t want to be in. What bad luck.

But even though Xinlu had disappeared, Jeong Taeui’s anxiety didn’t dissipate. He felt Riegrow’s gaze lingering over his shoulder. Until Xinlu entered his room, Riegrow kept staring at him. Showing interest with narrowed eyes.

“That boy is quite beautiful.”

Finally, Riegrow spoke. His voice carried a tone of delight. Jeong Taeui’s expression hardened further. He stared straight at him and said stiffly.

“What’s beautiful about a man?”

Riegrow immediately smiled at Jeong Taeui’s words. His eyes wrinkled with laughter.

“Ah ha. A man. Yes, that’s right. I don’t distinguish if I like someone, but it seems you don’t think the same. How unexpected──.”

Riegrow drawled, laughing softly. Jeong Taeui felt a bitter taste in his mouth. It was a clumsy answer. If it was this man, perhaps he had noticed Jeong Taeui’s feelings for Xinlu from the beginning. Rather than going around in circles, it might be better to admit it.

He felt uneasy. Riegrow’s thoughtful gaze at Xinlu kept haunting him. The crystal gem he thought he had just grasped was now trembling unsteadily.

Jeong Taeui clicked his tongue. He thought it wouldn’t be beneficial to prolong this conversation. Furthermore, the fact that he was confronting this man didn’t benefit him.

“Why are you here? This place is off-limits.”

Jeong Taeui said, knowing he wasn’t in a position to ask. He looked in the direction the man had come from. That was the direction of the supervisors’ rooms. The supervisors leading the European branch members were also on this floor, but their rooms were in a different direction.

Jeong Taeui tilted his head. What personal business did this man have to meet with a supervisor here? Or was he scouting the branch building? However, there was no specific reason. The UNHRDO didn’t have a particularly opposing structure, no organization or body worth spying on.

He would temporarily consider the theory that Riegrow was a spy, but he couldn’t draw a clear conclusion.

Riegrow smiled lightly as if understanding Jeong Taeui’s thoughts. However, he didn’t answer Jeong Taeui’s question directly, only responding vaguely.

“Certainly, I’m not the only one forbidden from entering here. What did you come here to do? ── Although the answer seems obvious.”

Riegrow answered slowly. Then he suddenly tilted his head and laughed softly.

“But what did you do with that beautiful boy? Your face is flushed, it looks quite attractive.”

Jeong Taeui froze at his words. The feeling of Xinlu’s cheek against his lips returned when he heard the ambiguous question: “……what did you do with that beautiful boy?”. His face burned.

Jeong Taeui unconsciously raised his hand to wipe his face with the back of his hand. But then he thought it was a useless gesture. His face turned even redder, and Riegrow chuckled softly in front of him.

Jeong Taeui felt extremely frustrated. There was no reason to be ridiculed by others, especially not he and Xinlu.

“No matter what I did, it has nothing to do with you.”

“Really? I’m curious about your reaction if you actually did something with that beautiful boy? How warm his breath is, how cute his cries are. Things like that──.”

Riegrow drawled and whispered. Jeong Taeui glared at him coldly.

Damn it. He had felt uneasy since earlier, and it turned out to be this.

He felt anxious. When he was anxious, his mouth felt dry. The way Riegrow looked at Xinlu with desire made him extremely uncomfortable. But with this man, it was even worse. A sense of worry flooded him, a sense of impending doom.

Moreover, this madman, despite his problematic personality and nature, was physically very attractive. Just a wave of his hand would attract a crowd because of his appealing physique and face.

To be honest, he had to admit it. The only thing he had over him was his character.

In terms of face, body, or strength, he couldn’t say he was better. He could only take pride in his character, not because he was superior but because Riegrow’s humanity was so poor, it was frightening.

“So you mean you like Xinlu?”

“Xinlu? Oh, that boy’s name is Xinlu. Yes, not bad. Quite good.”

Riegrow said. At the same time, he took a step towards Jeong Taeui. And another step.

When he began to approach at a slow, leisurely pace, Jeong Taeui frowned.

He had momentarily forgotten that meeting this man was never good. Actually, if he saw him from a hundred miles away, he should have run fast. The feeling of his gun muzzle against his neck was still very clear.

Jeong Taeui shivered and almost reflexively stepped back, but he quickly regained his composure and stood firm. Thinking back, it was too late to run now. Stepping back would only make him look more foolish. And surely, he wouldn’t kill someone in this hallway…… right?

“What’s wrong.”

Riegrow shrugged and smiled as he watched Jeong Taeui stand stiffly in place. But that smile was even more terrifying. Though he was walking slowly, Riegrow didn’t stop; now, only a few steps away from Jeong Taeui. And he continued to approach.

One step, two steps, another step.

Jeong Taeui stared into the dark eyes looking at him, his whole body tense and pale.

How far did he intend to go? Now, just reaching out would touch him.

But Riegrow continued to approach. One more step and then stopped.

Only a few centimeters apart. From there, Riegrow looked down at Jeong Taeui. His eyes were cold as ice. Although his eyes and mouth seemed to hold a faint smile, his gaze was as sharp as a blade.