I Picked Up the Greatest Villain in the Story

45.

Watching Jian shrug his shoulders, Seonjun secretly clenched and unclenched his fist.

‘How can this face be turning thirty the day after tomorrow?’

Was it because of the dimples in his cheeks? Or because of the eyes without a single wrinkle? Jian hadn’t changed much from the day Seonjun fell for him.

His hair was a bit longer, and he smiled more often than before.

Ah, come to think of it, his clothing style had changed a little. He used to wear only achromatic colors, but from some point, he started enjoying bright colors.

Today too, Jian was wearing a light pink sweater that highlighted his fair skin even more.

“So you’ll be working in Korea now?”

“Probably for a while, yes. …Are you still thinking about it? Going on a business trip to America?”

“Well…”

The purpose of visiting the cafe today was not only to see Jian but also to find out if he was still considering the proposal made before leaving for America.

“They’re definitely ahead of our country in a few things. I guess it’s because the government provides a lot of support for research funding.”

After realizing that Sehun was firmly rooted in Jian’s life, Seonjun didn’t rush. He judged that Jian had no intention of dating until Sehun became an adult.

Instead, he hovered around, looking for opportunities. He wanted to let Jian know that he was always around, thinking Jian couldn’t live like a priest forever.

“Then maybe I’ll go. I think I can spare a few days.”

Jian fell into contemplation while pulling a shot. Sehun had taken the college entrance exam, so now they just needed to submit the application according to the regular admission schedule.

In fact, a vacation had come for Jian as well.

The reason for going to America was because of the vitality potion. He hadn’t yet rooted out the guys who were threatening Sehun, and according to the original story, Sehun would soon awaken as a hunter, so there was a need to prepare.

The Tower would also appear and disrupt daily life. So, recovery potions were essential to freely use skills.

After pondering, he had consulted Hyunwoo about this part recently. Hyunwoo said he would look into it thoroughly, and he had obtained information that they were developing vitality potions in America.

Surprisingly, there were more hunters who used vitality like Jian. Although their number was extremely rare, it was fortunate for Jian that one of them was the heir to a large pharmaceutical company in America.

Although there was almost no demand for it, the company was putting effort into developing vitality recovery potions, and through Hyunwoo, they had asked Jian several times if he was willing to participate in experiments.

Seonjun just thought Jian wanted to visit America for more effective mana recovery potions.

Jian had only told Hyunwoo, and Hyunwoo, fearing Jian might be in danger, had only discussed it secretly with the pharmaceutical company, not telling anyone else.

“I’ll think about it. When are you going back, Seonjun?”

Seonjun was affiliated with the Dark Net and mainly volunteered for missions dispatched to various countries. Since a Dark Net Guild branch was established in New York about a year ago, Seonjun had been going there on business trips occasionally.

“About a month and a half later. Probably on December 31st. There’s an important event in America on January 2nd.”

“I see. If I go, I should probably go around that time.”

It would be Jian’s first time going abroad, and America was a country that took over ten hours by plane.

Going with Seonjun, who knew America well, was better in many ways than going alone. He could also solve the language problem.

“Hyung, you’ve worked hard raising Sehun all this time. Now that Sehun has grown up, don’t you think you can take a few days of free time for yourself?”

Jian shook his head at Seonjun’s words. Hard work? Although he had headaches sometimes due to Sehun’s occasional mischief, looking back now, they were all valuable memories.

Although it might look to others like he had raised Sehun, Jian felt that the hole in his heart that had always been empty was being filled while being with Sehun. If he added up all the moments when he was comforted by the child, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Sehun had raised him.

“Here’s your coffee. Have a cup and go quickly. I’m going to close the cafe early today.”

“Is Sehun coming early?”

“Yes. They have shortened classes today.”

Jian checked the time on his watch. It was almost time for Sehun to arrive. Today, he planned to go out and eat something delicious with just the two of them and buy some clothes for Sehun.

“What are you doing out here instead of coming in?”

Contrary to Jian’s expectations, Sehun had already arrived in front of the cafe 10 minutes ago. The homeroom teacher, who had surrendered to dozens of eager eyes, had ended the class earlier than planned.

Although the class was just showing a movie, even that felt like torture to the children who found being confined in the classroom stifling.

Hyunsu had bought two bags full of fish-shaped bread nearby, spending all his pocket money, when he spotted Sehun leaning against the wall next to the cafe door.

Sehun slightly raised his head. Hyunsu involuntarily took a step back at the cold face.

“Hey, are you doing a photoshoot here or what?”

Feeling offended at being startled, Hyunsu grumbled as he passed by Sehun and opened the cafe door. Then he spotted a familiar face.

“Oh? Seonjun hyung?”

“It’s Hyunsu. Long time no see.”

Seeing Seonjun occupying one of the cafe tables, Hyunsu realized why Sehun’s mood was at its lowest point.

“Classes are over already?”

“Ah, yes. The teacher let everyone go as soon as the movie ended because the kids were making such a fuss.”

“What about Sehun?”

“He’s outside.”

As Jian asked while wiping his wet hands on his apron, Hyunsu nodded towards the door.

“Hyung, have one of these. The fish bread uncle is back in front of the shop.”

“Really? Looks delicious. Thank you. I hadn’t eaten any fish bread yet this year.”

Jian smiled broadly at the bag filled to the brim with fish-shaped bread.

Nibbling on a piece of fish bread, Jian stretched his neck towards the door. Sehun had come together, but there was no sign of him.

“Did Sehun go up to the house?”

“Seems like it.”

Hyunsu answered nonchalantly while handing a piece of fish bread to Seonjun as well. He knew the reason why Sehun, who had been quiet for a while, had become depressed again, but Jian was still oblivious.

‘If I ever have an unrequited love, I should like someone perceptive.’

Unaware of what Hyunsu was thinking while looking at him, Jian organized the cups at the sink. He was concerned about Sehun who had gone up to the house without even looking at him.

* * *

“Haah…”

Sehun exhaled a long sigh as he brushed his hair up. His temples throbbed with unrefined emotion.

Feeling like he might smash Seonjun’s head if he stayed there, he quickly left the place.

His violent tendencies were intensifying day by day. Although he was suppressing it hard, when his emotions ran high like just now, the power inherent in his body surged uncontrollably.

His pitch-black irises alternated between turning blood-red and settling back. The knuckles on Sehun’s fist protruded white.

On the back of Sehun’s neck, where he couldn’t see, something like a tiny earthworm wriggled.

Crunch.

Grinding his molars, Sehun suppressed the power trying to leak out. Cold sweat flowed enough to dampen his bangs.

Thinking he couldn’t let Jian catch him in this state, he went into the bathroom. He deliberately turned on cold water.

He closed his eyes quietly, putting his face under the pouring water. The content of the conversation Jian had with Seonjun whirled in his mind.

A business trip to America?

This was the first time Sehun had heard about it. It hadn’t been long since he felt at ease because Seonjun had stopped hovering around Jian.

Seonjun had appeared even more handsome, still not giving up his feelings for Jian. Gone was his clumsy past appearance, now exuding a strong masculine scent.

Even though he was expressing interest in Jian with his whole body, Jian smiled at Seonjun defenseless. He even talked as if he might go to America together.

Although his skin was cooling in the ice-cold water, heat boiled in his chest.

This couldn’t go on.

A chilling sense of crisis hit him. The assumption that Jian might soon have a lover ignited Sehun’s possessiveness that had been building up since childhood.

What use would it be if he just stood by and lost Jian? Jian had been his from the moment he first saw him.

Even at the risk of being hated, he needed to let Jian know. That he had loved Jian for a very long time. Not with simple brotherly feelings, but with a desire to devour him from head to toe.

His wet eyelashes lifted, revealing clear eyes as if he had made a decision. A small ripple of blood-red bloomed over his irises.

* * *

Knock, knock, knock.

At the sound of knocking on the door in a steady rhythm, Jian flipped over the phone he was looking at and put it down on the bed.

“Oh, Sehun.”

With only the two of them in the house, Sehun was the only one who could be knocking. The door opened, and Sehun appeared wearing only a pair of sweatpants.

“Hyung…”

As a result of exercising regularly even during his exam preparation, Sehun’s upper body was densely packed with admirable muscles. Neither excessive nor lacking, it was in perfect condition.

Unlike his face that still retained a youthful appearance, his body was the very embodiment of testosterone.