Vicious Darling

[18]

Chris slowly opened his eyes.

Hearing water running from the bathroom, it seemed Yuri had woken up first and was showering.

He tentatively reached out to feel the lingering warmth on the empty side of the bed.

He didn’t dare to lay in the spot where Yuri had been.

They had intertwined their bodies late into the night.

Yuri didn’t mind much when Chris clung to him.

Chris found himself craving Yuri even though he was already filled with guiding energy.

‘Should I use more power, more often?’

A twisted desire raised its head. It was a greed he didn’t know existed, suppressed along with overflowing emotions.

It wouldn’t be difficult since they were planning to go to the Spring Continent to investigate Rosenhauser’s remnants.

‘Yuri would understand.’

Chris had long been sensitive about his safety, often overreacting.

How could a dull dog’s dull actions be suspected?

But.

‘If he’s disappointed in me.’

Chris got up from the bed with a suppressed sigh. The morning air felt strangely chilly.

Leaning against the wall, Chris loosened his shoulders and waist with light stretches.

His body was nothing but a tool. It always had to be in peak condition.

You never knew when or where something might happen.

With a click, the bathroom door opened and Yuri emerged with a towel around his neck.

He glanced at Chris, who had finished stretching and moved on to bodyweight exercises, and said,

“Go shower if you’re awake.”

“Yes.”

When Chris came out after showering, Yuri was nowhere to be seen.

Looking at the neatly made bed with lingering regret, Chris checked his device and left the room.

It was a summons from Yuri.

He had called a meeting with Baekya’s executives after returning from meeting the Keymaker.

‘Now that we’ve confirmed Barrel Society’s willingness to cooperate, we should be able to track down Thorns Order.’

After completely eradicating all traces of Rosenhauser, would Yuri be able to rest comfortably?

The thought that he could didn’t come easily.

“Ah, Chris. Good morning.”

Someone walking from the opposite direction in the hallway in front of the conference room brightened upon seeing Chris.

“Gwen. Good morning.”

Gray hair, yellow eyes, and an appearance similar to Chase’s – people often startled when they first met Gwen.

But unlike her brother, Gwen the Guide had a gentle temperament. While everyone avoided Chase, they often interacted with Gwen.

“This is the first time we’ve chatted privately since you returned to Baekya.”

That soft-spoken manner inevitably caused cognitive dissonance.

“Yes.”

When Chris gave a short answer, Gwen smiled as if he was truly hopeless.

Just as Chris thought they would enter the conference room right away, Gwen hesitated for a moment.

“Um, Chris.”

Gwen hesitated before speaking.

“Go ahead.”

When Chris nodded readily, Gwen spoke after hesitating.

“If you’re going to choke my brother with telekinesis… please spare the necktie.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s very difficult to get my brother to dress properly… to look like a human. But after the last incident, he threw away his tie again, saying his neck could get strangled.”

Gwen said with a tired face. At that expression, Chris clicked his tongue in realization.

He had indeed yanked Chase’s tie with telekinesis to subdue him when he was being annoying.

But he didn’t know it would cause trouble for poor Gwen.

“I apologize.”

Chris tended to be somewhat more polite when dealing with one of the few humans with manners and common sense.

“I’ll make sure to use my hands next time.”

“…Hmm.”

As if that wasn’t what she meant, Gwen sighed and gave Chris a complicated look.

It couldn’t be helped. Most of Baekya’s Espers weren’t quite right in the head.

Finally compromising, Gwen whispered in a low voice.

“You have to leave him alive.”

Chris couldn’t help but smile at her distressed expression, as if the very act of asking to spare Chase’s life was painful.

Honestly, while not as much as Chase, Gwen was also quite attached to her brother. Despite her words, if Chris really tried to kill Chase, she would be the first to throw herself in the way to stop him.

‘If only Chase had half of her social skills.’

He swallowed his regret.

Due to their shared trait as Espers, Chris often had to work with Chase.

“Let’s go in.”

When they opened the door, everyone was already waiting.

Even Chase.

Chase’s gaze swept over them.

His eyes were oddly triangular, as if he didn’t like that his sister had entered with Chris.

‘We just happened to meet.’

The conference room was well soundproofed, so he probably couldn’t hear what conversation had taken place outside.

Knowing Chase’s personality, this would likely be annoying for a while.

But Chris ignored the yellow gaze directed at him and strode in. He naturally took the empty seat next to Yuri and looked straight ahead.

Logan, who could be called Yuri’s left arm if Chris was his right, was seated.

Chris greeted him with a nod.

Logan was a B-class Guide. However, his true value lay not in guiding but in his combat ability.

With innate talent and a personality that never neglected training, he was one of the most skilled in Baekya. Even Chase wouldn’t allow close combat with Logan.

Additionally, with his black hair and Guide characteristics, Logan sometimes acted as Yuri’s body double.

‘He looks more like a mafia boss than Yuri on the surface.’

“Everyone seems to be here.”

Yuri opened his mouth.

“We’ve made contact with Barrel Society. Chris and I plan to cross over to the Spring Continent by early next month at the latest.”

“How long do you plan to be away?” Logan asked.

“It’s undetermined at present, but I intend to finish within three months if possible.”

Yuri bared his teeth.

“…We don’t know yet how many of those rat bastards are hiding.”

“I understand you don’t intend to return until they’re exterminated.”

The black-haired Guide nodded stoically.

“Logan, you’ll handle things in my stead for the time being.”

Yuri then turned to the Dalton siblings seated side by side.

“If force is needed, mobilize Chase.”

“Oh, so it’s my turn since Chris won’t be around.”

Chase said gleefully.

There was an error in that statement. It wasn’t that Chase’s turn didn’t come because Chris was holding the fort. It was because once Chase started rampaging, the aftermath was tremendous, so they couldn’t carelessly let him loose.

“When you need to make an example, make sure it’s clear,” Yuri said.

As if he didn’t intend to just let Chase loose, Yuri glanced at his sister next to him.

“Gwen.”

“Yes, boss.”

“It’s fine to loosen the reins, but it would be good not to spare the whip.”

“…I’ll try my best.”

Gwen answered seriously.

Chris kept his mouth shut. If Chase’s faith was in Gwen, Gwen’s faith was in Yuri, so there shouldn’t be any major issues.

“Janet, if you’ve rested enough, I’d like you to search the Northern Light stronghold in Orum City.”

Currently, the Esper Union, Northern Light, and Yuri’s Baekya were in an alliance.

But until Rosenhauser’s downfall, Northern Light had been their greatest enemy.

Most of Northern Light’s safe houses in Orum City of the 11th Continent were created under Rosenhauser’s influence.

To monitor Baekya and Yuri.

“Due to the recent agreement, Northern Light has completely withdrawn… so searching shouldn’t be difficult.”

Janet nodded readily, then hesitated for a moment before asking carefully,

“Do you have any specific concerns?”

“Concerns?”

Yuri rolled the word slowly on his tongue as if he’d heard an unfamiliar term.

“I always suspect, even when I have nothing in mind.”

Chris lowered his eyes.

“That’s how I survived. It’s also how I built up Baekya.”

“Ah.”

Janet’s shoulders hunched slightly.

Perhaps because she had been trapped and exploited by Rosenhauser for a long time before barely escaping, Janet had a timid side.

“Now that you’ve become part of our family, you’ll get used to it gradually.”

Yuri smiled kindly.

It was an expression that truly didn’t suit him.

“If you understand, let’s move on to the next agenda.”

No sooner had he decided to be away than Yuri called in his executives and methodically sorted out Baekya’s affairs big and small.

Chris watched this silently, thinking it was strange.

The discovery of Rosenhauser’s remnants, obtaining Barrel Society’s cooperation, and the decision to go to the Spring Continent had all happened somewhat urgently.

But Yuri was filling in the gaps during his absence with exquisite precision.

Placing people in the right positions, distributing resources.

Like someone who had been making plans in preparation for leaving at any time.

‘It must be needless worry.’

Chris lowered his eyes and forcibly suppressed his doubts.

Even if Yuri was planning to leave for good, what of it?

He would go with him.

“Good. This concludes the meeting.”

After finalizing even the training plans for newly recruited members, Yuri stood up.

Chris stuck close to him.

Yuri was operating his device.

[See you soon :P]

Chris frowned at the text with an emoticon that popped up on the screen.

It wasn’t difficult to guess who the other party was without having to ask.

‘The Keymaker?’

Peter Garrett. An Esper with teleportation abilities.

He certainly seemed capable and was a necessary collaborator for this mission.

But Chris didn’t like how he seemed to cling too familiarly to Yuri.

‘I should put aside my jealousy.’

As Chris was trying to compose himself, Yuri suddenly raised his head, perhaps feeling Chris’s gaze.

Startled, Chris unknowingly lowered his head. He was about to apologize for peeking.

But Yuri was faster.

“How’s your body?”

“Pardon?”

“I asked how your body feels after taking dick all night, Chris.”