Chapter 46: Between Escape and Desire

“I’m holding back because you don’t look well, but if you keep doing this, what am I supposed to do?”

Hanjun, suddenly fired up, pounced on me.

Caught in yet another predicament, I quickly spoke up, pushing against his chest and shaking my head.

“I-it’s not like that.”

“What do you mean it’s not?”

“It’s not!!—mmph.”

He covered my mouth as I raised my voice.

“Hyung, be quiet. We don’t know if anyone’s still outside.”

I wanted to ask the opposite.

If there might be ability users outside trying to catch us, is this really the time for that?

“That’s it. I’m not letting you go again.”

We had only been apart for a day, but the way he looked at me had grown even more intense.

That was a little dangerous.

I pulled his hand off my mouth and said,

“I haven’t even washed, and you’re in the mood?”

“I did.”

“When?”

“This is a bathhouse, hyung.”

“…There’s water?”

“Yeah, it works.”

This wasn’t planned, right?

We just happened to end up in a bathhouse… right?

Why am I getting nervous?

Hanjun hoisted me up and carried me into the bath area.

Warm water filled the tiled pool.

I looked at him suspiciously.

“Why is there so much water?”

“I filled it so you could wash.”

Warm water flowed endlessly, almost unbelievably.

“…It really works.”

We hadn’t escaped far from the National Assembly.

We were still hiding nearby, in Yeongdeungpo, where Jo Juncheol maintained control.

The systems here were still functioning—water, electricity, everything.

It almost felt unfair compared to the harsh conditions outside.

Ability users, who could fight monsters, were all under Jo Juncheol’s control.

Meanwhile, ordinary people were left unprotected.

Even worse, they were being handed guns and told to fight.

It was unnecessary sacrifice.

If ability users worked together, things would be different.

What kind of policy was this?

Did he want the weak to die?

“…We have to get rid of Jo Juncheol. He’s the final villain.”

He was worse than any monster.

“If we don’t stop him, normal people will keep suffering.”

“Yeah. I get it.”

“…Joon, I’m serious right now.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you taking my clothes off?”

“To check if you’re hurt.”

“You already saw when I was healing you.”

“I need to check again. Just in case.”

Can we really save the world like this?

With this simple-minded guy driven by instinct?

Before protecting others, I might need to protect myself first.

Inside the steam-filled bathhouse, I kept shrinking in on myself.

Embarrassed, my head lowered, my body curled.

Hanjun lifted my chin and warned,

“Don’t close your legs.”

“…Mm.”

“Why are your legs so weak?”

I felt a bit wronged, but forced myself to comply.

The hot water, the echoing space, everything felt overwhelming.

Even the smallest sound seemed amplified.

“…Joon…”

The environment itself made everything more intense.

The heat, the exhaustion, the closeness—it all blurred together.

In a place like this, with running water, privacy, and space—

Things that were rare outside—

It was hard to keep control.

“Hyung… are you okay?”

“…Let’s just… not here.”

But Hanjun didn’t seem willing to stop easily.

His grip tightened, his presence overwhelming.

The warmth of the water mixed with the heat rising in my body.

My mind grew hazy.

“…slowly… please.”

I muttered, trying to steady myself.

“Relax.”

He looked down at me intensely, holding himself back.

Even so, the closeness felt suffocating.

“Can I move?”

“…No.”

“Why not?”

Even as I refused, he didn’t fully listen.

My body reacted despite myself, tension and heat mixing together.

“…Stop asking if you’re just going to ignore me.”

He paused, then pressed his forehead lightly against mine.

“…Then tell me what you want.”

“…Just… be careful.”

That was the best I could manage.

He smiled faintly, brushing my damp hair back.

The way he looked at me made my chest pound.

It was almost unfair.

“Does this feel okay?”

“…Idiot.”

The sound of water echoed softly around us.

The heat made my head spin.

My strength was already drained, and I felt like I might pass out again.

“…I can’t… anymore…”

“Just a little more.”

His voice softened, almost coaxing.

But my body was reaching its limit.

“…Seriously… stop…”

Sensing it, he finally slowed down.

After a moment, everything stilled.

His breathing was heavy.

“…Ha…”

As the tension faded, I scrambled away, climbing out of the bath.

If I stayed any longer, he wouldn’t stop again.

“…You’re like a beast…”

Muttering under my breath, I crawled across the cold tiles, trying to escape.

I just needed distance.

Just a little more—

“Hyung, where are you going?”

Before I could get far, he followed.

I looked up nervously.

The moment I saw his half-lidded eyes—

My strength gave out.

And I collapsed.