BCGWR Chapter 23 Part 2

The conversation didn’t flow smoothly, just as it hadn’t several times during their meal earlier. Yet, strangely, there was no awkwardness of disconnect. Perhaps it was because he knew Jung Ha-jin was a gruff person. Usually, if someone acted like that beside him, he would feel bothered and uncomfortable, but for some reason, he felt nothing.

As if noticing Han Ji-su’s unspoken amazement, Toto, who had been watching Jung Ha-jin, slid swiftly down from the table and approached Jung Ha-jin’s head. When Jung Ha-jin slightly raised his head to look, Toto stood on his hind legs, neatly groomed his belly fur, and then let out a “Chwiit!” with a rather combative expression. He then faced Jung Ha-jin and assumed a plank position.

“…”

“…”

“…Chwuu…!”

Han Ji-su quickly pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of Toto planking. Jung Ha-jin’s head was in the shot, but his face wasn’t, so Han Ji-su continued to take several more photos in quick succession. Soon, Toto’s front legs began to tremble.

“Toto, if it’s too hard, you don’t have to push yourself.”

“Chwi… Chwiiit…!”

“…”

“…”

“Chwuut…!”

In truth, Toto’s bulging belly had been touching the ground from the start, but Han Ji-su constantly cheered him on, calling him amazing for doing his best.

About fifteen more seconds passed. Unlike Jung Ha-jin, who remained motionless, Toto, who had been trembling, finally collapsed. After receiving a storm of praise for his efforts, a proud Toto hovered around Jung Ha-jin.

‘Even so, Toto is approaching Jung Ha-jin Esper first?’

Toto, who was usually rather aloof with other men besides Han Ji-su, subtly approaching Jung Ha-jin like this made Han Ji-su feel relieved, as it seemed Toto liked him.

Jung Ha-jin remained motionless, and Toto, as if intending to bother him, climbed up his clothes, stood on the crown of his head, and began to ruffle his hair.

“To, Toto, stop that. Come down here. I’m sorry, Jung Ha-jin Esper…”

“It’s fine. It’s not often that a small animal approaches me, so I will enjoy this moment.”

“…Ah, um… yes…”

Perhaps provoked by Jung Ha-jin’s remark about enjoying it, Toto ruffled his hair even more passionately. He even stomped his hind legs, but Jung Ha-jin didn’t flinch.

“…Toto is S-rank, you know… are you alright?”

“Yes. It’s refreshing.”

“Chwiit!!!”

Toto vigorously scratched the back of Jung Ha-jin’s head as if digging sand with his front paws, but he remained motionless. Instead, he straightened his posture even more, seemingly enjoying the situation.

Confirming that the two were playing well, Han Ji-su admonished Toto not to bother Jung Ha-jin Esper too much, then rose from his seat.

Entering the bathroom alone, Han Ji-su leaned his back against the tightly closed door and stared blankly at the back of his hand. The gem embedded in the ring on his left middle finger caught the bathroom light, emitting a sparkling, ethereal glow.

“…”

Han Ji-su carefully covered the back of his left hand with his right, caressing the ring, and closed his eyes. Then, even with his vision completely obstructed, a bluish status window appeared.

[Attempting to move to designated target ‘Kang Jae-yoon’.]

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