As soon as Gwak Chan saw Jiwon, he acknowledged him with a nod but didn’t try to draw him into conversation or act overly friendly. He kept the same measured distance as always.
The two of them had Kim Yunho as a mutual friend, but they’d rarely spoken one-on-one, so this was natural.
“What kind of couns—”
Jiwon started to ask casually, then trailed off, suddenly unsure if he’d been speaking to Gwak Chan in honorifics or informal speech.
“Not sure. I think it’s because of last night, hyung. Hey, you hear anything?”
He turned to the man sitting beside him.
Wild Dog 8—always there, yet as invisible as if he weren’t—answered with a shrug.
Maybe he was a spy too?
At this point, Jiwon was suspicious of everyone.
All because of that bastard Han Seoho.
Gwak Chan looked up at Jiwon and shook his head. “Hyung, wanna sit down?”
Jiwon waved him off and leaned against the wall.
Just then, the counseling room door opened, and Nam Kyuwon stepped out—also wearing a muzzle.
It was almost impressive how they kept the thing on even in shower gowns.
Well, it was part of their identity.
Kyuwon, face still flushed, smiled at the waiting team members as if it were nothing. Only after noticing Jiwon did he light up.
“Yesterday, you were amazing. I’m really grateful. I should’ve helped, but I froze... I’m really sorry.”
It was the first time anyone other than the actual victim, Lee Jihoon, had thanked him for last night. Jiwon was a little moved. Kyuwon was clearly a decent guy.
“It’s fine. I just did what anyone should. Anyway, the counseling—?”
“Oh, they said it’s because of last night. Nothing to worry about.”
He even gave Jiwon a double thumbs-up.
“I’ll get going first. See you.”
Kyuwon hurried off like he had something urgent to do.
After him, Wild Dog 8 went inside for his session.
Gwak Chan gestured to the empty chair.
Jiwon felt oddly awkward.
As he moved to sit, a small-framed man—hidden until now behind Gwak Chan and Wild Dog 8—came into view.
A new face. And yet, familiar.
They’d replenished the Sailors. A replacement for Lee Jihoon.
He gave Jiwon a slight nod but didn’t introduce himself, staring straight ahead with clenched fists. Through the gap in his shower gown, Jiwon caught a glimpse of bandages around his chest.
Already through Developer Class. Already got the nipple tattoo.
When had he arrived? Midnight? Early dawn?
Maybe the moment Jihoon had come to say goodbye, this guy had already taken his room.
It felt like a vending machine—take one drink out, and it’s instantly restocked with the same kind. The fact that the crew were disposable items hit home.
Jiwon didn’t feel shaken. If anything, it fueled him. He’d been planning to smash their vending machine anyway.
Hearing footsteps, he turned. Choi Minjae was walking toward them, smiling brightly and waving at Gwak Chan—not even seeing Jiwon.
That son of a bitch. Of course he could smile.
Jiwon forced his lips up into a fake grin and waved.
Just like Han Seoho had called him.
Minjae’s face flickered with confusion.
Gwak Chan stifled a laugh and nudged Jiwon with his elbow before giving him a thumbs-up. Then he looked at Minjae in mock surprise. “You two dating?”
Minjae flushed but stayed silent.
“Oh. I thought we were dating. But this bastard’s two-timing me?”
Jiwon stood, smacking Minjae’s arm with a fist.
“When your schedule’s done, wait for me in your room. Alone!”
He growled it, making sure Gwak Chan and the new Sailor heard.
“Hyung, no... I—why are you—”
Jiwon raised his fist again, and Minjae flinched.
“...Fine. I’ll wait.”
“Yes. I’ll be alone.”
Before Minjae could finish answering, the counseling room door opened.
It hadn’t even been five minutes, but unlike the relaxed Nam Kyuwon, Wild Dog 8 came out looking grim.
He grumbled and disappeared down the hall.
The new Sailor went in next.
“Why’s he getting counseling? He just got here.”
Gwak Chan muttered before telling Minjae, “Sit.”
And so, by chance, three undercover cops ended up sitting side by side.
Hopefully not on purpose.
Jiwon doubted Gwak Chan was undercover, but former police? That fact alone was risky, and Gwak Chan had to know it.
Sure enough, Gwak Chan swallowed hard, and Minjae turned pale.
Jiwon was tense too. The counseling was dragging on, wringing their nerves dry.
Too quiet was suspicious—but too much silence between them looked worse.
“So... what’ve you guys been doing?”
Jiwon broke the silence.
“Us? Working out. You see this pump?”
Gwak Chan flexed, grinning in his usual way, probably guessing Jiwon’s intention.
“You didn’t work out for four hours straight.”
Jiwon was curious. Did Team 2 have their own body-focused schedules?
“Of course not. We did the swing today.”
Raising a brow, Jiwon got the explanation: “You know. Swing sex.”
A porn scene popped into Jiwon’s head, and his face instantly flushed.
“Come on, you know our tastes. Right?”
Gwak Chan nudged Minjae for agreement. Still tense, Minjae forced a weak smile. “Yeah... I guess.”
How the hell had someone that jittery gotten tangled up with Han Seoho? Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝕟𝕖𝕥
No way Detective Kim Kyungsik hadn’t given him intel on Han Seoho.
“What about you, hyung? What’s with the bandages?”
Not wanting to mention the tattoo retouch, Jiwon deflected.
“You see any of my team?”
“No. Except the new guy who went in, you’re the first.”
The Developer Room nurse had said everyone but two had already left.
So the rest were on other schedules instead of counseling?
Then why the new guy?
“Probably nothing,” Gwak Chan murmured, catching Jiwon’s eye and giving the faintest nod.
“So the swing... does it, uh... feel better?”
Gwak Chan grinned. “Try it yourself.”
“Minjae’s the best at it.”
Minjae stayed silent, as if with his ears plugged.
Small talk kept the tension at bay, but as the session dragged on, even Gwak Chan and Jiwon lost their smiles.
“What’s taking so long?”
Gwak Chan tried to sound casual, but sweat was pouring down his face. Minjae was shaking his leg so hard # Nоvеlight # Jiwon felt the vibration. The drugs in his system made him dizzy, and his stomach churned.
“Why’s everyone staring at the door?”
All three turned at once.
Jiwon had been wondering what happened to him after last night’s riot.
He studied him, checking for signs of abuse. At least nothing was visible.
Noticing the scrutiny, Number 3 untied his shower gown and spun once.
“Where do you wanna look? My ass?”
He looked ready to lift the gown if Jiwon said yes.
“Cut it out.” Jiwon frowned. “When’d you get back?”
Number 3 tilted his head.
“Oh... this morning. Around seven?”
Saying it out loud felt like stalking.
“You came by my room? Worried about me?”
Number 3’s face lit up with exaggerated emotion.
“Around one? Maybe two? I don’t have a clock.”
“So what’s everyone doing here?”
“Waiting for counseling.”
Jiwon’s answer slowed. “You’re not here for counseling?”
“What counseling?” Number 3 asked back.
“Then why’d you come?”
“They told me to stay in my room. Saw you guys sitting here, so I came over.”
Before anyone could reply, the Team 1 members started showing up in shower gowns, glancing over as they passed.
“What’ve you guys been doing?” Minjae asked.
“Yeah. Real swimsuits, swim caps, goggles.”
“Three hours straight. Look—my hands are pruned.”
He shoved them in Jiwon’s face. It was true—the skin was wrinkled.
“And they fed us like birds.”
Number 3 gritted his teeth, then yawned widely.
Was he serious or just fishing?
“Wanna come nap in my room after this?”
“I can only sleep if someone’s next to me.”
“What’s your schedule?”
“Nap time. What about you?” He pretended to check a watch he didn’t have. “Almost lunch.”
Jiwon didn’t know what his next schedule was. His tablet was in his room—unless the staff told him here, he’d have to go check. But there wouldn’t be lunch. They didn’t make you do an enema for nothing.
“I dunno. Probably not nap time.”
Number 3’s face fell.
He was about to say something when the counseling door opened again.
The new Sailor came out, face red, ignored everyone, and hurried to the elevator.
Heading to the basement? Eden’s floor?
Jiwon watched him until the doors closed.
“Wild Dog 4, come in.”
Gwak Chan was up next. He flashed a V-sign. “I’ll come back alive.”
Once he was gone, Number 3 immediately slid into the seat next to Jiwon.
“You’ll have another schedule after this.”
“Then stay with me now.”
Minjae, watching, turned away when Jiwon caught his eye—but not before Jiwon thought he saw a smirk.
Number 3 pressed against him, ignoring Jiwon’s pushback.
Jiwon let him do as he pleased for now. He was too busy thinking about Minjae, Han Seoho, and the possibility of another spy in the crew.
He should’ve never listened to Jihoon. The warning had poisoned his thoughts.
Number 3 leaned close to his ear.
“Let’s have a snack before your schedule.”
He whispered it, then opened his shower gown just enough for Jiwon to see his cock.
Heat shot up Jiwon’s neck.
A moment ago, he’d been lost in thought—now, completely taken in.
He didn’t dislike it. In fact, he was already anticipating it.
Yeah. He’d have time for that.
Still as impressive as ever, Number 3’s half-hard cock gave him a little greeting.
Jiwon swallowed hard.