A Room That Isn’t Mine

Dojinwan’s explanation continued.

“You might end up in danger because of this incident.”

“…What?”

His sudden mention of danger made me tense.

Had my identity been exposed?

But the reason was different from what I thought.

“No one saw it, but judging from the situation, I survived because of your help.

Those guys even tried to assassinate me in a crowded place, and they’re the kind who wouldn’t hesitate to kill just to cut off loose ends.

And the person they killed wasn’t just anyone—maybe not from the Doman Group, but still from a chaebol family.”

People like that, who use others like disposable pieces, wouldn’t just leave someone like me—someone with no backing—alone.

If the Demon King’s followers came looking for me, I’d actually welcome it.

Though having them swarm me all at once would be a bit much.

“It means retaliation could come your way for ruining their plan.”

Even though he spoke so seriously, I just felt indifferent.

After all, they and I were enemies who couldn’t exist under the same sky anyway.

Seeing my lack of reaction, Dojinwan looked at me as if I were ridiculous.

“Do you even understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes… well… you’re saying dangerous people might target me, so I’m in danger, right?”

“Then why are you so calm?”

“Well… I don’t really have anything to lose.”

I was 2.3 billion won in debt.

I did win the lottery, but I spent it all renting the place I currently lived in—and even that was monthly rent.

When the only thing you truly own is your life, what is there to fear?

Dojinwan looked dumbfounded, but since I wasn’t wrong, he didn’t say anything more.

There were a few risky moments along the way, but his car safely entered the apartment complex.

I’d only ever watched from afar before, so actually being here with him felt strange.

After parking, he got out, and I followed him closely.

We took the familiar elevator up to our floor, and I bowed slightly to him.

“Then, get some rest.”

It was obvious—we lived in different units.

He was in 4701, and I was in 4702.

We were supposed to go our separate ways.

But Dojinwan just stood there blankly.

I stared back for a moment, then decided to just go in first.

When I placed my finger on the scanner, it beeped and the door opened.

Just as I was about to step inside, he suddenly came up behind me.

“W-what are you doing?!”

“Why?

Is there something I shouldn’t see?”

“No!

It’s not that… this is trespassing…!”

Before I could finish, he slipped right into the entrance.

I was a bit annoyed at how forceful he was, but considering he overlooked the fact that I had been watching him before, I decided to call it even.

Still, despite barging in, he just stood there in front of the shoe cabinet without going further.

“What are you doing?”

Why was he blocking the way?

I just wanted to go inside quickly.

“Excuse me?

Mr. Dojinwan?”

I poked his back a few times, but he didn’t move.

Just as I was considering pushing him, he finally spoke.

“You…”

“Yes.

If you’re coming in, hurry up!”

“You… lived in a place like this?”

I answered that I did.

He stared at me in shock.

“You lived here?

Is this even a place people live in?”

“…What?

It’s pretty clean.”

“That’s not the issue!

There’s nothing here!”

He wasn’t wrong.

All I had was a blanket, a pillow, a bag with clothes, and a microwave.

And all three were just sitting on the living room floor.

There wasn’t even any furniture—this was minimalism at its absolute extreme.

“Even a model house would feel more lively than this.”

That was his verdict.

After scanning me from head to toe, his expression twisted, and he suddenly grabbed me.

“What are you doing?!”

“No.

You can’t live in a place like this.”

“Why?!

It’s my house!”

I was dragged outside despite paying rent for it fair and square.

No matter how much I resisted, his strength was overwhelming.

Before I knew it, we were in front of his place.

The door opened with a mechanical sound, revealing a living room filled with furniture—completely different from mine.

The classic interior matched both the house and Dojinwan perfectly.

For some reason, I felt embarrassed stepping inside.

Like I was crossing a line.

“Take off your shoes.”

He spoke coldly as I hesitated.

I still couldn’t shake off the strange feeling—like stepping in here would trap me somehow.

“…I want to go back.”

“If you live like that, you’ll get sick.”

At my small protest, he clenched his teeth.

“Do you know how much I spent to fix you?

If you’re not going to pay it back, stop talking and take off your shoes.”

“…That’s low.”

Muttering complaints about being threatened with money, I took off my shoes.

Even then, he didn’t let go of me.

When I glanced at his hand gripping mine, he smirked.

“How do I know you won’t run if I let go?”

“…Even if you let go there, I’d still leave.”

Unless he tied me up, I could walk away anytime—

Wait.

Why was that called running away?

“I’m not running away, you know.”

As I tried to correct him, he raised an eyebrow.

Clearly displeased.

I shrank instinctively, and he smiled slightly.

Annoyed, I puffed my lips—

Then he suddenly leaned closer.

For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me.

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest—

But his lips brushed against my ear instead.

“Everything that disappears from in front of me is running away.

Got it?”

With that whispered correction, he led me inside.

“From now on, this is your room.”

“…I already have a room in my house.”

“That’s not a house.

So it’s not a room either.”

He let go of me, but leaned against the door as if blocking my escape.

‘Am I supposed to look around?’

I slowly scanned the room.

Was this a guest room?

But did he even have anyone close enough to invite over?

“Do you like it?”

Like it?

This was the best room I—or Shin Jiho—had ever seen.

When I was an angel, I didn’t need a room.

We were always awake, always together.

There was no concept of individuality—so no personal space either.

Humans might find that strange, but we had no complaints.

Even Shin Jiho, before his father’s business failed, had never had a room like this.

I walked silently to the bed.

The bedding was thick for the chilly weather, but light.

The fabric felt like silk in my hands.

“I like it…”

“Good.”

“But can I really use this room?”

Even if I got sick living in my old place, it had nothing to do with him.

So why was he going this far for me?

As I looked at him with doubt, he pushed himself off the door and approached me.

“I told you.”

Lightly touching the hair near my ear, he whispered—

“They might target you.

It’s easier for me to act if you’re in the same house rather than next door.”

Ah.

So that was the reason.

Now it made sense.

“And you’ve saved my life twice.”

“…”

“Don’t forget—my life isn’t cheap.”

In other words, I deserved this room.

And just like that, I ended up staying in Dojinwan’s house.