A Dangerous Method

“Well…”

Even though Dojinwan opened the conversation for me, it was still hard to say.

He waited patiently as I hesitated.

Thanks to that, I slowly gathered myself and began explaining.

“That time… you know…”

“That time?”

“At your grandfather’s birthday.”

I explained the demonic energy as if it were poison from the assassin.

“…I couldn’t remove it completely.

So there’s still a tiny, tiiiny bit left in your body.”

I pinched my fingers close together to show how little.

“And I don’t know what effect it might have…”

“So?

What do you want to do about it?”

“I want to remove it.”

Dojinwan looked at me like I was making things harder than necessary and held out his hand.

“Go ahead.”

His attitude made it seem like I was overthinking.

Abilities usually only needed light contact.

But this wasn’t the same.

When I hesitated, he frowned slightly.

“What’s the problem?”

“…Simple contact won’t work.”

“Then?”

“…Like last time.”

At first, he didn’t understand.

Then realization hit, and his mouth opened slightly in surprise.

I braced myself for him to call me crazy—

But instead—

“Go ahead.”

I looked up in shock.

His eyes held something like amusement… even anticipation.

‘Anticipation…?’

What could he possibly be expecting?

Then it clicked.

‘Maybe he can feel the remaining energy too.’

That would explain it.

Now that I had his permission, there was only one thing left to do.

But strangely, my chest felt tight, and heat rose to my face.

This wasn’t supposed to mean anything.

Yet I couldn’t move.

As I stood there, Dojinwan reached out.

“You can’t do anything if you just stand there.”

He lightly grabbed my arm and pulled.

My body moved toward him effortlessly.

Before I knew it, I was sitting on his lap.

Half in his arms.

‘This… feels strange.’

It didn’t feel like this last time.

My heart pounded loudly.

Dojinwan simply looked down at me, waiting.

His gaze made my face burn, so I quickly covered his eyes with both hands.

I could feel his eyelashes brush against my palms.

His lips curved into a faint smile.

“Now that you’ve covered my eyes… are you going to do it?”

“Be quiet.”

He chuckled softly but stayed silent.

Taking a deep breath, I leaned forward.

Our lips met.

Softly.

But they were too tightly pressed for anything to pass through.

“Your lips…”

Before I could finish, he slightly parted them.

I gathered all my energy and pushed it forward.

A faint shiver ran through him.

The effect was immediate.

The energy flowed through him, reaching deep inside.

Closer…

Until it touched the remaining trace.

I focused, trying to draw it out.

But it resisted, tightening instead.

So I adjusted, carefully surrounding it.

Slowly working it loose.

His grip around me tightened.

My body was pulled closer against his.

Something felt off.

I moved my hand from his eyes.

His gaze was unfocused, yet burning with intensity.

It felt like he had been watching me the whole time.

Heat rushed to my face again.

I tried to cover his eyes once more—

But he caught my wrist.

Suddenly, my balance shifted.

The world spun.

I found myself lying on the sofa.

Dojinwan leaning over me.

His face drew closer.

Our lips met again.

But this time—

It felt different.

Startled, I tried to pull away—

But he didn’t let me.

The moment stretched.

Breathless.

My thoughts scattered.

Heat spread through my body, unfamiliar and overwhelming.

I tried to move, to escape—

But he held me firmly in place.

“Shh… stay still.”

His voice was low.

Almost soothing.

One hand brushed through my hair as if calming me down.