Hero Hunter is on Parental Leave C70

Chapter 70

“Why… is this…”

The situation was so far beyond what Yeongung had expected that his mind went completely blank. The man, apparently finding that expression adorable, lightly pressed Yeongung’s cheek with the back of his hand.

“It’s your birthstone. I know your birthday already passed, but if I was ever going to have a ring made, I wanted it to be this one. It suits your pale skin, too.”

Set into the center of a boldly designed silver ring, a precisely cut blue diamond shimmered brilliantly.

The problem was that it was far too big.

Ten carats—of course it was.

“Are you stupid…? How am I supposed to wear something this huge? It’s uncomfortable.”

“Still, it’s the first piece of jewelry I’ve ever given you. I couldn’t pick something half-hearted.”

Yeongung leaned his face into the man’s hand and closed his eyes.

Even though he was older, he’d acted anything but mature—blinded by jealousy, spitting out sharp words without even realizing the ring was meant for him.

Even now, knowing that Won Iheun’s heart was firmly turned toward him, Yeongung still fell into the same bad habit born from years of one-sided love: instinctively pushing himself out of the man’s place.

The diamond shone dazzlingly, almost painfully bright—but Yeongung’s heart, by comparison, felt unbearably small. Afraid that Iheun might notice this ugly emotion, he steadied himself before opening his eyes.

It was rare for Yeongung to initiate physical contact, so when he tried to pull away so soon, Iheun wrapped an arm around his waist.

“I can’t breathe… Move back a little.”

Instead, Iheun yanked him closer, locking him fully into his arms. He buried his nose at Yeongung’s crown, inhaling deeply.

Iheun had an almost unsettling fixation on the scent that rose from intimate places—Yeongung’s hair, his underarms, and even lower. Whenever that sharp nose teased areas Yeongung desperately wanted to hide, his toes curled and his body went rigid.

He could’ve pushed Iheun away with mana. But somehow, he didn’t even have the energy for that anymore.

With a deep sigh, Yeongung spoke.

“This is too much. Really. Let’s return it.”

No matter how rare and high-grade the blue diamond was, combined, their wealth could easily afford it. The issue wasn’t the price—it was the size.

He could already imagine the idiot duo, Sayoung, even Lee Chahyeon, teasing him, asking if it was one of those candy rings kids wore.

Before he could insist again, a deep, cave-like voice sounded above his head.

“It’s custom-made. No refunds. …Do you not like it?”

Iheun looked genuinely disappointed.

That expression—beautiful even when dejected—softened Yeongung instantly.

“No, it’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just…”

Someone who never set foot in jewelry stores had gone as far as ordering a custom piece for him. Yeongung realized he’d been careless, treating Iheun’s sincerity too lightly—like those gifts stacked carelessly in Kim Rahee’s dressing room.

Instead of spiraling alone, it was better to be honest.

“Hey, bastard. Let go for a second. I want to talk face-to-face.”

Iheun released him, puzzled.

“This is my first relationship.”

“…What?”

“I said, it’s my first time dating.”

Understanding dawned, and Iheun’s eyes curved into a soft smile. Hearing it directly from Yeongung carried a special kind of sweetness.

They were each other’s first.

Iheun lowered his forehead to Yeongung’s.

“Same here.”

Unable to meet his gaze, Yeongung stared at the floor and slowly spoke.

“I don’t recognize myself like this… I think I’m the jealous type. I knew the articles about Kim Rahee weren’t true, but the moment I saw them, I got angry. I kept thinking about it. I even started to dislike a woman I’ve never met.”

He looked up, checking Iheun’s expression.

Iheun only watched him quietly.

“Th-the ring… thank you. I was just too shocked to react properly. It has meaning. I like it.”

Fidgeting with his lips, Yeongung asked quietly,

“…Does it suit me?”

Iheun’s light-brown eyes traced Yeongung’s lips, long fingers, and the blue diamond.

“But next time, don’t do surprise events like this. Let’s go pick it together. And—if we’re going to—m-match… it’s better to get a pair.”

The word couple made Yeongung’s cheeks flush.

“How do people even date like this? My heart won’t stop racing, I’m anxious all the time—it feels like my blood is drying up.”

Iheun finally spoke, his voice low.

“Tell me more.”

To the world, Yeongung was an Alpha—but to Iheun, he was more beautiful than any Omega.

And now, Yeongung was showing jealousy—for the first time, as a lover.

Desire flared sharply, but Iheun held himself back.

“I get jealous too,” he admitted quietly. “Every time you take care of anyone besides our son, Yeong Jaehee, it drives me insane.”

He took Yeongung’s hand and slowly licked along the rounded tips of his fingers, like a teasing finger-fellatio. Yeongung’s vision burned hot.

“Ah—!”

“Just like I expected. Perfect fit.”

The ring sat flawlessly—not loose, not tight.

Iheun gazed at Yeongung’s left hand with satisfaction. His possessiveness had only grown stronger since acknowledging his feelings—but he suppressed it carefully, so Yeongung wouldn’t run away again.

He wanted Yeongung addicted to him, just as he was addicted to Yeongung.

The ring—romantic on the surface—was also a mark, a quiet shackle.

The blue diamond itself symbolized perfection and completeness.

Perfect love.

That was the love Iheun wanted to give.

When Yeongung finally pushed him back with mana, Iheun obediently stepped away, straightening Yeongung’s rumpled hair and clothes while explaining Kim Rahee.

“She’s nothing more than an asexual being to me. Don’t even waste a thought on her.”

“That’s a bit harsh.”

“Even if we were stranded alone on a deserted island, nothing would happen. We just feel mutual disgust.”

He looked genuinely fed up.

“We’ve been rivals since we were kids. Similar tastes. The one who always lost what they wanted was her.”

“…Okay.”

“I won’t let you ever cross paths again. Especially not like this.”

Through a door briefly opened by a passing audience member, Kim Rahee’s piano flowed out.

“Debussy’s Valse Romantique,” Yeongung murmured.

Against the soft, romantic melody, Iheun smiled sweetly.

“Hyung. Go on a date with me.”