(Return pt.3)

“I’m not trying to do anything. I’m trying to help you. It’s not over just because we rescued you from there. You’ve been missing for a year, so all your foundations are gone. Even if we let you go like this, you can’t live the same life as before.”

“Why go that far…”

“Isn’t compensation for damages a concept that exists on Earth too?”

Raseti asked back as if In-woo’s reaction was strange. In-woo was lost for words at Raseti’s response, which was extremely sensible even by Earth standards. Are there normal people among aliens too, or were the aliens he’d seen until now the crazy ones and Raseti was normal?

While he was pondering this unanswerable question, Raseti took out a business card from their bag and pressed it into In-woo’s hand.

“I plan to stay on Earth for a while. So call me if you need anything.”

“…”

In-woo crumpled the business card in his hand and threw it in the car. Even seeing In-woo’s obvious irritation, Raseti just lightly shrugged their shoulders. Though In-woo felt like shouting in annoyance, he kept his mouth shut.

Actually, there was no reason at all to be angry at Raseti. Other aliens had kidnapped him, and Raseti was just an alien who had helped him.

But the problem was that he couldn’t completely trust them. No matter how kind they were, he could sense their mindset that they were superior to humans. In reality, In-woo’s situation could become miserable again with just one whim from Raseti.

As they sat in silence, the car smoothly entered the apartment complex they had left earlier. Getting out of the car, Raseti said they would just escort him to the apartment. After contemplating, In-woo finally accepted them with silence.

When In-woo didn’t get angry, Raseti started chatting quite cheerfully as they took the elevator to the top floor.

“I had some trouble getting this house. I wasn’t sure what kind of house would be good for humans. After all, the interior design direction is completely different from our houses. I bought it because they said it was renovated according to recent trends. Is the house okay?”

“Don’t know.”

“I hope you find it nice. Actually, I thought a mansion might be better, but they said an apartment with automated systems would be better since mansions don’t have them. Um, by the way, am I using the words correctly?”

In-woo had no choice but to nod at Raseti who smiled sheepishly while opening the door. Raseti’s face brightened at that.

“That’s a relief. Now, come in.”

Following Raseti inside, In-woo felt somewhat intimidated. Now that he knew this was real, the excessively luxurious interior caught his eye.

Until now, he had lived in cramped rooms with either no windows or barely any that showed the neighboring house completely. This house had an unobstructed view of the Han River and beyond through its open windows. Unlike his old house where the ceiling was so low that tall people might hit their heads, this one had ceilings so high you couldn’t reach them even jumping with outstretched hands. While he used to pick up worn-out shelves because he didn’t even have proper furniture, this place had custom-fitted furniture from the start, and pieces of art with absolutely no practical use were casually placed throughout.

Looking at the luxurious house naturally brought questions.

“…How did you buy this house?”

As if they had expected that question, Raseti brought a smoothly carved smile to their lips.

“I just bought it. Sold some gold. Gold is a relatively easy metal for us to make, you see.”

“Did you buy the identity with money?”

“Well, that’s just…”

Raseti trailed off. Probably used some kind of alien ability for that. Kim In-woo gave up asking more.

“It’s your house now, so rest comfortably.”

In-woo flinched at Raseti’s explanation. He had naturally assumed it was just temporary accommodation.

“…You’re saying this is my house?”

“Yes. It’s a house in your name. Don’t worry, I handled everything cleanly so there won’t be any issues.”

“What…”

“I thought about getting the biggest house, but it seemed too desolate for living alone. Of course, this is quite spacious too, so if you ever need to sell it, it’ll be worth quite a bit. Besides the house, I also bought a commercial building in your name. You can handle any financial needs with the rental income from the building. I’ve also put some money in your bank account right away. If you need more money, don’t invest in anything strange, just tell me. I can buy you a few more properties.”

Raseti casually laid out something excessively enormous. In-woo was overwhelmed by what was, by his standards, an incredibly massive wealth, and started to say he didn’t need it but stopped.

If just receiving money seemed excessive, then the miserable and horrible past year would seem like hardship worth even less than that money. Yet it was a hell he wouldn’t want to experience again no matter how much they paid.

In-woo looked around and bit his lip.

“I don’t care about any of this.”

“Having it won’t hurt, right?”

“It won’t hurt. But there’s something more important.”

The conversation he had with Raseti before fainting. Something more important to In-woo than anything else. To Raseti, who was trying to avoid his gaze and change the subject, In-woo spoke directly.

“Bring Sun-ho hyung back.”

“I understand you don’t trust me, but I will definitely rescue Lee Sun-ho too… Just trust and wait for now.”

Though it wasn’t entirely convincing, he had no choice but to nod for now. Certainly, he didn’t sense any hostility from Raseti. It didn’t seem likely that they had done all this just to deceive Kim In-woo…

When In-woo agreed relatively easily, Raseti smiled brightly. Then suddenly, as if remembering something, they started searching through their bag.

“And here, um, what was this called again?”

Raseti rambled as they pulled a smartphone from their handbag. Though they used Korean quite freely, they seemed confused about some words. Instead of telling them the word, In-woo snatched the phone from Raseti’s hand.

“Ah, smartphone, right. That’s in your name too, so use it.”

Despite his cold attitude, Raseti remembered by themselves and smiled, unbothered. Far from being discouraged, they left with a rather cheerful face, saying to call anytime if needed. When the chattering Raseti disappeared, the house suddenly became quiet.

Finally alone.

He had thought he wanted Raseti to disappear right away, but now that he was really alone, he was scared. The luxurious house didn’t even register in his eyes.

In that place, he had always trembled in fear, not knowing when Radel would appear. In fact, Radel always moved silently despite his huge build. Several times, he had turned his head when something felt off, only to fall over after coming face to face with those huge eyes as big as his head. He was always on guard and tense, not knowing when those huge hands would grab him. Radel was scary enough, but then he went to the even more terrible training facility, and even killed someone…

When he thought he might go crazy before dying, that’s when Lee Sun-ho came.

Lee Sun-ho didn’t seem particularly surprised by the sudden situation. He said he was surprised, but his face was so expressionless that he even gave off a somewhat detached impression.

It was a natural result that he grew close to Lee Sun-ho, whom he had initially found suspicious. Unless the person who entered the cage was trash like the manager who demanded sponsorship or his father, In-woo would have become attached to them.

Moreover, Lee Sun-ho was completely different from those humans. He had the same name as a senior he used to have a crush on, but he was much kinder and more affectionate than that senior. Lee Sun-ho, who demanded nothing and was gentle, showered Kim In-woo with the affection he had wanted his whole life.

He always felt stable when Sun-ho’s warm body temperature enveloped him. Sun-ho’s voice waking him from nightmares was sweet. When he said “It’s okay,” everything really felt okay. And it really did become okay. In the cage that seemed impossible to get used to.

That’s why Kim In-woo loves Lee Sun-ho.

Kim In-woo had no choice but to love Lee Sun-ho. To the point where he thought he wouldn’t mind living there forever if Lee Sun-ho stayed by his side.

Lee Sun-ho, who said such things, isn’t here.

“Ugh…”

Realizing he was alone, he felt like crying. He misses Sun-ho. Instead of this house, it would be better if they just gave him Lee Sun-ho. If he was with him, even a cramped room where you couldn’t properly stretch your legs would be enough to be happy.

The fear and loneliness he had forgotten as if anesthetized began to slowly consume In-woo. Even now, he felt like he was being watched. Even though Radel was no longer nearby, he couldn’t escape the illusion that eyes were always following him.

In pain, In-woo went to the bedroom and burrowed into the blankets. He might have nightmares, but escaping into sleep was still the best choice.

—

T/N: I need me some chaebol alien who would spawn properties under my name and money in my bank in a snap. Hey Radel, can you refer me to other Arkeans who might be willing to sponsor me? I am willing to be a human pet, um, maybe except the NSFW part.