02. Purify Room

January 11, 2235. Weather: Snow.

* * *

Since yesterday, I’ve been wearing the scarf and gloves that Teacher gave me to school.

Yellow feels like such a childish color…

But I was happy because Teacher picked them out just for me.

I’ve never worn a scarf or gloves before, but they’re so warm and comfortable.

Every night before I sleep, I like looking at them for a while. It makes me feel good.

After the accident, Teacher changed.

I think it’s because he hit his head because of me…

But still, I like this kind and warm Teacher.

I’m not scared of adults anymore.

* * *

“Hajin, are you going to work or not?”

I’m going, damn it.

Hajin grumbled internally as he adjusted his glasses. The thin gold chain attached to the frames shimmered under the light, swaying slightly as he moved.

“I am working.”

“Hmm…”

Adam didn’t look convinced, and his expression made Hajin even more uncomfortable.

My brain is already on the verge of overloading, so don’t you start nagging me too.

That was what he wanted to say.

But with Adam standing there—broad-shouldered, muscular, and very much the type of guy who could crush someone with a single arm—Hajin chose to keep his mouth shut and endure.

Every day since waking up in this world, Hajin had been painfully aware of just how different he was from the people around him.

His arms were thinner, his waist smaller.

While others wore standard uniforms, he alone was forced into a wrap skirt—something that looked suspiciously like a damn dress.

Adapting to this world was already a challenge, but then—

Then everything spiraled out of control.

And it was all because of his job.

The very job that had consumed Hajin Orion from the middle of the novel to the very end.

The problem?

Kwon Hajin—his real self—had lived a completely different life.

Forget supernatural abilities or Purification—he had never even had a relationship before.

He was just an ordinary man in the exhausting grind of modern society, working overtime and too busy for anything else.

And yet, here he was—stuck in a world where his literal job involved sex.

It was absurd. Unreal.

But the worst part?

He had known all along.

From the moment he arrived in this world, he had understood—

Everything.

The abilities, the toxins, the creatures, the Espers—

All of it had been fictional world-building in the novel he had read.

Once upon a time, he had lounged on his bed, rolling around in his blanket, reading this story from the safe distance of a third-person perspective.

But now—

Now, he had no choice but to live it.

To experience it.

To become Hajin Orion.

The moment he was thrown into this world, he should have prepared himself for this reality.

But just because he knew it was coming didn’t mean he was ready.

And now that he was actually here—expected to perform this role—his nerves were starting to get the best of him.

Benny was one thing.

He was determined to raise that child with all the love and care he never had.

But this?

Could he, an untouched virgin, really handle this?

His confidence was crumbling fast.

And then—

Adam, with his ever-annoying smirk, casually dropped a bomb.

“You used to love sex the most, but now you keep dodging it. What, getting too old to keep up?”

Why does he always talk like such an asshole?

Hajin clenched his teeth, barely holding back his irritation.

Adam reminded him of an obnoxious coworker he used to know in his original world. That one guy who always knew how to say just the right thing to piss him off.

Apparently, whether here or there, annoying people were a universal constant.

Even though Hajin tried to brush it off, Adam’s tone was so grating that it was impossible to ignore.

“I just got into an accident, so I’m only accepting urgent Purifications right now,” Hajin snapped. “Maybe try thinking before you run your mouth.”

Before the accident, Hajin Orion and Adam had actually been somewhat close—close enough to exchange harmless banter without any real malice.

That memory surfaced as Hajin spoke, his voice edged with frustration.

Adam, unbothered as ever, let out a low chuckle, his expression amused.

“Oh? Playing the victim now?” He smirked, eyes glittering with mischief.

I swear to god, if I could beat the shit out of him, I would.

Hajin ground his teeth, forcing himself to suppress his rising irritation.

Despite inheriting all of Hajin Orion’s memories, he still hadn’t fully adjusted to this world.

Even now, he was hesitant, holding himself back.

When he had first started working at the Center, he had been completely lost, unsure of what to do.

But surprisingly, his body had known.

Even when his mind hesitated, his hands moved instinctively, handling tasks with ease.

It had only been administrative work—data processing, document management—but he had still felt a small sense of pride.

Maybe I’m actually good at this?

But before he could even pat himself on the back, Adam had to open his damn mouth again.

“Oh, right. You only do oral now, huh?” Adam mused, his smirk deepening.

“Hmm, well, I suppose that’s not bad… but—”

Hajin felt his entire soul leave his body.

Adam, who had been mumbling something while keeping a certain distance, suddenly closed in. So they were supposed to be colleagues who joined the company at the same time? More like a childish brat excited to have found an easy target to tease.

Not only that, but once he started teasing, he clung on like gum and wouldn’t let go. What is it this time? Hajin’s eyes quickly showed his irritation.

“Or is it because of the kid?”

“What?”

The unexpected mention of “the kid”—referring to Benny—made Hajin’s brow furrow deeply. Adam, as if he had anticipated that reaction, smirked and casually ran his fingers over his thigh, partially hidden beneath his wrap skirt.

“Ever since that accident, you’ve been ridiculously cautious with your body. You sure it’s not guilt over the kid?”

“No, that’s…”

Adam’s hand, which Hajin had thought would only fumble over the wrap skirt, had already slipped inside, brushing against bare skin. Feeling the soft, warm flesh beneath his fingertips, Adam let out a languid smile, tilting his head until his face was right in front of Hajin’s.

It was obvious he intended to weaponize his good looks.

“I submitted a purification request too, so just take care of it with sex.”

Fuck.

Hajin swallowed a curse and let out a frustrated breath. Why? How? Why was Hajin Orion only able to wield his abilities in this kind of way?

A bastard like Adam, a Material-type Esper, could shatter massive boulders with a single punch—so why the hell was Hajin the only one whose abilities could only be used through sex?

No matter how much he lamented internally, the only thing waiting for him was the harsh reality. Had he been wrong to struggle so hard to live independently in his previous world? The unwelcome burden of virginity made this situation even more unbearable.

If he’d known this would happen, he would have made sure to rack up some experience beforehand. Then again, if he’d been the type to do that in the first place, he wouldn’t be having this headache now. Hajin tried to think of a way out of this predicament, but the memories and inherited knowledge all pointed to a single conclusion.

‘I have to have sex with that man to activate my purification ability.’

No matter how much he agonized over it, nothing changed. Before and after work, he could shower his beloved child with affection, cook delicious meals, and laugh as if everything was fine. But if he tried that in this center? His lower half wouldn’t just be devoured—it would be sucked dry all day long.

“Hajin…”

A blatant touch roamed freely over Hajin’s hypersensitive body. His so-called work uniform—a wrap skirt—offered no protection whatsoever. Of course it didn’t. It was a ridiculous outfit that didn’t even allow for underwear!

Hajin gasped as a firm grip suddenly seized his groin, his body instinctively recoiling in shock.

He tried to pull away, but he was already wedged between the sofa and Adam. And resisting a Material-type Esper like Adam with his much leaner arms was as futile as throwing an egg at a rock.

“I’m serious. Look, my name’s right there on the applicant list.”

Adam gestured toward the tablet screen with a jerk of his chin. Hajin, flustered beyond belief, struggled against the relentless hands that roughly yet expertly explored him, his face and even the nape of his neck turning red with embarrassment.

Watching his reaction with amusement, Adam finally lowered his face and buried it against Hajin’s neck. He couldn’t just ignore the beautiful curve where his shoulder met his throat.

“Hhng—!”

A startled moan escaped as Hajin’s body gave out beneath him. He swayed for a moment before collapsing onto the sofa, now lying face-down. Even in his disoriented state, he instinctively flailed, reaching for the tablet that had been knocked aside in the scuffle.