SYNO Chapter 34

“Party A agrees to permit physical contact with Party B. However, Party A hereby informs Party B in advance that the time, place, and environment must be appropriate, and depending on the circumstances, there may be periods where physical contact is not possible.”

“That’s awfully vague.”

“In exchange for the physical contact, Party B has the obligation to provide any information they possess, regardless of its nature, whenever Party A requests it, and must cooperate faithfully and actively with any tasks Party A requires.”

“Wow. Is this a slave contract?”

“If Party B fails to cooperate with tasks or provides fabricated, falsified, or false information, causing significant damage to Party A, the physical contact will be immediately terminated, and Party A will secure Party B’s custody and ensure they receive appropriate punishment as a criminal, as stipulated in this agreement.”

Ssangryeong, who had been writing down everything he heard, stopped and slammed his pen down. He glared at Pienne, frowning as if asking if he was serious.

“Do you think I’ll actually sign this one-sided contract? Are you insane?”

Even for an unfair contract between a high-ranking government official and a criminal, this was too much.

Unlimited provision of information, active cooperation with tasks, and even acting in good faith, all from a thief who lived by stealing information?

“You’re trying to get something out of nothing! Just forget it!”

Just as he decided to flip the table and walk back to solitary confinement himself, Pienne picked up the pen he had triumphantly put down and stuck it back into Ssangryeong’s hand.

“There’s much to teach you. As I thought before.”

Ssangryeong was startled when Pienne firmly grasped his hand. He felt a sudden tingling sensation, as if he had been electrocuted.

Come to think of it, whether it was during sex with Pienne or during the examination, he had consistently felt a pleasure that went beyond mere lust.

‘There’s no mistaking it. This bastard is my destined partner.’

The sliver of hope he had held onto, that there might be a one in a million chance Pienne wasn’t his partner, melted away. Ssangryeong looked down at his hand, still held in Pienne’s grasp.

‘Is this only one-sided?’

If Pienne was his destined partner, the man should be feeling something similar. The hot, tingling sensation, the feeling of his body stiffening.

But Pienne had always been rational and never treated him as anything more than a criminal.

‘He must have a different partner.’

If Ssangryeong was his destined partner, Pienne wouldn’t have acted the way he did.

The probability of both parties being each other’s destined partner was less than one percent. Even if A considered B their partner, B could have C as their partner.

That’s why a situation where both parties were each other’s “Name partner” was often called true “destiny.”

Because it was true destiny.

Something that couldn’t be avoided or defied.

It was a relationship where both parties had such a profound influence on each other that they were inevitably bound together.

‘We’re not like that at all. It’s just my damn bad luck.’

As Ssangryeong was lost in thought and remained silent for a moment, Pienne exhaled softly and continued speaking in a low voice.

“Whether it’s a contract or a conversation, when discussing something with someone in front of you, you listen to the end.”

He gazed at Ssangryeong, his blue eyes clear.

“You never know what important information might be in the latter half of the conversation. Don’t you think?”

Ssangryeong was speechless. Not only was Pienne’s condescending tone irritating, but his beautiful eyes, shining brightly at such close range, captured his attention.

Ssangryeong tried to pull his hand free, but it wouldn’t budge, as if stuck in cement.

“This will be the last pen I offer you.”

With a chilling warning, the man gestured towards the contract again. Ssangryeong furrowed his brow, troubled.

He wanted to reject it outright, but the suddenly charged atmosphere seemed to manipulate him, preventing him from doing so.

‘This must be because I’m the only one who’s his partner, dammit.’

As Pienne released his hand, Ssangryeong started writing, following the man’s low voice, which sounded like classical music.

“If Party B complies with the terms of this agreement and cooperates with tasks willingly, Party A shall provide Party B with a high standard of food, clothing, and shelter, respect their right to live a decent life, and protect Party B from any threats from third parties.”

Ssangryeong’s messy handwriting slowly started to fill the page.

Did this man realize how astonishing the words he was saying were?

From anyone else’s perspective, these were grounds to criticize the Commander.

Respecting the rights of a globally wanted criminal? Protecting him from threats?

Even the part about providing high-quality food, clothing, and shelter was perplexing. How could he provide a high standard of living to someone who should be locked up in solitary confinement?

He wondered if Pienne even understood how difficult these clauses would be to uphold.

Not “can protect” but “shall protect”…

Ssangryeong ran his tongue over his dry lips. Until just a moment ago, Pienne had been dictating terms solely in his own favor, and then suddenly, he’d made a sharp turn.

‘Is he doing this on purpose? Toying with me?’

“Lastly, neither Party A nor Party B shall disclose, leak, or publicize any information related to the conclusion and implementation of this agreement to any external party. This agreement, drafted under the direct supervision of Commander Pienne de Laviste, holds legal effect.”

As soon as he finished writing, Pienne took the paper and pulled a seal from his jacket pocket, stamping the bottom.

Ssangryeong narrowed his eyes. It was the first time he’d seen a crazy bastard carry a seal around.

Where did the inkpad even come from?

“Your fingerprint.”

The man gestured towards the contract with his eyes.

Ssangryeong looked at the paper with displeasure, doubtful that this contract would be properly implemented. It was full of unfavorable clauses, but he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

After serious contemplation about whether or not to stamp it, Ssangryeong reluctantly dipped his finger in the inkpad.

‘Whatever. It’ll work out somehow.’

From the moment he returned to the building, the current had swept him away. His only means of survival would be to stay afloat and avoid drowning.

“Let’s add one more thing before you stamp it.”

Ssangryeong wrinkled his nose in annoyance. After racking his brain over whether he should really do this, he reluctantly spoke.

“Additional clause. Upon successful implementation of the cooperation agreement, Party A shall protect the Dependent Nation criminals Malcolm and Robert, provide them with comfortable food, clothing, and shelter, and ensure that they are not retroactively punished for their past crimes. Furthermore, Party A shall assist in ensuring the safety of Malcolm’s daughter and his entire family from any threats.”

“…….”

“What are you looking at me like that for?”

An awkward gaze, as if questioning whether Ssangryeong was serious about adding this clause, met his. Ssangryeong quickly turned his head away.

“I’m just adding it while I’m at it. Take it or leave it.”

Worried that Pienne might actually “leave it,” Ssangryeong added,

“You promised to protect them when you used them as hostages, didn’t you? To get my cooperation. So keep your word. Those bastards are still locked up in this government building, right?”

When the Commander didn’t respond, Ssangryeong quickly felt embarrassed. He mumbled some meaningless words.

“They’re crippled now anyway, so they can’t do anything bad. If there’s a suitable position available in the building, you can give them jobs or something. Oh, and I’m saying this again, take it or leave it.”

Pienne, who had been silently observing Ssangryeong, let out a light chuckle. He silently started to write down the clause on the contract, polishing the wording slightly.

Ssangryeong, glancing at the contract from the corner of his eye, finally felt relieved.

“Ahem.”

Relieved, Ssangryeong hurriedly stamped his fingerprint before the other party could change his mind.

Pienne stared at Ssangryeong’s innocent face for a long moment, as if trying to figure out what he was thinking.

“The contract is finalized.”

Pienne folded the paper neatly, put it in his inside pocket, and stood up. Ssangryeong, still seated, craned his neck to look up at the towering man.

“Is it over? Then I’ll go to solitary confinement now… Mmmph!”

Ssangryeong, who had thought they would part ways after the agreement, widened his eyes as their lips suddenly met.

Feeling the touch of the Commander’s soft lips, Ssangryeong clenched his fists tightly. Not to punch him, but simply because his hands had instinctively tightened.

As the Commander pressed closer, deepening the kiss, Ssangryeong’s back met the soft cushioning of the sofa.

A pleasant scent, impossible to define, emanated from the man’s uniform and skin.

Suddenly, Ssangryeong felt self-conscious about his own smell and tried to push Pienne away. But Pienne stopped his hand and moved his lips more fervently.

Ssangryeong wanted to die on the spot as his heart, which had never raced even when committing crimes, pounded in his chest. He hoped Pienne couldn’t hear it. If he could, Ssangryeong would seriously throw himself out the window.

If their tongues had tangled messily, he would have pretended to be crazy and lost himself in the moment, but that wasn’t the case.

The Commander was only pressing their soft lips together in a deep, kiss-like manner. They would part slightly, then press together again, with Pienne would occasionally licked Ssangryeong’s lips.

These tantalizing actions further inflamed Ssangryeong’s blood. However, he refrained from embracing the man’s neck or touching him longingly.

He knew how pathetic and foolish it would be to act that way in a relationship devoid of affection.

Soon, Pienne slowly pulled away. He spoke in a low voice,

“You’re not breathing.”

“…….”

Ssangryeong’s eyes widened.

Was he not breathing?

Now that Pienne mentioned it, his chest felt tight.

Ssangryeong, unable to bear the lingering sensation of the soft lips, roughly rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand.

Pienne, watching the action, curled his lips into a smile.

“Is that necessary?”

“…….”

“You’ll have to get used to it.”

Saying this simply, the man left.

Ssangryeong, left alone, took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale all the air in the world. Only then did he feel like he could breathe again.

“Damn it…”