Oblivious to the uproar his compatibility test results had caused in the Association, Zephyr quietly followed Lucien as the latter eagerly led him to a nearby shopping mall.
Earlier, Lucien had called Erick, who was in the city center preparing to enter a deadly dungeon that had suddenly appeared with other S-rank Espers, and squeezed a hefty sum out of the latter on Zephyr's behalf.
Zephyr hummed occasionally and nodded in acknowledgment while Lucien continued chatting, selecting and buying many outfits for him, calmly tossing out comments like, 'This'll look great on you,' or 'That's awful.'
He let Lucien choose whatever he pleased and even tried on the clothes whenever the latter hastily placed them in his hands and pushed him into the changing room. Since he couldn't see, anything Lucien picked for him would naturally be the best choice.
He didn't even request Lucien to choose clothes that were simple or easy to wear.
What really pleased him was that it was Lucien choosing. So, he was content with anything, as long as it came from Lucien.
But for some reason, he could sense a lot of eyes on him whenever he stepped out in the outfits Lucien had picked. These silent, enraptured stares made him frown slightly.
Lucien eyed the tall man standing before him. There was only one word that could describe him: handsome. Too handsome, with a magnetic, pulling charm that made everyone around pause to look. He was certain the workers in the shop and the customers staring at him felt the same.
Previously, Zephyr had been dressed in a hospital gown or the plain, baggy clothes Jake had provided, since he had nothing else to wear when they left the hospital.
Now, clad in a well-fitted long-sleeve shirt that accentuated his physique and tailored pants that hugged his long legs, he looked effortlessly striking... He was neither too bulky nor too slim, perfectly proportioned.
His skin was not overly pale like that of someone fragile but had a healthy tone.
Broad shoulders tapered into a slim yet also strong waist, naturally giving him a frame that was both athletic and elegant.
His eyebrows and lips were well-shaped, but it was his eyes that unsettled people—empty and quiet, like a starless gray night, giving him an air of melancholy that made him seem aloof and unapproachable.
Lucien's blue eyes unconsciously drifted toward the space between the man's legs, but before his mind could reach a point of no return, he pinched his thigh and cursed.
Damn, he almost got a nosebleed.
How embarrassing.
Lucien had never judged or discriminated against people for liking the same gender.
After all, he was bisexual. That was why he so easily accepted the fact that the original Lucien liked Erick when the 'pitiful' him was suddenly thrust into this world after writing a long zero-star review and falling asleep.
He had even read plenty of BL novels.
And QT novels were his favorite.
But although he knew he was bisexual, he remained inexperienced. He had only ever gone on dates with those he was involved with in his world and never moved beyond the first stage due to his dislike of physical contact. So, in the end, his partners always broke up with him. Yep, he ever so slightly and conveniently avoided the term virgin.
Wait, why should he avoid it?!
What was wrong with being a virgin? Hah, he was proud of it, okay—his chastity was reserved for his one and only future true love. And, naturally, he believed he would only discover that love in his own world.
Yet, despite his strong will and the walls he had built around his heart in this unfamiliar place, he was shocked to discover that this side character was good-looking enough to tempt him. No—he would never be tempted, not even if ten Zephyrs stood before him!
Lucien finally snapped out of his thoughts at the soft voice that echoed near his ear.
"Why did you stop talking?"
He went rigid.
He hadn't even noticed when Zephyr had stepped closer, stopping just an inch away from him. Zephyr was taller than him, and as he gazed down to pinpoint his eyes, his breath brushed against Lucien's earlobe.
Lucien gulped and raised his eyes to meet the gaze of the man before him. Wow. This was dangerous. He might have been dense when it came to others liking him, but he was not dense about his own emotions.
So, he quickly stepped back, then quietly drew in a deep breath to calm himself.
And he did calm down.
"En. These clothes are enough. Change back into your own, and let's head back. I will pay the bill. It's late. We haven't eaten since morning, so we can grab something on the way... After that, I will help you get an assigned room in the association."
Zephyr nodded. In the end, Lucien failed to notice the slight curve of the man's lips as he turned away to speak with a worker, let alone understand his spiraling thoughts.
'Ah, just now was Cien's heart beating exceptionally fast? Or was it simply my willful imagination, hmm?'
A young female worker who had noticed that Zephyr was blind offered to help him toward the changing room. He had a nice body and face, so she was happy. But his face instantly turned cold and unreadable.
"No need. I remember the way."
The woman was startled by the change.
Was this still the same good-natured man who had been so obedient and composed toward the man he came with?! How could someone's personality flip in a second? She quickly stepped aside; for some reason, she felt an oppressive aura radiating from him.