# Chapter 30
“No one can hear us anyway, so speak freely.”
“Oh? You have that ability too? Well, it’s true that hardly any of your abilities have been made public. Have you finally decided to lower your guard with me?”
“What does that have to do with us becoming partners?”
At Jaehwi’s stiff response, Aiden clicked his tongue. So what if he likes him? His brain doesn’t work that way…
“He’s older than you, has better abilities, and comes from a wealthy family. Even if he’s an S-grade Guide, Kang Team Leader is someone who could choose not to be a Guide at all if he didn’t want to. Why would someone who literally has everything anyone could envy want to be your Guide? From what I can tell of the situation, he doesn’t intend to be a Guide, just wants to assign you a good one.”
He seemed to smile brightly, joke well, and speak well, but all those behaviors appeared to be for one person only—Team Leader Kang Raon. It was amazing how he could control the atmosphere with just subtle facial expressions. Aiden stopped talking and pouted his lips.
“If you do exactly as I say from now on, things will definitely work out. So get up now and buy me milk tea and chocolate cake. Get whatever you want for yourself. Typically, an Esper should voluntarily do this much for their Guide. You know everyone’s been watching us since we came in here, right?”
Aiden let out an “oh~” of admiration as he watched Jaehwi stand up, despite still appearing disgruntled. He hadn’t expected him to actually move immediately when told to—that showed how sincere his feelings were for Team Leader Kang Raon.
With his neat appearance, skin so white it seemed like it had never seen the sun, calm voice, and elegant demeanor, Team Leader Kang Raon created a strange atmosphere that both matched and didn’t match with Jaehwi. But he didn’t coldly reject Jaehwi’s touches or comments as he kept nudging him and speaking up. He did issue warnings, but they were just that—warnings—and he even seemed to be placating him, saying they’d talk later. They were close, as stated, like dealing with a close younger brother…
As Aiden watched Jaehwi buying what he was told to, he narrowed his eyes. If only there wasn’t someone he had already given his heart to, Jaehwi would be his perfect type…
“So.”
Aiden laughed dejectedly at the words that came as soon as Jaehwi placed the tray on the table between them.
“First, you need to make that person clearly aware of what kind of person you are.”
“That should already be clear.”
“…You’re trying to be lovers, not siblings. Right now. So you need to show a side of yourself that can evoke feelings other than brotherly ones, whether that’s through sex appeal or whatever.”
Aiden stabbed the sweet cake deeply with his fork and brought it to his mouth, looking at Jaehwi who seemed to know nothing about romance.
“I think it’s going to be tough for you. The conditions you proposed earlier are already messed up.”
“Why?”
Jaehwi’s tone, filled with irritation as he frowned while drinking coffee, came across as aggressive.
* * *
“Where’s Jaehwi?”
Raon, who had been deeply focused on work, placed his hand behind his neck and slowly turned his head, his gaze landing on the window where darkness had already fallen.
“He hasn’t come, sir.”
“Why?”
Jay, who had been waiting for Raon to finish his work, couldn’t answer his question right away. Although Jaehwi frequented this place as if it were his own office, there was no particular reason for his visits.
Just passing by, feeling bored, feeling sleepy, wanting to be somewhere quiet—all these were clearly shameless excuses to drop by and see Raon. Moreover, despite clear warnings, Jaehwi was blatantly crossing the line. But as a mere secretary and bodyguard, there was nothing Jay could do about it.
“What time is it?”
Raon’s voice, as he took off his glasses and leaned back comfortably in his chair, was laden with fatigue.
“7:34 PM.”
“He must have gone home. Let’s leave too.”
Jay, who had collected Raon’s outer garments as he stood up without even checking his phone, needed to inform him that there were still scheduled tasks left.
“You need to go to the lab for a blood test.”
“Ah, the blood test. I keep forgetting that. I wonder if I can do it today.”
Despite it being something that made an already pale person even paler, Raon was enthusiastic about it. He had even given up on the snacks he liked, sought out healthy foods, and stopped taking the headache medicine, fatigue recovery supplements, and health supplements he used to take regularly.
Raon’s pace was slow as usual, giving small nods to acknowledge those who recognized him and greeted him first.
“Why do you show up wherever I go? Aren’t you busy?”
Upon entering the lab where employees working overtime remained, Raon immediately shook his head when he saw Hyukjin.
“Just don’t call me. All your movements are reported to me, so how could I pretend not to know?”
“Must be nice to know everything.”
Raon plopped down on an empty chair and unbuttoned his shirt.
“It’s a work of art.”
Raon, who had pulled up his shirt for easier blood drawing, chuckled at Hyukjin’s comment. Would it be fine if they stuck him every other day? He roughly rubbed the needle marks visible on both wrists, the insides of his elbows, and every other spot where a needle could be inserted.
“Just be honest and tell him to choose a Guide appropriately.”
“Should I choose a dinner menu? What do you mean ‘appropriately’? It’s not something he’ll swap out regularly, so he should be more careful. I’m thinking of giving the Guide selection rights to Jaehwi. That kid Aiden or whatever seems okay, but I’ll listen to what Jaehwi has to say entirely. Just know that if Jaehwi shows even the slightest hesitation or reluctance, no matter how the other side approaches, it’s an immediate out.”
“Who knows what’s really going on inside him? I thought only his nickname was Nox, but it seems like his insides are just as dark.”
Hyukjin couldn’t forget Nox’s voice heard in the control room. A chill ran down his spine as he recalled that arrogant expression, as if everything was in the palm of his hand and he could do anything he wanted. And Nox actually made it happen.
No one thought it was a machine malfunction or system error. They were just surprised and cheered at the appearance of a perfect match. Now even Nox’s stabilization level, which had been consistently rising and falling after a certain point, was suspicious.
If he could adjust the readings according to his will, then his condition might be more serious than thought, or conversely, he might be completely fine with nothing to worry about. Maybe he’s an Esper who doesn’t actually need a Guide at all. Or perhaps self-healing abilities…
As his thoughts continued to spiral, Hyukjin raised his hand and rubbed his forehead.
“Shouldn’t you take more?”
Hyukjin looked at Raon, who was checking the amount of blood drawn while firmly pressing an alcohol-soaked cotton ball to where the needle had been.
“Look at your face when you say that.”
“My anemia level is within the normal range, right? I’ve been taking iron supplements well.”
“Because someone keeps prohibiting Nox’s dispatch, that precarious level is being maintained somehow. So I’m trying to draw the minimum amount.”
“That’s because they look for Nox first whenever a high-grade dungeon appears. Does it make sense to just summon him without trying to find other solutions?”
“Efficiency…”
“…Damn, singing the efficiency tune again.”
Sensing the angry thorns in Raon’s tone as he tossed away the blood-stained cotton, Hyukjin quickly placed his hand on his shoulder. At the same time, Raon shook off his hand and took the coat Jay handed him, his expression already frozen coldly.
“Going home?”
Hyukjin picked up his jacket as he watched Raon leave the lab without answering.
“Kang Raon. Let’s get some beef for the first time in a while. My treat.”
“I’m tired.”
“Beef is good for anemia. Plus, you had a blood test today, so you should eat well to nourish your body.”
“Fat on blood.”
“I know a good place.”
Seeing Raon walking beside him, showing no particular reaction with his indifferent expression, Hyukjin took out his phone. Then he looked for the phone number of the Korean beef restaurant he frequently visited. Even if they couldn’t drink alcohol, he felt they needed to talk about Jaehwi while making sure Raon ate well.
“Oh? Hello. Nice to see you again.”
Raon, who was boarding the elevator with Jay a step ahead of him, looked up at the bright voice directed toward them.
His gaze naturally shifted to Jaehwi, who was beside Aiden, smiling as brightly as his cheerful voice.
“Jaehwi showed me around the center and let me watch training in the training room. After that, we tested guiding, so we’re a bit late. We’re going to eat something delicious—would you like to join us?”
Aiden didn’t mind the seemingly stunned expressions of the four people and slightly pulled on Jaehwi’s sleeve, who was looking at him with an incredulous expression.
“…Hyung. Let’s go together.”
As soon as Jaehwi spoke slowly, showing that he wasn’t completely oblivious, Raon’s voice immediately filled the elevator.
“Choi Hyukjin. Make a reservation for four. Jay, just take me to the restaurant and then go home first.”
“What?”
“Team Leader!”
Hyukjin and Jay called out to Raon simultaneously, but Raon’s face remained calm.
“No. Jay, make a reservation for four people right now at the place I go to. A quiet room with a nice view.”
After briefly staring at Aiden’s hand that was holding Jaehwi’s collar, Raon turned his body and stood facing the elevator door.
