Yeoul, who had been looking at the scenery outside the window that had already darkened as twilight descended, hummed a tune as he pulled out the iron. He plugged in the cord to preheat it, then took out the dress uniform he had carefully hung on the hanger and spread it on the ironing board.
“Let’s see…”
Strength filled Yeoul’s brow as he carefully ironed the uniform. Had he ever ironed clothes this carefully before? He was nervous that he might burn it or create strange wrinkles.
Tomorrow was finally the long-awaited mobilization day.
The day before yesterday, on the way out after submitting his leave of absence form, he drank beer and said goodbye to a few college classmates including Noona Huijun. They’d only been together for one semester, but still, thinking he wouldn’t see them for a while made him feel a bit wistful.
But his excitement was much greater than his wistfulness. What would life at the Security Bureau be like? According to Kang Hyeseong, he would receive basic physical training together with several Guides who awakened in the first half of this year.
‘…I have to do well.’
Yeoul, who had been ironing diligently, wiped away the sweat that had formed on the bridge of his nose. This should be neatly ironed. As he was hanging the clothes on a hanger, he heard the sound of the front door opening.
Are Mom and Dad home…? They definitely said they were working overtime today. Yeoul’s face, which had opened the door with a puzzled expression, brightened instantly.
“Hyung! What brings you home so early from work?”
“Our Ulie, tomorrow’s your mobilization day. Hyung has to cheer you on.”
Kang Hyeseong, wearing his combat uniform, grinned as he waved the bag in his hand. It smelled of sweet churros. Always incredibly busy, yet leaving work on time because of my mobilization day… Yeoul barely suppressed the smile that was trying to seep out.
“Churros look delicious. They weren’t there when I came home earlier.”
“There was a truck parked on the main street. I saw it on my way home from work so I bought some.”
Yeoul really loved churros. Freshly fried and dipped in chocolate sauce, the taste melting in his mouth was exquisite. Even though Kang Hyeseong didn’t particularly enjoy sweet food, whenever he saw a truck selling churros, he would always stop the car and buy a bag. Purely because of him.
“Thank you for the food.”
“Mm, eat well.”
They set up the table, placed the churros on it, and sat side by side on the floor with their backs against the bed. As he bit into the warm, sugar-coated surface, the tension that had been tight in his shoulders just moments ago seemed to melt away. Yeoul sprinkled a little more chocolate sauce with a moved expression.
“Hyung should eat too.”
“I’m okay. Our baby should eat a lot.”
“I’m not a baby, you know? Starting tomorrow, I’m a dependable soldier.”
“Yes, sir, dependable Trainee Kim Yeoul.”
Yeoul grumbled and puffed out his shoulders. Then Kang Hyeseong reached out and kindly wiped Yeoul’s mouth. Seeing the chocolate sauce on his hand, embarrassment washed over him, but Yeoul deliberately pretended not to notice.
“Hyung, hyung. Is there anything I should know in advance or prepare…?”
“Hmm… Not really?”
“Don’t say that, give me some advice. I’m nervous.”
“Why are you so nervous? You can go comfortably.”
Of course hyung would be comfortable… Yeoul glanced at him with a sharp look. There’s no way Kang Hyeseong, who wears stars on his shoulders, could understand his position starting as a lowly trainee.
In the first place, since he awakened as S-rank, he was already a Major when he was commissioned at the young age of fourteen. He was seventeen when he was specially promoted to Lieutenant Colonel after saving countless people from an A-rank Gate that occurred in the middle of Seoul, and as soon as he turned twenty, he immediately received the rank of Colonel.
After that, Brigadier General, and now Major General… There was even an assertion that there would be no one in history who had been promoted as rapidly as Kang Hyeseong, so that said it all.
“Haaa… During basic physical training, we’ll be living together… What if everyone has a hard time because of me?”
Yeoul stamped his feet with an anxious face. Hyeseong, who had been quietly watching Yeoul, suddenly straightened his back.
“Shall we see if our Yeoul is a troublemaker or not?”
“Huh…?”
“Trainee Kim Yeoul. Sit. Stand. Get down. Low crawl, execute.”
“Uh, uh…?”
Yeoul’s eyes widened at the meaningful words. His eyes, which had only been playful, suddenly changed character. Eyes with an unfamiliar authority looked at Yeoul so intensely as if to penetrate him.
…What is this all of a sudden? Yeoul, with a bewildered face, knelt awkwardly while holding a churro. And froze in that position.
Is he seriously giving orders…? First of all, he’s my hyung, but anyway, he’ll be my superior now… So do I really have to do it?
Then Hyeseong suddenly turned his face and started laughing. Only then did Yeoul realize he was playing a prank and shouted.
“Ah, hyung! Really…!”
“Ha… Your flustered expression is so cute I could die.”
Seeing his broad shoulders shaking up and down, Yeoul fumed. Kang Hyeseong, who was laughing excitedly, was so, so annoying. He happened to see a pillow next to him and thought about throwing it at his face, but stopped for fear of spilling the churros and sauce.
“I was seriously wondering if I should do it! I was already nervous! Is it okay to do this to me, a lowly junior?!”
“Sorry, sorry. You were so admirable and cute.”
Yeoul put down the churro with a furious face. He was breathing heavily with anger when Hyeseong spread his arms wide. Then he embraced Yeoul and placed him on his lap.
In an instant, he was in a position snugly held by Kang Hyeseong. The subtle scent of his cologne wafted over. He was scared his fierce heartbeat might be heard since their chests and backs were touching. To make someone angry and then make them defenseless like this as if nothing happened… is really cheating.
When I was young, Kang Hyeseong used to put me on his lap like this often. But I’m a grown adult now. Although he didn’t like still being treated like a child, on the other hand… he liked being able to be in contact with Kang Hyeseong like this. He absolutely couldn’t deny that.
Even if doing this meant nothing to Kang Hyeseong. Even if he was just treating him like a child and teasing him without knowing his feelings.
Kang Hyeseong slowly stroked Yeoul’s hair. Rustle, rustle… Under the gentle touch, his heartbeat quickened even more. He tried to quietly escape from his embrace, but Kang Hyeseong instead held Yeoul more firmly and patted his chest.
“Like a soldier. Honestly, and diligently. That’s the usual advice given.”
“…Yeah.”
Ah, he’s finally going to give me serious advice. Yeoul forgot about fuming and perked up his ears. A pleasant resonance was transmitted from Hyeseong’s chest against his back.
“Our Yeoul is already doing well, so just be comfortable. You can learn the rest when you get there.”
“Really…?”
“Yeah. Really.”
The calm assertion instantly quelled his anxiety. Right, if Kang Hyeseong says so, then it must really be true. If nothing else, when it comes to work, he’s stricter and more meticulous than anyone.
“Still, it’s admirable. You have an excellent mindset as a trainee.”
“I guess…”
Now that he was actually hearing these words from Kang Hyeseong, it was a bit embarrassing. Yeoul coughed awkwardly and quietly escaped from his embrace.
Feeling embarrassed for no reason, Yeoul quickly picked up a churro and pushed it into his mouth. With each crunchy bite, the sweet cinnamon scent spread in his mouth.
“Yeoul. I heard from Auntie. You submitted a leave of absence form.”
“Ah… yeah. I had to.”
“It must have been unsettling. Suddenly taking a leave of absence when you were attending well.”
Hyeseong gently wiped Yeoul’s sugar-covered mouth with his hand.
“Awakening as a Guide, it’s still a bit bewildering, right?”
Unlike just moments ago when he was full of playfulness, at Hyeseong’s eyes that had become very serious, Yeoul just blinked. His heart, caring for him, was transmitted, tickling his chest.
“Uh… honestly, at first, I was a bit bewildered. Because it was something I didn’t expect at all. But I’m okay now. I’ve steeled my resolve too.”
Yeoul grinned. He didn’t want Kang Hyeseong to worry and fret over him.
“Since it’s come to this anyway, I’m going to become a cool soldier like you, hyung.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Of course, I won’t personally go to the battlefield and fight… but I want to gladly help the Espers who need my help. As a Guide.”
Most people only see and get excited about the glamorous parts of ability users who save the world. The abilities that attract everyone’s attention, and the astronomical compensation and treatment. If Yeoul hadn’t lived as Hyeseong’s neighbor since childhood, he might have been the same.
But Yeoul knew. The hardships of Espers that others don’t know in detail. He always worried about Hyeseong, who often couldn’t even sleep properly due to the fatigue accumulated to the limit in his body and the terrible trauma planted deep in his unconscious.
So when he learned he had awakened as a Guide, Yeoul steeled his resolve. Since it came to this anyway, he would work harder than anyone.
