The result was a great success.
He succeeded in awakening and could now fully control his Esper ability that had been faintly leaking out—namely, his therapy ability.
Honestly, Onyul hadn’t expected to succeed right away either, so he was flustered at first.
He didn’t think it was because Genesis’s experimental method was amazing. Rather, it seemed possible in such a short time because he was quite an outstanding Guide.
‘Maybe it might be possible for other ability users too.’
Onyul, who naturally thought like a Genesis fanatic, hastily shook his head. It would be quite dangerous unless they were ability users who had been Espers in their previous life like him.
Anyway, since then, Onyul had become a perfect hybrid who was both a Guide and an Esper.
He also cleanly recovered the therapy energy that had been subtly lingering in the convenience store. Now he wouldn’t hear strange talk about hand feel or whatever.
“Really? That’s disappointing…… I worked really hard yesterday and my condition got so bad, so I was looking forward to it.”
Still, Ji Sanghyeon had really worked hard, so should he use his therapy ability just a little?
Onyul, whose heart had softened, held Ji Sanghyeon’s fingertips as he looked quite upset.
When he operated the energy gathered below his abdomen, therapy energy flowed from his fingertips.
That power that raised the condition of Espers, Guides, and even ordinary people regardless of compatibility.
As soon as the energy extended, a big exclamation mark appeared on Ji Sanghyeon’s face.
“……!”
A word flowed out through his parted teeth in surprise.
“This is…….”
Onyul quickly let go of Ji Sanghyeon’s hand and asked.
“How is it? Does what the drunk Esper said seem right?”
“Yes, totally. I want to hold it one more time…….”
“Well, it’s not a difficult task. It’s just holding hands.”
Onyul easily grabbed Ji Sanghyeon’s fingertips again.
Of course, this time he didn’t operate his therapy ability. If he used his ability consecutively, it would look strange to Ji Sanghyeon too.
“How is it?”
“Mm. I feel really good though?”
“……That can’t be.”
This time, Ji Sanghyeon let go of Onyul’s hand first.
“I guess it’s because Manager’s hands are soft. I’m an ordinary person, so there’s nothing more for me to feel or say.”
Well. For someone who had only suffered hardship, Kang Ian’s hands were indeed soft. Kang Ian’s pure white hands formed in Onyul’s vision.
“Then I’ll be clocking out now. See you tonight!”
Ji Sanghyeon left the convenience store as if he’d seen everything he needed to see.
Onyul, finally alone, began to look around the convenience store. The cash was accurate, and the product organization was perfect.
Ji Sanghyeon’s work handling was excellent to the point where he wondered if this was really someone’s first day working at a convenience store.
The only strange thing was his text messages.
‘Does he really like part-time work?’
Onyul thought he should hire one more part-timer at this opportunity. As for money, he’d received enough from Na Geonwoo, and what he needed was time.
Since Ji Sanghyeon was weekday nights, it seemed good to find someone for weekend nights or weekday afternoons.
As soon as he posted on the job site, an applicant’s text came quickly. As if they’d been waiting for the job posting.
[Hello…… I…… want to apply for the afternoon part-time job……. But you don’t have to hire me……. It’s not because I want to do it but…… anyway, I have no choice but to apply.]
“What on earth does this mean? Do they want to do it or not?”
Anyone would think someone pushed them from behind to apply for the part-time job.
Onyul sent a reply telling them to visit. It was better to hire a part-timer quickly.
Since morning, ability users and staff belonging to the Management Bureau had been coming in and out of the convenience store. Shadows occasionally fell on the faces of the ability users who seemed to have come expecting something.
They probably seemed disappointed because they couldn’t feel the energy they wanted.
‘They won’t be able to feel it anymore. Hmph.’
Then the number of ability users coming in and out of this convenience store would decrease now.
It was exactly what Onyul wanted.
At that moment, a person who made Onyul’s eyes widen opened the convenience store door and entered.
“…….”
The man with a hardened expression examined the inside of the convenience store without even greeting. The ability users in the convenience store also flinched in surprise as soon as they spotted the man and bobbed their heads.
“C-Center Director. Hello.”
The man was Guide Center Director Park Hanil.
The gaze that was unpleasantly sweeping through the convenience store also reached Onyul. He examined Onyul closely from head to toe.
Even though he felt bad as if he’d become a displayed product, Onyul smiled.
“Customer, is there something you’re looking for?”
If it had been another ability user, he would have acted like an angry cat, but to Park Hanil, he answered kindly instead.
The other party was the Guide Center Director.
If he carelessly offended him, troublesome matters would obviously arise, and above all, he needed to figure out why he came here first.
Park Hanil recited a bold request.
“May I hold your hand?”
Hearing that question, he seemed to understand why he came all the way to the convenience store in person.
‘He came to see for himself whether I’m the cat helmet.’
You’re way too late, you know?
He probably did investigate, but Park Hanil didn’t seem to think a Guide estimated to be S-rank would be running a small convenience store.
That’s why he probably ignored it even when he heard the strange rumor about the famous hand feel convenience store.
He was a hierarchical person, so he probably thought it was right for S-ranks to live like S-ranks, to live according to their grade.
But when he couldn’t quite figure out the cat helmet’s identity, he must have hurriedly come belatedly.
“Didn’t I ask? Whether I could hold your hand.”
Park Hanil’s voice was faintly tinged with annoyance.
It was something he’d heard twice today.
Onyul’s answer was consistent.
“Customer, I don’t sell hands.”
Whether it was Gu Baekyoung or Park Hanil, even if the Management Bureau Director came, Onyul had no intention of selling his hands. Even if he’d perfectly contained his energy so nothing could be felt.
Park Hanil laughed absurdly with a “huh,” then soon took out a business card from his pocket.
“I’m this kind of person. You don’t need to be too wary.”
“…….”
Onyul, who remained silent, stared at Park Hanil’s business card and thought.
‘Should I hold his hand or not?’
The thought of not particularly offending him persisted. Now his ability wouldn’t leak out anyway, so it was fine to hold his hand.
But he couldn’t suppress his inexplicable irritation. He couldn’t forget how he’d treated him as a prospective criminal and threatened him in front of many people.
At that moment, the phone placed on the counter vibrated briefly and someone’s message appeared.
[Tell me anytime if you need me.]
He could tell who the sender was without checking. Onyul’s gaze quickly swept through the glass window.
He thought he might see a somewhat disguised Gu Baekyoung, but he wasn’t visible anywhere.
‘Where is he watching from?’
They’d parted near the convenience store this morning.
Gu Baekyoung went to the Management Bureau as usual, and Onyul headed to the convenience store. He seemed like he wanted to go to the convenience store too, but couldn’t come because of watching eyes.
He thought they’d parted like that, but it seemed he was watching from somewhere.
Well…… actually, he was slightly bothered because he wasn’t too visible. How many times had he glanced at the glass window?
It’s absolutely not that he was worried!
Just…… he wondered if Gu Baekyoung, who stupidly only followed him around, had changed in the meantime…… if a person’s heart would change that easily, then was it right to easily say let’s date because he likes him……. That’s why it was like that.
‘Hmph, so he was nearby after all.’
It was quite commendable that he didn’t interfere even though he knew Park Hanil had entered the convenience store. Given Gu Baekyoung’s personality, it wouldn’t have been strange if he’d stormed straight into the convenience store and grabbed Park Hanil by the collar.
Thanks to Gu Baekyoung’s cute antics, his irritation subsided a bit.
“What are you doing?”
Seeing Onyul not budging even though he’d given him his business card, Park Hanil’s patience showed its bottom.
Onyul put away his thoughts about Gu Baekyoung and made a decision.
“I don’t know why such an impressive person is doing this, but…… just once.”
He wanted to refuse holding hands with Park Hanil even if given billions.
But he thought he should hold his hand for the distant future. Because Gu Baekyoung had removed his irritation, he could make a rational judgment.
“Hurry.”
The briefly urging voice was tinged with impatience.
“…….”
Onyul deliberately raised his hand a beat late.
Finally, the two people’s hands touched.
Park Hanil tightly gripped Onyul’s hand without saying anything.
More force than necessary was applied. It was an explicit momentum, as if to crush the other party.
However, as if he couldn’t feel what he’d expected, Park Hanil’s brow furrowed minutely. His grip strength that had been crushing Onyul’s hand also weakened.
Soon Park Hanil roughly let go of Onyul’s hand.
Visibly upset, he strongly opened the convenience store door and left. The result could be known without asking.
‘You couldn’t feel anything, could you? It was a waste of time, wasn’t it?’
Suppressing the laughter that wanted to come out, he recited the words he should say as a convenience store owner.
“Have a safe trip!”
The words he uttered were tinged with laughter he couldn’t quite hide.
Onyul ended up giggling while covering his mouth with his sleeve.
It felt refreshing. It felt like the irritation that had been boiling until just before had been cleanly washed away.
