What if someone saw him wink?
Fortunately, it looked closer to frowning around his eyes than a wink.
Onyul surreptitiously looked around. He wondered if there was anyone who witnessed Gu Baekyoung winking at him…
“…!”
His eyes met Ji Sanghyeon’s exactly. His light-colored eyes didn’t leave Onyul.
Onyul swallowed his dry saliva, and almost simultaneously, the smile on Ji Sanghyeon’s lips deepened.
“Store Manager-nim.”
…Did he see?
“That’s…”
Ji Sanghyeon spoke to Onyul, whose words trailed off.
“Can I eat just one of those triangle kimbap? I came out without eating breakfast, so I’m hungry.”
Didn’t he see?
“The aged kimchi tuna that’s been a rice thief lately is delicious. Aged kimchi? It was the first time I ate it in my life, but it was quite tasty. So this is why they ferment food.”
Ji Sanghyeon, who called himself a young master from a rich family, was serious. As if recalling the sourness of aged kimchi, he even licked his lips with the tip of his tongue.
“…Eat it. Drink beverages too. You can eat whatever you want. Yu Wooyoung-ssi too!”
Even though participating in the event seemed bothersome, they came to help without arguing as soon as he asked. Onyul planned to provide everything to the two part-timers for free.
“Wow, Store Manager-nim is the best after all.”
“I-I’ll eat well…”
Yu Wooyoung, who seemed thoroughly intimidated by the crowd, timidly picked up a triangle kimbap.
After calming the two people’s hungry stomachs and looking at the plaza again, he could see the Alpha Team seated.
Gu Baekyoung wasn’t even looking in Onyul’s direction, as if he had never winked. Oh my, pretending to act, are we?
Then he raised his hand to greet some of the people in the spectator seats, and each time he did, cheers burst out.
It seemed he was still carrying out the ‘guy who smiles even if you give him a hundred won’ strategy.
Gu Baekyoung, loved by everyone and kind to anyone.
That was definitely what Onyul had hoped for.
But when he saw that appearance directly before his eyes, for some reason it bothered him. Gu Baekyoung was a guy who only looked at me, only followed me…
Onyul shook his head from side to side.
‘No! Today is an important day. Let’s not worry about unnecessary things.’
Fortunately, as customers also began to pour in, there was no more time to worry about Gu Baekyoung.
When the two part-timers were busy responding to customers, Onyul briefly wrote a note to send to Na Geonwoo.
[I think I saw something strange inside the gate. It’s highly likely my mistake, but please be careful anyway.]
It seemed he should send the message through Kiki before it got busier. He tied the note to Kiki’s trident-shaped leg.
“Deliver it to Team Leader-nim.”
-Piii!
Kiki, who made a resounding cry as if answering, flew off into the distance.
The guy slipped right into Na Geonwoo’s jacket, avoiding people’s eyes. It was a speed that wouldn’t be noticed unless you were watching intently.
Whew, shall I focus on work for a bit now?
“Customer, I’ll help you with the payment over here.”
It was just when he was frantically calculating. The voice of the Management Bureau Director announcing the start of the event rang out.
“Respected citizens and ability users.”
At that opening, the murmuring sounds stopped in an instant.
Standing on the platform was Gu Hyeonseok, whom he had bumped into recently.
Dressed in a neat three-piece suit, he inspired trust just by looking at him thanks to his solid build and refreshing impression.
The eyes of the citizens looking at him contained an air of admiration. The Management Bureau staff and Espers also generally seemed to view him positively.
It was different from Park Hanil, who was branded as a villain and a bad guy. He had not shown himself at the event, perhaps because of recently oppressing the cat helmet.
Anyway, Onyul didn’t trust Gu Hyeonseok like other people did. He had no ill feelings toward him. It was just that the emblem he seemed to have dropped recently bothered him.
That emblem with Genesis’s mark drawn on it.
Could there be no relationship between Gu Hyeonseok and Genesis?
Did he also obtain that emblem while following Genesis’s footsteps that hadn’t completely disappeared?
“This occasion today has been prepared to show you directly how we are responding to the threats we face—the reality of it.”
After choosing his words briefly, he gazed at the fake gate created by the Espers.
“From numerous unauthorized organizations to gate disasters that could occur anytime, anywhere. The Management Bureau exists to protect citizens from all those threats.”
Everyone was nodding. It was an atmosphere of agreeing with Gu Hyeonseok’s words.
“And we have already proven that role through numerous operations and responses.”
As soon as Gu Hyeonseok finished speaking, a round of applause poured out.
“The ‘Gate Response Training’ that will be conducted today is not a simple demonstration. You will confirm how swiftly and accurately the Management Bureau controls gates and eliminates threats in an environment identical to actual combat.”
He turned his gaze to the side and scanned the waiting Esper teams.
“And at the center of that are the outstanding Espers gathered here.”
Waaah— this time too, shouts burst out.
“The Management Bureau values talented individuals with ability and responsibility above all else. Because they are the strongest shield and sword that support this world.”
At that moment, Gu Hyeonseok’s gaze suddenly turned in an unexpected direction.
“…”
Surprisingly, he looked at Onyul. At him standing dumbfounded at the mini convenience store located close to the spectator seats.
The one who turned his gaze first was Gu Hyeonseok. He continued his speech nonchalantly like someone whose eyes happened to meet by chance.
“Please watch closely until the end how the Management Bureau is protecting the Republic of Korea.”
Was their eyes meeting really a coincidence?
Ever since the event started, uncomfortable things kept happening. Onyul let out a sigh filled with complicated feelings.
At that moment, fireworks celebrating the opening began to burst. Ji Sanghyeon whispered in Onyul’s ear while watching the colorful display.
“It will be quite an interesting festival.”
Just then, red-colored fireworks burst. Under that red light, Ji Sanghyeon’s smile looked somehow eerie.
Come to think of it, Ji Sanghyeon didn’t seem to like the Alpha Team very much…
All sorts of thoughts came to mind because the uncomfortable feeling wouldn’t go away.
What could Ji Sanghyeon, an ordinary person, do even if he doesn’t like the Alpha Team?
“Of course it should be fun.”
“If a dangerous situation arises, you must stay close to me. I’m quite sturdy for an or.di.na.ry per.son, you know.”
“…A dangerous situation?”
“I’m just saying just in case.”
Ji Sanghyeon’s hand lightly touched the tip of Onyul’s hair.
“So don’t go too far.”
“…”
“Because if you’re in my sight, I can help or protect you, whichever it is.”
Onyul distanced himself from Ji Sanghyeon.
“Ji Sanghyeon-ssi.”
“Yes, Store Manager-nim.”
“Just do the calculations.”
“…”
Ji Sanghyeon looked at Onyul with hurt eyes.
It was a face that seemed to expect an answer like ‘I’ll trust you, please help me!’
Geez, I’m an Esper and a Guide, so why would I receive help from an ordinary person!
Onyul shook his head from side to side.
This is why they say young masters who’ve never gotten their hands wet lack a sense of reality.
***
The rules for Espers participating in the gate response event were simple.
Rankings were determined by how many fake monsters they killed in the same environment by wearing control bracelets that made participants’ ability output equal.
In preparation for any unforeseen circumstances, several Espers including Na Geonwoo watched the situation without wearing control bracelets.
In many ways, the possibility of something bad happening was slim.
‘Is it a needless worry?’
Even the note containing a warning was safely delivered to Na Geonwoo, and Kiki had returned. Na Geonwoo would also be more alert than usual, so it would really be okay.
No, it had to be okay.
When the Espers participating in the ranking competition came out to the plaza, the waiting reporters rushed in.
Flashes flickered, and camera shutter sounds burst out incessantly. Questions from reporters who held out microphones poured out from all directions.
“Are you confident about this training?”
“What ranking are you aiming for?”
“What is your strategy?”
In that commotion, the one who drew attention by far was Gu Baekyoung.
“Esper Gu Baekyoung! Please give us a word of your determination before entering the gate!”
Last year, Gu Baekyoung had only answered briefly with a stiff face, ‘I will do my best.’ But today’s him pulled down his mask and even smiled.
Soon after, a shocking message even flowed from his lips.
“I will win with the power of love. That is all.”
“Kyaaah!”
The venue instantly became chaotic. Everyone seemed to have fallen for Gu Baekyoung.
“…”
Onyul groaned inwardly without being able to show it.
He must be crazy. Why is he like that again?
But strangely, his face kept heating up. As if he didn’t dislike the declaration that he would win with the power of love.
