# Chapter 76
Jiwon was staring intently at Suhyun’s hand that he was holding.
The angle of his grip felt strange.
Had he always held it this way?
His palm seemed to be sweating…
‘Is my posture awkward?’
Jiwon tried to adjust his position by twisting his body this way and that, but nothing changed. His mind was still filled with all sorts of worries.
The Guiding itself was no different from usual. However, Jiwon’s condition wasn’t particularly good.
It had been a week since Adam, the Director of the American Ability Users Association, had brought S-class Espers to Korea and was driven out.
Many things had changed during that time.
All the Association executives who had caused this mess had resigned. They seemed to have fled of their own accord before being forced out.
Later, Jiwon heard that Suhyun had directly attacked the Association Chairman, but with the consecutive resignations of the executives, no one raised it as an issue.
First of all, regardless of how significant their mistakes were, Suhyun was the one who had saved them from the danger of Korea’s only S-class Guide being kidnapped or the country turning into a sea of fire.
“…”
Thanks to this, the Association underwent a major reorganization. The positions vacated by those who had abandoned their posts and fled were filled with practical staff who could immediately carry on with the work.
One of them was Jo Wooyeon. He now carried the impressive title of Guide Division Director.
He had risen to the position of Director that was created when the Association was divided into the Guide Division, Esper Division, and Research & Development Division.
Starting with him, Kang Songi, who had been with the Association and had worked as a B-class Esper for over 20 years, was appointed as the Esper Division Director. Seo Rang, who was originally the Research Team Leader, was appointed as the R&D Division Director.
The research team typically concealed their names and faces for personal protection, but Jiwon had heard that as Seo Rang took on the title of Division Director, she began participating directly in all meetings.
‘What does it matter…’
In truth, whatever happened was outside of Jiwon’s immediate concern.
Jiwon shook his head vigorously and tried to concentrate on the Guiding again. His hand still felt awkward.
Ever since overwhelming the American Espers and sharing a rather intense kiss with Suhyun whose stability had suddenly dropped, Jiwon had been in this state.
In other words… something felt awkward and embarrassing to the point that it was unbearable.
“The Guiding isn’t strange, right?”
What was what.
He had been doing Guiding for 10 years, yet now he was suddenly questioning whether he was doing it properly.
“…Yes.”
Suhyun answered briefly to Jiwon’s question. It was a completely unhelpful response.
Actually, Jiwon knew. That Suhyun was also feeling uncomfortable around him right now.
Ever since momentarily losing himself while desperately seeking Guiding, Suhyun hadn’t been able to properly meet Jiwon’s eyes.
Well, Jiwon’s situation wasn’t much different.
‘It’s hard to forget. And thinking about it makes me more self-conscious.’
The heated sensation he felt at that time couldn’t have been more vivid.
Not just that. The scene of Suhyun taking off his clothes to hand them to him was imprinted in his mind as clearly as if it had been photographed.
He could describe in detail every aspect of the scent when he wore Suhyun’s clothes, the lingering warmth, and the soft texture.
‘I’m going to lose my mind.’
Literally, he was going to lose his mind.
It even felt like he was going through an untimely adolescence.
It was no different from experiencing first love, wasn’t it?
‘Listen to me talking about first love.’
He almost let out a hollow laugh. Jiwon pressed his lips tightly to suppress the laughter.
It wasn’t particularly something to be proud of. First love at this point? It wasn’t even funny. And with Suhyun of all people.
‘…Does Esper-nim have someone?’
His idle thoughts led to curiosity.
Jiwon didn’t know much about Suhyun. The two weren’t close enough to share their experiences with each other.
Holding hands and even kissing, yet not being close—it was ironic, but that was the reality.
Jiwon glanced at Suhyun.
What was his school life like? Before becoming an Esper.
He must have been popular, of course. How could he not be with that face?
Then, had he dated before? He seemed like someone who wouldn’t have, being so taciturn… but surprisingly, he seemed like someone who would treat his partner well.
“…Haah.”
At that point in his thoughts, Jiwon inadvertently let out a sigh.
It was because a subtle feeling of jealousy arose over a partner who might not have even existed.
“Why are you sighing?”
Suhyun asked curiously at Jiwon’s sudden sigh. Their eyes met briefly, but simultaneously, as if planned, both their gazes rolled in different directions.
“Just…”
How should he answer?
Because Guiding suddenly feels awkward.
That’s out. It would be like advertising that he was preoccupied with that incident.
Because I suddenly became curious about his school days, specifically Suhyun’s first love.
That would be even worse. He’d be lucky if Suhyun didn’t take offense.
“Ah.”
For something like this, Jiwon’s mind raced quickly to find an excuse. Then, remembering something that had been bothering him for a while, Jiwon hastily blurted out.
“I’m concerned about what Adam said.”
It might not be proper to say about himself, but he seemed to have a decent ability to avoid crises.
Jiwon was relieved that he had voiced a question that perfectly suited the situation.
“That bastard…, I mean, um, he threatened to go after your parents, Esper-nim. Are you okay?”
He had been curious but hadn’t been able to find the right timing to ask.
Adam had mentioned Suhyun’s parents living in LA. It might have been something he said randomly, hoping to unsettle Suhyun, but it was something that couldn’t be ignored.
So he had already mentioned this to Jo Wooyeon, and Wooyeon said he would discuss this with the American Association as well.
Probably nothing serious would come of it. If something happened to Suhyun’s parents, the international community would widely learn that they had tried to kill the only Esper and Guide who could solve the Riska dungeon.
But he had never heard how Suhyun felt about it. Perhaps he wanted to bring them to Korea? If so, Jiwon would go all out to help…
“I’m fine.”
Suhyun’s delayed response abruptly halted Jiwon’s thoughts.
There was no particular concern detectable in his straightforward answer.
Did he think they would handle it themselves?
It was true that Jiwon had heard Adam had been removed from his position as Association Director. But that wouldn’t make it completely easy to relax.
“Aren’t you worried?”
Could he be pretending to be okay? There’s no need for that.
With a somehow sympathetic heart, Jiwon asked again. Suhyun, who had been lost in thought without even blinking, turned his head toward Jiwon.
“…Is that the appropriate response?”
And instead, he asked back. As if asking whether he had to be worried.
Jiwon couldn’t readily answer.
It was because he clearly felt the emotional distance Suhyun had with his parents. Whatever their relationship was, it was certain that Suhyun wasn’t concerned about them.
“Well…”
Suhyun is a person with compassion for humans and a strong sense of responsibility as a powerful Esper.
He couldn’t bear to see people harmed and actively tried to ensure their safety.
For someone like him to show such a cold gaze meant that his parents must have done something wrong.
Otherwise, Suhyun wouldn’t react like this.
“You don’t necessarily have to.”
“…”
“It’s better if you’re not bothered by it, actually.”
Jiwon came to a cheerful conclusion. He hated his own parents, so why should Suhyun have to like his?
Though the situations were a bit different, everyone had their own stories.
“I thought maybe you were holding back because the Association seems chaotic. If that’s not the case, then it’s fine.”
Jiwon shrugged. Then he looked at their well-entwined hands. Just saying a few words had made things less awkward than before.
“…They won’t want to.”
Meanwhile, Suhyun murmured softly.
“Pardon?”
“They won’t want to come to Korea.”
It was about his parents.
Jiwon nodded slowly.
Why they wouldn’t come, what his relationship with his parents was like, and as he’d noticed before, why he referred to his parents so respectfully.
Small curiosities bubbled up, but Jiwon kept his mouth shut. It was too personal to pry into.
At least he knew that Suhyun also didn’t want them to come, and that was enough.
“Well then, there’s nothing more to worry about.”
Jiwon smiled softly. Then he gripped Suhyun’s hand a little tighter.
He just wanted to do that. Suhyun didn’t particularly avoid Jiwon’s touch. His body, which had been tense all this time, seemed to relax.
Only then did Jiwon’s heartbeat settle down to its usual calm state.
The wavelength that had felt somewhat sensitive also became docile. Jiwon slowly closed his eyes.
