“Yeah, that’s right. I’m not just your dedicated Esper.”
Kang Hyeseong calmly affirmed.
“Just as you’re the most special person to me, I’m that kind of person to you too.”
His assertion was solid, leaving no room for doubt. Over ten years of time spent together—just the two of them—supported that fact.
The bitterness that had been evident in Kang Hyeseong’s voice moments ago was now nowhere to be found. He looked satisfied, but he didn’t stop there.
“How much does our Yeoul like hyung?”
“…Why are you asking something like that?”
“Hurry up.”
When Kang Hyeseong was stubborn like this, no one could break him. Yeoul couldn’t escape from his arms that held him without any gaps.
Mixing each other’s body heat, sharing each other’s wavelengths… The fact that, for now, they were the only ones who could share this with each other was nothing short of hopeful torture.
“…I…”
“Yeah.”
“I like hyung… the most in the world.”
So, as if possessed, he answered. Even while doing so, he hoped that Hyeseong wouldn’t notice the deep sincerity seeping into his voice. He wished he’d hear it as words coming from Kim Yeoul from his snotty-nosed childhood days instead. Because Kang Hyeseong always had.
A low laugh traveled through his chest.
“Good boy.”
The voice that praised him gently like a whisper was achingly sweet. As was the hand stroking his hair.
Kang Hyeseong was someone who couldn’t misunderstand his words even if he tried to, so what was he even worrying about?
He was delighted beyond measure that he’d been helpful to him, yet at the same time felt bitter. Even while being held this closely, he would still remain—and forever would remain—the seven-year-old Kim Yeoul to him.
If, though such a thing wouldn’t happen, but just supposing…
…Will there ever come a day when I express these feelings to Kang Hyeseong?
If so, what expression would Kang Hyeseong make? What kind of face would he show me? If he knew that my feelings for him weren’t the kind of pure emotions he thinks they are.
He probably wouldn’t openly show his distaste. Because he’s an adult. He would draw a line clearly and firmly, but still, he wouldn’t completely push me away.
Because we’ve known each other since childhood and have become so close we can’t be separated even if we tried. Because not just hyung and I, but our families are firmly intertwined too. And because I’m already his… dedicated Guide, bound by contract.
‘……’
He didn’t want to imagine it. The image of Kang Hyeseong feeling awkward around me, but trying hard to thoroughly separate personal from professional.
Yeoul hugged his solid body tighter with a light sigh. Thump, thump. Hoping he wouldn’t notice his heartbeat, which was beating fast and strong even in this moment.
The wavelength reading on the measurement device was still slowly, gradually decreasing.
***
A siren began blaring loudly through the speakers attached to the R1 Team office ceiling. Code Orange and Code Red were transmitted consecutively.
When Yeoul showed a flustered expression at the different gate information flowing out endlessly, Esper Hyun Junho tapped his shoulder and explained.
“This happens sometimes too. Multiple gates occurring all at once.”
“Ah…”
“The lower-level gates would’ve been handled by other units dispatching right now, and it means there are three gates left that are the biggest and most dangerous.”
He raised his thumb lifelessly with a smile in his clouded eyes. Kang Hyeseong, who had just burst through the office door, gave orders at a rapid pace.
“I’ll take the A-rank gate that occurred in Seodaemun-gu. The B-rank gate in Eunpyeong-gu is open-type, so Hyun Junho, Jung Dasol, and Guide Lee Bora—the three of you will handle it. And…”
His gaze briefly rested on Yeoul before falling away.
“The B-rank gate in Jongno-gu will be handled by Esper Seo Giwon and Guide Kim Yeoul. It’s currently closed-type, but we don’t know when it might transform into open-type, and since it’s quite large, be careful about wavelength loss. That’s all. Any questions?”
“No, sir!”
The R1 Team members answered while straightening their backs. While everyone moved nimbly, preparing for dispatch, Yeoul also packed his guiding kit with a pounding heart. This was the first time dispatching separately from Kang Hyeseong.
‘I can’t be a burden.’
If they were specially assigning him, a Guide, to Esper Seo Giwon, who normally received guiding from the support team, it meant the gate was that dangerous and there was a high possibility field guiding would be needed. He couldn’t help but be nervous.
They boarded the military vehicles waiting on the first floor of the main building, divided into their respective teams. Yeoul, who had climbed into the back seat alongside Seo Giwon, chewed his lips and anxiously looked out the window.
This was his first time guiding someone other than Kang Hyeseong—would he be able to do well? What if he passed out like last time? …No, but since he was managing to cover even S-rank Kang Hyeseong reasonably well, he wouldn’t… pass out, right?
Just then, a large hand covered Yeoul’s knee.
“Yeoul, are you nervous?”
“I-I’m fine.”
Yeoul smiled awkwardly while subtly wiping the sweat pooled in his palms on his combat uniform pants. Seo Giwon grinned and comforted him.
“Don’t worry too much. If you can guide the Team Leader, you’re really good. For someone like me, it’ll be a piece of cake, right?”
“Ah… I’ll do my best.”
“Why go all the way to ‘best’? Be comfortable, comfortable. Relax your shoulders a bit.”
Looking at his face smiling like a mischievous kid, Yeoul felt his frozen-tight nerves gradually melting.
Anyway, I’m really blessed with good seniors… Yeoul felt genuinely grateful as he loosened his tense shoulders.
Upon arriving at the scene, they immediately saw the gate. Deployed police officers were controlling civilians, and several military vehicles from other units were parked haphazardly.
This gate had formed spanning a public parking lot and the adjacent lot, and with several victims trapped inside the gate, the situation was urgent. Espers from nearby units who had rushed over after receiving the dispatch call were attacking the gate while proceeding with the rescue of civilians inside.
“Oh, it’s still closed-type. Then I’ll hurry and get back before that thing opens!”
“Yes, sir! Please be careful!”
Seo Giwon, who had checked the gate type as soon as they arrived at the scene, immediately leaped inside the gate. Yeoul swallowed dryly and moved away from the gate, keeping sufficient distance as per protocol. Seeing the temporary tent for Guides set up by other units, Yeoul waited there with several other Guides for the gate to be cleared.
About 30 minutes passed like that. The victims who could move walked out of the gate first, followed by several Espers supporting injured civilians as they came out.
Yeoul jumped up and left the tent. As he waited anxiously, he saw Seo Giwon walking out of the gate last. With his exit, the hole that had been gaping open began to gradually shrink.
Slightly disheveled hair and appearance, and labored breathing. Yeoul immediately sensed that he needed guiding. He put on his guiding gloves and approached him.
“Esper-nim, I’ll guide you. Is it okay to measure your levels?”
“Huh? Yeah. I’d totally appreciate it if you did.”
Seo Giwon smiled with a tired face. While Yeoul stood on tiptoe to attach a patch to the nape of his neck, he obediently bent his knees.
67%. He was in a state requiring guiding without delay. Yeoul led him into the military vehicle and sat him in the back seat. Then he sat in the seat next to him and closed the door.
“Then, I’ll begin guiding.”
“Yeah-. Thank you.”
Seo Giwon, who answered languidly, extended his hand. Soon after, the two people’s hands carefully overlapped. Trying to shake off his nervousness, Yeoul took a deep breath. He closed his eyes and concentrated, feeling Seo Giwon’s wavelength that he was receiving for the first time.
Befitting a fire-attribute Esper, his wavelength was hot and rough. It was completely opposite from Kang Hyeseong’s, which surged like a tidal wave and seemed like it would freeze him chillingly to the bone.
However, the intensity or strength itself couldn’t be compared to his. The overwhelming feeling he’d experienced when first facing Kang Hyeseong’s wavelength had been close to daunting. But Seo Giwon’s, perhaps because he was also A-rank, was much less burdensome in comparison.
He instinctively judged that guiding would be possible. Yeoul continued taking deep breaths as he accepted his wavelength into his body. He fully contained the hot energy being transmitted through their hands in his chest, then gradually released his purification wavelength and mixed it in.
How many minutes had they been holding hands like this? It felt like about 15 minutes.
“…Wow.”
At Seo Giwon’s voice, Yeoul opened his eyes. What he immediately saw was the number 55% displayed on the measurement device. Yeoul inhaled with a bewildered face. In such a short time, dropping by such a large margin…?
The surprised person wasn’t just Yeoul. Esper Seo Giwon’s eyes sparkled with a flushed face. The unusual gleam in his eyes was exactly like that of a traveler who had discovered water in a desert.
“Yeoul. Your guiding is so… so good. How can this be possible?”
