But his noonas didn’t seem to mind at all being restricted in many things under the premise of “because we’re Espers.” At least that’s how it felt to Ilkyung.
When his noonas found their matches, they couldn’t have been happier, as if they’d met their destined partners. Moreover, his eldest noona and second noona who got married even imprinted. Being the same rank, having a high matching rate, and being able to form an imprint on top of that—it required many coincidences and destinies to overlap. It wasn’t possible just because their bodies were compatible, nor was it possible just because the matching rate was high. Matching rate, mutual feelings toward each other, and even physical compatibility all had to align—that was imprinting.
Like yesterday’s Esper Do, the Guide could be the same level but have a terrible matching rate, and not everyone who wanted to imprint could do so. Setting that aside, who knows how a person’s future will turn out, yet to imprint! Ilkyung thought that was truly remarkable and even recklessly courageous.
“It’s a question of what comes first—love or the matching rate test. So yesterday I heard the Espers talking, saying shouldn’t people date after taking the matching rate test first.”
Come to think of it, those two were peculiar. They weren’t even each other’s pairs and hadn’t taken a matching rate test—what connection could they possibly have had to start dating? Human relationships and falling in love were truly incomprehensible.
“But do Espers think they can choose their Guide?”
“It’s probably like that. Generally, people think Espers are superior to Guides.”
Ilkyung nodded. Even among ability users, it seemed people thought Guides existed because Espers existed. Guides were close to ordinary people except for guiding Espers.
“It’s a complicated matter.”
“Yeah, it is. For a while, Esper Do and Guide Ian will keep being talked about. If the two of them have a poor matching rate, honestly, there’s no benefit for Esper Do.”
“People don’t date for benefits, but yeah, that’s true.”
For ability users, many things seemed both easier than expected yet complicated. Who would love someone for benefits?
* * *
It was a quiet, uneventful day. How nice would it be if days like this continued? But days without any incidents or dispatches were extremely rare. The quiet office was filled with the tap-tap-tap of keyboards and…
“Cough, ahem, ahem.”
Only the small sounds Ilkyung made could be heard.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. My throat’s a bit ticklish, but I’ll be okay.”
“Must be because you got rained on yesterday.”
But to readily agree with those words felt a bit embarrassing. Ilkyung got less wet than Director Ha Daehoon, and when he caught a glimpse of Director Ha at lunchtime earlier, he looked perfectly fine.
“I’ll rest well at home today and be fine right away.”
Who would fall ill from getting a bit wet in May! I’m still young! As Ilkyung thought this, he frowned deeply. Ah, right. The movie!
No, even if they were pretending to date, still—who watches a movie together? On a Friday evening at that. Couldn’t they just pretend to be together casually? Ilkyung thought this while pressing his throbbing head firmly.
But as if to say don’t even think such thoughts, Director Ha Daehoon contacted him precisely 5 minutes before 4 o’clock. At the Center, every Friday under the name of “Family Day,” they left work 2 hours earlier than usual. Come to think of it, the Center was truly a dream workplace for Ilkyung. If only Director Ha Daehoon weren’t there, it would be perfect.
*Come down to the parking lot.*
Should I just say I’m sick? But Director Ha Daehoon was completely fine! It felt oddly like losing, which hurt his pride. And if he postponed this appointment, Director Ha Daehoon would probably threaten him again and get under his skin.
As soon as 4 o’clock struck, Ilkyung shouldered his bag and greeted people. Then he led his heavy-as-a-thousand-pounds feet down to the parking lot.
“He really drives a car just like himself.”
Ilkyung muttered as he headed toward the sleekly streamlined black sedan. In front of it, Daehoon was leaning languidly with a cigarette in his mouth. It looked like a painting or a pictorial. Perhaps because it was Friday, he wasn’t wearing his usual three-piece suit.
Director Ha in a light outfit of black slacks and a sky-blue knit sweater raised his large hand in greeting. Perhaps because his hair was down, he didn’t look his age at all. How old did they say he was? Ilkyung vaguely heard it when they were matchmaking, and he remembered he probably wasn’t in his early thirties. Right, that’s why Ilkyung asked his mom if she was planning to sell off his noona.
*’Dressed like that, he looks like he’s in his late twenties.’*
Ilkyung looked at Daehoon and indulged in a newfound sentiment for a moment.
“You’re here? Let’s watch a movie and have dinner. Are you very hungry?”
“No, I’m fine.”
It wasn’t time to be hungry yet. More than that, he really wanted to go home. His heart was like a chimney wanting to just go home, collapse and sleep.
Life, why is this year really like this—along with that thought, that quack shaman came to mind again. He should go to that house and demand they return the fortune-telling fee. He should tell his mom never to go to that house again, but he’d been so hectic and busy he hadn’t said anything. He thought he really must go today and tell her that, urging her repeatedly.
“You don’t look like you want to go.”
“What? No, it’s not like that.”
“Come on, cooperate a bit. We’re dating, after all.”
Fuck, that damn “dating.” Three more weeks to go! A month was much, much longer than expected.
Director Ha personally opened the passenger door for him.
“I’m not a woman, you know?”
“What does that matter? If we’re lovers, this much is basic.”
Ilkyung frowned at Daehoon’s words. As Ilkyung sat in the passenger seat, Daehoon followed and sat in the driver’s seat.
“How about it, shall I fasten your seatbelt too?”
“No, I can do it myself. And it’s just a contract relationship—do we really need to go this far? We just need to pretend, don’t we?”
When Ilkyung spoke sulkily, Daehoon answered leisurely while starting the car.
“Because we don’t know where or how we might be seen.”
“Then won’t my face and who I am be completely exposed? That’s different from what you said at first, Director.”
“Don’t worry about that. Even if they know, my grandfather won’t call Ilkyung-ssi out separately to splash water on your face or thrust bundles of cash at you. The moment he does that, I told him I’d leave Korea.”
Ilkyung thought, what kind of great weapon is that? But he couldn’t say anything more. All he knew about Director Ha Daehoon’s family was that they were conglomerate people. It wasn’t that he had no curiosity, but he had no intention of asking either. Anyway, in just three weeks, unless it was at the Center, there would be no reason to be involved with Director Ha Daehoon.
“Ahem, cough.”
When Ilkyung coughed softly, Daehoon glanced at him. Ilkyung turned his face toward the window. He felt unnecessarily embarrassed.
“Are you sick or something?”
“No, nothing. What movie are we watching?”
Ilkyung hastily changed the topic. He just wanted to quickly finish the schedule and go home.
After entering the theater, Ilkyung looked around. Holding the popcorn and cola that Daehoon bought, Ilkyung sat down and looked around cautiously. He was bewildered because it was VIP seats so the seats and spacing were wide, and there was still no one there yet.
“I guess we came in really early.”
When Ilkyung whispered, Director Ha spoke as if it was nothing.
“There’s only us here. I made it so only the two of us could see it.”
“What?”
Ilkyung tilted his head, not understanding what he meant.
“Didn’t you hear? I reserved this entire theater so our date time today wouldn’t be interrupted.”
Director Ha crossed his long legs and leaned back comfortably.
“What? What, what? Reserved it all? But what? Our da-date?”
Ilkyung’s pale face turned even paler.
Wow, they say throwing money around recklessly is scary! Throwing money around like this? Ilkyung looked at Daehoon with his mouth hanging open like someone whose jaw had dropped.
“Is there a problem?”
“N-no!”
Right, if you’re going to spend your money, what can I do about it? Ilkyung just shook his head since it wasn’t his money anyway, and it wasn’t like his actual lover was throwing money around. Ilkyung asked Daehoon, who was sitting next to him drinking coffee.
“But Director, don’t you drink carbonated beverages?”
Even at that company dinner the other day, Director Ha didn’t seem to touch much alcohol or meat. Does he originally only eat like a bird?
“I don’t drink them much. I don’t really like sweet things.”
