The mission Baek Uihyeon received was clear.
Villain suspects were to be captured, confirmed villains could be executed on the spot. Even so, this wasn’t a situation that required executions anywhere outside a Gate.
To begin with, there were no villains in areas accessible to civilians that warranted Baek Uihyeon’s direct intervention. On the surface, it looked serious with flames rising and screams and shouts filling the air, but like a rabbit hunt, they were simply using smoke and fire to separate the villains from those who needed rescuing. He only needed to intervene when something unusual appeared among the classified villains. Yet the reason Baek Uihyeon was at the front line handling things quickly was because the only guide who had volunteered for this operation was Han Seoha.
When he checked thinking it might be because of Ryu Jaegeon, he found that Han Seoha had actually applied first, and the circumstances showed Ryu Jaegeon had followed right after being deployed to the operation. It was unpleasant wondering why he was clinging on like this after abandoning Han Seoha, and it was obvious the gentle guide would be manipulated. For the sake of ending the operation as quickly as possible, Baek Uihyeon hurried.
After dealing with even the villains who hadn’t been caught in the roundup, Baek Uihyeon first reconfirmed the location of Ryu Jaegeon, whom he’d been keeping an eye on. When he moved to find Ryu Jaegeon who had already left his position, as expected, he was with Han Seoha.
Baek Uihyeon’s insides burned seeing the guide he’d been courting sobbing in Ryu Jaegeon’s arms. Even while being swayed by Ryu Jaegeon and trembling as if about to collapse at any moment, he sincerely performed his guiding.
A guide for whom espers were the top priority in any situation. It even felt like the holiness that could only be seen in those who had thrown everything away for noble ideals in the early days.
That’s why he was envious. A thirst rose up that made him feel like he’d go crazy from the burning inside.
He knew that was the reason Han Seoha had rejected not just Baek Uihyeon’s pair proposal, but even being partners. If Baek Uihyeon went all out with his true intentions, getting rid of an A-rank esper would be nothing.
However, just imagining what would happen to Han Seoha afterward made his insides burn. He’d seen countless guides break down after the death of an esper they’d been living with like lovers. If he completely erased Ryu Jaegeon just because he was annoying.
‘Seoha would be the type to break down.’
He’d witnessed Han Seoha’s desperation crawling across the filthy floor with bloodied hands, moving toward only one person.
There was no reason to tolerate Ryu Jaegeon, who shamelessly only took guiding after abandoning such a Han Seoha. Even if Han Seoha became a bit sad, it was better than completely falling apart.
He yanked Ryu Jaegeon away with force in one go and embraced Han Seoha.
“Operation complete. Guide Han Seoha secured, will proceed with solo guiding after relocation.”
He even destroyed his communicator so he wouldn’t be disturbed anymore. Ryu Jaegeon, who’d caught on to the true meaning behind Baek Uihyeon’s calm declaration, sneered.
“An S-rank will get sick from eating that.”
Ryu Jaegeon growling as if his mate had been stolen was absurd, but the Han Seoha in his arms was more urgent.
“Hold on tight, Seoha-ssi. We’re moving.”
“Baek Uihyeon-nim, just a moment.”
He could have just ignored such feeble resistance, but the distance from Ryu Jaegeon, who had already moved far away in one bound, gave him a little breathing room.
“Didn’t you promise me three hours daily until the re-evaluation?”
“It’s just, there’s still someone who needs guiding.”
“No. There’s nothing more for you to do here, Seoha-ssi.”
Baek Uihyeon, who had been concentrating energy in his legs again, flinched at the soft hand covering the back of his hand.
“The child I ran into earlier has unstable waves.”
“The follow-up team will come and help.”
“They’re very wary. It’s probably because they’re in pain. If I guide them just a little, I can reduce their sensitivity.”
Han Seoha, the endlessly kind guide. Could this kindness not be directed only at him?
As the time Baek Uihyeon spent with Han Seoha accumulated, unlike his improving wave readings, he grew anxious.
“Am I second again?”
“Pardon?”
“Why must I always step back from your choices, Seoha-ssi?”
At the uncharacteristic whining from Baek Uihyeon, Han Seoha steadied his wavering gaze. Soon Han Seoha’s upright, clear eyes met Baek Uihyeon’s.
“Just a little. After that, I’ll do my best for you, Baek Uihyeon-nim.”
Baek Uihyeon glanced at Ryu Jaegeon grinding his teeth in the distance beyond Han Seoha. Even with his teammates calling for him, he glared this way for a long while before reluctantly leaving, and confirming this, Baek Uihyeon’s anxiety settled considerably.
“That’s a promise, Seoha-ssi.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Though it was bittersweet wondering what was so good about guiding others that made him smile so brightly, one corner of his heart felt warm. He too was an esper thirsty for guiding. Knowing the suffering of struggling with insufficient guiding, he couldn’t treat a young esper harshly.
Baek Uihyeon, easily lifting Han Seoha in his arms, landed precisely where he’d set down his cloak.
The moment Han Seoha tried to immediately leave his embrace, Baek Uihyeon sensed a distortion in space. At the same time, he trapped Han Seoha back in his arms, and a bewildered gentle voice was heard.
“Baek Uihyeon-nim?”
“Seoha-ssi. I used a lot of strength, so for safety’s sake, I’d like you to guide me.”
“Yes? But your waves are stable, Baek Uihyeon-nim…”
“Even just one minute would be good.”
“Ah… yes, if it’s just one minute.”
Despite his worry for the child, Han Seoha, unable to overlook an esper’s discomfort, obediently turned his body toward Baek Uihyeon. For some reason, Baek Uihyeon kept smiling as he wrapped both arms around his neck and even stood on tiptoe to cling to him, without bending his waist.
“Why are you doing that?”
“I think this is the first time Seoha-ssi has initiated a kiss.”
“You said it was guiding. You said it wasn’t a kiss.”
“I did say that.”
As Baek Uihyeon’s hand gently rubbed the dust on Han Seoha’s cheek, it gradually reddened.
“It’s guiding.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Why… are you suddenly teasing…”
“Because Seoha-ssi listens to me, I’m being a bit spoiled.”
It was a phrase far too unsuited to come from the mouth of a national hero. In a situation worthy of confusion, Han Seoha’s gentle eyes blinked slowly, then the hands wrapped around his neck moved up above his head.
Pat pat.
The hand that tapped lightly carefully stroked his hair, then awkwardly rested on his cheek. When Baek Uihyeon stared blankly without reacting, Han Seoha’s face turned bright red.
“Uh, um. This is a bit not— Hup!”
Baek Uihyeon swallowed Han Seoha’s lips without even knowing what impulse he should be suppressing. His insides churned with resentment wondering why this good and gentle guide had only come to him now.
Why couldn’t he have met him before Ryu Jaegeon? As Baek Uihyeon greedily devoured Han Seoha as if to eat him whole, he confirmed the energy rippling through the air was scattering.
Though Han Seoha had called them a child, a man with gray hair and terribly sunken eyes was watching them from behind the wall. The intention to move to where the energy rippled the moment any gap appeared was obvious.
If he became an Association esper, he’d make an excellent talent. Thinking that would also lighten Baek Uihyeon’s responsibility, but right now he only looked like a competitor to share Han Seoha with.
‘They said he was a victim kidnapped and raised by a villain organization. Could the investigation be wrong?’
If he wanted to be rescued, he wouldn’t have tried such meaningless power struggles. The rough temperament of the opponent was revealed in the wary waves. His suspicion deepened toward this person who was closer to a villain than a victim.
He wanted to use guiding as an excuse to leave with Han Seoha just like this, but if he left a teleportation ability user to another esper, it would become troublesome. As planned, Baek Uihyeon settled on the idea of watching Han Seoha’s persuasion attempt and subduing him if necessary, while continuing to be on guard as he thoroughly explored the soft lips and pliant tongue.
He felt the feeble force tapping his body, but when he pretended not to notice and kept sucking on the lips, Han Seoha timidly bit him. When his tongue tip was bitten, it was rather exciting, so not reacting was the best he could do. Perhaps unaware of this situation, Han Seoha kept chewing firmly as if asking to be noticed.
This level of stimulation was just enough to heighten excitement during guiding, so he wanted to pretend not to notice, but he had to keep the one minute to ensure the subsequent guiding promises would be kept too. Baek Uihyeon slowly rubbed his lips while making a regretful sound.
“Has it already been one minute?”
“Hng, yes, yes.”
Baek Uihyeon, who had straightened his waist that had been bent all the way down, held the waist of Han Seoha who was about to pull away and headed toward the wall where the cloak was placed.
The one who had watched all of this through the gap in the wall watched the approaching energy mass without blinking even once.
‘He’ll probably become an adult this year.’
The name of the man who was both child and adult, having forgotten his birth date, was Giro. It was a nickname given to him for being strange and incomplete after being kidnapped and neglected until he even forgot his own name.
To Giro’s eyes, Baek Uihyeon was a massive energy mass. Such large energy was the first since the uncle who had said long ago he’d come get him when he grew a bit bigger.
The children newly brought here would repeat crying or running away and being caught. The uncle never came to get him no matter how much time passed.
It didn’t matter either way. Giro’s ability to escape at any time rather made him lose his will. Using his power also hurt.
But that man. The warmth he felt when he got close to the beauty called Seoha-ssi was desirable. The cozy sensation that seeped in the moment it touched his skin made even the pain worth enduring. He’d been watching for any chance to move to his side again at any time, but the massive energy wouldn’t leave at all. Rather, he even flaunted it while stealing the beauty’s warmth.
Enemy. Something to be rejected. Normally he would have run away, but.
“Baek Uihyeon-nim, I’ll go alone.”
“No. If he’s an esper who’s become sensitive due to lack of guiding as you said, Seoha-ssi, I can’t let you go alone even more so.”
Why are you interfering?
He was going to come to me.
I was going to take him and hide.
“The child will be frightened.”
Giro was an adult, but he instinctively knew what he needed to do to gain the pity embedded in the beauty’s sympathetic voice.
That one loves the weak.
I see. Then I should imitate it.
Giro took one step toward the fearlessly extended hand of Han Seoha and staggered.
