Chapter 115
The words were so shocking that I could barely breathe. In my mind, the facts I had just learned and the situations I had experienced swirled together like a storm.
‘Senior, why are you suddenly like this? Senior!’ ‘When two powers strongly conflict, it’s presumed to cause serious aftereffects.’ ‘I think I’m experiencing guiding side effects.’ ‘A matching rate of 99.9 percent came up.’ ‘When one ability disappears, the remaining ability rises to its maximum.’
A matching rate of 99.9 percent. Maximum ability. If that happened, I could…
‘Stay proudly by Song Ji-hyeok’s side.’
When my thoughts reached that point, an excitement like my blood was swirling rose within me. Almost simultaneously, words burst out toward Gi-jun. My expression was surely filled with elation.
“Then is there a possibility for me too? You told me because there is, right?”
Unlike me, Gi-jun’s expression wasn’t entirely bright. Rather, it seemed to show regret, as if thinking ‘Did I do the right thing?’
Why…? Isn’t it good for him if things go well for me? Isn’t that why he told me?
My excitement subsided a little. I sent a desperate look seeking answers, and eventually Gi-jun’s lips slowly opened.
“Yes, there is a possibility. But it’s too early to rejoice.”
His expression became even more serious as he looked at me.
“As I said, to completely eliminate one power, you need to induce an artificial surge. How dangerous that is… I don’t need to tell you.”
“But if five people have re-awakened, wouldn’t it be worth trying for me too?”
“You can try, of course. But the problem is it’s not a hundred percent success rate.”
“Ah…”
My mind finally started to clear as Gi-jun pointed out something I hadn’t considered. Additionally, I reflected on the same situation from a different perspective.
‘If five out of six people re-awakened, it means one failed… and probably died.’
Having died after experiencing a surge, they likely suffered terrible agony before death.
I looked at Gi-jun’s face again. Now I understood why his expression seemed complicated even while delivering such joyful news to me. Indeed, he honestly shared the sentiment I had roughly guessed.
“Dual Awakeners who declined re-awakening after hearing the institute’s explanation, or who changed their minds at the last moment, are living well as ordinary Awakeners just like before. If I had taken you with me, you would have been given the same choice. But since you said you would stay with your Pair Esper despite your disadvantageous situation, I brought this up hoping it might help you somehow… I’m not sure if I did the right thing.”
Just the fact that he shared this still-confidential situation with me, and the expression Gi-jun was wearing now, clearly conveyed how much he cared for me. On the other hand, I also felt belated concern.
“Is it okay for you to tell me about this?”
“Of course not.”
Gi-jun finally smiled slightly at my alarmed reaction.
“You’re not going to spread rumors, are you?”
“Absolutely not.”
“But well, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, it will be revealed soon. It seems some countries have caught the scent.”
“Scent?”
“They gathered all the low-ranking Dual Awakeners and deleted all related information after gaining confidence in their hypothesis, so someone must have become suspicious. My guess is the institute will make an official announcement soon.”
“Yes. But until then, I’ll keep my mouth firmly shut.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
That concluded our conversation about re-awakening. Surprisingly, Gi-jun didn’t ask what choice I would make. He seemed to know this wasn’t a decision I could make on the spot.
“What are you doing this evening? A date?”
“I’m not sure. He likes spending time at home.”
Despite looking like the ultimate social butterfly, Song Ji-hyeok surprisingly enjoyed staying home. Perhaps because of his overwhelming physical presence, there were always people who recognized him even with his face completely covered by a hat and mask. After experiencing several disturbances in public, I also came to prefer cuddling at home.
“If I had known, I would have invited Ji-hyeok to come along. Then I could have seen his face at least once.”
“Should I ask him to come now? Actually, when I said I was going to meet you, he wanted to come along, but I barely managed to leave him behind.”
Hearing my words, Gi-jun quickly caught on to something.
“Are you two living together?”
I hesitated at the sudden question but soon nodded.
“Yes. There were circumstances.”
As I told him about the BK dungeon that had appeared near my home, Gi-jun and I continued our conversation for quite some time. Just as he was dropping hints again about wanting to meet Song Ji-hyeok, I coincidentally received a call from him. I excused myself to Gi-jun and answered.
“Hello.”
“When are you coming back? It’s been two hours already.”
I smiled gently. It reminded me of how Song Ji-hyeok had whined “Come back soon” like a child clutching his mother’s sleeve when I was leaving home.
“I’ll be back soon.”
I answered out of habit, but suddenly had a thought. I was about to ask “Do you want to come here?” when Song Ji-hyeok spoke faster.
“I just got a call from Seok-hoon hyung. He says he needs to talk urgently, and asks if he can see both of us right now.”
“Suddenly? Did he say what it’s about?”
“No. He says he’ll tell us when we meet.”
Although I had exchanged contact information with Jung Seok-hoon before, we had never personally communicated. So I was dumbfounded that he suddenly wanted to meet with me too, and right away at that.
“When will you be done with that hyung? I’ll come pick you up.”
After pondering briefly, I answered.
“Do you want to come now? I’m in XX-dong.”
“Yes, I’ll leave right away. See you later.”
After ending the call, I looked at Gi-jun apologetically.
“I’m so sorry, hyung. Something urgent came up, and I need to go.”
“No need to apologize. Let’s get up then.”
I had intended to pay for today’s meal, but Gi-jun insisted on pushing me away when I took out my card, and paid the bill. Feeling grateful and apologetic, I stepped outside to find the afternoon sunshine gently illuminating the street.
“You said you’re leaving the country in two days, right, hyung?”
“Yes.”
“If you have time, I’d really like to see you once more before then.”
“I’d like that too. I’ll text you later if I get bored.”
“Okay.”
Shortly after parting with Gi-jun, I received a message from Song Ji-hyeok.
[Estimated arrival in 32 minutes]
After considering briefly, I replied:
[Where are you meeting Seok-hoon? Should I go straight there?]
[We have to pass by there anyway. I’ll come quickly]
[No, drive safely and carefully. You know what happens if you arrive earlier than 32 minutes?]
In response to my powerless threatening message, Song Ji-hyeok sent an emoticon full of displeasure. Well, I’d soon find out whether he sped or not.
Waiting wasn’t a problem, but the timing was a bit awkward. I thought about going to a nearby café, but changed my mind and decided to just wait where I was.
It turned out to be a good decision. As I stood lost in various thoughts, Song Ji-hyeok arrived and called out to me.
When I opened the passenger door, his outfit caught my eye. Unlike me, who could easily blend into crowds, Song Ji-hyeok had quite excellent fashion sense.
While driving conscientiously according to traffic signals, Song Ji-hyeok spoke:
“About the car I contracted for—they say I have to wait about 3 more months.”
“Really? Didn’t they say it would be delivered around September?”
“They say there’s an overall delay due to some issue. I’m counting the days until I can do it in the new car, and it’s annoying.”
…So that was his real concern.
It was best to pretend I hadn’t heard such unfavorable talk. I naturally changed the subject, asking what he had been doing alone, and Song Ji-hyeok answered readily. Then I posed another question.
“By the way, I wonder why Seok-hoon suddenly wants to meet? And with me included.”
“I don’t know.”
I asked again just in case, but Song Ji-hyeok genuinely seemed not to know. I had no idea either. My only guess was that ‘it must be related to both of us.’
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
