Goal: Removing the First Obstacle (6)
Disliking how the atmosphere was becoming strange, I deliberately spoke playfully.
“Why are you making such a serious face? Did Hae-geon say something strange?”
Hyung nodded in response. Suddenly, I felt a chill as if all the blood in my body had frozen. Sa Hae-geon said something strange in front of Jong-hyeok hyung? What could he possibly have said to make hyung make such an expression?
I had an ominous feeling. Surely he hadn’t gone and said embarrassing things like he does to me? Even knowing that wouldn’t be like Sa Hae-geon’s character, I still felt anxious.
After a moment’s pause, hyung finally spoke.
“After overexerting his ability, that kid brought you up. He asked if I thought about how worried you’d be.”
“…Yes.”
“But he said it was fine. He said he’d rather be scolded than disappoint you.”
“What…?”
What did I just hear? Faced with something so different from what I expected, I could only stare at hyung with a blank expression, unable to compose myself.
“I wanted to ask if you had any idea why he might say that, but judging by your expression, you seem just as clueless.”
“This is truly the first I’m hearing of this. I had no idea Hae-geon was thinking that way. I’ve never even mentioned the word ‘disappointment’ in front of him, so why…”
I was dumbfounded. Why would Sa Hae-geon think I’d be disappointed in him for getting beaten by monsters? He’s only just learning about dungeons, so of course he’d be inexperienced.
And even if Sa Hae-geon had been active in dungeons for years, I couldn’t bring myself to say such harsh words to him. I wouldn’t even think of it.
By now, I was bewildered. What exactly does Sa Hae-geon think of me? What does he think that made him say such things in front of hyung…
When I learned that the reason he pushed himself so hard to handle the ant monsters was because of me, I felt strange. I was embarrassed, and confused about whether I was really important enough for him to overexert himself. But after hearing what he said to hyung, I was just perplexed.
What is he thinking? Why is he making me so confused?
Now my mind was a mess whenever I saw Sa Hae-geon. He probably had no idea I was racking my brains so much because of him. Of course, I neither expected nor wished for him to know.
As I stood there in a daze for a while, Jong-hyeok hyung patted my shoulder.
“Why are you thinking so hard? Just assume he was showing off a bit because he only wants to look cool and good in front of you.”
“…Hyung.”
“What? You think I’m just saying that? There are many kids like that. Especially those who like someone older than them…”
“Ah, I get it. I get it, so stop right there.”
“Considering the age gap between you and Hae-geon, it’s not entirely incomprehensible that he would act that way…”
“Hyung!”
“Okay, okay. I’ll stop teasing you.”
Only after I shouted did Jong-hyeok hyung stop teasing me with a hearty laugh. What he offered as a plausible reason sounded ridiculous and embarrassing to my ears. Even though Sa Hae-geon was unusual and had many peculiar aspects, surely he wouldn’t have meant it that way…
“…Would he?”
Somehow, it seemed possible for Sa Hae-geon. Just as I was beginning to think that hyung’s words, which had initially sounded absurd, might have a bit of truth to them, Jong-hyeok hyung suddenly continued with a serious face.
“But I’m not just joking. Honestly, at first I thought… maybe it was his home environment. Sa Hae-geon’s parents aren’t exactly ordinary. That’s why I asked you. But seeing that you don’t know either, I don’t think that’s the issue.”
“Ah, it’s not like that. He seemed to get along well with his mother. His mother appeared to care a lot for him too. Though I only saw them briefly, so I don’t know the details.”
“Even in a short time, you can vaguely read the general atmosphere. Anyway, I understand. I need to discuss something with the center director, so I’ll go for a bit. See you at the training ground later.”
“Yes. Go ahead, hyung.”
Jong-hyeok hyung waved his hand with his usual carefree expression, as if he had never been serious, and left the office. I sighed as I watched his retreating figure through the translucent door. Somehow, my mind felt even more complicated after talking with Jong-hyeok hyung.
But I didn’t have time to dwell on this. I hurriedly made my way to the training ground where Sa Hae-geon and the other team members would be. As I entered the rest area in the training ground, I saw Sa Hae-geon training intensely with the team members.
He was so engrossed in coordinating with the team members in various training methods that he didn’t even notice my arrival. He seemed to have completely forgotten the doctor’s advice to be cautious when using his ability.
Espers unanimously say that the headaches that occur as precursors to runaway are excruciatingly painful. So I thought Sa Hae-geon, having experienced that terrible headache, would regulate himself well without needing to be warned.
“Wow, the rookie is something else, isn’t he?”
“I know, right? I’ve never seen someone train so hard without sparing their body. I don’t think I was like that when I was a rookie.”
“You should stop sparing your body so much, Seong-rok. This guy is completely gone. But the rookie… is it okay for him to be like that?”
“I wonder? But… won’t he manage well on his own? He’s not a child, and I think he might feel uncomfortable if we interfere with such things.”
“That’s true. But isn’t twenty-one still a kid?”
However, listening to Esper Hwang Ji-hyun and Esper Lee Seong-rok’s conversation, it seemed my thoughts were completely wrong. I gazed at Sa Hae-geon, who was imitating Esper Lee Cheol-min’s barrier with transparent water to block Esper Choi Min-jong’s telekinetic attacks, and swallowed a sigh that rose to my chin.
Then, Esper Lee Seong-rok, belatedly aware of me, cleared his throat and defended Sa Hae-geon.
“But, but he does seem to be more cautious than before, right?”
“What? Seong-rok, does that look like he’s being cautious to you?”
“No, well…”
Despite Esper Lee Seong-rok’s urgent gestures, Esper Hwang Ji-hyun responded indifferently. Frustrated, Esper Lee Seong-rok pounded his chest before finally poking Esper Hwang Ji-hyun’s side and whispering something.
Initially annoyed by Esper Lee Seong-rok’s whisper, Esper Hwang Ji-hyun’s gaze turned toward me. She blinked quickly as if assessing the situation, then cleared her throat like Esper Lee Seong-rok had done. Then, slapping Esper Lee Seong-rok’s back loudly, she laughed heartily.
“That’s right, that’s right! For a rookie of his tenure, isn’t that good? He’s training with good control. In today’s world, is it easy to find such talent? Our team is really lucky. Don’t you think?”
“Yes, yes! Phew, now we’re finally on the same page, noona! Ha, hahaha…!”
The two continued to watch my reactions afterward. They seemed to think that I, as Sa Hae-geon’s only dedicated Guide, would be displeased seeing him train recklessly despite having collapsed before.
That’s when Esper Yoon Seon-hoo cautiously approached me as I was seriously looking at Sa Hae-geon.
“Um, Guide.”
I turned to Esper Yoon Seon-hoo, who was carefully calling my name. He seemed to be checking the surroundings before lowering his voice considerably and asking:
“Recently, has my brother been making you uncomfortable or approaching you?”
“What? Your brother? Ah… do you mean Esper Yoon Seon-hoo from Field Team 2? No. I don’t think I’ve crossed paths with him recently. Thanks for your concern.”
“Ah, that’s a relief. If my brother ever makes you uncomfortable again, please tell me anytime!”
I couldn’t help but laugh at Esper Yoon Seon-hoo, who even clenched his fist as he spoke. He stared blankly at me laughing out loud, then awkwardly laughed along.
“I will. Thank you, Esper Yoon Seon-hoo.”
“It’s nothing. As a younger brother, it’s only natural for me to manage my inadequate older brother.”
“You have a lot on your plate. I’ll cheer you on.”
“Yes, thank you!”
As I turned my gaze from the smiling Esper Yoon Seon-hoo back to the training ground, I ended up making eye contact with Sa Hae-geon.
“…”
Somehow, I felt like I had experienced a similar situation before… Except then, it wasn’t Esper Yoon Seon-hoo but his brother, ‘Esper Yoon Seon-hoo’, and Esper Yoon Seon-hoo had been the one unilaterally approaching me. Sa Hae-geon had been wary and jealous of Esper Yoon Seon-hoo back then.
But what about this time? I carefully observed Sa Hae-geon’s expression. He seemed to look back and forth between me and Esper Yoon Seon-hoo before turning his gaze away and focusing on training again. His gaze was withdrawn so easily that it was deflating, and I unconsciously took a sharp breath, feeling inexplicably disappointed.
“…What? What was I expecting?”
I pressed my fist firmly against my uncomfortably throbbing heart and tried to focus on watching Sa Hae-geon’s training.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
