Ever since Lim Haeyul started dating Cha Jae-woo, one thing had become clear: he was quite sensitive to stimuli. There was no other way to explain it. He found himself unable to ask all the questions he had, and the situation kept slipping by without resolution.
Of course, part of the reason was Cha Jae-woo’s skill in subtly dodging topics. He would pretend to answer Lim Haeyul’s questions, lulling him into complacency, while cleverly hiding the important details. It was so seamless that Lim Haeyul wouldn’t even notice until much later.
Eventually, the day Lee Ju-yeon visited, Lim Haeyul fell into a deep sleep, having barely asked half of what he intended to. The next morning, he woke up feeling bewildered, convinced that Cha Jae-woo had deliberately kept him from speaking. It seemed like a reasonable suspicion.
However, Cha Jae-woo gave him another chance to ask questions, showing no signs of hiding anything. This allowed Lim Haeyul to finally inquire about Lee Ju-yeon and understand what he had meant.
“Lee Ju-yeon can freely adjust his matching rate with Espers.”
“Adjust matching rate?”
“Yes. It’s a limited ability that only works with one person he designates, and he can’t fully control it yet.”
The first thing Lim Haeyul learned was about Lee Ju-yeon’s unique ability. It was astonishing—being able to adjust the matching rate meant he could raise it to 100 percent or lower it to zero. Given that Lee Ju-yeon was a B-rank Guide, if he could raise the matching rate to 100 percent, his ability would surpass even that of an S-rank Guide.
“So that’s why your matching rate kept increasing.”
Thanks to this, Lim Haeyul understood why the matching rate between Cha Jae-woo and Lee Ju-yeon had been rising. Cha Jae-woo nodded, explaining that Lee Ju-yeon was focusing on increasing his matching rate with him.
But did this mean that Guide Association President Jang Gijun also knew about Lee Ju-yeon’s ability? It was a natural question to ask.
“Does President Jang also know about this ability?”
“Yes, he does.”
However, when Cha Jae-woo confirmed it, Lim Haeyul felt a bit confused. If his own guiding method needed to be kept secret, shouldn’t Lee Ju-yeon’s ability also be hidden?
“He doesn’t think it’s something only Lee Ju-yeon can do.”
“What?”
“Jang Gijun believes that anyone can do it, and that it will soon become possible for everyone.”
Even after the explanation, Lim Haeyul still didn’t understand. He expected Cha Jae-woo to elaborate, but no further explanation came. If President Jang simply believed this, perhaps there was nothing more Cha Jae-woo could say. But what evidence did President Jang have for such a belief?
“Lee Ju-yeon said he was in the same boat as you.”
Lim Haeyul decided to change the subject, still puzzled. Lee Ju-yeon’s words had been on his mind, and he thought that understanding them might help him grasp President Jang’s intentions as well. If the two were indeed aligned, their goal was likely related to President Jang.
“That’s just his misunderstanding.”
Contrary to Lim Haeyul’s expectations, Cha Jae-woo frowned as soon as he finished speaking. He shook his head and pulled Lim Haeyul into an embrace. Lim Haeyul hesitated for a moment but then willingly returned the hug.
“Lee Ju-yeon must have said something strange to make you misunderstand.”
“No, I didn’t misunderstand….”
“You’re lying.”
Admittedly, Lim Haeyul had felt a tiny bit of jealousy. But it wasn’t because of a misunderstanding; it was because there were things only the two of them shared, things he couldn’t know about.
“Ugh…!”
Cha Jae-woo didn’t believe him. He then kissed Lim Haeyul, as if to soothe him.
Looking back, Lim Haeyul realized that Cha Jae-woo’s actions were not meant to comfort him but to subtly end the conversation. Cha Jae-woo knew how sensitive Lim Haeyul was to stimuli and used it to his advantage. The sensation of Cha Jae-woo gently nibbling his ear was unfamiliar and embarrassing, and soon enough, Lim Haeyul forgot all about Lee Ju-yeon, just as Cha Jae-woo intended.
This pattern continued, with Lim Haeyul unable to find out what the two were planning or if their target was indeed President Jang. Cha Jae-woo always managed to evade the topic before it could be discussed.
‘I’ve been used again,’ Lim Haeyul thought, feeling utterly frustrated. Perhaps he was overthinking it, and Cha Jae-woo just wanted some affection, as is common in the early stages of a relationship. But Lim Haeyul was convinced of his suspicions, especially after last night when he managed to resist Cha Jae-woo’s advances for once.
Determined, Lim Haeyul grabbed Cha Jae-woo’s face with both hands and rapidly asked the questions he had rehearsed countless times.
“You don’t like President Jang, do you? Is he your target, along with Lee Ju-yeon?”
For a moment, Lim Haeyul felt proud of himself, but the feeling was fleeting.
“Jang Gijun doesn’t have any enemies.”
“No, it’s not about liking him…! It’s about grudges! Yes, you have a grudge against him, don’t you? That’s why you’re planning something together!”
Lim Haeyul gripped Cha Jae-woo’s face so tightly that his cheeks were squished. Despite this, Cha Jae-woo remained annoyingly handsome. But that wasn’t the point.
Cha Jae-woo gently took Lim Haeyul’s wrists and smiled as if he found the situation amusing.
“Yes, we’re planning something.”
The ominous words sounded almost sweet.
“What… what are you planning to─ wait, stop! Stop dodging the question!”
This recurring situation made it clear that Cha Jae-woo had no intention of discussing anything serious. He didn’t want to explain, so should Lim Haeyul just pretend not to notice? Cha Jae-woo seemed to want him to remain oblivious.
“…….”
But human curiosity is a strange thing. Even when Lim Haeyul tried to convince himself that it was better not to know, he couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Should he ask again? Or try to find out on his own? All sorts of crazy ideas crossed his mind.
‘What ability do I have to investigate what Cha Jae-woo is up to?’
Lim Haeyul knew next to nothing. If he wanted to find out something, he would have to ask someone. If not Cha Jae-woo, then maybe Kim Sol.
The thought of asking Kim Sol made him cringe with embarrassment. And asking Lee Ju-yeon was out of the question. He had tried once when Lee Ju-yeon visited, but he was bluntly ignored.
……Come to think of it, that was infuriating. How dare he pique his curiosity and then ignore him?
“Haah…….”
In the end, Lim Haeyul knew he wouldn’t find out anything. He should just give up, but for some reason, he couldn’t. Was it because of the lingering unease? Or maybe a sense of possessiveness, wanting to know everything about Cha Jae-woo?
He walked slowly, his steps heavy. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of a newly opened bar.
“This guy always gets dumped.”
The words slipped out as he saw the sign. He had been dragged out by Jo Ha-eon, who had suddenly started dating someone Lim Haeyul didn’t even know about and then just as suddenly got dumped. Now he wanted to drink away his sorrows and had called Lim Haeyul out.
Jo Ha-eon was always like this—claiming he missed his friends but really only reaching out when he needed company after a breakup. He would disappear when he had a girlfriend, and sure enough, Lim Haeyul hadn’t heard from him in days.
His thoughts weighed him down. So many people seemed to fall in and out of love so easily. How long would he and Cha Jae-woo last? It was a pointless thought, really.
He just wanted things to keep going well. He really liked Cha Jae-woo. But Cha Jae-woo—
“……Lim Haeyul?”
His sullen thoughts were interrupted by an unfamiliar voice. He looked up and saw a stranger—a large, intimidating man.
“Uh…… yes?”
Lim Haeyul took a step back, not out of recognition, but out of fear. The man’s size and rough appearance were intimidating.
“I need you to come with me.”
Lim Haeyul shook his head. He wanted no part of this. Every instinct told him not to go with this man.
“No─ mph!”
But his wishes didn’t matter. Before he could finish his refusal, the man covered his mouth. A sharp, unpleasant smell filled his nostrils, and his vision swam. His phone slipped from his hand and clattered to the ground. That was the last thing he remembered.
