Chapter 18
“Don’t worry about it. I’m working too, you know?”
That’s how it was. The one who used to come reluctantly after putting off being called had now become attached to the research lab with Seoyul.
Of course, Seoyul was diligently moving about and helping with the work, but Dowoon was just lazily sprawled out, either sleeping or secretly watching Seoyul work.
“You’re still receiving Guiding anyway. Why are you just lounging around here making Seoyul uncomfortable?”
“…”
Dowoon remained silent at Sunjeong’s words. It seemed that even he thought his behavior wasn’t very reasonable.
Although they had formed a pair, it didn’t mean they had to be together all the time. They formed pairs only to focus on each other, so as long as the Guiding was done properly, the remaining time could be used freely.
As a result, forming a pair was more convenient than dealing with multiple Guides.
Seoyul also did Guiding at set times every day and spent the rest of his time helping with lab work.
“Hmm…”
Sunjeong narrowed her eyes silently. Although it was bothersome, she could guess why Dowoon was acting this way.
“Fine. Whatever. I’m sure it’s hard for you to say with your pride. I’m sure you know what you’re doing.”
“…”
Dowoon flinched and opened his eyes at her words, which suggested she had noticed something.
‘No way…’
He anxiously glanced aside and saw Seoyul looking back at him with a puzzled expression, tilting his head.
‘Fortunately, it seems he hasn’t noticed.’
The reason Dowoon was stubbornly sticking around despite the harsh treatment was precisely because of the radiation Guiding that occurred when Seoyul worked here.
“Oh, right. Do you perhaps not need this anymore?”
Sunjeong giggled as she threw a rolled-up blanket. It was clearly intended to tease him about his past inability to control his excitement.
“I don’t need it!”
Dowoon shouted fiercely with bulging veins. But she giggled again and said:
“Oh? Are you getting angry now?”
“…”
Damn it.
In the distance, he could see Seoyul watching nervously, wondering if a fight was breaking out.
‘Damn it. Damn it.’
Dowoon, unable to show even half of his original personality, quietly deflated and lay back down.
‘Haah. Why am I…’
He sighed involuntarily. Why was he still lounging around here despite being treated like an unwelcome guest? He felt a surge of irritation.
But after a little while, the reason why he was hanging around became apparent.
“Seoyul, can you help me with this?”
“Yes!”
Seoyul’s bright voice was heard. The two started conversing about various things, and soon there were voices saying “I understand” and “Thank you.”
“Not at all. I’m doing this because I enjoy it.”
As he shyly chuckled, Guiding energy began leaking from him at a terrifying rate.
‘Ah… damn.’
Dowoon lay motionless, absorbing the energy. His body went limp and his mind went blank from the concentration of energy that was on a completely different level from what he had felt before.
‘This is insane.’
It felt too good. Perhaps the Guiding varied depending on the intensity of Seoyul’s happiness, sending shivers throughout his body.
Once he had tasted it, he couldn’t escape. He felt as if Seoyul’s energy was sweeping over and caressing his entire body.
The sensation of it ticklishly untangling his knotted and stiff body felt incredibly good. The concentrated radiation Guiding of an S-class Guide.
The irritation that had surged in his mind gradually subsided as the research lab filled with his energy.
“Whew…”
A satisfied sigh escaped him involuntarily. It was so ecstatic and wonderful that it was difficult to maintain a coherent train of thought.
Even without that, it was challenging enough just to calm his body that was trying to heat up intensely.
Half of him wanted to properly receive this energy soon, and half was afraid of what might happen if he did receive it properly.
“Haah…”
Dowoon exhaled another small, satisfied breath. Yet he didn’t want anyone to discover that he was struggling because of it.
How ridiculous would he look? Of course, he probably already looked quite ridiculous, but that’s precisely why he didn’t want to be found out.
But…
“Dowoon, do you really not need this?”
Sunjeong threw the blanket again with a grinning smile. At that, veins bulged on Dowoon’s forehead again.
“I really don’t need it, I said!”
Sunjeong burst into laughter with a “wahaha” as Dowoon expressed his irritation with all his might.
‘Damn it.’
* * *
Seoyul didn’t know why Dowoon was sticking to the research lab.
Sunjeong bullied him every day and relieved her stress by teasing him. Of course, it was all in jest, but he knew Dowoon didn’t like it.
So why did he keep staying in the research lab?
‘Is he bored?’
Well, Dowoon had been excluded from all missions because he needed to recover his body. While Seoyul was spending his time helping with work like this, Dowoon had nothing to do.
“Um, Esper-nim.”
2 PM in the afternoon.
The time when he and Dowoon were Guiding alone.
Seoyul called Dowoon while continuing the Guiding.
“What is it?”
“Well…”
He waited patiently for Seoyul, who was struggling to speak. Since being scolded by Sunjeong, he had been trying to suppress his temper at least in front of Seoyul.
It seemed to be quite effective, as Seoyul opened his mouth with relief.
“If you’re bored… would you like to work with me?”
“…Together?”
Dowoon’s brow slightly furrowed. Though that made him fearful again, Seoyul opened his mouth to convey his thoughts clearly.
“I know you’re staying in the research lab because you want to recover a little faster.”
Seoyul knew. He knew that energy occasionally leaked out whenever he helped with the research lab work.
Helping with the lab work was fun and rewarding. Especially when he was thanked and praised, he felt like he could fly to the sky.
And although it had only happened a few times, he felt his energy sharply increase. Dowoon was probably in the research lab, enduring harsh treatment, for those moments.
“It… seems like you might be bored just sitting there… and if you help out, Team Leader might be less… you know… and I think it would be better if you helped me too…”
After struggling to speak, he glanced up cautiously. Dowoon stared at Seoyul with somewhat blank eyes before opening his mouth.
“You’d like it if I joined you?”
“Um… yes. The work would be faster than doing it alone, and it’s more fun to do things together, isn’t it?”
Doing various things together would allow them to become closer. He was quite familiar with the work now, so he could help Dowoon who didn’t know much. Just thinking about it made him feel good somehow.
“I’ll teach you. Let’s do it together, Esper-nim.”
Seoyul unknowingly offered with a goofy smile.
In that moment, with a whoosh feeling, an enormous amount of energy surged into Dowoon.
“Huh?”
—Bang!
With a huge sound, Dowoon’s head fell onto the table.
“E-Esper-nim! Are you okay?!”
Dowoon was at a loss with his face turning bright red. Seoyul, smiling and saying they should work together, that he would teach him, was insanely cute.
His heart felt tight and was pounding so hard that he became flustered. That alone was enough, but for some reason, S-class energy was transmitted into his body in a rush.
It felt as if he was saying that being with him made him happy, and Dowoon couldn’t raise his head at all.
He had thought he was quite used to it by now, but Dowoon collapsed helplessly.
“Okay…”
“Pardon?”
After a long silence, Dowoon finally managed to speak. Seoyul tilted his head, not understanding.
The enormous energy was no longer felt. But Dowoon still couldn’t lift his head as he muttered.
“Let’s work together starting tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You… teach me.”
“Yes! I’ll teach you!”
What could possibly make him so happy? This time, radiation Guiding bubbled out and spread everywhere.
‘Ah…’
That softness, that happiness, was gently melting Dowoon’s body and heart.
Ironically, Dowoon realized it only then. The fact that he had already fallen, and fallen hard, for this Guide.
* * *
‘When did it start?’
Since when had this Guide begun to look so cute?
Thinking about it, it had been from the beginning. He had thought Seoyul was cute when they first met. It seemed that he liked round, soft people like Seoyul.
‘And Seoyul is cute no matter what he does.’
Unbelievable as it may seem, he was cute when eating, cute during conversations, and even cute when just sitting still.
Among these, he was especially lovable when he smiled softly at him.
‘Esper-nim.’
Recalling that bright smiling face, a foolish smile emerged. But Dowoon continued his thoughts without even realizing it.
‘All my hardships were probably just to meet Seoyul.’
When he thought that the difficult memories were just the price he had to pay to meet him, he felt nothing but happiness.
‘We were destined.’
How else could they have met so perfectly when he was at his limit?
Falling in love, Dowoon had become a fatalist and smiled brightly. Everything surrounding him and Seoyul felt like well-fitting puzzle pieces, making him feel good.
‘I want to see him soon.’
Dowoon closed his eyes, looking forward to tomorrow with such thoughts.
* * *
“Oh? What kind of spectacle is this?”
A strange scene was unfolding in the research lab.
“It looks like Guide Seo has thoroughly wrapped Esper Cha around his finger.”
“Oh my.”
The youngest researcher in the lab boldly shared his opinion with Sunjeong. It looked that way to her as well. It seemed the guy had realized his feelings.
“Esper-nim. You need to do this like this here.”
“Like this?”
“Yes. That’s right. You did well.”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
…It was an unbelievable sight. Cha Dowoon quietly following someone else’s instructions? And that face was clearly asking for praise, wasn’t it?
“I can’t believe it. This is the first time I’ve seen Esper Cha so docile.”
“You’re right. It seems he can’t even hear us talking right now.”
An Esper’s hearing was exceptionally good. They could pick up even the slightest sounds, so normally he would have shot them a look, telling them not to talk nonsense.
But now?
“Hmm. This is nothing.”
“As expected, Esper-nim, you’re amazing! You seem to learn so quickly.”
“Of course! I’m naturally good at everything.”
…He looked like a large dog wagging its tail proudly at its owner’s praise.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
