Chapter 21
And so, the two’s cohabitation plan began to progress rapidly under Dowoon’s leadership.
There wasn’t much to worry about. After all, there were limited options for officetel apartments around the center with good security, good facilities, and good views.
Still, wanting to give Seoyul options, they visited a real estate agency.
“Wow.”
A penthouse on the top floor.
Who would have thought there’d be exactly what they needed on the market? Dowoon nodded, thinking that he and Seoyul were truly meant to be.
“Esper-nim. It’s so high up.”
Before his eyes was Seoyul, pressed against the window with sparkling eyes. The center building wasn’t particularly tall, so it seemed the high-rise was fascinating to him.
“Wow. You can even see the Han River from here.”
He kept exclaiming in admiration of the view outside, which was cute. It was nice now, but Dowoon thought he would like it even more in the evening.
“What do you think? Do you like it?”
“Yes! It’s the most impressive one we’ve seen so far!”
While touring different places, he had been quite vocal, from “Isn’t this too big?” to “This seems too expensive.” But now he seemed to have forgotten all those concerns.
“Then should we go with this one?”
“Huh? Um… but…”
Tsk.
Dowoon had thought Seoyul might just go along with it, but apparently not. Fortunately, he had shown him much more excessive options beforehand, anticipating this.
Dowoon began persuading Seoyul as planned.
“But this is smaller than what we saw earlier. It’s the right size for two people.”
“Uh… this is plenty big too…”
Seoyul mumbled hesitantly.
The previous places had been ridiculously spacious, but this one was still quite large. It was a penthouse after all.
But since the building itself wasn’t designed with overly large units, it was at a level where he could insist and get his way.
“You don’t know this, but everyone lives in places like this.”
“…Really?”
“I’m telling you! Right?”
Dowoon signaled the real estate agent to agree. The agent, like a professional, nodded and conveyed the truth.
“Yes. Everyone lives in places like this.”
It wasn’t a lie. The only omission was “high-level ability users do.”
Anyway, once Seoyul received his proper rating, wouldn’t he be S-class? Plus, as a Hidden Guide, he needed even greater security considerations.
‘I can’t let him live somewhere sketchy.’
Dowoon mentioned various other advantages to entice Seoyul. Among them, what worked best was saying that he himself liked this place.
“You like this place the most, Esper-nim?”
“Yeah. But if you don’t like it, we can look at more options.”
“No, no! If you like it, I like it too!”
Seeing him narrow his eyes and clench his fists, Dowoon could tell he was thinking something peculiar again.
His thoughts being so transparent made Dowoon smile. Anyway, all’s well that ends well.
Dowoon proceeded with the contract swiftly.
“What furniture should we get? You choose.”
“What? M-me?”
“Yeah. This is practice too.”
Saying it was necessary practice for finding happiness, he handed over the furniture selection rights, causing Seoyul to look perplexed.
But perhaps deciding this was something he needed to do, he soon began researching enthusiastically.
“Esper-nim. How about this?”
Like a model student, he showed options considering design, performance, and even cost-effectiveness.
Still, mindful of his roommate, he chose three different items for them to select together.
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. This one has slightly lower performance but a prettier design. This one has good performance but the design is a bit lacking.”
“Which one do you prefer?”
“I like this one better. I think it’s overall good value for money.”
“Really? Let’s go with that then.”
Of course, Dowoon cleverly made it so Seoyul could choose what he wanted.
After gradually purchasing everything, moving day arrived. Neither Dowoon nor Seoyul had many belongings, so instead of moving items, they spent time setting up the new things that were being delivered.
“Where should we put this?”
“Um… that… over there!”
Since Seoyul had planned almost everything, the task of indicating placements was also his. He seemed to have gotten used to it, scurrying around the house.
‘Ah. He’s really cute.’
How could even his walking be so adorable? Completely smitten, Dowoon took in the sight with satisfaction.
Still, not wanting to be caught with such a dazed expression, he quickly composed his face as Seoyul approached.
“Esper-nim! The dining table goes so well with the kitchen.”
In the distance was the white dining table Seoyul had chosen. It was selected to reflect Dowoon’s opinion that since the kitchen was spacious, the table should be large too.
“It’s really amazing.”
It was just a dining table being installed; what could be so amazing about that? Dowoon couldn’t understand but calmly asked.
“What is?”
“How the empty spaces are gradually being filled.”
Seoyul’s eyes sparkled again as he said this. It seemed novel to him to see an empty space being filled with things he had chosen.
‘What… kind of emotion is this?’
Seoyul felt a strange emotion seeing everything he had selected, from top to bottom, gradually filling the space.
He felt unsettled yet proud, and happy too. His heart was so full of these complex emotions that he didn’t know what to call it.
‘Hmm…’
He thought calmly and repeatedly. Though the feeling was unrecognizable at first, it became clearer as he sorted through his thoughts.
‘Ah. I see.’
It was a sense of stability.
A feeling he couldn’t have experienced alone. A feeling possible only because Dowoon was beside him. Seoyul’s heart swelled.
He wanted to do something for Dowoon who had given him this opportunity and these thoughts again. He wanted to give, not just receive.
So he quietly called to Dowoon.
“Esper-nim.”
Dowoon’s characteristically indifferent eyes turned to Seoyul. Though this was all he could do for now, he wanted to do his best.
“Thank you.”
Yes. He wanted to properly convey his gratitude. Could these feelings reach Dowoon?
Seoyul thought this as he smiled brightly.
‘Ah…’
Dowoon silently took in the sight. Along with the words of thanks, he saw an illusion of pure white flowers blooming widely behind Seoyul.
The sight of him smiling radiantly was like a white flower, impossible to look away from. Wondering if he was seeing things, he blinked, but Seoyul was still smiling like a flower.
“Esper-nim?”
Seoyul touched his hand with a puzzled expression. With that, guiding energy began to rush in.
“Oh?”
He seemed to feel it too, looking at his hand and Dowoon with surprise. Then their eyes met.
Dowoon saw himself in those sparkling eyes, while gentle energy continuously flowed through their fingertips.
‘Ah, damn it.’
He thought he’d finally gotten used to it, but once again his heart crumbled.
Dowoon hurriedly covered his face. But contradictorily, his hand firmly grasped his Guide’s. He felt a slight startled flinch followed by a gentle squeeze.
‘Ah…’
Between them, guiding energy flowed smoothly, and an infinitely soft voice penetrated his ears.
“Thank you so much, Esper-nim.”
His face flushed rapidly. Seoyul, unaware that he had completely enchanted this large Esper, simply smiled brightly.
‘Aah…’
Dowoon sighed softly.
This small, young Guide before him was so lovable that he felt he might go crazy.
* * *
Seoyul was in a good mood. What was initially a burdensome moving plan had gradually become something he looked forward to.
First of all, the fact that he would continue living with Dowoon excited Seoyul.
‘The cost… I’ll pay it back little by little.’
Though he couldn’t do anything yet, he could gradually prepare, join the center, and start earning money to ease the burden.
It wasn’t a burden for Dowoon at all, but for Seoyul it was an incredibly expensive amount, so he clenched his fist with determination.
‘Come to think of it, why did he say he wasn’t coming today?’
Wasn’t Dowoon the one who showed up at the research lab every day? He said he had something to do, dropped Seoyul off at the center, and went back home.
‘I told him I could go alone if he was busy…’
Despite it being right in front of them and easy to get to, he insisted on coming all the way. He even added that they should definitely go together starting tomorrow, making it awkward for Seoyul to keep refusing, so he had to nod.
“Seoyul. How’s the house? Do you like it? Did you sleep well?”
As soon as he arrived at the lab, Sunjeong came up and asked.
“Yes! I thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep from excitement, but I slept really well!”
“Really?”
Sunjeong stroked his head with satisfaction. Given Seoyul’s personality of caring about many things, she had worried he might need time to adjust, but it seemed like unnecessary concern.
‘Well. I’m sure he handled it properly.’
She found herself nodding at the thought of the Esper who would have tried his best to manage everything in a way that wouldn’t burden his Guide.
“But where’s Dowoon? Didn’t he come with you?”
“He seems to have something else to do today.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
Sunjeong’s eyes lit up. What could he have to do that would make him postpone guiding?
‘He’s trying hard. Really trying.’
Sunjeong laughed at Dowoon’s predictable behavior and said,
“Then shall we work hard today too?”
“Yes! I’ll help you as much as I can!”
“Great!”
The two began to tackle the piled-up work one by one, cheering themselves on for another day.
As time passed, around when Seoyul received permission to leave early, he happened to run into a familiar person.
“Ah!”
“Seoyul-ssi!”
It was Sunghun.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
