# Chapter 33
‘I wonder if it will be okay.’
Although Haeil had stopped by to check if things were going according to what Jaeyoon had mentioned, his mind was completely focused elsewhere.
Jaeyoon’s plan to make the public aware of Espers was a foundation to protect his older brother, Seo Jaeha.
The initial plan was to put Haeil forward, but the great change progressed faster than expected and didn’t go as planned. The Han River gate didn’t open, but an accident occurred where a helicopter got caught in the invisible gate entrance. If it weren’t for Jaeyoon’s quick response, rushing to the Han River after giving up on treatment, there would likely have been casualties from the explosion.
They had decided that Haeil would join, but the current problem was the news that needed to be delivered.
‘He said he prevented Joo Dojoon’s awakening.’
Jaeyoon said he had managed to prevent Dojoon’s awakening while watching over his brother. Considering Dojoon’s abilities that Haeil had heard about from Jaeyoon, it was a shame, but he supported Jaeyoon’s choice. However, in less than a few hours, Joo Dojoon had awakened anyway.
Moreover, Lee Youngwoo’s ability was different from what Jaeyoon had described. Jaeyoon said it was x-ray vision and penetration, but what Youngwoo actually used was bombs.
‘The biggest problem is that Seo Jaeha was there.’
Rather than questioning the uncertainty of Jaeyoon’s information, Haeil was anxious because Jaeha’s safety, which Jaeyoon had strongly demanded, hadn’t been maintained.
Additionally, despite Haeil’s order to relay this news in real time, the guard side had informed them belatedly. It was information that came along with the news that they couldn’t confirm the location of Youngwoo the Esper. If it weren’t for the report from the ordinary guard that Jaeyoon had requested, the news about Jaeha might have been omitted entirely.
Fortunately, Jaeha was said to be safe due to Dojoon’s awakening, but Haeil was anxious because he hadn’t seen it directly. Haeil wanted to rush to confirm Jaeha’s safety immediately. Throughout his journey to Jaeyoon, he couldn’t shake off his anxiety while hiding his troubled feelings. Above all, he was at a loss about how to deliver this news to Jaeyoon.
On the day Haeil first met Jaeyoon, when he received news that pre-awakening Youngwoo was with Jaeha, Jaeyoon had emitted a thick killing intent. Remembering that image, Haeil sighed deeply.
* * *
“Oppa, your brother’s oppa is on TV!”
Dorim, who was sitting in front of the TV eating snacks, called Jaeha while stomping her feet. The “brother’s oppa” she referred to was Jaeha’s younger brother, Jaeyoon. It was a strange title that came about because Dorim hadn’t yet memorized Jaeyoon’s name.
“Oh, right. I’ll be there soon, Dorim.”
Jaeha, who was hurriedly making ham and kimchi fried rice for the hungry Dorim, vigorously shook the frying pan for the constantly urging Dorim. Though Jaeha had no appetite at all, his own appetite returned, and he quickly made three portions and brought them to the table in front of the sofa.
“Dorim, put down the snacks and let’s eat rice.”
“I’m sorry, Jaeha. I’ll clean the sofa.”
“It’s fine, you should eat first too.”
The sofa, which just 30 minutes ago had created an awkward atmosphere with Dojoon hugging Jaeha, was now messy with snack crumbs that Dorim had dropped while bouncing around.
Thankfully, Dorim had woken up and whined about being hungry, allowing them to escape the awkward situation. The snack crumbs that Dorim dropped were not a big deal.
“…Following the official statement from Daesung Group, we have prepared an interview with the Esper representative. Please stay tuned.”
The video continued with breaking news even on entertainment programs, not just news channels. Just as Jaeha was about to take a spoonful of fried rice, listening to the MC’s voice which had awkwardly become high-tension, a familiar face appeared on the screen.
“Hello, I am Esper Kwon Haeil, who stands here with the support of Daesung Group.”
“Gilma hyung?”
As Jaeha’s spoon stopped in surprise, Dorim, whose cheeks were bulging with fried rice, grabbed the remote.
“Oppa, I want to watch cartoons.”
“Oh? Oh, sure. I’ll turn it on for you.”
Jaeha was very curious about what Haeil was going to say, but he turned on cartoons for Dorim. Instead, he took out his phone and hurriedly searched for the video.
“…So this is a situation where awakened people have appeared simultaneously. Daesung Group has prepared various programs for those of you who are confused. Daesung will keep its doors open so you can visit anytime.”
What Haeil was saying was predictable, but the comments below the video were blazing in an unexpected direction.
⤷ Do you become handsome when you become an Esper?
⤷⤷ Let’s share awakening tips.
⤷⤷ My blood-related mate awakened but he’s an octopus.
⤷ ☆Kwon Haeil Fan Club Recruitment☆
⤷⤷ Please share the link.
⤷ Can I see Oppa Haeil if I go to Daesung?!
⤷ Esper? Isn’t this a movie promotion?
⤷⤷ If that person isn’t an actor, then our country has no actors.
“Looking at the comments, there’s no sense of crisis at all.”
“Jaeha, your brother is on again.”
“Huh?”
While Jaeha was distracted by the comments, Dojoon’s phone showed Jaeyoon’s appearance.
Jaeyoon’s appearance on the screen was the very definition of a full setup.
“Pfft!”
Jaeha burst out laughing at Jaeyoon’s perfectly groomed appearance rather than the seriousness of the situation. It was awkward to suddenly see a family member all dressed up, and he couldn’t help but laugh.
Jaeyoon, who usually wore his bangs down, had his hair half up and had changed his clothes. Instead of the ambiguous clothes that looked like a school uniform he was wearing when tearing apart the helicopter, he was now wearing a crisp, uniform-style outfit that suited him just as well as it did Haeil. Indeed, with his broad shoulders and tall height, he looked good in anything.
“Heh, Jaeyoon seems to have gotten makeup done too.”
While Jaeha was giggling from embarrassment, the comments on his phone were going crazy with each refresh.
⤷ Protect Espers at all costs!
⤷ Give me awakening tips!!!
⤷⤷ The best plastic surgery is awakening!!!!!
⤷⤷ No, my family member is an octopus.
⤷ Does your appearance change when you become an Esper?!
⤷ What’s that handsome person’s name?
⤷⤷ The name appears at the bottom of the screen.
⤷⤷ Leaving the Kwon Haeil ☆ Seo Jaeyoon fan club link.
The comment section was chaotic with cries of wanting to awaken, along with debates about whether becoming an Esper makes you handsome. Amidst all this, there were comments recruiting members for an Esper fan club, along with dozens of replies.
The news section was completely filled with Esper stories, and comments were blazing under the most viewed videos.
“Everyone seems to accept it more easily than I thought?”
“It might look that way on the internet, but it’s probably different if you go outside.”
While people would actually be confused about the existence of Espers, looking at the internet alone made it seem rather peaceful. It felt like today’s kids were masters of adaptability, and there were quite a few relatable points.
Above all, there were many who showed favor toward Haeil and Jaeyoon’s appearances. In particular, questions about whether awakening makes you handsome were constantly being posted. After thinking for a moment, Jaeha unconsciously agreed.
“Well, Jiho was handsome too. And Youngwoo sunbae doesn’t fall behind in looks either.”
Though it was bitter to think that Youngwoo had become a bomb murderer, when he recalled the awakened people around him, their appearances were considerable. So much so that he began to suspect that it wasn’t that awakening makes you handsome, but that handsome people awaken. While Jaeha was having these reasonably suspicious thoughts, Dojoon’s embarrassed face came into his view.
Seeing his kind-hearted friend’s awkward smile, Jaeha quickly gave a thumbs up.
“Dojoon, you’re manly handsome.”
Finding himself unintentionally in a position of consolation, Jaeha raised his voice and gave two thumbs up.
“The restaurant auntie always says you’re handsome when she sees you. The supermarket auntie always says she wants to make you her son-in-law.”
“Umm. Thanks, Jaeha. You’re cute and handsome too.”
“Why add ‘cute’ when talking about a man? And I look manly too.”
“Yes, Jaeha is right.”
While they were giving each other consolations that weren’t really consolations, Jaeyoon disappeared from the screen, and Haeil appeared again. Haeil’s voice continued with a low and deep resonance, making it naturally engaging.
“We at the Esper Association promise to do our best for the safety of the citizens.”
Along with Haeil’s reliable voice, a message scrolled at the bottom of the screen: ‘This content can be viewed through the Daesung Group Association website.’
It seemed like the sound of the Daesung Group server crashing could be heard.
Just in case, Jaeha also tried to access the Daesung homepage, only to be greeted by infinite loading, as expected. Even though it was Daesung, they couldn’t handle the traffic flooding in all at once.
Feeling there was nothing particular he could do at the moment, Jaeha cleared away the cold fried rice with Dojoon.
Like Dorim, Dojoon also took large spoonfuls, making his cheeks bulge. Even though he finished his meal faster than Jaeha, Dojoon didn’t leave his seat. Seeing this, Jaeha scooped half of his portion into Dojoon’s bowl. It was a habit from always bringing the same amount and giving the leftovers to Dojoon. Dojoon, too, picked up his spoon again as if used to it.
Jaeha felt much more at ease with the daily routine that continued without any awkwardness. He considered the strange atmosphere on the sofa as just a momentary deviation.
After clearing away the empty bowls, it was soon time for Dojoon and Dorim to go home. Fortunately, Jaeha wasn’t as afraid as before. With bedtime approaching, putting the sleepy Dorim, who was rubbing her eyes, to bed comfortably was the priority.
“Sleepy…”
“Dojoon, go upstairs with Dorim.”
“Will you be alright?”
Dojoon, who would normally have carried Dorim upstairs, couldn’t quite get up from the sofa. Jaeha headed to the entrance first, ahead of Dojoon.
“Yes, let’s each have some alone time now.”
“Even alone, you’re just going to play games.”
“Of course.”
Talking about daily life seemed to reassure Dojoon, and he showed his usual kind smile as he headed to the entrance.
Knock knock.
Before reaching the entrance, a light knock came from outside, and Dojoon stopped.
Jaeha could vaguely feel an invisible wall surrounding them. The sensation of air flow stopping and becoming perfectly safe was both worrying and reassuring. When Dojoon extended his arm to pull Jaeha closer, he naturally ended up half-embraced.
Knock knock.
“Is Esper Joo Dojoon in there?”
Even though Dojoon’s home was upstairs, the person outside asked about Dojoon’s presence with certainty. Jaeha suppressed his trembling voice and asked as naturally as possible.
“Who is it?”
“We’re from the Esper Association.”
It was unclear whether to believe those words, and even if they did, they couldn’t know why they had come.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
