# Chapter 38
Jeongyun was extremely flustered.
But who wouldn’t be surprised when someone a head taller than you suddenly starts sobbing with shaking shoulders?
“D-don’t cry.”
Jeongyun quickly reached out and cupped Hwayeon’s tear-soaked cheeks. Hwayeon, slowly blinking his long eyelashes, bent down and rested his forehead on Jeongyun’s shoulder.
When Jeongyun stumbled under the heavy weight, strong arms wrapped around his waist. Their bodies pressed together without any space between them, feeling incredibly hot.
“I waited for you, but you never came,” Hwayeon said, his voice full of tears.
After hesitating, Jeongyun patted Hwayeon’s broad shoulders and apologized again. Hwayeon shook his head, saying it was okay.
The Guiding naturally began as they touched.
Unlike his seemingly fine appearance, Hwayeon had already reached his limit. If they’d waited any longer, he might have lost control or suffered brain damage from the aftereffects. A Guide in contact with an Esper could tell.
‘I should probably do some Guiding.’
Jeongyun thought light Contact Guiding would be fine, but he remembered his contract with Domin. Was it “Party B must refrain from Guiding Espers other than Party A as much as possible”?
‘You know what I hate most? When people meddle in my business just because they like me.’
Come to think of it, it wasn’t impossible. Even if he provided Guiding to another Esper, Domin wouldn’t care at all. Jeongyun let go of these pointless thoughts.
“Should we move somewhere else?”
Since Guiding is affected by emotions, they needed to sit in a comfortable place with a relaxed posture. Their current unstable position, where they might fall backward any moment, wasn’t ideal.
Hwayeon, who had obediently stepped back, nodded. Looking around the room filled with nothing but burn marks and ashes, Jeongyun headed toward a chair that seemed relatively intact.
“Just a moment,” Hwayeon said when Jeongyun was about to sit down. He then dusted off the ashes on the chair.
After wiping his blackened hands on his clothes, Hwayeon had Jeongyun sit down.
“Aren’t you going to sit?”
At Jeongyun’s question, Hwayeon plopped down on the floor instead of taking a chair. Then he hugged Jeongyun’s knees, rested his chin on them, and smiled brightly.
“I’m more comfortable like this.”
Jeongyun was about to say that he wasn’t comfortable with this, but seeing Hwayeon looking so happy, he swallowed his words. Well, this was good enough.
“Um…”
“It’s okay.”
Before Jeongyun could even ask, the researcher answered as if knowing his question. Although it was surprising, since he had permission, there would be no problem proceeding with the Guiding now.
“Guide Yeo Jeongyun, beginning Guiding for Esper Min Hwayeon.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
Hwayeon tilted his head in confusion.
Of course, Hwayeon, who had only recently manifested as an Esper, wouldn’t have heard a Guiding report before.
“I’m making a report.”
“What kind of report?”
“A Guiding report.”
After satisfying Hwayeon’s curiosity, Jeongyun tapped Hwayeon’s arms that were hugging his knees. Although Hwayeon was stubborn at first, when Jeongyun patted his shoulder, he slowly unwrapped his arms.
“Thank you.”
Jeongyun whispered softly and took Hwayeon’s hands in his. While Guiding was possible just by touching through clothes, the best method was skin-to-skin contact.
“Beginning Contact Guiding.”
After finishing his report, Jeongyun focused all his attention on the hand connected with Hwayeon’s. Though he didn’t yet know Hwayeon’s grade or matching rate, the Guiding efficiency was unusually good.
‘At this rate, he’ll get better soon.’
Just as Jeongyun predicted, color gradually returned to Hwayeon’s pale face. It seemed he had been hiding his pain in front of Jeongyun.
“You must have been in a lot of pain.”
“No, I wasn’t in pain at all.”
Hwayeon answered while enthusiastically swinging their joined hands.
After a bit more time passed and Jeongyun confirmed that Hwayeon was completely fine, he tried to let go of his hand.
“Um…”
But Hwayeon had no intention of letting go. Instead, he interlocked their fingers deeply and even rubbed his cheek against the back of Jeongyun’s hand.
‘This isn’t right.’
If it had been any other Esper, Jeongyun would have pushed them away without hesitation, but Hwayeon still didn’t know the headquarters’ rules. He needed to explain that Espers shouldn’t make physical contact without a Guide’s permission, but it was extremely awkward.
“Guide Yeo Jeongyun.”
Just then, the researcher who had been standing at a distance called him. When Jeongyun looked at the researcher, Hwayeon glared sharply.
The frightened researcher stammered:
“Well, the Center Director would like to see Guide Yeo Jeongyun…”
“The Center Director?”
When Jeongyun jumped up at the mention of the Center Director, Hwayeon strongly pulled their interlocked hands. Losing his balance, Jeongyun had no choice but to sit back down.
“Don’t go.”
Hwayeon started throwing a tantrum. Even when Jeongyun tried to soothe him by saying he’d be right back, Hwayeon wouldn’t let go. Even patting his shoulder like before had no effect.
“Hwayeon.”
“If you go, you won’t come back for a long time again.”
He had said he was fine, but that wasn’t true. Though Jeongyun had broken his promise and had nothing to say about it, this couldn’t continue.
‘I can’t always give in.’
Having made up his mind, Jeongyun pushed Hwayeon’s shoulders firmly. Not expecting Jeongyun to use force, Hwayeon’s eyes widened as he stumbled back.
“Espers must not touch Guides without permission.”
“What?”
“That’s the rule here.”
With Jeongyun setting a firm boundary, Hwayeon couldn’t approach anymore. Jeongyun stood up and walked over to the researcher.
The researcher was nervously watching, worried that Hwayeon might cause another incident. Jeongyun reassured the anxious researcher.
“It’ll be fine.”
“R-really?”
Though skeptical, the researcher left the room to guide Jeongyun to where the Center Director was. Jeongyun followed behind.
“I want to go too.”
Just then, Hwayeon, who had somehow approached, grabbed Jeongyun’s clothes. As Jeongyun looked troubled, the researcher whispered that it was okay to bring Hwayeon along.
‘Well, we’re inside the center anyway.’
Hwayeon’s shoulders were completely slumped with dejection. Jeongyun carefully removed Hwayeon’s hand from his clothes. Then, he took his hand again.
“Alright, let’s go together.”
Hwayeon’s face, which had been as miserable as if the world had ended, immediately brightened. He nodded eagerly and quietly followed behind Jeongyun, holding his hand.
“It’s amazing to see him like this.”
“You mean Hwayeon?”
“Yes. That guy has burned down more than ten rooms. The Center Director calls him a beagle. Says he’s a damn dog that doesn’t listen at all.”
Calling a person a damn dog? Jeongyun was about to say something, feeling offended, but the researcher had already moved too far ahead, and he missed his chance.
Hwayeon was all smiles like a child on his first field trip. To call such a kid a damn dog—the center people were really too harsh. He was so gentle and obedient.
‘Being unable to control fire is just due to undeveloped abilities.’
Hwayeon had only recently manifested as an Esper. It was natural that his abilities were undeveloped. Even Espers at the headquarters went through many trials and errors to control their abilities.
Hwayeon was just going through that phase. All he needed was a little warmth and patience, yet they called him names like beagle and damn dog. Jeongyun still couldn’t get over his anger.
The researcher leading the way stopped in front of a room. The sign read “Center Director’s Office.” Knock, knock—the researcher tapped on the door and pressed close to it.
“Director, Guide Yeo Jeongyun has arrived.”
“Come in.”
A deep voice came from inside. Having received the Center Director’s approval, the researcher carefully opened the door and signaled for Jeongyun to enter.
After quickly checking his slightly disheveled clothes with one hand, Jeongyun was about to go in when the researcher extended his arm to stop Hwayeon from following.
“Only Guide Yeo Jeongyun can enter from here.”
“No. I want to go too.”
Hwayeon pushed away the researcher’s arm and tried to force his way in, but Jeongyun blocked him.
Hwayeon gave him a pleading look, but there was nothing he could do. As a government-affiliated Guide, Jeongyun had to follow the rules of this place.
“Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
“But—”
“It won’t take long.”
Persuaded by Jeongyun, Hwayeon had no choice but to give in once again. Instead, he said in a tearful voice that he’d be waiting right here, so come back quickly.
“Alright, I’ll be back soon.”
After comforting Hwayeon, Jeongyun entered the Center Director’s office alone. The door closed behind him.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
