# Chapter 60
“I just stopped by because I left something here.”
“…You left something?”
Though it was clearly true, it sounded like a made-up excuse. As Domin had suspected, there wasn’t a trace of belief in Jeongyun’s eyes.
The problem started when Domin opened the door without checking who it was after the doorbell rang while he was showering. He naturally thought it was Jeongyun, but when Domin finished his shower and came out, it was Saeon who appeared before him.
‘He said he was coming to get something he left behind.’
He seemed to remember receiving a message a long time ago about someone coming to find something, but he hadn’t paid much attention to it, so he couldn’t remember clearly.
Whatever it was, he needed to get rid of Saeon before Jeongyun arrived. Jeongyun was especially sensitive about anything related to Saeon.
‘I’m putting aside my pride and asking you, can’t you at least listen to me? We spent time together, so why are you being so cold? Do you know how much I liked you!’
‘…This crazy bastard.’
It was beyond losing whatever feelings he had left—they had completely disappeared.
Saeon, pathetic to the very end, grabbed Domin as he was turning away and begged. Please break the Imprint and come back to him, he pleaded.
When Domin, who couldn’t stand it anymore, tried to use telekinesis to drive him out, Saeon threatened him by taking out his pager. He said he would report it immediately if Domin used his ability.
‘Today is the last day anyway. I won’t beg like this anymore. So think carefully, Domin. Yeo Jeongyun is C-class. He doesn’t match you.’
‘Even if it’s not Jeongyun, I would never go back to you. So quietly get out. Leave on your own before I have to force you out.’
The argument continued for a long time after that. Meanwhile, Jeongyun arrived and ran into Saeon… resulting in this miserable situation.
Domin belatedly regretted not using his telekinesis to break one of Saeon’s legs, regardless of whether he reported it to headquarters or not.
“What did you leave behind?”
“How would I know that?”
His voice became sharp with irritation.
Domin couldn’t understand why Jeongyun kept persistently asking about something so trivial. He didn’t want to understand, either.
“Just tell me why you came, Jeongyun. I’m tired and want to rest quickly.”
Due to Saeon’s intrusion, everything Domin had planned had long gone awry. In this state, even if they did Guiding, it would be inefficient and useless, and above all, the atmosphere wasn’t right for it. It seemed better to say what needed to be said and send Jeongyun home before feelings got hurt further.
But Jeongyun seemed to have different thoughts from Domin, as he brought back a conversation that Domin thought was over.
“Are you dating Ju Saeon?”
“…What nonsense is this now?”
He seemed to have completely misunderstood the situation.
Domin shook his wet hair irritably and looked at Jeongyun, who was waiting for his answer with tears welling up in his eyes.
It would be simple to just say no, but the explanation he would need to add afterward was annoying. Above all, he wondered if Jeongyun would fully believe what he said. Even now, Jeongyun kept asking the same questions because he couldn’t believe what Domin had already told him.
Domin had already used up all his energy arguing with Saeon. He was increasingly irritated and didn’t want to waste more emotion on unnecessary arguments.
Moreover, since this wasn’t the first time they had clashed over this issue, Domin just wanted to end the situation quickly. He wanted to stop words from coming out altogether.
Domin brought up the most efficient topic.
“It’s written in the confidential contract. We agreed not to touch on personal matters.”
“…What?”
“You said the contract wasn’t just for show. So follow it.”
Hearing an answer that was neither a confirmation nor a denial, Jeongyun couldn’t continue speaking. Having seen the cruel line drawn right in front of him, Jeongyun bit his lip and quietly let tears fall.
Seeing this, Domin belatedly realized his mistake. All the uncharacteristic kindness he had shown to Jeongyun seemed about to collapse in an instant.
But once words were spoken, they couldn’t be taken back. Although he tried to salvage the situation, his mind froze, and he couldn’t think of anything good to say.
“Jeongyun, I—”
“I didn’t even ask you for much.”
Jeongyun cut off Domin’s words and wiped away his tears. Jeongyun had only asked one thing of Domin: to keep distance from Saeon while their dedicated contract continued.
The other two conditions were added only because Domin had asked him to name more, but the only thing Jeongyun truly wanted from Domin was that one thing. Yet Domin didn’t even keep that properly. Maybe he didn’t even think it was important.
Staggering to his feet, Jeongyun threw the wine box he had been holding onto the floor in front of Domin. Unable to withstand the second impact, the bottle seemed to have broken inside the box, as red liquid began to seep out.
“If you couldn’t keep it from the beginning, you shouldn’t have made the promise.”
“I never broke any promise.”
“…You’re incredibly shameless.”
Jeongyun laughed faintly.
He wondered if Domin had called him here just to show him this kind of behavior from the start. Not knowing that, he had changed his clothes, chosen a gift, and come here as excited as a child going on a picnic. He felt utterly miserable and pitiful.
“Jeongyun, you’re misunderstanding right now—”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
For the first time, Jeongyun drew the line first.
Domin frowned as he stopped talking. He had tried to clear up the misunderstanding, but Jeongyun said he didn’t want to hear it—what was he supposed to do?
“I think I had too much expectation for you, Domin.”
“…What does that mean?”
The conversation was not going well. Although Domin strongly felt that he should change the flow of the conversation now, he chose to quietly wait for Jeongyun’s words.
Wiping the tears spread across his face with his palm, Jeongyun let out a deep breath.
It had been greed from the beginning. He should have just watched from a distance, but as a mere C-class, he was being punished for the greed of wanting to stand by Domin’s side.
‘I brought this upon myself.’
Someone once said that a heart that burned intensely would cool down quickly. So even though it was hard now, with time, it would eventually grow cold. Even his deep feelings for Domin.
“I want to ask you one last thing, Domin.”
“…”
Domin flinched at the word “last.” Jeongyun forced a smile on his face.
He knew that once he said these words, there would be no going back. But it seemed better than continuing this relationship with Domin. He didn’t want to be hurt anymore. He didn’t want to be in pain like this anymore.
He wanted to cut off this miserable cycle of expecting, getting hurt, and expecting again while being by Domin’s side.
“Please break the Imprint.”
“…What did you say?”
“I want to terminate our dedicated contract.”
Domin was genuinely shocked by Jeongyun’s unexpected words. Even if they were to terminate the dedicated contract someday, he thought he would be the one to suggest it—there was no scenario in which Jeongyun would say it.
“Do you understand what you just said?”
Since anyone could make a mistake in the heat of the moment, Domin wanted to give Jeongyun one more chance. He was willing to overlook it if Jeongyun would say he had misspoken.
“Yes, I understand.”
But Jeongyun was resolute. He insisted that he meant what he said. Domin let out a disbelieving laugh.
“…This is ridiculous.”
Domin roughly ran his fingers through his hair and froze. His mind didn’t seem to be working properly, perhaps because the shock was too great.
“You haven’t forgotten what’s written in the contract, have you?”
“No, I remember everything.”
According to the contract, if the Imprint was canceled, Jeongyun would receive 10 times the pain that Domin would have to bear. He couldn’t even begin to imagine how much 10 times the pain of flesh being torn would be, but it seemed better than having his heart torn apart every time.
“Jeongyun, you’ll die.”
This wasn’t a joke—if it was 10 times the pain felt during Imprint cancellation, even an Esper couldn’t withstand it, let alone a Guide who was closer to an ordinary person. He would die from the shock.
Of course, even if they canceled the Imprint, Domin had no intention of returning 10 times the pain. He had added that clause just to intimidate, but with Jeongyun so firmly stating he wanted to break the Imprint, a cruel thought crossed his mind—should he really return 10 times the pain?
“Think carefully. Don’t make a choice you’ll regret.”
“…I won’t.”
Despite Domin repeatedly threatening and coaxing, Jeongyun’s choice didn’t change. Or rather, although he was wavering countless times, he was holding firm.
Even if they broke the one-way Imprint, Domin would be able to find a new dedicated Guide soon. There were plenty of Guides who would come running if Domin just reached out his hand. Or maybe, since he’d broken the Imprint as requested, Domin might form a new dedicated contract with Saeon. That possibility seemed the greatest.
Calming his churning heart, Jeongyun faced Domin, who was still in confusion. He hardened his expression as much as possible and kept his voice flat.
Desperately hoping to appear unaffected, he opened his firmly closed lips.
“Esper Choi Domin, I formally request that you terminate our dedicated partner contract.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
