“The very first and most essential condition is creating a comfortable guiding environment. Everything has to start from the basics and build up gradually, right? And honestly, the most fundamental and important aspect of guiding is providing the Esper with a space where they feel safe and secure. To do that, developing a sense of intimacy and connection between the Esper and the Guide is crucial. A lot of people overlook this because of rank differences or compatibility issues, but in reality, the place and time the guiding happens actually have a huge impact too. And when you look at it now, this place seems to be the most stable environment for you, Yoo Ji-ho. It’s even better than the standard guiding rooms—it doesn’t require a reservation, and since it’s inside the Center, access is easy. So why force ourselves to go somewhere else? Do we have to?”
“……”
“I don’t think so. What about you, Yoo Ji-ho?”
Arms crossed and still frozen like ice, Yoo Ji-ho simply… closed his eyes.
He found himself absently rubbing his face, fighting the urge to clamp a hand over that non-stop talking mouth. And once again, his thoughts were spinning.
Honestly, after what happened this morning, he’d fully expected the guy to be gone by the time he woke up. In that case, he could just send him off with a smile and a bowl of porridge. Actually, no—he’d been hoping the guy would just vanish quietly on his own.
But when that didn’t happen, he’d bothered to open his mouth and spell it out. Just saying that much should’ve been enough to make the fool burst into tears and swear never to show his face again.
That way, the blame would’ve been on his end. And with a bit of coaxing, they could’ve maintained the illusion of a partnership for a month without Yoo Ji-ho having to take responsibility.
But the Guide in front of him clearly had no intention of backing down. He even had the nerve to say “See? That’s what happens when you don’t get guided.”
He had to get through the month somehow. But dodging and maintaining the right distance was exhausting in its own right. The whole situation was a massive headache.
“See? Your head hurts because you’re not getting guided properly.”
No one had ever said something like that to him before. It was so absurd, he couldn’t even get angry.
Since Yoo Ji-ho still wasn’t responding, Hye-seong asked again.
“Would it be too difficult… to do it this way?”
“……”
Hye-seong was still staring at him with those bright, hopeful eyes. His hair was all messy, and he hadn’t even tried to tidy up. What the hell was so desperate that he had to look at him like that…
And then, suddenly, he remembered something.
Oh, right. He’s my fan.
The moment that thought hit him, Yoo Ji-ho’s lips curled up into a smooth smile.
Come to think of it, something had been bugging him for a while now. With a more relaxed expression, he finally spoke.
“Hye-seong.”
“Yes?”
“You really like it here, don’t you?”
“……”
It was a question tossed out casually. Even so, Hye-seong looked flustered.
Of course. His eyes had been sparkling every time he looked around, like his thoughts were practically visible. That kind of transparency—it was the first time Yoo Ji-ho had ever seen someone like that. And right now was no different.
So this was the fan that Dr. Na Hye-yoon had been talking about. Seeing it with his own eyes made it hit harder.
Hye-seong clamped his lips shut for a long moment, but eventually, he nodded sheepishly.
“Yes… I’ve never seen a house like this before.”
“I figured as much.”
Yoo Ji-ho smiled lightly, his expression softening.
“But that’s not the reason I suggested this. Everything I said earlier—I meant it. All of it.”
He said it with such gravitas that it made Yoo Ji-ho let out a hollow laugh. But that wasn’t the only thing bothering him.
“So that’s why you’re eating so slowly? Because you like the place?”
“Oh! Right!”
Snapping out of it, Hye-seong hastily picked up his spoon again. Yoo Ji-ho’s bowl had long been emptied, but Hye-seong’s porridge was still almost untouched.
He hurriedly scooped up another bite and ate it, but he still couldn’t bring himself to keep going.
“What’s wrong?”
“……Sorry. My hands… don’t have any strength.”
Maybe he used up too much energy during that passionate little speech. He felt even more drained than before.
Yoo Ji-ho even got him porridge out of concern. The least he could do was eat properly.
Even though he’d scolded him earlier with that cold look, Hye-seong knew those words had come from a place of genuine worry.
And what he did yesterday—it was reckless enough that his superior, someone who’d nearly gone into Rampage, had every right to reprimand him.
But still… he gave him a bed to sleep in, bought him food, and even spoke to him kindly.
No matter how cold his gaze seemed on the outside, Hye-seong could feel the concern behind it all.
“I’m sorry for worrying you. I’ll eat quickly and get up. Just give me a second…”
Yoo Ji-ho’s guiding rejection was obviously a serious issue. Hye-seong wanted—needed—to help him overcome it.
To do that, he had to eat well and recover his strength. It was fine to rest today, but if he was still like this tomorrow, it would start interfering with his duties.
His trembling hand lifted the spoon, only to lower it again. After doing that three times, Yoo Ji-ho couldn’t take it anymore and stood up.
“I’ll help you.”
“Sorry, what?”
Yoo Ji-ho walked over and sat down next to him without hesitation, taking the spoon from Hye-seong’s hand. Hye-seong froze in disbelief.
“W-What?”
“Don’t refuse.”
“……!”
The spoon gently poked at his lips. Reluctantly, Hye-seong opened his mouth and took the bite.
The moment he swallowed, another spoonful was already nudging his lips. This one came even faster.
“W-Wait, slower—”
“Ah.”
That short, firm sound made Hye-seong’s mouth open again without resistance. Yoo Ji-ho even gave him a small smile to make sure he didn’t misunderstand.
“We need to get you fed and back to the office.”
“I’m on leave, though. It’s fine…”
“Open. Ah.”
“……Ah.”
After a few more spoonfuls, Hye-seong suddenly turned his head to the side, avoiding the next one. Yoo Ji-ho looked caught off guard.
“What is it?”
“……I don’t think I’ve gotten an answer yet.”
“Answer to what.”
“You’re going to start accepting Guiding properly now, right? And… I was hoping we could keep doing it here.”
“……”
Trying to dodge the conversation, Yoo Ji-ho wordlessly held out the spoon again. But Hye-seong turned away.
“Please promise me. Okay?”
His resolve was so unwavering that Yoo Ji-ho was momentarily speechless.
His mind filled with questions too heavy and complicated to even articulate.
Is he really planning to keep following me? Like this?
Even after seeing that yesterday?
Even now—he can’t even hold a spoon properly, trembling like a sick little chick—and he still wants to follow me? Why?
He said he’d follow him to the Gate, sure, but after seeing how dangerous it was, why didn’t he run away?
As he met those clear, bright eyes, a thought hit him.
He’d been thinking about this all wrong.
“I’m just worried you’ll push me away again. If that happens… I’ll have to chase you even harder…”
“Even harder?”
“Yes.”
Ah. So he really isn’t scared of me at all.
He’d thrown himself at an Esper on the verge of a rampage and still wants to follow him around. That “fan” comment? Absolutely true.
Which meant this Guide wouldn’t be scared off by a little avoidance. Not until Yoo Ji-ho cut him off with his own hands.
“Hye-seong.”
“Yes?”
“How much time is left in your probationary period?”
“Uh, about two weeks… Wait, why do you ask—”
The spoon, which had looked moments away from being shoved back into his mouth, instead dropped back into the bowl. Yoo Ji-ho nodded slowly and muttered,
“So I’ll be stuck with you for two more weeks, just like this.”
“……Yes.”
His eyes bored into Hye-seong’s, and just then, Hye-seong started to worry he was about to get fired after all.
“Alright.”
“…Huh?”
“Let’s do that. Just like you want.”
“Seriously?”
He didn’t realize it, but his unintentional emotional blackmail had worked.
Watching Hye-seong’s face light up again like sunshine, Yoo Ji-ho let a smile tug at the corner of his lips.
After all, there was still one crucial thing this eager little Guide hadn’t realized.
And that was Yoo Ji-ho’s Guiding Rejection Condition—a disorder he’d lived with ever since awakening as an Esper.
There was no way he’d accept Contact Guiding while fully conscious. Hye-seong didn’t know that—he’d only ever done it while Yoo Ji-ho was asleep.
But now, Yoo Ji-ho thought it might be fun to watch what happened when that little hope in his eyes started to fade.
The idea of watching it unfold up close was… strangely entertaining.
“I get it. So don’t bother chasing me around anymore. It’s exhausting.”
“Okay! Then starting tomorrow, I’ll stop by the office and come here straight after. Wow…”
Oblivious to all of that, Hye-seong grinned brightly, completely thrilled.
