It felt like standing in front of an impenetrable wall—no matter what he said, it wouldn’t get through.
Even though he knew Ji-ho wasn’t that kind of person, he couldn’t figure out why it felt that way.
“…….”
Or maybe…
Now that he thought about it, this wasn’t the first time.
When was it that he saw Yoo Ji-ho look at him with eyes like that?
It was something that needed to be said, but he still felt uneasy—like he’d said something he shouldn’t have.
“…No, this isn’t the time for that.”
Shaking his head briskly to snap out of it, Hye-seong forced himself to move.
He was here as a guide—he couldn’t waste time getting lost in pointless thoughts.
He rushed into a random room, dropped his luggage, and quickly changed into his guide uniform.
Their next schedule was coming up fast.
***
Before the orientation ceremony began, their first task was to tour the newly completed Jeju Branch Center, finished just two weeks ago.
The guide in charge of the tour, Nam Tae-yoon, introduced himself energetically as the team leader of Guide Team 1 at the Jeju Branch.
“It’s truly an honor to meet you all like this!”
“I doubt my schedule is open enough for this kind of thing.”
Then, Yoo Ji-ho gave his version of a polite refusal—basically saying he didn’t give a damn about some backwater facility he’d never have to visit again.
Oh dear.
You really said it like that…?!
Director Shin and Secretary Kang, who were among the group of officials, groaned inwardly at his words. But Director Shin, who was used to this kind of thing by now, forced a hearty laugh and stepped in to smooth things over.
“Ha ha ha, I thought Team Leader Yoo was feeling a little off today…”
“Oh dear, is that so? Then, of course, the Esper’s condition comes first. Oh dear, what do we do now, tsk tsk…”
Yoo Ji-ho simply shrugged, completely indifferent. Then, taking Hye-seong by the wrist, he looked around for the way back to the hotel.
The once-friendly atmosphere had gone ice cold. Reading the panicked expressions of the Jeju Branch officials, Hye-seong leaned in and quietly asked Nam Tae-yoon,
“Um… would it be possible to see everything in about 10 minutes?”
Nam Tae-yoon, who had turned pale, nodded eagerly—thankful for even that.
“We’ll have to skip a few sections, but yes, that should be enough.”
“Great. Just a moment, please.”
Nodding in agreement, Hye-seong stepped up to Yoo Ji-ho and spoke to him quietly, turning his back to the others to shield their conversation.
“Mr. Yoo Ji-ho, they said we can finish in 10 minutes. There’s still a whole hour until the orientation, and it seems like everyone worked really hard preparing for this, so…”
“……”
“Are you… feeling unwell?”
Hye-seong, who always spoke gently, lowered his voice even more to make sure no one else could hear as he asked about Yoo Ji-ho’s condition.
It was partly out of respect for all the people who had worked hard to plan this event—but more than anything, it was out of consideration for Yoo Ji-ho’s feelings.
Even though the flight had only lasted 30 minutes, he figured it must’ve been exhausting for someone as sensitive as Yoo Ji-ho.
Behind Hye-seong, all eyes—filled with desperate hope—were locked onto a single point.
Yoo Ji-ho looked down at Hye-seong in silence. He didn’t seem unwell.
“Th-Then how about 7 minutes…?”
“……”
After a brief pause, Yoo Ji-ho gave a small nod.
Hye-seong turned around, his face clearly brightened, and the officials’ faces lit up as well.
With that, the schedule was slightly adjusted.
Unlike other branches, this newly rebuilt center had political reasons for desperately needing promotion and publicity.
Listening to the non-stop chatter from the officials, Yoo Ji-ho picked up on that vibe and started wondering if he could use it as an excuse to get more vacation days from Director Shin during his recovery period.
After the rest of the group left, Nam Tae-yoon, under pressure to fill the remaining time somehow, made a suggestion to Director Shin.
“Director, actually, we’re planning to run an aquarium on the side. Shall I show you that area later?”
“Really? An aquarium, you say?”
When Director Shin repeated the words in disbelief, Nam Tae-yoon scratched his head and gave a sheepish laugh. He, too, seemed to know how absurd the whole thing sounded—even as an insider.
“It’s supposed to be a community-friendly space, but honestly, it’s really just for tourism.”
“Oh-ho! So you’re getting into the tourism business too? That bastard Jun-pil’s really going all in, huh?”
“Ha ha ha…”
Rumors that the new Jeju Branch Director was hungry for every crumb of profit this project might bring… were probably true.
“If possible, we’d really appreciate it if the Esper could stop by that area as well…”
“Of course. Makes sense.”
Recently, Director Shin had discovered a rather new and effective method of roping Yoo Ji-ho into things.
Just imagining the expensive booze he’d be getting later from the Jeju Branch Director had him practically licking his lips.
“Tsk, well, let’s at least check the size of the place. But where the hell did those two go?”
He suddenly snapped out of it and looked around. Off in the distance, he spotted Hye-seong’s round head, standing and talking with Yoo Ji-ho.
“Hye-seong, I think I’ve met too many people. My head’s spinning.”
“Gasp, really? That’s not good!”
Grabbing his hand with both of his own, Hye-seong looked at him with concern.
Maybe it was just the suggestion that he wasn’t feeling well, but suddenly Yoo Ji-ho looked different.
His face seemed even more gaunt, and that uniquely sensitive aura people online referred to as his “delicate charm” felt even more intense!
“Is it… is it because of me?”
He didn’t respond. But the way he stayed silent made it obvious he didn’t want to say it was.
Trying to mediate things like an idiot…
Feeling heavy-hearted, Hye-seong began to fidget.
“I shouldn’t have suggested the 7 minutes. Ugh, if I’d known it would upset you, I never would’ve said anything…!”
“Haa… well, it’s not like you knew. No one can help that.”
“Hrk…”
Hye-seong couldn’t say anything in response.
Seriously… how can someone be this soft-hearted?
He let out a long sigh and lowered his gaze. Anyone watching would’ve felt the weight in the air.
“We still have events left today… Are you feeling really bad?”
“I feel like I’ll be okay if I touch your cheeks.”
“Here! Touch them all you want!”
Hye-seong quickly pulled Yoo Ji-ho’s hand up to his own cheeks with both hands.
“Are you sure this is enough?”
“Still deciding.”
Yoo Ji-ho placed one hand on Hye-seong’s face and squeezed both cheeks. Pressing in from both sides made Hye-seong’s lips pop out amusingly.
Even with someone else squishing his face, Hye-seong just quietly dropped his hands and studied Yoo Ji-ho’s expression intently.
After a while, Yoo Ji-ho’s tight expression finally relaxed.
Then he brought in his other hand and began squishing Hye-seong’s soft white cheeks with both hands.
“You two little shits. What the hell do you think you’re doing out here?!”
Director Shin marched over, fuming.
“You motherf— No, I mean you damn cat bastard…!”
Hye-seong looked completely clueless, but Director Shin could read Yoo Ji-ho’s eyes clearly. There was something filthy behind them.
Something downright lewd.
“Huh? Cat?”
Hearing the approaching voice, Hye-seong glanced sideways to see where it was coming from, but Yoo Ji-ho didn’t let him turn his head.
As if he heard nothing at all, Yoo Ji-ho kept his eyes fixed on Hye-seong and murmured softly.
“We’re going to have to go back to the hotel. No other choice.”
“Let’s go. Let’s go now! We can catch our breath for at least 30 minutes.”
Without even knowing what it meant, Hye-seong nodded furiously.
By then, Director Shin had reached them and forcibly separated the two.
Yoo Ji-ho immediately scowled at the interruption.
“What?”
“What do you mean, what? Don’t even think about disappearing. No matter what, you have to be at the orientation in 30 minutes. We already let all the reporters in because of you!”
“…Ha.”
Yoo Ji-ho bit down on a low curse.
Beside him, Hye-seong was anxiously reading the room.
In the end, thanks to Director Shin’s relentless hovering, Yoo Ji-ho was forced to quietly attend the rest of the schedule.
By the time he arrived, the orientation had already been underway for quite some time.
Now it was nearly time for the oath ceremony, and Yoo Ji-ho was resting with his eyes closed in a waiting room.
Next to him, Hye-seong and Nam Tae-yoon sat chatting away on a couch.
As he listened and nodded enthusiastically, Hye-seong had already learned a lot about the man.
“I actually have a friend who’s an Esper at the Yeouido Center.”
“Wow, really?”
“He’s a hometown friend. I awakened way earlier than him, though, which is kind of a shame. If the timing had worked out better, we might’ve ended up in the same branch.”
“Gasp, yeah… that is a shame…”
Nam Tae-yoon had the kind of easygoing charm that made it obvious why he’d been given an important role.
Even when Yoo Ji-ho had barely responded all day, he kept the conversation going smoothly, throwing in light jokes where needed.
For Hye-seong, it had been a long time since he’d had a proper conversation with another guide—Nam Tae-yoon’s presence was a huge comfort.
And hearing about someone who had become a team leader at such a young age was inspiring—like seeing the kind of guide he’d always dreamed of becoming.
“Oh? Then your friend… could it be…?”
Hye-seong turned sharply to look at Yoo Ji-ho.
He was reclining comfortably in his seat, eyes still closed.
As usual, his sensitive features stood out—sharp brows, a straight nose, long lashes resting on his cheeks.
In his black Esper uniform, Yoo Ji-ho was endlessly captivating.
Blinking slowly, Hye-seong drank in the sight, then asked something he was curious about.
“Mr. Yoo Ji-ho wouldn’t happen to know your friend, right?”
His tone wasn’t hopeful.
From everything he’d learned so far, Yoo Ji-ho didn’t even bother remembering the names of other Yeouido Espers.
He was just asking on a whim, but Nam Tae-yoon—unaware of that fact—readily offered the name.
“Oh, Esper-nim. By any chance, do you know a guy named Han Geon-woo?”
“Huh? Han Geon-woo?”
Hearing the familiar name, Hye-seong blurted it out in surprise.
“I know Han Geon-woo!”
“Whoa, really? You do?”
“Yes! Before I got paired with Mr. Yoo Ji-ho, I guided him almost every day!”
At that bright, cheerful reply, Yoo Ji-ho’s eyes slowly opened.
