The next day, Rion headed toward Yu-won’s officetel, looking like he hadn’t put in much effort—when he clearly had.
It had taken a while to get here, but this time, he had a real feeling that maybe they could finally go back to being okay again.
“Hm, maybe I should’ve suggested something other than a barbecue place.”
Rion muttered under his breath as he checked the time. There were still fifteen minutes left until 1 PM.
It wasn’t like they were meeting out of town or anything—just in front of Yu-won’s place—yet here he was, having rushed over anyway.
He was feeling oddly giddy for no real reason.
Not just because he might patch things up with Yu-won. To be more precise, it was the rare chance of finally enjoying some real time off that had him excited.
“How long has it been since I last got two whole days off like this, ever since that forced vacation?”
Rion counted the days and was surprised. He’d first met Yu-won around early spring, and now summer was creeping in.
In all that time, he’d only had more than one day off once.
Most people would’ve said it was a miracle he hadn’t collapsed from overwork, but Rion wasn’t most people.
He constantly worried—what if something urgent came up at the Center while he was gone? What if another Center suddenly called needing emergency help?
He spent entire days plagued by an anxiety that bordered on compulsion, just staring at his phone.
To combat that unease, he’d even gone to the Central Center’s main lobby on his days off, just to chat with the coworkers who were actually on duty.
And now here he was—inviting someone out to eat on a day off.
That was a major leap forward for Kang Rion, the human being.
He gave a proud shrug, as if to say look at me, when someone lightly tapped his shoulder.
“Ah! You startled me.”
“Sorry. I called your name but you didn’t respond.”
Still ten minutes left until their meet time. But then again, it was just in front of his place, so showing up a little early wasn’t unusual.
Rion turned around to greet Yu-won.
“You’re early.”
But when he saw Yu-won, Rion froze for a moment and took in the younger man’s appearance.
He’d always thought Yu-won was good-looking, but today, he was downright radiant.
Rion had made an effort too—what he considered an effort—but compared to Yu-won’s obviously polished appearance, he himself looked like he’d just upgraded from his usual comfy Gate-ready gear.
“You’re already good-looking without trying—what’s with the full makeover?”
“…Does it look like I tried?”
Yu-won flinched at Rion’s comment and glanced down at himself, confused.
That dazed look of his actually made him seem like a typical younger guy for once. It made Rion chuckle.
“I mean, that’s how good you look. Clothes really do make the man. You’re always walking around in that guiding coat—it’s honestly a waste. And your hair too.”
“This isn’t any different from what I usually wear when I go out…”
A soft blush bloomed on Yu-won’s cheeks.
This guy who was usually so unflappable—either totally expressionless or glaring on purpose—was actually blushing.
Rion smiled faintly at the sight.
“No need to get all shy. Just say, ‘Yeah, I look good,’ and move on.”
Maybe he hadn’t styled his hair that elaborately, but with features like that, even the smallest touch made him look impressive.
And those clothes—just one glance told Rion they probably cost more than a new hire’s monthly paycheck.
That expensive cologne too—no way people weren’t turning their heads when he walked by.
“If I’d known you’d be out early, I would’ve ordered a cab.”
“…Didn’t you bring your car?”
“You think I’d say that if I had one? I don’t even have a license.”
Rion grinned as he joked.
He wasn’t as well-off as Yu-won, but for someone his age, Rion had serious money.
He had no real material desires, lived in a Center-provided apartment, and had no need to scramble for a place of his own—so every paycheck basically went straight into savings.
“I practically live at the Center, and I fly instead of getting stuck in traffic. I don’t really need a car. Oh—and not flying today, in case you’re wondering. I can tell the difference between urgent and non-urgent, you know.”
He emphasized again that he wasn’t planning on flying today as he pulled out his phone.
It wasn’t an area where cabs were hard to find, but just in case, better to order one via app.
He was about to unlock his phone when Yu-won stopped him.
“Then let’s take my car.”
“You said you had a license?”
“Yes. Got it right after the college entrance exam.”
Well, yeah. These days, having a license was kind of a must. And with his wealth, owning a car wasn’t surprising either.
Rion nodded.
“Sure. Works out for me.”
“I’ll grab the keys. Just wait here a bit.”
Yu-won gestured toward the underground parking garage and headed back inside.
Though Yu-won had told him to wait, Rion went ahead and started walking to the garage, where he immediately spotted a sleek, high-end car.
Moments later, Yu-won came down and headed straight for that car, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Well, I figured…”
Rion muttered to himself, staring at the car that looked expensive even to someone like him, who didn’t have a license or any interest in cars.
Even he recognized the name of that luxury mid-size brand.
Yu-won had casually mentioned his wealth multiple times, but from now on, Rion knew one thing for sure: he was never flexing about money in front of this guy again.
“Do you even have anywhere to drive to?”
“I usually go to my family’s house on my days off. They always want to see me and hear how I’m doing in person.”
Yu-won said, buckling his seatbelt in the driver’s seat.
So, he had a good relationship with his family.
“Must be nice. Sounds like you’re close to your family.”
“…It’s more that they’re fascinated by what I do, since it’s so different from them.”
Well, yeah. Espers and Guides weren’t exactly your average careers.
Only one in a hundred people had powers—and only one in a hundred of those had powers strong enough to be useful.
“Yeah, I guess that would be fascinating.”
Suddenly, Rion felt a pang of bitterness.
If he had family, would they have asked him every day about what kind of monsters he faced in the latest Gate, what happened at work?
“So, the car’s just…”
“You already knew, didn’t you? From the way you’re not saying anything? It’s not a secret, so don’t get all awkward about it.”
Rion cut in, noticing how Yu-won was clearly trying to change the subject.
He was so obviously steering the conversation away that it was almost pitiful.
“I brought it up without thinking. It’s been over ten years—if I were still sensitive about it, I wouldn’t have said anything.”
Kang Rion’s past wasn’t exactly a mystery.
An S-rank Esper, one of Korea’s most powerful ever—his backstory had long been public knowledge.
Losing his parents in an accident as a child. No surviving relatives. Shuffled through various facilities until his abilities manifested.
Started working at the Central Center as soon as he awakened.
Every year, he donated a large sum to the facility he grew up in.
The media had picked his story apart so many times, there was practically no one who didn’t know it.
“It’s actually more awkward when people get all flustered like that.”
“…I see.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t miss the warmth of family. But he’d had people who cared for him just as much. He didn’t feel jealous.
If anything, the people who freaked out like it was a tragedy made him more uncomfortable.
“Don’t worry about it. Just focus on driving. Crash the car ‘cause you’re overthinking, and I’ll kill you.”
Rion exaggerated his tone to lighten the mood.
Despite only having his license for six months, Yu-won drove smoothly, even in the slightly tense atmosphere, and they soon arrived at the restaurant Rion had chosen.
“This place? The Center Director takes us here when he’s in an extra good mood. The food’s amazing.”
Rion was clearly trying to hype things up, so Yu-won decided to play along.
“Looks like it. Even on a weekday lunch, there’s quite a crowd.”
The restaurant was far from the city center, but even on weekends, it was almost always full.
They only accepted a limited number of reservations for lunch and dinner, and if you were late, you were usually out of luck—unless you were an Esper.
The owner was fond of Espers, and if you mentioned you were one, she’d always make room.
“Oh my, Rion! I’ve got your room ready—come right this way. Looks like it’s not the Center Director this time, but some very handsome young man, huh?”
The restaurant owner, familiar with Rion, came out fussing over him.
She turned her attention to Yu-won, clearly intrigued by the new face.
“And who’s this handsome young man?”
“He’s my matched Guide. Still a fresh newbie—hasn’t even been here six months yet.”
“A matched Guide? Oh wow. Then this young man must be something special.”
Her late husband had been an Esper, so even as a civilian, she was fairly knowledgeable about Espers and Guides.
Her eyes sparkled at the term matched Guide, but she quickly composed herself and ushered them inside.
“Oh dear, look at me—leaving you standing outside. Come in, come in.”
“It’s been a while, that’s all. Anyway, looking forward to another great meal today.”
“Oh, I’ll take extra good care of you.”
With the owner leading the way, the two of them stepped inside the restaurant.
So far, it was just another peaceful weekday afternoon.
