Chapter 107
“Would you like to come to America with me?”
“…What?”
What kind of nonsense was this? Such an unexpected question prompted an automatic response. All sorts of thoughts ran through my head.
What’s this all of a sudden? Is he joking? Or is he saying this out of pity because I look so pathetic?
“Right now, America treats Dual Awakeners extremely well. I guarantee you can earn much more than your current salary.”
I could pretend to accept something Gi-jun said without understanding, but I couldn’t possibly go along with what he just said.
“Hyung, I’m a Dual C-grade.”
Even among Duals, there are differences. It was absurd to suggest that someone barely different from a C-grade Esper or Guide would be given a high salary. Especially the claim that it would be more than my current salary made even less sense.
“Plus, I’m still under a Pair contract… My salary has increased quite a bit.”
I thought I had sharply pointed out something Gi-jun had missed, but he didn’t waver at all. Instead, he left me speechless.
“You could receive two or three times more than that.”
“…Is that even possible?”
Though I couldn’t say it out loud, by this point I was wondering if he was trying to sell me drugs. As if anticipating my reaction, Gi-jun took out his wallet from his coat’s inner pocket. Then he handed something to me.
“I should have given you this first. It’s my business card.”
Despite my confused state, I accepted the card. As I looked down to examine it, my eyes widened. It was because of the letters written before Gi-jun’s English name.
「Dual Awakening」
Seeing me look up in surprise, Gi-jun continued his explanation.
“This is still highly confidential… but since it’s you, Su-hyeon, I’ll be completely honest. Right now, FARI is focusing on Dual Awakening research. They’ve determined it has limitless potential. Scouts are making quiet contact, and many Dual Awakeners have already transferred from other countries.”
I managed to hold onto my rationality and asked him:
“What would I do there? They wouldn’t give such good treatment just because I’m a Dual, would they?”
“That is exactly why the treatment is good. Of course, they conduct experiments and research on Awakeners, but you can refuse if you don’t want to participate. Above all, if safety wasn’t guaranteed, I would have warned you in advance by any means necessary, without even bringing this up.”
Regardless of my situation, an instinctive question arose. What kind of research are they doing that warrants such good treatment? And with no compulsion, too.
There was a limit to vague conjecture. I unconsciously furrowed my brow while pondering, and finally chose to throw a straightforward question.
“Hyung. Is this… possibly a scam?”
Despite it being potentially offensive, Gi-jun showed no sign of being upset and instead let out a hearty laugh.
“You still don’t know me well. Even if I became a con artist and scammed every person in the world, doing that to you would make me less than human. I can promise this with everything I have.”
Then Gi-jun revealed more of his sincerity.
“Even with personal choice, I can’t say there’s absolutely no risk. If you had no problems performing your duties as a Pair Guide, I wouldn’t have brought up transferring even if we met. …But unfortunately, that’s what happened, and I thought what I’m proposing might become a new path for you.”
“…”
“If you transfer here, your perspective will broaden. If you want, the research center can send an official document to Sunrise Guild, and you don’t need to worry about the penalty fee. Just a moment.”
In the middle of speaking, Gi-jun’s phone rang briefly. After checking the screen, his eyes widened momentarily, then he rubbed the back of his neck with a troubled hand. A sigh mixed with a groan was an added bonus.
“No, these people, really…”
“What’s wrong, hyung? Did something happen?”
Gi-jun’s expression when facing me again still looked equally troubled.
“They found out I was meeting you today, and it seems the center has already sent an official document to Sunrise Guild. I told them to wait a few more days… This is driving me crazy.”
“They sent an official document to the guild?”
“Yeah. The scout team leader is known for being more impatient than Koreans. His nickname is even ‘Ppalli-Ppalli’ [quickly-quickly].”
I didn’t have time to marvel at the globalization of Korean language. Seeing my dumbfounded look, Gi-jun apologized repeatedly.
“I’m sorry, Su-hyeon. But don’t worry about it, think it over thoroughly, and if you’re not inclined, it’s okay to refuse. Well, of course, I’d prefer if you came with me.”
“…I’ll think about it, hyung.”
Just then, the room’s chime bell rang. I stupidly wondered who would be looking for Gi-jun at this hour, but then I remembered we had ordered room service earlier when I smelled the chicken aroma wafting in.
***
After enjoying the chicken, I returned home close to midnight. Since there was no one to scold me for not showering, I just washed my hands and feet before entering my room.
Flopping down on the bed, I finally felt that today had come to an end. I blinked vacantly while sprawled out. My body felt somewhat tired, but my mind was clear.
Soon I began another major deliberation. It was about my future living arrangements, which I had already pondered to the point of tedium without reaching a conclusion, and to which another option had been added today.
First: I continue to volunteer as Song Ji-hyeok’s guide, shamelessly. However, there’s a 100% chance I’ll be relegated to backup, and my salary will be drastically cut next year. And although Song Ji-hyeok says he’s holding onto me now, if he keeps facing the reality that I’m not helpful, he might eventually abandon me.
Second: I go to America with Gi-jun. If what he said is true, I won’t have to worry about money, and he’ll certainly take care of me like family. The downside is being far away from my family. Also, if I’m judged incompetent, my treatment might change. And also… my relationship with Ji-hyeok would probably end forever.
“Hoo…”
I covered my eyes with my arm, letting out a long sigh. If one option’s advantages were overwhelming, there would be no need to agonize, but since the pros and cons were evenly balanced, it was difficult to make a decision.
I sighed repeatedly, unconsciously chewing my lips several times. I tossed and turned while pondering for a long time. As time passed and the night grew deep, as if even the moon had fallen asleep, I finally put an end to my lengthy deliberation.
‘Yes, let’s do that. This concludes my worries.’
Deciding not to think about it anymore, I pulled the blanket over me. I wondered if sleep would come after using my brain so intensely, but amusingly, that underestimated me. As if my body recognized that my worries were resolved, I fell sound asleep the moment I closed my eyes.
***
The next morning, I woke up before the alarm for once. After checking my phone clock out of habit, I buried my face in my pillow, hugging it while lying on my stomach.
‘This is awkward.’
If I had woken up an hour early, I would have gladly gone back to sleep, but since it was only about 15 minutes earlier, it felt ambiguous. Maybe because I had gotten quality sleep, I found myself becoming more alert rather than drowsy.
In the end, I just kept my eyes closed quietly until I heard the alarm, then got out of bed. I stretched my stiff body from the night, then entered the bathroom to take the shower I had missed yesterday.
“Ah, so refreshing.”
I vigorously dried my wet hair with a towel as I opened the wardrobe door. I threw on whatever clothes came to hand, put on socks, then checked my phone time again. That’s when I noticed missed call notifications at the top of the screen. The caller was Kim Young-joo, and there were three calls marked at 2-3 minute intervals.
‘What’s going on?’
Seeing three calls so early in the morning, I instinctively felt that something must have happened. Just then, my phone rang again, and I answered immediately.
“Hey, Young-joo.”
“Why aren’t you answering your phone?”
“I was in the shower. What’s up?”
I replied as I walked into the living room. When I commuted alone, I usually left home earlier to catch the subway, but I still had about 10 minutes to spare. Planning to leave after ending the call, I plopped down on the living room sofa, but Kim Young-joo’s next words made me freeze without realizing it.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
