Chapter 113
His straightforward question with no brakes made my head spin again.
‘This isn’t as simple as he makes it sound…’
Legal relationships have much more binding power than one might think. It’s something that should be approached with extreme caution after deciding to spend a lifetime together—rushing into it based on momentary emotions would likely lead to regret.
Especially Song Ji-hyeok—while physically much larger than me, he was still a young adult who hadn’t even been twenty for a full year. He was still at an age where it was easy to get swept up in emotions and act impulsively.
In truth, even I hadn’t made a definite decision yet. Just this morning, I had resolved to follow Gi-jun, but Song Ji-hyeok’s unexpected, desperate confession had shaken my heart. I wanted to believe that we could be together simply because we wanted each other, not out of necessity or purpose.
‘This isn’t easy. Ugh.’
Even if I decided to stay in Korea, registering as life partners was another matter entirely. There was a mountain of things to consider, but Song Ji-hyeok, who could be selectively diligent depending on the situation, didn’t wait long for me.
“Let’s go now.”
“W-wait a minute.”
I desperately racked my brain to buy time. What should I do? If I used his age as an excuse, he might feel offended about being treated like a child…
‘Ah, that’s it!’
As an appropriate excuse came to mind, I smiled broadly without realizing it.
“Actually, this isn’t something we can just do casually.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know if you’re aware, but for same-sex Pairs like us, registering as partners is essentially the same as marriage registration. Everyone says so.”
Fortunately, the mention of marriage registration seemed to appeal to him, as I could feel Song Ji-hyeok’s eyes grow even brighter. For a moment, I thought ‘Have I dug my own grave?’ but having already spoken, I had to finish my point.
“But if we just come here and register without ceremony, there’s no romance to it. If someone asks how the proposal went, we’d have nothing to say. So when things settle down and the time feels right, I’ll propose to you properly.”
“When will that be?”
“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you in advance. These things should be surprises—that’s the unwritten rule.”
I smiled sweetly, hiding my true thoughts while praying it would work. After staring at me intently for a while, Song Ji-hyeok also smiled brightly.
“Okay.”
“Good, that’s the right decision.”
“I’ll look forward to your proposal. I can expect it, right?”
“Y-yeah, of course…”
What am I going to do? I really feel like I’ve dug my own grave.
I felt like I was breaking into a cold sweat despite it not being hot. As I began to think his smiling face was beautiful but somewhat burdensome, Song Ji-hyeok’s device rang loudly with perfect timing. Seeing my chance, I quickly changed the subject.
“Looks like someone’s looking for you. Check it quickly.”
I directed my gaze toward his waist as if deeply interested. Soon I could see his long fingers touching the device.
“Who is it?”
“I don’t know. It’s an unknown number.”
“Let me see.”
I soon looked at the screen as well. Each device has its own unique number, and I had memorized important numbers like those of the HR Director, the New Recruit Director, and our Team Leader. But the number on the screen was unfamiliar to me too. However, seeing that no previous call history appeared, it seemed to be a first-time contact.
Meanwhile, Song Ji-hyeok mercilessly pressed the end button. I was the one surprised by his bold action.
“Shouldn’t you answer it?”
“I don’t answer unknown numbers. There are too many annoying people saying ‘Let’s eat together,’ ‘Let’s have a drink,’ ‘Let’s practice together,’ and so on.”
My mouth gaped open at this new information.
“Is that really true?”
“Yes.”
Wow, so it can be abused like that. Why didn’t I know?
Since the principle is to keep guild-issued devices on your person 24 hours a day, guild members often use devices instead of phones for personal business. I also frequently communicate with my team members and close friends via device, but I never thought it could be used for approaching with other motives. I’ve never made such contacts or received them.
Then a short notification sound rang. Song Ji-hyeok turned the screen back on with an indifferent face and slightly furrowed his brow.
“Is it the same number?”
“Yes. I blocked it right away.”
“…You have it tough.”
In many ways.
As I gave him a sympathetic look, experiencing the sorrows of a celebrity indirectly, Song Ji-hyeok met my eyes again. Then he immediately returned to the main point.
“Anyway, you’re saying you’ll propose first, right?”
“Y-yeah…”
“Alright. But remember just one thing.”
“What?”
“If you try to unilaterally terminate our Pair contract or leave my side like this time, I’ll hold onto you by any means necessary. You know I’m a man of my word, right?”
I’d rather not know, but I think I do…
I failed to manage my expression and looked dumbfounded. Seeing me like that, Song Ji-hyeok smiled sweetly, lifting the corners of his mouth due to some misunderstanding.
“Are you moved? You don’t have to be.”
“…”
I can see how pleased he is, so I can’t bring myself to deny it.
“Su-hyeon senior.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll really treat you well from now on. You can look forward to it.”
“…Sure. I will.”
As I smiled back at him, a realization crossed my mind.
Ah, this is why people date younger partners.
And so, I successfully made a dramatic U-turn. We were about to return straight to the guild when, upon learning that Song Ji-hyeok hadn’t had lunch yet, we headed to a nearby restaurant.
I was the one who reported to the Team Leader. While it was okay to be away briefly, until just now I had been in a meeting with the Guild Master. Not knowing the Guild Master’s direct number, I sent a message to the Team Leader apologizing and explaining the situation, saying I’d return a bit later.
My mind felt much clearer. After erasing the “leaving” option once more, I could see another path that I hadn’t considered before, trapped in the framework of being a Guide. Catching on to this, I changed my mind and made the final decision to just stay in Korea.
Before meeting Song Ji-hyeok, my work ratio as an Esper had been overwhelmingly higher than as a Guide. Even if I couldn’t maintain the Pair contract in good conscience, it was possible to stay by Song Ji-hyeok’s side as a colleague and companion.
Of course, my salary would return to a pittance level, but… though it would be tight, I had lived well until now, so it should be possible going forward too. Additionally, I had been worried about growing distant from my sister, but that concern was naturally resolved.
‘So this is how my long, long deliberation ends.’
I felt relieved like a toothache had finally stopped, but there was one fact I had overlooked: as always, the world doesn’t flow according to my wishes. Soon after, a phone call put Song Ji-hyeok and me at another crossroads.
***
The restaurant staff who guided me to the private room kindly opened the door for me. Gi-jun, who was already there, greeted me with a bright smile.
“You’re here?”
“Yes.”
I sat down awkwardly with an even more uncomfortable smile. Like the place where we had eaten together last time, this place also exuded wealth from its interior.
“Hyung, aren’t you overdoing it?”
“What?”
“This place looks expensive too…”
“Don’t worry. I earn enough to buy you a good meal, you fool. …But I do feel a bit awkward too.”
We both laughed at his confession, which he added quietly as if sharing a secret. The food came out quickly. Being moderately hungry, I said my thanks for the meal and then cleared each plate neatly one by one.
While enjoying the traditional Korean course meal, Gi-jun and I, as always, had plenty of conversation. Even though it had only been three days since we had fully caught up, there was still no end to our topics today.
We laughed, chatted, and sometimes debated on a wide range of subjects. As the meal was almost over, the atmosphere changed slightly. After taking a sip of tea, Gi-jun began in a serious tone.
“Have you thought about what I told you?”
I also put away my smile and calmly replied.
“Yes. …I’ve decided to stay in Korea. I’m sorry, hyung.”
My gaze naturally lowered in apology. Knowing my circumstances so well, he probably expected that I would go with him.
Nevertheless, Gi-jun didn’t blame or resent me. Without showing surprise, he asked for my reason in his usual kind voice.
“May I ask why? Is it perhaps because you think your matching rate with that S-class Esper might rise again?”
“No, that’s not it. I’d be lucky if it doesn’t drop any further.”
“Don’t talk like that.”
His voice became more firm. It was a voice that scolded me for self-deprecation, even in jest, and also showed concern for me.
The moment I realized this, I felt a lump in my throat. And I changed my mind. I had intended to explain my reason for not going to America with family stories, as mentioning my relationship with Song Ji-hyeok seemed too intimate, but in front of this hyung who was so genuinely concerned for me, I felt I should be completely honest.
However, it was a bit embarrassing as it was my first time talking about my love life.
“…Today I received a confession from my Pair Esper. He asked me to stay by his side.”
“Song Ji-hyeok said that?”
“Yes.”
A brief silence lingered after I closed my mouth. Only then did I slightly raise my head to look at Gi-jun, but stopped short. The man who had maintained his composure even when I said I was staying in Korea now had his mouth slightly open, as if he had heard something unbelievable.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
