Chapter 84
Is there really anyone else who would buy a car just because of its high clearance? And an imported car that costs a fortune at that?
Meanwhile, the cookies and coffee I was served were so delicious that I eagerly devoured them. After finishing, I sat there blankly, practically becoming one with the sofa, until Song Ji-hyeok called for me shortly after.
The friendly employee accompanied us to the front entrance on the first floor. Not only that person, but three more employees appeared from somewhere to see us off. Just before leaving, the employee who had been slightly fidgeting as if they had something to say finally seemed to make up their mind and spoke with a respectful attitude.
“It was an honor to meet both of you today. Please take care, and have a wonderful day.”
“Thank you.”
I smiled and responded on behalf of Song Ji-hyeok, who just slightly nodded his head. After only seeing people who make a fuss and rush to take photos when they see Song Ji-hyeok, it was even impressive to see someone just politely saying goodbye.
“That employee was very professional. Cool.”
“Why? Is that type of man your taste?”
I was about to retort with “What nonsense is that?” but after glancing up at Song Ji-hyeok’s profile, I decided to joke around.
“Yeah. I like gentlemen. Calm, well-spoken.”
“If you work in sales, that’s how you have to be.”
“That’s what makes it more impressive. It’s not easy to be kind to everyone you meet.”
“Right. Someone like me could never do that even if I died and came back to life.”
In the past, I might have been flustered by his grumbling tone or tried to read the room, but now I’m somewhat used to it. I casually responded while patting Song Ji-hyeok’s back.
“Hey, you don’t need to do that. And if you were good at everything, what would be left for others?”
“Are you mocking my bad temper?”
“Oops, you caught me.”
“Stop climbing all over me.”
“Ouch, ouch. Isn’t that too harsh to your senior?”
Song Ji-hyeok playfully pretended to push down my head with his large hand. Soon after withdrawing his hand, he naturally changed the subject.
“I made a contract for the first car. They said we’d have to wait almost a year for the second car.”
“Really? There must be a huge waitlist.”
“Yeah. Seems like there are a lot of people like us who want to do it in the car.”
…Surely that’s not the reason? And what’s with “like us”? I’m not like that.
“The car I contracted for will be delivered in two months, so just be patient until then.”
I can’t believe this.
“Let’s be clear, Ji-hyeok. I’ve never had those thoughts, not even a tiny bit, really not at all.”
I emphasized seriously, even adding hand gestures. Song Ji-hyeok looked at me once and then smirked with an “as if” expression.
“That’s coming from someone who wrapped both legs around my waist and squeezed tighter than our first time? I thought my dick was going to be cut off.”
“Hey, what are you saying on the street?”
I tried to cover Song Ji-hyeok’s mouth in shock, but he easily avoided it and instead restrained me. With his arm around my neck like a headlock, I had no choice but to hug his body and take quick steps to avoid falling.
“Let go for a sec.”
“Why? I like the weight.”
“People are staring.”
“Should I poke their eyes out?”
“What are you saying, you crazy…”
“Crazy what?”
“Crazy nice weather today.”
As we bickered like that heading toward where the car was parked, I suddenly felt a surge of emotion.
I’ve completely adapted to this daily life now. Song Ji-hyeok’s sharp tone and grumpy expressions now seem cute to me, and I’ve come to know very well that he’s more considerate than he appears.
Amid persistent anxiety, I desperately prayed again. I hoped that this happiness and luck would never be broken. That we could continue to remain each other’s pair until we both grew old and retired. If that could happen, I felt like I wouldn’t want anything more.
***
The next day, I had tea time with Han Song-i for the first time in a while. We ran into each other right as I was coming out of the physical training room, and when Han Song-i suggested, “Lemonade call?” I agreed without hesitation.
The frequency of encountering Esper team members is similar to hit-or-miss. There are people I meet every time I return from the field, and there are cases where I only see their faces after almost a month if our schedules don’t align.
Anyway, when we arrived at the cafe, we both changed our minds. Instead of lemonade, we ordered iced lattes and three slices of cake, then headed to a nearby table.
Yes, this is it.
As I took a sip of coffee through the straw, I felt my energy being lifted at once. Han Song-i cut a large piece of cake with her fork, stuffed it in her mouth, and spoke while chewing.
“You’re still training really hard. I was shocked when I tried to lift the dumbbell you were using earlier.”
“I’m a Dual after all, though it may not look like it.”
Although the frequency of going to the field had significantly decreased, I had no intention of neglecting skill training or physical conditioning. Especially for Guides, having good physical strength makes guiding less tiring and allows us to endure longer.
My device rang shortly after we sat down. I excused myself briefly and answered the phone.
“Hey, Ji-hyeok.”
“Where are you now?”
“I’m at the cafe on the first floor, why?”
“I just finished my examination. Want to have lunch together outside?”
“Sure. Where should we meet?”
“Come out to the front of the Guild by 12.”
“Okay. See you later.”
While I was talking to Song Ji-hyeok, Han Song-i was munching on the cake stuffed in her mouth while staring at me intently. As soon as I hung up, I heard her question.
“Was that Song Ji-hyeok?”
“Yeah.”
As soon as I answered, Han Song-i slightly frowned. Seeing her even shake her head a little, I couldn’t just let it go.
“Why, did you two fight or something?”
“No. If I had fought with him, I wouldn’t be able to sit like this right now.”
I found myself agreeing without thinking. Han Song-i is also a formidable talent second to none, but no matter how outstanding she is, the gap due to ranking is an insurmountable realm.
“Then why the face?”
“I was thinking about when we went to the dungeon before. He went crazy as soon as we entered, and I really thought I was seeing a madman. It’s so strange to see you talking to him so peacefully on the phone.”
Han Song-i then leaned forward slightly and asked in a lowered voice.
“Is it okay when you guide him?”
“Huh?”
“Since he’d be in a state where he can’t see anything else, I’d think he’d act even more as he pleases. I’m not criticizing, but even I want to do whatever I want when I flip out, so I wonder if Song Ji-hyeok might be worse.”
“No, not really.”
“Really? Doesn’t he try to reverse-guide?”
“No, he doesn’t.”
“Hmm…”
Han Song-i straightened her posture with a surprised expression. Soon, she smiled faintly and fidgeted with her left leg, which was crossed.
“I guess he knows he’d only be hurting himself if he gets on your bad side. When I think about it that way, he’s kind of cute.”
“Yeah, he’s cute.”
At that, Han Song-i completely changed her expression and physically recoiled.
“I just got major goosebumps.”
“Why? You said he was cute too.”
“That’s just a figure of speech. But when you say it, it sounds real.”
“It is real.”
My device, which had been quiet, rang briefly once more. It was a message from Song Ji-hyeok asking me to think about what I wanted to eat.
“Want to come eat with us?”
“No, you two enjoy your meal together. I’ll just finish this and go back upstairs.”
Han Song-i pointed to one untouched slice of cake. I nodded, acknowledging her response, and got up from my seat first.
I went to a Korean restaurant near the Guild for lunch with Song Ji-hyeok. When I got in the car and said, “I want to eat soft tofu stew,” Song Ji-hyeok grumbled that this was the only menu item I could think of. But once the food came out, he inhaled it like a storm, as if in the blink of an eye.
I felt my own sense of satisfaction watching him eat so heartily. I vividly remember when I first brought him to this restaurant, how he frowned while looking around, but now he’s become such a connoisseur that he orders with confidence and even engages in small talk with the owner.
Not to be outdone, I diligently ate my meal while asking Song Ji-hyeok:
“How was your examination? How are the results?”
“The same as always.”
Even though I already knew it would be the same, hearing it directly from Song Ji-hyeok finally made me feel at ease.
Today, he had visited the Awakened Association. Awakened individuals ranked A or higher must undergo re-examination at 6 months and 1 year after their initial assessment, and then every 2 years thereafter. Other ranks must be re-examined once in their first year, and then every 3 years after that. My notification would probably arrive soon as well.
‘Could my Guide rank possibly increase? That would be really great.’
As they say, seeing something desirable gives rise to greed. Until now, I hadn’t even thought about it, but as soon as I recalled the Awakened Center, a sudden groundless expectation arose. As a Guide paired with an S-rank Esper who has guided him several times, wouldn’t there be some change, either in the quantity or quality of my energy?
I was grinning like an idiot just imagining it, when I suddenly made eye contact with Song Ji-hyeok. To avoid unnecessary comments, I quickly averted my gaze while continuing to eat, then asked another question I’d been wanting to ask.
“Did you meet your cousin?”
“Yes. As soon as I entered the center, he came running over in his socks.”
I couldn’t help but laugh when I heard that. I could picture so clearly someone who looks more gentlemanly than anyone else welcoming Song Ji-hyeok with open arms.
