Chapter 4
Originally, the novel my Noona wrote had a dark and desolate atmosphere as if it was burrowing into the ground, with a setting where violence was routinely perpetrated.
Moreover, the novel’s first scene began with Lee Ha-min being hunted down like prey by S-rank Espers.
It started with him fleeing into the darkening forest, branches mercilessly scratching and striking his bare skin, crying with tears streaming down his face, begging to be saved.
Kyun In, who had no way of knowing what I thought about him, continued speaking nonchalantly.
“But Ha-min was impressive too, wasn’t he? He didn’t say a word until the end, right? About why he was late. I only found out by asking others. What he was doing before coming to us. I don’t understand why he wouldn’t tell us something so trivial. Did he think we would harass Esper Seo Eunwoo if he told us? Or did he dislike us seeing Esper Seo Eunwoo? Well, I suppose that could be possible. Ha-min has some cute aspects, doesn’t he?”
What was that supposed to mean?
What did he mean by “disliked us seeing” me, and what did he mean by “could be possible”?
After Kyun In left, I continued sitting there with a blank face before standing up.
I felt I needed to see Lee Ha-min first.
***
Entering a Guide’s room without permission was quite a risky act for lower-ranked Espers like us.
If caught by the command staff who wanted to show off their power, we could be disciplined as an example.
However, even if I were to be disciplined, I felt I needed to see Lee Ha-min first.
While the center imposed sanctions if an Esper harmed a Guide, S-rank Espers were exempt from many rules.
‘What if he’s suffering alone, hurt from Guiding and unable to get treatment?’
But when I went to Lee Ha-min’s room and knocked, the door was locked, and there was no sound from inside.
‘Is the Guiding not finished yet?’
Although I thought I should just go back, the thought of waiting a little longer won out, and I ended up waiting there until the end.
Lee Ha-min returned after almost two hours.
He walked wearily, dragging his feet, looking completely drained.
Though he didn’t appear to have been hit, it was hard to tell just from outward appearances, so I couldn’t completely put my mind at ease.
“Ha-min.”
As I approached and called out, Lee Ha-min saw me and quickly ran over with a glad expression.
“Why are you here?”
Then he looked at me with a surprised expression.
“Did you miss dinner waiting for me? That’s not it, right?”
“No, that’s not it. I ate. But you didn’t show up, so I wondered if something happened.”
After saying this, I examined his face.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. Of course. Fortunately, it seems none of them had to use their abilities much. The dungeons that appeared weren’t just light levels, but still, they’re amazing, right? But… you know you shouldn’t be here, right? Should we leave?”
“Huh? Ah, no. I just wanted to check on you, that’s all.”
Lee Ha-min smiled at this.
“Thank you. For coming to see me. You’re the first person who’s ever come to see me.”
“I just came by because you didn’t keep our promise, and I wondered if something happened. Don’t get any strange ideas.”
“I’ll go early tomorrow. Definitely.”
I waved halfheartedly at the excited Lee Ha-min and returned to my room.
After showering and changing clothes, my device rang.
I jumped up, thinking a dungeon had appeared, but then realized the ringtone was different.
‘Can this device even make this sound?’ I wondered as I checked it, and the sender’s name appeared on the screen.
‘Ah… this thing is also a phone.’
I had almost forgotten since it had hardly been used that way until now.
‘But why is Kyun In calling me?’
If it’s something I don’t need to answer, I’d rather not…
And I was about to pretend I hadn’t heard it and tried to mute the sound.
Then I discovered for the first time that the device didn’t have such a function.
It seemed designed that way so we wouldn’t miss assembly orders when dungeons appeared.
Although I was determined not to answer, the ringing continued until the end, so I finally gave up and took the call.
[Why did you take so long to answer?]
“What’s the matter?”
[Were you trying not to answer? That hurts my feelings.]
I was about to ask how he got my number, but then remembered that higher-ranked Espers had the right to access my information.
“What do you want?”
[Why are you acting so cold, as if I shouldn’t call without business?]
“I believe we’re not on terms to talk without purpose.”
[Ahhh, it hurts when you say that. No, actually, you’re right. Yes, we’re not yet on terms to talk without purpose. So let’s become close enough to talk without purpose, shall we?]
What is he talking about?
After a moment of blank staring, I told him I’d hang up if he had nothing to say, and he hurriedly continued.
[No, that won’t do. I called to tell you to come to the dining hall we use instead of that cafeteria starting tomorrow.]
“I’m a D-rank Esper, and the place I should use is—”
[Ah, right. You’re right. My thinking was too shallow. Then let’s leave it at that.]
I thought he might be angry, but his voice was strangely sweet for that assumption.
It was also surprising how he could create such an atmosphere with that face of his.
I also couldn’t understand what thought made him so excited at the end.
‘It’s probably not something I need to worry about.’
From the beginning, it was impossible to understand why they behaved the way they did with their arbitrary personalities.
‘Come to think of it, I forgot to ask Lee Ha-min for his phone number.’
Thinking about it, I made a note so I wouldn’t forget next time.
Though I was a bit worried whether making a note would actually help me remember.
***
When I went to the cafeteria the next day, I first looked to see if Lee Ha-min was there.
Then I felt that the atmosphere in the cafeteria seemed quite different from usual.
People were crowded on one side, making it extremely busy, while the other side was almost completely empty. I could quickly tell what was happening.
Even from behind, there was a unique aura emanating.
Kyun In sat with his chin resting on his hand, his back slightly hunched, and just seeing his back made it clear how bored he was with this time.
When I looked at where everyone’s gazes were directed, this crazy guy…!
Though it couldn’t be called splendid, our cafeteria had a chandelier, and that chandelier was shaking.
Not just shaking, but the wires embedded in the ceiling were slowly coming out.
For such a thing to happen without anyone physically pulling it…
‘Ha! This guy!’
The chandelier was falling to the floor as light as a feather.
Was he doing this because he was bored?
Why in someone else’s cafeteria?
As the chandelier detached from the ceiling, no dust settled down.
Thinking about how he was controlling countless dust particles with telekinesis, I couldn’t help but shake my head.
While Kyun In was doing that crazy thing, other people sat as far away as possible, pretending not to notice, as if he wasn’t there.
They probably couldn’t predict what would happen if he picked a fight with them.
When the chandelier settled on the floor, Kyun In turned his head.
It seemed like he was wondering what to do next, and if left alone, who knew what would happen to our cafeteria.
“What are you doing?”
When I asked, Kyun In turned around, saw me, and brightened his eyes.
Ha, this crazy person!
I thought it might be possible, but was he really doing this because he was bored waiting for me?
“Welcome. Why are you so late? I was bored waiting and thought about tearing down the walls. It would be good training too.”
“Why are you training here? There must be places for training, right?”
“By training in different environments, I can respond more effectively when dungeons appear later.”
He spoke so well.
It seemed like the words came out without passing through his brain, making it feel exhausting to be with him even for a short time.
“How can you live eating this stuff?”
I felt there was no need to answer that, so I shook my head and went to sit elsewhere, but Kyun In quickly followed me.
“Should I bring you a tray of food?”
Without even waiting for my refusal, he followed me again as I got up to get food.
He also picked up a new tray as if he was going to get some food too, but only sighed and eventually didn’t put any food on it.
Why did he have to sigh while watching someone else’s food?
So irritating.
Other people probably found his behavior objectionable too, but they couldn’t say anything.
“I can’t eat this… should we just go somewhere else to eat?”
While I was ignoring him and putting food on my tray, I heard someone running excitedly from behind.
Even without turning around, I knew it was Lee Ha-min.
Just hearing those cheerful footsteps.
“Eunwoo.”
Lee Ha-min didn’t seem to notice Kyun In’s presence until he came right next to me.
“Am I a bit late? You haven’t been waiting long, right?”
“It’s fine if the timing isn’t perfect. Oh, Ha-min, give me your phone number.”
“Yes, sure. Ah, I’m sorry. I ended up cutting in line. Please go ahead…”
His expression changed as he was about to tell the other person to go ahead.
His mouth opened in surprise and his eyes widened, but it was a bit different from what I had expected.
I thought Lee Ha-min would be terrified and trembling, but it looked somewhat different.
More like, ‘Why is this person here? Making people uncomfortable?’
That kind of feeling.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
