# Chapter 41
## 14. Guiding Test
“Today we plan to collect as much data as possible. It won’t take long, so we ask for your cooperation.”
“Come on, all these tests just mean you want us to kiss, right?”
Jaeha had no idea what data they were trying to collect and wondered if this was some kind of hidden camera prank. When Jaeha glared at Dojoon, he also had a serious expression.
“Jaeha, didn’t they explain to you?”
“They just said they needed to do some tests. I think they mentioned something about an awakening test.”
“Those people didn’t explain properly.”
Dojoon’s face, which usually wore a kind smile, showed signs of fatigue. Uncomfortable with this unfamiliar side of his friend, Jaeha calmed his irritation and asked more calmly.
“Why are we doing this?”
“Hmm. It’s better if you see for yourself. Jaeha, look at the monitors behind us.”
Following Dojoon’s instruction, Jaeha turned to look at several monitors. Wondering which one he was supposed to watch, he tilted his head, but then his other hand was grabbed so both hands were now held. As he kept his head turned with both hands held, his neck was getting stiff, when one of the irregularly jumping graphs started to draw a smooth line.
“Huh? The display on the biggest monitor is changing?”
“Yes. Keep watching.”
When Dojoon finished speaking, he released Jaeha’s hands. Immediately, the graph that had been stable began jumping irregularly again. It would suddenly spike up or show small tremors. Just watching the unsettling movement made Jaeha uncomfortable.
“What is that?”
“My mana wave.”
“Isn’t mana what you need to use your power? Is it okay for it to move so strangely?”
“No, it’s not okay.”
Jaeha became anxious as Dojoon said it wasn’t okay with a smile on his face. As Jaeha stared at him, waiting for more explanation, Dojoon continued calmly, still with a smiling face.
“You know how when you get out of the pool after swimming, you feel heavy? It’s like that but twice as heavy, like the air has turned to water and is pressing down on me.”
Jaeha frowned, familiar with the feeling.
“I also have severe headaches. Remember the headband the shortest kid in our class wore for the cheer competition?”
“Wow, I thought my head was going to burst when I tried that on.”
“It feels like I’m constantly wearing that.”
“What about medicine? Don’t painkillers work?”
“No.”
Dojoon wouldn’t lie to him with such a calm face. Thinking that Dojoon must have been enduring pain all this time, Jaeha looked at the monitor again and took Dojoon’s hand. One of the wild graphs immediately settled down.
“How about now?”
“Much better.”
When Jaeha took both hands again, another of the multiple graphs began to change slowly. However, a few graphs were still popping like popcorn.
“Does this work with anyone?”
“I’m not sure. It seems like no one among the center staff or Espers can do it.”
“Then why does it work with me?”
“That’s what we’re trying to find out with this test, Jaeha.”
“I… I see.”
Even without understanding the principle, seeing that holding hands with Dojoon stabilized his condition made it impossible for Jaeha to back out.
“If you’re ready, please proceed with testing other body parts.”
At the researcher’s calm voice, Jaeha, who had been watching the monitor, got upset.
“Come on! Can’t you at least get someone of a different gender?”
“This is purely a test. Think of it as work.”
“But he’s my friend. I can’t kiss someone I see every day.”
“Isn’t it better with someone familiar than shaking hands and kissing a stranger?”
The researcher’s voice, which had been enthusiastic about national duty until just a moment ago, turned businesslike. Jaeha shook his hands free and stood up.
“That’s nonsense! Who kisses and hugs their friend? I can’t do it! I won’t!”
“Would you prefer family over friends?”
“What?”
“Should we call your brother?”
“Ahhh! That’s not what I meant! Everyone here is weird!”
Jaeha’s expression hardened when the researcher suddenly brought up his family.
“And why are you suddenly dragging in someone’s brother?”
“That’s because your brother is also an Esper.”
“Well, that’s true, but what does that have to do with… huh?”
Jaeha, who was about to storm out of the testing room, stopped at Dojoon’s calm remark. Contrary to Dojoon’s peaceful reaction, the jumping wave patterns on the graph caught Jaeha’s eye.
“Jaeyoon is probably struggling quite a bit too. He uses his power even more than I do.”
“Is this… something all Espers go through?”
“According to the researchers, yes.”
Jaeha couldn’t move when he heard that Jaeyoon was in the same condition as shown on the irregular graphs. With many thoughts racing through his mind, Jaeha sat back down, and Dojoon took the initiative to suggest to the researcher:
“How about checking how much guiding occurs per hour?”
“Guiding?”
“Oh, they didn’t explain that either?”
Though Dojoon wasn’t criticizing him, Jaeha felt like a newcomer who had come to a meeting without understanding the basic rules. Feeling awkward and at a loss for words, he just fidgeted with his held hands as Dojoon continued his calm explanation.
Though it was unfamiliar information, Dojoon’s explanation with occasional examples made it easy to understand. Before they knew it, quite a bit of time had passed.
“Guiding has been maintained consistently for 30 minutes. At this rate, we predict that just 2-3 hours of guiding per day would be enough to maintain stability.”
“Ugh, 2-3 hours?”
“The researchers think other forms of contact might be more efficient.”
“I’m not doing any kissing.”
“I know. But even if it’s not reciprocal, there’s still an effect.”
“What does that mea—”
*kiss*
Suddenly, the back of his hand was pulled.
Too surprised to think of pulling his hand away, Jaeha froze, and Dojoon gestured toward the monitor with his eyes. Despite the soft but creepy sensation on the back of his hand, Jaeha couldn’t free his tightly held hand, so he turned his head toward the monitor.
The graph that had been jumping severely now showed a much lower movement. Seeing the numbers change with his own eyes, Jaeha understood why the researcher wanted to do more tests, but still…
“…Can we stop now?”
“Sure. If it’s hard for you, we can stop here.”
At Dojoon’s answer, Jaeha removed the patches attached to his body without hesitation and ran toward the exit. Keeping as much distance as his feelings dictated, Jaeha escaped as soon as the researcher, who appeared disappointed, opened the door.
“I need to wash my hands.”
Rushing straight to the bathroom sign, Jaeha squeezed out plenty of soap and scrubbed the back of his hand vigorously. It wasn’t because it was dirty, but because he wanted to erase the embarrassing sensation that felt burdensome.
“Are you alright, sir?”
“Whoa! You scared me.”
Guard Cheonoh was standing in front of the bathroom holding Dorim, though Jaeha hadn’t noticed him following. Only after quickly washing his hands and taking Dorim did the tension leave his shoulders.
“You look tired.”
“Yes, a bit. My mind is exhausted. I need to rest.”
“I’ll escort you to your room.”
Still not fully comprehending what had just happened, Jaeha wanted to go back to his accommodation and rest.
He wondered if guiding meant that he had also awakened, so he tried to use some power, but didn’t feel any particular change. He thought maybe it was a power that could only be used when in contact with an Esper, but it was frustrating not to know clearly. However, he had absolutely no intention of going back to ask.
On the other hand, he slightly regretted running away like that. Remembering Dojoon’s gentle face as he talked about suffering from pain, Jaeha felt bad for scrubbing his hand so vigorously just because of a little lip contact. Plus, the information that all Espers might be suffering confused him.
He thought about how Haeil, who always had a serious face and gave a solid smile when their eyes met, would be struggling too, as well as Jaeyoon, who had briefly visited the other day.
“That Jaeyoon, why doesn’t he just say he’s in pain? Was he too embarrassed to hold hands with his brother?”
Should he just hold hands with any Esper he meets from now on, like playing rock-paper-scissors? But why him specifically? With these overwhelming questions, Jaeha felt like he was getting a headache.
“Ah, this is so complicated.”
* * *
After the embarrassing and awkward guiding test, Jaeha found it difficult to see not only Jaeyoon and Haeil but also Dojoon. More accurately, it literally became hard to see them.
“Oppa! You and brother oppa are on TV!”
“Oh, Dorim. Dojoon and Jaeyoon are on.”
Haeil also appeared frequently in the videos, but since Dorim didn’t know him, she focused only on Dojoon and Jaeyoon.
Reports about newly created open gates and demonstrations for conquering them were being broadcast daily. Naturally, the various performances of the Espers were capturing the public’s attention.
‘Didn’t they say using power like that hurts? But judging by their expressions, they seem completely excited?’
As Dorim kept moving toward the TV, Jaeha sat her on his knee, which made her even more excited and bouncy. Because of this, Jaeha gave up watching the screen and checked videos and comments on his phone.
The comments continued to show favorable content about Espers and praise for their appearance. Fortunately, Dojoon’s looks were also receiving quite good treatment. Although he wore the same black uniform as other Espers, he had a cape with gold patterns that made him look more dressed up. The neat image suited Dojoon, who used defensive barriers.
“Looks like he got makeup done too. I wonder who did his hair. I want to get mine done too.”
Though they couldn’t meet during the day, Dojoon would somehow be sleeping next to Jaeha when he woke up at night. At first, Jaeha couldn’t understand why Dojoon insisted on squeezing in next to him when there were other beds available, but each time he woke up in the middle of the night and found his hand being held, he realized it was because Dojoon needed guiding. Sometimes he would be startled to find Dojoon hugging his waist, but thinking it was better than kissing, he endured it and eventually got somewhat used to it.
‘But is it okay for me to be this idle?’
Already sleeping more and staying in bed until midday, plus spending all day playing with Dorim, time was flying by.
Dorim would ask him to braid her hair, beg to go for a walk, or bring her sketchbook and plead to play together. Like now, when Jaeha held the crayon Dorim offered and colored with her, he would have a slight reality check.
However, Jaeha’s worries soon disappeared due to visitors who arrived not long after.
A presence that had been temporarily forgotten in Jaeha’s mind because events were moving so quickly:
Gaeho. With news that Kyun Jiho had collapsed and been transported to the center.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
