Chapter 11
“Ji Yeohoon, you look bored.”
“I wouldn’t be bored if I could play with you, hyung.”
After Yoon Cheong left like that, Ji Yeohoon said those words but his face showed he was clearly bored.
Though we always bickered and claimed to dislike each other, the three of us had spent nearly every day together for years.
Before the regression, Ji Yeohoon and Yoon Cheong died almost simultaneously, but Ji Yeohoon had deliberately caused a gate explosion while Yoon Cheong was trying to prevent it.
That meant, at the very least, there was no clear winner between them.
So even if Yoon Cheong went berserk, Ji Yeohoon could probably buy some time, allowing for Guides to be deployed.
That would reduce casualties. Ji Yeohoon’s parents wouldn’t die either.
My calculation was that even though they fought daily, if they kept rubbing shoulders, this kid would grow attached enough that he wouldn’t just stand by if Yoon Cheong went berserk.
Whether my plan worked or not, Ji Yeohoon pretended not to care, but he was quite sullen without Yoon Cheong around.
“Playing with me isn’t anything special.”
“You help me with homework, teach me about studying, and show me how to play games. I’m fine. I like playing with just you, hyung.”
Even with that gloomy face, nobody would believe those words, little kid.
Of course, the strangely strong affection both Ji Yeohoon and Yoon Cheong had for me wasn’t bad—it was rather good—but I was worried.
I knew very well that the reason these two didn’t openly fight was because I was nearby.
In my memory, Ji Yeohoon manifested around the end of elementary school, and I was supposed to manifest in middle school. If my memory was correct, Ji Yeohoon would manifest before I did.
Anyway, since the two were close, Ji Yeohoon’s parents would use their influence to get them assigned to the same school.
Then with that slight difference, Ji Yeohoon and Yoon Cheong would clash first, and knowing their usual relationship, they would definitely… beat the crap out of each other.
So, as I watched Yoon Cheong’s back as he recently left for the special school for ability users, I realized I had complicated my own life.
‘When I manifest… I’ll transfer schools.’
‘What?’
‘I think I need to watch over those two.’
The adults asked if I was serious, and I nodded.
I thought it might be better than staying in regular middle and high schools and struggling through midterms and finals…
But the biggest reason was Yoon Cheong and Ji Yeohoon.
The two naturally fought a lot, raised their voices at the slightest provocation, and had incompatible parts, so it was natural they’d argue—that wasn’t a problem.
The problem was that I kept thinking about Yoon Cheong’s eyes as he left.
And Ji Yeohoon’s eyes as he watched Yoon Cheong drive away.
Both Yoon Cheong and Ji Yeohoon looked at me with eyes that seemed to feel abandoned.
Even though it was Yoon Cheong who disappeared in the car, they both looked at me as if they knew I wouldn’t be going to the special school for ability users.
How could I hurt the kids just because I didn’t want the hassle?
Yoon Cheong’s parents thanked me.
They were worried because Yoon Cheong’s ability manifested as telekinesis. Even if I became a D-class Guide, just being next to Yoon Cheong would make guiding easier, so they looked relieved.
Since I had already complicated things with my own hands and couldn’t undo it, I quietly designated the school I would enter after manifesting, requesting to go to School 3 where Yoon Cheong went.
From then on, Ji Yeohoon stopped showing that look of being abandoned.
As if he knew we wouldn’t be separated even after I manifested.
“But this is really important. Ji Yeohoon, if you manifest first, you can’t just start fighting with Yoon Cheong right away.”
“Hyung… kids say that’s the kind of talk that makes your ears bleed.”
“Because it’s important enough to make your ears bleed… please take it to heart. If I hear you two were fighting, I’m seriously not going…”
Of course, that wouldn’t happen since the request was already submitted.
At School 3’s dormitory, it wasn’t easy to leave, so to see Yoon Cheong, either Ji Yeohoon and I had to go there separately, or we had to coordinate with the days Yoon Cheong could come out.
Yoon Cheong’s ability was stabilizing rapidly, but the problem was that when he used his ability outside school, there was no one to guide him. So he often frowned.
It was fine since we played at Ji Yeohoon’s house and his father would hold Yoon Cheong’s hand once to guide him before sending him home, but I was still worried.
I couldn’t stop him either, since regularly using his ability like moving his own body was helpful for Yoon Cheong.
Yoon Cheong could only come out of school once every two months. He had to apply for an overnight stay to leave, and otherwise, we had to apply for a school tour, which was only approved once every 2-3 months.
Even then, if the application was approved, that student absolutely couldn’t apply for anything else that month. So we had to wait for Yoon Cheong to come out once every two months, so his parents could visit.
When I met Yoon Cheong after a long time, I insisted to him as well.
“Yoon Cheong, I’m telling you too, what’s really important is…”
“Don’t fight…”
Seeing Yoon Cheong looking pale as if his ears might bleed, I sighed deeply.
These Esper kids would be in big trouble if there’s no one to stop them after their abilities awaken.
And despite my wishes…
“Soo-young, please take care of Cheong.”
“Hyung! I’ll join you when I manifest too!”
I, who manifested before Ji Yeohoon, loaded my belongings and myself into the car heading to School 3 two years later.
* * *
Before the regression, I had clearly manifested as a middle schooler, while heading home after playing with friends at an internet cafe. Since it was a Guide manifestation, there were no unusual symptoms—I just vaguely knew. Ah, I’ve manifested. I didn’t tell anyone, then went home and said, “Mom! I think I’ve manifested!” and went to the Association.
I had played as much as I wanted, declared to the Association that I would attend regular middle and high schools, and only became active as a Guide after becoming an adult. But this time, partly by choice (30%) and mostly due to circumstances (70%), I was heading to the dormitory.
– Are you coming?
“Yeah… I didn’t check how many people per room, do I get my own?”
– You can have your own or not. Kids in the class gather in rooms and stay up all night playing games.
“What about you?”
– I just stay alone.
If I had manifested as D-class like before the regression, I would have delayed transferring even if I had to go.
Why would I want a life where I couldn’t even leave?
But I wasn’t D-class.
Two hours ago, I was excited because my parents said they’d increase my allowance since I was now in fifth grade.
You might wonder why someone who used to earn a salary would be happy about a small allowance, but I’m still a child now, and it’s exciting to buy snacks with pocket money at this age.
I was meeting Ji Yeohoon and opening a bag of snacks I’d bought when suddenly there was a wind.
Not a real wind, but something moved around me.
That strange sensation I often felt before the regression. That warm sensation I used to pass to Espers. That sensation that could be transferred more easily when touching than when not—it swirled around my body more intensely than before the regression.
I’m a high-class.
“Ah, fu— I mean, flower.”
“Huh? Flower?”
I couldn’t swear in front of a kid still in elementary school, so I said nonsense, and Ji Yeohoon stared at me with snacks in his mouth.
“Ji Yeohoon, call your father…”
And that led to this situation.
Ji Yeohoon, who had been worried about going to a different school than me until the day Yoon Cheong transferred, now had a calm face. I guess he wasn’t worried since he’d transfer too once he manifested. And I, leaving Ji Yeohoon behind the window, waved with dead eyes.
I was checked as an S-class Guide, which is said to be much rarer than S-class Espers, and this was confirmed at the guild before heading to school, so there was no mistake.
What was it they said? The lower graph from before was still present, but I had awakened as S-class.
They said at least A-class. Who knew it would be S-class.
The researchers were excited, saying they needed to do more research, check if the graph was abnormal, and if the machine was broken, they’d buy a more expensive one.
They didn’t forget to ask me to please join their guild.
During the short trip to the school, more than 13 messages had come from Ji Yeohoon.
I couldn’t respond because I was on the phone with Yoon Cheong, and Ji Yeohoon seemed upset, flooding the chat with “ㅠㅠㅠ”.
Not long after, I arrived at the school.
So I’m finally going to this school.
“Moon Soo-young.”
Since I was probably the only one transferring to the elementary division at this time today, Yoon Cheong came straight to me without getting lost.
Yoon Cheong wore a light brown blazer jacket and light gray pants uniform. A yellow school emblem was embedded in the middle of his tie.
“Oh, the uniform looks fly…”
“…Fly?”
“I mean good… Ah, I should let Ji Yeohoon know I arrived.”
As I turned on my phone and started texting, Yoon Cheong quickly picked up my luggage.
But standing next to me with the luggage, Yoon Cheong’s eye level seemed quite high.
For the past 2 years or so, we mostly communicated through texts, and I only saw him briefly when he came out, so I didn’t realize how much he’d grown.
In first grade, he was much shorter than me, and even when he transferred in third grade, he was still below my eye level.
He must have grown more recently after growing steadily since manifesting.
They said Espers definitely grow rapidly after manifesting during their growth period, but I didn’t think it would be this fast.
“How tall are you…?”
“About 155cm? Maybe a little less?”
“You’ve grown a lot, squirt.”
“Now you’re the squirt.”
Now I’m the squirt.
Anyway, he’ll grow so much I won’t be able to catch up.
There’s no point comparing myself to an Esper.
When we entered the faculty office, the person who was my homeroom teacher shook hands with my parents.
I had already heard about school outings from Yoon Cheong many times, so I just listened halfheartedly and focused on class assignments and the clothes Yoon Cheong was wearing.
“Our Esper-Guide Seoul Branch School 3 operates with one Esper class and one Guide class per grade, but most subjects except ability classes are conducted together. I’m the only homeroom teacher for the 5th grade Guide class, but the assistant homeroom teacher is an Esper teacher, so you can get help anytime.
Like regular schools, we’re divided into elementary, middle, and high school, and currently about 140 students take classes in School 3’s elementary division. The campus is much larger than Schools 1, 2, and 4, but accommodates far fewer people. It’s mainly for Esper or Guide students already affiliated with guilds, but even unaffiliated high-ranking Espers and Guides who need special management often enter School 3, so we have more high-ranking students compared to other schools.
Still, there are low-ranking students among guild-affiliated students, and discrimination based on rank is strictly prohibited by both school rules and law, so we strive to ensure students receive equal education as much as possible.”
Nonsense.
D-class and above Espers who can enter gates for conquest already have economic differences from E and F-class Espers, and even above D-class, economic differences are very apparent according to rank.
No matter how young the students are, how could they not discriminate based on rank?
For Guides, if the matching rate is extremely poor, even S-class is considered incapable. They become no different from ordinary people, so there’s no room for discrimination, but it’s completely different for Espers.
I was unnecessarily critical in my mind.
“Moon Soo-young will start attending Guide class tomorrow, and the dormitory location, at the request of student Yoon Cheong and the guild you’re affiliated with, is next to Yoon Cheong’s room. If you want to change it, you can tell me, the assistant homeroom teacher, or the dormitory manager anytime.
The uniform is in your room, so just wear the size that fits. Room cleaning starts during class hours when students are out, so make sure to put important items in the drawer.”
My eyes lit up at the mention of cleaning service.
If I had known they’d clean for me, I would have come here before the regression too!
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
