#105
A coastal city adjacent to the sea.
Before the world became like this, it probably had a different name. The city he lived in was the same.
“Hyung! They said we can go now, I’ve already paid in advance!”
Moon Jin-hyuk poked his head through the hospital room door, having apparently already been to the desk. His eyes, curved mischievously, sparkled with anticipation.
Ho-woo left the hospital with Moon Jin-hyuk in tow. The gazes of passersby occasionally fell on Moon Jin-hyuk. Keenly aware of these glances, Moon Jin-hyuk leaned in and whispered softly to Ho-woo.
“Hyung, people still seem uncomfortable, don’t they?”
At the slightly cowed voice, Ho-woo looked around. There were indeed many gazes on them. But they weren’t necessarily hostile. Most were just natural glances with a hint of curiosity, touching on them briefly before moving away.
“It doesn’t seem that way to me.”
“R-really?”
After calming down the anxious, naive puppy, Ho-woo realized upon arriving at the department store near the hotel that the atmosphere truly differed from city to city. The clerk seemed wary of Moon Jin-hyuk but didn’t act overly scared or rude. They treated the Esper just like any other customer. Moon Jin-hyuk, who had been very tense, relaxed and chose clothes as the clerk treated him normally.
Moon Jin-hyuk, more enthusiastic about picking clothes than Ho-woo, changed out of his blood-stained uniform into the clothes he chose and even twirled around in front of Ho-woo to show them off.
“Hyung! Isn’t this T-shirt cute?”
Moon Jin-hyuk, changed into a black T-shirt with a cute white duck holding a knife and the phrase ‘FXCK UBERVISOR KILL’ written above it, stood proudly with his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
It’s surprising that he found that again, but the phrase written on it…
“Yeah, it’s cute.”
Knowing he’d be sulky if told to change, Ho-woo just gave a thumbs up. That alone seemed to please Moon Jin-hyuk, whose lips twitched upward.
He’s really different from his first impression.
After buying a few more outfits, they explored the department store to buy some food for dinner. Moon Jin-hyuk was initially uncomfortable mixing with people but soon seemed to adapt, bringing things he wanted to eat to Ho-woo with an excited face and eager eyes.
The first few times, Ho-woo indulged him, knowing such experiences were rare for him. But after the third or fourth time, Ho-woo began to doubt if he should keep allowing everything. Looking at the snacks piling up in the cart, it didn’t seem wise to permit everything.
Ho-woo barely finished shopping while playing a game of wits with Moon Jin-hyuk, who kept sneaking things into the cart whenever Ho-woo looked away. After checking out, he exhaled deeply with a nauseated look at the long receipt and mountain of snacks.
“Well, we could eat it all if we take two weeks.”
“Why take two weeks? We’ll eat it all in two days.”
The young man, holding bags full in both hands, replied innocently with a bright face.
Is he serious?
He is serious.
Seeing no trace of a lie on Moon Jin-hyuk’s face, Ho-woo resigned himself to it. If he says he’ll eat it all himself, so be it.
Moon Jin-hyuk, already eating a snack from one of the bags as they walked, quietly offered the bag to Ho-woo.
“This is delicious.”
Was he embarrassed eating alone?
Ho-woo didn’t refuse and tried one of the offered snacks. The salty potato chip tasted quite good. Looking at the brand, it was a product sold in his city too.
“Tasty, right?”
“Yeah, it is.”
I should remember to let Yul try this later.
Eating something delicious naturally made him think of Oh-yul. He shouldn’t have fainted earlier. Hearing his voice made him feel so relieved that he lost consciousness. It would be difficult to contact him again now.
Ho-woo sighed deeply, touching his empty wrist. He’d be forcibly out of contact for two weeks.
I want to hear his voice.
As he murmured dejectedly, Moon Jin-hyuk seemed to hear, looking at him with round eyes as if to ask, ‘What did you say?’ Ho-woo patted his shoulder.
“It’s nothing. Let’s go quickly, I’m tired.”
“Rest well after checking in. We’ll start exploring in earnest tomorrow.”
Moon Jin-hyuk opened a second bag of snacks. Seeing his determination to eat it all within two days, Ho-woo shook his head.
***
Thump- Thump-!
Ho-woo frowned at the dull sound of knocking on the door. His body felt incredibly heavy. His legs, overworked from walking, were even harder to move due to worsened muscle pain from yesterday.
“Hyung! Wake up!!”
Moon Jin-hyuk’s voice boomed through the thick iron door.
He’s got quite a voice.
Sensing he might break down the door if left alone, Ho-woo tidied his disheveled robe and opened the door.
“Hy-hyung, wake… Ack―! What’s with that indecent outfit!”
Moon Jin-hyuk was shocked at Ho-woo’s robe, covering his eyes with both hands.
“Is wearing a robe indecent?”
Ho-woo chuckled, looking at the top of Moon Jin-hyuk’s head as he couldn’t meet his eyes and stared at the floor. Thinking it wasn’t right to keep Moon Jin-hyuk standing at the door, Ho-woo stepped back slightly and asked.
“Want to come in?”
“Are you crazy?! The boss would kill me!”
Moon Jin-hyuk shook his head, trembling. Seeing his face turn pale, Ho-woo didn’t press further.
“But what’s the matter so early in the morning?”
Without a clock, it was hard to check the exact time, but Ho-woo didn’t think it was that late. Moon Jin-hyuk tilted his head, squinting one eye as if to say ‘What are you talking about?’
“It’s not morning, it’s lunchtime.”
“…Is that so.”
“Also, we got a call from the Management Corporation. I think they contacted me because you don’t have any means of communication right now.”
Is it Yul?
As Ho-woo sent a subtly expectant look, Moon Jin-hyuk answered flatly.
“It’s not the boss, but the highest-ranking person in this city wants to meet you…”
Although meeting wouldn’t be difficult regardless of the reason, Moon Jin-hyuk looked a bit troubled as he scratched the back of his head.
“They say they’re at the hotel now?”
“…Here?”
“Yes. I’ll go ahead and try to buy some time. You can come to the cafe on the first floor when you’re ready.”
“I’ll try to get ready as quickly as possible.”
Ho-woo sent Moon Jin-hyuk off and returned to the room to check his appearance. His hair, which had become a bird’s nest from sleeping with wet hair, caught his eye first.
Washing my hair… would take too long.
Ho-woo compromised. Fortunately, patting it down with water made it look less messy. After a quick face wash and tooth brushing, he changed into the casual clothes bought yesterday, making him look even younger than his age.
As he left the room with the hotel key card, worry finally set in. Why did they want to meet him? He was still an ordinary person not registered with the Management Corporation.
Coming down to the first floor by elevator and entering the cafe nervously, Ho-woo spotted a familiar back of the head and the man sitting across from it. He walked calmly towards them. Sensing his approach, the man talking with Moon Jin-hyuk turned his gaze to Ho-woo.
Expecting someone older like Kim Dong-cheol, Ho-woo was surprised to see a middle-aged man who looked to be in his 40s. The gentle smile and wrinkles just starting to form around his eyes were noticeable.
“Hyung! Over here!”
Moon Jin-hyuk, who had turned back at the man’s gaze, also spotted Ho-woo and waved his hand vigorously. Ho-woo approached them, sat next to Moon Jin-hyuk, and greeted the man politely.
“Hello. I’m Lee Ho-woo.”
Up close, the man’s eye color was a light chestnut brown, easily found among ordinary people. However, the uneven color of his pupils, looking like spilled paint, made Ho-woo realize this man was an Esper.
“I’m Baek Sang-jin, the S-class Esper minister of this city.”
Dressed in a neat suit rather than an Esper uniform, Baek Sang-jin didn’t look like an Esper at first glance. Espers’ eyes are usually striking, but his were barely noticeable unless examined closely.
“It seems I’ve caused you trouble by coming suddenly.”
His gaze fell on Ho-woo’s messy hair and then away. Ho-woo felt his cheeks heat up. Moon Jin-hyuk also seemed to have noticed Ho-woo’s hair state, clearly trying to hold back laughter.
“No, I was just surprised because it was sudden. I didn’t expect you’d want to see me.”
Since I’m currently an ordinary person not registered with the Corporation.
Ho-woo observed Baek Sang-jin while smoothing down his hair with his hand. The man’s kind smile made it difficult to gauge what he was thinking. Baek Sang-jin gave Moon Jin-hyuk a look suggesting he should leave. Under the subtle pressure, Moon Jin-hyuk quietly excused himself. The man then softened his gaze and smiled wryly.
“I came to see you because I thought I should meet Oh-yul’s guide at least once.”
“―!”
“You look like you’re wondering how I knew, but in my position, information naturally gathers whether I want it to or not.”
“……”
“And I’ve been watching to see when that incompetent Kim Dong-cheol would fall.”
Ho-woo smiled awkwardly as Baek Sang-jin put particular emphasis on ‘incompetent fool’. In a situation where it was awkward to either respond or not react, only Baek Sang-jin seemed at ease.
