And not long after, the teaser for “A Pair is Born – 100th Episode Special: SS-rank Esper Hyun Tae-oh Edition” was released.
The moment the news broke that Hyun Tae-oh would be starring in a special broadcast, viewers—already buzzing with excitement—erupted in near-explosive anticipation.
Just from the teaser alone, fans who had previously been rooting for the Tae-oh and Min Yu-hyun couple disappeared without a trace, swept away by the sheer chemistry between Tae-oh and Chi-yu.
In an instant, Chi-yu shot to stardom, with countless cute nicknames spreading online and setting the internet ablaze.
And once the program finally aired, Kang Chi-yu and Hyun Tae-oh turned A Pair is Born, a simple reality show, into what was essentially a full-blown romance reality series.
***
To head out for work, Kang Chi-yu changed into his uniform. Staring into the mirror, he stretched his neck to the side to check the spot near his throat.
The moment the broadcast ended, his Temporary Pair was dissolved, and the initials of Tae-oh etched onto his skin vanished. That alone settled his heart a little. Tae-oh, too, had seen the initials fade instantly from Chi-yu’s neck and seemed lost in thought. But since he didn’t say anything, Chi-yu didn’t say anything either.
Well, saying it didn’t sting would be a lie, but in that brief time, he’d enjoyed everything there was to enjoy, so there were no lingering regrets. Besides, he’d gotten himself a full year of paid leave.
On his way to the Central Bureau for his guiding duties, Chi-yu thought he should ask the Guide Department Head when exactly that one-year vacation would be given.
The best thing about being back home was, of course, that the Central Bureau was only a five-minute walk away. Forcing himself to think of the good points of returning home, Chi-yu made his way toward the Bureau. If he didn’t, he was certain he’d sink into gloom again.
Truthfully, after the filming of A Pair is Born wrapped up, Chi-yu had half-expected Hyun Tae-oh to stop him from leaving. Even though the shoot was over, Tae-oh had clearly disliked the fact that Chi-yu had moved out without saying anything. So Chi-yu thought maybe Tae-oh would ask him to move back next door, or at least tell him to stay at his place for a while. Deep down, he’d hoped for it.
But while Chi-yu was packing up his things, Tae-oh hadn’t said a single word about staying at his place.
In the end, that silence felt like it revealed Tae-oh’s true feelings, and Chi-yu’s heart sank.
And so, even while telling himself he needed to move on, he couldn’t stop clinging to such trivial hopes. The realization left him frustrated with himself.
Which meant… wasn’t it really time to get a grip? After all, he couldn’t stay by Hyun Tae-oh’s side forever.
Lost in thought as he walked toward the Bureau, a sudden commotion broke out nearby.
Startled, Chi-yu turned his head—and there, across the crosswalk, a mob of strangers was running straight toward him. Each one held strange placards, heart-shaped balloons emblazoned with Kang Chi-yu’s name, and oversized cameras aimed squarely at him.
“Kang Chi-yuuuuuuu!!!!”
“Oppaaaaaa!”
“Hyung! We love you!”
Chi-yu’s face froze in an instant.
There weren’t just a handful of them—far more than ten, each charging at him with frightening intensity. Before he knew it, his body reacted on instinct, and he bolted as if fleeing for his life.
“Oppa! Wait!!”
“Hold on a second!!”
“Hyung! Just stop for a bit, hyung!”
“Just an autograph, that’s all!”
He had no idea what was going on, but at this rate, he was certain they’d chase him all the way into the Bureau itself. Heart pounding, Chi-yu ran with all his might.
When had he ever been anyone’s oppa, or anyone’s hyung?
The sheer absurdity and ridiculousness of the situation made it impossible for him to keep a straight face.
He pushed himself to run harder, but dressed in his uniform and leather shoes, his speed lagged. The mob was closing in fast, and he felt certain he’d be caught any second.
Just as the leading man’s outstretched hand was about to grab the back of his neck—
—Yoon Do-jae suddenly appeared out of nowhere, wrapped an arm around Chi-yu’s waist, and whisked him away in an instant with teleportation.
The people who had been waiting to see Kang Chi-yu let out groans of disappointment when he suddenly vanished before their eyes. A few even dropped to the ground, grumbling in frustration.
***
“Forgive me. I was in a rush and couldn’t ask for your understanding first.”
The moment they teleported inside the Guiding Center, Yoon Do-jae released Chi-yu’s waist and offered an apology.
“…N-no, it’s fine. You really helped me, thank you.”
Still dazed from the chaos, Chi-yu bowed his head with a stunned expression.
Do-jae, noticing how shaken he was, spoke up to ease him.
“Since the broadcast of Esper Hyun Tae-oh’s special episode began, Guide Kang Chi-yu, you’ve gained a lot of fans. Some even loiter outside the Central Bureau all night just for a chance to see you.”
“…Ah.”
He had no idea.
Sure, he knew the episode had aired, but he never imagined he’d become this popular.
He’d thought, as a mere B-rank mingling among S-ranks, he’d be seen as an eyesore—perhaps even hated. So this kind of outcome had been beyond anything he could picture.
But then again… had any other appearance on A Pair is Born ever drawn crowds like this?
Chi-yu tilted his head, utterly baffled.
It was the first time a lower-ranked B-rank Guide had ever appeared on the show, which normally featured only S-ranks, and to have risen in popularity because of it—there simply wasn’t a precedent.
Ordinary people also seemed to find a B-rank more approachable, more relatable, compared to the untouchable S-ranks. Things they never would have dared to do to S-rank Espers or Guides, they now felt free to do with him.
Like standing outside the Bureau with placards, calling nonstop until the lines went dead just to ask for information about Kang Chi-yu—these were things never seen before with S-ranks, but suddenly commonplace when it came to him.
It must’ve been because, to the public, his B-rank status made him feel familiar and accessible in a way S-ranks never could.
“Guide Kang Chi-yu.”
Lost in a fog of disbelief, Chi-yu blinked as Do-jae called to him. Lifting his gaze, he saw Do-jae holding out a phone—his own.
“Yes. This is your phone, isn’t it?”
“…Oh!”
Chi-yu snatched it up, eyes widening.
“Where did you find this?!”
He hadn’t even realized he’d lost it until recently and had been planning to file a report. The relief and joy on his face were plain.
“A few days ago—you dropped it near the gate.”
“Ah, right! I never thought to check there, I kept searching in all the wrong places. I was just about to file a lost report… Thank you so much.”
“I’m glad I could be of help.”
“Really, I can’t thank you enough. How should I repay you?”
“It’s nothing. I only picked it up.”
“Still. If Esper Yoon hadn’t found it and brought it back, the gate would’ve closed and I’d have lost it for good. I absolutely have to repay you somehow. Truly, thank you.”
At the mention of repayment, Do-jae’s eyes lit up.
“Will you buy me a meal?”
The sudden question left Chi-yu flustered. Was that really all he wanted? But after a moment, he nodded with a small laugh.
“Of course I should.”
“Then I’ll arrange a date separately. Is that all right with you?”
“Uh—yes? Yes, of course…”
He’d assumed it was just a polite exchange of words, but the fact that Do-jae wanted to set an actual date made him realize the man was serious.
Could sharing a meal really count as repayment? He wasn’t sure. It did make him wonder just what kind of meal Do-jae had in mind, though. Something extravagant enough to bankrupt him, maybe?
While those thoughts were running through his head, Do-jae asked for his contact information.
“Then, in order to set a time, would you mind if we exchanged numbers?”
“Ah, yes. Of course…”
Technically, Espers and Guides already had an emergency contact system, so exchanging numbers felt unnecessary. But saying so outright would’ve been rude. So Chi-yu simply let Do-jae take his phone again and enter his number without protest.
Do-jae dialed his own phone with it, making it ring, and only then seemed satisfied. Smiling faintly, he handed the device back to Chi-yu.
Then, with the air of a model young gentleman, he bowed politely.
“Then, I’ll see you next time.”
Without waiting for a reply, the ever-courteous Yoon Do-jae disappeared from sight in an instant.
Watching him go, Chi-yu finally understood why people in the Bureau called Yoon Do-jae FM.
He really was straight-laced to the core.
And for some reason, the thought left Chi-yu smiling to himself in quiet amusement.
***
On his way out through the Central Bureau’s main gate after finishing his guiding duties, Chi-yu happened to glance toward the Division 1 building.
There, by the window of a rest area, stood Hyun Tae-oh and Min Yu-hyun, side by side. Each held a tablet and stylus, scribbling things down as they exchanged words back and forth.
It wasn’t exactly close, but it wasn’t far either.
Chi-yu forgot all about heading home. Instead, he edged closer, hiding himself behind a large potted plant, and stared at them intently.
It felt like spying, sure—but if he could finally see for himself the truth of their relationship, wouldn’t it make letting go that much easier?
After all, because Tae-oh had gone as far as Stage 3 Guiding with him, a part of Chi-yu had clung to the faint hope that maybe, just maybe, the rumors about Min Yu-hyun weren’t true. Even now, looking at the two of them together, a voice inside him whispered, No, it can’t be true.
Knowing Hyun Tae-oh’s personality, if he’d really been dating Min Yu-hyun—or even just flirting with him—there’s no way he would’ve gone all the way with Chi-yu so easily. Even if it had been dressed up as nothing more than guiding work.
Still, the fact remained: they’d crossed a line, done things that friends simply couldn’t. And yet, despite all that, he was still stuck in the role of “friend.”
So no—Chi-yu resolved he wouldn’t foolishly pine for Hyun Tae-oh anymore.
If Tae-oh’s heart was even slightly open to someone else, then maybe, just maybe, it would finally be easier to put distance between them.
Repeating that to himself like a mantra, he forced his eyes to search for something—anything—suspicious between them.
And in the end… he found it.
He saw the two step back from the window, and then—teleport away together, hands linked.
The tinted glass made it impossible to say for certain, but Chi-yu clearly saw Tae-oh reach out first, and Yu-hyun clasp that hand just before they vanished.
Chi-yu stood frozen where he was, rooted to the spot, like ice.
