“It’s not that I have to… but it feels wrong just to keep taking without giving anything back. I think I could return everything you’ve done for me….”
The burger wrapper crinkled restlessly in Chi-yu’s hands. Tae-oh’s eyes lingered on those trembling fingers before lifting to lock on Chi-yu’s face.
Under the weight of that burning stare, Chi-yu quickly dropped his gaze to the table. His cheeks, ears, even the nape of his neck were aflame, hot enough to be unbearable.
If he’d known it would be this embarrassing, he never would’ve spoken up.
If there really was a hole to crawl into, he would’ve dived straight in.
“Then… want to try?”
The unexpected question rang in his ears.
Chi-yu’s head snapped up to find Tae-oh staring intently at him.
When their eyes met, Tae-oh’s narrowed in a soft smile.
“Hmm? Want to try?”
That low, husky voice landed far louder than it should have.
***
When the weekend trip ended, the cast gathered back at the PairBorn lodging.
Because of Tae-oh and Chi-yu’s not-so-secret relationship, the production crew was in full crisis mode.
A romance between cast members clashed directly with the whole premise of Season 2, Part 1: Finding My Pair.
After the Black Gate broadcast, speculation of “Are they dating?” had already solidified into, “They’re definitely dating.” Which meant they couldn’t be included in the third partner shuffle. The decision left the staff tearing their hair out.
But cutting them completely wasn’t an option. Kang Chi-yu’s recognition had skyrocketed thanks to the Black Gate episode, and Hyun Tae-oh—who was infamous for turning down every broadcast offer—was far too valuable.
After endless debate, the producers settled on a compromise: only the others would swap partners in round three.
Fortunately, Tae-oh and Chi-yu had already filmed round two together. Round three would simply shuffle Beom Do-il with Yoon Do-jae, and Min Yu-hyun with Lee Jun-hyung, one last time.
Since Tae-oh and Chi-yu were now officially a couple, they would appear as-is in PairBorn Part 2. For this first season’s shoot, however, only the two remaining teams would carry the focus.
But Tae-oh flatly refused. Chi-yu also made it clear he had no interest in filming Part 2.
No amount of persuasion could sway them. Realizing it was pointless to push, the producers gave up—on the condition that the pair create as much footage as possible for Part 1.
Part 2 would instead feature whichever partners chose each other between Beom Do-il and Min Yu-hyun, or Yoon Do-jae and Lee Jun-hyung.
And if everyone chose the same person? The final choice would be left to the viewers.
***
The second partner shoot began.
Tae-oh was happy to be paired with Chi-yu—but his good mood soured fast when the Production Director called him aside before filming.
For Tae-oh, meeting or speaking with anyone other than Kang Chi-yu was irritating at best, unbearable at worst.
Chi-yu was the only one he could relax around. That was partly due to his natural distrust of people, but mostly the fault of those who’d tormented him after he was confirmed SS-rank as a child.
Even then, he’d found his parents a nuisance and preferred solitude. Now, as an adult, he sometimes wished the world contained no one but himself and Kang Chi-yu.
That was why perks like a one-year paid vacation or a private island hotel stay actually mattered to him.
“We were talking, and… we think it might be best if Esper Hyun Tae-oh and Guide Kang Chi-yu made an official announcement about your relationship on the program.”
The Director’s suggestion drew an immediate scowl from Tae-oh.
“Why the hell should I explain my relationship to strangers?”
“No, I don’t mean explain. It’s just… since you started dating during filming, we thought it might be appropriate if the program announced it—carefully, respectfully….”
“Honestly, I wouldn’t mind everyone knowing Chi-yu’s mine. But I don’t see the need to declare it on camera. Anyone who isn’t blind can tell from the footage that we’re together.”
His refusal was firm, leaving the Director flustered.
“Well, you see… the whole concept of Part 1 is exploring who could be your best Pair. Since you two are already a couple, you can’t swap in the third round, which leaves a gap in footage. So if you’d fill that gap with an official announcement at a press event, we don’t think that’s unreasonable to ask.”
He pleaded with humility, though he knew he couldn’t appear too meek—otherwise, Tae-oh might reject the idea outright.
Normally, as the director of the nation’s #1 program, he never had to bow to Espers or Guides. Usually, they were desperate to please him.
But Hyun Tae-oh wasn’t like the others.
Not only was he one of only three SS-rank Espers in the world, but his aura alone set him apart.
And hadn’t he always refused broadcasts, even brief interviews? Before PairBorn, Tae-oh was nearly impossible to see on TV.
The fact that he agreed to appear at all was already a huge win.
So, naturally, they couldn’t treat him the same way.
“The third partner swap.”
That phrase caught Tae-oh’s attention.
The Director remembered something a camera operator friend had once said, and jumped on the chance.
“Yes, exactly—as I explained before filming, since you and Guide Kang Chi-yu can’t swap in the third round, that means less usable footage. And with you turning down Part 2 as well, we’re left with even less. So if Esper Hyun Tae-oh would just—”
“Can we do it now?”
Tae-oh cut him off.
If it meant spending the rest of filming attached to Chi-yu, a press-style interview wasn’t a big deal.
It wasn’t quite the same as a casual interview, but with Chi-yu beside him, enduring it for a short while didn’t seem difficult.
“That would be wonderful! I’ll set everything up immediately—with Guide Kang Chi-yu beside you—”
“No. Ask Chi-yu first. If he doesn’t want to, I’ll do it alone.”
Sure, the most effective move would be sitting together, holding hands, smiling, and saying, “We’re dating.”
But if Chi-yu didn’t want it, Tae-oh wouldn’t force him.
He knew Chi-yu had always disliked interviews, even back at Esper Academy.
As expected, Chi-yu balked at making a joint announcement. Seeing his expression, Tae-oh offered to handle it alone.
But the staff insisted a joint declaration would have more impact. In the end, Chi-yu agreed to sit beside him.
Tae-oh reminded him he didn’t have to, but Chi-yu said it would be fine—that it could be another memory for them.
Then, without warning, Tae-oh brushed his lips against Chi-yu’s forehead, leaving the staff stunned.
The official announcement was brief—about ten minutes. The host asked a few questions; they answered.
When childhood friends became potential lovers, who confessed first, whether they were each other’s first love.
Chi-yu admitted honestly it had been since he was very young, surprising Tae-oh.
And Tae-oh, who’d always been unconsciously devoted to Chi-yu, confessed that when Chi-yu suddenly moved away, changed his number, and avoided him—even appearing on PairBorn—that was when he realized it.
They ended by saying they had always been, and always would be, each other’s first love, first relationship, and only one.
The Director and staff knew instantly this video would ignite another frenzy.
Tae-oh’s gaze dripped with affection the entire time, and Chi-yu, meeting it with shy smiles, made his feelings just as clear.
Despite the mismatch on paper—an SS-rank Esper and a B-rank Guide—their bond looked unshakably strong.
No one could doubt it. From start to finish, they were the perfect couple.
***
“Did you really only realize after I moved away?”
Chi-yu asked suddenly while checking their mission quota.
The thought had been stuck in his head since the press conference.
Tae-oh had said he’d liked him all along but never realized it.
Which meant their relationship might’ve only happened because Chi-yu, out of jealousy, had misunderstood him and Min Yu-hyun.
Ironically, the very moment he’d decided to let go of his one-sided love, Tae-oh might have discovered his own feelings.
If he hadn’t acted out back then, would they even be together now?
“Yeah. That’s when it hit me.”
Tae-oh nodded, giving the exact answer Chi-yu wanted to hear.
“But it wasn’t just because of that. I would’ve realized sooner or later anyway. It was only a matter of timing. Honestly, figuring it out before someone else stole you away was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me. One way or another, I would’ve known I loved you.”
Pulling on his black gloves, Tae-oh’s eyes curved in a warm smile.
He was saying the timing didn’t matter—that what mattered was he’d always, in some way, loved Chi-yu.
Chi-yu’s lips curved with satisfaction.
“And you?”
“Hm?”
“You said earlier you’ve liked me since we were little.”
“……”
“When exactly?”
“Let’s work.”
Chi-yu ducked his head to the tablet, trying to escape.
Tae-oh nudged his shoulder lightly.
“Was it when you took off your panties for me?”
Chi-yu’s face ignited crimson.
“Wow, then it’s been ages. You’ve liked me that long?”
“Thirty targets. Ten are flyers.”
“Don’t tell me it was love at first sight. I wasn’t exactly nice to you back then.”
“Work. Now.”
Chi-yu shoved him forward, cheeks blazing.
Tae-oh only grinned slyly.
“Never thought our Kang Chi-yu liked me for so long. What a waste. If I’d known sooner, we’d already be Imprinted by now.”
Chi-yu snorted, asking who would even Imprint with him. Tae-oh countered that if not Imprint, then at least Pair, haggling like a brat.
Chi-yu told him to hurry and finish the job so they could eat.
Scanning the cluster of prisoners in the distance, Tae-oh asked what he wanted for dinner.
Fiddling with the tablet’s edge, Chi-yu muttered, “What should we eat…?”
Without a word, Tae-oh bent down and pressed a kiss to his lips.
Startled, Chi-yu shoved him away, shooting a nervous glance at the drone hovering overhead.
Tae-oh brushed his cheek with the back of his hand.
“So what? You’re officially my boyfriend now.”
“That’s not the same as broadcasting it to the world.”
“Don’t like it?”
“Of course…!”
Chi-yu’s voice rose, but he quickly lowered it again, fumbling for excuses.
“I just want to keep it to myself—that you’re actually sweet and caring. I don’t want everyone else to see it. I’d rather you stay the cold, rude Hyun Tae-oh to everyone else… Sorry, I know it’s selfish. But if you get any more popular, I’ll just get anxious….”
“Haha.”
Tae-oh couldn’t hold back his laughter.
When Chi-yu looked up, Tae-oh pulled him into his arms, speaking softly.
“What’s going on in that little head of yours?”
“……”
“I want to keep you to myself too. Honestly, I hate when others even look at you. If we’re talking selfish, I’m ten times worse.”
“……”
“Alright. I’ll hold back in front of the cameras. I’ll only act cute for you.”
“Thanks… though I didn’t realize that was you acting cute.”
Chi-yu muttered awkwardly, trying to brush it off with a joke. Tae-oh laughed again, like a child.
Instead of starting the mission, the two clung to each other, swaying gently, while the drone overhead captured everything with its whirring blades.
