Do-il felt an odd shift in the atmosphere—suddenly sour, almost sulky—and turned to Yu-hyun with a puzzled look.
Min Yu-hyun, fully aware that Beom Do-il was staring at him, never once returned the glance.
“We’re listed as support too. What’s going on?”
Normally, support assignments only popped up during an Emergency Assembly or if a Red Gate or higher appeared.
“Was there a Red Gate today? Any emergency call?”
Yu-hyun asked Tae-oh, who shook his head.
“Then what is this?”
“Exactly. Hyun Tae-oh, are you listed as support too?”
Jun-hyung turned to Chi-yu, who checked his tablet and shook his head.
“No, we’re on regular duty.”
“That’s strange. What the hell?”
“What’s the support location?”
“Zone D.”
When Do-jae answered, Tae-oh paused as if considering something, then addressed Do-jae and Do-il.
“Just in case, I’ll attach Light-attribute support to both of you. Don’t forget to use the separate frequency I gave you, and keep reporting updates.”
Do-jae and Do-il nodded.
“With the cameras moving along with us, what could really happen?”
Jun-hyung muttered, glancing at the directors gathered in the living room checking their equipment. Tae-oh poured Chi-yu a glass of water and replied, “Still, better safe than sorry.”
While wiping Catdog’s mouth with a wet tissue and feeding it again, Yoon Do-jae asked,
“You’re bringing Catdog with you?”
Tae-oh nodded.
“Leaving it at the dorm only to have someone snatch it out would be a problem. I’ll keep it with me from now on.”
Until recently, Tae-oh had thought it ridiculous to bring one beast along to fight others. But once he learned what Catdog really was, he realized it was too dangerous to leave it alone.
Since the creature was perceptive enough, he figured leaving it with Chi-yu in the safe zone while he worked wouldn’t be an issue.
Finishing that thought, Tae-oh handed the cup he’d filled earlier to Chi-yu. Chi-yu accepted it naturally and drank.
Tae-oh looked on with satisfaction, then turned to Do-jae and Do-il.
“Before we head out, let’s all teleport to my place for a bit.”
They needed to wrap up what they’d discussed the night before.
With cameras around, it wasn’t possible here. Tae-oh’s home was relatively safe, so it was the better place to finish. Everyone knew that already, so they simply nodded.
Having eaten quickly, Min Yu-hyun approached the camera directors. He told them that since the assignment was listed as support, they should follow more slowly.
Resourceful as ever, Yu-hyun was quick to improvise in sudden situations.
“It might be the kind of support that can’t be shown to civilians, so if you trail about an hour behind, you’ll avoid wasting teleport trips. Those accessories aren’t cheap, after all.”
Of course, that was a lie.
If it had been a restricted-support operation, there would’ve been a bright red warning about civilian access.
But Yu-hyun’s easy, half-joking tone was so natural that no one doubted him. The directors nodded along.
“Oh, that works for us. The network’s been pressuring us to cut back on teleport accessory use anyway.”
“Could you maybe message us if civilian access is restricted? Then we wouldn’t waste a trip.”
“Of course. I’ll contact my assigned director directly.”
“Wow, thanks.”
“Much appreciated.”
“As expected of Guide Min Yu-hyun.”
“Then we’ll wait at the dorm.”
Yu-hyun flashed them a polished professional smile and nodded lightly.
***
“For the projection bead Catdog will wear, my uncle said he’d disguise it to look like a cat bell. I told him it was for a friend’s cat’s birthday surprise.”
At that, both Lee Jun-hyung and Kang Chi-yu let out impressed exclamations: “Ohhh—!”
“Well, it might still get exposed if something goes wrong, but while it’s on, the movement data will be transmitted to all our phones. That should help.”
Hyun Tae-oh and Yoon Do-jae both nodded.
Do-il, meanwhile, was still baffled, staring at Yu-hyun, who had suddenly gone cold toward him.
“And the tracking chip goes at the tip of the tail. Tae-oh, you’ll keep the Light-attribute linked.”
Yu-hyun looked to Tae-oh, who nodded.
“Already done.”
“Then Catdog’s settled. Next, Kang Chi-yu.”
Yu-hyun turned to Chi-yu. Surprised, Chi-yu pointed at himself.
“Me?”
“Yes. Just like Catdog, you’re in danger. The lab’s ultimate goal is to extract your ability.”
“Ah…”
“So for now, it’s best if Guide Lee Jun-hyung and I stick with you.”
Yu-hyun glanced at Jun-hyung, who gave a firm nod.
“But assignments may separate us. That’s where you come in, Hyun Tae-oh. Get us Esper comm earpieces.”
There were Guide-only earpieces, but unlike those used by Espers, they couldn’t selectively transmit to a specific person.
Any conversation over Guide comms was broadcast across the entire Central Bureau Guide network.
That’s why they needed Esper comm units, with Tae-oh shielding the frequency using his electromagnetic manipulation ability.
As expected, Tae-oh understood immediately and nodded.
“I’ll hack out a separate frequency for you.”
Yu-hyun pointed at him.
“Perfect. The Bureau’s hacking range isn’t something to laugh off. Also, set your teleport coordinates to Tae-oh’s place, no exceptions. Right now, that’s the safest location.”
Everyone nodded.
Do-il couldn’t help but admire Yu-hyun’s thorough planning. He didn’t know why Yu-hyun suddenly felt distant, but his natural leadership style was undeniable.
“Alright, let’s split up. We’ll head to Zone D and report back. Tae-oh, if anything comes up, contact us immediately.”
Yu-hyun rose from the sofa, and Do-jae followed.
Tae-oh nodded, while Jun-hyung and Do-il stood as well, preparing to teleport.
Once Do-jae and Do-il vanished, Chi-yu stood too.
Catdog hopped onto his shoulder, folding its wings.
“Let’s go.”
“We’re not on support duty. There’s no rush.”
“The directors will probably be there first.”
“So what?”
“What do you mean, so what?”
“Just one kiss before we go.”
“What? No way!”
“Why not?”
“We’re supposed to be working—”
“I am going. Who said I wasn’t? I’m just saying, since we’re already here, let’s have a kiss.”
“Don’t make me laugh. Like you’d stop at one kiss. And don’t call it just a kiss—you never mean just lips touching.”
“Ohhh, you know me too well, my Kang Chi-yu.”
“Get up.”
“Just one kiss, then we’ll go.”
Pushed by Chi-yu, Tae-oh clicked his tongue and stood.
“My mouth’s still sore, you know. Do you even remember how much you tormented me last night, you shameless bastard?”
“True… where’d my conscience go? Conscience—oh, conscience—”
Tae-oh grinned slyly, wrapping his arms around Chi-yu’s waist.
“Conscience—ow!”
Catdog suddenly swiped his chin with its paw.
Startled, Chi-yu checked Tae-oh’s chin, while Catdog hissed angrily at him.
As Tae-oh pulled Chi-yu close to teleport, he must have startled it by moving too quickly.
“You little brat. Do you have any idea how much I’m running around for your sake? If you did, you wouldn’t dare scratch me.”
[Hissss—SQUEEEE!]
“Hahaha.”
Chi-yu laughed brightly.
***
The support request in Zone D was due to a breach in the barrier separating the civilian area from the mutant beast habitat.
The moment Yu-hyun heard the details, he called in the camera directors.
Civilians were curious about how sturdy the habitat barrier was and how reassuring it was to live nearby. If A Pair is Born filmed the repair work, ratings would soar.
While Espers repaired the barrier and eliminated the beasts that slipped through, Guides gathered in the safe zone to wait for Espers who needed Guiding.
“But the Association could’ve handled this themselves. Why bring us?”
Jun-hyung tilted his head.
Watching the camera crew eagerly filming the repairs, Yu-hyun replied matter-of-factly,
“Because it looks better on broadcast.”
“The press is already here, though. Plenty of reporters.”
“Footage on PairBorn carries far more weight than some article. The ratings are massive—practically everyone watches.”
Yu-hyun pointed out that only his team and Jun-hyung’s had been called, then spoke with certainty.
“So it wasn’t us they needed—it was the PairBorn cameras. See? They didn’t even call Tae-oh, because it wasn’t necessary.”
Jun-hyung nodded.
“True. Calling Tae-oh would’ve been overkill.”
Yu-hyun’s lips curved into a sly smile.
“But, Guide Min Yu-hyun.”
“…?”
“You’re going to be in Part 2, right?”
“…Guide Lee Jun-hyung, are you?”
“No. I don’t want to.”
“I do. I want to, and I have my reasons.”
Jun-hyung nodded.
“Then I’ll entrust Do-il to you.”
He scratched his chin as he spoke. It was something he’d wanted to say, but had held back, worried it might sound presumptuous.
But Yu-hyun’s image had shifted so drastically from their first impression that Jun-hyung felt compelled to say it.
“Don’t take it the wrong way—it’s just a friend’s request.”
“…I don’t misunderstand. Doesn’t feel great to hear, though.”
“Haha, honest as ever.”
“Well, if I Pair with Beom Do-il, I’ll take good care of him, whether you ask or not.”
Jun-hyung nodded.
Yu-hyun then asked,
“So… me Pairing with Beom Do-il doesn’t bother you at all?”
“No. Not at all. Not even a little. So I’m asking you—take care of my friend.”
“…Alright.”
Yu-hyun nodded brightly.
