Despite the scathing criticism Lee Han-seo threw at him, Julian couldn’t manage a single word in his defense. He just sat there, taking the verbal beating in full, still sprawled in the same ridiculous position he’d fallen into. His face flushed red, too embarrassed or stunned to get up—it was honestly a pitiful sight. His emotions rippled beneath the surface, transparent as glass, and Han-seo could see right through him.
That settled it—what had once been a suspicion was now a certainty. Julian Moore had fallen for him. Not just as an Esper needing a Guide, but with real, romantic feelings.
Han-seo remembered how Julian had stormed into Korea uninvited, desperate to see him. Back then, when he didn’t feel much, Julian had been smooth, playing the game with effortless charm and practiced lies. But now? Now that he actually liked him? He was an absolute wreck. Han-seo found the contrast hilarious. Sure, he could understand it—but that didn’t mean he was about to sympathize.
No matter what Julian did, Han-seo wouldn’t be swayed. Still, if Julian had stuck to his old polished self, he might’ve had a better shot. But now that his feelings were real, he’d gotten greedy—and greed had made him anxious. Watching Han-seo and Park Woo-jun spend every day together like they were joined at the hip must’ve driven him crazy with jealousy.
But let’s get one thing straight.
“Why the hell do you look so damn wronged?”
“……”
“You really thought I wouldn’t notice? You think you’re the first Esper to fall for me?”
Julian had no right to feel victimized. If he didn’t even have the backbone to handle a little heartbreak, then he never should’ve tried to wedge himself between a Bonded Pair with a completed Imprint.
“William told me something interesting the other day. Said when you came charging into Korea just to see me, the Alliance was already laying the groundwork for a new U-Class task force and a full team reorg. Oh, and let’s not pretend it was some huge effort on your part—turns out the former Alliance President shares your last name. Family, right?”
Sure, Julian had received his share of harsh, borderline inhumane treatment over the years, supposedly because his powers were hard to control. But that didn’t mean he hadn’t been granted special privileges too.
Even after Han-seo became his Guide, they kept combing through the records, looking for someone else whose wave pattern matched Julian’s. They even let his little sister—just a civilian—live inside a military security facility. If it weren’t for that distant relative on his father’s side pulling strings and begging favors from foreign officials, Julian—a nature-affinity Esper with significantly weaker regenerative ability than physical-types—probably wouldn’t have even survived long enough to meet Han-seo.
Han-seo had recently learned that even before Julian arrived, he’d already approached Han-seo’s family with an astronomical offer: break the Imprint, defect, and become Julian’s Bonded Pair. If Han-seo’s family had been middle-class, they might’ve been tempted. But luckily for him, Han-seo’s maternal grandfather had more wealth than Julian’s entire family tree combined.
That offer never even reached Han-seo. His family had shut it down immediately. And even then, Julian and the former President didn’t give up. They kept scheming, trying to place Han-seo in Julian’s unit by any means necessary. It wasn’t about affection or loyalty—it was about power. They wanted to anchor a high-value Esper firmly within their sphere, to strengthen their political leverage. Julian was a promising investment—if the Guiding worked.
To put it bluntly: Han-seo only became Julian’s Guide because a whole mess of political interests happened to align. If Han-seo had refused the assignment, they would’ve buried him in incentives and penalties until he had no choice. Even the Korean government wasn’t on his side in this. The supposed friction with William Brown and others? Already smoothed over behind closed doors. The only miracle here was that they managed to change the team restructuring into a volunteer-based system.
“Yeah. Must’ve stung, huh? Watching the person you wanted to call your Guide treat you like you don’t even exist.”
Julian Moore didn’t understand Han-seo at all. And that—more than anything—was why every desperate attempt he’d made had failed.
“But let me make one thing clear. I’m not anyone’s Guide. Let’s get the wording right. I’m not Park Woo-jun’s Guide. He’s my Esper.”
“……”
“If you really wanted me… then instead of playing games behind my back to screw me over, you should’ve come to me—bowed your head, asked for permission to become my Esper. I’ve been holding back more than you know just to keep from losing it every time I see your face. So how about you take the damn hint and back off? There’s no need for us to keep butting heads like this.”
He grabbed Julian by the collar and gave him a light tug. Julian stood without protest.
After transferring Julian to HQ, Han-seo had moved quickly, roaming the facility, gathering intel, and getting close to the right people. He’d known from the start—wherever power gathered, corruption followed. This place was no different. And he’d been right again. What he hadn’t expected was just how deep Julian’s roots ran in it all. He’d thought Julian was just a desperate Esper in need of Guiding. But clearly, there was more.
As he sliced Julian apart with a tongue sharp as any blade, time slipped away. It was time to go. With a light “See you at the dorm,” Han-seo turned on his heel and walked off, steps light as air.
***
“I’m back.”
“Han-seo…!”
The moment the door opened, something heavy and warm practically dropped onto him. Had he really been waiting by the entrance this whole time? Park Woo-jun wrapped him up in a hoodie—not a combat suit, not a training uniform, just something soft and cozy—and pulled him into a tight hug. It was the kind of embrace that made all the tension melt away. Han-seo let out a small grunt and gently patted Woo-jun’s back as he clung tighter, clearly starving for the closeness. It hadn’t even been that long, but at least he wasn’t crying anymore. Knowing he’d kept all that anxiety and unease bottled up until it made him sick—it made Han-seo’s chest ache with guilt.
“Okay, you’ve hugged me enough for now. Let me see your face. I wanna see my handso—”
Han-seo stopped mid-sentence, biting his lip.
He’d almost said my handsome boyfriend. And sure, Woo-jun’s flawless face had always been one of Han-seo’s favorite trophies—handsome, sharp, and polished to perfection. But the therapist had warned him: until Woo-jun was further along in recovery, it was better to avoid comments about his looks. During one session, Woo-jun had confessed he was terrified that Han-seo might stop loving him if he ever got scarred, injured, or aged out of his beauty.
“Huh? Why’d you stop?”
“Oh—no reason. My lips were itchy or something. Anyway, let me see you. I missed your face so much.”
“You really missed me, right? It wasn’t just me?”
“Of course. Were you scared I wouldn’t come back?”
“……”
“It’s okay. Be honest.”
“…A little.”
“See? I showed up right on time, didn’t I? Not even a minute late.”
“Mmhmm…”
Han-seo could feel it—Woo-jun’s heartbeat, which had been racing just moments ago, was starting to slow into a softer, more stable rhythm. Last week, they’d practiced being apart for thirty minutes. This week, it was an hour and a half. Next week? Two and a half. Bit by bit, they were learning how to stretch the time apart. As for the pills Woo-jun used to pop like candy whenever Han-seo wasn’t looking? They’d finally gotten those under control, thanks to a proper diagnosis and prescription.
Honestly, Han-seo was grateful. It was better this way—better that Woo-jun’s buried wounds had finally burst open, and better that he’d been the one to see it happen. He’d always known Woo-jun wasn’t like other people… but still, he’d let things slide. He’d been flattered by the obsession, even found it cute when Woo-jun pushed everyone else away and fixated on him alone. But just because it was love—because it was him—didn’t mean it was okay to stand by and watch the person you love fail to grow into someone independent, someone whole.
“What do you feel like eating?”
“Whatever you want…”
“Not me. You. What do you want to eat?”
“Hmm…”
Woo-jun rolled his eyes playfully and then said, “Galbijjim?”—braised short ribs. Han-seo’s favorite.
Han-seo clicked his tongue, about to scold him, but held it in. “Let’s have pizza tonight,” he said instead.
That was Woo-jun’s favorite.
Unlike Han-seo, who was a die-hard Korean food loyalist, Woo-jun had a quiet love for Western food. He never made a big deal about it, but Han-seo noticed. He always noticed.
“Really? We can?”
“What do you mean, can we? I’m craving pizza. Extra cheese. Sound good?”
“Yeah!”
Woo-jun’s excited nods made Han-seo chuckle. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his pale cheek.
His lips tasted nothing but sweetness.
