Even with his pride already wounded, it was like the universe had decided to mock him. That flawless pale complexion, paired with a navy jacket and a sky-blue shirt, clung to Lee Han-seo like they were custom-made. While Park Woo-jun kept sneaking glances at him, break time vanished in an instant.
Some of the staff, bustling about to prep the set, suddenly noticed Han-seo’s wrist—now clearly more swollen than before—and gasped.
“Oh no! Han-seo, is that okay? Just looking at it hurts!”
“Ah… yeah. I’ll get through it quick and head out. Don’t worry about me.”
Sensing a chance, Park Woo-jun cut in, “Then let’s go to the hospital now—” but got immediately shut down with a sharp, “Don’t make a scene.” It stung. Honestly, getting shot for real might hurt less than this.
“Esper Park Woo-jun! Stop biting your lips!”
“Ugh… yes ma’am…”
“And don’t cry! You’ll smudge your eyeliner!”
“…Mmgh.”
Don’t bite your lips. Don’t tear up. But for Park Woo-jun, who was taking the full blast of Han-seo’s icy attitude, that was asking the impossible. And the scolding didn’t stop there. Under Han-seo’s unexpected cold front, Woo-jun was left shriveled—like a failed sweet potato harvest. It was brutal.
Still… what about Han-seo’s wrist? It must hurt so bad. Why the hell did I awaken as an Esper, just to hurt him like this… Even while silently suffering, Park Woo-jun couldn’t stop worrying about his Guide.
As for Han-seo…
“Oh my, Han-seo, you could seriously pass for a high schooler. You look like you’re still in school!”
“Haha. No way. But thank you—I’ll take that as a compliment.”
So. Just how many girlfriends has that bastard had?
“I’m not just saying that, either. I’ve seen tons of celebrities working in this field, and hardly anyone has skin like yours. I can’t believe you’re twenty-five. Honestly, you look way younger than me.”
“People say I look young sometimes. Maybe it’s the baby fat in my cheeks.”
You ran your mouth about how I was your first love… Was that even true? The more I think about it, the more pissed off I get. You were really my first love. My first everything, dammit.
“Just having baby fat doesn’t make someone look this young. Oh, and wow—Esper Park Woo-jun looks even more handsome up close. You two look perfect together. I’m jealous.”
“Thanks for saying that.”
This jerk… don’t tell me that “first kiss” story was a lie, too. What if his past girlfriends just went for it and he went along with it like, ‘Uh, okay’? And of course he’s held hands before.
Han-seo smiled brightly and kept the conversation flowing, but inside, he was grinding his teeth. With all that boiling in his chest, he barely even registered the pain in his wrist.
In nearly five years of being together, Han-seo had never once imagined that his sweet potato had been handled by someone else. It wasn’t hypocrisy—he’d lived the same way.
He’d been matched with Ryu Ho-yeon since they were young as a potential Pair, but they were strictly friends. Nothing more, nothing less. Even when they did contact Guiding, they’d awkwardly hold hands and recoil immediately. That was the extent of it.
And yet, somehow… Park Woo-jun’s past was messy, dramatic, and absurdly colorful.
“H-Han-seo… I think we might be moving a little t-too fast…”
“What the hell? You live in the Joseon era or something?”
On the seventh day of dating, Park Woo-jun couldn’t even look him in the eye when Han-seo first grabbed his hand. He just blushed like crazy.
“Why’d you call me? I’m sleepy.”
“W-Well, uh… c-can I… can I kiss you…? It’s okay if you don’t wanna…”
“As if I’d say no. Come here.”
“Mmph…!”
Back then, while they were still waiting for official Pair approval, Woo-jun had spent over a week pining for a kiss—his longing written all over his face—but never made a move. When Han-seo finally leaned in and kissed him first, Woo-jun had been so shocked and thrilled he literally fainted standing up.
That was the Park Woo-jun.
[Park Woo-jun♡Seo Ah-young Let’s never break up, even in college!]
How? Seriously, how?
He’d been willing to let Seo Ah-young slide. She’d already been explained. But when Han-seo, half-joking, asked how many girlfriends there had been—and Woo-jun couldn’t even give a straight answer—his awkward expression stabbed right through Han-seo’s weak spot.
If he’d dated all those people just because he couldn’t say no… then maybe—just maybe, even if Han-seo hated to imagine it—maybe he was the same. Just another person Woo-jun couldn’t turn down. After all, an Esper can’t really say no to their Guide.
Maybe he didn’t actually love him. Maybe he was just going along with things because they were Paired. Maybe his feelings were lukewarm at best, treating Han-seo with polite affection and not much more.
Those awful thoughts began to rot him from the inside out.
Does he even love me at all? No. I’m just dragging him along because he can’t say no. That’s why—every time he hits the edge of unconsciousness, he doesn’t recognize me, doesn’t love me… just trembles in fear. That’s what he really feels deep down, isn’t it?
Even just locking eyes with Park Woo-jun made Han-seo want to lash out.
His anxiety had grown so intense it started to resemble anger.
“Oh no, Han-seo… Your face looks awful. You’re really in pain, aren’t you? What do we do…”
“…I’m really fine. Maybe I’m just tense all of a sudden.”
Han-seo gave a casual smile as he shook off the tension in his stiff fingers.
“……”
Park Woo-jun’s eyes brimmed with hurt, but he bit down hard and forced himself to look away. He was the one who wanted to cry. Something kept rising in his chest—sharp, hot, and impossible to swallow.
Once the brief test shoot ended, the real commercial filming began. The production team moved like clockwork, each member flawlessly handling their role. Everyone on set was a seasoned professional—except the two models. But even with that, things were moving along without a hitch.
Every now and then, Woo-jun’s awkward expressions or Han-seo’s stiff movements got a few comments, but no one expected Oscar-worthy acting from a simple ad shoot. It wasn’t a big deal.
Only two scenes remained now. One where Park Woo-jun saves someone from a broken ride, and one where the two of them walk with their arms around each other, smiling warmly.
They decided to film the second one first—it was clearly the easier shot. The crew, sensing they might get off early today, was quietly excited.
But trouble always shows up when you least expect it.
“Cut, cut! Esper Park Woo-jun—your hand! What are you doing with your hand?!”
“…Sorry.”
Instead of wrapping his arm around Han-seo’s shoulders, Woo-jun’s large hand just hovered awkwardly in the air, not touching anything. That was the fifth NG.
“Dude. Come on.”
“Yeah… sorry. I’ll do it.”
“Not just ‘do it.’ Do it right.”
“…Okay.”
His forced smile trembled. Han-seo saw it—but deliberately turned away.
It felt like someone was carving into Park Woo-jun’s chest, over and over. Han-seo used to be the one who always comforted him, who wrapped around his timid self with warmth. But now, that same Han-seo was cold, withdrawn, and broadcasting I don’t want this with his entire body.
Just placing his hand on Han-seo’s shoulder—a gesture that once came as naturally as breathing—now felt like a sin. The way Han-seo flinched under his touch made even this simple pose unbearable.
Sensing the heavy shift in atmosphere, Woo-jun bowed his head again. “Sorry,” he muttered. The director, scowling, eventually just waved him off.
If they’d been professional actors or full-time models, things might’ve gone differently. But these were civil servants filming a promo for barely more than some overtime pay—scolding them harshly felt pointless. They’re probably just nervous. Hopefully they warm up to the camera soon, the crew thought.
But the lack of scolding only made it worse. Somehow, it made Woo-jun’s chest ache even more. He almost wished someone would yell at him—loud enough to snap him out of it. Maybe if he cried in front of everyone, maybe if he really fell apart, soft-hearted Han-seo would forgive him.
It was a foolish hope. But it lingered.
“Okay, let’s reset from the walking scene. Extras, back to your spots—”
That’s when it happened. Just as the team was trying to recompose and move forward—
BEEEEEEP—
“Huh? Whose phone isn’t on silent?! Turn it off—now!”
Zzzzt, zzzzt.
“D-Director! Did you see the alert?! We need to stop filming—!”
Zzzzt, zzzzt.
BEEEEEEP— BEEEEEEP—
Phones in everyone’s pockets began to buzz and blare in unison, a chorus of urgent alerts.
<Emergency Safety Alert> [Esper Affairs Center] Instant Dungeon detected within XX World. All visitors, please locate the nearest evacuation shelter and follow staff instructions immediately.
A dungeon break.
