Regressed to Become an S-Class Hidden Guide 40

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Chapter 40

‘Haah… damn it.’

Dowoon was happy to see Seoyul enjoying himself. After all, his happiness was Dowoon’s happiness. But in one corner of his heart, there was a desire to be the only one giving Seoyul happiness and to monopolize the sight of him being happy.

‘What a greedy person.’

He never knew he was this greedy. If he couldn’t even control something like this, how could he think of being Seoyul’s Esper?

Dowoon firmly resolved once more to make Seoyul happy with a detached heart.

“Esper-nim.”

Just then, Seoyul approached Dowoon and peeked his face through the gifts as he called him. Dowoon’s displeased expression was reflected in Seoyul’s blinking brown eyes.

It seemed that while he had made up his mind, his expression hadn’t yet caught up.

Dowoon slightly furrowed his brow before helping to carry half of Seoyul’s gifts and said, “Now that you’ve received everything, let’s go home.”

At those words, Seoyul’s expression brightened. He had been worried because Dowoon looked unhappy. Seoyul nodded, finally completely at ease.

“Yes!”

He wanted to go home, organize the gifts, have dinner with Dowoon, and go to bed early to perfectly welcome tomorrow.

‘I must repay everyone.’

Sunjeong, the researchers, and…

Dowoon too.

With that thought, Seoyul lightly moved his feet.

* * *

Having welcomed a perfect morning, Seoyul was in a very good mood. When he unwrapped and put a chocolate he received as a gift yesterday into his mouth, his mood seemed to improve even more.

“Is it good?”

“Yes.”

When Seoyul nodded, Dowoon turned his head away with a sulky face. Seoyul grinned at that and offered Dowoon some chocolate too.

“Would you like some too, Esper-nim?”

“No. You eat a lot.”

But not wanting to be a bad Esper who took away his Guide’s joy, he firmly declined.

Instead, he secretly glared at that displeasing object to cool his burning insides.

“It’s really delicious! Try some.”

Seoyul offered again, extending the chocolate with his white fingers.

Dowoon hesitated for a moment, caught in a dilemma. He didn’t want to eat that vile thing that was also his rival, but since Seoyul was offering it, he was tempted.

‘If I ate his fingers too… that wouldn’t be okay, right?’

After pondering for a moment, he just lightly took the chocolate.

“How is it? It’s good, right?”

Seoyul asked for his agreement with a bright smile. Dowoon wasn’t particularly fond of sweet things, but somehow it tasted different when Seoyul fed him.

‘Was it… always this delicious?’

Having lived with his sense of taste dulled for so long, it might have felt different for that reason. But he was certain: it tasted different because Seoyul had fed it to him.

“Yes. It’s delicious.”

“Hehe. I’ll give you more.”

Seoyul took out the chocolates and candies he had brought in his pocket and busily transferred them to Dowoon’s pocket.

Although his bulging pocket was reduced by half, Seoyul couldn’t hide his satisfaction.

‘Ah. He’s so cute it’s driving me crazy.’

Each of his actions was so adorable, it made Dowoon wonder what he was supposed to do.

Dowoon tightly clenched his hands, which were in a frenzy wanting to shower Seoyul with affection, and blocked Seoyul’s path.

“Huh?”

Seoyul stopped in surprise at the large shadow suddenly cast in front of him.

Thinking that even his surprised look was cute, Dowoon held out the gift he had prepared.

“Here, this is my gift.”

“Huh? A g-gift?”

Seoyul blinked both eyes as he looked at the elongated box held out to him. He still vividly remembered how Dowoon had made a fuss saying he wanted to give his gift first, so he had expected there would be a gift.

But actually seeing it with his eyes brought on a strange feeling.

Thump.

Yesterday he had received more gifts than this, but his heart hadn’t pounded like this. Seoyul carefully took the box, bewildered by his own state.

“Ah, if I had known it would be like this, I should have given it to you sooner.”

Dowoon expressed his regret once more. Seoyul burst into laughter at his playful tone.

“I’m happier that you’re giving it today. You’re giving it today to give me a final boost, right?”

…That was correct. He had deliberately aimed for this timing. He thought it would feel more meaningful that way.

“Ahem. Well… if that’s what you think.”

As Dowoon looked away shyly, Seoyul’s heart started to pound pleasantly again. Feeling somewhat ticklish, he turned his gaze towards the gift.

“Open it now.”

“Can I open it?”

When Dowoon nodded, Seoyul carefully unwrapped the package and opened the box. Inside was an elegant case.

Wondering what it might be, Seoyul carefully opened it and examined the object inside.

“Oh?”

Inside was a fountain pen. Seoyul’s name was written in beautiful cursive script on the sleek body with black coating.

“Wow.”

Having never received something like this before, admiration came out first. Seeing that pure reaction, Dowoon shrugged his shoulders and spoke.

“What do you think! It’s the first time you’ve received a gift like this, right?”

“Yes! It’s so cool! Esper-nim, are you really giving this to me?”

“Of course! I specially ordered it for you. Use it to pass that exam!”

Seoyul looked down at the fountain pen with a deeply moved expression. It looked so elegant that it seemed quite expensive.

‘Can I really accept something like this?’

While he had accepted snacks without hesitation, this looked too expensive to accept without reservation. But Dowoon quickly added something to prevent his hesitation.

“I’ll be expecting something when you get your first paycheck.”

“Ah, yes!”

At those words, Seoyul just nodded happily with a smile.

‘That’s right. I need to pass the exam and buy something even better.’

Even now, Dowoon was starting to earn a little money as he began his activities, but it didn’t feel like money Seoyul had earned through his own work.

He wanted to confidently pass the exam and convey his gratitude to everyone with money he had earned through hard work.

“Then I’ll be going now, Esper-nim.”

Seoyul smiled with renewed determination. As he did, his Guiding energy began to squirm as if trying to leak out.

Dowoon quickly extended his hand to absorb the energy and conveyed words of encouragement to Seoyul.

“Alright. Do well.”

Since energy leakage hadn’t happened much lately, Dowoon felt this incident was somehow special.

It was because it seemed like Seoyul was showing vulnerability only to him. It was something possible only with built trust and faith, which made him genuinely glad.

Seoyul closed his eyes tightly and then opened them as he received Dowoon’s feelings and touch. Then, smiling brightly like a puppy, he said to Dowoon.

“I’ll be back.”

* * *

Seoyul wrote down everything he had studied without missing anything. There were problems he knew and problems he didn’t know. But he did everything he could.

After the exam he had prepared for so long was over, everyone was just waiting for the acceptance notice.

But they weren’t anxious. Seoyul was fine because he had no regrets, and the others weren’t anxious because they had no doubt about Seoyul’s acceptance.

But there was just one person.

Only Dowoon was anxiously waiting for Seoyul’s acceptance results, pacing back and forth.

“Ah, seriously. It’s driving me crazy. Are you going to keep loitering around here?”

Munjin irritably shouted at him as he was pacing restlessly in his office. But Dowoon completely ignored his words and started jiggling his leg while sitting on the sofa.

“…”

Having never seen him act like this before, Munjin clicked his tongue briefly in disbelief. He acted all tough, but when it came to his Guide, he didn’t know how he could look like a puppy that needed to pee.

He shook his head as if annoyed and held back what would have been his third comment.

“I told you I’ll let you know when the results come out! I can’t concentrate because of you!”

“Ah, seriously. Just ignore me and do your work.”

Like that was possible?

With an S-class Esper radiating anxious waves, it was impossible to concentrate. Munjin realized that the situation wouldn’t change unless the call he was waiting for came.

“Haah…”

What sin had he committed in his past life to have a life like this? It was already a busy time, and with his son acting like that, it gave him a headache.

Ring.

At that moment, the long-awaited sound rang from the receiver.

“Uh! It’s here! It’s here!”

Dowoon shouted first. He quickly approached Munjin’s desk and began exerting unspoken pressure to answer it quickly.

“What are you doing?”

Why aren’t you answering quickly?

His demeanor was now even commanding, which was infuriating. Munjin finally shook his head and picked up the receiver.

“Yes. This is Cha Munjin.”

The news Dowoon had been waiting for came through the receiver. Too curious to hold back, he brought his face close to the side of the receiver.

But Munjin wouldn’t allow such behavior. He pushed Dowoon away with a disgusted expression and continued the conversation.

“Yes. Yes. Ah, yes.”

Dowoon tried hard to listen, but he couldn’t hear properly. Partly because Munjin was skillfully avoiding him, but also because the Center Director’s phone had a special device attached to prevent easy eavesdropping even by Espers with good physical abilities.

“Ah… yes. Thank you.”

Click.

In the end, the call ended without him hearing a single word. Dowoon looked at Munjin, who was putting down the receiver with an indifferent face, and protested with an annoyed expression.

“Ah, seriously. That’s so petty!”

“Petty? Since when have you been affectionate to me? Don’t come near me. It’s gross, it’s gross.”

Hearing those words, Dowoon froze as he recalled what he had just done.

“…”

…It was undeniably creepy behavior.

“W-what did I do!”

But he couldn’t show weakness. If he backed down now, it would only give Munjin leverage. Dowoon straightened his shoulders proudly and shouted.

“I can act like that too!”

“Sure. As if you ever would.”

Knowing that he would never behave like this unless it was related to his Guide, Munjin waved his hand and continued.

“If you’ve heard what you wanted, go to your Guide quickly.”

His face was full of annoyance. However, Dowoon shouted with a brighter face than anyone at those words.