[Guide Matching Abuse by Jang Gijun, Guide Association President]
[Manipulated Matching Rates and Prevented Espers from Using Abilities]
[Jang Admits: ‘It Was to Control the Ability Users…’]
[Outrage as Only Low-Matching Guides Were Assigned]
[Additional Confession from Jang: ‘Feared Cha Jae-woo’s Abilities, Hid High-Matching Guides’]
Lim Haeyul could not bring himself to ask Cha Jae-woo anything. Since they had emerged from the unknown place, they had not exchanged a single word.
He wondered what Cha Jae-woo was thinking and if he was angry with him. He felt guilty and curious, but he could not bring himself to speak. He kept justifying his actions, telling himself that he had no choice.
He hoped that Cha Jae-woo would ask if he was okay, but Cha Jae-woo remained silent.
Thanks to the news, Lim Haeyul found out what Cha Jae-woo had said to Jo Gyeong-hoon. When Cha Jae-woo asked if the Guide Association had hidden guides, Lim Haeyul had suspected as much, but confirming it was shocking.
The article was even more appalling.
[Jang Gijun confessed that he had continuously assigned low-matching guides to high-ranking Espers like Cha Jae-woo to prevent them from defying the association. It appears he exploited the fact that Espers are reluctant to use their abilities when only low-matching guides are available.]
[It has been revealed that high-matching guides for Cha Jae-woo existed but were hidden by Jang Gijun, which is expected to cause significant outrage.]
“How could this happen…?”
Since Cha Jae-woo’s awakening, a considerable amount of time had passed. When Lim Haeyul met Cha Jae-woo, he was on the brink. Although he seemed fine on the surface, in retrospect, it was clear he was struggling. And all this time, he had been left to suffer just to suppress his power.
Lim Haeyul also understood why Jang Gijun had assigned him as Cha Jae-woo’s dedicated guide. Although his matching rate was high, he was only a D-rank guide. They wanted to keep Cha Jae-woo but did not want to provide him with a high-ranking guide. Fortunately, Lim Haeyul was able to provide more guidance than they had anticipated.
“…”
He wondered what would happen next. News of Jang Gijun’s impending arrest was spreading rapidly. Investigations into Jo Gyeong-hoon and the Ability Association President were also underway. However, Jo Gyeong-hoon insisted that he had no involvement with the Guide Association and was unaware of the situation.
The Ability Association President would not be able to avoid legal consequences, but Jo Gyeong-hoon would likely escape unscathed.
“Sigh…”
Thanks to these revelations, the controversy surrounding Lim Haeyul’s guiding methods had been overshadowed. He should have been relieved, but he was not. He felt sorry for Cha Jae-woo, who had suffered because of their greed. He also worried about what Cha Jae-woo was thinking, as they had not spoken since the incident. Lee Jae-hoon’s words also lingered in his mind.
A sudden doubt crossed his mind.
Did Cha Jae-woo really have feelings for him?
He was not swayed by Lee Jae-hoon’s words. He believed that Cha Jae-woo could have feelings for him. What bothered him was the thought that Cha Jae-woo’s feelings might be a mere side effect, just like his own had been.
Lim Haeyul had been the one to stabilize Cha Jae-woo after years of being without a guide. For the first time in 18 years, Cha Jae-woo had found stability.
Could it be that Cha Jae-woo was mistaking this stability for love? What if his feelings were not genuine, but just a shallow illusion? At least, compared to his own feelings.
‘It’s possible…’
He wished they could stay together. He loved Cha Jae-woo and believed that his feelings were more than just a side effect.
But if Cha Jae-woo did not feel the same way, if he was free to move on, could their relationship last?
“…”
Tears welled up in Lim Haeyul’s eyes, and his chest ached. He felt as if he was the only one left hanging, weighed down by his emotions.
If that was how Cha Jae-woo felt, he would have to accept it. If Cha Jae-woo’s feelings ever faded, leaving him alone, he would have to face that reality. He couldn’t hold onto someone whose feelings for him had vanished.
He almost wished that no high-matching guide would appear for Cha Jae-woo.
‘…That’s a terrible thought.’
Lim Haeyul shook his head to clear his mind. It would be best if a high-ranking, high-matching guide appeared to fully stabilize Cha Jae-woo. Then, Cha Jae-woo would be much more at ease. He deserved compensation for the pain endured due to Jang Gijun and his selfish associates.
Yet, here he was, wishing for Cha Jae-woo’s unhappiness just because he feared that Cha Jae-woo might confess his love to someone else.
“…”
He needed to pull himself together. Such thoughts were unacceptable.
Lim Haeyul abruptly stood up and headed to the bathroom, intending to take a cold shower to clear his mind.
“Going to wash up?”
Just as he was about to enter the bathroom, Cha Jae-woo’s voice stopped him. He froze, unable to turn and face Cha Jae-woo. He couldn’t look him in the eye or even speak. Was it guilt from his recent thoughts?
“What are you doing?”
No, it was fear.
He loved Cha Jae-woo and wanted him to feel the same way. Even if Cha Jae-woo’s feelings were lighter, he didn’t want him to let go. He didn’t care if his own feelings were heavier, as long as they could stay together.
That’s why he was afraid to face Cha Jae-woo. Now that Cha Jae-woo had options, he feared that he would no longer be special to him. His guiding method was the only thing that set him apart, and even that had been exposed.
“Lim Haeyul.”
“Ah, um… Yes. I was going to take a shower…”
He was overthinking. Cha Jae-woo hadn’t said anything, yet he was already imagining the worst.
But he couldn’t help it. He was terrified of being abandoned.
He knew he loved Cha Jae-woo, but he hadn’t realized how deeply until now. He had never imagined he could feel this way about someone. He had always thought that love was simple, that you liked someone and wanted to be with them.
“Look at me.”
Cha Jae-woo pulled him close and cupped his cheek. The gentle touch calmed him instantly. At least for now, he felt at ease.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Um, well… I didn’t apologize yesterday…”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
He tried to look away, but Cha Jae-woo held his gaze firmly. He could feel Cha Jae-woo’s breath, but his heart still raced with anxiety.
He began to ramble, trying to explain himself. “Still, um, the frequency was weird. I thought it was a rampage, so… if I see another Esper on drugs, I think I can tell… but it’s too late now… What do I do…”
“…”
“Oh, but even if it’s not me, there are other high-matching guides now, so that’s good! Of course, I’ll still help, but that Black Mass can be completely─”
“What are you thinking right now?”
Cha Jae-woo interrupted his rambling. He looked at Lim Haeyul, puzzled by his words.
Lim Haeyul’s face crumpled as he finally met Cha Jae-woo’s gaze. He grabbed Cha Jae-woo’s shirt, his vision blurring with tears.
“…Don’t leave me.”
“What?”
“I love you. So, even if a better guide comes along… please don’t leave me…”
Even if Cha Jae-woo’s feelings faded, he hoped he wouldn’t abandon him. He wanted Cha Jae-woo to keep the feelings he had for him, even if they were temporary.
“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you…”
He whispered, head bowed. He apologized for not believing Cha Jae-woo’s feelings, for not trusting him. But he couldn’t help it.
He wanted Cha Jae-woo to promise. To make a contract, just like when they first met. It might seem desperate, but it would give him peace of mind. More than just believing that Cha Jae-woo’s feelings would never change.
