Cha Jae-woo honestly thought that Lim Haeyul’s feelings were not a side effect but something more. Somehow, Lim Haeyul now believed it was genuine, but Cha Jae-woo thought differently.
After all, Lim Haeyul had no reason to like him. Cha Jae-woo had done nothing for Lim Haeyul. He had only applied pressure. The kind of pressure that said, “I like you, so you must reciprocate.” This pressure had evolved, leading Lim Haeyul to mistakenly believe that he genuinely liked Cha Jae-woo.
For Cha Jae-woo, this was a welcome development. He was content with this level of relationship. Since he intended to keep Lim Haeyul by his side, Lim Haeyul had to remain under this illusion forever.
If Lim Haeyul’s side effect disappeared, it would be problematic. Cha Jae-woo knew that Lim Haeyul could not genuinely love him. He was not the kind of person who could receive such love.
It was better for Lim Haeyul not to know everything about him. Maintaining the relationship with appropriate acting was the best course of action. Cha Jae-woo was willing to act as much as needed to keep Lim Haeyul by his side.
But then,
“Guide Lim Haeyul has been kidnapped. We are currently in pursuit. The other side doesn’t seem to be trying to shake us off, but you should still come.”
That peace was not meant to last.
Cha Jae-woo experienced a sudden, strange sensation as if his head was spinning. He had anticipated something like this could happen. Once Jo Gyeong-hoon found out that Jang Gijun had been exposed, he would naturally suspect Cha Jae-woo.
Ever since Cha Seong-ju’s death, Jo Gyeong-hoon had suspected Cha Jae-woo. He believed Cha Jae-woo was involved in Cha Seong-ju’s death and was secretly raising an Esper.
Jo Gyeong-hoon was always quick to notice and act. That’s why he created the Esper Association separately, even though the Ability Association already existed.
Anyway, Cha Jae-woo understood why Jo Gyeong-hoon had taken Lim Haeyul. He wanted to show that he suspected Cha Jae-woo. He wanted to prove that he knew everything Cha Jae-woo was hiding and was just pretending not to know.
Cha Jae-woo should have been angry. Jo Gyeong-hoon wouldn’t dare do anything to Lim Haeyul. He should have been furious that Jo Gyeong-hoon had the audacity to touch Lim Haeyul, whom he considered his.
No other emotions were necessary. But strangely, he felt anxious. So, Cha Jae-woo hurriedly left the house.
Jo Gyeong-hoon was at the Esper training facility, making no attempt to hide. Cha Jae-woo’s steps were quick as he entered the building. He was already furious, and hearing Lim Haeyul’s voice faintly from outside the building made him even angrier.
Cha Jae-woo followed the sound of Lim Haeyul’s voice and soon found him guiding Lee Jae-hoon.
He was actually showing his guiding.
In fact, it didn’t matter if they knew now. Soon, when it was revealed what kind of experiments Jang Gijun had been conducting, they would announce Lee Ju-yeon’s abilities, and consequently, Lim Haeyul’s new abilities would be revealed as well.
But he was angry. This was not something he had permitted. Lim Haeyul had misjudged who he should be worried about. He was showing unnecessary sympathy again.
He shouldn’t have done that. Why did he always disobey and act on his own? Was Cha Jae-woo not reliable enough? Why didn’t he listen and always cause trouble?
Hearing Jo Gyeong-hoon’s sarcastic remarks was also annoying. Just then, a news article about Jang Gijun was published, and he saw Jo Gyeong-hoon’s flustered face, but it didn’t make him feel any better. He felt terrible.
Cha Jae-woo realized why he was so upset. He wanted to wash Lim Haeyul with his own hands. Only then did he realize that he hated the fact that Lim Haeyul had been in contact with Lee Jae-hoon while guiding him.
Ah, then it wasn’t Lim Haeyul’s fault. Should he cut off Lee Jae-hoon’s hands for touching him without permission? That seemed like a better idea.
“Aaah!”
“I wonder how much of a national loss it would be if you disappeared.”
“Don’t do it, damn it. Ah! Cha Jae-woo!”
In the end, he didn’t cut them off, but he broke them.
Only then did Cha Jae-woo feel relieved. Perhaps it was because he had a Guide dedicated to him for the first time, or perhaps it was because he had taken revenge on the person who had touched Lim Haeyul. He felt no guilt. He hadn’t actually cut off the person’s hand, so there was no reason to feel that way.
And the next day, now.
Cha Jae-woo found Lim Haeyul. He had prepared to reveal evidence that Jo Gyeong-hoon had been helping Jang Gijun with his experiments, ensuring that Jo Gyeong-hoon couldn’t assist him anymore. He also bought a new phone for Lim Haeyul, who had lost his during the kidnapping.
Maybe he should implant the phone in Lim Haeyul’s body. How many times had it been lost or broken?
No, not just the phone—he might need to implant a tracking device in Lim Haeyul’s body. The same thing could happen again. This time it was just a threat, but next time it might not be. Of course, he would take care of it before it happened again, but just in case, it seemed better to implant a tracking device in Lim Haeyul’s body.
Cha Jae-woo found himself lost in these unusual thoughts. But as soon as he faced Lim Haeyul, all those thoughts vanished. Lim Haeyul’s demeanor seemed off.
“Don’t throw me away.”
“What?”
Lim Haeyul avoided eye contact and was trembling all over. Cha Jae-woo grabbed him, and Lim Haeyul blurted out, “I love you. So, even if a better Guide comes along… don’t throw me away…”
Cha Jae-woo was taken aback. He had no idea what Lim Haeyul was talking about or what had led him to say this. Why would he assume that Cha Jae-woo would throw him away?
Lim Haeyul always overthought things, jumping from one idea to another, making it hard to keep up. Usually, Cha Jae-woo found this exasperating, but this time, he was speechless. He didn’t know what to say.
“I’m sorry for not trusting you…”
Lim Haeyul’s admission that he didn’t trust Cha Jae-woo left him at a loss for words.
Of course, he understood. It made sense that Lim Haeyul wouldn’t trust him. But Cha Jae-woo had thought Lim Haeyul trusted him, that his side effect had become genuine feelings. He had underestimated Lim Haeyul, thinking he was foolish. From the start, Cha Jae-woo had not been trustworthy, and he knew it.
But strangely, he felt a pang of hurt. It felt unfair.
Hadn’t he done enough? He had told Lim Haeyul countless times that he was the only Guide for him, that there would be no need for another. Why didn’t Lim Haeyul believe him? How many more times did he need to repeat himself?
Cha Jae-woo bit his lip, holding back harsh words. He knew they would do no good.
He could ask later why Lim Haeyul felt this way. For now, he needed to reassure him. He couldn’t have Lim Haeyul thinking their relationship would end someday. Cha Jae-woo believed their bond was eternal.
If Lim Haeyul decided to stop being a Guide because of these thoughts, it would be a real problem. Cha Jae-woo needed Lim Haeyul as his Guide.
“I won’t see other Guides. I told you that.”
Cha Jae-woo spoke slowly, suppressing his swirling thoughts.
Lim Haeyul looked down, then raised his gaze. A faint smile played on his lips. Cha Jae-woo felt a strange tightness in his chest. Lim Haeyul’s expression seemed both happy and sad.
“I know. You’ve told me many times… But I’m sorry for saying this again.”
Cha Jae-woo wondered what was going through Lim Haeyul’s mind. Usually, he could read him easily, but today, it was like a thick fog obscured his thoughts.
What was the problem? Cha Jae-woo furrowed his brow. Lim Haeyul spoke again.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I just thought that soon there will be a day when you won’t need me anymore—”
“That day will never come.”
Cha Jae-woo cut him off. He couldn’t understand why Lim Haeyul would think such a thing.
“Why can’t you trust me? I don’t need any other Guide but you.”
He had said it many times, and Lim Haeyul knew it, yet he still doubted and worried. Cha Jae-woo couldn’t comprehend it.
Lim Haeyul fell silent for a moment, his brown eyes distant in thought. Cha Jae-woo watched him, wondering what he was thinking but not wanting to ask.
“…You like my guiding the most, right?”
After a while, Lim Haeyul asked, his voice tinged with an odd expectation. Cha Jae-woo hesitated, unsure whether to nod or deny it.
The truth was, Lim Haeyul’s guiding was the best. But his rational mind told him that the right answer was that he liked Lim Haeyul himself, not just his guiding. That was the truth, especially since they were supposed to be in a romantic relationship.
“…I want you by my side because I like you. It’s not about the guiding—”
So, Cha Jae-woo answered as expected. It was the correct answer.
“My guiding is the best. So much so that you don’t want to replace me with anyone else.”
However, Cha Jae-woo’s words were cut short. Lim Haeyul smiled and shook his head, leaving Cha Jae-woo speechless. Shouldn’t he have wanted a different answer?
“I think that’s better.”
But Lim Haeyul smiled. He looked relieved.
Usually so simple, today Lim Haeyul was confusing him, and it frustrated Cha Jae-woo. He clenched his jaw and let out a short sigh.
“I’m sorry. It’s just… I really like that you care for me, Cha Jae-woo. I truly do. But…”
“But?”
“I know there’s an expiration date.”
Lim Haeyul’s gaze fell. What expiration date? Since when was there an expiration date that Cha Jae-woo didn’t know about?
“I don’t like knowing the day I’ll be discarded is set. Maybe it’s because I’ve experienced it before. Living while counting down the days until I’m discarded.”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“Ah! So, love has an end, right? But if my guiding is the best, if there’s no one who can replace me, if that’s the reason you need me, then there won’t be an end.”
It seemed that Lee Jae-hoon’s words had shaken Lim Haeyul. But Cha Jae-woo didn’t bother explaining that it wasn’t about the guiding, that he liked Lim Haeyul himself.
“…Do you want to do some guiding?”
What does it matter, anyway?
An unwelcome thought rose in Cha Jae-woo’s mind, stopping his words. Either way, Lim Haeyul was trying to stay by his side. Did he need to stop that?
Lim Haeyul was creating a reason to stay by his side. Even if the feeling of being liked wasn’t enough, if that reason was acceptable to Lim Haeyul, Cha Jae-woo had nothing more to say.
“Next time.”
Cha Jae-woo embraced Lim Haeyul. He was tired of thinking. If this was enough for Lim Haeyul, then it was better to just accept it.
