Baek Hye-seong shut his mouth and scanned the room. He hadn’t been able to find his clothes even at dawn, but back then, he’d just assumed it was too dark to see.
Now, in the bright light of day, the spacious bedroom offered no sign of anything remotely resembling his clothes—whether carelessly tossed aside or neatly folded. Not even the bag he’d hastily packed before being dragged out of his house by Yoo Ji-ho was anywhere to be seen.
“……”
Hye-seong blankly looked up at Yoo Ji-ho, whose expression was practically glowing with amusement.
And then, out of nowhere, an amusing thought struck him. Hye-seong’s eyes curved into playful crescents.
“Come on… You’re joking, right?”
So this is the kind of prank Yoo Ji-ho pulls. Another side of him revealed.
Sure enough, Yoo Ji-ho returned his words with a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. After staring at Hye-seong for a moment, he finally spoke.
“I sent your clothes out for cleaning. I’ll give them back when you leave, so for now, just wear what I give you.”
“Ah, got it.”
Though a bit caught off guard—he hadn’t asked for anything to be cleaned—Hye-seong nodded quietly.
Yoo Ji-ho really did seem to have an aversion to anything dirty. And yet, it was strange that he’d let someone sleep in his bed twice. Wouldn’t that be even more of a hygiene issue?
So… when will the laundry be done?
“They’re preparing breakfast downstairs. I’ll bring you something to wear—let’s go eat together.”
“Oh, I can eat with you?”
“Of course.”
Wow. Hye-seong was genuinely impressed. Even last time, he’d brought abalone porridge and fed it to him.
Based on everything so far, it seemed Yoo Ji-ho followed a certain personal code.
Usually, he’d keep a firm line between them, strictly maintaining his distance—but if his Guide pushed too far, he always made sure they ate before sending them off. That seemed to be his principle.
Thinking back, Yoo Ji-ho had insisted on watching him finish his nuts after guiding sessions too. That post-guiding routine had become a sort of mandatory rest.
Even today—though Hye-seong had woken up feeling fine—Ji-ho had summoned someone first thing in the morning to check on him.
Yoo Ji-ho really is such a thoughtful person. A little mischievous at times, but still…
A vague hunch now felt like certainty.
Yoo Ji-ho must be an Esper who’s sensitive to his Guide’s health.
“Then I’ll just eat breakfast and head out. Thank you for taking care of me.”
As he gave a polite bow, he thought he heard a soft laugh above his head.
“But… you’re planning to go home like that?”
“Huh? Why? I feel fine.”
Startled by the question, Hye-seong replied, and Yoo Ji-ho’s brows knit slightly.
“You think your body’s going to recover properly eating junk like that?”
“Junk…?”
Ah. It must’ve been because Ji-ho had caught him eating instant ramen. That had to be it. And sure enough, Ji-ho scolded him once again.
“You’re my Guide.”
Hye-seong, who had been avoiding his gaze, immediately froze and stared at him.
My Guide…?
He wondered if he’d misheard, but no matter how he turned it over in his head, that’s exactly what Ji-ho had said. That Hye-seong was his Guide.
Not just yesterday—Ji-ho still, even now when Hye-seong was back to normal, genuinely hoped he would continue guiding him.
Seeing Hye-seong sitting there dazed, Ji-ho let out a soft sigh and spoke in a gentler voice.
“I pushed too hard and made you collapse. So until you’re fully recovered, you’re not going home.”
“……”
“You understand, right?”
At that, Hye-seong suddenly felt like the worst, most irresponsible person alive.
He had never once considered Yoo Ji-ho to be his Esper. Ji-ho was a hero to everyone—someone on a completely different level. He had never dared imagine that he could remain his Pair Guide.
But Ji-ho, without a single trace of doubt, had called him my Guide.
He’d come to get him in person, even after Hye-seong had flat-out rejected the Pair assignment. And despite that rejection, he hadn’t shown a hint of disappointment. Instead, he was taking care of Hye-seong like he still belonged to him.
My Guide, he’d said.
“You really didn’t have to go this far for me…”
“But I can, can’t I?”
If he’d known he’d end up back here like this, he would’ve taken better care of himself. Thinking that maybe his brief collapse yesterday had something to do with it made him feel even guiltier. So, Hye-seong could only nod.
“Okay… I’ll stay just a little longer. Thank you, Yoo Ji-ho.”
“Good.”
Sincerely grateful for Ji-ho’s kindness, Hye-seong accepted the offer. Only then did Ji-ho’s stiff expression ease, and his lips curled into a soft smile.
Wow… Hye-seong stared at him, utterly mesmerized. That was the exact expression he could never tear his eyes away from.
Even when watching TV—whenever Ji-ho smiled like that—Hye-seong always got distracted. And seeing it this close in real life? That was something else entirely.
“Make yourself comfortable. Pretend it’s your home.”
“O-okay…”
He answered like someone under a spell, nodding furiously. Ji-ho must’ve been shocked by how suddenly he’d collapsed yesterday. Of course he’d be worried.
So, with a grateful heart, Hye-seong decided to stay—just for a bit. Just for a little while longer in Ji-ho’s home.
***
Hye-seong shook his head, his eyes half-lidded and dazed.
“Phew… Yoo Ji-ho, I think I’m full now—”
“Open up. Ah.”
“Ahhh.”
A slice of strawberry tart, topped with a mountain of whipped cream, went straight into his open mouth. Chewing awkwardly, Hye-seong gave a sheepish smile.
“I’m so full I can’t move…”
“Take your time.”
Seeing that soft smile, Hye-seong nodded.
After getting out of bed, he’d washed up and changed into the clothes Ji-ho gave him. Drawn downstairs by the delicious smell, he’d nearly rubbed his eyes when he saw the dining table.
Was this professionally catered or something? Every time he’d visited before, the table had been completely bare—but now, it was covered with an extravagant feast.
At first, feeling awkward, Hye-seong had picked at his food cautiously. But before he knew it, he’d devoured a whole bowl of rice like a starving man.
Just yesterday, he hadn’t even had an appetite, barely touching his food. But now, maybe because he was genuinely hungry, he was eating better than ever.
More than that, it had just been so long since he’d eaten a proper, home-cooked meal like this.
Tearing into a rib, Hye-seong tried to remember the last time he’d had anything like this.
“Hye-seong, my mom says you should stay for dinner!”
Maybe it had been back in high school—getting a meal at a friend’s house while studying for exams.
That day was one of the few memories that had stirred unfamiliar emotions in him. Being awkwardly sandwiched between a warm, close-knit family had made him feel incredibly small.
He’d forced himself to eat out of guilt, even though the food wouldn’t go down. Then gone home and thrown it all up.
But this time was different. He didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.
“Is it good?”
“Yes…”
Hye-seong gave a small nod. It was really good.
He occasionally met Ji-ho’s eyes as he chewed, and now, finally full, he was about to stand. But Ji-ho presented him with a fruit tart for dessert.
He’d never had a fruit tart before—it wasn’t quite cake or bread. He’d seen it in bakeries but never tasted it. But it was delicious. Even the whipped cream was the softest he’d ever had!
One of the strawberries, piled high on the tart, rolled off the plate. As Hye-seong stared at it, a fork appeared out of nowhere, spearing it and bringing it right to his mouth.
He’d already decided to politely decline dessert—he felt bad being fed so much. But apparently that just made Ji-ho worry more, because now he was personally feeding him.
Hye-seong rolled his eyes, opened his mouth, and accepted the bite. Then snatched the fork from Ji-ho and set it down. Ji-ho frowned in displeasure.
“What?”
“I appreciate it, but I can feed myself now.”
“Ah.”
Ji-ho nodded, saying nothing more.
The whole situation was surreal, but the food was so good he couldn’t bring himself to keep turning it down.
This time, Hye-seong picked up the cup of juice and took a sip. The red drink—strawberry juice, probably fresh—was tart and bright. Normally, you’d have coffee with this kind of dessert, right?
But Ji-ho must’ve known he didn’t drink coffee and prepared juice instead.
“……”
“What is it?”
“…Nothing.”
Hye-seong stared at Ji-ho, then shook his head and silently sipped through the straw. The red juice flowed through the transparent straw, spreading a refreshing tang across his tongue.
Isn’t he being way too nice to me?
He didn’t know what to do with himself. He couldn’t understand why someone like Ji-ho would treat someone like him this kindly.
No doubt about it.
Now that he was officially Ji-ho’s Pair Guide, this had to be his way of saying: Eat up and guide me well.
