They’re not as close as they are in the novel yet, huh? Well, I guess that makes sense. The story hasn’t really kicked off anyway.
I wasn’t sure what the exact reason was, but I decided not to dwell on it. There was still a long way to go before the major events of the original plot started rolling. It could’ve just been a clerical error. Or maybe this was just a one-off thing today.
Knock, knock, knock!
A knock sounded at the door.
“…Come in.”
“Seol-bin!”
The person who stepped in was actually Kim Seong-gyeong. It had been a while since I’d seen him—ever since the dungeon incident—so I gave him a casual wave.
Aside from the faint dark circles under his eyes, he looked noticeably brighter than he had back in the dungeon.
“Have you been doing okay? I haven’t seen you once since we got out, and every time I came by, they said you were on leave… I was starting to get worried you weren’t feeling well.”
His words carried genuine concern, and it showed clearly in his eyes.
“I’ve been fine. What about you, Mr. Kim Seong-gyeong?”
“Me? I’m totally fine! Aside from being basically a corpse, I’m in perfect health!”
He grinned wide, and the way he smiled was so dazzling it almost hurt to look at. It was the kind of smile that radiated innocence and kindness—just oozed that good guy vibe. Guess that’s what comes with being the male lead, huh? Even your smile is noble and pure.
“That’s good to hear. But wouldn’t it be better to get Guiding from Mr. Kim Yong-ha? He is an S-Rank Guide.”
Before starting the session, I lightly brought up Kim Yong-ha, but Seong-gyeong immediately shook his head.
“You’re more than enough for me, Seol-bin. Please, guide me. Yeah?”
He extended both hands politely, practically begging like a kid asking for candy. I hesitated for a moment at the sight, but eventually reached out and gently took his hands.
“Alright then. I’ll start the Guiding.”
The moment I took his hands, he immediately laced our fingers together—like he’d been waiting for it. The touch was so natural, I found myself briefly thrown off.
This… kinda feels like a trap. Am I imagining things?
Suddenly, the memory of him forcing that kiss on me came rushing back. Still, unlike that time, he was being calm—just holding my hands and waiting quietly.
If things stayed like this, that incident wouldn’t repeat itself. Probably. Then again, that depended on just how bad his condition really was.
With that soft, harmless smile on his face, Kim Seong-gyeong looked at me with pleading eyes that said, Please, let’s begin.
Of course.
His outward appearance was fine, but his energy was an absolute mess.
From the state he was in, it was clear he hadn’t received Guiding even once since I helped him in the dungeon.
It was strange—how he could still smile like that while being in such a wrecked state. I couldn’t understand why he’d pushed himself this far.
Why not just go to someone—anyone? Hell, even Kim Yong-ha would’ve done it.
I was planning to keep the Guiding light today, but at this rate, if I didn’t increase the intensity, he might go into full-blown rampage. I had no choice but to up the output.
“Ngh.”
The more I used my ability, the more I could feel it—his body craving me.
Every time I faced an Esper standing there, worn out and on the verge of breaking, I felt this overwhelming urge to help them. To guide them.
The books always said Guides exist for Espers. I never really understood what that meant. But now, I was starting to get it.
Maybe it wasn’t just that Espers needed Guiding—maybe Guides wanted to give it, too.
Maybe if I do just a bit more… will that be enough? Just a little more. A little more…
“Ahh…!”
A moan brushed against my ear and snapped me back to reality.
What the hell was I doing? I’d gotten so caught up in the Guiding, I didn’t even realize I’d gone too far.
I hadn’t meant to pour that much power into him.
“Hwang… Seol-bin.”
Kim Seong-gyeong’s eyes, which just moments ago had been soft and misty, were now locked on me with a hungry intensity—like he was ready to devour me whole. I swallowed hard and hurriedly spoke.
“T-That’s enough for today.”
“…Ah.”
The moment I let go of his hands, he let out a soft groan of disappointment.
If I hadn’t stopped just now, he might’ve lunged at me again—just like in the dungeon—to steal another kiss.
That first kiss? I could chalk that up to a mistake. But I wasn’t about to let him steal the second one, too.
As I stood up, my eyes instinctively dropped—and for a moment, I froze.
Wait… what did I just see?
I hesitated, then quickly turned my head as if nothing had happened and said,
“…It’s time for the next person to come in.”
“Couldn’t you… just do a little more?”
“No. I can’t.”
Looking completely defeated, Kim Seong-gyeong watched me for a moment before slowly standing up, bowing his head, and quietly leaving the room.
“…Haa.”
Once I heard the door shut, I finally let out the breath I’d been holding in.
That crestfallen look on his face was enough to make anyone feel bad—but the physical reaction I’d just witnessed…
Yeah. That messed me up a little.
That sweet, innocent face… and the hard, unmistakably aroused something down below. Even with his pants on, it was impossible to miss—the bulge between his legs stood out, heavy and proud, making its presence blatantly obvious.
Stay calm. Just stay calm. You read about this in the books.
It said that sometimes, if the Guiding is too intense, things like that can happen. It’s normal. Totally normal.
Still, I must’ve gone a little overboard. I’ll be more careful next time.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself as I welcomed the next Esper. But that… thing refused to leave my thoughts.
***
After wrapping up the morning Guiding sessions, I stepped outside to run a few errands before returning to the Center. With some time before the next appointment, I headed to the lounge to grab a coffee.
“Seol-bin sunbae-nim.”
“Oh—Mr. Kim Yong-ha.”
The moment I stepped in, I saw Kim Yong-ha spacing out inside. He looked up and greeted me.
…Wait, did he just call me sunbae-nim?
It felt a bit strange, but I didn’t correct him. There wasn’t exactly a better title for him to use anyway.
“Were you out on an errand?”
“Yeah. Just stepped out to go to the bank and take care of a few things.”
“Oh—then, let me make the coffee. Please, have a seat, sunbae.”
“I-It’s okay, I can—”
“No, really. I want to make it for you.”
He’d bought coffee for me this morning too. At this rate, I was going to start feeling guilty.
Still, now that the urgent stuff was out of the way… what else was on the list again? Ah, right—the housing request form from the Team Leader. Looking for my own place sounded like a hassle… maybe the dorms were the smarter choice.
“Here you go, sunbae-nim.”
Lost in thought again, I looked up to see Kim Yong-ha handing me a cup of coffee.
“Thanks. I’ll return the favor next time.”
“No need. I like making coffee. So from now on, just leave it to me.”
His usually vacant eyes held a faint sparkle as he said it.
I didn’t have the heart to argue, so I just gave a small nod and took a sip.
…Okay, yeah. This is better than mine.
Kim Yong-ha sat across from me, idly twirling his coffee cup and stealing occasional glances in my direction. Neither of us said anything, but the silence wasn’t uncomfortable.
It was peaceful. But that peace felt like the calm before the storm—the kind that made you nervous precisely because everything felt so quiet.
I glanced at Kim Yong-ha and felt a twinge in my chest. Would he be okay? Well, the story did end with a happy ending. He’d be alright. Eventually.
That was when it happened.
BANG!
The door slammed open, and both of us winced.
Yoon Yi-hyeon. First time seeing him since his vacation—and yep, still just as shameless and obnoxious as ever. Not even a sliver of manners to be found.
“Yo, Seol-bin! Long time no see! You been good? First day back, yeah?”
“Yes. I’m back on duty starting today.”
“Perfect. Then go get me a coffee, will ya? Had lunch, need a pick-me-up.”
Of course. I was wondering how long he’d hold out before making demands.
Just as I was about to stand up, Kim Yong-ha beat me to it.
“I’ll take care of it, sunbae-nim.”
“I could’ve just done it myself…”
Wasn’t this a little too much exploitation of the main character?
Before I could stop him, Kim Yong-ha was already walking toward the machine. Yoon Yi-hyeon shot him a look of pure disdain before leaning in and whispering to me.
“Ugh, isn’t that guy seriously annoying?”
I turned to him with an incredulous look that said, What the hell are you talking about?
The guy just offered to make coffee for me. What part of that was annoying?
Apparently, Yi-hyeon had a lot to unload after I’d been away. He didn’t care if Yong-ha could hear or not.
“I’m his senior, but he never greets me. And get this—one of my regulars came in the other day, and the guy offered to guide him instead. Just ’cause he’s S-Rank now? The audacity.”
I had no idea how much of that was true, but clearly, he had a bone to pick.
…This really does follow the original storyline perfectly.
I wondered if Yi-hyeon had any clue. That he was just a minor antagonist in a story. That everything he did was scripted, that he was just one cog in the narrative machine.
If he found out, he’d probably lose it. He was the type who thought the world revolved around him.
Not that it would change anything.
During this adjustment arc, the frequent spats between Yi-hyeon and Yong-ha were one of the main draws.
So I just quietly sipped my coffee, watching the scene unfold like a reader enjoying a familiar moment.
When Kim Yong-ha returned with the cup, Yoon Yi-hyeon clammed up immediately.
“Here you go, Guide Yoon Yi-hyeon.”
“Hey! What happened to ‘sunbae-nim’? You called Seol-bin that earlier—what, you think you’re too good to say it to me just because you’re S-Rank now?”
Yong-ha didn’t even blink. He just sat down and sipped his now-cold coffee with that same blank expression.
“Hey! I’m talking to you!”
Yi-hyeon raised his voice, but Yong-ha just ignored him and kept drinking.
A glorious clash of spear versus shield.
This dynamic would go on for a while until Yi-hyeon inevitably snapped and caused a scene.
Once I finished my coffee, I stood up. No reason to stay any longer. Yong-ha followed and stepped close beside me.
“Oh wow. What, you two showing off how close you are now? Seol-bin, seriously? You’re picking him over me?”
Why was I getting dragged into this when I hadn’t even done anything?
Yi-hyeon kept glaring at Yong-ha while throwing barbed comments at me, but I didn’t reply. There was nothing to gain from staying, so I quietly left the lounge.
From behind us, Yi-hyeon’s shouting echoed through the hallway, but I didn’t bother reacting.
“Um… sunbae-nim.”
“Yes?”
“I’m really sorry. I think Guide Yoon Yi-hyeon doesn’t like me very much…”
His voice was low and hesitant, his head bowed. He must’ve been holding that in.
I gently reached out and patted his head in reassurance. His eyes went wide.
“I—uh, I!”
“Hm?”
“I… I was wondering, if you’re not busy tonight, would you maybe want to have dinner together? Your advice the other day really helped me a lot…”
He trailed off for a second, then rushed out the last part like it’d been burning on his tongue.
Dinner, huh?
I wouldn’t mind. But if I said yes, Kim Hyun-joong would have to tag along too.
Even though he seemed to be moving around on his own inside the Center, going outside was a different story. S-Rank Guides weren’t allowed to go out alone. They were too valuable.
And honestly… I didn’t feel like seeing him right now.
As I hesitated, Kim Yong-ha looked more and more unsure, watching me like a kicked puppy.
“…If it’s too much trouble, or if I’m making you uncomfortable—”
“No, it’s nothing like that. I was just thinking about something.”
He was staring at me with those wide, round eyes—like a cat begging for attention. I couldn’t bring myself to turn him down. And besides, I’d warned Kim Hyun-joong pretty strongly this morning. If he had any sense, he wouldn’t cause trouble.
“Sure. Let’s go.”
I nodded, and Yong-ha’s face immediately lit up.
“Th-Then I’ll see you later!”
“Yeah. See you then.”
He looked so genuinely happy it was almost disarming. I gave him a small wave and turned toward the Guiding Room to prepare for the next session.
Ohhh….could be Yong Ha start to feel interested in MC?