When an Esper doesn’t get enough Guiding, they tend to obsess over physical contact with their Guide. In more serious cases, they might even try to force themselves on them. That’s why the Guide Center strongly encourages Espers to receive regular Guiding sessions—it helps prevent situations like that from happening.
The nonsense Kim Seong-gyeong was spouting earlier? It was probably due to his lack of Guiding. It had been a while since he last received it from me, and he hadn’t sought out any other Guide in the meantime. On top of that, he’d been clearing dungeons without proper support… Honestly, it was more surprising that he hadn’t grown obsessed sooner.
Still, that was that. This was different.
“Kim Seong-gyeong-ssi.”
“Yes?”
“Holding hands is more than enough. Let’s just keep it like this.”
“But…”
“We can take it slow. It’s fine.”
The first time had caught me completely off guard, but I wasn’t going to let that happen again. I shook my head firmly, making my stance crystal clear. Kim Seong-gyeong looked disappointed, glancing at me like he was searching for a loophole, but he eventually gave a reluctant nod.
“Then I’ll begin the Guiding now.”
“…Okay. I’ll leave it to you.”
I closed my eyes and focused. The moment I did, I could sense his condition more clearly.
God, he’s a mess.
His state was even worse than I’d imagined.
Honestly, it was impressive he’d managed to hold it together this long.
I did my best to suppress the surge of heat that always came with Guiding and focused. Just as I was about to glance over to see how Kim Seong-gyeong was reacting—
—Whump.
He suddenly pulled me into his arms, gripping my hand tight and letting out a breath heavy with heat and moisture.
“Haa…”
Startled, I immediately tried to pull away and stop the Guiding, but his voice came out trembling and desperate, thick with need.
“Just a little more… please… It’s been so long… it feels so good…”
His eyes were hazy, like he was barely holding onto his reason, and the moment I saw them, all thoughts of continuing the Guiding vanished. Instead, I found myself staring at his face.
Seriously… this guy’s unfairly handsome.
Golden blond hair that looked sun-kissed, deep blue eyes that shimmered with heat, and lips parted in a breathless sigh, tinged red with warmth. It didn’t matter how many times I saw him—he was breathtaking.
If Kim Yong-ha had seen him like this, he probably would’ve fallen head over heels on the spot. That’s how good-looking Kim Seong-gyeong was right now.
Well, I’m the one looking at him for now, but still…
Eventually, Kim Yong-ha will see this too.
In the original story, no matter how much they went through, the two of them ended up together.
Things had definitely gone off-script now, but maybe this would actually make it easier for them to connect.
“Haa…”
He was still clearly lacking Guiding—his breath came out heavy, and he rested his head on my shoulder again. I snapped out of my thoughts and resumed the Guiding.
After a while, I slowly pulled away from his arms. My body felt a little heated too, but I did my best to play it cool as I carefully studied his face.
Unlike before, his complexion was full of life now. The Guiding had worked. But the heat still lingering in his gaze—half lust, half gratitude—made me uncomfortable. I averted my eyes and stood up.
“…It’s over now. You can let go of my hand.”
I tried to pull away, but he only tightened his grip, holding on firmly. I looked at him, confused, and saw him hesitating—his lips parted slightly like he wanted to say something but couldn’t get the words out.
That look… It reminded me of the face he’d made earlier when he was rambling nonsense. Bracing myself for whatever bizarre thing he was about to say, I waited in silence.
Finally, he spoke in a cautious voice.
“Um… do you have any plans after work today?”
“…Sorry?”
“If you’re free… maybe we could grab dinner or something…?”
I blinked. I hadn’t been expecting that.
But truthfully, there were some things I wanted to ask him—especially about the Book of Wishes. And this was the perfect opportunity. There was no way I was letting it slip away.
“…Sure. Why not.”
“Wait, really? Then what time do you finish?”
“…Around six-thirty.”
“Great! I’ll come find you then!”
Only after locking in the time did he finally let go of my hand. He’d been holding it so tightly that it was red and warm to the touch.
“See you later then!”
Looking noticeably more energized—probably from the Guiding—he waved at me cheerfully and walked out of the room. His steps were light, almost bouncing, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
***
After wrapping up my afternoon schedule, I quickly got ready to head out.
He said he’d be here on time… I wonder where he is.
Knowing Kim Seong-gyeong, I had a feeling he’d already arrived. As soon as I opened the door to the Guiding Room, I was met with a buzz of noise in the hallway.
“…Isn’t that Esper Kim Seong-gyeong?”
“Whoa. How can someone be that good-looking?”
“I seriously thought he was a celebrity. Looks like he’s waiting for someone.”
Every gaze in the corridor was fixed on a single person—Kim Seong-gyeong. I’d momentarily forgotten: just as S-Rank Guide Kim Yong-ha always drew attention, the same went for S-Rank Esper Kim Seong-gyeong.
And Kim Seong-gyeong wasn’t just powerful—he was absurdly handsome, too.
“Seol-bin!”
Spotting me, he immediately lit up, smiling brightly as he made his way over. With that, everyone’s attention shifted to me.
The stares were intense, practically burning a hole through my skin, but I ignored them and walked calmly toward him.
…Wait. That’s not the outfit he had on earlier.
Back during our Guiding session, he’d been wearing something simple and comfortable. Now, though, he was in a suit—well-fitted and undeniably sharp. He’d clearly gone out of his way to dress up, turning more than a few heads.
Even his hairstyle was different. Normally, he wore his bangs down, giving him a soft, approachable vibe. But now, he’d slicked his hair back with wax, baring his forehead and emphasizing his sharp features, making him look even more striking.
Noticing me staring, Kim Seong-gyeong scratched his cheek and gave a sheepish smile.
“It’s our first time having a meal together, so… I dressed up a bit. Is it weird?”
“No. It looks great on you.”
“Really? I don’t usually wear stuff like this, so I wasn’t sure… That’s a relief. Oh, do you like steak? There’s a place nearby that’s really good. Would that be okay?”
Even if he hadn’t asked, I would’ve followed him anywhere. But the way he offered the suggestion so carefully, testing my reaction like he didn’t want to overstep—it was kind of adorable. I nodded right away.
“Steak sounds perfect.”
Even with everyone still watching, I pushed the stares out of my mind and followed him to the restaurant.
***
“Captain.”
“Yeah, Bijun?”
“That thing you asked me to look into…”
“You found something?”
Kang Biso didn’t even wait for his younger brother to finish speaking before cutting in, voice sharp with urgency.
“Yeah. I hacked in and got the CCTV footage from the hotel, but…”
“But what?”
“I haven’t had time to check it yet, so I still don’t know who it is.”
Kang Biso, who had been sitting on the sofa with his arms crossed, shot to his feet and stormed over to the computer where Bijun was sitting.
For the past week, he hadn’t been able to see Hwang Seol-bin at all because of ZEC business. Bijun hadn’t had the time to check the hotel’s security footage either, so they’d gotten nowhere.
But now they had the recordings. Identifying the bastard was only a matter of time.
Finally…
Now he could expose whoever it was.
The timing couldn’t have been better. Biso was already irritable from not seeing Seol-bin, not to mention not receiving any Guiding. First, he’d find the punk sneaking into Seol-bin’s hotel room—and then? Eliminate him.
Step by step, no mistakes. I’ll find out exactly who the hell it is.
He started scrubbing through the footage from the moment Seol-bin moved into the hotel, after the dungeon burst at his old place.
Watching at double speed, Biso stared at the monitor with unblinking focus. Even when Bijun clicked his tongue and left the room, Biso didn’t budge.
…He has to show up eventually. He has to.
But no matter how long he watched, no one else ever entered Seol-bin’s room. No one—except for a small dog cradled in Seol-bin’s arms.
What the hell is that mutt?
Frustrated at the lack of leads, Biso zoomed in on the dog for no good reason.
Since when does Seol-bin have a dog? …Tch. I’ve never even been in his arms like that, and this little furball—
No. Now wasn’t the time to get jealous over a damn dog.
Shaking off the distraction, he pressed play again. Finally—after hours of scanning—a man appeared on screen, and Biso froze the footage.
“……”
“Wait, Captain, are you still—?”
Bijun had come back at some point and was about to speak, but Biso didn’t respond. His eyes were locked on the image of the man on the screen.
“…That guy?”
Even as Bijun asked, Biso didn’t answer. He was focused solely on the screen.
A man with stark white hair.
That was him. The man who kept coming and going from Seol-bin’s room like it belonged to him.
Biso knew it. There was no mistaking it.
The man entered casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world—and never came back out.
Which meant only one thing.
He’s living with Seol-bin.
Crack. His jaw clenched tight enough to ache.
How many damn pests are circling around Seol-bin?
“…No, no, wait! Captain, don’t smash it! If you break that, we lose everything!”
Panicked, Bijun rushed over and pulled him away from the monitor.
Even as he was being dragged back, Biso’s fists were trembling with barely restrained rage.
He’d seen it in dramas—how jealousy could drive a person mad—but he never imagined it would happen to him. Right now, all he wanted was to find that guy and rip him to pieces.
Living together… Seriously?
As if that Kim Seong-gyeong bastard wasn’t already annoying enough, now this other freak had shown up too. Honestly, he wanted to get rid of both of them at once.
Suppressing his fury, Biso suddenly had a thought.
…Why the hell am I holding back?
Wasn’t this exactly why he’d become a Villain? So he could live on his own terms? So why was he hesitating now?
It was like he’d developed some kind of obsessive rule in his head—don’t hurt anyone around Seol-bin.
But why not?
If I just make them disappear without him knowing…
Seol-bin would be sad for a while, sure. But then, when the loneliness kicked in—Biso would bring him into ZEC. Problem solved.
And even if Seol-bin ended up grieving… Biso would be there. To comfort him. To take care of him.
Having come to that conclusion, Biso no longer felt the need to hesitate.
He could feel Bijun panicking behind him, but it didn’t matter anymore.
All Biso could think about now… was how much he missed Hwang Seol-bin.
