An S-rank Guide capable of Manifested Guiding was every bit as rare and precious as a high-ranking Healing Esper. The Center Director hadn’t yet revealed Nabin’s existence to the world, but knowing his character, it was only a matter of time before he made an official announcement. Behind that amiable smile was a man who treated Espers and Guides like goods to be bought and sold. He was no doubt already scheming how best to drive Nabin’s value sky-high. But this time, Hayan had no intention of letting him pull the strings. Too many people had already been sacrificed to the Director’s greed. Faces of those he had failed to save—because he realized too late—flashed before his eyes, and his fist clenched of its own accord. For now, though, he forced those thoughts aside. Nabin was all that mattered.
“These pants don’t even come in a size small enough. We’ll have to try another shop.”
“Ah…”
Hayan, who had seemed willing to go along with whatever Nabin said, made it clear this time he was following his own judgment. He set down Nabin’s half-finished juice on the table and smoothly gathered him into his arms.
Surprised but not resisting, Nabin looped his arm around Hayan’s neck. That unconscious gesture softened Hayan’s lips into a gentle smile.
Ever since meeting Nabin, smiles came to him more easily. To anyone who knew him, it might have seemed like he’d been replaced by another person entirely—the way he gazed at Nabin was as warm as spring sunlight.
“Manager, please have today’s purchases delivered to my residence.”
“Yes, Mr. Lee Hayan. Don’t worry, I’ll personally see to it today.”
The manager, still reeling from the change in Hayan’s demeanor, quickly put on a professional smile and saw them off.
As expected of such a large spender, the number of clothes he had purchased was staggering. He’d practically swept up every design from the new line that used finer fabrics or that might suit a smaller frame.
“Manager, we’ll need all of these in the smallest size, right?”
“Yes. Honestly, it looks like our client’s found himself a lover.”
“You think they look like a couple too?”
“Anyone would. They’re a perfect match.”
To the manager’s eyes, Nabin and Hayan looked like a pair of fresh, young lovers. The usually cold man, gazing at Nabin with a tender expression, was almost painful to watch—it made his insides twist until he had to bite down on the inside of his cheek to keep quiet.
“For the complimentary gift, we should probably prepare a couple’s item.”
***
“Esper Lee Hayan, I think this store has more items suited for Guide Kim Nabin than the last one.”
“…Don’t you have work?”
“No. I’m not being sent on any long assignments for a while, and I even asked the Center not to give me minor ones unless they’re urgent.”
Hayan had planned to spend the day quietly with Nabin. But the moment Ryu Soh-an showed up, those plans unraveled.
It seemed Soh-an had been circling the department store since they first ran into him in the parking lot. When Hayan led Nabin toward another shop to buy pants and coats, Soh-an spotted them from afar and hurried over.
Still nestled against Hayan’s chest, Nabin buried his face deeper and shut his eyes. But once Soh-an’s voice reached him, he trembled and clung even tighter to Hayan.
Even when Hayan hinted that he should give them some space, Soh-an just smiled innocently, feigning ignorance. It wasn’t a lack of awareness—if anything, he was too quick-witted. He had simply decided to act oblivious no matter what Hayan said.
“Honestly, I think I can pick out clothes for Guide Kim Nabin better than Esper Lee Hayan can. Just think of me as your personal shopper for the day—no charge.”
He had gone straight for the weak spot Hayan had already noticed. The store they’d just left didn’t really suit Nabin. Though Hayan had bought what little worked, most of the brand’s clothes were plain, muted, and monotonous. What Nabin needed were brighter colors, something livelier.
The difference in physique between Hayan and Nabin was also too extreme. By contrast, Soh-an was small for an Esper. Healing Espers were often slender compared to others, and though Soh-an was still taller and bigger than Nabin, his frame was far closer to Nabin’s than Hayan’s.
Hayan’s gaze flicked over Soh-an’s own outfit. Overshadowed by his striking looks, it didn’t stand out at first, but the cut and coordination made his sharp fashion sense obvious.
“…Lead the way.”
When even the beige cotton trousers Soh-an wore seemed like they would suit Nabin, Hayan finally conceded. Besides, building rapport with Soh-an was inevitable. If Nabin was ever going to receive proper treatment from him, the first step was easing the distance between them.
“Let’s start with this shop, then.”
Soh-an played the role of personal shopper to perfection. With his sharp eye, he quickly pointed out brands that would suit Nabin, and inside the stores, he practically scoured the racks for the best pieces.
Thanks to him, Hayan managed to fulfill his original goal—filling Nabin’s wardrobe with clothes that truly suited him.
***
“Careful, it’s hot.”
“…Yes.”
Soh-an had barely touched his food, sipping drinks instead, afraid the meat would sit heavy on his uneasy stomach. Enduring Hayan’s chilly stares, he still clung to the pair like a shadow—all because he wanted to grow closer to Nabin.
From the moment Hayan, clearly unsuited for shopping, started dragging Nabin through one store after another just to buy him clothes, Soh-an had known something was strange.
At first, he’d thought Hayan was like a beast protecting its cub. But he’d been wrong. The way he looked at Nabin was unmistakably sweet, almost syrupy.
Still, just because Hayan seemed to like Nabin didn’t mean Soh-an was ready to give up. They weren’t a Pair, and from the bits of conversation he’d overheard, they didn’t even seem to know each other that well. If anything, Hayan was still in the stage of learning Nabin’s preferences, watching his reactions like an observer.
Even so, there was an invisible thread between them, binding them together.
But this was the first time in his life Soh-an had fallen for someone. He’d never confessed to anyone, but he had always carried a small romantic dream.
Romance novels described it the same way every time—when you meet the one you like, bells chime in your ears, your heart races as if it will burst from your chest, and time itself slows to a crawl.
He had always thought those saccharine lines were exaggerated nonsense. But he’d promised himself that if such a person ever appeared, he’d do everything in his power not to leave any regrets.
It was Nabin who proved that those authors weren’t liars. If he were going to give up so easily, he wouldn’t have wedged himself between the two of them so shamelessly.
Still… Hayan’s uncharacteristically sweet behavior tied his stomach in knots, and all he could do was gulp down cold drinks one after another like a man dying of thirst.
“Here, let’s switch plates.”
Once Hayan had bought his fill, the three of them stopped at a restaurant inside the department store. They’d been shopping for a long while, and when Nabin’s stomach gave a faint rumble, it had sounded like thunder to the Espers’ ears.
Though Nabin tried to cover the sound with his hand, it was too late—the noise had already escaped, echoing clearly.
They hurried to a restaurant and ordered a dinner course. At first, everything seemed fine. But once the food arrived, Hayan pulled his chair right up beside Nabin and began tending to him.
“Tending” was the only word for it—he handled Nabin with such meticulous care that Soh-an didn’t even dare try to wedge himself between them.
Now, with the main course steak, Hayan calmly cut it into bite-sized pieces and swapped plates with Nabin. If Nabin showed the slightest discomfort, he looked ready to seat him on his lap and feed him by hand.
“Does it taste good?”
Hadn’t this man always been taciturn? Soh-an searched his memory, recalling every past scene he’d witnessed of Hayan speaking. He had always been curt, cold-faced, saying only what was necessary. Courteous, yes, but silent to the extreme—even among the quiet, he stood out. Sometimes he would sit there with his lips sealed, leaving his conversational partner clutching their chest in frustration. If those people saw this scene now, wouldn’t their blood pressure spike enough to send them tumbling over?
“Esper Hayan, you should eat too… here, this…”
