“Never take this off. I’m not sure exactly what kind of Artifact it is, but ones that can be used semi-permanently instead of just once are incredibly rare. And try not to let anyone else see it. If someone realizes how valuable it is, they might get greedy.”
“…Okay.”
Only after hearing Nabin’s answer did Kim Su-hyun release his wrist. Knowing Nabin’s nature, he worried that without a warning like this, the boy might either lock the Artifact away unused—or worse, have it taken from him.
Life had always been grueling. Without the Artifact’s help, Nabin might still be lying in bed, unable to wake properly.
The more Su-hyun explained, the clearer it became that the Artifact on Nabin’s wrist was no ordinary trinket. What kind of person would hand such a precious thing to him so casually, as though it were nothing?
…Esper Lee Hayan.
Whenever he saw shades of white or black, that man came to mind. Hair brighter than falling snow, eyes darker than midnight, as if they’d swallowed every shadow in the world.
He’d barely spent an hour with Lee Hayan in total. Yet, strangely, the man had taken root deep inside him.
At the Center, Nabin sometimes wandered nervously through the halls hoping for a glimpse of him. But he never saw anyone even vaguely similar.
He wanted to ask about him, but fear held him back. What if Lee Hayan ended up mocked or criticized just for knowing someone like him?
“Um… by any chance…”
After a long hesitation, Nabin finally spoke. At least to Kim Su-hyun, he thought, it might be safe to ask.
Because Su-hyun treated him like a person. Nabin believed he wouldn’t despise him—or think ill of Lee Hayan—just for asking.
“Is there something you want to say?”
Watching Nabin bite his lip nervously, Su-hyun gave him a gentle smile. Those wide eyes were full of hesitation, as if he had words caught in his throat but lacked the courage to speak them.
“…Yes.”
Feeling exposed, Nabin dropped his gaze to his toes, unable to meet Su-hyun’s eyes.
“You can ask me anything. If I know the answer, I’ll tell you. And if I don’t, I can use my connections to find out.”
Those kind words gave Nabin courage. After working his bitten lip a few more times, he finally whispered the question he had always wanted to ask—so softly that one had to lean in close to hear it.
“Do you… know Esper Lee Hayan?”
“Esper Lee Hayan?”
Nabin nodded. Su-hyun’s startled gaze dropped to the Artifact fastened around that slender wrist.
…Don’t tell me Lee Hayan gave it to him?
He knew enough of Nabin’s circumstances to realize there was no easy way he could’ve acquired something so rare. He couldn’t help but wonder how.
But he’d also heard that Nabin’s parents had been an Esper and a Guide. Perhaps, he’d thought, it was something inherited from his late father or his hospitalized mother.
“Did Esper Lee Hayan give you this Artifact?”
“…Yes.”
If it was Lee Hayan…
He was an S-rank Special Esper—a telekinetic. Stronger than even the S-rank Espers Nabin currently guided. Among S-ranks, he was considered one of the very top.
As far as Su-hyun knew, Lee Hayan had been dispatched to the United States years ago and settled there. The Center had tried many times to win him back, but according to rumor, he had fallen out badly with the Center Director.
“Would it be possible… to hear any news about him?”
Nabin asked the question as though he were guilty just for voicing it, watching Su-hyun nervously. Su-hyun knew he was the only one at the Center Nabin had even partially opened up to.
He could see it clearly—the questions Nabin had swallowed, the loneliness he’d endured alone. Su-hyun wanted to give him the answer he longed for, but truthfully, he knew almost nothing.
When Lee Hayan had still been in Korea, they had been close enough to meet outside of work. But once he left for the U.S., all contact was cut off. When Su-hyun tried calling, the number was no longer in service.
He’d been too busy with work to go searching overseas. He thought their paths might eventually cross again naturally, so he hadn’t gone out of his way to find news.
“About five years ago, he transferred from the K Ability User Center to the USA Ability User Center. Since then, there’s been no word of him in Korea.”
“…I see.”
Nabin’s head dropped, heavy with disappointment. Su-hyun considered it—Nabin’s Match Rates with S-rank Espers were unusually high. If Lee Hayan had still been in Korea, there was a good chance his rate with him would’ve been high as well.
“You’ve met him, haven’t you?”
“Yes… when I was twenty.”
Nabin’s voice trembled with emotion. Su-hyun didn’t let it show, but he was already thinking of ways to help. It didn’t seem their connection had lasted long, but the feelings clearly lingered.
From what Su-hyun knew, Lee Hayan had been deeply righteous. If he’d known Nabin was working in an illegal guiding den, he would’ve moved heaven and earth to get him out. He had the power to do so.
“Should I try reaching out to him for you?”
“Really…? You would?”
“Of course.”
Lee Hayan had cut all ties and left for America as though he had no regrets. Contacting him wouldn’t be easy. Still, it seemed better than the near-impossible task of secretly finding another S-rank Esper with such high compatibility. If he could contact Lee Hayan directly, explain Nabin’s situation, and ask for help, it might work.
Two years ago, Su-hyun had met Samantha Lopez, the New York branch director, when she was dispatched to Korea. If anyone could help him reconnect with Lee Hayan, it was her.
Even in America, S-rank Espers were rare. The fact that Lee Hayan had gone there had been a major issue at the time. Even if she wasn’t close to him, surely she knew him. Su-hyun resolved to ask for her help.
Watching Nabin’s faint but unmistakable smile, Su-hyun swore to himself he would bring Lee Hayan back into his life.
It was the first time he’d ever seen him smile. Whatever their relationship, it was no ordinary one. Lee Hayan had entrusted him with a priceless Artifact, and Nabin’s reaction now said it all.
Su-hyun already carried guilt for not being able to protect Nabin better. If he could reunite him with Lee Hayan, perhaps his own conscience would feel lighter too.
“…Thank you.”
To Nabin, this felt like a dream. He had agonized for so long before daring to ask Su-hyun. When he’d met Lee Hayan, he had still been untainted. Was it really okay to ask about him now? That doubt had weighed heavily on him.
It wasn’t that he wanted to meet him again. Just… if he could hear even a scrap of news, that would be enough.
Nabin brushed his fingers over the butterfly on his wrist. Someone who astonished even an A-rank Esper like Su-hyun had given this to him. Thanks to this butterfly, he had managed to endure.
Cough, cough…
The rare peace ended with a cough. His body, unaccustomed to the outdoors, was so frail that even a breeze chilled him to the bone. Without Su-hyun’s coat, his condition would’ve worsened much sooner.
“Shall we head back?”
“…Yes.”
It was time to return to the mansion. His hand lingered on the swing with reluctant affection. But perhaps the fresh air had cleared his foggy mind a little. Forcing himself to look away, he pulled his gaze from it.
Su-hyun’s face held the same reluctance. But he couldn’t keep Nabin outside forever.
Once in the car, Su-hyun carefully fastened Nabin’s seatbelt. At the sound of his faint cough, he quickly turned up the heater.
“Guide Kim Nabin, we’ll head back to the mansion now.”
Nabin only nodded. He knew. He couldn’t escape the mansion yet—or the terrifying Espers inside. Besides, this was the path he had chosen. He had to bear it.
“If anything happens… if you ever need my help, call me anytime. I’ll always put your calls first. Don’t worry about being a burden, alright?”
“…I will.”
He was still afraid, but knowing there was someone who genuinely cared for him gave him strength. As an only child, he had often wished for an older brother. With Su-hyun, he finally felt what that might be like.
It hadn’t felt long since they got into the car, but the black sedan soon stopped before the towering mansion. Nabin began to take off the coat, trying to hand it back.
“Next time I’ll bring one that fits you. Until then, keep this. You never know when you’ll need it.”
But when Su-hyun firmly pushed the coat back onto his shoulders, Nabin had no choice but to accept his kindness.
“…Thank you.”
This was kindness he was allowed to accept. Su-hyun never asked for anything in return, nor was it pity tossed to him like scraps. He truly cared for him as though he were family.
At Nabin’s quiet gratitude, Su-hyun smiled warmly, brushing his fine hair gently. In return, Nabin forced the corners of his trembling lips upward, offering him the faintest smile back.
