Chapter 35 : The Following Gaze (11)

Sunwoo, who was about to enter the hospital room, momentarily stopped at the awkward atmosphere. ‘What happened?’ Sunwoo, who was scratching the back of his neck awkwardly and looking around, widened his eyes as he quietly watched Jisung and the strangely happy Hyunwoo.

‘Aha!’

A crescent smile formed on Sunwoo’s lips. Having grasped the situation, he led the flustered Yuaan into the hospital room. Then he handed one of the drinks he was holding in his arms to Hyunwoo.

“I bought the same coffee as Jisung-hyung for you, Hyung.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

A bright smile that he had never seen before struck Sunwoo directly.

‘…Dazzling.’

Sunwoo, who had been looking at Hyunwoo with narrowed eyes, turned and approached Jisung.

“Jisung-hyung…”
“Uh-huh?!”

Jisung was noticeably flustered when his name was called. His cheeks were flushed like an apple. Sunwoo, who had been calmly staring at him, handed him a can of coffee from his arms.

“I bought coffee for now. Since you like coffee, Hyung.”
“Ah, uh-huh. Thanks!”
“…”
“…”

Jisung tried hard to ignore the stare that was fixed on him. He felt as if his inner thoughts had been completely exposed. Not only his face, but also his ears turned red. Sunwoo, who had been quietly watching him, burst out laughing.

“…Don’t laugh.”
“I’m sorry. Still, I’m glad.”
“Huh?”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen Hyunwoo-hyung smile so happily.”
“Ah… yeah.”

Jisung smiled softly. Seeing his happy face made him feel happy as well. He wanted to protect that smile.

Sunwoo, who had been watching the two of them with a gentle gaze, then sat down in a chair with Yuaan. After taking a moment to catch his breath, he slowly opened his mouth.

“I have something to say.”

Everyone’s gaze turned to Sunwoo. The lightened atmosphere seemed to sink again at his somewhat serious expression.

“I don’t want to leave you guys in this place anymore.”
“…”
“Here, not only the welfare for Espers but also their most basic rights are not guaranteed. I think the result of a wrong start has reached a level where it can no longer be restored…”
“So?”

Sunwoo looked at him and said at Jisung’s question.

“Why don’t we naturalize in America?”
“America…?”

Jisung’s eyes widened. At him, who was surprised by the completely unexpected method, Sunwoo nodded and continued.

“America has a well-established system for Espers. American citizens think of Espers as heroes and like them. Not like in Korea where it’s just an empty shell with a polished surface, but genuinely.”

The perception of Espers in Korea was not as good as in other countries. In the early days, the government had classified them as dangerous individuals and arrested them for the sake of management, so there were quite a few people who treated Espers as a dangerous element.

At least, the perception had improved thanks to the government’s large-scale image-making efforts after realizing that a good image of Espers could be profitable…

“America is a good case of easily accepting Espers, as it’s a country that loves heroes…”
“America also had a somewhat exclusionary atmosphere at first. But after a certain Esper group helped people and saved those in danger with their abilities, the image of a ‘hero’ became solidified.”
“Did something like that happen?”
“Yes. I think a significant part of the reason why America easily accepted Espers was because of their performance.”
It was a story that was not well known in Korea. As Jisung showed interest in the interesting story he was hearing for the first time, Hyunwoo came to his side, rested his chin on his shoulder, and hugged his arm tightly.

Jisung’s hand automatically stroked Hyunwoo’s head.

“Why? Are you tired…?”

Hyunwoo shook his head slightly and clasped his hands together.

“Ahem!”
“Ah…!”

Sunwoo, who couldn’t stand their public display of affection anymore, intervened. Sunwoo, who had sighed faintly at the sight of Jisung’s blushing face, narrowed his eyes and looked at Hyunwoo.

“Hyung… Jisung-hyung is interested in the story, not particularly in them… the Espers. So please postpone your jealousy.”
“Jealousy? …I was jealous?!”

As Jisung turned his head sharply, Hyunwoo quickly averted his gaze. He knew it wasn’t like that, but his feelings kept getting ahead of his reason.

Hyunwoo lowered his head and rubbed his forehead against Jisung’s shoulder. His face felt a little hot. Jisung, seeing his cheeks flushed like a peach, leaned his cheek against his head and smiled.

“Jealous king~”
“…Mmm.”

At the mumbling voice that seemed to be refuting, Jisung ruffled his hair. Yuaan, who had been staring at the two of them, glanced around and then pulled his chair next to Sunwoo. Then he shyly held out his hand and asked.

“Sh-shall we… hold hands too?”

His eyes, looking at Sunwoo, were full of anticipation. To respond to Yuaan’s expectation, he held the extended hand. Their hands intertwined, and he could feel the body heat from where they touched.

“Then can we get back to the story?”
“Ah, sorry! Tell me again.”
“America is not completely free either. There are many rules, such as Espers and Guides having to live nearby, and having to receive guiding once a day… But still…”
“It’s much better than our country…”

Sunwoo nodded slightly.

“But naturalization is not easy… and if Espers are involved, it could even lead to a dispute between countries…”
“That’s right. It will be even more severe for you guys since you’re S-Rank Guides. That’s why I’m thinking of asking for help from that person.”
“That person…?”

Sunwoo nodded at Jisung’s question.

“Do you remember the man who approached the former Center Director and traded Yuaan-hyung’s data?”
“Ah~ that man.”

Jisung recalled the man who had asked the Center Director for Yuaan’s data, which was classified information. He didn’t like the fact that they were trading someone else’s information as they pleased, and since he was a person with considerable influence in America, he had exchanged contact information with him in case he needed it later.

‘Half-threatening him…’

“Come to think of it, that man was American…!”
“Yes. Don’t you think it’s possible with his help?”
“There’s a possibility. But there will be considerable opposition. Two S-Rank Espers are leaving, after all. And to America… there could be international checks. It will be quite a hassle.”
“…That’s right. But still, I want to go to America with everyone.”
“Hmm…”

Jisung frowned, crossing his arms. He understood Sunwoo’s feelings. The situation of Espers, which he had learned about after becoming a Guide, was completely different from what he had thought. The ones on TV were heroes who defeated villains. Beings who instilled admiration and fear… but in reality, they were treated like tools without even basic rights.

If Hyunwoo or Yuaan could live and smile in a better environment than now… if only they could, he would do anything.

“…By any chance…”

Jisung hesitated for a moment and then said.

“Do you think there’s any video footage of when you guys… were experimented on?”
“Video footage?”

Hyunwoo tilted his head.

“It might be much easier to resolve if we have solid evidence.”
“Ah…”

Yuaan moved his lips and then carefully opened his mouth.

“Sorry… there’s no video footage…”
“I think there used to be… but after the research institute exploded once, they got rid of all the CCTV and increased the number of guards to tighten surveillance.”
“The research institute exploded?!”

Jisung’s eyes widened. Sunwoo was also surprised. At the two’s gaze, Hyunwoo nodded and continued his explanation.

“Once, the research institute was blown away.”
“Why…?”
“According to a Center employee, the cause was an ability user’s rampage…”

Hyunwoo’s gaze turned to Yuaan.

“…He seemed to be hiding something.”

Jisung’s eyes narrowed at Yuaan’s suspicious expression.

‘They got rid of all the CCTV after the research institute exploded? If it was because of an ability user’s rampage, wouldn’t it be more efficient to increase the number of CCTV that can be checked in real time? But they deliberately got rid of electronic devices and used people instead…’

“Were they hacked once by an ability user like Yuaan?”