Chapter 3: An Unprecedented Match

I wanted to get my Guide grade test immediately, but it was postponed because it had to be administered by Taewoon’s dedicated doctor.

To be honest, I was more curious about my matching rate with Taewoon than my Guide grade, so confirming the high number was a relief.
Although I would have to retake the matching test when Dr. Yoon returned, I left the test room with a light heart, believing Taewoon that the result wouldn’t change.

It was already lunchtime, and since our manager had gone to take care of other business, Taewoon and I decided to eat outside the Center.
Fortunately, Taewoon had several cars, and he said a few were always parked at the Center.

“Shinui-ssi, is there anything you want to eat today?”

Taewoon asked me inside the elevator heading down to the underground parking lot.
His low voice was even softer than before.

“I’m fine with anything. What about you, Taewoon-ssi?”

“Then there’s a good Korean restaurant nearby, shall we go there?”

“That sounds good. By the way, my phone is missing, have you seen it? I need to contact my workplace, but I can’t find it.”

“I haven’t seen it. Did you lose it?”

I nodded with a troubled expression and tried to think where I might have lost it.
It seemed I must have lost it yesterday when I got caught up in the gate incident.

I was contemplating whether I should go to the local lost and found center, but Taewoon interrupted my thoughts.

“But you won’t be able to use that phone anymore.”

“Why not?”

“Shinui-ssi, you belong to the Association now, so you can no longer use items from your time as a civilian.”

I had lived as a civilian until now, so I had no idea such a rule existed.

“I see…. But is there any way to find it? I’d like to keep it, even if I can’t use it.”

I was worried about not being able to contact people, but I was more disappointed because my phone held many photos of my mother and the messages we had exchanged when she was alive.

“The chances of finding your old phone are slim, but the Center will give you a dedicated terminal, so you’ll be able to contact your acquaintances after a certain period.”

“I understand…”

I had been worried that my means of contacting my acquaintances would be cut off, but his words eased my concerns.
I wanted to at least say goodbye to my foreman before leaving the factory.
However, even though I was reassured about getting a terminal, I still felt a great sense of loss for my missing phone.
Perhaps he sensed my feelings.
Taewoon asked me to tell him the phone’s model and any distinguishing features.

Just as I finished telling him what I could remember, the elevator doors opened with perfect timing.
I walked beside Taewoon towards his car.
Then, the smell of cigarette smoke suddenly wafted over.
As soon as I smelled it, I started coughing uncontrollably.
It was a problem with my bronchial tubes that had started after I began working at the factory.

“What’s wrong?”

“My throat is weak, so I get like this when I smell cigarette smoke.”

I covered my nose and mouth with my hand and looked around.
I saw a man smoking in a corner of the parking garage.
Taewoon followed my gaze and saw the man as well.

“Wait here for a moment.”

Taewoon approached the man and said something to him.
I was too far away to hear the words, but the man looked surprised and quickly extinguished his cigarette.
It seemed Taewoon had told him to put it out.

When he returned, Taewoon looked at me with concern and quickly led me to his car.
He then spoke in a reassuring tone.

“All areas of the Center are non-smoking. I’ll make sure this never happens again.”

“Thank you for being so considerate.”

“It’s only natural. And don’t worry. I don’t smoke.”

From the matter with the phone just a moment ago to him immediately approaching the man to resolve the situation for me, I felt a small flutter of gratitude and excitement in my heart.

I stole a glance at his profile.
His sturdy physique and handsome face captivated my gaze.
From now on, I would be living with Taewoon.
I was worried, but I was also looking forward to it.

Once in the car, we headed to the Korean restaurant he had mentioned.

The restaurant seemed to operate on a membership basis, as the people who arrived before us all presented a member card before entering.
However, the staff member who saw Taewoon immediately guided us to a private room without needing a card.

Thanks to Taewoon, we entered the room smoothly, but another problem arose as soon as we sat down.
The menu the staff handed me was filled with dishes I’d never heard of, and not only were all the descriptions in English, but there were no prices listed at all.

When I couldn’t make a choice, Taewoon explained each item to me.

“I’ll have whatever you recommend, Taewoon-ssi.”

“Then I’ll choose for you.”

Not long after we ordered, the food came out in courses.
There was a service where the staff would grill the meat, but Taewoon did it himself.

“Shinui-ssi, eat a lot.”

“Thank you. But I’m good at grilling meat too. Let me do it.”

When I reached for the tongs, Taewoon stopped me.

“You’ve had a rough time yesterday and today, so I’ll do the grilling.”

“But you must be tired too, Taewoon-ssi.”

“It’s fine. My hands are full, so could you feed me, Shinui-ssi?”

I hesitated at his words, but then I picked up a perfectly grilled piece of meat, dipped it in salt, and brought it to his lips.
The way he immediately ate it was cute.

“It’s delicious.”

“Right? I think it’s even more delicious because you grilled it.”

I was usually not a talkative person, but in front of Taewoon, I wanted to be likable, so I found myself talking more and more.

“It feels good to be complimented by you, Shinui-ssi. Eat a lot.”

“Okay.”

As I ate, I continued to place pieces of meat in his mouth.
It had been a long time since I’d eaten with someone, so I found this cheerful and warm time enjoyable and precious.

I was glad Taewoon was such a kind person.
If I were to live with him from now on, would there be more happy moments like this?
As I felt a sense of anticipation, the thought that I wouldn’t be with him like this if our matching rate had been low sent a chill down my spine.

“I’m so glad our matching rate came out high.”

“I knew it would be high.”

From the very beginning, Taewoon had been confident about our matching rate, which reassured me.
Thanks to him, I don’t think I worried too much either.
I was grateful to him for having unwavering faith in me from the start.

When we arrived home, Taewoon showed me the rooms one by one.
As if it were a given that I would be living here now that our matching rate was high, he opened the door to the room next to his and said it was mine.

“From now on, this is your room, Shinui-ssi.”

I looked around the room that would become my bedroom.
It was fully furnished with a bed, a desk, and other necessary furniture.

Although I had just met Taewoon yesterday, strangely, it didn’t feel like our first meeting; I felt comfortable.
It was probably because he had treated me so comfortably from the very beginning.

I had thought I would have to work at the factory my whole life just to pay off the private loan I took out for my mother’s hospital bills, but now I was Taewoon’s exclusive Guide.
This whole situation felt like a dream to me.

“If you need anything, just let me know anytime.”

“Thank you for being so thoughtful.”

“And, could you give me a little guiding before bed?”

“Guiding?”

Even though I had heard him ask for guiding, I foolishly repeated the question.

“Yes.”

Taewoon smiled gently and carefully took my hand.
He then led me to the living room sofa and had me sit down.

The moment he took my hand, I felt my energy envelop him as if it had been waiting.
Looking at his hand holding mine, I asked him the question that had been worrying me.

“The researcher said that the more physical contact there is in guiding, the higher the level gets…. Are you uncomfortable holding my hand or hugging me?”

“I’m not uncomfortable at all.”

“That’s a relief, then.”

I wasn’t uncomfortable with the skinship at all, but I had worried about what I would do if he was.

“Holding hands is the lowest level of contact guiding.”

“I see…”

I still didn’t have a clear understanding of guiding.
That’s why I wanted to learn as quickly as possible.

“You need to get used to skinship. If you’re uncomfortable, you can think of me as your lover. By any chance, are you dating anyone right now?”

“I… actually, I’ve never dated anyone before. I think that’s why I feel more awkward.”

I said, looking awkwardly at our clasped hands.
Taewoon chuckled softly at my words.
It wasn’t a mocking laugh.

“That’s a relief. I was worried you might have a boyfriend. And I’m the same as you. I’ve never dated anyone either.”

It was a relief that there wouldn’t be any problems with skinship because he had a girlfriend.
Hearing that he also had no dating experience made me feel not just relieved, but a sense of kinship.
Then, he dropped a bombshell of a question.

“Then how about we think of each other as lovers?”

Just imagining being Taewoon’s lover made my mouth go dry and my fingertips tremble.
I didn’t know why I was reacting this way, but one thing was certain… I didn’t dislike it.

“And you and I could become real lovers. To be honest, I thought it was fate the moment I saw you. Didn’t you feel that way too?”

In truth, I also thought that, just as he said, our meeting might be fate.
Being rescued by him on my way back from visiting my mother’s grave, awakening as a Guide just by touching him, and our high matching rate.
It just didn’t feel like a coincidence.

My encounter with Taewoon felt like a gift from my mother, left for me now that I was alone.

I couldn’t bring myself to say what was on my mind and just nodded.
Taewoon stroked my head and said.

“We have plenty of time. Let’s get to know each other slowly.”

Just as he said, I wanted to get to know him more deeply.
I replied with a small “Okay,” and guided him while listening to his warm and gentle words.