Chapter 104: Reunion and Hesitation

Once I started to recognize Hyun Taewoon’s wavelength, my own began to chase after his, as if searching for its mate.

But that was only for a moment; I soon found his wavelength to be intimidating.

I knew Taewoon had come looking for me, but perhaps because I now realized how our relationship had been twisted by my own misunderstandings, I was scared to meet him.

I tried my best to erase all thoughts of Hyun Taewoon and focus solely on escaping.

“Siyun, where are we going?”

“There are four escape routes on the ground floor. We’re heading for one of them.”

I was grateful to Siyun in so many ways.

Without his help, I would have never been able to return to the surface like this.

Siyun took the lead, running at a fast pace down the corridor.

The inside of the research institute was more complex than I had thought.

As we repeatedly opened and closed doors, we occasionally ran into researchers.

However, they were more concerned with their own safety and passed us by without a second glance.

As we were running down a long, white corridor, a deafening explosion that seemed to rattle my skull echoed from the hallway we had just passed.

After that, Hyun Taewoon’s wavelength felt so strong it was as if he were right behind me.

Both Siyun and I stopped at the unusual sound of the explosion and looked back.

“Guide-nim, do you think they’re people who came to help us?”

“We don’t know yet, so it’s best to stay on guard.”

Siyun seemed to agree with me, nodding once before we started moving again.

Our steps were more cautious than before.

Suddenly, the lights in the hallway sparked and then went out with a pop.

With no windows in sight, the area was suddenly plunged into a darkness so complete I couldn’t even see what was in front of me.

Just as I was about to call out to Siyun to see if he was okay, a small light appeared.

The source of the light was Siyun.

His hand was glowing faintly; it seemed to be one of his abilities.

“I think the power went out because of the explosion just now.”

“I think so too. The building could collapse, so let’s get out quickly.”

Siyun and I reached an exit, but it was a door that operated on electricity and wouldn’t open with the power out.

As we struggled with nearby researchers, trying with all our might to open the door, I felt Hyun Taewoon’s wavelength nearby again.

The moment his wavelength touched mine, he appeared right before my eyes, as if he had used spatial movement.

The moment Taewoon saw me, he embraced me before I could even refuse.

Unlike his usual self, his movements felt anxious.

This was our first meeting since I learned the truth through Sung Yohan’s ability.

As I felt his scent and wavelength directly through my skin, a sob surged up from my chest.

After holding me for a while, Hyun Taewoon called my name in a low voice, then gripped my arms firmly and looked me over.

“Lee Shinui, are you really okay?”

Just hearing Taewoon’s voice made my throat tighten, and I couldn’t say or do anything.

Sensing something was wrong, he grabbed my wrist and tried to move.

“Let’s get out of here first.”

Taewoon was about to move us immediately, but I unconsciously dug my heels in because Siyun was there.

Only then did Taewoon seem to notice Siyun standing next to me and asked in surprise.

“Why is he with you?”

“Siyun has to come with us. He’s been helping me all this time.”

I opened my mouth for the first time in response to Taewoon’s question.

The words didn’t come out easily, as if the muscles in my throat were knotted, so I forced them out.

Thankfully, my voice didn’t tremble.

At my words, Hyun Taewoon looked at Siyun with suspicion, but he seemed to prioritize getting out and started moving again.

I also told Siyun to come with us.

Following Hyun Taewoon was the safest option right now.

My heart was hammering with tension, and sweat beaded on my wrist where Taewoon held it.

“I want to use spatial movement right now, but they’ve done something to the building’s exterior. The ability won’t work.”

It was probably because of Dr. Yoon’s nullification ability.

Soon, the exit we had originally been trying to get to came into view.

The area around the exit was a mess, as if the door had been torn off by force.

I had a feeling that the explosion from earlier might have started here.

As we got closer to the exit, light streamed in from the outside.

It should have been night… but without a moment to wonder, I was led outside by Hyun Taewoon’s hand.

Outside, staff members, Espers, and Guides wearing clothes marked with the Association and government logos were looking at us.

Not far away, I saw Jinseok running quickly towards me.

“Guide-nim Shinui!”

Seeing Jinseok confirmed that he had indeed come looking for me.

Not only him, but others also ran toward me.

“You’re not hurt, are you? I’m sorry we were late.”

“Not at all. I believed you would come for me, Manager.”

“When we last received a call from you, we managed to pinpoint a general location from the signal. And we were able to find you thanks to that man.”

Where Jinseok pointed, researchers and Dr. Yoon’s assistant were bound on the ground.

It seemed that, just as I had planned, Jinseok had found the exact location through Dr. Yoon’s assistant.

It was all thanks to Siyun’s ability.

Siyun looked tense, probably because it was his first time outside in a long time.

My first thought was that I should take him somewhere with fewer people.

“I’d like to go somewhere with fewer people.”

“Yes. I think it would be best to move to the shelter and see a healing-type Esper first.”

I was about to take a step to follow Jinseok’s words.

But Hyun Taewoon still hadn’t let go of my hand.

When I moved forward, he followed.

I gently shook my wrist, freeing my hand from his grasp, and gave a slight shake of my head.

It was an indirect way of telling him not to follow.

Hyun Taewoon looked like he had a lot to say, but he must have prioritized my condition because he told Jinseok to take good care of me.

With that, I turned my back on Hyun Taewoon and moved to the shelter with Jinseok and Siyun to have my condition checked by a healing-type Esper.

As Siyun’s suggestion wore off and his memories returned, Jinseok was both happy and sorry to see him, his eyes welling up with tears as he said he was glad Siyun was finally out safely.

Then he started firing questions about Siyun’s condition so quickly that he couldn’t even answer.

As I was watching Siyun and Jinseok talk, the shelter door opened and Sehyun walked in.

As soon as he saw me, he rushed over and hugged me.

“Shinui! I was so worried something had happened to you. I regretted letting you go so much.”

“…I’m sorry for making you worry.”

The thought that I had caused so many people to worry made me feel remorseful.

Acting alone like this would end today.

“The child you were looking for is Siyun, right, Sehyun?”

“How did you know?”

Instead of answering Sehyun’s question, I turned my head to look towards where Siyun was.

Only then did Sehyun also look at Siyun.

Upon seeing Siyun, Sehyun’s face changed to one of shock.

Countless indescribable emotions flickered across his eyes.

Siyun was also looking at Sehyun.

Tears were already streaming down Siyun’s face.

Sehyun silently stood up and walked over to Siyun.

Then, with his hands and body trembling slightly, he took Siyun’s hand.

I watched them quietly for a while before turning my gaze to Jinseok, who was approaching and calling my name.

“Guide-nim, the healing-type Esper says there’s nothing particularly wrong, but I’d like you to get a detailed examination at the hospital.”

I didn’t feel particularly unwell.

However, I hadn’t been at the research institute for a short time, and I didn’t know what Dr. Yoon might have done to my body, so it seemed best to get a check-up right away.

I knew Siyun would be more comfortable with Sehyun, so I left him with the government officials and headed to the Center’s hospital with Jinseok.

As we left the shelter and walked to the car, I saw Hyun Taewoon watching me from not too far away.

Our eyes met, but only for a brief moment.

I don’t know how to treat Hyun Taewoon anymore.

The chasm of misunderstanding was so deep, I didn’t know where to even begin to fill it.

I was just confused, unsure if it was even right to try and repair this relationship.

After arriving at the Center’s hospital and undergoing one test after another, the Awakened and non-Awakened who had been detained at the secret research facility were also transferred to the hospital.

Their conditions were much worse than I had feared.

After finishing my tests with a worried heart, I moved to a private room with Jinseok.

“I was so worried. I shouldn’t have sent you alone, Guide-nim.”

“There’s no need for you to blame yourself, Manager. It was all my choice. And I got out safely thanks to you.”

“Still.”

Despite my words, Jinseok still had a worried look on his face.

To ease the burden that must have been weighing on his mind day after day, I smiled and repeatedly told him I was fine.

“You must not have been able to rest properly all this time, so please get some rest today.”

“You should also get a good night’s sleep today, Guide-nim. No one will be allowed in the room except for me and authorized personnel.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Jinseok gave me a small smile and then left.

However, Jinseok, who I thought had gone to rest, came back in shortly after.

“Guide-nim… Esper Hyun Taewoon is here.”

I knew Hyun Taewoon would come, but I didn’t think he would come this quickly.

It seemed that, like Jinseok, Taewoon was also worried sick about me, enough to visit in the dead of night.

“Should I tell him you’re tired?”

“…Yes. And please tell him I’m okay.”

Right now, I didn’t have the courage to face Hyun Taewoon, nor was I ready to have a proper conversation with him.

At my words, Jinseok nodded and went outside.

I had a bad headache and was mentally and physically exhausted, so I just wanted to sleep without thinking about anything.

I pulled the blanket over my head and tried to clear my mind and fall asleep, but I couldn’t sleep properly because Hyun Taewoon’s wavelength lingered around me until morning.