Chapter 106: A Difficult Conversation

Once the test results showed no particular abnormalities, Sehyun suggested I move my lodgings, judging that there was no need to stay at the Association’s hospital.

“Shinui, the government has a protection facility for the Awakened. How about staying there until your resignation is finalized?”

I had already been feeling uncomfortable entrusting my body to the Association’s hospital.

The excessive kindness of the staff was unsettling, and I felt a sense of repulsion towards the prescribed medicine and food.

“What kind of place is the protection facility? Will it be okay for me to stay there?”

“The security is tight, and it’s a new building, so it’s clean. There are also many leisure spaces, so it’s a good place to rest.”

If Sehyun was recommending it, it couldn’t be a bad place.

However, if there was one thing that bothered me, it was whether or not other people were living there.

“I’d prefer it if there weren’t many people.”

“It’s an Awakened protection facility, so you won’t have contact with anyone other than the staff.”

“In that case, I’d like to go there.”

“If you want, we can move as early as tomorrow. Would you like to go tomorrow?”

If there was no contact with people, I wanted to move right away.

I nodded in acceptance and agreed to the move.

“Then I’ll prepare for the move right away. You just need to pack your things, Shinui.”

Sehyun said he would go through the discharge procedures with the Association for a smooth transfer and went outside.

I watched his retreating back with a bitter gaze as he left through the door.

I had started dating Sehyun to get revenge on Taewoon, but now that I knew that revenge was meaningless, dating Sehyun had become a heavy weight of guilt.

Using someone was an act that ate away at one’s heart more than I had thought.

I could no longer drag Sehyun into my petty revenge.

Once I move, I plan to release the selfish chain I’ve placed around Sehyun’s ankle.

This meaningless pretense of being a couple was over.

After completing the discharge procedures, Sehyun returned to the government building.

After he left, I started packing the things I had used in the hospital room one by one.

There wasn’t much to pack, just toiletries and some clothes.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t acquired any possessions of my own since regressing.

Perhaps it was because, subconsciously, I didn’t feel like this was reality.

I still couldn’t believe that I had returned to the past and become an S-Class Guide; it all felt like a dream.

I placed the packed items on the table and sat on the edge of the bed when my phone vibrated.

Seeing Wonjae’s name on the screen, I answered the call immediately.

I needed to tell him about the move, and I thought the timing was perfect.

“Yeah, Wonjae.”

• “Hyung, are you doing okay?”

Even though we had just talked yesterday, Wonjae asked again today if I was doing well.

I bantered back lightly and asked how he was.

“I had my energy wavelength extracted all day today. Just have to endure it for another two weeks, and it’ll be over.”

Since Wonjae was also a victim of Dr. Yoon’s project, I was very worried that there might be something wrong with his body.

Fortunately, the test results showed that as long as the Esper energy wavelength accumulated in his body was extracted, there would be no particular aftereffects.

It was a silver lining in a dark cloud.

• “Um… Hyung, I have something to tell you…”

Wonjae hesitated, speaking slowly.

It was unlike him, so I grew curious about what he wanted to say and urged him on.

“What is it that’s making your voice so small?”

• “I got a scouting offer from the American Association.”

I was surprised by the news of a scouting offer, but I soon understood.

Wonjae was an A-Class Guide, so it was natural that the American Association would have their eye on him.

• “You’re resigning now too, Hyung, and I don’t want to stay at the Korean Association either, so I’m still thinking about it.”

“…Rather than joining the American Association right away, I think it would be good to check out what kind of place it is before moving. What do you think?”

• “Like you said, Hyung, I have time while my wavelength is being extracted, so I’m going to think about it seriously.”

“Okay. If you move to the US, I’ll visit every month, so keep your schedule free.”

When I answered playfully, I heard Wonjae’s small laugh from the other side of the line.

Wonjae was growing up too.

He used to have a strong tendency to depend on me, but now he was forging his own path.

• “You can come once a week. When are you resigning, Hyung?”

“They said it’ll be processed within this week. I’m planning to move to the government’s Awakened protection facility tomorrow.”

• “The government side is definitely safer than the Association. Can I come see you this weekend, Hyung?”

“Come whenever you want.”

At that, Wonjae eagerly said he would come this weekend in an excited voice.

We chatted cheerfully for a while about the recent happenings at the Association and our future lives.

Hearing Wonjae’s bright voice lifted my spirits.

But as soon as I hung up, the surroundings were instantly enveloped in silence.

At times like these, I felt like I was the only one left in the world.

Hyun Taewoon was probably in the same situation as me.

Because neither of us had any family; we were both loners.

I debated whether I should tell Hyun Taewoon that I was moving, but in the end, my hand holding the phone didn’t move.

After moving to the government facility, I underwent another detailed examination.

Fortunately, this time too, I was told there were no abnormalities, and I let out a sigh of relief.

Just as Sehyun had said, the security was tight, and I didn’t meet a single person other than the staff.

I planned to stay here until my resignation was finalized, and after that, I would spend some time at the overseas Awakened protection zone that Sehyun had recommended before returning.

After lunch, I was passing the tedious time playing a puzzle game on my phone when a knock sounded and Sehyun came in.

Since the facility was close to the government building, Sehyun visited often.

He was probably coming because he was worried about me being alone.

“Shinui, what are you doing?”

Sehyun walked over with light steps to where I was sitting at the table.

“I’m playing the game you recommended last time.”

When I showed him the screen, Sehyun smiled contentedly and sat down in the chair opposite me.

Then he continued, stating the purpose of his visit.

“Siyun has been moved here as well. Fortunately, they say there’s nothing seriously wrong with his body.”

“That’s good news. I was worried since he’s only lived inside the lab for years, and he seemed to have some side effects.”

I hadn’t seen Siyun once since leaving the secret lab, so I was curious about him.

Hearing from Sehyun that he was doing well was a relief.

“I was very worried too, so I’m relieved. Siyun wants to see you. If you’re okay with it now, would you like to meet him?”

If Siyun was here, I wanted to see him.

I hadn’t had much time to talk to him properly since we left the lab, and I wanted to see with my own eyes that he was doing well.

“I’d like to meet him.”

“Then I’ll bring him right now.”

While Sehyun was gone for a moment, I prepared to greet Siyun.

I placed the snacks I had received as get-well gifts on the table, and not long after, Siyun came into the room with Sehyun.

“Guide-nim!”

Siyun’s expressionless face from the lab was gone, replaced by the innocent smile of someone his age as he ran to me.

“Siyun, have you been well?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, Guide-nim, I was able to get out of the secret lab safely. Thank you.”

“It was thanks to you that I got out. I’m the one who should be thankful.”

At my words, Siyun just smiled.

I handed him the bread and fruit drinks I had prepared in advance.

Saying it had been a long time since he’d had a fruit drink, Siyun drank it down in one go.

Sehyun gave us space so we could talk.

“Did you meet with your brother?”

“Yes. I’m planning to live with my brother once my condition stabilizes.”

Perhaps it would be better for Siyun to be with the anti-Awakened group rather than the government or the Association.

But there was still a part that worried me.

The fact that Siyun was still a minor.

“How about finishing your education with the government before going to your brother?”

“My brothers said the same thing, so I’m considering it.”

Siyun seemed to feel both anticipation and fear about school, as he had been moved to the secret lab while he was still in elementary school.

As we talked about his future so that he could make a choice he wouldn’t regret, an hour had already passed.

Sehyun returned to wrap up the conversation.

“Siyun, it’s time for your check-up.”

“Is it that time already?”

In the end, we agreed to talk again tomorrow and parted ways.

Sehyun took Siyun to the examination room and then returned to my room.

“Did you have a good talk with Siyun?”

“Yes. I’m worried about him joining the anti-Awakened group.”

“I’m concerned about that part too. I think it would be safer for him to stay with the government until he becomes an adult, so I’m thinking in that direction.”

Like me, Sehyun was also worried about Siyun’s future.

His concern for Siyun was written all over his face.

“I’m worried about you too, Shinui. I think about it every day, how you can live comfortably after leaving the Association.”

Sehyun gently took my hand.

His hand was still warm, but it felt awkward and repellent.

The sense of guilt that was slowly creeping up again constricted my body, and I felt that the end with Sehyun was approaching.