Chapter 119: Vanishing Point

“You look really shocked.

I had to double-check several times too, just to make sure an S-rank had actually applied.

I confirmed it—he’s completed his service period at the Busan Center, so there’s no issue with transferring.”

I was honestly stunned, and not in a good way.

No matter how many times I blinked and reread it, the name and photo were undeniably Song Jihan’s.

When he said he wanted to live quietly and comfortably, he sounded sincere—so why was he applying the moment a new recruitment notice went up?

The Song Jihan I knew would never voluntarily walk into a place this noisy.

Something felt off.

“What, are you really that surprised?”

I finally tore my eyes away from the documents at Jaeyul’s question.

“Ah.

It’s just unexpected.

I didn’t think an S-rank would apply.”

“Right?

Didn’t you see this guy when you were assigned to the Busan Center?

He was the team leader for the Busan SS Gate subjugation.”

“Well… yeah.

I saw him.”

For some reason, talking about Song Jihan made me cautious.

Like I might slip up if I wasn’t careful.

“Just based on his face, what kind of person does he seem like?

Having an S-rank Esper would be great, but if he’s too headstrong, he might just disrupt the team.”

“Well….”

How was I supposed to explain this?

It wasn’t just that I’d seen his face—I’d seen him at his best and worst.

I knew him far too well.

But saying we’d gotten close in Busan felt risky, like I might say something wrong.

I decided to stick strictly to an objective assessment.

“From our perspective, Song Jihan would be perfect.

He’s wind-type, so he can immediately take over the position Irihyeon had.

And since he’s S-rank, his firepower speaks for itself.”

“I know that part.

What matters is his character.

What do you think?”

Song Jihan…

He acts sharp, but in reality he’s foolishly kind and loyal.

The one person who tried to stay by my side until the very end, even when everyone else turned their backs on me.

An old friend I feel endlessly grateful—and endlessly sorry—for.

Just thinking of his face made me happy.

“He’s good.

He seemed like a kind person.”

I’d regretted the thought that we might never properly work together again.

But now this chance had appeared.

Would there really be a day when we stood in the same team again, watching each other’s backs?

I hoped so.

“It’s been a while, Agent Jin Sehyun.”

“…Ah, yes.

Hello, Director.”

Damn it.

That startled me.

I’d been spacing out while walking down the hallway when Na Dongchan suddenly spoke to me.

I had no idea why someone I’d barely seen lately was suddenly acting so familiar.

He’d been absent for so long I’d almost forgotten him.

I gave an awkward nod and tried to pass by, but Na Dongchan cleared his throat like he still had something to say.

“Special Team One hasn’t had a single deployment at all lately, right?

Must be pretty relaxed.”

What was that supposed to mean?

Was he mocking us for getting paid while doing nothing?

This was the same guy who used to weigh every word carefully around me because I was SS-rank.

Now he’d flipped his attitude completely—and was even stressing specific words?

“Yeah.

We can’t even deploy, so I don’t know what’s going on.

I wonder who recommended those three to the team in the first place.

Bringing in underqualified members really wrecked everything.”

“Th—!”

Nothing to say, huh?

Did he think I wouldn’t know?

It was obvious that the late Agency Director and Na Dongchan himself were the ones who shoved Irihyeon, Hwang Jiyu, and Im Chan into Special Team One.

In short, this mess was your fault, and now I can’t even go on missions—what is this?

Judging by how his face turned red, he understood perfectly.

“Hoo… anyway, if you have nothing to do, wouldn’t it be better to support another team until yours is fully rebuilt?

Leaving such a valuable SS-rank Guide unused would be such a waste, don’t you think?”

“…What exactly are you suggesting….”

What kind of nonsense was this now?

“As you know, the appointment of the next Agency Director is coming up soon.

Naturally, our branch director is one of the candidates.”

Ah.

So Na Dongchan had chosen his side.

He’d attached himself to the Second Center branch director.

Given his instincts for this kind of thing, there was a good chance that man would actually become the Agency Director.

“So… you want me to guide other Espers so you can build achievements before then…?”

“Oh!

Not all of them.

Just one team, like now.

You can’t ask Team Leader Seon Jaeyul to do that, can you?”

What was this—was he threatening me?

It sounded like if I didn’t help another team, he’d just dump more work on Jaeyul instead.

Wait.

Another team…?

“If I can return to Special Team One whenever I want, I’ll accept the assignment.”

“Of course!

Absolutely.

Just stay until Team One’s reinforcement is finished.”

Thinking about it, this wasn’t a bad offer for me either.

Lately, my thoughts had been far too tangled.

With no real incidents, my mind kept wandering.

Why was Jaeyul being so attentive?

Why did he insist on restorative meals every day?

Why did he keep giving me snacks?

Why did he make such a fuss over the slightest sign that I wasn’t feeling well?

Every question led back to Seon Jaeyul.

I kept attaching meaning to his every action.

Every kindness made me harbor foolish hopes.

Before I acknowledged my feelings, I’d never thought this way—but now, I couldn’t regulate my emotions at all.

So maybe putting some distance between us, at least at the Center, would help me整理 my heart.

At home things would be the same, but for the other half of the day, I could slowly erase these feelings.

Then maybe I could accept Jaeyul’s kindness as nothing more than something pure and good again.

It seemed like a decent opportunity.

“Agent Jin Sehyun has already agreed, you see?”

Our office was noisy.

The moment I opened the door, I heard Na Dongchan’s voice, strained as if he were holding back anger.

Jaeyul stood in front of him.

The two of them looked like they were facing off.

“Oh, perfect timing.

Agent Jin, please explain.

Team Leader Seon keeps insisting he can’t believe me.”

Damn it.

I was planning to explain myself, but Na Dongchan had already run over to Jaeyul.

Useless bastard.

“Is it true?

You’re really going to support another team?”

Jaeyul’s gaze burned into me.

It felt like he was demanding an answer with his eyes—telling me to say it wasn’t true.

But what could I do now?

I had no choice but to say what I’d decided.

“Um… the Director said the support was really important…

So I think I have to go for a bit….”

That was terrifying.

What I meant to say was, Yes. I’ll support another team until ours is reorganized. It’s not like I have anything to do anyway.

But what came out sounded completely different.

I’d unintentionally thrown Na Dongchan under the bus, but who cares.

“Haah…

We’ll have new members soon—do you really need to do this?

What if something happens?”

Jaeyul was talking with his eyes again.

Telling me to say I wouldn’t go.

That he’d handle the rest.

I wanted to turn around and tell Na Dongchan I wouldn’t go after all, but I forced myself to remember my resolve.

“Team Leader.

I’ll help them out and come back.”

At my answer, Jaeyul looked like he’d just heard the world was ending.

Why did he have to react so dramatically?

It was just temporary support.

Yet it felt like I was abandoning him.

“That traitor streak of yours never goes away.

You ran off overseas last time too, didn’t you?

If you’re going to another team, we’ll find a new Guide.”

Park Bomyeong was sulking over nothing.

Go ahead and try, idiot.

This time, nothing was changing my mind.

…Honestly, I just really couldn’t eat any more restorative food….

“Hah, can’t be helped.

If you insist that much, I suppose I have to let you go.”

“Thank you, Team Leader Seon!

So hurry up, finish reinforcing your team, and take Agent Jin back so you can rack up achievements!”

Na Dongchan was the only one enjoying this.

Seeing his face light up made me want to cancel everything on the spot.

“By the way, Director.

Which team is Agent Jin supporting again?”

“Defense Team 15.

Gate Breaks are popping up all over Seoul, so they’re swamped.”

“Defense Team 15… understood.”

Something felt strange.

There was no way Jaeyul would oppose this so strongly and then suddenly accept it.

I’d expected to argue for much longer.

The quick approval felt oddly disappointing.

What—should I just leave and never come back?

“Hyung, wait.”

I was about to get out of the car in the Center parking lot when Jaeyul grabbed my wrist.

“What…?”

“You’re starting work with another team today—aren’t you even a little sad?

Why are you getting out so fast?”

“Ah… we see each other every day at home anyway….”

See?

When he said things like this, how was I supposed to sort out my feelings.

It was something family could say, sure—but it was also something lovers could say.

And that wasn’t the end of it.

“Hey—what are you doing!”

“I’m just anxious.

Let’s stay like this for a moment, okay?”

Jaeyul pulled me into a hug and spoke like he was whining, like a child.

At this point, I couldn’t even push him away.

“I’ll be back soon.

Just wait a little.”

I hugged him back and steeled my resolve again.

I really needed to wash away these messy feelings.

It felt like I was just making things harder for him.

After lingering like that in the car for a while, I finally went upstairs.

Calming down an anxious Jaeyul took far more effort than I’d expected.

“…Hello…?”

I stopped in the hallway before entering Team 15’s office and double-checked the sign.

Defense Team 15.

I was definitely in the right place.

“…Is anyone here…?”

The office was eerily quiet, like no one was inside.

Was it too early—had no one arrived yet?

No.

Na Dongchan had clearly said to report to Defense Team 15 first thing this morning.

He was unpleasant, but he wasn’t stupid enough to mess up something this simple.

Which meant….

Oh.

That must be it.

Uncreative idiots.

I went inside, dragged out a chair, and sat down.

Alright.

I’m ready—come on out already.

They’d probably jump out to scare me any second now.

Some childish welcome prank.

I’d pretend to be surprised.

“…Hmm….”

But no one jumped out.

I must have been sitting there for over twenty minutes.

Just as I was wondering if I should take the initiative, the office lights suddenly turned on.

And someone I absolutely didn’t expect walked in.

“…Director?”

Na Dongchan approached me, his face shifting between red and blue.

“Return to Special Team One.”

“Suddenly?

Why?”

“…Hah…

Defense Team 15 is completely out of contact.”

…What?

Well.

That’s one hell of a welcome.