Chapter 103: Emotions Off-Plan

Su-ha let out a short breath before answering.

“Yes. That’s fine. Where should I go?”

As he spoke, he noticed something almost absurd in his own voice, a trace of resolve, as if Min I-hyeon were some kind of rival.

Just the fact that I-hyeon seemed to be taking special care of Chaewon was enough to stir a competitive instinct in him. And that was without even knowing what kind of feelings I-hyeon held toward Chaewon.

Had it really been this fragile?

All those emotions he had harbored for years, feelings that bordered on obsession, could they really overturn so completely in a single instant?

He could hardly believe it himself.

No. They weren’t shallow. If they had been, he wouldn’t have endured so much for so long, running toward one person with unwavering focus.

And yet, if his feelings toward I-hyeon had shifted this drastically, did that mean his feelings for Chaewon had already grown that deep?

Could someone truly fall in love this much, this quickly?

“Yes. I’ll see you shortly.”

After confirming the location, Su-ha ended the call with a faint, self-mocking smile. Ever since meeting Chaewon, not a single one of his emotions had gone according to plan.

****

“Don’t think you’re getting out of it with just words! You better repay me properly!”

“Yes, I will. You’ve worked hard, please get back safely.”

Chaewon let out a small laugh as he listened to Gi-yoon extract yet another promise over the phone. After the last training session, he hadn’t properly thanked him, so he’d considered stopping by to say thanks in person.

But Gi-yoon had been dispatched at dawn to deal with a high-level monster that had suddenly appeared in the city. He was only just returning now.

Deciding it would be inconsiderate to visit when Gi-yoon likely needed rest, Chaewon had asked Eunho for Gi-yoon’s number. He’d come out to the park for a walk and called to express his gratitude instead.

“See you when I get back, Esper Lee Chaewon.”

Ever since their first meeting, Gi-yoon insisted on addressing him formally like that. Whether he still held a grudge over Chaewon’s initial attitude or was simply teasing him was unclear.

It was a little embarrassing, but Chaewon doubted asking him to stop would change anything, so he let it be. Eventually Gi-yoon would lose interest and drop it on his own.

After the call ended, Chaewon remained seated, phone in hand, deep in thought.

While he had slept peacefully through the night, other espers had been dispatched to risk their lives.

He hadn’t even known.

He wasn’t yet qualified for field missions, nor had he been assigned to a team. Of course no one would inform him of emergencies.

It was only natural.

Still, a faint sense of frustration crept in.

He knew there was no point in rushing. He had only awakened recently; ambition alone wouldn’t change that. He was improving at his own pace, doing his best. He knew that.

But moments like this, when the people who greeted him warmly at the center were, behind the scenes, crossing the line between life and death, made him keenly aware that he remained behind, asleep and unaware.

That realization stirred an impatience he couldn’t quite suppress.

With a short sigh, he stood from the bench.

There was only one thing he could do.

Work harder. Improve faster. Build himself up steadily, without shortcuts or reckless pride.

As he stepped forward, reaffirming that resolve…

“Oh, Chaewon?”

A familiar voice called out. Gong Tae-jun approached from a distance, recognition lighting his face.

Chaewon began to greet him.

“Ah…?”

Suddenly, his vision warped.

The sensation was painfully familiar. The scenery before him blurred, then spun sharply before he could react.

“Chaewon!”

At Tae-jun’s shout, Chaewon’s body crumpled toward the ground.

****

“You know you’ve been looking especially good lately, Su-ha?”

“Have I?”

Across the café table, Min I-hyeon smiled warmly.

Sitting alone with him like this felt oddly unfamiliar to Su-ha.

“Is it because things are going well with Chaewon?”

At the sound of Chaewon’s name, Su-ha lifted his gaze from his coffee. I-hyeon’s curved eyes still smiled, but his intent was unreadable.

“Yes. Chaewon has been very considerate… It’s motivating.”

“I’m glad. It makes me happy to see you paired with a good esper. Congratulations.”

For a fleeting moment, Su-ha’s brow twitched before smoothing out. So much had changed in such a short time.

The esper he had once centered his entire existence around was now congratulating him on partnering with someone else.

By all logic, such words should have stung.

But surprisingly, they didn’t.

“Thank you. But…”

He trailed off, meeting I-hyeon’s eyes steadily. They weren’t close enough to meet casually for small talk. This couldn’t be the real reason for the call.

“You mentioned you had something to discuss.”

“Ah, right.”

I-hyeon took a sip of coffee, unhurried. Su-ha waited calmly, though his heartbeat quickened.

Then I-hyeon asked,

“Does it make you uncomfortable that I meet with Chaewon?”

“…Excuse me?”

“I’m asking whether my getting close to Chaewon makes you uncomfortable, Guide Jin Su-ha.”

“Why would you ask that?”

His tone sharpened slightly.

Even if I-hyeon held immense influence within the center, he had no right to interfere in Su-ha’s personal feelings.

“I invited Chaewon to dinner,” I-hyeon said evenly. “As an S-rank esper, I thought I could offer advice. And, well, I wanted to get closer to him.”

“…I see.”

Su-ha had already suspected I-hyeon’s interest. What he didn’t understand was why this was being said to him.

“And yet,” I-hyeon continued, studying his expression carefully, “Chaewon seems uncomfortable meeting me privately. I asked him yesterday. Did he mention it?”

“No. He didn’t.”

“It’s the second time I’ve asked. This morning he contacted me to decline, politely. Said he didn’t want to take up my time.”

Su-ha’s surprise was genuine. He hadn’t known they’d even met, let alone that Chaewon had declined.

But regardless, it had been Chaewon’s choice. Even someone as respected as Min I-hyeon couldn’t demand acceptance.

Which made the real question unavoidable.

Why was I-hyeon telling him this?

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