Chapter 47: An Unexpected Interrogation

“If I were to step forward and vehemently deny it, it would only put the other person in an awkward position, wouldn’t it? Imagine how mortified they’d be.”

“Why should you concern yourself with rumors they started on their own accord, Team Leader?”

“Still, they’re my fans. From what I hear, it’s understandable how they might have misunderstood. Let’s not shut it down too firmly; we’ll just wait for the rumors to naturally die down.”

Sa-yoon smiled benevolently, wearing the expression of a saintly figure. Chae-jun furrowed his brow, his lips parting slightly.

He yearned to grab the collar of whoever had spread such groundless rumors, and his inability to do so filled him with palpable frustration.

“Team Leader, that might backfire.”

“It’s just a rumor. Once I assign a different guide and our contact lessens, it will naturally fade away. I just don’t want to blow it out of proportion unnecessarily.”

If the situation escalated, it wouldn’t be too late to clarify then. After all, there was no harm in an Esper and a guide being entangled.

Until then, allowing the rumors to persist seemed like it might even be beneficial.

“Hmm… If that’s your opinion, Team Leader Sa-yoon, then I’ll try to endure it for now.”

“Alright. Take it easy. Just take it easy.”

“You’re too kind, Team Leader, that’s the problem. But if they cross the line, I’ll take action.”

Unaware of Sa-yoon’s true intentions, Chae-jun clutched his chest, muttering that Sa-yoon should never vouch for anyone lest he get swindled.

“It’s fine. It’s just a rumor. What could possibly happen?”

This was a society where even if an Esper met several guides simultaneously, the response would be that it was a physiological reaction, thus unavoidable. If an Esper revealed their guide, who would dare to make an issue of it?

Sa-yoon thought so, and a bright smile bloomed on his face.

Days passed.

“Who is Kang Gi-dong?”

In front of his quarters, Sa-yoon encountered Han Do-hoon, who was smiling brightly—no, rather fiercely.

Sa-yoon had not often felt his life threatened. Every object in the world seemed as pliable as tofu, allowing him to manipulate it at will, and while his damn biological father’s threats were irritating, he could let them go in one ear and out the other.

Even though he harbored one weakness that he absolutely had to conceal from others, there was no need for Sa-yoon to fret or be self-conscious unless it was explicitly pointed out.

Thus, his current predicament was a truly rare one for Sa-yoon.

“When did you return?”

“This afternoon.”

“Ha… haha. You must still be tired. You could have just contacted me via messenger.”

“Well, I heard a very interesting piece of news as soon as I arrived. Suddenly, I felt an urge to meet you, Sa-yoon.”

Han Do-hoon’s lips curved into a smile as he gazed at Sa-yoon. His words were exceedingly gentle, yet his aura was anything but.

Sa-yoon felt a prickle of sweat emerge on the back of his neck. Upon reflection, Sa-yoon realized he had no reason to be wary of Han Do-hoon.

Sa-yoon hadn’t done anything improper, and even if he truly had met Kang Gi-dong, it was none of Han Do-hoon’s concern. Han Do-hoon’s displeasure was what seemed truly odd.

Despite this realization, Han Do-hoon’s menacing presence was so overwhelming that Sa-yoon couldn’t bring himself to speak plainly. Instead, he simply opened the door and spoke in a hushed tone, ensuring no one nearby could overhear.

“How about we discuss this over a cup of tea first?”

“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

Sa-yoon sighed as he watched Han Do-hoon stride inside as if entering his own room. Why did he feel as if he had committed a grave error when he had done nothing wrong?

Unaware of his own unease, Sa-yoon stealthily followed him in.

‘I suggested tea, but… hmm.’

Seated across the table, Sa-yoon awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. There was no actual tea in his quarters.

All he had were sweet drinks—fruit juice or soda. He couldn’t imagine having this conversation over 100% orange juice.

“There’s nothing suitable. Is fruit juice okay?”

“Anything is fine.”

Han Do-hoon still wore a smile. Sa-yoon learned a new truth: a smiling face could be more terrifying than a scowl. He was not pleased by this discovery.

“It seems I was away from the base for about a week, but a great deal has happened in that time. You seem to be quite diligent, Sa-yoon, more than I expected.”

“That… doesn’t sound like a compliment.”

“I am genuinely impressed.”

Feeling as though he was being interrogated, Sa-yoon averted his gaze, rolling his eyes as he stared at the empty table. The truth was, it was a simple matter.

He could easily explain how the misunderstanding arose and clarify that it differed from reality. Sa-yoon opened his mouth to speak but then paused.

No, upon further thought, there was no need for Sa-yoon to offer any explanations. Moreover, it was a choice he made to ensure a smoother relationship with Han Do-hoon, free from suspicion.

“So, what is your relationship with Kang Gi-dong?”

“Just a guide and an Esper. It seems our sessions happened to be frequent by chance.”

He omitted the part about choosing alphabetically. Even for the brazen Sa-yoon, that was a little embarrassing.

“It actually worked out well, didn’t it? I was already mindful of Levian, and now there’ll be less to worry about.”

Sa-yoon filled a cup with ice and poured in orange juice. A clear, crystalline sound echoed within the glass.

“Come to think of it, perhaps it’s better to casually meet other people. Staying with you for so long, Han Do-hoon, I’m starting to become conscious of what others think. Since the contract doesn’t forbid me from meeting other people, it’s a rather convenient solution, isn’t it?”

Han Do-hoon’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the glass.

“If we only consider the contract, there would be no problem.”

“Right?”

“If you wish, you may do so.”

Sa-yoon looked at Han Do-hoon, surprised by his clean-cut reply. He had been so intimidating at the door, as if he was about to devour someone.

Was it just Sa-yoon’s imagination? Han Do-hoon nodded neatly, acting as if he didn’t care, and Sa-yoon felt a wave of relief wash over him.

Perhaps Sa-yoon had been feeling guilty and had simply misunderstood Han Do-hoon. After all, Han Do-hoon inherently possessed a formidable aura. Perhaps Han Do-hoon had simply found this unprecedented situation amusing and had come to investigate.

Indeed, there was no reason for Han Do-hoon to be angry if Sa-yoon met other people. This was, in fact, the correct reaction. Sa-yoon, feeling much lighter, drained his orange juice in one go. The cool liquid flowed down his throat.

“Speaking of which, Sa-yoon. Our contract. May I see it again? I can’t remember where I put my copy.”

“Of course.”

Sa-yoon headed to the bedroom. He felt strangely as if Han Do-hoon was following him, but he dismissed it, thinking Han Do-hoon probably felt awkward just standing alone in someone else’s room.

Sa-yoon sat on the bed and opened the first drawer of the shelf beside it. He pulled out an envelope, placed at the very bottom beneath other items so no one else would discover it, and unfolded it.

A short contract, only a few lines long, came into view.

1.we shall respect each other’s privacy and not interfere in each other’s personal relationships.

2. we shall engage in sexual relations by mutual consent when needed.

3.The two parties shall never harbor personal feelings for each other, and the contract shall terminate if either party no longer desires it.

4.The contract shall be voided immediately if the relationship between the two parties is discovered by others.

5.Neither party shall hold the other accountable for incidents occurring during the relationship.

Seeing the contract after so long brought back memories of when they’d signed it. Back then, they had made the agreement in a fit of pique, making it so flimsy and crude it was barely worthy of being called a document.

“Here you go.”

Sa-yoon, who had read the contract first, handed the paper to Han Do-hoon. As Han Do-hoon took the document, Sa-yoon’s perception shifted.

His back hit the bed, and he found himself staring at the bright ceiling, blinking his wide eyes. Han Do-hoon calmly climbed on top of Sa-yoon and unfolded the contract.

Sa-yoon lay beneath him, while Han Do-hoon sat straddling him, pinning him down between his spread legs.

“Do you really need to read it in this position?”

“It’s a good view. Is there a problem?”

The problems were so numerous it was difficult to articulate even one. Pinned between Han Do-hoon’s thighs on the bed, Sa-yoon meekly rested his hands on his chest and watched Han Do-hoon read the contract. From below, he noted how firm Han Do-hoon’s body was.

Sa-yoon playfully poked Han Do-hoon’s lower abdomen with his finger. His fingertip didn’t even make an indentation.

Given the firm yet soft texture, Sa-yoon couldn’t resist pressing a few more times with his finger.

“The contract, I mean. Is there really anything in it that warrants such intense scrutiny? It’s only a few lines, after all.”

“Indeed.”

It was a contract of only five lines. There were no additional clauses or even a specified contract period. Han Do-hoon stared intently at the flimsy document for a long time.

“Now that I think about it, it seems to have been drafted quite carelessly. If there’s an opportunity, I’d like to amend a few parts. And adhere to proper formatting, too.”

“We’re not getting it notarized anywhere, so why go through such a hassle?”

It was a contract only the two of them would see and know about. Drafting such content so seriously felt even stranger.

“If there are parts you want to change, just say so. We can agree and amend it now.”

Sa-yoon tried to sit up, but Han Do-hoon, seated above him, didn’t budge.

Han Do-hoon’s lips curved into a smirk as their eyes met. His large hand reached for Sa-yoon’s neck. His fingers slipped inside Sa-yoon’s tightly buttoned shirt, unfastening a button.

“Are we doing it now?”

“You were quite diligently fondling me, so I thought that was what you implied.”

His words implied that Sa-yoon was some kind of pervert.