Chapter 81: The Fisherman’s Unease

“It’s true we won’t see each other as often now, isn’t it?”

“I’ll be returning to Korea frequently.”

Han Do-hoon’s voice betrayed a clear unease. This sight made Sa-yoon inwardly chuckle again. It was only natural for a fisherman to feel discomfort when the fish they had caught seemed intent on leaving.

Han Do-hoon’s earlier, somewhat fantastical promise of frequent returns to Korea now made sense. For an S-rank Esper to travel internationally, hundreds of documents were usually required, each detailing specific reasons.

However, if the purpose was to apprehend Irregulars, many procedures would be waived. A few trips between Korea and the battlefield would be nothing.

“Well, that’s good for me then. Come often. Before I forget your face.”

Only then did a hint of relaxation soften Han Do-hoon’s features. He truly was handsome, with an excellent physique that Sa-yoon himself found impressive.

“Are your parents in good health?”

“They’re all quite old now, so they say it’s not something that will improve quickly. Thank you for your concern. Actually, I was thinking of going to the battlefield myself once my parents felt a bit better, but it seems I won’t be able to make that promise.”

“I understand.”

Having delivered his pre-planned lie, Sa-yoon lowered his gaze, feigning a wistful expression. He believed leaving the impression that he, too, wished to follow Han Do-hoon to the battlefield would help avert suspicion.

Encouraged by Han Do-hoon’s unexpectedly gentle reaction, Sa-yoon gathered his courage to bring up his next request.

“I think I’ll have to take another leave soon and go back to my family home. Since I enlisted, I haven’t spent much continuous time with my parents, so we’re planning a family retreat for their recuperation. I ought to act like a dutiful child at times like these.”

Sa-yoon uttered words that would have made Jin Jung-woo recoil in horror.

“So, it seems I won’t be able to see you off when you depart, Han Do-hoon. The dates just happen to overlap.”

This was a complete fabrication. Sa-yoon’s family wasn’t close enough for such a harmonious retreat, and he wouldn’t even visit his family home during his leave. He knew it wasn’t good for either of them to endure prolonged periods beside his unconscious mother.

“When does your leave begin?”

“I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“Then today will be the last time I see your face before I leave.”

Han Do-hoon’s voice deepened. With a quiet, settled expression, he reached for Sa-yoon’s hand, which rested on the chair.

Even as Sa-yoon flinched at the public display of affection, Han Do-hoon intertwined their fingers without a care.

Despite being seated in a secluded spot, two large men clasping hands and gazing in one direction was an awkward sight to be caught by others. When Sa-yoon’s fingers twitched, Han Do-hoon chuckled.

“No one will know it’s us.”

“It’s not that…”

He would rather have s*x or kiss. This kind of ticklish contact was entirely new to him. Sa-yoon stiffened awkwardly, unable to withdraw his hand. The warmth of their joined hands felt uncomfortable, even though just days ago they had been rolling around in bed together.

Sa-yoon, wiggling his fingers, subtly pulled his hand away. Fortunately, Han Do-hoon did not try to grab it again.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“We’re outside.”

“Then shall we go back to the headquarters?”

Sa-yoon froze at Han Do-hoon’s suggestion. It was nothing new, of course. Han Do-hoon and Sa-yoon meeting and spending time together whenever possible wasn’t a one-off occurrence, and this was their last day before a long separation.

It wouldn’t be strange to return to headquarters and meet secretly, yet Sa-yoon couldn’t hide the growing chill on his face. If they went back to headquarters now, they would surely end up in bed again once night fell. The mere thought of it made him dizzy with discomfort.

This was something he couldn’t refuse. Han Do-hoon and Sa-yoon had that kind of relationship, and no other. To suddenly reject Han Do-hoon now would be tantamount to revealing that he knew Han Do-hoon’s true identity.

“Let’s… let’s go in separately for now. People will see us if we go in together.”

Sa-yoon rose from his seat first. He quickly finished the remaining drink and put on his mask. Before Han Do-hoon could naturally pick up the empty tray, Sa-yoon took it himself and carried it to the return counter.

After bowing and smiling at the kind cafe employee, he stepped outside. Han Do-hoon’s car was parked neatly beside Sa-yoon’s. Han Do-hoon, who had followed Sa-yoon out, also approached their vehicles.

“You go on ahead. I’ll wander around a bit before heading in. I think we should have about an hour’s gap.”

“Sa-yoon.”

Han Do-hoon called out, stopping Sa-yoon. He slowly approached from behind Sa-yoon. Feeling like a massive wall was drawing near, Sa-yoon stood still until he was turned to face Han Do-hoon.

Han Do-hoon pulled Sa-yoon’s arm and gazed at him silently. With that indifferent, wordless stare, Sa-yoon looked down at his arm, held captive by Han Do-hoon. Though Han Do-hoon knew Sa-yoon wasn’t weak, he had always approached him cautiously. Today, however, the grip on his arm felt unusually tight.

“There are many eyes here.”

Sa-yoon protested in a low voice. This was a cafe frequented by the public. While there were fewer people on a weekday afternoon, it would be a disaster if they were caught on CCTV. Despite Sa-yoon’s warning, Han Do-hoon kept his lips sealed, showing no intention of letting go.

“I…”

Han Do-hoon, who had briefly opened his mouth, closed it again. After a long pause, he spoke once more.

“You’ve changed your watch.”

Talking about something so out of the blue, Han Do-hoon looked at Sa-yoon’s wrist. Sa-yoon, though he had done nothing wrong, instinctively covered his wrist as if caught. This was a watch he had received from his squad members as a token of gratitude. He wore the new watch over his usual gloves.

Another identical watch lay in Sa-yoon’s room, tucked away in the deepest part of a drawer because he couldn’t bring himself to give it to Han Do-hoon.

“I got a new one recently. I really liked it.”

“I didn’t know you liked watches. If I had, I would have gifted you one.”

“You don’t need to give me such gifts, Han Do-hoon. We meet to help each other, that’s all.”

There was no reason to receive such a gift when it wasn’t his birthday or an anniversary. They weren’t lovers, and in fact, Han Do-hoon was currently one of the people Sa-yoon most wanted to avoid.

“Sa-yoon.”

Han Do-hoon called his name again, his voice lower and darker than before.

“May I hug you for a moment?”

“Here?”

“Yes.”

An unexpected request came from Han Do-hoon’s lips. Sa-yoon had thought he might have noticed something strange in his expression, but now he simply wanted a hug.

Moreover, he had just mentioned that they needed to be careful outside, yet Han Do-hoon was behaving like a child whose impulses couldn’t be controlled. This was a side of him Sa-yoon had never seen. Sa-yoon hesitated for a moment.

Normally, he would have playfully joked, telling him to wait until later and laughing it off, but those words wouldn’t come out. Or, more precisely, he found it difficult to say they would meet again later. Furthermore, if he put up any more walls, he feared Han Do-hoon would notice his unusual behavior.

After a brief hesitation, Sa-yoon nodded.

The moment Sa-yoon’s permission was granted, Han Do-hoon opened his arms and embraced him, holding him tightly as if to envelop his entire body. Sa-yoon tensed his stiff neck, feeling his breath catch as if he were being restrained.

After a moment, Han Do-hoon, who had been holding Sa-yoon, pulled away simply and cleanly. He had truly just hugged him, and then stepped back, his expression even paler than before.

“Please go in carefully.”

“It’s only to headquarters, after all.”

“I think I’ll have something to do this evening.”

Han Do-hoon said, checking his device. It was an urgent request for work that had originally been scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.

Sa-yoon quickly closed his slightly agape mouth, regaining control of his lax expression. He had to hide the fact that he had momentarily felt a surge of relief at Han Do-hoon’s words. Sa-yoon quickly lowered his face, hiding his brightening features.

“Since I don’t know when you’ll finish, get some good rest.”

“You must be very busy. Perhaps it’s because the time for you to leave is drawing near.”

Sa-yoon tried his best to reply as normally as possible. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to say he was disappointed or that he would wait. He merely nodded a couple of times and wished Han Do-hoon well for his work.

“I’ll really be going now.”

He waved to Han Do-hoon and got into his car. As the thick car door closed, Sa-yoon found himself in his own private space.

“Hah…”

He exhaled deeply. His hands, gripping the steering wheel, trembled slightly. The crushing pressure he had felt in his chest since Han Do-hoon had hugged him finally dissipated. Even though he knew it shouldn’t be this way, seeing Han Do-hoon kept reminding him that he was an Irregular Hunter.

It was difficult to act normally, no matter how hard he tried. Sa-yoon squeezed his troubled eyes shut, then opened them again. He had to appear composed. He was already pushed to the edge of a cliff, and this was no time to be picky.

If Han Do-hoon contacted him, wanting to meet again before he left, Sa-yoon would still have to greet him with a smiling face. That was the only way Han Do-hoon wouldn’t notice.

Only after Han Do-hoon’s black car glided out of the parking lot and was too far to be seen did Sa-yoon finally manage to place his foot on the accelerator.

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