Chapter 10 : Do you know what a leech is (2)

Episode 10. Do You Know What a Leech Is? (2)

During his university days, Jisung was a celebrity known to the entire student body. If you didn’t know him, you were considered a spy; he appeared that frequently on the school’s online community. His striking good looks played a part, but the more fundamental reason lay in his nickname.

Leech.

That was Jisung’s nickname in university. Jisung usually had a calm personality. Thanks to his good social skills, he had many close friends. Because of this, he had an uneventful start to his university life. However, trouble brewed just before summer vacation.

A university group project, something every student loathes. Some students work diligently, while others freeload. Yet, the professor declares that if even one person doesn’t participate properly, no one gets a grade. It was the perfect setup for hardworking students to get screwed over, and that’s exactly where the problem erupted.

Jisung’s group also had its share of diligent students and freeloaders. Of course, Jisung was one of the diligent ones, and therefore, one of those who got screwed over.

Jisung stared blankly at the number ‘1’ that wouldn’t disappear from their group chat, indicating an unread message from the freeloader. A sincere friend of Jisung’s spoke in a resigned tone, suggesting they just do it themselves. But Jisung was not a man who knew the meaning of giving up. He shot up from his seat and walked out of the cafe. His friend watched him stride away with an uneasy expression. It felt like he was about to cause some serious trouble.

And his friend’s premonition was correct. Jisung went to find the group member who wasn’t checking messages and was out playing with his own friends. To the startled group member, Jisung smiled and said, “Shouldn’t you be working on the assignment?” This remark later became a warning to those who intended to freeload on group projects.

The group member, reluctantly dragged along by Jisung, unfortunately, didn’t miraculously change his ways overnight. The next day, he cut off contact again and bolted. And Jisung, unfailingly, found him and dragged him back. It was a mystery how he did it, but Jisung had an uncanny ability to locate the group member. No matter how many times he ran, Jisung never gave up, eventually catching him and making him do his share until the group project was finished.

It was this tenacity that first earned him the nickname ‘Leech.’

Similar incidents occurred after that, further solidifying Jisung’s nickname. There was the time he hounded a senior who broke his friend’s phone and ran off without paying for it, following him all day until he got the compensation. Or the time he persistently “observed” his ex-girlfriend on a date after catching her two-timing him… For the record, the ex-girlfriend incident was a chance encounter at a cafe.

Once you got on his bad side, he would stick to you like a leech, so most people avoided messing with Jisung.

And today, another victim was about to be created.

Jisung followed the Center Director all day long. From the moment he arrived at work in the morning until he left in the evening. He stuck to his side without missing a beat. When the Center Director was in his office, Jisung waited outside the door. When he went to eat, Jisung trailed behind him like a chick. Of course, he accompanied him to the restroom as well.

“What is the meaning of this?!”

Finally, on the fifth day, the Center Director, unable to bear it any longer, lost his temper. But Jisung just smiled sweetly and replied.

“Please change the schedule.”

“Stop talking nonsense and get lost! What about your mission, slacking off here?”

“A Guide’s duty is to care for the Esper, so I don’t necessarily have to follow them on missions. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Hyunwoo when he returns.”

“Are you even listening to yourself? You should be providing care constantly, and you’re saying you’ll do it after the mission is over? What if he goes berserk? Will you take responsibility? Do you know how much damage an S-Rank Esper going berserk can cause?”

“Exactly. You know very well.”

“What did you say?”

The Center Director’s brow furrowed at Jisung’s sweet smile.

“You, who knows full well how dangerous an S-Rank Esper going berserk is, are running Espers and Guides ragged with missions until they’re at their breaking point? What if a Guide collapses and can’t care for the Esper, and they go berserk? Who will take responsibility then? You, the Center Director who made this schedule? Or the Center staff who knew and pretended not to?”

The surrounding staff members who were listening to the conversation avoided eye contact, looking uneasy.

“We’ve been doing fine so far, what’s the problem?!”

“It’s because you’ve been doing things this way that Hyunwoo was covered in scars!”

“What?”

“How pushed to the limit must an S-Rank Esper be to be constantly injured? Have you ever seen an S-Rank Esper from another country walking around covered in scars?”

“That’s all your fault, isn’t it?! Wouldn’t it have been better if you had just crawled out on your own? It would have created a better public image!”

Jisung’s gaze hardened. There was no getting through to him. But he wasn’t disappointed. He had known this from the beginning. He never intended to resolve this through conversation anyway. There was one thing he had learned throughout his life: for those who wouldn’t listen to reason, action was the only answer.

“Since the Center Director and I have different opinions, I have no choice. I’ll just have to persuade you until you understand!”

Right by his side, continuously. Jisung crinkled his eyes and smiled beautifully. The smile sent shivers down the Center Director’s spine.

“I’m not free enough to entertain your nonsense!”

The Center Director, shouting, quickly got into his car. Then, seeing Jisung following him out, he hastily closed the car door. Jisung watched the car speed away and then checked the watch on his wrist.

‘It’s almost time for Hyunwoo to return.’

“Hmm…”

Jisung raised his hand and stroked his chin. Finding the Center Director’s location was easier than pie. For now, Hyunwoo’s care came first. Nodding to himself, Jisung returned inside the Center.

As Jisung casually sat in a chair and took out his phone, a man approached him.

“You’ve been quite active lately.”

“Ah, Mr. Minseong.”

“Just call me Minseong. You’re a year older than me, aren’t you?”

The man who spoke to Jisung was Shim Minseong. He was the Esper Jisung had met at the terror site on the day he went to see Hyunwoo. His sharp features gave him an unapproachable air, but he had a kind personality and took good care of others. He had helped Jisung several times when he first joined the Center and was feeling unfamiliar.

“Then you can speak comfortably to me too.”

“Alright, then.”

Jisung chuckled at Minseong’s prompt reply, as if he had been waiting for it.

“I heard you’re following the Center Director around like a leech all day? Everyone’s been enjoying that story.”

“So he’s disliked.”

“Well, yeah. The Center Director and the Center staff are beings that make our skin crawl.”

Jisung’s eyes widened. He knew they disliked them, but he hadn’t realized they loathed them to this extent. Seeing Jisung’s surprised expression, Minseong relaxed his hardened face and smiled.

“So everyone is cheering for you, Hyung. They hope you don’t lose this time.”

“This time…”

Jisung was surely not the first. Just like Sunwoo, others must have protested and tried to change things. Yet, they had all failed, and the system remained unchanged. Minseong’s voice was already filled with resignation. He might have already concluded that Jisung would fail too.

“My nickname is Leech.”

“Huh?”

“They call me Leech because no matter what I do, I stick to things like a leech and don’t let go.”

Minseong blinked blankly. Through the window, he saw a black car carrying Hyunwoo arrive. Jisung stood up from his chair and smiled brightly at Minseong, who was looking at him.

“I’m probably several times more tenacious than you think.”

It didn’t matter if they couldn’t communicate. It didn’t matter if they didn’t agree with his words. Values and personalities weren’t things that changed easily. He had no intention of lecturing. They just had to get so sick of seeing his face that they couldn’t stand it anymore and waved the white flag.

“Hyung!”

As soon as Hyunwoo got out of the car, he rushed straight to Jisung. He enveloped Jisung in his arms and buried his head in his shoulder. Jisung gently stroked Hyunwoo’s hair.

“Sorry for sending you alone.”

Hyunwoo shook his head at Jisung’s words. Jisung smiled faintly at him hugging him tighter. As he slowly stroked his back, Hyunwoo lifted his head.

“…Hyung, don’t do anything dangerous.”

“It’s fine, do you think they’d kill valuable personnel?”

Hyunwoo’s expression hardened at Jisung’s words. Seeing him lower his gaze and frown, Jisung regretted what he had said. He had meant to alleviate his worries, but he had only increased them. Realizing his joke had gone in the wrong direction, Jisung quickly changed tack.

“I won’t follow him to secluded places. You know, right? I hate dangerous things. I’ll run away at the slightest hint of danger.”

“…”

“‘Live long and prosper’ is my life motto, after all.”

Hyunwoo opened his mouth and then closed it again. Lost in thought for a moment, he then grabbed Jisung’s arm and said.

“I know you’re trying hard for us, Hyung. But promise me. Promise me you’ll never do anything dangerous. And if you ever feel like you’re in danger, don’t hesitate to call me. Promise me.”

Jisung slowly nodded at him, who was looking straight at him as he spoke.

“I promise. No matter what, I won’t do anything dangerous.”

“Okay…”

“Don’t worry.”

Jisung smiled brightly to reassure Hyunwoo. Hyunwoo’s tense expression softened a little. Relieved, Jisung turned his head and looked towards the door. Yuaan and Sunwoo were standing there. Yuaan’s eyes were closed. He could see Sunwoo’s hand firmly holding Yuaan, preventing him from falling.

“Where is he now?”

At Jisung’s question, Yuaan’s tightly closed eyes slowly opened. A clear blue light swirled in his pupils.

“He turned at the intersection, and ah, he went into the usual store.”

Jisung’s lips curved into a smile.

“Then, shall we go stick to him again, like a proper leech?”