Chapter 11: till Under Observation

Michael was wearing a new-style uniform unlike the other Espers.

If standard uniforms were black, then Michael’s was white.

It somehow looked freer, and more than anything, it gave off a strong impression that he was close with Espers.

He was the type of man who spoke in an oddly domineering yet indulgent, but he seemed to have a habit of speaking to them like a puppy.

Juju knew the moment he saw him.

‘A doctor.’

“I’m Michael. I’m the military physician who cleans up after these idiots. Nice to meet you, kid.”

Juju blinked several times as he stared at the hand suddenly thrust out toward him.

“Looks like you’ll be joining the ranks of these idiots too, huh?”

“One hundred percent.”

Jason answered energetically on Juju’s behalf from beside him.

Since he was a military doctor, that was probably why Juju hadn’t seen him the night before.

There seemed to be a few other Espers Juju hadn’t met yet, but somehow, knowing that Michael had to take care of all of them created an odd sense of kinship.

Without hesitation, Juju firmly took Michael’s hand.

Michael raised his scarred eyebrow and let out a small, impressed exclamation.

“Oh?”

“I’m Lee Juju.”

Every Esper seated at the table stared at the hands clasped between Michael and Juju.

The surroundings fell so quiet you could almost hear people swallowing.

“Alright.”

Michael chuckled and shook Juju’s hand up and down.

“These idiots were causing such a ruckus that I’ll admit, I was curious about your ability too. But I guess there’s nothing special about it. Anyway, if you ever get hurt, come find me.”

“Okay. I will.”

Juju nodded and released his hand.

Michael stood up too, brushing himself off without a trace of lingering attachment.

“Uh…?”

One of the watching Espers let out a strange sound.

That was because Juju stood up as well when Michael turned to leave.

“I’m done eating too.”

“Ah-! I-I’ll escort you!”

A loud clatter rang out as Jason sprang up too hastily.

As he scrambled to stand, Juju stopped him.

“No, it’s okay. I can find my room myself. More importantly, can I take a look at your room, Michael ?”

“I wasn’t going to my room. I was heading to the infirmary.”

Michael answered in a dazed voice.

Juju nodded vigorously.

That was exactly why he’d asked.

“Yes. That’s what I want to see. Is that not allowed?”

“There’s no reason it wouldn’t be.”

His voice sounded oddly reluctant.

****

If Guiding were to take place, it would most likely be conducted in the infirmary.

Before beginning any serious Guiding, Juju wanted to scout the environment beforehand.

That was something any properly trained Guide was required to check.

“Trying to become a medic too? I was just thinking I could use a quick-handed assistant.”

Michael said gruffly as he flung open the infirmary door.

His tone was rough, but his words were not.

Strangely enough, every Esper Juju encountered so far had been a decent person.

“Not really….”

“What? This punk’s playing with an old man’s heart.”

Michael casually flicked Juju on his pale forehead and ambled into the infirmary, leaving behind a remark telling him to look around freely before returning to his room.

Rubbing his forehead, Juju surveyed the area.

There were about six white beds, shelves and desks stocked with various medicines and medical instruments, and two simple chairs.

Beyond one wall was another room, visible through a transparent window, fitted with large machinery, likely for X-rays or major surgeries.

“Is this all there is to the infirmary?”

When Juju asked, Michael lazily pointed somewhere.

Following his gesture, Juju noticed a small wooden door.

Opening it revealed a compact room containing about four beds.

‘This is better than I expected….’

Since Guiding could involve things one might prefer not to do in public, a small room like this was perfect.

Though he hadn’t discussed it properly with the colonel yet, Juju intended to stay here and become the unit’s dedicated Guide.

In the process, he could secure lodging and protection.

If he could find a way back home while doing so, even better.

After all, a Gate, or at least some facility, had to be nearby.

“This is perfect.”

In a world without a single Guide, Juju doubted the colonel would reject him.

In fact, the colonel had already been inclined to accept him.

Even if Juju had been an Esper instead of a Guide, the result would likely have been the same, so persuasion wouldn’t take much effort.

He’d been worried the environment might be poor, but thankfully, it wasn’t.

The bed he sat on experimentally was firm yet comfortable.

Leaning back without much thought, Juju soon drifted off into sleep.

****

He vaguely heard noisy voices while half-asleep.

Juju frowned and grumbled unconsciously.

“Colonel! We were look-!”

“Shh. He’s sleeping.”

“Then what are we supposed to do? Are you saying we have to be gentle so the survivor doesn’t wake up?”

“Why not? It’s exactly what Michael said. We didn’t see him come out of the small room, and he’s been sleeping quietly here the whole time. Do we really need to treat him like a criminal?”

“Hey, who said anything about treating him like a criminal? I’m just saying, do we really need to be that careful-!”

When Juju barely opened his sleepy eyes, the two Espers arguing snapped their mouths shut.

One still looked clearly displeased.

The other was a familiar face.

“Jason…?”

“Juju-nim.”

Jason hurried over with a bright expression.

‘He really does look like a puppy wagging its tail the moment I call his name.’

As Juju absentmindedly contemplated that, the door opened and the colonel entered.

Juju yawned and pushed himself upright.

“Guess I dozed off. What time is it?”

“Eight twenty!”

Jason answered energetically.

Juju nodded.

He must have slept for nearly six hours after lunch and touring the infirmary.

“But… what’s going on?”

The colonel, who had been silently looking down at him, finally spoke.

“Private Jason. Private Ian.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes, sir!”

Click!

The crisp sound of heels snapping together rang out.

Facing the privates standing at attention and saluting, Colonel Shan Pei issued his command.

“Step outside. Close the door.”

“Understood!”

“Understood!”

Juju watched them march out with impeccable discipline, then turned his gaze back to the colonel.

The man was so tall that Juju had to crane his neck.

“I will inform you of the rules of conduct here.”

An ice-cold face loomed before him.

“First, never deviate from orders. This applies not only to my orders, but also to those of any officer. Second, unless ordered otherwise, do not leave your room. Remember that you are still under observation.”

“…”

“Any objections? If not, return to your room immediately.”

“…”

‘I’m so sleepy I could die,’ Juju thought.

Despite the colonel’s chilling demeanor, Juju’s mind was somewhere else entirely.

“Now.”

“I object.”

As the colonel motioned sharply with his chin, Juju sluggishly stood up, blinking his heavy eyes.

“What did you just say?”

His expression clearly said he’d heard something he shouldn’t have.

Juju failed to suppress a yawn.

Wiping away the tears clinging to the corners of his eyes, he stepped off the bed and stood properly, his neck already starting to ache from craning it upward.

“I said I object. Ah, my neck hurts.”

“You-”

“It’s Juju.”

“What?”

“Juju.”

Rubbing the stiff back of his neck, Juju crossed his arms and glared up at the colonel.

“If you don’t call me Juju, I won’t answer you anymore.”

The colonel stared at him blankly, as if at a complete loss for words.

Juju found that expression deeply satisfying.

Even under the harsh fluorescent lights, the colonel’s face was striking.

Imagining those navy-blue eyes shining brighter against his black hair made Juju feel his mouth water.

And then there was the neatly tailored uniform.

The solid forearms beneath the sleeves, and-

Anyway.

The colonel repeatedly opened and closed his mouth, looking utterly unfamiliar with this distinctly Guide-like way of speaking.

It likely wasn’t something anyone had ever dared use on him before.

Yes, Juju knew.

He knew this casual tone could come across as insolent.

But Espers lived lives of constant tension.

That stiffness came from instinctively trying to restrain their unruly powers, and from the ever-present fear that without a Guide, they might die at any moment.

To ease that pathological rigidity, Guides made a habit of speaking lightly and persistently, like raindrops tapping against ground hardened by drought.

Juju saw the colonel grit his teeth in bewilderment.

He probably felt disrespected.

Juju felt a twinge of sympathy, but he had no intention of changing his approach.

After all, this was for the colonel’s sake too.