Chapter 113: Acting Mature

“…Yes. I will. I’ll make sure to treat you next time.”

Just as Su-ha had said, while working here as an S-rank Esper, it was impossible for Chaewon to completely cut I-hyeon out of his life.

If they had never become involved from the beginning, that would be different, but after receiving so much help, pretending not to know him now would make no sense.

And to be honest, Chaewon did want to grow closer to I-hyeon, who had kindly guided him from the very start, like a friend.

If not for Su-ha, he would have approached I-hyeon more casually and comfortably, just as he did with Eunho.

Realizing once more why Su-ha had told him to spend time with I-hyeon today, Chaewon spoke.

“Then please head back first.”

“Alright. It’s late, so don’t stay out too long. Call me if anything happens.”

“I will. Don’t worry.”

Chaewon listened pleasantly to I-hyeon’s concern, like that of an older brother. But at that moment, his gaze shifted slightly. Watching I-hyeon turn to get back into the car, he suddenly called out,

“Team Leader.”

“Hmm?”

I-hyeon stopped and looked back, his eyes warm and gentle. He truly was a good man, someone worthy of respect. A man who carried the happiness of many on his shoulders, and protected it.

And suddenly, Chaewon found himself hoping that man could be happy.

“When I die…”

The unexpected words made I-hyeon’s expression stiffen for a split second.

Chaewon felt his heart pounding wildly. It’s not your place, a voice in his head warned. Who are you to say such things? That voice was his own.

He had always lived thinking he was insignificant, too insignificant to offer advice to someone like this.

“When I die… of course, I didn’t have anyone precious left at that time…”

“…”

“But if my grandmother had still been alive… or if there had been a precious friend I wanted to protect even at the cost of my life…”

Still, Chaewon knew his world had changed. Someone had told him not to treat himself so harshly anymore. Someone had shattered the narrow world he had trapped himself in.

“…Then I wouldn’t want that friend to be bound by my death and miss out on other good people because of it.”

He did not know I-hyeon’s late paired Guide. Even if he himself had faced death once, it would be rude to assume that man’s feelings.

“I think… I would’ve wanted him to remember me as a good friend, cherish the time we shared… and go on to live an even happier life.”

He said it anyway. A man who had influenced I-hyeon so deeply could not have wished him unhappiness. And even if he had, that would not be right.

Chaewon simply hoped I-hyeon could climb out of the pit of old pain, sooner rather than later.

And only now did he begin to understand, even just a little, what Su-ha must have felt when he gave Chaewon similar advice.

“…If I’ve overstepped, I’m truly sorry.”

He bowed hurriedly. Though he had gathered the courage to speak, he still feared it had been rude.

I-hyeon looked at him silently. He had faced countless dangers on missions, but the weight of death Chaewon spoke of was different.

Perhaps that was why he did not feel anger, even though from anyone else, such words might have enraged him.

“If I die first, stay single for exactly one year. After that, even if you fall head over heels for another Guide, I’ll let it slide.”

A voice from long ago brushed past his ears like wind. Perhaps that was why the man had given him a one-year limit, worrying I-hyeon would otherwise remain bound to him forever.

I-hyeon bit his lip unconsciously, gazing into Chaewon’s dark eyes. Then he let out a small, weary laugh.

“No. I overstepped with you today too.”

Instead of saying Chaewon hadn’t overstepped, he answered that way. Truthfully, the words hadn’t been entirely easy to hear. But strangely, they hadn’t angered him.

More than that, astonishingly, they had felt like comfort.

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Whether it was the unusual weight Chaewon carried when he spoke of death, or his steady and kind nature, something had stirred in I-hyeon’s heart for the first time in a long while.

“…Thank you, Chaewon.”

“…”

“Thank you. I’ll get going.”

He got into the car. After giving one last look to Chaewon, who still stood there, he drove away.

“Maybe I should’ve sabotaged the two of you instead…”

Muttering a half-joking regret, I-hyeon smiled. It felt like he might sleep very well tonight.

****

“There’s no way he’s still not back…”

Su-ha had begun pacing around the living room. There was no particular reason, except that Chaewon was spending time alone with I-hyeon.

“I’m insane.”

In the end, he could only blame himself.

It had been Chaewon who originally refused the idea. If Su-ha had pretended not to notice, this meeting would never have happened. Judging from Chaewon’s personality, he would never have met I-hyeon alone otherwise.

“What was I trying to prove…”

He wanted to grab his past self by the collar, the version of him who had acted mature and encouraged Chaewon to go.

Even if it had been necessary, sitting alone in the dorm now, waiting endlessly, made his insides burn.

If he was going to act mature, he should’ve done it properly. Watching himself grow restless like a dog waiting for its owner made him feel ridiculous.

He collapsed onto the sofa. His heart pounded wildly, but when he imagined I-hyeon treating Chaewon gently and intimately, all the blood in his body felt like it turned cold.

He hadn’t known he could be this easily shaken. This possessive.

If he and Chaewon became something more, he would stop this from happening again, even if he had to be unreasonable. For now, they had nothing official to claim, but if their feelings aligned, a little jealousy would be acceptable.

“…”

Reaching that thought, Su-ha laughed hollowly and rubbed his face with both hands. He had once acted as though pairing with Chaewon was the worst thing in the world. And now he was like this.

Just then, the phone beside him vibrated briefly. He grabbed it instantly. His face lit up, it was Chaewon.

—Su-ha, I’m at the park right now… If you’re okay, would you come out for a moment?

Before he finished reading, another message arrived.

—Actually, never mind. It’s late. Please rest well. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Without hesitation, Su-ha pressed the call button. He was thrilled that Chaewon had finally parted from I-hyeon, and that he had contacted him afterward. As if it were some special signal meant just for him.

“Su-ha…?”

Chaewon’s voice came through, slightly surprised. Just hearing it made Su-ha’s fingertips tingle.

“Chaewon, I’m coming out right now. Stay there.”

He was already on his feet, slipping on his shoes. He had to see him immediately.

There was a brief silence on the other end. Su-ha expected Chaewon to say it was fine, to apologize for calling so late.

But just as Su-ha reached the door, determined not to back down, Chaewon spoke softly.

“…Okay. I’ll wait.”

How enormous that small voice felt in that instant, only Su-ha would ever know.