Chapter 116 (Side Story 1-After): A Test of Trust

Three months had passed since I moved to Korea from the International Awakened Organization and started living with Taewoon.

I had decided not to work for a while after coming to Korea, but perhaps because I had been working nonstop, I seemed to have forgotten how to rest. I even searched the internet to find out how to take a break.

The internet mostly suggested reading or taking walks. While Taewoon was at work, I read the books recommended online and tended to the flowers in the greenhouse on the terrace. I also met with people I had been close to at the Association, and in the evenings, I spent as much time as possible with him.

They were happy days, free of worry and anxiety. But after three months… staying at home also became increasingly difficult. Just then, a lecturer position came up at an Awakened school run by the government.

It was a rewarding and something I was good at. I was happy at first, thinking I could make a new start. The only problem was that it was a school run by the government. Sehyun was in the government, so it was clear that Taewoon would not be pleased. He had extremely disliked me meeting Sehyun even when I was at the International Awaked Organization.

I was worried about how to tell him about this. With my experience, I could easily find a job, but I felt more at ease working for a state-run institution. Just in case, I checked with the school, and they said that although it was a government-run school, I would not have to meet with any government Espers. In that case, he might understand.

I waited for him to return from his workout, looking over the contract on my tablet PC. About an hour later, I heard the sound of the door lock unlocking, signaling his return. I hurried to the entrance to greet him.

“You’re back?”

“Yeah, there were a lot of people out since it’s the weekend. Should we go out for the first time in a while?”

He took off his cap and approached me. His words piqued my interest. I remembered a text message I had received a few days ago.

“Should we? Come to think of it, I got a text saying there’s a festival at the park.”

I was about to find the message on my phone to show him, but I stopped. Now was the time to talk to him about work, not the festival. It had been two weeks since I received the offer, so I had to send a reply soon.

“What is it?”

“I’ll show you the text later… I have something else to tell you.”

I pulled him by the wrist and led him to the dining table, where we sat facing each other. Seeing my unusually tense expression, his also turned tense.

“What’s wrong?”

“…I got a lecturer offer.”

At my words, a slight crack appeared on his face. I knew he was satisfied with me staying at home. He was still afraid that I might leave. The anxiety was clearly visible in his eyes as he looked at me.

“You want to work…?”

“Yeah. I feel cooped up just being at home, and I want to meet people.”

I handed him the contract I had been looking at on the tablet PC.

“It’s a national school, so wouldn’t it be okay? I’ve lectured at an international school before.”

“I’m worried you’ll get stressed out for no reason. Kids these days don’t listen.”

As expected, he spoke negatively and shook his head without even glancing at the contract.

“Being at home is more stressful. I’ll just go to the meeting.”

“To be honest, I’d rather you just stayed at home… Something dangerous could happen when I’m not around.”

He honestly confessed his true feelings, showing how much he disliked the idea of me going out. I wanted to do as he wished, but I couldn’t stay at home forever.

“I can’t stay at home forever.”

At my words, he looked like he was holding back, perhaps afraid of being disliked, and reluctantly nodded.

“Okay. Did the offer come from the Association?”

“No. …The government.”

“No.”

As soon as he heard the word ‘government’, he immediately changed his attitude and said a firm no. I knew the reason, but I had to ask.

“Why?”

“Cha Sehyun is in the government.”

As expected, Sehyun’s name came out of his mouth. Just the word ‘government’ would make him think of Sehyun.

“It’s just a school affiliated with the government. I won’t have to see Sehyun.”

“Still. I’m sure that b*stard recommended you.”

As he said, Sehyun might have recommended me, but since everyone wanted an S-Class guide, it probably wasn’t just his idea.

“Don’t you trust me? I told you I never loved Sehyun. If anything, I’m the one who should be sorry…”

“I know. But I’m still anxious. Because he’s a guy who likes you.”

“Okay. Then I won’t do it.”

I concluded that if he was this anxious, I couldn’t do it. I also didn’t want to do something he disliked. At my words, he looked at me and said in a small voice.

“I’m sorry.”

I felt a sense of stuffiness, as his voice held more relief than apology. When would his anxiety disappear?

“Why are you sorry? I can find another job. Should we eat and go to the park?”

I stood up and went into the kitchen. To be honest, I had also considered the possibility that he would say no, so I didn’t have much attachment to the lecture.

He seemed to be conscious of me, but I acted as usual, setting the table and treating him normally.

After a short time at the festival, we returned home. Fortunately, the outing seemed to have been a good change of pace for him, as his expression looked much better. He, who was following behind me, hesitated and then spoke.

“I’m sorry about this morning. I shouldn’t be so controlling… As you said, the school and the government building are at a distance, and I think it would be good for you to work.”

“Are you really okay with it?”

“Yeah. I want you to do what you want to do, Shinui.”

“I’ll go to the meeting first, and if it seems okay, I’ll do it. Thank you for understanding.”

And so, I successfully finished the meeting with the Government International School and became a fixed-term lecturer for a year. I only had to go in three days a week, so he had erased his complaints for now.

Just like when I taught the children at the Awakened protection zone, I was in charge of guiding practice. Perhaps because I was one of the few S-Classes in the country, the students, contrary to my worries, followed the class well.

A few days after I got the job at the national school, Sehyun contacted me. As I had expected, it seemed he had recommended me to the international school. He congratulated me on the job and added that he would come to see me when he had time.

I thought it was just empty words, but one day, the last lecture ended earlier than expected, and I was sitting on a bench waiting for Taewoon. I heard someone calling my name from behind.

“Shinui!”

It was Sehyun’s voice. I was surprised to see him unexpectedly, but I was also happy and approached him.

“Sehyun, what are you doing here?”

“I also had a lecture today. I don’t usually lecture, but since you’re here. This is the first time we’ve seen each other since you came back to Korea, right?”

“Yes. Have you been well?”

“Not really. The pain of a broken heart still continues.”

He clutched his chest and said jokingly. Then, perhaps worried that I would be concerned, he immediately added.

“I’m kidding. I’m doing well. How about you?”

I was about to say that I was doing well with Taewoon, when I felt a sharp and cold wavelength, like a midwinter frost. I turned around to see that Taewoon’s car had arrived 10 minutes earlier than his usual quitting time. He got out of the car, opening the door roughly. It was an awkward situation.

“It seems you’re doing well. You should go now.”

Sehyun, seeing my flustered expression, gestured towards Taewoon with his chin and said.

“I’m sorry.”

I knew that if I talked to Sehyun any longer, Taewoon would be hurt, so I hurried over to him. I faintly heard Sehyun’s voice behind me, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying.

I reflexively turned around to see him waving. I just gave him a nod and ran up to Taewoon.

“Why are you with that guy?”

His breathing was slightly ragged. Even though I was right next to him, he glared at Sehyun with a wary look.

“He said he had a lecture, so he was only here for today. I just met him a little while ago.”

I made excuses, looking at him like someone caught cheating.

“Let’s go. I don’t want to see that guy.”

He put me in the passenger seat and immediately got into the driver’s seat and drove off. His face was tense, as if he was suppressing his emotions.

I knew very well why he was wary of Sehyun. I had pushed him away for so long, and the fear of being abandoned if I fell in love with another Esper had dug deep into his heart, making him like this.

I understood his feelings, but I was also hurt that he doubted my feelings.

“Taewoon, pull over for a second.”

“Why.”

“I have something to say.”

At my words, he finally turned the steering wheel and pulled the car over to the side of the road.

“What is it…?”

“You don’t like me talking to other Espers, right?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“I know that most Espers want an S-Class guide. Some might even try to force me to guide them, like Sung Yohan. But… I have no intention of letting that happen. I’ll struggle until the very end.”

“…”

“And I have no intention of getting into a deep relationship with any other Esper. You’re the only lover in my life, and that will never change. So, can’t you trust me?”

At my words, he let out a shaky sigh and rested his forehead on the steering wheel. Then he began to speak in a low voice.

“I’m… more possessive than you think. I don’t want you to talk to anyone else, not just Espers. But I don’t want you to be miserable because of me…”

“I’ll also do my best not to make you anxious.”

I gently placed my hand on his, which was gripping the steering wheel tightly. He turned his hand and held mine. His sharp wavelength immediately became gentle as it intertwined with mine. Yes, this is how we should be, understanding and changing for each other, little by little. Then, one day, both of us will be walking side by side, deeply understanding each other.