Chapter 2: The First Guiding

There was a certainty and anticipation in Hyun Taewoon’s voice when he suggested we go to his place, which made me worry.
Even if I had awakened as a Guide, I didn’t know the precise definition or method of guiding, so I was afraid he might be disappointed.

“But I really don’t know how to do guiding…”

“It’s okay. You just have to hold my hand like you did before.”

As Taewoon gently took my hand, I once again felt his heavy, sharp energy.

“You can feel it, right?”

When I gave a small nod, he smiled softly and wrapped my hand around the nape of his neck.

“I don’t have much energy to spare right now, so I was thinking of heading straight home like this. Hold on tight.”

With those words, Taewoon lifted me into his arms and floated into the air.
As I flailed at the sudden feeling of weightlessness, he advised me to close my eyes.
Following his advice, I shut my eyes and held onto him tightly, which halved my fear.

Even though I couldn’t see, I could tell we were moving quickly from the way the wind whipped through my hair and clothes.
Taewoon must have noticed my body had gone rigid, as he spoke in a gentle voice.

“Let’s go to the Center together tomorrow and get a matching test. I’m sure our matching rate will be high.”

I didn’t answer, simply nodding my head.
Taewoon stroked the back of my head.

Before long, he announced our arrival and carefully set me down on the ground.
When I slowly opened my eyes, a skyscraper so tall I had to crane my neck back to see the top stood before me.
Taewoon took my hand and led me inside the building.
His home was a penthouse on the top floor.

Upon entering, the interior of a luxury apartment, the likes of which I had never seen, unfolded before my eyes.
I subconsciously shook my head, looking around with wonder.
Taewoon watched me with a smile.

“Make yourself comfortable and look around.”

“…Okay.”

Only then did I realize he had been watching me.
A wave of embarrassment washed over me, and I sat on the sofa, bowing my head deeply.

Taewoon sat next to me as if it were the most natural thing in the world, leaned his head toward me, and spoke.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself properly. I’m Hyun Taewoon. I’m 23 years old.”

I already knew he was Hyun Taewoon, even without the introduction.
And his age, too.
After all, he was one of the rare S-Class Espers in Korea and a celebrity.

“I’m also 23.”

“It’s even better that we’re the same age.”

“Me too. Um… what should I do now?”

“Just hold my hand like before.”

Taewoon held out his hand to me.
At his words, I carefully took his hand like an obedient child.
A tingling sensation, along with his energy, flowed through our connected skin.

Taewoon’s hand was large enough to completely cover mine, and it was warm.
How many years had it been since I held someone’s hand other than my mother’s?

With my hand still in his, Taewoon leaned back against the sofa and spoke in a weary voice.

“I’m really tired today, so would it be alright if I closed my eyes for a bit?”

Of course he would be tired and exhausted after fighting a boss monster at the gate.

“Yes. Please rest comfortably.”

Taewoon then lowered his head and fell asleep, leaning on my shoulder.

It felt strange.
Why did I feel so comfortable with someone I had just met today?
It was probably due to his gentle tone and considerate actions.

Feeling the warmth of our skin touching, I leaned my head against the back of the sofa and gazed at his face.
His peaceful, childlike sleeping face had a completely different aura from when he was fighting monsters.

After watching him sleep for a while, I too felt the fatigue, and my heavy eyelids slowly closed.

“Shinui-ssi, it’s morning. Wake up.”

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was Taewoon’s refreshed face.
At the sight, I hurriedly sat up.
It seemed I had fallen asleep while guiding.

“I’m sorry. I must have dozed off.”

“Don’t be sorry. I could have woken you, but you were sleeping so soundly that I didn’t.”

“Still. I’ll get going now.”

“Let’s have breakfast first. We can go to the Center together after we eat.”

The word “morning” made me realize I had spent the entire night here and had missed work without notice.
I also remembered him suggesting we go for a matching test yesterday, but right now, the factory was my priority.

“I missed work yesterday, so I think I need to contact my workplace first…”

“How about contacting them after the matching test? If you’re confirmed as a Guide, you won’t have to go to that factory anymore.”

Taewoon had a point.
I had already been absent from the factory, and if he was right about me being a Guide, I wouldn’t be able to work there anymore.
It seemed better to contact them after getting the test results.
Even if I wasn’t a Guide, it would give me an excuse for my absence.

“Then, is it okay if I contact the factory after the matching test?”

“Of course.”

In the end, I let Taewoon lead me to the dining room.
A meal for two was neatly set on the long dining table.

“Did you make this yourself?”

“No. I have a housekeeper who helps out.”

It made sense for a house this large to have a housekeeper.
I nodded and sat on the chair Taewoon pulled out for me.
I had been feeling it since yesterday, but it seemed consideration was second nature to him.

Taewoon helped me eat comfortably, making conversation as we ate.
Thanks to him, I was able to finish the meal without any trouble.

After a quick wash and changing into clothes Taewoon lent me, I was ready to go to the Center.
When we went down to the lobby, Taewoon’s exclusive manager was waiting with a car ready.

Taewoon called him Kim Jinho and briefly explained that he would be my manager as well.

We rode in the manager’s car to the Esper·Guide Research Center.
Taewoon sat next to me in the back seat.

He then leaned towards me and asked in a small voice.

“Can I hold your hand?”

I glanced at the manager in the driver’s seat.
Thankfully, he was focused only on driving.

“Yes.”

As I answered in a low voice, Taewoon casually took my hand and rubbed my skin with his thumb.

“If our matching rate is high this time, we’ll probably have to live together.”

I tried to imagine a life with Taewoon.
It had only been a day since I met him, but I could tell he was a good person.
However, living together might be difficult.
Neither of us knew each other well, and it felt too hasty.

As if to interrupt these thoughts, the car stopped, and the manager’s voice announced our arrival at the Center.

“Shinui-ssi, let’s go.”

“Okay.”

I swallowed nervously and followed Taewoon into the Center.
The Center, both inside and out, resembled a hospital.
Everything was white, and the faint smell of antiseptic made me feel slightly repulsed.

Holding my hand, Taewoon skillfully navigated the corridors of the Center.
It was my first time at the Seoul Branch Center, so I looked around as I got into the elevator with him.

“Don’t be nervous.”

“Okay.”

Although I said ‘okay’ to him, I was still tense.
We arrived at research lab 501 on the fifth floor.
Inside, Taewoon asked a researcher in a white coat.

“Where is Dr. Yoon?”

“…Dr. Yoon was sent overseas on assignment two days ago. Didn’t you see the notice?”

“When is he coming back?”

“He’ll be back in a fortnight. Is there something urgent?”

At the researcher’s words, Taewoon clicked his tongue briefly before continuing.

“This person awakened at a gate yesterday, and our wavelengths match well, so I’d like to proceed with a matching test.”

“Right now? You know it can’t be done without your dedicated doctor.”

The researcher’s response made Taewoon step closer to him and whisper something I couldn’t hear.
The researcher then frowned slightly and said with a resigned sigh.

“Alright. But you must get a proper re-test when Dr. Yoon returns.”

When Taewoon nodded, the researcher led us to the matching test room.
The room felt like an interrogation chamber.
Two chairs were placed side-by-side in the white room, but they weren’t ordinary chairs; they had a peculiar structure.

Taewoon and I sat in the chairs and received instructions from the researcher, who was visible through the glass in front of us.
The researcher told us to maintain a guiding state for ten minutes.
At that, Taewoon said we just had to do what we did yesterday and held out his hand to me.
I took his hand and asked.

“What was the highest result you’ve ever gotten on a test?”

“It was 23%.”

“What happens if it doesn’t come out high?”

“There’s no way that will happen.”

Taewoon said with a reassuring smile.
His smile eased my heart a little.

Soon, the researcher’s voice came through a speaker installed in the room.

• It certainly seems you have awakened. We will begin the test now.

At the word that the test was starting, I focused on Taewoon’s hand.
But unlike yesterday, my ears felt clogged, and my stomach churned.
About a minute passed before the researcher’s voice echoed through the room.

• What is this? The numbers are strange.

Thinking something might be wrong, I gripped his hand even tighter.
He repeatedly told me not to worry.

Listening to his reassurances, I focused on guiding.
About five minutes passed like that.
Then, the researcher’s excited voice rang out.

• Ma-matching rate is 83%!

At the researcher’s words, Taewoon beamed, as if he knew it all along, and hugged me.
I felt a sense of relief as I felt the tremor in the arms that held me.

“See, I knew it would be high.”

I too had a vague feeling that my matching rate with Taewoon would be high.
But 83%.
Even for a layperson like me, it was clearly a high number.

Still holding me, Taewoon asked the researcher.

“Can you check my Guide’s grade right now, too?”

• That’s not possible. The grade test must be done by Dr. Yoon.

“Well, it’s obvious she’s an S-Class anyway.”

That last part was more of a mumble to himself.
The researcher, still unable to believe the matching rate, requested a re-test.

• The matching rate is so high, could we possibly do one more re-test?

Taewoon made a face as if it were a hassle but nodded.
And so, we went through the matching test again.

During the re-test, other researchers also came to check the matching numbers.
But the result was the same.
All the researchers were astonished, cheering and celebrating.
Not just the researchers, but Awakened ones and staff who heard the news also came to offer their congratulations.

From what I heard, it was the highest matching rate ever recorded by the Association.
I couldn’t help but be surprised by that.
Having lived an ordinary life until now, I had never imagined my matching rate with an S-Class like Taewoon would be so high.

“See, wasn’t I right? Now, Shinui-ssi, you’re my exclusive Guide.”

Taewoon smiled brightly and hugged me tightly, leaving no space between us, as if to show his joy.
I was so incredulous of the situation that I was simply in a daze.
Then, at Taewoon’s request to hug him back, I came to my senses and wrapped my arms around his back.