Chapter 25 : The Following Gaze (1)

Surprisingly, the incident was resolved quickly. The rampage of an S-Rank Esper was a serious matter, so the government launched a direct investigation, and in the process, all of the Center Director’s corruption was revealed. In addition to mobilizing the Center’s Espers and attempting to murder a Guide under the guise of a false mission, evidence of collusion with foreign intelligence agents was also uncovered, leading to the Center Director not only being dismissed from his position but also facing a court trial.

As a result, there was a major personnel reshuffle at the Center. The newly appointed Center Director was a principle-oriented person, making him difficult in a different sense from the previous Center Director. Jisung, contemplating how to get along with the new Center Director, was currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

“It’s nice not having missions, but it’s boring when I’m free.”

“For someone who says that, you look quite happy.”

Jisung smiled at Sunwoo’s words and leaned back against the bed. ‘Ah, this is nice. People should live with leisure.’ But… Jisung frowned and lifted the blanket. Then he saw Hyunwoo clinging to his side.

“Why are you sleeping so uncomfortably here?”

‘He has his own hospital room…’ Sunwoo smiled faintly at Jisung’s murmur. He handed Jisung a beautifully peeled apple and said.

“He said the most important thing is stability, so it’s best for him to be by your side, Hyung.”

“His back will hurt if he sleeps like this.”

Jisung stroked Hyunwoo’s head. Black hair scattered between his fingers.

“You guys are practically living in my hospital room too. Isn’t it uncomfortable?”

No matter how well-equipped a single room was, it would be cramped with four people, and above all, one’s own home was the most comfortable.

“It’s okay.”

“Hmm…”

Jisung looked at Yuaan sleeping on the sofa in the corner of the hospital room. He looked very uncomfortable, curled up in his sleep.

“We just want to be with you, Hyung, so don’t worry about it.”

“You all like me too much.”

“That’s right.”

“…It’s embarrassing when you acknowledge it so bluntly.”

Jisung awkwardly scratched his cheek.

“Because it’s a fact.”

Jisung let out a dry cough at Sunwoo’s unchanging expression as he replied.

“Ahem, by the way. That medicine the terrorist gave me is amazing.”

Jisung touched his wound. The dangerous wound had healed in an instant. Like an Esper.

“It hurt like hell, though.”

Honestly, he never wanted to use it again unless it was a really dangerous situation. The pain right after using the medicine was several times worse than being stabbed with a knife.

“The Center was also curious about that medicine, but unfortunately, there was nothing left to investigate. The man had already taken the vial.”

“He’s thorough. He asked me to pretend I didn’t see him and let him go, but he stole an ambulance and ran away as soon as Hyunwoo calmed down. Did he not trust me that much? I keep my promises.”

Sunwoo’s gaze turned to Jisung. At that, Jisung tilted his head. “Why?” When he asked with a puzzled voice, Sunwoo organized his thoughts for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“Why do you think that man tried to save you, Hyung? Honestly, it seems like an excuse that he got on the ambulance to escape Hyunwoo’s rampage.”

“You’re saying he came to give me the medicine, even making up an excuse to save me?”

“Yes. That man easily caught up with a running ambulance with his injured leg. If he could do that, he could have just hidden his presence and run away.”

Jisung frowned.

“Why me…? I don’t even remember meeting him.”

“Don’t you think he ran away so you wouldn’t ask that question?”

“No, I mean, why?”

“Well, we have no way of knowing the reason.”

Jisung leaned his neck against the cushion and tilted his head back at Sunwoo’s shrug. He blinked blankly at the white ceiling and then let out a small sigh. As Sunwoo said, no matter how hard they tried to find the reason, there was no way for them to know.

“It’s unsettling.”

“I know. But I’m also grateful.”

“Huh?”

“Because thanks to that man, you’re alive, Hyung.”

Jisung, who had widened his eyes at Sunwoo’s words, then smiled faintly. He turned his gaze and looked at Hyunwoo. He had been sleeping a lot for the past few days, as if to recover from the fatigue of his rampage.

Jisung gently stroked Hyunwoo’s cheek. Then Hyunwoo’s hand grabbed his. Jisung chuckled at him holding on tightly, as if not to let go.

“Should I just be grateful for now?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Jisung took a bite of the apple. He chewed the crunchy apple and looked out the window. The scenery outside was so peaceful that it was hard to believe such an incident had happened.

“Come to think of it, what about our vacation? They’re not going to make us make do with hospital treatment, are they?”

“Ah, about that, they said we can go on vacation after the treatment is over.”

“Really?!”

Jisung’s eyes widened at Sunwoo’s words.

“For what reason? I thought they’d just brush it off as if it never happened.”

“Don’t you think they decided not to provoke you further since you’re already sensitive about them almost killing you, Hyung?”

“Hmm, still, that’s a relief. Let’s really enjoy our vacation this time. We have to go to the sea.”

“Yes, let’s play a lot.”

At that moment, Hyunwoo’s eyes slowly opened. Jisung was about to tell him to sleep more as he sat up, but his gaze turned to the hospital room door as Yuaan, who had been sleeping on the sofa, also sat up. There was only one reason for the two of them to wake up at the same time.

Knock, knock.

A knock was heard on the hospital room door. Minseong, who had carefully opened the door, smiled gently at Jisung.

“Jisung-hyung, how are you feeling?”

“Healthy.”

Jisung waved his hand and greeted Minseong. Hyunwoo got up from the bed and sat in the chair next to it. Yuaan also rubbed his sleepy eyes and came to Sunwoo’s side.

The two of them would guard his side like this whenever someone approached the hospital room. They had always been sensitive to presence, but it seemed to have gotten worse since that incident.

‘Wouldn’t they be tired even if they sleep like this?’

He had tried telling them not to worry and to sleep, but it was no use. They said they were more comfortable this way, so he eventually let them do as they pleased.

“Are you okay? You were caught in that explosion.”

“I’m fine. I used my ability to protect myself momentarily.”

Minseong’s ability was skin hardening. He could change his skin to steel or diamond at will. Thanks to that ability, he had received the least damage from the bomb.

“You have good reflexes.”

Minseong looked bashful as Jisung gave a thumbs-up.

“Actually, I played a little basketball when I was younger.”

“Really? Come to think of it, it suits you.”

“Haha, a basketball player?”

“Yeah. You have a good build and height, you’re perfect for a basketball player.”

“I’m happy to hear you say that. It feels like I’m bragging, but I’ve won many competitions.”

“Oh, but…”

Jisung quickly stopped what he was about to say. ‘But why didn’t you become a basketball player.’ There’s a limit to being thoughtless. As soon as an Esper’s ability manifested, the Center would come and get them. Then they would register their abilities and information and put everything under the Center’s control.

‘It’s not that he didn’t, it’s that he couldn’t.’

“Do you want to play basketball together later?”

“With you, Hyung?”

“What’s with that expression? I’m not as good as you, but I’m good. The kids used to compete so much to have me on their team during lunchtime.”

Minseong chuckled at Jisung’s words. At that, Jisung narrowed his eyes and muttered sullenly.

“I’m not lying.”

“Sorry, sorry.”

“Hmph, I guess I have to show you my skills after a long time.”

Minseong replied with a small laugh.

“Then I should get ready too.”

“Alright, then. It’s a match as soon as you’re discharged! …Don’t prepare too seriously, though.”

“Hahaha!”

Jisung, who was eating an apple while watching the cheerfully laughing Minseong, noticed the dark circles under his eyes. Come to think of it, his skin was also dry, and his face was full of fatigue.

“Are you really okay? Your dark circles are no joke.”

“Huh? Ah, I’ve been busy with missions lately.”

“Missions? Is the hellish schedule back?”

Minseong shook his head and smiled at the surprised Jisung.

“Not really, it’s just temporary while S-Team is out.”

“Ah… so that means it’s because of me.”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that! Don’t worry about us and focus on your recovery, Hyung. You shouldn’t neglect any wound.”

“Uh-huh.”

Jisung averted his gaze at Minseong’s worried expression.

‘I’m going on vacation when I’m fully recovered…’