Chapter 36 : The Following Gaze (12)

“Congratulations on your discharge, Hyung.”

Jisung, who was finally discharged after a long hospitalization, was about to greet Minseong brightly as he welcomed him upon arriving at the Center. But at the sight of his haggard appearance, the greeting died in his throat.

“…You, what… have you been doing to look so… haggard in such a short time?”
“Haha…”

Minseong laughed awkwardly. It had been a week since he had firmly declared to him, who was visiting every day, not to come anymore. Contrary to his expectation that he would have recovered a little, his face was even more haggard.

“Did the Center work you hard?”
“Hahaha.”

There was no denial. A long sigh escaped his lips. ‘How much did they work the kid for a good-natured guy like him not to even deny it…’

“Still, it’s good to see you looking healthy, Hyung.”
“But it looks like you’re about to be hospitalized now.”

Minseong smiled faintly at Jisung’s words.

‘He’s still worried.’

His heart felt heavy at the sight of Minseong, who was still bothered by the fact that he hadn’t been there when he was attacked by Yejun. He had said it was okay several times, but he couldn’t easily let go of the burden. Even though he must have been busy with missions because they were out, he had visited him without showing any signs of displeasure and checked on Jisung’s condition.

“I’m healthy now~”
“Yeah, that’s a real relief.”

Minseong smiled as if genuinely happy.

“Then are you returning to your mission right away?”
“…Huh?”
“Hmm? You’re not? I thought so since you came straight to the Center…”
“…You must have been through a lot. Seeing how you’ve been eagerly waiting for my return…”
“Ah, no! I didn’t mean it like that! It’s just that you came straight to the Center after being discharged…!”

Jisung calmed the flustered Minseong and nodded in understanding. ‘He must have had a hard time…’ But he was sorry. He hadn’t come to return, but to confirm his vacation.

He had gone straight to the Center after being discharged to ask the Center Director directly if he could go on vacation right away and get his permission. So that he wouldn’t change his words now…

But his conscience pricked him when he saw Minseong’s condition. ‘Is it okay to go on vacation while turning a blind eye to the other team’s Espers who are suffering so much…’

‘But our kids are looking forward to it… and it was a vacation we earned with so much difficulty… my life was even in danger because of it…’

The more he thought about it, the more his resolve hardened.

‘Alright, let’s go! We’re going!’

‘I’m sorry, Minseong! But work while taking care of your health!’

Jisung slyly avoided Minseong’s harmless gaze, said his goodbyes, and parted ways. ‘I should buy him some red ginseng later…’ He headed to the Center Director’s office, recalling that there was a health food store nearby. He got on the elevator, pressed the button for the top floor, and as he was watching the numbers go up, he carefully opened his mouth.

“I hope he’s a reasonable person.”
“The new Center Director?”
“Yeah.”

Jisung nodded at Sunwoo’s question. He didn’t want to repeat the battle of wits again.

“They say he’s the type who follows procedures and principles. Minseong-hyung also said that although he looks tired, he’s not being overworked to his limit.”
“That’s a relief, but… Minseong looked like he was about to collapse.”
“…Well, maybe he’s doing something else.”
“Something else? Ah, taking care of me…?”
“That’s not taking care, that’s being clingy.”

Hyunwoo said in a dissatisfied voice. His furrowed brow showed that he didn’t like it at all. Jisung gently held Hyunwoo’s arm, which was hugging his waist tightly, and said.

“He comes to visit me and buys me things to eat. It’s not easy to visit someone in the hospital every day~”
“It’s a nuisance to come every day when you’re not wanted.”
“Don’t be jealous~ Jealous king~”

At Jisung’s words, Hyunwoo frowned and pouted his lips. Then he slightly lowered his head and bit his white neck.

“Ah-! What are you doing?!”

Hyunwoo, ignoring Jisung’s flustered voice, bit his soft skin here and there.

“It hurts, it hurts! Since when did you decide to become a dog?”
“From now on? You like dogs, Hyung.”
“I don’t like dogs that bite me! Stop it, you little rascal!”

Jisung covered Hyunwoo’s mouth with his hand. Then Hyunwoo, who had been watching him quietly for a moment, then gently licked his hand. Jisung’s eyes widened. Startled by the hot and moist sensation on his hand, he was about to pull his hand away, but Hyunwoo grabbed his wrist.

As he turned his head in a fluster, his eyes met Hyunwoo’s. The deep, unfathomable eyes held Jisung within them. In a situation where he couldn’t avoid nor escape, he just met his gaze, and the black eyes crinkled and smiled. Then he bit his index finger hard.

“It hurts, you little rascal-!!!”

Thwack!

Forehead met forehead.

Even though it wouldn’t hurt much to hit an Esper with a weak Guide’s body, he felt like he had been had, so he hit him with all his might.

“It hurts~”
“It hurts me more.”

Jisung, ignoring Hyunwoo who was feigning pain, touched his own forehead. He checked if he was bleeding from the throbbing, but fortunately, there was no bloodshed.

“You’re reckless sometimes, Hyung.”
“Huh?”

A large hand covered his forehead. The cool sensation on his heated skin made him feel a little better.

“What if you get hurt?”
“I don’t want to hear that from a guy who bit someone’s finger with all his might.”
“I didn’t bite you with all my might. I only used a little strength…”
“I thought my finger was going to be cut off, you little rascal.”

He heard Hyunwoo laughing softly behind his back. “I’m sorry.” Jisung let out a small sigh at him, who was leaning his head on his shoulder and smiling brightly.

It hurt his pride that his anger would subside when he saw his smiling face. It felt like he would just let everything slide.

‘I can’t let that happen…’

He got off the elevator, half-aware that it was already too late. The secretary who was sitting in the chair turned her gaze towards them. Since they were S-Rank Espers and a Guide whose faces were their business cards, they were guided into the Center Director’s office without any problems.

To be honest, Jisung and the secretary had already built a friendship to the point of exchanging contact information. As a result of visiting the former Center Director’s office like it was his second home for several days to persuade him, they had become friends who even shared private stories.

“Fighting!”

Just before leaving the Center Director’s office, the secretary offered a word of encouragement to Jisung. At that, Jisung made a fist and nodded.

Scritch-scratch.

A black pen signed several pages of paper. As he sat on the sofa and watched for a moment, the Center Director, who had finished signing the last document, put down his pen. A slightly tired face looked this way.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”

He got up from his seat and approached the sofa where Jisung was sitting and sat down. He adjusted his slipping glasses and his sharp eyes stared at them.

“Congratulations on your discharge.”

The eyes that were looking at each person, one by one, finally rested on Jisung. Jisung calmly smiled and replied to the gaze that seemed to be sizing him up.

“Thank you. I was able to be discharged quickly thanks to your concern.”

After exchanging social pleasantries, the Center Director spoke first.

“So, what is the reason for your sudden visit?”
“I’d like to use my postponed vacation.”
“…Ah…”

The Center Director let out a short sigh.

“As you know, it has been postponed a lot due to the recent events, but I’d like to use it now.”
“Yes, that’s fine, but please go after finishing the mission the day after tomorrow.”
“A mission the day after tomorrow?”

Jisung’s eyebrow slightly twitched. He didn’t like it at all that he was being given another mission after he had been made to believe that he could go on vacation right away.

‘Why are there always unnecessary caveats when I’m trying to use my rightful rights?’

“It’s nothing big. You just have to do one interview.”
“An interview?”
“Due to Guide Jisung’s hospitalization, you haven’t appeared on TV for over a month. It’s better to show your face for a little while. For various reasons.”
“Ah, yes…”

‘Is he trying to calm the atmosphere since it’s been chaotic due to the Center’s corruption and terrorism…’

“Then I’ll send a reply that you’ve accepted.”
“Yes…”

Jisung, who had finished his conversation, was getting up from his seat when the Center Director, who had been looking at him for a moment, then said as if in passing.

“Put on a face mask.”
“Pardon?”

Jisung, who had turned back with a puzzled expression, frowned at the Center Director who was reviewing documents with a blank expression.

‘Did I hear that wrong?’