Chapter 43: Test Conditions

“Hello.

It’s truly an honor to meet you.

A matching rate of 100%—I’ve really wanted to meet you at least once.”

He’d been nervous when he heard she was from overseas, but the moment she spoke, fluent Korean flowed effortlessly from her lips.

So-won relaxed and shook her hand.

“Please take good care of us.”

“I’ve previously worked with an Esper–Guide pair with a matching rate of 93%.

If there’s anything you’re curious about, feel free to ask.”

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at So-won.

Somehow, her presence felt a little similar to the attending doctor’s.

After shaking hands with So-won, the researcher extended her hand toward Tae-woo next—then flinched.

It didn’t seem like she was intimidated by his harsh expression so much as startled by the visible blood vessels.

Today was actually one of his better days… but clearly, there was still a long way to go.

She looked surprised, but perhaps because she was a researcher from abroad, she didn’t withdraw the hand she’d extended.

Tae-woo, however, only stared at it silently, making no move to take it.

“I’m sorry.

I’ve seen many Espers suffer side effects, but I’ve never encountered anything this severe before…

If I’ve offended you, please accept my apology.”

When Tae-woo still didn’t take her hand, the researcher apologized with an awkward expression and pulled it back.

So-won glanced sideways at Tae-woo.

The attending doctor looked like he understood something, but when his eyes met So-won’s, he hurriedly changed the subject, eager to smooth things over.

“Let’s start by running the test with the new machine!

Guide Lee So-won, you didn’t do any guiding after returning from the gate yesterday, correct?”

“Yes.

There might have been a little guiding on the way here.”

“Ah, radiant guiding is fine.

Then we’ll begin right away.”

Lying quite boldly, So-won discreetly tugged on Tae-woo’s clothes behind the doctor’s back—a silent request to play along.

The machine the doctor proudly introduced was far simpler than the old one, which had been tangled with countless wires.

Instead of being hooked up to multiple devices, it only required a single sensor attached to the back of the neck.

That alone made it far more appealing.

Listening to the explanation, So-won felt relieved.

The marks Tae-woo had left were still clearly visible, and he wasn’t in any condition to expose his body to others.

The testing process was much the same as usual.

Checking radiant guiding, holding hands, then a hug.

While So-won held Tae-woo and briefly closed his eyes, half-dozing, the test ended quickly.

Thinking it was finally over, So-won reached to remove the device—only to freeze when the attending doctor’s voice came through.

<Guide Lee So-won, would you be willing to kiss this time?>

“…What?”

<Ah, we won’t be observing the guiding room directly—only the numerical data.

You don’t need to worry about appearances.>

The doctor and researcher laughed lightly as if it were no big deal, but it wasn’t nearly that simple for So-won.

He shot Tae-woo a hesitant glance.

Doing something like that in front of others made it hard to answer right away.

When So-won hesitated, Tae-woo, standing in front of him, spoke quietly.

“If you’re uncomfortable, you may refuse.”

“No, it’s fine.

I said I’d cooperate.”

He’d agreed to help with the research, so he should do what he could.

It wasn’t his first kiss, and if this kind of guiding became routine, he couldn’t keep hesitating every time.

Telling himself it was just practice, So-won moved.

Standing face to face with Tae-woo, he looked up at him.

Unlike So-won, who tensed up every time they guided, Tae-woo always appeared calm.

The contrast made So-won a little embarrassed—but it also made this possible.

After mentally preparing himself, he leaned in to kiss him, only to realize the height difference was greater than expected.

“Um… Tae-woo, could you bend down a little?”

“Understood.”

As Tae-woo’s face drew closer, So-won squeezed his eyes shut and pressed a light kiss to his lips.

Tae-woo’s lips were rougher than his own, but compared to a few days ago, they felt noticeably softer.

Even here, So-won could feel that his condition had improved, and for some reason, his chest tightened.

“Mmm…”

Judging by the situation, the doctor probably hadn’t meant just a brief touch.

So-won parted his lips slightly.

When he softly licked Tae-woo’s lips, Tae-woo caught on and opened his mouth.

“Mmh…”

Their tongues met.

Feeling Tae-woo’s careful restraint, the tension slowly drained from So-won’s body.

Because of the height difference, the tilt of his head began to ache, so he placed a hand on Tae-woo’s shoulder.

Tae-woo bent down further, supporting him, which made it much more comfortable.

As the guiding continued longer than expected, even though it was just a kiss, So-won’s breathing gradually grew uneven.

Tae-woo seemed perfectly fine, but So-won became acutely aware of how loud his own breathing had gotten.

Trying not to be obvious, he held his breath for a moment—but it only made things worse.

When he finally exhaled again, he found himself panting like someone who’d forgotten how to breathe while kissing.

Is it not over yet?

Their previous guiding sessions usually lasted about a minute.

This felt much longer, yet there was no signal to stop.

Something felt off.

Cracking his eyes open slightly, So-won glanced sideways and saw the attending doctor and researcher watching them with satisfied expressions.

You said you wouldn’t look!

Startled, So-won hurriedly pulled away.

When he looked at the doctor in confusion, the doctor smiled warmly.

<Ah, sorry about that.

You two just looked so nice together… The test is finished now.

You may come out.>

Flustered by the reaction, So-won quickly stepped back, and Tae-woo released him.

“Thank you for your cooperation.

Thanks to you, the quality of our guiding data will improve significantly.”

“With a matching rate of 100%, I’m already looking forward to what we’ll find.

Oh—do you have any questions?”

“No… not really.”

It felt like there had been something he’d wanted to ask, but right now, he didn’t want to know anything.

The researchers might be accustomed to scenes like that, but So-won wasn’t used to engaging in such intimate contact while being watched.

Is this something I need to get used to…?

Lowering his head, So-won sighed inwardly.

***

“Tae-woo, do you happen to have time tomorrow evening?”

So-won broke the silence that had settled over the quiet room.

As usual, they were lightly guiding in Tae-woo’s room before bed.

Leaning against the headboard, Tae-woo felt the calm waves settle as he thought about the next day’s schedule.

“I don’t have anything fixed.”

Hearing that, So-won looked back down at his phone.

On the screen was the name of a familiar Korean restaurant, along with photos of neatly plated dishes.

Eight years ago, right after becoming a Guide and receiving his subsidy, So-won had rushed there in excitement.

After becoming Tae-woo’s Guide, he hadn’t been able to return even once, but if he ever got the chance, he’d always wanted to go back.

Coincidentally, there was a reservation available for tomorrow evening.

He used to go with friends, but going together with Tae-woo didn’t sound bad at all.

Considering Korean food appeared on their table every day at home, it would probably suit Tae-woo’s tastes too.

“Do you want to eat dinner out with me?”

“…Would that be okay?”

Tae-woo asked again, as if double-checking.

Only then did So-won realize they’d never actually eaten out together before.

Old habits had carried over even after returning to the past.

But now, Tae-woo wasn’t frightening, and eating together felt completely natural.

“I just thought it might be nice to eat out together sometimes.”

Tae-woo seemed to think longer than usual.

Worried he might refuse, So-won felt a little dejected.

He’d really wanted to visit that restaurant again.

Taking his parents would be fine too, but if possible, he wanted to go with Tae-woo.

“Understood.”

Just as So-won was about to cancel the reservation in disappointment, his face lit up.

Afraid the booking might fill up, he hurried back to the reservation page.

When the confirmation message appeared, So-won was thrilled.

He couldn’t even remember how long it had been since he last ate out.

His gaze drifted to the blood vessels on Tae-woo’s face.

Once that was resolved, it would be the perfect dinner.

***

Tae-woo stood up from his seat.

So-won, who had been waiting on the sofa for him to finish, brightened immediately.

“You’re done?”

“Yes.

Sorry to have kept you waiting.”

“Then we’re heading out now, right?”

The moment Tae-woo nodded, So-won sprang to his feet.

He hurried out into the hallway first, and after turning off the lights in his private room, Tae-woo followed.

As they headed toward the elevator, So-won asked casually,

“You didn’t forget we’re having dinner together tonight, right?”

“To the place you mentioned yesterday?”

“Yes.

I made the reservation.”

While they were talking, the elevator arrived.

So-won watched the floor numbers tick down slowly, half-worried they might run into someone, but the elevator didn’t stop once along the way.

For peak commuting hours, they were unusually lucky.

It felt like a smooth start.

In the parking garage, So-won got into the passenger seat as usual.

Since it was their first time eating out together, he’d put in a bit more effort than usual—though all that really meant was wearing slightly nicer clothes and spending longer in front of the mirror.

Tae-woo, in the driver’s seat, was dressed as always in a black T-shirt and black pants.

When So-won pulled up the map app and showed the restaurant’s location, Tae-woo nodded.

So-won leaned back against the seat and looked out the window.

His chest beat pleasantly against the seatbelt.

Thump.

Thump.

Just as Tae-woo turned the key to start the engine, his phone vibrated for a long moment.