Chapter 69: The Christmas Reunion

“Even mighty nations, ones that boasted their strength, crumbled and were destroyed by Rain’s power. The only reason this small country endures is because we foresaw and evaded every threat.”

Go Ok-kyung was an S-rank Esper of the prophecy type, a rarity so precious that even B-rank Espers of her kind were highly sought after. She must have foreseen and averted countless crises over the years.

“I am already old. I will die someday. That is why I made this decision. Of course, there will be sacrifices, but it will save countless more lives. We are keeping it a secret, of course, as it technically bends some minor laws.”

“Why are you discussing such a grave secret as if you’re just chatting on a stroll through the neighborhood?”

Was it true that the higher up one climbed, the lighter their tongue became? Han Do-hoon had startled Sa-yoon countless times by blurting out classified information without warning, and this elder was no different.

Sa-yoon pressed a hand to his chest, looking at Go Ok-kyung once more. Espers who, like her, developed their cognitive abilities for prophecy typically didn’t possess exceptional physical prowess. Of course, that was ‘exceptional’ in comparison to other Espers.

He had wondered why someone with a physique far stronger than an ordinary person would be confined to a wheelchair due to old age, but this, too, was likely a side effect of the experiments.

Sacrifice. It was a word Sa-yoon detested, yet one he heard far too often.

“Well, at least you’re not a cultist. That’s enough for me.”

“Ho ho ho ho.”

Go Ok-kyung laughed, her mouth widening further. She let out a hearty laugh, unbefitting her frail appearance, then fixed her gaze on Sa-yoon again.

“What a remarkably bold young man. I was right about you.”

“Bold, my foot. My liver is practically quivering right now. I’ve just learned a truth that would land me in military prison if I uttered it even in my sleep. I’ll just pretend I heard nothing and be on my way.”

“I apologize for that, then.”

“If you’re so sorry, just tell me the lottery numbers.”

Sa-yoon rose from his seat, tossing out the words like a joke. He hoped to lighten the mood with casual banter and make his escape.

“Oh dear, that I’m even more sorry about. Prophecy isn’t something one can simply ‘choose’ a moment to see, you see.”

Go Ok-kyung’s eyes curved in a gentle smile as she explained. Prophecies arrived irregularly, she elaborated, detailing the process. The highest probability was seeing them in dreams while asleep, and sometimes they appeared before her eyes at random, but she could never choose a specific moment.

“So, it’s all useless, then.”

“Well, it’s not exactly a substitute, but I can give you another prophecy, if you’d like.”

Go Ok-kyung leaned forward. She beckoned Sa-yoon closer with a finger, ensuring the branch manager, who was likely pacing anxiously outside, wouldn’t overhear.

“My child. You will reunite on Christmas.”

“Pardon?”

“And remember this: a predetermined future will always come to pass.”

With those final words, Go Ok-kyung wheeled her chair back. She smiled at the startled Sa-yoon as she opened the door. The branch manager, who had been pressing his ear tightly against the door in tension, swiftly grabbed Sa-yoon.

“Huh? Wait a minute. What did you just say…?”

“Thank you for your hard work. I’ll take this one off your hands now. Please rest easy.”

“Travel safely.”

The branch manager slapped Sa-yoon’s back and pulled him away so forcefully that Sa-yoon was dragged out of the mansion without another word.

Sitting in his office for the first time in a while, Sa-yoon sighed in front of the air conditioner. Outside, cicadas chirped, signaling the height of summer, yet his heart felt utterly desolate.

His meeting with Go Ok-kyung had been unexpected. He had gained nothing, yet simultaneously received too much. He had already conveyed to Dr. Jung Hyun-woo that there was no new information regarding Myeong-ah, but a particular phrase kept circling his mind.

‘You will reunite on Christmas.’

Who would he reunite with? Sa-yoon pondered, letting the cool blast of the air conditioner clear his head.

Reunion implied meeting someone after a separation. Could it possibly refer to Myeong-ah?

Sa-yoon shook his head, his cool hair sticking to his forehead. This was too much of a wishful interpretation. While nothing would please him more than to meet Myeong-ah again, there were countless other possibilities.

He didn’t know if the prophecy’s reunion would happen this Christmas or several years from now. The identity of the person for the reunion also remained vague.

This was nothing more than hope torture, utterly devoid of substance. It only served to unsettle him.

“Team Leader, you’ll catch a cold like that.”

“If an Esper catches a cold from an air conditioner, it’ll be headline news tomorrow morning.”

Kim Chae-jun shook his head at Sa-yoon’s reply and continued organizing the documents.

“That’s because you were a patient until recently. It’s only been two weeks since you woke up, you know.”

This kind of treatment felt unfamiliar to Sa-yoon. Only two weeks? Since he had collapsed and regained consciousness, more people had started fussing over him as if he might blow away. Among them, Kim Chae-jun was undeniably the most overprotective.

Kim Chae-jun cleared his throat, then gently pulled Sa-yoon away from the air conditioner.

“Lest your precious body suffer, I implore you to come and sit on the warm sofa.”

“It’s a leather sofa. I’ll sweat.”

“Your humble servant has already laid out a mesh cushion, Your Majesty.”

“…If you insist, I suppose I’ll sit.”

Sa-yoon played along with Kim Chae-jun, moving to the sofa. Indeed, just as Kim Chae-jun had said, a crisp, new cushion lay on the sofa. Not only that, but the tableware on the table was new, and even the office windows sparkled as if freshly polished.

“Chae-jun, I didn’t hire you as an office cleaner, you know?”

“Of course, the documents are also perfectly prepared, Your Majesty.”

A stack of neatly aligned documents, as if measured with a ruler, sat beautifully on the desk.

“……”

‘This is a bit much.’

“Not at all, Your Majesty. For our great Sa-yoon, I would gladly stay until 3 AM to complete my tasks, feeling no fatigue, only renewed vigor each day.”

“Am I going to be sued by the human rights department?”

Sa-yoon clutched his head and motioned for Kim Chae-jun to sit opposite him on the sofa. He sighed, watching Kim Chae-jun sit down with perfect posture. For the past few days, Kim Chae-jun had been acting as if he’d taken the wrong medicine.

“Let’s not do this. You’re acting strange.”

“Not at all, Your Majesty. This is merely the natural demeanor of the president of Team Leader Sa-yoon’s fan club, which has grown to two thousand members in just one month.”

“…It’s grown that much.”

He remembered hearing that his fan count within the unit was around a thousand not long ago; it had now doubled.

“That’s just the fan club within the unit. Outside, it’s even more incredible, Your Majesty. The fan cafe has over two million members. And this time, you have graciously surpassed Team Leader Han Do-hoon.”

Kim Chae-jun clasped his hands in admiration. Only now did Sa-yoon understand the reason for this exaggerated performance. While part of it was Kim Chae-jun’s joy at Sa-yoon being recognized, it was also because Kim Chae-jun’s lifelong wish had come true.

For Jin Sa-yoon to become more famous and recognized than Han Do-hoon. That had always been Kim Chae-jun’s fervent desire.

“Why do you like me so much, anyway?”

“Is there truly a reason for affection, Your Majesty?”

“At least go back to your normal way of speaking.”

Kim Chae-jun smiled brightly and moved to find his next task. What a truly commendable subordinate. No, a team member.

“This time, Team Leader, your true value was properly revealed. What Team Leader Han Do-hoon couldn’t solve… *kuh*.”

“Don’t go too far. Han Do-hoon suffered more this time.”

“Team Leader… you’re truly amazing.”

Kim Chae-jun gazed at Sa-yoon with eyes full of emotion. It felt as though he could hear his loyalty deepening. Sa-yoon, not wanting to break the sentimental moment, simply stood up.

“I’m going home now. You should head to the dorms too.”

“I’ll just finish up what I’m doing and then leave. Oh, right. Make sure to check the new directive. It came from the Alliance, so it’s quite important.”

“Alright. I’ll look at it tomorrow. Don’t stay too late.”

It was almost six o’clock. Sa-yoon meticulously finished his preparations to leave work and exited the office. He chuckled softly at Kim Chae-jun, who bowed respectfully until the very end, then stepped into the hallway.

Standing in the now quiet space, Sa-yoon scratched his head idly. He hadn’t intended for it, but somehow, he felt as if he had become some great figure.

Yet, it was Han Do-hoon who had truly suffered. What he had said to Kim Chae-jun was not an empty remark.

In truth, Han Do-hoon had put his life on the line to resolve the rampage. Sa-yoon had merely helped him. Of course, Sa-yoon had also taken a life-or-death gamble, but it wasn’t something to be lauded for in this manner.

Rather than an altruistic desire to save and rescue people, he simply couldn’t bear to let Han Do-hoon die.

“Ugh…”

A sigh escaped him involuntarily. What was the point of saving him if Han Do-hoon, now overseas, hadn’t contacted him even once?

At first, he wondered if Han Do-hoon was busy, or perhaps unaware that Sa-yoon had regained consciousness. But now, after a week, it all felt futile.

After all, even if Sa-yoon had saved Han Do-hoon in a moment of emotion, their relationship was merely a contractual one. He should be grateful that Han Do-hoon kept silent about his true identity. What was he hoping to hear, anyway?

Sa-yoon walked slowly, trudging towards his dorm.

The extended summer daylight meant the hallway was bright even at quitting time. It was past six, yet he walked through a hallway that felt like midday. The day was undeniably hot, his clothes light, but his heart felt heavy.

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