Chapter 77: The Lunatic Who Got Threatened by Mommy Dearest

Haejin grabbed Lee Chae’s hands with desperate sincerity.

“The Guide Rights Charter clearly states: an S-rank esper’s exclusive guide is entitled to compensation regardless of rank.”

Lee Chae answered like he’d been waiting for it.

“That’s why I said I’ll take Lee-jung’s scholarship. That’s enough for me.”

Cold sweat ran down Haejin’s spine. One second they were communicating, the next Lee Chae was being impossibly stubborn again.

Don’t get angry. Stay calm…

Haejin scraped together every drop of patience he didn’t have.

“Guiding low-ranks at the cleanup crew for pay versus guiding your exclusive esper for pay—what’s the difference? And your wrist hurts. I hate seeing you push yourself.”

“T-that’s…”

He knew exactly what Lee Chae wanted to say even without hearing it. Haejin cupped Lee Chae’s cheeks and locked eyes.

“I’m not telling you to guide only me.”

Right now he had to swallow his monopoly desire and pick the lesser evil.

“If getting ‘too much’ money bothers you, occasionally do non-contact guiding for Legion members. I never allowed guides in Legion before because I hated them, but now you’re an official member. How’s that?”

Lee Chae narrowed his eyes, clearly not expecting the compromise.

“You’re not doing this out of jealousy, right?”

“Of course not! I’m worried someone will kidnap you again.”

“Well… I get that. I’ve been thinking about it too.”

Yes! Compromising instead of forcing had been the right move. Lee Chae was weak to consideration. Haejin lied through his teeth without batting an eye.

His heart pounded with hope. If Lee Chae quit the cleanup crew, he could even forgive last night’s drinking with another man.

“I’ll… think about it.”

Think about it? Haejin almost flung the hand away.

“Meaning?”

“Quitting the cleanup crew. I can’t just leave immediately—handover and stuff…”

“So… wait until handover?”

“No, I mean I’m leaning toward quitting.”

“You hate danger, but you still want to go?”

He hadn’t meant to sound cold, but it came out sharp. He braced for a fight, but Lee Chae just grabbed his hand and spoke seriously.

“Hyung, listen. If monsters decide to kidnap me again, they can do it anywhere—not just the cleanup crew.”

“That’s true, but—”

Lee Chae squeezed his hand and stared with fierce eyes—the look he got when he had something important to say.

“And if headquarters really planted someone, quitting makes it impossible to figure out what they’re planning.”

“What kind of crazy talk—”

“No, think about it. Why would headquarters plant a spy? To split us up, right?”

Just imagining it made Haejin’s blood boil. Lee Chae smiled like he’d expected that reaction.

“You confident you can resist headquarters’ threats or bribes?”

“No way in hell.”

“Same here. So to find out what trick they’re pulling, I should stay at the cleanup crew and watch. That way we stay together longer. No matter what headquarters says, I’m not letting you go.”

Haejin took another deep breath. It wasn’t that Lee Chae ignored him—he just felt ignored. Everything Lee Chae said was logically correct, but…

He couldn’t say “I’m worried about your safety” anymore. Couldn’t admit plain jealousy either.

Haejin forced a mature smile.

“You’re Lee Chae. I trust you’ll make the wise choice.”

He smiled stiffly. Lee Chae didn’t smile back. He tilted his head, then added,

“Even if I don’t quit, I’ll still help Legion. I’m an official member now.”

That’s not the point! Haejin wanted to grab him and scream that watching him guide random espers felt like shit.

But… Lee Chae kissed him, said he was glad Haejin wasn’t jealous—“it would’ve been so childish”—and patted his back. Haejin couldn’t say a word. He was turning into an idiot.

Whatever. Saying anything now would just start a fight.

He flopped onto the bed to cool off. No morning classes—plenty of time. Lee Chae lay down beside him.

“Just wait a little longer.”

“Hm?”

“I’ll try to become as cool as you. So no one can ever misunderstand our relationship. I won’t quit civil-service prep either—I’ll do both…”

Just doing Legion work would make you cool enough—what’s with the civil-service thing?

Haejin was dizzy. Everything Lee Chae said earlier pointed one way, now he was going the opposite direction.

“You acted like you didn’t want to register at all.”

“Yeah… but doing both feels better.”

“Why?”

“Studies would be wasted… and I just got a bigger reason to work harder.”

Haejin felt like he’d removed a tiny mole only to grow a massive one. While he was processing, Lee Chae snuggled into his arms, ears red, lips moving like he had something to say.

“This is the first time I’ve ever wanted to work hard for someone who isn’t family.”

His heart dropped. The fox was licking its lips again. He wanted to cover his ears and eyes, but couldn’t look away.

“I’ll become a guide you can be proud of—so I won’t fall short beside perfect hyung.”

You’re already something to be proud of— actually too overwhelming to brag about. I wish the whole world never found out about you.

The words circled his mouth but never came out. Lee Chae added another scoop.

“When you were kidnapped, watching headquarters’ bullshit made me realize— even you could be thrown away someday. So I made a promise then.”

The determined face—he really meant it. Haejin didn’t want to hear it but couldn’t say no.

“What promise?”

“Even if monsters take you and you lose your ability and headquarters discards you— I’ll feed you. So just come back alive… That’s what I prayed while waiting.”

His heart melted like hot water had been poured over it. Willing to feed even me… my god, it’s a real wife.

He knew how heavy being the provider was to Lee Chae— the greatest love he could give was sacrificing for family. Hearing he’d give that love to Haejin— how could he stay sane?

Haejin grabbed Lee Chae’s chin and kissed him. Lips already swollen from last night. One more and he’d look like a goldfish, but they were so soft and warm he couldn’t stop. Lee Chae wrapped arms around his neck.

Looked like breakfast was off the menu.

After leaving the motel, they grabbed a simple lunch. Haejin begged for one day of playing hooky—got brutally rejected. He dropped the sulking Lee Chae at the lecture hall and was walking away when—

“Haejin-ah.”

A chilling premonition. He turned—Professor Kim was waving off her guide escorts and heading straight for him. He tried to walk the other way.

“If you keep going, I’ll do whatever it takes to—”

He stopped. Didn’t need to hear the rest—obvious threat against Legion. Face twisted, he turned back.

“Want to be embarrassed in public? I’d rather not, but—”

“Guide Jung Lee Chae.”

The name shut Haejin up. He’d expected Legion as the hostage—not Lee Chae. Another weakness added. Still, wrong person to touch. Haejin barely contained his rage.

Professor Kim glanced at his face, then walked ahead like he should follow. He almost ignored her, but decided to hear the scheme first and trailed behind.

She led him to the nearest empty lecture hall.

“Sit. This won’t take long.”

Haejin leaned against the blackboard, arms crossed.

“Speak.”

“You—!”

She bit back anger, lips trembling.

“You got an exclusive guide.”

“Yes.”

“You know there will be more tough battles ahead… They’re discussing declaring a state of emergency.”

Soft voice, gentle tone— but the truth was clear. The woman who’d interfered by keeping him guide-less was now stepping up her game.

His worry about Lee Kang-wook this morning hadn’t been paranoia after all.

She’s going to touch Lee Chae?

Unacceptable. Haejin changed the subject, pretending to ignore her.

“Finally headquarters realizes how serious this is. Welcome news.”

Professor Kim’s eyes narrowed.

She knew he was dodging.

But she continued anyway.

“Because the situation is escalating, headquarters has decided to assign you a new exclusive guide— an A-rank with perfect compatibility.”

Haejin laughed out loud.

“Mom, I already have one. Official paperwork and everything.”

The temperature in the room dropped ten degrees.

And for the first time in his life, Cha Haejin saw his mother’s perfect mask crack.