IDSEGI Chapter 99

Chapter 99

Still reeling from learning a side of Ihan he hadn’t known, Yeoul received a text from Kim Ji-won.

Come here, please!!!

‘What’s going on?’

Ji-won had been badly injured and had spent the past day undergoing treatment along with guiding. As far as Yeoul knew, he should still be in the hospital room—so why was he calling him over? Puzzled, Yeoul headed to see him.

The moment he stepped into the room, Ji-won grabbed his hand.

“Guide Han Yeoul! Please save me!”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Please, tell the team leader not to come back from Zone 1. Not forever—just for 15 days!”

“What are you talking about?”

“At this rate, my body’s never going to be in one piece! If the team leader says he won’t come back right away, I won’t get hurt. Please, I’m begging you.”

Yeoul didn’t understand what Ji-won meant, but he looked so desperate that Yeoul couldn’t refuse.

“All right. But… is Geon hyung in Zone 1? Why did he go—actually, never mind. I think I know.”

Remembering the side of Ihan he’d discovered that day, Yeoul quickly grasped the situation. Ihan must have done something. Probably intimidation, or… well, something bad.

Once Yeoul accepted that Ihan was a lunatic, a lot of past incidents suddenly made sense.

‘So that’s why they avoided me.’

Back when he had told Ihan he would only guide other Espers, not him, the other Espers hadn’t asked him for guidance at all and had avoided him. At the time, he’d thought Ihan had simply asked them not to bother him—but now it seemed likely it hadn’t been a request. It must have been pressure and threats.

‘Well, all things considered, they still got along.’

He recalled the time right before he, Ihan, and Yoon Geon had entered the cave gate, when the Zone 1 Espers had gathered in front of them. Their actions back then hadn’t been because of intimidation, but out of friendship and respect.

Ihan might be a bit eccentric, but his nature wasn’t malicious. He was a righteous, good person. That was why the Zone 1 Espers had followed him.

‘He might seem rough on the outside, but Ihan’s upright, kind, and gentle.’

Just as his ironclad rose-colored glasses were about to take hold again, Ji-won’s phone rang.

[Team Leader]

Seeing the name on the screen, Ji-won flinched and shoved the phone at Yeoul.

“Please answer it for me!”

Caught off guard, Yeoul took the phone and spoke cautiously.

“Hello? Geon hyung?”

—Han Yeoul?

After a short pause, Yoon Geon’s voice continued.

—Why are you answering Kim Ji-won’s phone?

Wondering how to explain, Yeoul saw Ji-won mouthing something at him.

‘Say I’m sick.’

Assuming he meant to say Ji-won was sick, Yeoul parroted the words.

“Uh, Kim Ji-won is really sick. I came to guide him, so I answered instead.”

Ji-won gave him a thumbs-up. Encouraged by the approval, Yeoul decided to press his luck and fish for information.

“Where are you, hyung?”

—I’m in Zone 1.

“Zone 1? What are you doing there?”

It was a natural enough reaction, even to himself. He glanced at Ji-won, whose head was bobbing rapidly in agreement—now with both thumbs up.

—Something came up, so I’m staying for a bit. I’ll be back soon.

Hearing the words “back soon” made the color drain from Ji-won’s face. He waved frantically at Yeoul, clearly urging him to ask Yoon Geon to stay away for 15 days.

Yeoul also thought it would be better if Yoon Geon didn’t return to Zone 5 right now.

‘If he’s still waiting for my answer to his confession, and he finds out Ihan is making moves on me, he might get angry.’

Yoon Geon might not be perceptive, but in his previous life, Yeoul had seen just how often he and Ihan had fought. Letting the two meet right now seemed like a terrible idea—especially since Yeoul hadn’t even clearly rejected Yoon Geon yet, and he also had to deal with pushing Ihan away. Handling both men at once was more than he could manage.

“Since you’re already in Zone 1, why not do some sightseeing while you’re there?”

—Who asked you to say that?

But the only oblivious one was Yeoul. Yoon Geon, with his sharp instincts, immediately saw through the situation. Someone must have asked Yeoul to speak on their behalf—he was already certain.

—I’ll be back soon.

Hearing that, Ji-won looked like he was about to faint. Feeling he had to save a man’s life, Yeoul pushed harder.

“Since you’re there anyway, why not stay a little longer? Maybe… about fifteen days? Gates have barely been appearing lately, so things are pretty quiet.”

It was, in effect, the same as telling him to neglect his duties. But since Yoo Ihan was in Zone 5, it really wasn’t much of a problem. Even if a gate appeared, Ihan could handle it.

Of course, the idea of a Zone 5 Esper guarding Zone 1 and a Zone 1 Esper guarding Zone 5 made no sense at all. But Yeoul hadn’t thought that far—more accurately, he was forcing himself not to.

“You should take it easy too, hyung. Oh, and since you’re already there, how about giving some training to the Zone 1 Espers? I think they’d like it.”

Having seen how Ihan trained people, Yeoul was certain his suggestion was right. Yoon Geon was strict by nature, but he didn’t treat his comrades roughly. Unlike Ihan’s harsh, real-combat style, Geon would train them gently—so the Zone 1 Espers would no doubt welcome him.

—Is it because you need more time to think?

At his words, Yeoul fell silent. Yoon Geon knew his own feelings for Yeoul and had acknowledged them. From his point of view, Yeoul’s behavior now could only mean that he was feeling pressured to answer.

For a different reason than before, Yeoul found himself at a loss for words. He couldn’t bring himself to deny it, knowing he would reject Yoon Geon eventually, no matter when the time came.

—Got it.

Yoon Geon had flatly refused the Center Director’s request, yet he readily agreed to Yeoul’s. It couldn’t be helped—when it came to Yeoul, he was endlessly soft.

It had always been that way. In Yoon Geon’s world, no one was stronger than Han Yeoul.

—But I’ll still come back after fifteen days.

“…Okay.”

Yeoul thought it might actually be easier to reject him if he came back sooner. But he had already asked, and Yoon Geon had agreed—it was too late to take it back.

‘Maybe I should just say it now.’

Telling him over the phone might be better, giving him time to process before returning. Just as he was about to speak, Yoon Geon called his name.

—Han Yeoul.

“Yes?”

—I don’t care if you’re not my Guide.

The unexpected words made Yeoul’s lips part soundlessly. A gentle but faintly trembling voice continued through the speaker.

—Even if you’re no longer my Guide, it’s fine. As long as you’re by my side.

This was someone who hurt from receiving guidance from anyone other than Yeoul, yet he was saying it didn’t matter if Yeoul wasn’t his Guide—as long as he stayed close.

—Even if you reject my confession, you can’t leave me. I didn’t draw the line to keep someone else from taking you away. I did it because I want to be beside you in any way I can.

It was such a heartfelt confession that it hurt to hear it. And because he couldn’t give an answer that would make him happy, Yeoul’s heart ached even more.

“I… actually already have my answer. I was going to tell you when you came back, but maybe over the phone is better. Hyung, I—”

—No matter what answer you give, leaving me is not an option.

The voice was firm now, unlike the softness from moments ago.

When had Yoon Geon changed like this? He had once gone so far as to lie about imprinting just to send Yeoul to Ihan. What had changed was…

‘It’s because he knows how I feel now.’

Since he’d been found out, he no longer felt the need to hide it. Yeoul remembered how much more direct Yoon Geon had been once he’d heard that Ihan and he had broken up. If only he had pretended not to notice a little more, acted better… A pang of guilt welled in his chest.

Maybe if it had been with Yoon Geon instead of Ihan… maybe that would have been better for everyone. And yet, Yeoul couldn’t let go of his memories with Ihan. If they had never met, perhaps he wouldn’t have known—but they had met, and he had fallen in love. In that moment, any chance of love with Yoon Geon had ended before it began. It was unfortunate for him, but it was something Yeoul couldn’t change. Love always moved the heart unilaterally.

—See you in fifteen days. Make sure you eat well.

He knew. Of course he knew that Yeoul would reject him. With his sharp intuition, Yoon Geon surely understood it better than anyone. But his kindness hadn’t changed—he was still soft toward Yeoul.

Hiding his guilt, Yeoul forced a bright tone.

“Yeah. You take care too, hyung.”

—Yeoul.

—I’ll miss you.

Even over the speaker, Yeoul could feel it—how much he was trembling.

—I’ll hang up.

And in that voice, saying he’d hang up, Yeoul could hear just how much regret still lingered.