Chapter 25

“You didn’t want me as your guide before. So why are you acting like this now?”

It was certainly a matter that needed to be addressed. Haon didn’t want to be manipulated without even what was going on. Of course, even if he knew the situation, he wouldn’t let himself be manipulated, but at least he needed to know the reason so he wouldn’t feel unjustly treated. Haon glared at Cha Yugeon with sharp eyes, waiting for his response.

“Well… I don’t like sharing my stuff.”

“What… you mean I’m yours now?”

Haon doubted his ears. If he heard correctly, then Cha Yugeon must be completely crazy. ‘Mine,’ of course he said such a thing even in front of Baek Chan-kyung, but Haon thought it was just to annoy Baek Chan-kyung. But now it seemed genuine. Cha Yugeon really thought of Haon as ‘his.’

“Are you out of your mind? Why am I yours?”

“You’re my guide. And don’t you remember? You have to take responsibility for me.”

“Why should I take responsibility for you… ah.”

Haon, who was about to retort to Cha Yugeon’s words, suddenly remembered something and closed his mouth. It was because he realized what Cha Yugeon meant.

Haon had made Cha Yugeon d*ck transparent. So he has to make it visible again.

“Well, isn’t okay to just let it be? The person you sleep with may have a certain taste or maybe you could do some different plays… Alright, I’ll just shut my mouth.”

Seeing Cha Yugeon’s expression stiffening menacingly, Haon quickly shut his mouth.

Cha Yugeon let out a long sigh. After several breaths, he finally regained his composure and spoke again.

“So, forget about him, and don’t even think about taking charge of anyone else.”

“Yeah, got it. I also prefer to avoid getting involved in annoying matters.”

Haon didn’t want to hear Cha Yugeon’s words, but unfortunately, Haon’s had the same thought as Cha Yugeon’s.

He didn’t think of himself as Cha Yugeon’s possession at all, obviously, but he didn’t want to guide multiple espers either. Especially if they were higher-level espers who could pose a threat to his life.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“…Alright, then.”

“But why are you here anyway?”

“Huh? That’s… I was just passing by.”

Haon felt somewhat puzzled by Cha Yugeon’s words, but he didn’t say anything. He decided to suppress his curiosity about how Cha Yugeon appeared at such an opportune moment. Adding more words would only prolong the conversation.

Haon was tired. It meant he didn’t have the energy to deal with Cha Yugeon right now.

“Alright, then, I’m going.”

Haon waved his hand vaguely, more of a gesture than a farewell, and began to walk away. However, Cha Yugeon, who had said he was just passing by, didn’t take his own path and instead followed Haon.

Haon’s expression crumpled.

“What, why are you following me?”

“I’m not following you. I was also going this way.”

“Heh, is that so?”

“Yeah, that’s right. …By the way, are you feeling okay?”

Cha Yugeon hesitated for a moment before asking about Haon’s physical condition. Surprised by Cha Yugeon’s uncharacteristic concern, Haon pretended not to be affected and replied casually.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

“…W-Well, because it’s troublesome if my guide is sick.”

“Is that so.”

Haon didn’t argue against Cha Yugeon’s stuttering words. From Cha Yugeon’s perspective, having his dedicated guide fall ill would indeed complicate things, so he must have reluctantly expressed concern for Haon’s well-being, albeit not genuinely.

With that thought, Haon hastened his tired steps, eager to lie down and rest in bed. Being an extremely introverted person, Haon felt drained from spending too much time outside.

“Park Haon.”

“Haven’t you left yet?”

“…When are you planning to do that?”

“Do what?”

At Cha Yugeon’s hesitant question about “that,” Haon’s brows furrowed. He wasn’t sure what it was, but somehow, he didn’t want to know, given the awkward atmosphere it created.

“…The training to increase our Instantaneous Resonance.”

“…What?”

Haon doubted his ears. It was something he had never expected to hear from Cha Yugeon. Although it was grandly termed as training to increase Instantaneous Resonance, it essentially meant skin ship. Therefore, Cha Yugeon was effectively asking when they were going to engage in skin ship.

“It’s not for any other reason, but we have to increase it, right? Director Han said so.”

Haon scrutinized Cha Yugeon from head to toe, as if trying to gauge his sincerity. Cha Yugeon flinched for a moment but then acted as if nothing was amiss. Catching that fleeting change, Haon sensed something was off.

“But why bring that up all of a sudden? It seemed like you weren’t even listening when Director Han mentioned it.”

“No… I listened to him.”

“Anyway, I don’t plan to do that kind of training. So, don’t ask about it.”

“Why?”

At this point, Haon expected Cha Yugeon to back down due to his pride. Yet, Cha Yugeon stubbornly asked, like a child unable to contain his curiosity.

Haon couldn’t understand why Cha Yugeon was acting this way. It was clear that Cha Yugeon disliked him, so why…

‘Cha Yugeon has started to like you.’

At the sudden recall of Siyun’s word, Haon instinctively stepped back a few paces from Cha Yugeon. Cha Yugeon looked puzzled, as if asking why.

“You…”

“Yeah, what about me?”

“Don’t tell me…”

Struggling, Haon barely managed to move his lips. Initially appearing indifferent, Cha Yugeon sensed something seriously amiss and looked at Haon with a hardened expression.

“…So, you.”

“…Yeah, what is it?”

‘Do you like me?’

The words that reached his throat stayed at the edge of his lips. Although Haon thought he should asked, his logic tore apart the desire to ask.

‘If Cha Yugeon really likes me, then what? But there’s no way Cha Yugeon likes me.’

Haon shook his head after swallowing dryly.

“No, it’s okay.”

“…What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s okay. I’m just tired, so just leave me alone now. And don’t even think about doing that training or whatever, don’t ask unnecessary things.”

Eventually, Haon decided to bury the question in his heart.

Naturally, thinking that there’s no way Cha Yugeon would like him, but if Cha Yugeon really did liked him, he didn’t know how to react.

It’s all because of Hyeon Siyun saying those absurd words.

Haon grumbled to himself and hurried on. Fortunately, this time Cha Yugeon did not follow.

It was a relief. But on the other hand, his heart felt heavy. It was a strange caprice that he couldn’t even understand himself.

‘It’s because I’m sick, because I’m sick. It’s because my body is tired, so my mind is also ins shambles.’

Regardless, Haon distanced himself from Cha Yugeon, blaming his conditions on him being sick and tired.

Yugeon silently watched Haon’s receding back. Somehow, he seemed to know what Park Haon wanted to say. Fortunately, Park Haon did not say it. If Park Haon had said it, what would he have answered?

Certainly, he would have said no. Definitely. But somehow, his chest felt tight. Yugeon turned around, trying to soothe the discomfort.

‘Do you like me?’

Yes, probably Park Haon wanted to ask this. It was all written in his eyes. It was curious when he became able to read Park Haon’s inner thoughts, but regardless, being able to postpone the answer was fortunate for Yugeon.

“Since Park Haon said he wouldn’t guide that guy, well it’s all good. That’s what I came to hear anyway.”

Yugeon mumbled to himself as he walked.

He wished Park Haon could be his own guide. He had dismissed the idea before, but now his thoughts had changed. Even if asked why his thoughts had changed 180 degrees, he wouldn’t have been able to answer.

He just wished Park Haon could be his dedicated guide. No reason was needed.

‘I wish he was mine’, was all he could think.

He had never had a dedicated guide before, so he couldn’t tell if this obsession was towards Park Haon, the guide or towards Park Haon himself.

Actually, it didn’t matter to Yugeon. No, actually, it was too important that he didn’t want to know. He was afraid of becoming truly insane if he found out.

Yugeon sighed deeply and hastened his steps. He didn’t know what his feelings towards Haon were. He didn’t want to know, and it shouldn’t be known. But at this moment, he knew what he wanted to do. Yugeon hurried his pace towards his destination.