IDESGI Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Without knowing what was happening, Yeoul suddenly found himself crushed in Eunha’s arms. He gasped for air and urgently called out,

“Hyung! I can’t breathe!”

Panic rising in his chest, Yeoul patted Eunha’s shoulder hard, prompting him to finally release him. Yeoul rubbed his neck, catching his breath as he asked,

“Who’s coming that got you this worked up?”

Eunha, still flushed and excited, rattled off his answer in one breath.

“You know how I published that study on spider-type monster venom, right? The experiment finally got approved, and Yoo Ihan is coming as a special consultant!”

“Really? But… why would an Esper come as a consultant?”

“Because the best way to neutralize the venom is to burn it. It’s labeled as a consulting role, but honestly, he’s basically a test subject.”

“Espers do that kind of thing? Even an S-Class?”

“It’s not like regular flames work. You’d need a hundred A-Class fire Espers just to maybe pull it off. Where are we supposed to find that many? That’s why S-Class Yoo Ihan himself is coming.”

“Huh. That’s pretty impressive. You must be thrilled—since you like him so much.”

“Thrilled? I almost ascended to the heavens when I got the news!”

“You’re so dramatic.”

Yoo Ihan…

He was the Esper who awakened during Korea’s first mega-scale gate outbreak. Yeoul recalled hearing he was around eleven at the time. When the city was on the brink of collapse, he manifested his powers and saved millions. It was no wonder people were obsessed with him.

“He’s seriously amazing. The timing of his awakening was unreal. If it weren’t for him, all of Seoul would’ve been wiped out.”

Eunha practically sprayed spit as he praised Ihan, and soon, other researchers in the lab joined the conversation.

“Still, wouldn’t it have been better if he’d awakened earlier? Everyone in Jamsil was already dead by the time he did. Something like a hundred thousand people died, right?”

“Exactly. I think people hype him up too much. He’s not that great.”

At that, Eunha’s eyes blazed with fury.

“Hey! You bastards really have no shame, do you? What, you want a receipt and a gift bag just because he saved your asses?! Do you think awakening is something you do just because you feel like it?! He reduced what could’ve been ten million deaths down to a hundred thousand—you should be bowing in thanks! What kind of scumbags are you?! Do you even have consciences?!”

“I mean, calling him a ‘hero’ is kind of over the top, no? Let’s not forget—he saved the people, sure, but he sacrificed his own parents. Sure, some people say it’s noble to prioritize the many over the few, but those were his parents. That’s just… wrong.”

“Yeah. If it were me? I’d let the country burn before letting my parents die. What’s the point of saving a nation if it costs you the people you love? Isn’t that just being a heartless bastard?”

Back then, when Yoo Ihan had just awakened, he hadn’t yet learned to fully control his powers. He had to make a choice: hold up the collapsing apartment where his parents were trapped, or stop the approaching monster whose quakes were tearing through the city.

He chose the latter.

As a result, his parents were crushed beneath the wreckage of their apartment building.

Most praised him for that decision, calling it heroic. But not everyone agreed. Some saw him as a traitor to his own blood, a son who sacrificed his parents.

Yeoul, who had quietly listened until now, finally spoke.

“That’s not being unfilial.”

Yeoul’s calm gaze swept over the researchers one by one.

“Yoo Ihan was only eleven years old at the time. Do you think it was easy for a child to weigh his parents against ten million people?”

“Exactly! Yeoul’s right!”
Eunha nodded so vigorously it was almost aggressive.
“It’s because he always chooses the greater good that Yoo Ihan is a hero!”

But Yeoul firmly rejected even Eunha’s praise.

“He’s not a hero either.”

Eunha blinked, confused.

“Huh?”

“A child losing his parents at eleven—how is that a heroic tale? It’s just a tragedy. Nothing to glorify or worship.”

“Hello.”

Just then, a voice interrupted them. They turned around—
And standing there was none other than Yoo Ihan himself, the very person they’d been talking about. The researchers who’d been mocking him turned pale.

“Gasp!”

“Y-Yoo Ihan Esper!”

“T-that… that was just us joking around, you know… Just some harmless chat…”

“It’s fine. I’m not so thin-skinned that I’d get worked up over casual conversation.”

Ihan cut in with a smooth, charming smile. The researchers, awkward and sweating, laughed nervously and nodded.

“R-right? Haha… That’s what makes S-Class different—so gracious!”

Ihan walked past them and came to a stop in front of Yeoul. He held out his hand.

“I’m Yoo Ihan.”

Yeoul glanced down at his hand before cautiously reaching out to take it.

“I’m Han Yeoul.”

Like the north and south poles of a magnet, their eyes locked with a strange, electric pull.
Their bodies froze, but their gazes remained fiercely connected—charged with something warm and alive.

It was the moment the two fell for each other at first sight.

When Yeoul later announced he’d be transferring to Zone 1 to follow Ihan, Eunha went completely ballistic.

“Han Yeoul! How could you do this to me?! Zone 1?! Now of all times?!”

“Yeah… that’s how things turned out. I’m sorry, hyung.”

“Sorry? Sorry for what, huh?! Say it! What are you so sorry about?!”

Yeoul bowed his head, sincerely apologetic.

“…I know you like Ihan, hyung. But… I like him too. I can’t let go. I’m sorry. If you want, I won’t contact you again.”

“Oh, fuck this! Unbelievable! You know what? Fine! Don’t contact me ever again! I swear, if I hear from you, I’ll kill you! Go run off to Zone 1 and never come back! You two can go be all lovey-dovey and rot in peace!”

Eunha hurled curses at Yeoul until the very last moment he left.
Yeoul had always assumed it was because Eunha loved Yoo Ihan.

And like that, the two lost contact—for more than two years.

---

Hearing Yeoul’s words, Eunha buried his face in his hand, looking utterly defeated.

“I knew you were dense, but god… You really didn’t notice anything, did you? No—actually, it’s worse than that. I was never even on your radar, huh? I wasn’t even someone worth considering to you, so of course you could say all that.”

Yeoul blinked at him with wide, clueless eyes, not understanding what Eunha meant. That only seemed to frustrate him more.

“Out. Just get out. Your proposal… I’ll think about it. But right now, get out of my sight.”

“Okay, hyung. I’ll go.”

As Yeoul stepped toward the door, he glanced back nervously and asked,

“Then… is it okay if I contact you again now?”

“Ha… Are you kidding me? Han Yeoul, I really hate you. Seriously…”

Leaving behind a glum-looking Eunha, Yeoul stepped out of the lab. Waiting by the door was Yoon Geon, and Yeoul quickly trotted over.

“Geon-hyung! I’m done talking with him for now. Let’s head back.”

“Alright.”

“I’ll go on ahead to Zone 3. You should rest up a bit before heading back.”

“There’s still time left before we have to report in. Stay the night.”

Yeoul smiled faintly and shook his head.

“It’s fine. I’m worried about Yeon-oh too. I’ll head back first.”

“Don’t worry about him.”

“I can’t help it. I’m the one who feels uncomfortable. I’ll go back first.”

“It’s too late to leave tonight.”

Yeoul suddenly realized what time it was and checked his watch. 10:25 p.m.

‘When did it get so late?’

Apparently, he’d spent more time talking with Eunha than he thought. After a moment’s hesitation, he gave a reluctant nod.

“Yeah… it is late. And it’d be inconsiderate to the Esper on the shift. Then… I’ll just sleep in the break room.”

“Come to my place.”

“Your place?”

Yeoul blinked, surprised, then quickly shook his head.

“But Yeon-oh lives with you, right? I can’t go there… That’d be weird. I’ll just sleep on the couch in the break room.”

“I live alone.”

Yeoul was even more surprised.

‘Aren’t you his primary partner? Why live alone?’

Team Guides usually lived with their most compatible Esper—their primary partner—for the sake of guiding. That was the standard setup. It was the same reason Yeoul had lived with Geon for five years; they’d had the highest match rate back then.

“Isn’t Yeon-oh your primary Esper? Why don’t you live together?”

“Because I don’t like living with other people.”

His answer was simple, but it hit harder than expected. Yeoul hesitated, then asked carefully,

“But you lived with me for five years. Did you hate that and just force yourself through it?”

“You weren’t like the others. You’re different from Yeon-oh.”

A clean, decisive line. And only now did Yeoul realize—Geon was very good at drawing boundaries.
The reason he’d never noticed before was because, all this time, he’d always been on the inside of those lines.

“Let’s go.”

Geon didn’t even give him a chance to refuse as he turned and started walking. With no choice, Yeoul followed him.

It had been a while since he’d been in Geon’s home. It was still as tidy and minimalist as ever. Back when Yeoul lived there, the place had a bit more warmth to it. Now, with his belongings gone, the apartment felt a little hollow.

“Huh? You didn’t throw this away?”

Yeoul’s eyes widened when he spotted a stuffed bear on the couch. He’d won it from a claw machine and given it to Geon as a joke. It clashed hilariously with the sleek interior, so he’d assumed it would be tossed right away. He was surprised to see it still there.

“It’s cheap. Should’ve just tossed it.”

“Why would I throw something you gave me? Sit down—I’ll get you something to drink.”

“Thanks, hyung.”

As Geon headed into the kitchen, Yeoul wandered the living room, glancing around.

Nothing’s changed, he thought, noting how Geon’s tastes had stayed exactly the same. As his eyes drifted, curiosity got the better of him, and he opened the door to the room he used to use.

It was exactly the way he’d left it.

Except for one thing.