SOG Ch 198

Jae-chan, who had been monitoring that account anyway, had noticed the impact of those photos. Suddenly, his expression soured.

Was it because they were taken against a dim background where the location was indiscernible? Unlike photos of other famous Espers that included details about missions or locations, the official account manager’s comment under Woo-jin’s photo was just one line:

[Esper Go Woo-jin♥]

As far as Jae-chan knew, even comments needed approval. So while this comment was surely written with a business mindset by the SNS official account manager considering public reaction, Jae-chan still didn’t feel good about it. Even less so when he saw the stream of heart comments lined up below.

He wanted to be the only one to see how handsome Go Woo-jin is.

“You took those photos? They were really well done, where was it? Was it really Zone Z?”

“No way. It’s the Center’s emergency exit.”

It was the same emergency exit where Chang-hyun always hid from the team leader. “Wow, man, take photos of me like that too. No, like this-” As Chang-hyun was striking a camera-conscious pose with his chin perfectly angled at 30 degrees, he suddenly stopped as something occurred to him.

“…Center emergency exit? Could it be the Guide Bureau emergency exit?”

“Yeah.”

“Damn, then that rumor about you is really-“

Chang-hyun’s mouth suddenly snapped shut. As Jae-chan looked up wondering “What rumor?” he followed Chang-hyun’s widened single-lidded gaze.

Finally, he spotted the subject of discussion who had appeared, walking the same path Han Tae-hoon had taken.

It was Go Woo-jin, carrying a long umbrella, with a build and appearance that caught attention even outside the frame.

*

Jae-chan left with Woo-jin through the less crowded back of the building. As usual, their fingers were intertwined, matching couple rings quietly gleaming on their gently swaying hands.

After helping Woo-jin into the driver’s seat, Jae-chan folded the umbrella and got into the passenger seat. He fiddled with some rustling snacks that Woo-jin had given them to him on their way out.

As he was opening the package, he suddenly paused. He remembered how Chang-hyun, who had fled at the sight of Woo-jin, had mentioned some rumor.

After the commotion about his bonding with Woo-jin from higher-ups, Jae-chan couldn’t help but become more self-conscious about others’ gazes. That’s why they tried to use the building’s back entrance when possible.

‘Whatever, since when did I care about rumors?’

It should be fine to just let this slide. Sometimes it’s better not to know about trivial things. Jae-chan decided to focus only on Woo-jin and finished opening the thin plastic wrapper.

The snack from Woo-jin was small honey cookies. Jae-chan unwrapped two, putting one in his mouth and one in Woo-jin’s as he drove. He’d planned to eat both if Woo-jin refused, so he was happy when Woo-jin accepted.

“How’s your back?”

Woo-jin asked over the quiet patter of rain against the window.

“Fine, of course. Who do you think I am? It’s completely healed.”

Jae-chan answered while patting his back, where even the stiffness had disappeared.

“That’s good. How was the lecture?”

Woo-jin asked while smoothly turning the wheel. The familiar and ticklish conversation about their day made Jae-chan smile as he answered.

“As expected of Esper Chae Seong-hwan. Straight to the point, and completely practical.”

After sharing his brief impression, Jae-chan asked in return.

“How was your day?”

It hadn’t been long since Woo-jin returned to District 1 after staying in Zone Z for joint training with the American Union Special Abilities Force. Yet as soon as his reward leave ended, Woo-jin had immediately started new training. It was adaptation training for the Energy Nullification Zone, or in other words, the Windless Zone.

Though he said today was fine too, it couldn’t be easy performing various tactical missions while artificially suppressing his abilities. In fact, his wavelength seemed more chaotic compared to the morning.

“Seems like you need guiding. Want to get some while having dinner?”

“It’s fine. Not bad enough to keep you from eating comfortably.”

Actually, since this was Jae-chan’s last day off, he didn’t have much excuse to linger at Woo-jin’s house anymore. He’d thought about using guiding as an excuse to stay one more day, but it seemed that wouldn’t work.

‘Should I really ask about living together?’

If each day apart felt this regretful, wouldn’t it be better to live with Woo-jin? Though Woo-jin’s age was concerning, perhaps because he wasn’t particularly conscientious by nature, the thought kept occurring to him.

He wanted to at least suggest living together, even for a short period. Since it would soon be their first anniversary of officially dating, it didn’t seem too hasty. Plus, Jae-chan had a subtle confidence that Woo-jin would like the cohabitation proposal.

Maybe he could book a nice hotel and make it an event after taking the upcoming selection exam?

Carefully confess that he wants to live together?

As Jae-chan’s mind, whose only knowledge of romance came from glimpses of mass media, was running through obvious repertoires:

“Want to have dinner at my place? You said you finished your study quota for today.”

Woo-jin mentioned Jae-chan’s exam studying as they stopped at an intersection.

The two kept in regular contact through messages. When leaving the library, Jae-chan had messaged Woo-jin saying he’d finished his tasks for the day.

“Your things are still at my place.”

Woo-jin’s voice quietly seeped in between the lengthening intervals of rain and the silent movement of wipers. Watching the gradually stopping rain through the car window, Jae-chan sensed something. This guy also feels reluctant about parting. And…

For now, he nodded. The traffic light changed, and their car moved forward into the night streets rippling with headlight beams.

*

They arrived at Woo-jin’s officetel, cutting through the humid air. The two sat down with cold buckwheat noodles they’d picked up on the way. It was a hidden gem near Underpass 68 that Chae Seong-hwan had recommended, famous for its handmade noodles.

As they unwrapped the takeout box, an array of side dishes came into view— white kimchi, homemade dumplings, and rustic hamburger steak topped with chives. The highlight was the cold noodles, elegantly garnished with just julienned cucumber and egg strips.

They shared the delicious meal while discussing various topics.

“Are you uncomfortable getting messages from my father?”

At Woo-jin’s careful question, Jae-chan paused mid-bite of the chewy noodles he’d wrapped into a large mouthful. Their conversation, which had started with his aunt’s health checkup and E-SOF unit’s new tactical training, had somehow reached the topic of Chairman Go’s greeting message to Jae-chan.

“Hmm…”

Jae-chan chewed his noodles while recalling when he first received contact from Chairman Go.

It was probably about a month and a half ago. On his day off, Jae-chan had rushed to District 6 where Woo-jin was on a mission. While the two were sharing a passionate moment in Woo-jin’s guest room since early evening, the doorbell suddenly rang.

‘Seems like someone’s here?’

Jae-chan, who had been exhausted after demonstrating a position riding on top of Woo-jin and moving his hips alone, lifted his head startled. Woo-jin left the bedroom, quietly checked outside, and returned saying it was nothing.

After thoroughly caressing each other’s bodies and spending about an hour sharing beer they’d bought on the way, talking and laughing, Seon Jae-chan happened to check his phone and found a shocking message that instantly sobered him up.

[Hello. This is Go Woo-jin’s father, Go Young-chang. I apologize for the sudden contact, but this is an urgent matter…]

To summarize, since Mr. Go Young-chang couldn’t reach Woo-jin, he wanted Jae-chan to persuade him to step outside the guest room briefly. That’s when Jae-chan realized Woo-jin had deliberately turned off his phone to avoid his father’s personal request.

Even now, ‘This is Go Woo-jin’s father, Go Youngchang…’ was truly startling. Jae-chan shook his head with a smile.

“Not at all. I prefer it to getting calls from my mother.”

Jae-chan explained that receiving messages from their aunt was a million times better than hearing from Chairman Go, so he didn’t even bother comparing them.

“You also prefer getting messages from my aunt and mother over Chairman Go.”

“That’s true.”

Jae-chan laughed meaninglessly at Woo-jin’s cool agreement. Somehow it felt like a conversation between family members.

“Ah, and it seems Assemblywoman Kwon Aryang and Ms. Gyeong Hye-in get along better than expected.”

Gyeong Hye-in, whom both considered quite important, came up in conversation after a while.

Recently, Jae-chan had spent nearly half the money he’d requested from his aunt as a donation to the Freedom Alliance to establish a solid justification for connecting Gyeong Hye-in with Assemblywoman Kwon. But he had no regrets. He could always grow the investment funds again, and Assemblywoman Kwon was a definite foothold.

Woo-jin nodded.

“Ah yes, Geun-won hyung was feeling hurt about that.”

“That badly? He didn’t run away again, did he?”

Though Kim Geun-won never said it directly, it seemed he and Gyeong Hye-in had started living together. And like countless couples who start living together, they encountered numerous conflicts.

The two especially couldn’t avoid fighting. Their values were so different they could be called polar opposites, but their personalities were similar. In other words, neither would back down.

Jae-chan recalled when the uncompromising Kim Geun-won first left home. It was late April, when roses bloomed early on every street due to unusually high temperatures. He thought it was a disaster then. Kim Geun-won shouldn’t break up with Gyeong Hye-in so soon. Filled with worry, he rushed to the Center’s brew pub in place of Woo-jin, who was on a mission.

After emptying beer glasses repeatedly while lamenting his situation, Kim Geun-won suddenly stood up. Though staggering, he paid and abruptly left the shop, with Jae-chan hurriedly following behind.

‘Sunbae, where are you going?’

‘Going home.’

‘Didn’t you leave home?!’

‘Ah, I miss her!’

I miss her! Kim Geun-won shouted loudly at the clear night sky. It was obvious what he missed. Kim Geun-won, who wouldn’t hold back his longing either, quickly caught the last bus and returned home – to the place where he built a life with Gyeong Hye-in.