TDG Ch 11

Clatter.

A pair of chopsticks slipped from Jihyuk’s hand.

“Your chopsticks fell—”

I reached out to pick them up, but a large hand got there before mine. Jihyuk grabbed my hand as if capturing it and then, without hesitation, climbed over the table and settled into the seat next to me. His eyes, fixed on me, sparkled like starlight.

“Really? I can really come over to Hyung’s place?”

His excitement poured out through his voice, expression, and gestures without restraint. I was a little taken aback, unable to respond right away. It’s not like I invited him to a shopping mall or a baseball game, just to my place. Was that really something to get this excited over?

“Of course you can.”

Before I even finished speaking, Han Jihyuk lunged forward and threw his arms around me.

“Hyung!”

The force of his grip tightened around my chest so hard I couldn’t breathe.

“J-Ji-Jihyuk… Hyung’s gonna die here, you punk!”

I gasped and cried out, and only then did he release his iron grip, though he still didn’t let me go from his embrace.

“You’re that happy?”

Han Jihyuk nodded vigorously, grinning like a child. He was unbearably adorable. Absolutely radiant.

Alright. He’s this happy, so there’s no way I can let him down now.

Man among men, Seo Juwon.

I shall return before the soup goes cold, with permission from the higher-ups.

* * *

“Director, it’s Seo Juwon.”

When I opened the door at his call to come in, I was met with a bureaucrat’s office, solidly designed in monochrome tones. Behind a polished mahogany desk sat a middle-aged man, stern-faced and neatly dressed in a suit and tie.

“Have a seat.”

Kim Yuhwan. As conservative and strict as his appearance suggested, he was the head of the Esper Management Department. He oversaw the assignment, work management, and all other requests of every Esper and Guide in the department. In plain terms, someone like me, a low-ranking grunt, shouldn’t even dream of getting a personal audience with him. He was also one of the few people who knew that my father was the Minister of the Department.

“How’s your father doing?”

“He’s doing well, thanks to you.”

“Good. I reviewed your recent leave request. I also received your report from the other day.”

As I was about to sit, I paused awkwardly, caught mid-motion. He continued speaking without pause, as if he already knew everything without needing to ask.

“Esper Im Seongjun will be receiving appropriate disciplinary action. I hope you’ll understand, even if it’s not fully satisfying.”

“No, I’m sincerely grateful.”

Judging from his words, it looked like Im Seongjun’s petition had been denied. Still, since there had been a serious conflict among Espers resulting in significant injury, the atmosphere around the issue couldn’t be anything but tense.

When he stopped speaking, an uncomfortable silence settled in the room. At least, that’s how it felt to me. The tension was suffocating. I couldn’t read what Kim Yuhwan was thinking at all, and that irritated me. He was on a different level compared to the more transparently demanding managers over in Division 7.

“You’re very dedicated to your work. I’ve been watching since you first joined as a Field Guide five years ago.”

No way. Or maybe—maybe he had. It could be that it wasn’t me he was watching, but my father’s son. After all, my father was the department’s minister; it wouldn’t be strange for him to keep an eye on me.

“Thank you. I may be lacking, but I try to give everything my best effort.”

I managed a reply, and he gave a short grunt before adjusting his glasses.

“This isn’t about anything major. I called you in because I wanted to personally ask about the leave request. The entire document gave off a strong impression of confidence. But Han Jihyuk, as an Esper, still lacks control. How can you be so sure he won’t go into a rampage if placed in an unpredictable situation outside, full of variables?”

“…I can’t guarantee it a hundred percent. However, based on the test results, Esper Han Jihyuk has significantly improved his skill control compared to before and has maintained stability throughout. Most importantly, he shows a high synchronization rate with me, so I judged the risk to be minimal.”

Director Kim Yuhwan still didn’t look convinced.

“I can’t afford to overlook even the smallest possibility. If he loses control, it won’t end with minor damage.”

You’ve already received the lab results, and yet you’re still fixated on this?

“Han Jihyuk’s stability is backed by the test results. He’s at a level where he can function independently, and even among average Espers, it’s normal to show a certain level of instability. He trusts me and has cooperated with every test and evaluation without a single complaint. I believe he deserves to be properly compensated for that. More than anything, this is something Han Jihyuk himself wants. If we keep him confined like this, the stress could eventually cause adverse effects.”

I get the bureaucratic mindset, but please, just this once, look beyond the data.

Kim Yuhwan was a seasoned man. There was no way he didn’t grasp the core of my argument. You have to let people breathe. How long are you planning to keep him locked up like this? If you keep pushing, Jihyuk might end up leaving for a country with far less regulation the moment he becomes independent.

“……”

Kim Yuhwan was someone who could pressure you with silence alone. As if that wasn’t enough, even the faint displeasure hidden between his long sighs came through loud and clear to me.

If I were just an ordinary employee, I’d probably be drenched in cold sweat right now, fidgeting like a dog in need of a bathroom break. After all, to someone like him, I’m just a rookie who wouldn’t normally even get to speak face-to-face. And here I am, sitting confidently, making demands and almost issuing threats.

But like I’ve said time and again, I have zero intention of climbing the ladder or staying here long-term. So whether I rub him the wrong way or not, I really couldn’t care less.

“Fine. I’ll approve it.”

“Thank you!”

“No need. I trust my people.”

You say that, but your eyes aren’t smiling at all. I’ve heard plenty of insincere words in my time, but rarely have any felt this cold.

The weight of that phrase, “my people,” settled heavily on my shoulders. It might sound like trust, but the real meaning was clear: ‘I’m trusting you, so if you screw this up, I’ll make you pay for it.’

Kim Yuhwan jerked his chin toward the door. I bowed deeply, then stepped out of his office with a light heart.

Jihyuk, did you see that? Your hyung pulled it off!

* * *

That day was hectic from the start.

I had to pick up the approved outing pass from upper management, report it to the relevant department, and double-check the documents I was submitting.

The government is all about paperwork; miss even one, and it’s an automatic rejection.

After getting burned by that crap a couple of times, you learn your lesson. You’ll catch yourself checking every last form with laser focus, eyes blazing like a hawk. Can’t let a single missing document ruin everything at the last minute. I made sure to handle it all with caution.

“Jihyuk, are you all ready?”

He wore a white T-shirt with a light blazer and black jeans.

Pretty standard outfit, really, but when our Jihyuk, with that face, height, and body, put it on, it hit different. A walking photoshoot. The king of the runway.

Once the formal exit procedures were completed and we stepped out of the dormitory hall together, Jihyuk quietly wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

When I turned my head to look up at him, his face was slightly flushed.

Adorable punk.

You’re excited, huh.

I raised both hands and gave him a double thumbs-up.

“It’s going to be an amazing day, so you can look forward to it.”

* * *

For this day, I borrowed my father’s brand-new sedan.

I had my own car, sure, but it was a total clunker. There was no way I was going to let my precious baby puppy ride in that piece of junk.

“Hey, get in!”

I pulled the car right up to him, rolled down the window, and shouted with flair. Jihyuk burst into laughter as he opened the passenger door.

“Looks great. Is it yours, Hyung?”

“It’s destined to be mine soon.”

Sorry, Father. Just saying that for effect. I swear I’m not trying to claim it.

The Center’s training facility,  with all its strict safety regulations, had been built far from the city, on the outskirts. To get into town, we had to take the national highway.

Heading straight home would’ve made the whole outing feel like a waste, so I decided to take him on a drive first.

It was midday on a weekday, and the roads were wide open, a perfect time to let loose a little.

“Jihyuk, have you ever been to this park? If you keep going that way, there’s a lake that looks amazing when it blends with the seasonal trees.”

“Hyung… are you hot? You’re sweating on your forehead.”

Jihyuk, my boy. That’s not the point right now. Look outside. There’s a gorgeous view passing by your window!

“…Well… It is a bit warm today.”

“Let’s close the window and turn on the AC.”

I gave a small laugh and gently pushed his hand away.

“I left it open so you could look outside. If I wanted to turn on the AC, I already would have.”

Jihyuk half-listened as he opened the glove compartment, pulled out some tissues, and began folding one with careful precision before bringing it to my forehead.

He gently dabbed at the sweat near the edge of my hairline, careful not to block my vision. His hands were gentle and meticulous.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. You don’t need to do that. Just look outside.”

“I am looking.”

You’re not! At least turn your head if you’re going to say that!

“The scenery’s nice, but I really just want to get to your place quickly.”

Ah… What am I supposed to do with this kid and his direct, shameless cuteness? My heart’s pounding so hard, I won’t live to see old age.

If he wants to go to my place that much, there’s no other way. I just have to take him immediately.

I let out a satisfied breath through my nose as I turned the steering wheel.

“Alright, making a U-turn!”

* * *

Thanks to my father being a minister, we lived in a pretty nice apartment. Still, our place was empty more often than not. My father was always busy, and lately, I’d been living a workaholic life myself, rarely getting to go home.

It had been what, two weeks? Something like that, since I’d last been back.

I parked in the underground garage and called the elevator using iris recognition.

“Come on in. My father’s not home, so it’s just us.”

Once you get off the elevator, the entrance is right there. This area was built exclusively for our family’s use, with its own private entryway for security reasons. I unlocked the door and waved Jihyuk in. Taking off my shoes and heading toward the living room, I noticed Han Jihyuk lingering at the entrance, glancing around the inside.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just… nice.”

That bright, unguarded smile of his had the power to make anyone’s heart flutter.

I thought for a moment about bringing up my father, but decided not to. It didn’t seem important right now. I could always talk about it later.

I guided Jihyuk to the living room and sat him down, then went into the kitchen. I opened the cupboards, but since no one had been around lately, there wasn’t much besides drinks. I made do with what I had and brought him a glass of iced tea with some ice, and while Jihyuk drank it, I scrambled around looking for the remote to turn on the air conditioner. Before long, the muggy air in the living room cleared up, and a cool breeze filled the space.