TG Ch 3(1) Part 3

The jeep cruised peacefully along the coastal road. On the surface, it seemed like Sijin was enjoying a scenic drive with Jeong Taeyul. 

However, contrary to the peaceful atmosphere, Sijin couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease as he observed their surroundings. At regular intervals along the road, he spotted observation posts bearing the F12 Center emblem, a clear sign that they were still within the Center’s territory. 

Hesitantly, Sijin asked, “Aren’t we going for drinks?”

“Let’s talk while we drive.”

“By the… sea?” 

Sijin looked at the vast ocean with unease. What could Jeong Taeyul possibly want to talk about while driving? And right next to the sea, teeming with monsters, no less. 

Ever since he was a child, Sijin had been taught that the sea was a dangerous place, infested with monsters. It was a common lesson ingrained in every child in this day and age. It was only natural for him to be apprehensive.

Gazing out at the unfathomable depths, Sijin asked nervously, “Monsters don’t come this far inland, right?”

“They can attack if they want to.” 

“…Are you sure it’s alright?”

“Yes.” 

“But you just said they could attack.”

Jeong Taeyul frowned slightly. “Why are you so worried when you have an A-rank Guide right beside you?”

Come to think of it, Ham Geonwu had said something similar, implying that it was an insult to his pride to even be worried. 

Sijin nodded in understanding. He was right. Why should he be worried with an A-rank Ability User at his side? He had a protector of the city right next to him.

However, the fact that the A-rank Guide in question was Jeong Taeyul didn’t do much to ease Sijin’s anxiety. For all he knew, Jeong Taeyul could be driving him straight into the jaws of a monster.

Just then, Jeong Taeyul spoke in a low voice. “About that erotic novel…”

Here it comes. Sijin squeezed his eyes shut, unable to even utter a response. Suddenly, becoming monster food didn’t seem so bad. 

“Why did you read it to him?”

“…..”

Sijin kept his head down in shame. Honestly, it was mortifying. It wasn’t as if he wanted to read that erotic novel, but that didn’t make it any less embarrassing. He wanted nothing more than to launch into a detailed explanation about how he never intended for any of it to happen. 

When Sijin didn’t answer, Jeong Taeyul asked with a hint of mockery in his voice, “Do you usually do everything Ham Geonwu asks just because he saved your life?” 

“…What are you talking about?” 

“I’m asking if you’re going that far out of your way for your savior.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Then I guess it’s just sad that Ham Geonwu is afraid of examinations.”

“…Guide Jeong Taeyul.”

Sijin cut him off sharply. 

This wasn’t something he could brush off with a simple retort.

“The examination room is, ultimately, under my control. I’d appreciate it if you refrained from making judgments.”

Although he couldn’t bring himself to look at Jeong Taeyul, Sijin continued, forcing his voice to remain calm.

“The fact that I ended up reading that… to Esper Ham Geonwu… well, it wasn’t something I had planned on. However, I had promised to read him something, so I had no choice but to go through with it.”

“…..”

“The most important thing to me is gaining the trust of the examinees. I kept my promise. There was nothing more to it than that.” 

Sijin fiddled with the field jacket in his lap. It was the jacket Ham Geonwu had left with him. Sijin had also been trying to earn that trust, even if it meant going about it in a somewhat unconventional way.

Thankfully, once he started voicing his thoughts, the words came pouring out. 

“And like I said before, I don’t have any romantic feelings for Esper Ham Geonwu.”

“…..”

“It’s only natural to feel some level of affection for someone who saved your life. So please, stop misunderstanding.”

Jeong Taeyul remained silent. 

Sijin cautiously glanced at the driver’s seat. Jeong Taeyul had one hand on the steering wheel, his forehead resting on the other, his brow furrowed in thought. The setting sun cast a warm glow on his sharp profile.

After a while, Jeong Taeyul spoke, his voice softer than before. 

“It’s not a misunderstanding.” 

“…What?”

“I was just angry, so I asked.”

“Angry? About what?”

“I was wondering why you can’t just ignore those who need your help.”

His words were sharp and pointed. Sijin wondered how Jeong Taeyul had managed to see right through him.

‘I thought he’d ask me to read something to him, too…’

This was unexpected. Based on Sijin’s past experiences, he thought Jeong Taeyul would make a fuss about how he was giving special treatment to Ham Geonwu and demand to be read to as well. If that had actually happened, Sijin was pretty sure he would have quit his job on the spot.

Then, Jeong Taeyul glanced over at him and said with a smirk, “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t ask you to read me erotic novels.”

“What?”

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not a pervert. Why would I ask you to do that?”

‘This guy is terrifying…’

Could it be that Jeong Taeyul’s ability wasn’t just sensing energy waves, but reading minds as well? A shiver ran down Sijin’s spine.

Despite his apprehension, the atmosphere in the car felt a little lighter now. Feeling a wave of relief, Sijin couldn’t help but tease back, “Are you saying Esper Ham Geonwu is a pervert?” 

“He’s…” Jeong Taeyul began but stopped himself mid-sentence. Then, with a frown, he warned, “Don’t pry. You’re annoying me.” 

“…I can’t even ask a simple question?”

“No.” 

Jeong Taeyul’s firm answer earned him a new nickname in Sijin’s mind: Dictator Shark. As Sijin mentally added this new nickname to his list, Jeong Taeyul continued, “Anyway, I already warned Ham Geonwu.” 

“About what?”

“He won’t be asking you to read him any more erotic novels.”

Sijin’s jaw dropped. How on earth did he manage to break through that stubborn streak when even Sijin himself couldn’t? He stammered, completely dumbfounded, “How… did you convince him?” 

Jeong Taeyul glanced at Sijin, a playful smile spreading across his face. “Let’s just say I gave him a little warning. And I may have mentioned that our delicate little Doctor might quit if he suffers any more trauma from those novels.” 

“…..”

Faced with the prospect of the number one reason for his resignation, Sijin could only stare blankly ahead.

Should he be grateful? After all, those erotic novels had been weighing on his mind. But then again, Sijin couldn’t help but worry about what kind of reading material Ham Geonwu would bring next. It was a bittersweet feeling.

With that, the battle of wills seemed to have reached a ceasefire. 

Sijin had a few more things he wanted to say to Jeong Taeyul, but he couldn’t bring himself to break the silence that had settled between them. 

‘Is he angry…? Why isn’t he saying anything?’

Sijin stole glances at Jeong Taeyul. He seemed lost in thought, his elbow resting on the window frame, his hand covering his forehead.

Just as Sijin was beginning to relax and enjoy the sea breeze, Jeong Taeyul spoke in a low voice.

“You said it’s only natural to feel some affection for someone who saved your life.”

“Of course.”

Was he looking for reassurance? Sijin nodded in agreement.

Then, in his usual nonchalant tone, Jeong Taeyul asked, “A noisy place or a nice, quiet place. Where to?”

“What do you mean by a ‘nice place’…?” Sijin asked cautiously. The phrase could have a myriad of interpretations. 

To his surprise, Jeong Taeyul replied, “A hotel.” 

“…Let’s go somewhere noisy.”

For some reason, the idea of going to a hotel with Jeong Taeyul felt even more strange. Sijin quickly opted for the noisy option.

Jeong Taeyul fell silent for a moment before turning the steering wheel. Could it be that he had actually been planning on taking him to a hotel? Sijin was curious but couldn’t bring himself to ask. It seemed that even when Jeong Taeyul wasn’t verbally reprimanding him, Sijin could still sense his disapproval.

The jeep sped along the coastal road, the setting sun painting the sea in hues of gold.

Feeling a sense of security with the knowledge that an A-rank Guide was by his side, Sijin gazed out the window at the mesmerizing ocean view. It was his first time being this close to the sea in this monster-infested era. The gentle waves, crashing against the shore and creating white foam, had a calming effect on him. For the first time, the thought crossed his mind that maybe, just maybe, the sea wasn’t as terrifying as he had always believed.

As Sijin lost himself in his thoughts, the jeep gradually began to slow down. 

***