TG Ch 3(1) Part 4

At the edge of the Center’s outskirts, facing the scenic ocean view, stood four large black containers joined together in a rectangular formation.

Sijin had heard about this place from Examiner Shin Dayoung. Known as the “Black Container,” it was a resting place exclusively for F12 Center personnel. Founded by a retired Ability User who had previously worked at the Center, it served as both a cafe and a bar for those affiliated with the F12 Center.

Originally, consuming alcohol while on standby at the Center was strictly prohibited. However, the Black Container was granted special permission to operate as a stress reliever for the agents. The missions assigned by the F12 Center were known for their high difficulty and immense stress levels. It was better for the agents to unwind and let loose in a controlled environment rather than sneaking off to drink elsewhere and potentially causing trouble. 

“Doctor!”

“Esper Ham Geonwu?”

And there he was, Ham Geonwu, standing in front of the Black Container with a bright grin, waving at them.

“What’s that bastard doing here?” Jeong Taeyul muttered under his breath, his gaze hardening as he pulled up the jeep. He had the look of a dog owner who had just spotted his furry companion roaming the streets when it should have been safely at home.

On the other hand, Sijin’s face lit up as if he had just received a surprise gift. Jeong Taeyul, his brow furrowed, glanced between the two of them.

Ham Geonwu strode towards the jeep. “What took you two so long? I was about to send out a search helicopter!”

“What are you doing here?” Jeong Taeyul countered, hopping out of the jeep without bothering to open the door again. Sijin grabbed his jacket and exited the vehicle like a normal person, through the door.

Ham Geonwu slung an arm around Jeong Taeyul’s shoulders, his face beaming. “Our gracious Seunghwa Noona let me off the hook and told me to go have some fun!”

“Since when did you start calling Captain Yoo Seunghwa ‘Noona’?”

“Since she sent me off to have fun after I got back from my mission?”

Ham Geonwu seemed to have completely forgotten about being betrayed earlier. It was typical of him. 

“…So, that’s how Yoo Seunghwa tricked me,” Jeong Taeyul said, his expression darkening. Sijin couldn’t help but wonder about the dynamics between A-ranks. Betrayals seemed to be a common occurrence, especially in the span of half a day off. 

“Come on in, Doctor! It’s your first time at the Black Container, right?”

Ham Geonwu, oblivious to Jeong Taeyul’s sour mood, excitedly led the way towards the container. Sijin, curiosity piqued, followed closely behind the broad-shouldered Esper.

As they entered, Sijin was led to a corner table near the entrance. It was a cozy spot with dim lighting and a comfortable breeze. 

“Doctor, you sit here. And make sure you let us know if you’re going anywhere.” 

To Sijin’s surprise, Jeong Taeyul had just assigned him a seat—across from himself and next to Ham Geonwu. 

Sijin didn’t mind where he sat, but he couldn’t help but ask, “Why?”

“Because you’re under our protection,” Jeong Taeyul replied flatly, taking a seat. It suddenly dawned on Sijin why Jeong Taeyul had come armed. 

However, did a simple Diagnostic Examiner like himself really need this level of protection? Having two A-rank Ability Users as bodyguards was something he’d expect for a head of state, not himself. It was both flattering and a little overwhelming. 

‘It’s much more spacious than I imagined…’

Sijin took in their surroundings. Despite the rough exterior, the interior of the Black Container was surprisingly stylish. There was a bar counter with stools, as well as an outdoor terrace. However, everything was self-service; guests had to pick up their own drinks, food, and utensils, which resulted in a lot of movement between tables. Several F12 Center staff and Ability Users were already scattered around, enjoying their drinks.

Meanwhile, Ham Geonwu returned with their drinks. Sijin set his phone down on the table after a quick glance and accepted the glass. 

“A baby? Is that your niece?” Ham Geonwu asked abruptly, peering at his phone. A picture of a baby was displayed on the screen. It was a photo of his friend Kwon Jiwon’s daughter. Kwon Jiwon had a habit of sending baby pictures at any given opportunity.

“A daughter, perhaps?” Jeong Taeyul chimed in, his eyes also drawn to the photo. 

Sijin’s mischievous side took over. 

With a playful grin, he said, “What do you think? This is my daughter.” 

“Doctor, you’re married!?” 

“Since when?”

The Killer Whale and the Shark chimed in, one after the other. That wasn’t the reaction he had expected. 

Sijin looked back and forth between them, bewildered. “You do realize that you’re both focusing on the wrong thing, right…?” 

“Oh…”

“…..”

They both fell silent. Sijin had expected at least a comment on how cute the baby was.

As his smile began to falter, Ham Geonwu muttered, “Wow, so you’re really married… I’m totally into that.”

“You… You’re really…” 

“Ah, ah! Why are you hitting me?” 

Sijin, for the first time ever, lightly smacked the A-rank Esper on the back. Ham Geonwu wasn’t actually hurt, he was just being dramatic.

Despite that, he continued to chuckle to himself as if he found the whole situation amusing. Sijin wiped away the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. From what he could gather, Ham Geonwu seemed to be the type who enjoyed anything exciting or stimulating. At least he hoped that was all it was.

“Hurry up and tell him it’s not true.”

This time, it was Jeong Taeyul who spoke, his sharp gaze unwavering. Sijin felt like he was being interrogated. 

“Uh… right. Actually, this is my friend’s daughter. Isn’t she cute?”

“…You tricked us, Doctor.”

“Who told you to joke around?” 

Ham Geonwu grumbled, pouting. Even Jeong Taeyul looked at him accusingly. 

Despite their reactions, Sijin couldn’t help but laugh. He considered this payback for their earlier stunt. 

“You’re both in no position to say anything. You both tricked me into thinking you were going to imprint on each other last time.” 

“Forget it… You’ve really hurt me, Doctor. Drink up.”

“Chug it. All of it.”

Suddenly faced with a drinking penalty, Sijin’s eyes darted around, desperately seeking an escape route. Just then, he spotted Examiner Shin Dayoung and the youngest examiner sitting at a different table. 

The examiners, noticing his gaze, looked up in surprise before nodding their greetings politely. Seizing his chance, Sijin grabbed his drink and stood up.

“I’m just going to go say hello to the examiners. I’ll be back soon.” 

“You’re running away, right?”

Ignoring Ham Geonwu’s comment, Sijin scurried over to the examiners’ table, drink in hand. Surprisingly, the two A-ranks let him go without much protest. However, Sijin could still feel their eyes on him. 

He settled down at Shin Dayoung’s table. “Mind if I join you for a bit?”

“Doctor… What brings you here? Please, join us.”

Shin Dayoung greeted him with a mix of surprise and welcome. She was already well on her way to being completely inebriated.

Glancing back at the two A-rank Ability Users, Shi Dayoung asked in a low voice, “I saw you talking with them. What’s it like drinking with two A-ranks?”

“Ha…”

Sijin sighed, raising his beer glass. He clinked glasses with the others at the table and replied in a hushed tone, “It’s like experiencing both heaven and hell at the same time… Cheers.”

Shin Dayoung burst out laughing at his heartfelt answer. With the tension broken, Sijin took a long gulp of his beer. The drink tasted particularly sweet after all the stress he’d been under.

***

Sijin had the opportunity to greet many people that evening. The casual atmosphere of the Black Container encouraged mingling, and Sijin was able to put faces to names as various agents approached Ham Geonwu and Jeong Taeyul to offer their greetings. It was a great opportunity for Sijin, who was still relatively new to the Center.

All the while, Sijin kept searching for the right moment. 

‘When can I talk to Ham Geonwu alone…?’

He was determined to express his gratitude to Ham Geonwu that night. However, Jeong Taeyul hadn’t left his side, even for a moment, which made things difficult. As anxiety gnawed at him, Sijin found himself drinking more and more. 

Just then, Ham Geonwu stood up, asking, “Doctor, won’t your stomach hurt if you keep drinking like that? Want to see what they have for snacks?”

“Oh, sure.”

Sijin, who had been waiting for an opportunity, eagerly accepted and stood up. It seemed like a magical window of opportunity had opened, especially since Jeong Taeyul was currently engrossed in a conversation with the Captain of the Fox Team.

Sijin slowly approached Ham Geonwu, who was standing by the counter. 

‘Why am I so nervous?’

Ham Geonwu was chatting and laughing with the owner, their familiarity evident. Sijin felt his cheeks flushing. He instinctively fidgeted with the necklace pendant at his throat, the cool platinum ring threaded on the chain calming him slightly. 

As Sijin drew closer, Ham Geonwu asked, “What kind of snacks do you like, Doctor?”

“What’s good here?”

“They make a mean shrimp dish.”

“Let’s try that then.”

“Sure. Oh, here are our drinks.” 

Ham Geonwu glanced nervously towards Jeong Taeyul before handing Sijin a small glass. It wasn’t the beer they had been drinking earlier. This drink had a sharp, strong alcoholic scent. 

“Isn’t this liquor?” 

“Hey, we have to start strong, right?” 

“Start strong…? I thought we had already started…” 

Sijin was bewildered. He was already feeling quite tipsy. He hadn’t realized they hadn’t even properly started yet. Ham Geonwu just chuckled as if it were the most obvious thing in the world and clinked his glass against Sijin’s.