TG Ch 3(1) Part 2

Still, he was relieved that the two A-ranks didn’t fight. Actually, come to think of it, although they often bickered, they never actually fought.

“Well then…”

Sijin awkwardly began, turning to the person he had promised to have drinks with. 

But why was Jeong Taeyul armed? Sijin eyed the pistol strapped to Jeong Taeyul’s thigh with apprehension before cautiously holding out Ham Geonwu’s jacket. 

“Guide Jeong Taeyul, you’re coming for drinks too, right? Should we meet up later this evening?”

Sijin tried to sound as casual as possible. He had connected with Jeong Taeyul during their last conversation and didn’t want to ruin the mood again.

However, Jeong Taeyul merely sat down on a nearby bench without a word, pulling Sijin down to sit beside him. 

“Why? Did you want me to sit down?”

At Sijin’s question, Jeong Taeyul simply nodded, glancing at Ham Geonwu’s retreating figure. 

Only after confirming that Ham Geonwu was out of earshot did Jeong Taeyul speak again. 

“Ham Geonwu won’t be able to make it tonight.”

“…What do you mean all of a sudden?”

Sijin asked, his face etched with confusion. But Jeong Taeyul, as if it were nothing, just glanced at him and continued, speaking with the calculated precision of loading a gun.

“The Center has a rule that at least one A-rank must be on standby at all times. Captain Yoo Seunghwa is currently out on a mission.” 

Which meant that the only remaining A-ranks at the Center were the two of them: Jeong Taeyul and Ham Geonwu. The fourth A-rank was on medical leave, recovering from a long-term injury.

Then, Jeong Taeyul smiled brightly and said, “And I already used my off-time pass.”

“…W-Why on earth…?”

“Because I felt bad for deceiving you the other day, Doctor. It’ll just be the two of us.” 

“…..”

That devil. 

Despair washed over Sijin.

Meanwhile, Jeong Taeyul, without a care in the world, checked his wristwatch and then pulled out his tablet. He was looking at his message history with Ham Geonwu. It was riddled with typos. As someone who manipulated objects with his mind, most things Ham Geonwu did with his hands were clumsy.

“Ham Geonwu is… cursing, cursing… this is also cursing… Ah, here it is. He says he’ll try to escape around 10 p.m.”

“T-Then… Since there are three hours left, should we just go back to the dorms and wait?”

“Do you really think an Esper can successfully escape here?”

“……”

Jeong Taeyul asked with a smirk.

Don’t tell me he planned this all out too. It dawned on Sijin that it was indeed impossible for Ham Geonwu, a powerful Esper, to secretly escape from this Guide-infested Center. 

“Then it’s settled. Let’s go.”

“We’re really going? Just the two of us…?”

“Yes.” 

Jeong Taeyul looked down at him as if asking what he was so dissatisfied about. Pushing aside his reasonable concerns, Sijin stood up from the bench. His mind raced, desperately searching for a silver lining.

‘Right. This could be a chance to get closer to Jeong Taeyul.’

Finally convincing himself to look on the bright side, Sijin steeled his resolve. He had endured drinking with plenty of people he disliked in his life. This was just the first time it was with someone he was scared of. Besides, there was always a chance that Ham Geonwu would actually manage to escape and join them.

At that moment, Jeong Taeyul handed him a cup he’d left on the bench. It was a coffee cup from the Center’s cafe. 

“What’s this?” Sijin asked curiously.

“It’s tea. Rooibos.”

“…Why are you giving this to me?”

Jeong Taeyul’s expression remained unchanged as he answered, “Because I’m a good guy.”

“T-Thank you…”

Had he just confined his best friend of ten years to the Center?

Sijin accepted the cup, staring at Jeong Taeyul with a dumbfounded expression. Jeong Taeyul, as if waiting for a reaction, continued to stare back, a smirk playing on his lips. Finally, when he saw Sijin’s hesitant look, he gestured with his chin. 

“Let’s go.”

Jeong Taeyul said, putting on his guiding gloves. Sijin wasn’t sure why he needed to be armed, but he trailed behind him nonetheless. 

Jeong Taeyul headed towards a black jeep parked nearby. The sight of him effortlessly hopping into the open-top jeep without even opening the door was quite impressive. Sijin obediently opened the door… and hesitated, turning towards Jeong Taeyul, who was now in the driver’s seat.

“There’s something I wanted to ask. You said you had something to tell me?”

“Yes.”

“Is it inconvenient to talk about it here?”

“Yes.”

“…..”

Sijin suddenly felt uneasy. Ham Geonwu did tell him to tell him if Jeong Taeyul was threatening him… Sijin glanced nervously back at the spot where Ham Geonwu had been standing just moments ago. 

‘No. Today, I have nothing to hide from Jeong Taeyul.’

Sijin recalled his past, always striving to live an honest life. He had even clarified with Ham Geonwu that he was simply grateful to him as his lifesaver. Sijin had every right to get into this jeep with a clear conscience. 

He confidently climbed into the passenger seat. He had to admit, it was rather exhilarating to be sitting in such a high vehicle. It almost felt like he was about to get on a rollercoaster. 

Just then, as Jeong Taeyul started the engine, he spoke. 

“I have something to ask you, too.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve been curious for a while.”

Sijin turned towards the driver’s seat, his eyes meeting Jeong Taeyul’s. A subtle smile played on the other man’s lips. 

Despite the handsome face, a wave of anxiety washed over Sijin. Come to think of it, Jeong Taeyul had always been unpredictable. He had a way of lulling Sijin into a false sense of security before yanking him back into a pit of uneasiness.

Then, Jeong Taeyul spoke, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“‘A Thrilling Affair with Teacher’.”

“…..”

Sijin’s breath hitched in his throat. As he sat there speechless, Jeong Taeyul leaned over and fastened his seatbelt for him, continuing, “‘This isn’t right, Teacher,’ ‘Teacher’s Secret Private Life’.” 

His handsome face, so close to Sijin’s, was creased with a playful smile. 

“‘That Teacher’s Juicy Secrets’.”

Sijin felt a wave of shame wash over him. His already pale face turned even paler.

He hadn’t seen this coming. He really hadn’t. He had honestly thought that those stories would remain hidden forever. After all, the examination room was a place where privacy was paramount.

Finally, Jeong Taeyul glanced at Sijin’s lips, still parted in shock, and added, “Oh~ Which part are you curious about first?” 

Jeong Taeyul asked, resting his hand on the passenger seat, his tone almost coaxing, like he was dealing with a child. Despite everything, Sijin’s fighting spirit wasn’t completely extinguished. He still had one last card to play. 

“You know that all conversations within the examination room are confidential, right?”

It was a violation of protocol to divulge any information shared within the examination room. After all, even an Ability User’s examination readings were considered classified information.

However, Jeong Taeyul simply shrugged, as if to say, “So what?”

“Well, the window was broken, so even if I didn’t want to hear it, I could hear everything.”

That’s right… Ham Geonwu did shatter that reinforced glass window that day…

Having lost his last defense, Sijin hung his head in despair. Jeong Taeyul chuckled at his defeated expression before gripping the steering wheel.

The jeep, carrying a thoroughly defeated Sijin, began to move, smoothly leaving the Center behind. 

“Doctor! I’ll definitely escape and come find you!”

A desperate voice called out from behind. It was Ham Geonwu. Sijin turned his head back to see Ham Geonwu clinging desperately to the bars of a window.

“That bastard isn’t a good guy! Don’t fall for his tricks!”

As he heard those words, Sijin swallowed back a sob. He had a feeling that he was already in way too deep.

“Sit properly if you don’t want to get hurt.” 

“Yes…”

At Jeong Taeyul’s words, Sijin straightened up in his seat, unable to even lift his head in shame.

***