IDSEGI Chapter 106

Chapter 106

At Yushin’s words, Ihan furrowed his brows.

“What are you talking about?”

“That time, I called and asked if Guide Han Yeoul was at the locker. That’s a code only we use, so I was wondering how they knew it. The guys all said they never mentioned it.”

Ihan stared blankly into space for a moment in thought, then turned his gaze back to Yushin.

“Alright, I got it.”

“It really wasn’t you who told them? Then how did they know? There’s no way the others said anything.”

“Anyway, keep your mouth shut about it. And training starts tomorrow, so if even one guy doesn’t show up, they’ll be running until the floor wears down.”

At Ihan’s words, Yushin suddenly became serious and replied in earnest.

“I’ll wake them up and drag them over even if I have to slap them.”

“That’s the spirit.”

As if their business was done, Ihan turned and started walking away, but then suddenly looked back and tossed out a remark.

“You’re at two-thirty. Don’t be late.”

“Of course!”

Like Pavlov’s dog, Yushin gave an unconditional “Yes” to Ihan’s command. Inside, however, he nursed the grand dream of someday smacking Ihan in the back of the head. But since it was a dream that would never come true, there was no risk of getting caught.

I’ll get you back someday!

Yushin dreamed yet again of something that could never be achieved.

Upon returning to Zone 5, Yoon Geon was informed of absurd news by the Zone 5 Center Director.

“You’re saying Yoo Ihan has been granted access to Zone 5?”

“That’s right.”

More accurately, “snatched it” would be a better term. The director muttered quietly and rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking exhausted.

“He’s gone back to Zone 1 for now to report to the Center Director there, but he said he’d be back soon. Looks like he’ll be coming and going from both sides.”

Yoon Geon clenched his fist tightly. Judging by the weary look on the director’s face, even if he protested, nothing would change.

“Understood.”

For now, there was nothing to do but accept it. He’d have to hear the details, but since Yoo Ihan seemed to be Yeoul’s Imprint partner, he couldn’t outright refuse. Still, a line had to be drawn. He spoke firmly to the director.

“But I will not approve Guide Han Yeoul’s zone transfer application. Under any circumstances.”

“I can guarantee that.”

Only after getting that promise did Yoon Geon leave the director’s office. As team leader, he should be checking on his members after being away so long, but his head was too full of thoughts about Yeoul to spare the time.

Hearing that Yeoul had gone home, he went straight there. As soon as he opened the front door, Yeoul came out into the living room to greet him.

“Hyung, you’re back?”

Yeoul’s expression was a little awkward. It seemed he was still figuring out how to treat Yoon Geon after the latter had confessed his feelings.

“Have you eaten?”

“What about you?”

“Not yet. Should we eat together? Is kimchi fried rice okay?”

“Sure.”

Yeoul rolled up his sleeves, promising to make it delicious. The way he was nervously over-smiling actually looked more suspicious. Still, Yoon Geon didn’t bring it up first. He was confident in his ability to wait, and above all, no matter what answer he got, their relationship wouldn’t change.

Whoever Yeoul had Imprinted with, it didn’t matter. His claim that he could live without Yeoul’s Guiding was partly determination, but also partly a lie. Even if Yeoul Imprinted with another Esper, it didn’t mean he couldn’t Guide Yoon Geon. Whatever the truth, he had no intention of letting Yeoul quit being his Guide.

Han Yeoul wouldn’t be able to abandon him anyway. That boy was too softhearted. He might think of himself as tough, but in reality, he was far too gentle. Even if he tried to keep his distance, if someone pushed their way in relentlessly, he wouldn’t know how to refuse and would end up accepting them.

Even knowing that, Yoon Geon had never expressed his feelings forcefully because he wanted to remain a source of comfort to Yeoul. He wanted to respect his feelings.

He scoffed at his own thoughts just now. What nonsense.

All he really wanted was to keep Yeoul from leaving his side.

And even if they became lovers, how long would that last? Family was forever, but lovers had limits. Especially for someone like Yeoul, who longed for family, a family would be more special than a lover. He didn’t want just a fleeting moment with Yeoul—he wanted his entire life.

So he had chosen this method: evoking pity. Fortunately, apart from Yeoul’s Guiding, every other Guiding caused him pain, so winning his pity was easy.

I can’t live without you. And you’re not the kind of person who would abandon someone who only has you.

If he had to share Yeoul with an Imprinted Esper, he could, as much as he hated it—so long as he could stay by Yeoul’s side. That was the absolute limit of his concessions. He had no intention of ever letting Yeoul go.

That was why he thought he could handle any answer.

After they finished eating in silence, Yeoul brought coffee and finally spoke heavily.

“Hyung, the answer I was going to give you before… I’ll say it now. I can’t return your feelings.”

As expected, hearing it directly still made his chest ache as if it were tearing apart. But he’d prepared an answer and could act as if it was fine.

“Still, our relationship won’t change. I’ll stay as your family, just as you want.”

“That will only make things harder for you. Besides… you probably already felt it, but I’ve Imprinted with another Esper.”

“I know.”

He’d already figured it out. The only reason their match rate had dropped could be that. And he had a pretty good idea who it was.

“Is it Esper Yoo Ihan?”

“…Yes.”

After a brief pause, Yeoul admitted it. Even though Yoon Geon had already known, jealousy surged in his chest. He’d always behaved with restraint, but now an overwhelming possessiveness toward Yeoul crashed over him, almost absurd in its intensity.

My Guide. Not anyone else’s—mine.

It felt as if the Esper’s instincts were screaming at him to claim the Guide before him right now.
He hadn’t thought of Yeoul as just his Guide, but maybe that feeling was stronger than he’d realized—strong enough to make him want to knock down Yoo Ihan, someone he’d barely even met.

“I don’t care what kind of relationship it is. Just stay by my side.”

No. The truth is, I want all of you. I want to swallow you whole.

“Just… let me stay by your side.”

Whether you’ve Imprinted with another Esper or not, you know I can only have you. You can’t leave me.

“Don’t leave me.”

The desire as an Esper surged to the top of his head, ready to burst. The feeling was strange and dizzying. Thoughts he hadn’t even known he had rushed through his veins and flooded his brain.

I can’t lose my Guide. You’re mine.

The instinct of an Esper toward their Guide was so fierce and powerful that even he could barely control it. But he tried, somehow, to push it down. He couldn’t scare Yeoul. Being family would be enough. If he could just stay by his side, he could endure another Esper intruding between them.

Yoon Geon forcefully swallowed down the rough wave of instinct. Han Yeoul was not only his Guide—he was the person he loved. If Yeoul wanted someone else enough to Imprint with them, he could yield a little. But not everything. He couldn’t let him leave.

Love for Yeoul and his instincts as an Esper clashed violently, but for now, love came first. He barely managed to hide the storm of emotions and gave Yeoul a calm smile.

“Even if you have an Imprinted Esper, it doesn’t mean you can’t Guide me. Stay here with me. I won’t say anything about that Esper coming here. I need you.”

It was hard to force the words out, but Yeoul, not knowing his true desires, easily shook his head.

“There will come a day when you won’t need me anymore. I won’t always be your only Guide. I’m sure a higher-ranked Guide will appear before long.”

His tone carried a subtle certainty. Yoon Geon didn’t understand why he sounded so sure, but he had a selfish thought—it might be better to use this opportunity.

“If I still need you, promise me you’ll stay by my side.”

Yeoul hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“Alright. If it’s okay with you that it’s only as family.”

“That’s fine.”

In truth, it wasn’t fine at all. Maybe because his feelings were already exposed, he wanted to lay them bare without end. Or maybe it was jealousy toward the Esper Yeoul had Imprinted with. The relationship he’d thought was enough suddenly felt lacking. Perhaps sensing his confusion, Yeoul spoke with an apologetic expression.

“But still, that will only make things harder for you. I can’t make you happy.”

“That’s not your responsibility. It’s mine alone, and the decision is mine too. I’ll stay by your side no matter what.”

“…You really are stubborn.”

“I’m a little surprised myself.”

When Yoon Geon let out a breath and laughed, Yeoul smiled faintly with him. It was a pained expression, but for now, Yoon Geon wanted to pretend not to notice.

The next morning, Yoon Geon called the Zone 5 Center Director.

“I’d like one more promise.”

Yeoul, I told you. I’ll stay by your side no matter what.

“While Yoo Ihan is here, please don’t take on any new Guides in Zone 5.”

You’ve always been my happiness. If you leave, my happiness leaves with you.

“I don’t need any Guide other than Han Yeoul.”

If I’m going to be unhappy anyway, I’d rather be unhappy by your side.