TG Ch 5 Part 11

“I, personally… And the director won’t like this, but… I’m against imprinting. Because there’s no safe way to undo it.”

His words were met with surprise. Imprinting reduced the risk of Ability Users’ outbursts, so the government actively encouraged it.

However, even if the feelings faded, or if the imprinted partner died, the imprint remained on their heart. Yoo Seunghwa, for instance, was struggling to divorce because of her imprint.

Moreover, there were crimes that exploited imprinting.

“There’s also a serious crime called ‘forced imprinting.’ It involves manipulating someone with high compatibility into falling for you and then forcibly imprinting on them. You’re all young and vulnerable to such manipulative tactics.”

The atmosphere in the lecture hall turned serious. But Sijin’s voice remained gentle. “You’re all young, right? So, before you decide on imprinting, I want you to think about it carefully. In reality, Ability Users just need someone… to hug.” 

As he spoke, he felt a strange emptiness beside him and glanced over. 

Ham Geonwu, who he’d expected to be fooling around, was staring at him intently, a serious expression on his face – a rare sight. 

‘…Didn’t Geonwu say he was against imprinting?’ 

He recalled their earlier conversation about imprinting. 

Ham Geonwu, despite his ambition to reach S-rank, had been against imprinting, which would have been the most beneficial for his wave energy stability.

Sijin was curious, but he decided to finish the lecture first.

“If you’re struggling with the decision, you can always come to me. I’m always at the examination room.”

“Yes, sir—!”

The trainees responded in unison. Sijin was relieved to see that they had understood the lecture.

And as he concluded his lecture, Ham Geonwu continued to watch him, a gentle smile on his face. 

***

As soon as his lecture ended, Sijin headed to the Administration office.

“I’m sorry, but there are no rings reported as lost items so far.”

The Center guard informed him. Sadly, the ring was nowhere to be found. Sijin left a detailed description, requesting they contact him if they found it.

Seeing his dejection, Ham Geonwu suggested they walk around the lake and look for it. They bought coffee and strolled along the lakeside, Sijin with a warm latte, Ham Geonwu with an iced Americano.

Sijin took a sip of his coffee and asked, “You were really focused during the lecture, weren’t you?”

Ham Geonwu had been more attentive than the trainees. At the veiled compliment, Ham Geonwu chuckled, “You know, it’s the first time I realized a teacher who gives a good lecture can be sexy. Just watching you made it easy to focus.”

“I thought you were genuinely interested…”

“If I’d had a teacher like you when I was younger, I would have been top of my class.” 

“Says the guy who spent his youth reading books like ‘A Thrilling Affair with My Teacher’…”

Ham Geonwu burst out laughing, still using his telekinesis to sift through the nearby bushes. So far, his search had yielded only a few lost coins and a café loyalty card. 

He lifted a small statue with his telekinesis and said, “You mentioned you’re against imprinting during the lecture.”

“Ah… yes. Please don’t tell the director.”

“Of course not.”

Ham Geonwu promised readily. Though he said it casually, Sijin knew he was a man of his word.

He then added, his voice subdued, “I liked how confidently you said you’re against it.”

“Why?”

“Jeong Tae and I really hate imprinting.”

“…What?”

Sijin’s head shot up, surprised. He hadn’t expected Jeong Taeyul to feel the same.

‘I only want to imprint with someone intelligent.’

He remembered Jeong Taeyul’s words from their earlier conversation. He’d assumed, based on his response, that the Shark was at least open to the idea. This was unexpected.

Ham Geonwu turned to Sijin, a playful smile on his face. “Remember how flustered you were when you suggested imprinting to us?”

‘Was it that obvious…?’ 

He could read him that easily… Sijin decided he needed to work on his poker face. 

Ham Geonwu continued, his voice lighter, “You know, every other Administrator we’ve met was thrilled at the idea of us getting imprinted. It’s a good thing for their performance reviews.” 

“…I see.”

Sijin nodded, a hint of sadness in his eyes. Naturally, when Ability Users got imprinted and their wave energy stabilized, it meant less work for the examiners, which reflected well on their performance. That’s why they often pushed for imprinting without considering the individual’s feelings. Sijin found it insensitive. 

However, he didn’t want Ham Geonwu to resent all the examiners. He was one himself, after all. Resolving these small conflicts would hopefully help alleviate Ham Geonwu’s trauma. He said gently, “But… they probably suggested it because they wanted your wave energy to stabilize.”

“Well, whatever.”

Ham Geonwu turned to face him. His black eyes, framed by thick eyebrows, were usually filled with confidence, but now, as he looked at Sijin, they softened.

“But you’re the first person we’ve met who’s against it.”

“…..”

“That… means something to me.”

Sijin was speechless. He hadn’t realized they had never met anyone like that.

And the first person happened to be him. He wondered if his expressive nature had actually worked in his favor.

‘Maybe they were pressured into imprinting so often that they developed a strong aversion…’

He was starting to worry about Ham Geonwu. Imprinting significantly stabilized an Ability User’s wave energy. For someone like Ham Geonwu, who was at a high risk of outbursts, it would be beneficial to at least consider the possibility. 

He wanted to change Ham Geonwu’s perception, at least from ‘I hate imprinting’ to ‘It’s okay to imprint, but it’s also okay not to.’ Even a small shift in perspective could be helpful. 

Sijin asked cautiously, “Geonwu.”

“Yes.”

“Are you… against imprinting because examiners have been carelessly suggesting it?” 

“…..”

Ham Geonwu didn’t answer.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly grabbed Sijin’s wrist and pulled him along. Sijin, sensing the shift in mood, wondered if he’d asked the wrong question.

He found himself sitting on a bench beside Ham Geonwu.

Ham Geonwu took a sip of his coffee, lost in thought. A comfortable silence settled between them. He leaned back, his arm resting on the back of the bench, occasionally stroking Sijin’s soft hair. Sijin would chuckle and gently swat his hand away. 

The Center, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, felt serene.

To the north, beyond the trees, they could see a glimpse of the ocean. It was a beautiful, peaceful view. Sijin’s favorite spot in the Center.

Ham Geonwu finally spoke, his voice a little subdued. “I’m only telling you this because it’s you, Doctor.”

“Okay.”

“Jeong Tae and I… we were lab rats when we were younger.”

Sijin froze at his confession. It was a heavy truth, one that wasn’t easy to hear. He clenched his hand, his knuckles turning white, then replied, “I see. I had a feeling.” 

“It’s… not that uncommon, is it?”

“…How can you call something that caused you so much pain ‘common’?”

“…..” 

Ham Geonwu’s smile faded.

Overwhelmed with emotion, he let out a shaky laugh and cleared his throat. Sijin gently placed his hand on his shoulder, offering silent comfort. 

His heart felt heavy, but he was relieved that Ham Geonwu felt safe enough to confide in him.

Ham Geonwu continued, his voice regaining its usual cheerfulness, “Those disgusting researchers kept pumping us with drugs and messing with our hearts until they got the results they wanted. It was hell.”

“…..” 

“That’s why I always found it repulsive when examiners suggested imprinting. It felt so… insincere…” 

Ham Geonwu looked at Sijin, who met his gaze with a weak smile. Ham Geonwu smiled back.

“But you… you were so flustered when you suggested it to us. It was… nice.”

“…You enjoyed teasing me that much?”

“Well, that too, but…”

Sijin chuckled.

He suspected this was the first time Ham Geonwu had opened up to an examiner. It meant that Sijin had a responsibility to look after him even more carefully from now on.

‘Experimentation on Ability Users…’

Actually, Sijin had his own memories related to experimentation.

He stared off into the distance, his hand fidgeting with his coffee cup. Unconsciously, he spoke, “Geonwu…” 

“Yes? What is it?”

“…..”

Sijin hesitated, then forced a smile, “It’s… nothing.” 

“Come on, you got my hopes up. Just tell me.” 

“Haha… What hope? It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

He shook his head, a hint of sadness in his smile.

Ham Geonwu, noticing Sijin avoiding his gaze, said, his voice laced with disappointment, “I thought you were going to confess.”

“W-What? What are you talking about…? I’m a… teacher… an examiner.”

Sijin stammered, his cheeks burning. He hadn’t expected his feelings to be so obvious.

Ham Geonwu laughed, unable to contain his amusement. He stood up and offered Sijin his hand. “Let’s go. That bastard, Jeong Tae, is out of commission, so I have to go on patrol.” 

“Oh, right. Let’s go.”

Sijin stared at his outstretched hand, the same hand that had saved him all those years ago, then took it, rising from the bench.

The streetlights came on, illuminating the darkening Center. Ham Geonwu, bathed in the warm glow, beamed at him. He looked down at Sijin and said, “Doctor.”

“Yes?”

“Just so you know, I have plenty of time.” 

“What…? You’re busy, Geonwu.”

“I might be busy, but I always have time for you, Doctor.”

Sijin chuckled. He appreciated the sentiment. Time was a valuable gift.

He wanted to say so much, to express his gratitude, but he simply bit his lip, looking down.

‘I’m sorry.’

All he wanted to do was apologize. There was a truth he couldn’t tell him, a painful past he couldn’t bear to share.

But he believed there would come a time when he could. 

When Ham Geonwu had healed from his trauma. He would tell him everything then.

Sijin unconsciously touched his bare neck.

He missed his father’s ring more than usual today.