* * *

“Rex is a ‘kissing maniac.’ It’s my nickname for him, a mix of ‘kiss’ and ‘maniac,’ since he’s constantly asking for kisses. Sometimes he wants to kiss because he needs guiding, and other times he just feels like it. It’s a bit much, but he’s a good guy. Elliot, on the other hand, isn’t big on mucous guiding. He’s a well-bred gentleman and prefers hand contact, but he’ll go along with it if I suggest it. His lips are thin, so it’s cute. And he’s so hardworking that I like that about him, too. Lastly, Cha Junseong…well, he doesn’t have a preferred guiding method. Efficiency matters more to him. But his presence is pretty painful, so it’s best to finish quickly with mucous guiding. He’s the team leader, has a great personality, and seems like he can do anything. Plus, he’s good at blocking emotional impurities, so in a pinch…”

Oops. I got too carried away.

I might have shared too much information about our three Espers. Probably not the best idea.

Still, I’m the only one who’s guided the entire Special A-Team for several months straight.

Judging by my deteriorating health, it won’t be easy to pass this on to someone else, so it might be useful to mention these things now.

‘Is there anything else I should teach…?’

I haven’t exactly avoided mature scenes, so I’ve got a rough understanding of what their tastes might be.

Since it’s such a high-rated novel, I worry about certain points… but I haven’t experienced any of it personally, so there’s no need to mention things that might lead to misunderstandings.

Thinking of what our kid will go through someday makes me extremely worried… but I have to hold back. I have to…

“Hey, uncle…”

“Hm?”

But Eunsoo’s tone as he called me sounded unusual.

His voice was bubbling over, like lava.

“Why are you telling me all this?”

Oh? The kid is upset.

He was glaring at me with sharp eyes, frowning, his face flushed with irritation.

He had even put down his spoon.

He’s a growing kid, so he should be eating well, maybe even going for a second helping.

“Why are you bragging about those guys to me? And why bring up kissing?”

“Ah… wait. This wasn’t… It’s nothing weird! It’s just work, work! You’ll be working with the Special A-Team too once you regain your abilities, so it’s helpful to know in advance…”

“I don’t like them. I don’t want to know, and I don’t want to hear about them from you!”

Oh. I feel it. I’ve stepped on a landmine.

Well, Eunsoo is a high school senior preparing for exams.

It’s a sensitive time.

He’s been cooped up studying all the time.

He probably wants to have fun, maybe date, too.

I shouldn’t be rubbing salt in the wound.

“Alright. Let’s eat, okay?”

I handed Eunsoo back his spoon.

I’ll tell him about the three Espers in the Special A-Team later.

After the exams.

As long as I tell him before I leave, it’ll be fine.

---

Elliot Hooper has been in a gloomy mood lately.

There’s been no contact from Yang Heewoon.

They weren’t always in touch, but usually, if he called, he’d get a response within three hours.

Every reply was overly detailed, too, as if Heewoon was making up for the lack of frequency.

But not lately.

Now, responses only come a day or two later, if at all, and even then, just a word or two.

At first, Elliot thought it was because Heewoon was looking after a student preparing for exams and was preoccupied.

But no, it wasn’t that.

It’s already been a week since the exams ended.
So why no reply?

He bit his lip, staring at the communicator for a long time.

‘Is he not interested anymore now that he’s got money…?’

Elliot thought bitterly, then shook his head.

This is Yang Heewoon we’re talking about.

He’s not the kind of person to abandon others for something like that.

As his Esper, Elliot could be sure of that.

There must be another reason.

“How’s your love life going?”

“Can’t you see how dull my skin is? Just one time would smooth it all out, but I can’t get that one time…”

“Are you some kind of beast?”

“That’s harsh. Let’s just say I’m honest about my desires.”

He sounded out Rex, but there wasn’t much progress there either.

Cha Junseong wasn’t doing any better.

He was too busy.

Word around was that his family was having internal issues, so maybe he’s finally gotten the courage to stand his ground after being a pushover for so long.

And then there’s that brat…

He’s still a student, busy, and besides, Heewoon treats him so strictly as a kid that they’ve got hurdles to overcome.

Their odd dynamic is a bit concerning, but it’s unlikely any major progress has been made.

It’s probably not a love issue, so why is Heewoon ignoring his messages?

‘Is he really that busy?’

Korea’s academic culture is intense, with parents occupied by college admission briefings after exams. That’s what he heard.

But shouldn’t he be more glued to his communicator?

Why is it off so often?

He doesn’t even need to meet in person, but at least a reply would be nice.

It shouldn’t be that hard to read a message and respond, right?

It’s been peaceful lately, so despite Special A-Team being sidelined, there haven’t been any major incidents.

But Gates are disasters that could happen anywhere at any time.

As their guide, he should always be available!

“Damn it, this is embarrassing.”

Elliot scrunched up his face, running a hand through his neatly combed hair, thoroughly messing it up.

He couldn’t understand it—why was he so anxious just because he hadn’t been able to reach out?

Junseong had said to just let him rest, and Rex, well, other than being frustrated himself…

“Parents are usually busy when their kid is in their senior year, especially someone like Yang Heewoon, who’s so protective of that kid. He must be out of his mind.”

“I’ve visited a few times, but he’s always sleeping. He seems so exhausted, so I decided to just wait it out for now.”

It was something he said so easily.

But Elliot couldn’t simply brush it off. He was different from them.

He had a special bond.

“Hello. You’re here again today.”

“Yes. Do I come too often?”

“Not at all. You’re wonderful!”

“You’re welcome anytime. Really.”

After checking in and getting his visitor’s pass, he entered the hospital.

Since taking a break from work, he’d been visiting often enough that every nurse in the pediatric ward now recognized his face.

He attracted attention not only because he was famous but also due to his striking appearance, which often led to quick conversations even during their busy shifts.

Some of the staff had even grown quite friendly with him.

The ward seemed to light up the moment Elliot entered.

“Huimang really is lucky.”

“Whenever I see Elliot, my faith in humanity gets restored.”

“Absolutely. No one else would do this much for a child they aren’t even related to.”

“Related or not—it doesn’t matter. What’s important is that I’m needed by this child.”

He flashed a gentle smile, and their already warm gazes seemed to brighten even more.

“Oh my gosh, so wonderful.”

“Huimang’s lucky to have such a remarkable guardian. I hope he opens his eyes soon and gets to see your face.”

“You’re too kind. I’ll head in to see him now. Thank you for your hard work.”

With a quick bow, he hastily walked down the hall.

As soon as he turned the corner, Elliot pressed his forehead in frustration.

“Ugh… I really spouted nonsense back there…”

He had just repeated something Yang Heewoon had once said to him, almost unconsciously.

It was embarrassing to pass off Heewoon’s words as his own, especially when they weren’t even true.

Elliot wasn’t doing this fatherly act solely for the child.

As he pictured Heewoon’s warm, laughing face, he pulled out his phone.

His last message to Heewoon was still marked unread.

The oldest message was from two days ago, and there had been no response.

Aggravated, he hit the call button.

“Come on, just answer…”

Heewoon wasn’t picking up, again.

Why? Why? Why? Was he deliberately avoiding him?

The slow, steady beeps were maddening.

Anxiously, Elliot bit his thumbnail, knowing it would mess up his nails but finding the stress unbearable.

—The call cannot be completed. Please leave a message after the beep…

“Damn it!”

He muttered in frustration, hanging up and immediately preparing to call again, only to freeze as his phone’s lock screen caught his eye.

He was staring at the baby in the background photo.

Gazing at the photo, he found himself gently placing his index finger over the baby’s tiny hand, as if the child were holding it.

“…”

The fury that had reached a boiling point ebbed away, leaving his face serene once more.

* * *