* * *
Of course, the reality of Pairing was different from what young Wonho had imagined.
An Esper could only have one Guide, but a Guide didn’t necessarily have only one Esper.
And their relationship wasn’t always like the great love stories in the movies.
Still, Wonho would have been fine with just having a lifelong friend.
As long as they existed, that was enough.
But time had passed mercilessly.
A year, two years…
Four years went by, and still, no Guide had appeared for him.
He had endured all that time alone and reached twenty without one.
Everyone had expected him to go berserk.
In South Korea, the average compatibility rate between Espers and Guides rarely exceeded ten percent.
Even when it did, there were only a handful of Guides capable of handling Wonho.
The stronger an Esper’s abilities, the harder it was to control their energy waves, and the tougher the accumulated impurities became.
That was why compatibility rates mattered—because a high match meant their abilities could counterbalance each other.
A Guide with a low compatibility rate would suffer immense pain while guiding Wonho.
In the end, he had no choice but to rely on machines and drugs.
At least until today.
“An A-class Guide has just awakened. I was the first to request a compatibility test, so get here immediately. Na Hyunjoon is eyeing this one too. Don’t be late.”
Jin Seyoung had called Wonho at the crack of dawn, repeating her instructions several times. But Wonho wasn’t convinced.
He had taken every compatibility test available, including with Guides who were already Paired.
And every single time, the result was the same—there was no Guide in this world for him.
So why should this time be any different?
But unlike him, Jin Seyoung seemed oddly hopeful.
Na Hyunjoon was an S-class Esper, three years older than Wonho.
His situation wasn’t as dire—while there were no Guides who matched the critical 70% threshold needed for Pairing, his average compatibility rate was around 50%.
He could avoid going berserk just by working with the Center’s Guides, even without a Pair.
He didn’t seem thrilled about the constant physical contact required for guidance, but that wasn’t Wonho’s concern.
Hell, Wonho wasn’t even allowed to hold hands with anyone.
Sometimes, he envied Na Hyunjoon for that.
Still, he made his way toward the research building at the designated time, moving at a leisurely pace.
“Wonho! Why are you just now getting here? Ugh… You’re driving me insane. Na Hyunjoon is taking his test right now, so wait here. You’re up next.”
“…Okay.”
Wonho tapped his wrist device.
The first thing that appeared wasn’t the time but his Rampage Level.
A high Rampage Level meant a higher likelihood of losing control.
Wonho’s current level was at 82%.
For an average Esper, that would already be high enough to show warning signs.
But for Wonho, it was just another normal day.
He tapped again, and the time finally displayed.
He was one minute late.
He wondered how long Na Hyunjoon had been waiting.
Unlike Wonho, who had given up hope, Na Hyunjoon was obsessed with finding a Guide.
Wonho flopped onto the sofa, absentmindedly swinging his legs as he waited.
He hoped Na Hyunjoon would find his Guide before he, too, gave up.
They weren’t exactly close, but they weren’t enemies either.
While Wonho sat there, unbothered, Jin Seyoung was visibly on edge.
With a small sigh, he glanced at her.
After some time, the words “In Progress” disappeared from the screen outside the testing room.
The test was over.
The door opened, and Na Hyunjoon stepped out first.
“…Hey.”
Despite the distance between them, they had fought side by side in Gates before.
Ignoring each other completely would have been awkward.
Normally, Na Hyunjoon would have responded.
But today, he seemed different—his mind was elsewhere.
His eyes looked unfocused.
“Na Hyunjoon, please wait over here. We’ll begin Wonho’s test now.”
“…Alright.”
Snapped out of his daze by Jin Seyoung’s firm tone, Na Hyunjoon shot Wonho a quick glance before moving aside.
His expression was unreadable.
Espers generally found each other irritating.
Their energy waves naturally clashed.
But today, Na Hyunjoon’s gaze felt especially sharp.
It was annoying.
Still, Wonho had no time to dwell on it.
He was ushered into the testing room.
“Ah…”
As soon as he stepped inside, a gasp escaped his lips.
He hadn’t meant to react, but he couldn’t help it.
For the first time in his life, he felt something.
A refreshing clarity, as if his mind had been cleansed.
Instinctively, his gaze was drawn to the source of that feeling.
The compatibility test was conducted through close-contact guidance, ensuring that the Guide felt at ease.
That was why the tests always took place on the pristine white sofa that symbolized the testing room.
Sitting on that sofa was a woman.
Her expression was identical to Na Hyunjoon’s earlier—except her face was bright red, as if she might burst at the slightest touch.
[Wonho, please take your seat on the sofa.]
Wonho stood blankly, making no move to sit on the sofa.
Jin Seyoung scolded him through the speakers, snapping him out of his daze.
Only then did the woman’s gaze finally land on Wonho.
She flinched slightly, then quickly put on a bright smile.
“Oh! Hello. I didn’t even realize you had come in. The person before you… Ah, never mind. Please, have a seat.”
“…Alright.”
Wonho had never been told that he lacked presence before, yet this woman said it so naturally, smiling brightly as she did.
Her earlobes and cheeks were still flushed, but they no longer deepened in color.
When Wonho finally sat down on the sofa, the woman, as if determined to give it a try, attempted to take the lead.
Of course, Wonho had gone through this process countless times before.
But he allowed her clumsy guidance without complaint.
And then, that refreshing sensation he had felt earlier coursed through his entire body once more.
It was a feeling he had never experienced in his life.
It was like lying sprawled out in the middle of a vast forest.
There was no way a guiding scent could have a tangible presence, yet a cool and refreshing fragrance seemed to linger at the tip of his nose.
He could feel the impurities in his body melting away.
This level of guiding wasn’t nearly enough.
Wonho didn’t need to be told—he already knew.
His compatibility with this guide was incredibly high.
And he also knew, without a doubt, that this guide would be his pair guide.
“…Excuse me.”
A hesitant voice broke through the moment.
Pulled back to reality from the vast forest, Wonho looked at the woman with dazed eyes.
She glanced between his face and their overlapping hands, her expression mirroring the unease in her voice.
“The test is over. They’re telling you to let go now….”
“…Ah.”
Wonho let out a short breath and slowly released her hand.
His instincts screamed at him not to, but he forcibly pried himself away.
“Your name….”
“Sorry?”
“What’s your name?”
* * *
she?
OH WAIT ITS THE FL MB