* * *

Unlike Rex, Elliot couldn’t hold back his tears.

Despite his cold appearance, he had always been a warm-hearted man.

He must have left Heesoo behind to avoid showing her this vulnerable side.

“For everything, I’m sorry.”

“Heewoon, you have nothing to apologize for. Not to me, at least.”

“…”

“Just… having you back is enough. I missed you.”

Thanks to their words, I could finally meet Cha Junseong’s eyes when he approached.

I’d worried he might look worn out—he’d always been such a hard worker and carried the most responsibility regarding me.

But thankfully, he looked healthy.

Time had matured him gracefully, like fine wine.

Still, the most surprising sign of time wasn’t in his face.

“Junseong, what’s with your outfit?”

“Is it strange?”

Of course, it was strange.

The Junseong I knew always wore muted tones that completely covered him.

But now, his shirt was unbuttoned to the point of exposing his collarbones—in a hospital, no less!

Not wanting to lie, I nodded slightly.

He looked flustered and began buttoning his shirt back up.

The fact that he hadn’t even realized his appearance said a lot.

Had he been dressing like this for a while?

“It’s fine. It feels odd, but you look good. Better than before, even.”

His clothes alone revealed how much freer he’d become.

Whether because of his own mindset or relief from his family’s pressures, this was a version of Junseong I hadn’t seen before.

I was relieved.

Even in my absence, he had been doing well.

“Your body… how’s it holding up?”

“I’m fine. The test results aren’t all in yet, but I feel good.”

“That’s a relief. For now, don’t think about anything else and focus on recovering. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Yes. Thank you for your concern.”

Cha Junseong gave me a faint smile, his gaze lingering on me.

When I nodded, instead of embracing me, he extended his hand toward me.

Almost instinctively, I lowered my head slightly.

Sure enough, his hand came to rest on top of my head.

“Welcome back.”

Cha Junseong had changed a lot from before, but the way he stroked my hair was the same.

Gentle, soft, and warm.

Feeling his touch, recalling the familiar sensation of his embrace, I smiled.

It finally started to feel real.

I wasn’t dead. I had survived.

I had lived, and I had come back—to the people I loved.

“By the way, once I’m discharged, shall we have a party?”

“A party?”

“Yeah, I wanted to have a year-end party before I left, but back then, Eunsoo was sick, so we couldn’t. If it’s okay, could you make some time for it?”

Their faces all seemed to say the same thing: ‘Out of nowhere?’

A party, when I had just woken up—it might’ve been a hasty suggestion.

But since I made it back, there was something I wanted to say.

Though I wasn’t ready yet, I wanted to say it at the right moment.

“Sure. Just let us know the time and place once it’s decided.”

“Of course. I can even help with the preparations.”

“Heewoon, do whatever you want.”

“Thank you.”

Their responses were so readily positive that my worries seemed almost ridiculous.

Even though so much time had passed, and they looked different, the warmth of the three remained unchanged.

Completely at ease, I smiled like an idiot, and the three of them smiled back at me.

Their expressions, free of sadness, bitterness, or guilt, were all the more welcome.

“We should get going now.”

“Already?”

“Sorry. We’d love to stay longer, but we rushed over when we heard you woke up. We need to get back.”

“It’s reassuring knowing you’re standing firm behind us, but still, duty calls.”

“Yeah, I’ve got a call waiting, so I’ll head out first.”

“Oh, okay… Be safe.”

Elliot waved at me as he stepped out of the hospital room.

I was deeply reluctant to let them go, but I couldn’t stop them—it was their duty to save lives.

Instead of clinging to the espers, I glanced briefly at Eunsoo.

‘Does Eunsoo not have to go?’

There’s no rule that guides must accompany espers to the field, but it’s good to stay by their side when they’re busy.

Especially since the Special A Team members are difficult to guide without Eunsoo.

Maybe that’s why Eunsoo was using this brief moment to talk with Cha Junseong.

I couldn’t hear their conversation from here, but judging by their expressions, it seemed work-related.

‘But if Eunsoo leaves too… I’ll be all alone.’

Eunsoo and Cha Junseong stood side by side, talking.

Their matching suits, their tall statures, their broad shoulders and sturdy builds, and their long, confident strides—they both looked strikingly handsome.

It was a heartwarming sight, but… it felt strange.

They were undoubtedly Eunsoo and Cha Junseong, yet they seemed like different people than I remembered.

A sudden pang hit me.

It felt like they had left me far behind.

Of course, just surviving was a miracle, and I was grateful for it.

The world moving on without me was only natural. I knew this, but it still felt… odd.

It felt like there was a wall between us, like I had become an outsider.

“Heewoon-ah.”

“Ah, yes.”

As I stared at the two of them blankly, my waist was suddenly pulled forward.

Rex scooped me up like a child, enveloping me in his arms.

The pounding of his heartbeat thudded against my chest.

Thump, thump, thump.

As the steady rhythm calmed me, I melted into his embrace.

His large hand stroked my hair.

“Don’t make that awkward face. We’ve all been waiting for you.”

“…….”

“Not a single day went by that we forgot you. During the half-year after they said you were dead, and the five years after you didn’t return from the Gate—we were full of hope. We believed we might find you someday. And now, here you are. Do you think we’d let you feel alone?”

Before I could reply, his emotions flowed into me, carried by the rhythm of his heartbeat.

The longing he had felt, the joy swelling from that longing, the happiness of holding me now, and his concern for me—all of it came pouring in.

My whole body flushed with heat, my face quickly turning red.

“Did you feel it?”

“…Yes. Thank you.”

“See? I like having you as my guide, but it must be hard for you. It’s a shame.”

“You have Eunsoo, don’t you?”

“That guy? He’d never accept this. His guiding is so rough—it’s like getting dragged by the collar.”

“Well… Guiding, sometimes… it’s fine.”

“Really?”

“Yes…”

I took a deep breath.

It was overwhelming, doing this after so long.

Most of the emotional residue had already been handled by Eunsoo, leaving just a small trace.

It wasn’t much, but Rex, being an S-class esper, was intense.

He felt even more powerful than the last time I guided him.

But instead of painful, it felt… good. It gave me a sense of accomplishment, made me feel alive.

I tightened my arms around him and slowly lifted my gaze to meet his blue eyes.

When our eyes met, I gave him a shy smile.

Rex shut his eyes tightly.

“Ugh. Don’t make that face. It’s hard to hold back…”

“I wasn’t trying to…”

“You were. That was totally a ‘do more’ look. Hmm, Heewoon-ah, come here for a second.”

“…Yes?”

After glancing briefly in Eunsoo’s direction, Rex leaned close to whisper in my ear.

“……?”

I looked up at him in shock, but before he could say more, a hand grabbed the back of his neck, pulling him away from me.

It was Eunsoo.

* * *