* * *
As Jin Seyoung’s smile deepened, Haebom’s frown grew.
Her words made it sound like Wonho was reacting this way because of him.
‘Why?’
Questions popped up endlessly in Haebom’s mind.
Then, suddenly, a realization struck him.
Espers had an intense possessiveness over highly compatible guides.
He had momentarily forgotten because Wonho had never shown any possessiveness or jealousy over Choi Yoonseo.
But Espers always desired their matching guides.
Now that he thought about it, when Wonho had come to the office last time, it was because Haebom was guiding another Esper.
Realizing that Wonho saw him as something to be possessed… it felt strange.
Haebom rationalized it—Wonho must have restrained himself for Choi Yoonseo because he loved her.
With Haebom, there was no need to hold back.
What Haebom didn’t realize was that Wonho had never felt possessive over Choi Yoonseo to begin with.
And that his feelings toward Haebom weren’t just about guiding—they were much more than that.
“Haebom, why do you think Wonho is so wary of Na Hyunjoon?”
Jin Seyoung asked with a sly smile.
Normally, meddling in someone else’s love life was a bad idea.
But since Wonho had never dated before, maybe she should help out a little.
The problem was… neither of them had any experience.
“I think an Esper’s possessiveness over their Guide is just… that. I was taught that the higher the matching rate, the stronger the possessiveness.”
“Huh?”
Jin Seyoung’s face showed surprise.
From Haebom’s expression, it seemed like he wasn’t connecting this situation to romantic feelings at all.
“Haebom, this might be a rude question, but can I ask you something?”
“Huh? Oh, um… sure, it’s fine.”
He had no idea what the question would be, but seeing how even the usually blunt Jin Seyoung was asking so cautiously, he unconsciously felt nervous and swallowed hard.
They had been talking about Wonho’s possessiveness over his Guide—so what kind of question could suddenly be considered rude?
Even though he had said it was fine, his pupils trembled slightly.
“…Have you ever been in a relationship?”
“What?!?”
Haebom let out a high-pitched yelp at the unexpected question.
Not that he had been expecting any particular question, but still… this one was completely out of the blue.
His eyes darted around in confusion.
He had no idea why the conversation had suddenly jumped from Wonho’s possessiveness to romance.
“I’m just asking out of curiosity. I know it might not be appropriate for a coworker to ask something so personal…”
As Haebom grew visibly flustered, Jin Seyoung quickly added an explanation, almost as if making an excuse.
But Haebom still felt uneasy.
He wanted to point out that Seyoung already knew way too much about his personal life for just a “coworker,” but he held back.
Saying it would only make him feel embarrassed.
Instead, his ears grew uncomfortably warm, and he gave a small shake of his head.
“…So, you’ve never been in a relationship?”
He exhaled sharply through his nose and nodded.
Seeing Haebom’s small head bob up and down, Jin Seyoung inwardly sighed.
She had assumed that at least Haebom had some dating experience.
But to think neither of them had ever been in a relationship before…
“Then, have you ever liked someone? And I don’t mean childhood crushes like, ‘I like my seatmate!'”
Haebom frowned slightly and shook his head again.
Liking someone? Seriously liking someone?
No, he never had.
Sure, he had found people appealing before, but he had never truly liked someone.
He had always been too busy for that.
Jin Seyoung let out a long sigh.
Haebom started feeling oddly down—was it really something to sigh about?
Why had this conversation even turned to his love life in the first place, when they had originally been talking about how Wonho almost fought with Na Hyunjoon?
“…But why are you asking me this?”
“I was just curious. Haebom, when you get home today, talk to Wonho. Don’t overthink it alone, and don’t make any misunderstandings. Also, you don’t have to do general Guiding. Back then, I only suggested it because it seemed like you were struggling with not being able to Guide him. But now, you’re doing fine.”
Haebom’s ears were burning red, and his large eyes widened as he asked.
Seeing that, Jin Seyoung sighed inwardly.
She couldn’t just come out and tell Haebom what Wonho was feeling.
If she did, there was a chance Haebom might start avoiding Wonho, or worse, if Wonho wasn’t fully aware of his own feelings yet, he might outright deny them—”No, I don’t like you”—which would be a disaster.
All Jin Seyoung could do was make sure things didn’t get messy and encourage them to talk.
“Hmm… I’ll talk to Wonho and decide. If he’s uncomfortable with it, then I think it’s better not to do it.”
“Sounds good. Then let’s have some tea while we wait. The test will take a while.”
“Okay, thank you.”
Haebom nodded, deciding that when he got home, he would talk to Wonho.
He had concluded on his own that Wonho’s reaction was simply an Esper’s possessiveness over a high-matching-rate Guide.
But, just as Jin Seyoung said, it would be better to actually talk about it.
They needed to discuss general Guiding anyway.
“Are you bored—”
Jin Seyoung had returned after checking on Wonho’s test and was about to hand Haebom a book to pass the time.
But seeing Haebom lost in thought, she stopped.
“Guess not,” she murmured. Just thinking about everything was enough to make time fly.
Instead of disturbing him, Jin Seyoung sat down quietly.
Out of everyone, it was Jin Seyoung who wanted the two of them to be together the most.
She turned slightly and stole a glance at Haebom.
The guy was trying not to show it, but Seyoung knew that Haebom wanted to return to where he truly belonged.
That’s why she had been searching everywhere to figure out where Haebom had originally come from.
But just like before, there wasn’t a single trace of him anywhere in South Korea.
Then… another country?
No, it was the same everywhere.
“A Gate, huh…”
The Espers, including Wonho, had encountered something inside the Gate this time.
And maybe—just maybe—it was related to Haebom.
Should she tell Haebom and hear his story?
Or should she keep it hidden so that Haebom could stay by Wonho’s side forever?
…It was a pointless dilemma.
Once the research began, the whole world would know anyway. A
nd Haebom was part of that world.
Wishing for him to stay by Wonho’s side was just Seyoung’s selfish desire.
“……Bom. Yoon Haebom.”
Huh?
Haebom blinked in confusion at the familiar voice calling his name.
Then, he let out a small sound of disbelief.
What the—?
He had been waiting for Wonho at Jin Seyoung’s lab just a moment ago.
But now, he was standing inside the house he shared with Wonho.
“…Did I just teleport?”
“What kind of bullshit—No, what nonsense are you talking about?”
Wonho frowned, placing a hand on Haebom’s forehead.
“You’ve been zoning out for a while. Are you okay? You’re not sick, are you?”
Haebom flinched at the sudden touch, but he didn’t pull away.
Instead, he quietly looked up at Wonho.
If it wasn’t teleportation, then how had he gotten home?
Haebom tilted his head slightly, and Wonho’s hand followed the movement, still resting on his forehead.
“You don’t have a fever… so why are you acting weird?”
Though Wonho sounded concerned, Haebom frowned.
He wasn’t sick—so why was Wonho asking if he was out of his mind?
* * *
