* * *
The complete disappearance of the gate took quite a long time, but the damage wasn’t as severe as expected.
Perhaps it was thanks to the extensive preparations made over time.
After all, Cha Junseong had a firm grip on this world’s Management Bureau, so it’s only natural.
Of course, that’s only in comparison to what was anticipated—there were still casualties.
It took about a month after the incident for life to fully return to normal.
Around that time, I officially became a member of the Field Control Team.
“Heewoon, you’re adapting so quickly. You’re amazing.”
“Th-thank you. It’s all thanks to Miri’s excellent guidance.”
“Oh, come on, I didn’t do much.”
Since it was such a busy period, I was thrown straight into the field without any separate training.
Fortunately, I adapted fairly quickly.
…Or so I’d like to boast, though it feels a bit awkward to say.
The frequency of gate appearances had significantly decreased, and preparations for the next potential disaster over the coming years had been thoroughly established.
So for now, there wasn’t much overwhelming work to deal with.
As for the future, I can’t say for sure, but based on Riji’s reaction when I contacted him a few days ago, it seems like a peaceful period will continue for a while.
“Wow, it’s been ages.”
When the workload eased up a bit, I gathered with Special A Team at the office.
The office I hadn’t visited in a while was still the same place I remembered, with the same people working there, but it somehow felt different.
The previously meticulous Cha Junseong had loosened up a bit, and traces of that were visible here and there.
It felt much more like a place where people actually lived, and it was a nice change.
“So, about why I called everyone here today…”
“It’s because of this.”
As I took a deep breath, preparing for the major announcement, Eunsoo suddenly grabbed my hand.
Startled, I reflexively tried to pull away, but he held on tightly, refusing to let go.
Then, as if to seal the moment, he kissed the back of my hand.
The embarrassment was all mine.
“So, you’re officially together now?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Eunsoo spoke as nonchalantly as he could, but his expression betrayed him.
He was visibly ecstatic—his lips trembled, and his chest puffed out in pride.
‘He looks like an emperor penguin trying to intimidate its rivals.’
I elbowed him to tone it down, but it had little effect. Instead, he grew even more smug.
“I’m sorry…”
“Heewoon, you didn’t do anything wrong. What can we do? That’s just how he is. It’s like he’s twenty again.”
Thankfully, the others seemed to have known all along and weren’t too surprised.
Although we wanted to formalize things right away, we decided to postpone the bonding ceremony until after the wedding.
Between my efforts to adapt to my new role and volunteering on my days off to help with the recovery, and Eunsoo being constantly summoned due to his many talents, we barely had time to see each other, let alone enjoy a sweet, romantic phase.
Still, it seemed our relationship hadn’t gone unnoticed.
Even Eunsoo, who usually met cold stares with unwavering confidence, cleared his throat nervously.
But it wasn’t out of embarrassment—it was a plea for more attention.
“Since my kind-hearted teammates are so understanding, I’ll take it up a notch.”
“Huh?”
“What are you planning now?”
“…Hmm.”
Eunsoo suddenly dropped to one knee in front of me and pulled out something small.
A square box.
Could it be…?
“Hyung, will you marry me?”
“Ah…”
When he opened the box, a pair of rings glittered, adorned with gems the same color as Eunsoo’s eyes.
They were a perfect replica of his parents’ heirloom rings.
“I may have lost the chance to confess first, but I won’t let you beat me to the proposal. So, I prepared this. You’ll accept it, right?”
“Yes…”
I was happy—there was no reason to refuse Eunsoo’s proposal.
My heart felt so full that I couldn’t even speak.
While I was still captivated by the sight of the rings, Eunsoo took my left hand and slipped the engagement ring onto my finger.
The ring fit perfectly, and I couldn’t help but smile.
But before I could fully savor the moment, Eunsoo cupped my face, ready to seal the promise with a kiss.
“Wait, mmmph.”
I suddenly remembered we weren’t alone, but it was too late.
We ended up sharing a long, unintended kiss.
It wasn’t too deep, but the stares were scorching. I was mortified.
Sure enough, as soon as we broke apart, Eunsoo was grabbed by the scruff of his neck by a large hand.
“Hey, what the hell, Ye Eunsoo? Why are you doing this right in front of us?”
“You two used to make out in front of me all the time!”
“That was because of guiding!”
“Well, to my young and fragile heart, guiding and kissing looked exactly the same.”
“Ye Eunsoo, saying things like that will only hurt Heewoon.”
“…”
It was true.
The mention of my past mistakes made my chest ache and my head throb.
“I’m sorry…”
“Hyung—no, I didn’t mean to blame you!”
Eunsoo frantically tried to make amends, but the damage was already done.
“Wow, Eunsoo, you’ve already hurt Heewoon.”
“Starting the engagement on such a rocky note—I’m worried about the marriage.”
“That’s it! I oppose this engagement! Break it off immediately!”
“Hyung! Hyung, I’ll spend my whole life making it up to you!”
‘You don’t have to go that far.’
As Eunsoo knelt, looking up at me in a panic, I cupped his cheek and smiled.
Only then did his tense expression soften.
“Hyung, you know I love you, right? I’ll take responsibility for making you upset today for the rest of my life.”
Maybe I went too easy on him.
As he stood up, he tried to kiss me again, but Lex blocked him with a firm hand to the face.
“You little punk, rubbing it in like this. You’re really asking for it. Ye Eunsoo, to the training room. Time for a celebratory beating.”
“Fine. But do you think you can win? A happy groom is always strong.”
“Do you even know how bad that sounds? Let’s settle this.”
Before I could stop them, the two dashed off to the training room, their competitive streak as fiery as ever.
They’ve always been like this, so I’m sure it’ll be fine.
“Heewoon.”
“Yes?”
“‘Husband’ means ‘someone on the other side,’ but we’ll always be on your side, Heewoon. Remember that, okay?”
Does that mean we’re each other’s husbands and thus on opposite sides?
I chuckled at the playful wordplay.
“If that arrogant guy messes up, tell me right away. I’ll always be here to talk, or even get angry with you.”
“Okay, I will. Thank you.”
“Oh, don’t mention it. It’s the least I can do.”
I doubted Eunsoo would do anything so wrong, but knowing someone was on my side was always comforting.
As I smiled at Elliot, another hand came to rest on my head.
It was Cha Junseong.
“Congratulations on your engagement, Yang Heewoon.”
“…Thank you.”
“When are you thinking of holding the wedding? If you need anything while preparing, let me know. I’ll help.”
“Well, instead of help with the wedding, there’s something else I’d like to ask.”
Both Eunsoo and I lacked family or relatives to guide us through big events like a wedding.
While we’d manage together somehow, asking Cha Junseong for help with this felt like too much.
But I had a different request in mind.
“Please come with us to an amusement park later. I know it might be uncomfortable for you…”
A date spot. And now, going there with an old love who’s married?
It wouldn’t be easy for him.
Still, I wanted to go together. Just once more, with these people.
After much deliberation, I finally voiced my request.
Junseong’s expression seemed to say, “Why did you even worry about that?”
“There’s no need to weigh one thing against another. If you need help, I’ll help. If you have a request, I’ll honor it.”
“Last time, Heewoon, you couldn’t join us because you were unwell. Let’s enjoy it properly this time.”
“Let’s take some photos, too. The ones we took back then are so old now.”
“Those frames were so worn out from being handled so much. Did you miss us that much?”
“Yes, very much.”
I hadn’t thought the Espers didn’t miss me—it’s just that Eunsoo, being younger and more emotional, worried me more.
“I really missed you all.”
Did my sincerity reach them?
Both of them smiled at my words.
“We missed you, too.”
“A lot. You only left behind those official photos for us, after all.”
“This time, let’s take plenty. While the others are busy sparring like idiots, why don’t we take some instant ones right now?”
“Me? I’d love that! I really want to.”
“Me too.”
“Thinking about those fools whining about missing out on photos is oddly satisfying. Let’s take lots.”
We stood up right away.
As we moved, the two naturally flanked me on either side.
“Heewoon, where are you planning to go for your honeymoon?”
“Oh, I was thinking of staying domestic, if possible.”
“Wouldn’t that be a shame for a honeymoon?”
“Eunsoo has traveled a lot domestically for work, so he thought it’d be underwhelming. But I struggled with foreign food for half a year, so…”
“Don’t worry about meals. I’ll take care of that for you.”
“If needed, I’ll lend you a villa. Take a private chef with you, and food won’t be an issue.”
“Oh, um, that’s a bit too much…”
“It’s not too much at all. It’s your wedding, after all. He’ll cover the costs anyway.”
“Here. This is a photo of the villa. It’s right by the sea. Take a look. I’ll send you a detailed list soon.”
“W-wow, it’s beautiful…”
Thanks to the two of them fussing over me like it was their own sibling’s wedding, our vague plans quickly took on a clear and unexpectedly luxurious form.
It felt excessive, and I thought of refusing outright, but… I understood now that stopping them wouldn’t necessarily be for their sake.
They just wanted to do something for me.
As we stepped into the photo booth, I smiled at them.
“Thank you for everything. I’ll humbly accept your help.”
I had wandered for so long at the edge of life and death, but here I was, living.
I’ll keep living, without regrets, in the world I love, with the people I love.
* * *
…..