The Youngest wants to be exorcised! chapter 6

* * *

Jaehee’s eldest brother, Jaemin, had arrived.

Hyunsoo sat next to Jaehee’s family. Since the third shaman’s visit, they had been unable to regain their spirits. Two days before Jaemin’s arrival, they had met with the third shaman, who also hesitated to perform an exorcism.

‘I really can’t stand this discomfort.’

Hyunsoo had never wanted this situation, and it was now a confirmed fact that the body owner had died.

The three shamans who visited in succession all suggested that while exorcism was possible, it could worsen the situation.

‘They all said they couldn’t see Jaehee’s soul at all. Is Jaehee really dead?’

If so, what should he do next? Hyunsoo was deep in thought.

“Jaehee.”

Hyunsoo looked at the man standing in front of him.

It was Jaemin, whose face showed his worry for his youngest sibling.

“……Hello.”

Hyunsoo greeted Jaemin, glancing at Jaehee’s parents and Jaeyoon. They had agreed that he will have to act like Jaehee, who had lost his memory, for the sake of their sensitive eldest.

“I heard you’ve lost your memory. Still, if you rest well, you’ll recover.”

There was no way Hyunsoo, who was not Jaehee, could recover, but he couldn’t say that, so he just nodded.

At dinner time, Jaemin asked Jaehee various questions.

“You’ll be returning to the center next week, right?”

“……Yes.”

Once someone awakens as an Esper or a Guide, they must serve at the center for a certain period.

The real Jaehee had been undergoing basic training and living with his assigned team as a trainee guide when he suffered Guiding Shock.

Whether he had died then was unknown, but officially, he was resting due to memory loss from Guiding Shock, making it difficult for him to serve.

However, that period would end this week. He had to return to the center next week.

He had been on sick leave for quite a while, something possible only because of the influence of SY, which heavily invested in the center.

It was a time when it was necessary to fight monsters that appeared without warning, and mandatory service for the awakened was essential.

“Yes, you should rest well while you can.”

“I’m planning to.”

After the awkward meal ended, Hyunsoo went straight to Jaehee’s room under the pretext of needing rest. There wasn’t much to do in the room. Out of habit, he picked up Jaehee’s phone, which was full of messages from Team D’s Espers. Hesitating for a moment, he checked the messages.

[Yuni♡: Hyung, Mrs. Doumi left for vacation, and Jiwoon made thisㅠㅠ Isn’t this an assassination attempt? (photo)] (TL note: Doumi stand for Helper.)

A photo of a burnt egg fry and carelessly sprinkled soy sauce caught his attention.

There was no need to zoom in on the attached photo. Song Jiwon’s cooking skills were terrible.

[You must have made side dishes before going on vacation.]

As Hyunsoo sent the reply, an answer came back immediately.

[Jiwon: There were, but they’re all gone now.]

[Jung Minchan: Ah, suddenly I want to eat the ramen you make.]

[Yoonie♡: Me too]

[Yoonie♡: ㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

Yoonie sent a lot of crying emojis. Hyunsoo wasn’t very good at cooking. Occasionally, he would make ramen for the guys who whined about being hungry in the middle of the night.

[Jiwon: Can’t you come visit our dorm?]

Hyunsoo closed his eyes at the subtle hint in the message. The situation wasn’t good.

If a memorial date had been set, he could have easily visited with the excuse of it being their last meeting before the spirit ascends.

But what was the situation now?

Repeated consistent statements from the shamans made it seem like Lee Jaehee’s death was a fact.

As a result, Lee Jaehee’s family was deeply grieved.

‘Someone doesn’t even know if they’re alive or dead, and if the person who took over someone else’s body was wandering around meeting people, I’d be pissed off too.’

Thinking this, Hyunsoo gently declined Jiwon’s invitation. He could feel the regret through the text, but it couldn’t be helped.

As someone living in Lee Jaehee’s house, he had to be mindful of the homeowner’s feelings.

[Jung Minchan: Hyung, but you said you were looking for a shaman. How’s that going?]

[Still looking.]

After sending the reply, Hyunsoo put down his phone.

“Ugh, my stomach.”

Maybe because he had eaten while being mindful of Lee Jaehee’s family, his stomach felt uneasy.

Sitting on the chair and staring blankly, he saw the notebook that Lee Jaehee used.

Flipping through the notes, Hyunsoo frowned at a memo written in the corner.

[I want to become an amazing guide… Fighting!]

Starting next Monday, he would be returning to the center.

Due to being diagnosed with amnesia, Lee Jaehee had to retake the basic guide training.

‘How is basic training done these days?’

For the S-class guide Park Hyunsoo, often mentioned as a role model for active guides, the basic training he had to complete before becoming an official guide was a distant memory.

But since he was indebted to Lee Jaehee’s body, he couldn’t just breeze through it. He planned to do his best as per Jaehee’s wish to become an amazing guide.

‘Of course, it would be better if Mr. Lee Jaehee returned before then.’

Hyunsoo tossed and turned on the bed for a long time before falling asleep.

* * *

As time passed, he got somewhat used to the uncomfortable dining situation. It was because Lee Jaemin, often tied up with work, didn’t come home often.

On days he didn’t come home, Hyunsoo could eat comfortably alone in his room as usual.

‘Why did he call me?’

Hyunsoo was in Lee Jaeyoon’s room, who had requested some time. Lee Jaeyoon carefully asked Hyunsoo who had come to his room.

“You’ll be staying at the center starting tomorrow for a while. Is that okay with you?”

During the basic training period, it was standard to stay in the center’s dormitory.

No matter what happens Lee Jaehee was still the youngest son of a conglomerate supporting the center, there were no exceptions.

‘Of course. I will behave in a way that doesn’t tarnish Mr. Lee Jaehee’s reputation.’

Hyunsoo intended to do his best for Lee Jaehee, who might return someday.

“We will inform the center in advance. If you have any inconveniences, please feel free to contact me anytime.”

“Understood.”

Hyunsoo nodded. As he was about to leave the room, thinking the conversation was over, Lee Jaeyoon called him.

“…Um.”

“Yes.”

Hyunsoo looked at him quietly. After hesitating for a long time, Lee Jaeyoon closed his mouth.

“Nothing. Rest well.”

Though Lee Jaeyoon’s awkward behavior left him feeling uneasy, Hyunsoo just nodded slightly and left the room.

Lee Jaehee’s room already had a suitcase prepared. Most of the necessary items for his stay were provided at the center. However, there were personal items that needed to be prepared.

“Hmm. This should be enough.”

After double-checking the items listed on the guide provided by the center, Hyunsoo stretched lightly.

He had to sleep early to go to the center in the morning.

* * *

Arriving at the center’s main gate in a car driven by a chauffeur, Hyunsoo pulled his suitcase and scanned the familiar buildings.

Up until he watched team D cry their eyes out at the funeral, he thought he’d never see these buildings again. Feeling nostalgic, he looked around and stepped towards the basic training center.

“…Hyung?”

It was a familiar voice. Hyunsoo turned his head. Minchan, wearing a loose T-shirt and ripped jeans, was running towards him.

“Chan-ah.”

As Hyunsoo softly called his name, Minchan caught his breath and stopped in front of him.

“What? Why are you here? There’s only the basic training center this way.”

“Ah, it’s a long story.”

Not confident in summarizing everything that had happened, Hyunsoo mumbled.

Then, Minchan lowered his head and looked at him.

“I’ll listen.”

He reached out and gently touched the soft cheek of the person standing before him.

It was a completely different face, but no matter what anyone said, this person was the Park Hyunsoo he knew.

“You know I always listen to you well.”

“Of course. Everyone knows how well you listen to me.”

Hyunsoo smiled slightly. Checking his watch, he saw there was still time before the gathering. He looked around to see if there were many people nearby.

Arriving earlier than expected, there weren’t many people around.

“Shall we talk somewhere less crowded?”

“Sure.”

Minchan naturally took the suitcase Hyunsoo was holding. Watching Minchan take the suitcase, Hyunsoo smiled slightly. He walked in step with Minchan.

With a light breeze blowing his bangs, he felt at ease. After being cooped up in the room, always wary of Lee Jaehee’s family, walking with a comfortable companion felt relaxing.

The two reached a quiet place and sat on a bench.

“Why are you at the center? Why did you bring a suitcase? Are you on your way to the basic training center?”

Minchan bombarded him with questions as soon as they sat down, making Hyunsoo laugh.

“Yeah. On my way to the basic training center. Mr. Lee Jaehee is still a newbie who hasn’t completed his mandatory guide training at the center.”

“Ah… I see.”

Minchan’s eyes lit up for a moment.

“It seems I’ll be living the trainee life for a while, which doesn’t suit me.”

Hyunsoo sighed a little, and Minchan smiled brightly.

“If it’s you, you’ll adapt well.”

Park Hyunsoo would handle it better than anyone. He had always been a reliable pillar in any situation.

Minchan reached out and held Hyunsoo’s hand. Naturally, Hyunsoo clasped their fingers together.

“Your energy is a mess. Are you receiving proper guidance?”

Checking Minchan’s energy flow, Hyunsoo unconsciously absorbed the tangled waves. Minchan closed his eyes, enjoying the familiar guidance style he loved.

The sensation of having his energy gently absorbed was blissful.

“Chan-ah?”

“…Yeah.”

“Are you okay?”

Minchan slowly opened his eyes. Staring at the unfamiliar but concerned face, he mumbled.

“I’m okay.”

For now, he was okay. No, he had to be okay.

* * *

*Summary page is only available for login users. Non-users can view the chapters on the chapter list.*