PRT | Chapter 3.4

Heeseo, trembling as if truly b58a7cf2f3 falling, suddenly opened his eyes. His sleep-laden eyes scanned 08199e81f8 the room to understand 809b29d683 the situation. Seeing the faded wallpaper, he e0264e9932 exhaled heavily.967824162b16ab56

Ah… it was just a dream. His tense body relaxed. Gazing blankly, Heeseo recalled the dream, now just an image fading into oblivion.92cb21524c497c5e

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In that illusory space, had Seo Yigyeom caught him or let him go? Was his touch a lifeline? Now awake, there was no way to know. Even in reality, he wouldn’t know what was in a dream.3b56b2ba61f50da5

Heeseo took slow c2751bbf0f breaths to awaken 6cc99b07ec his dulled senses. The surroundings were e7ee1d8aa9 quiet, with only 26aaddcdf7 the occasional sound f2c0f0f69e of birds indicating 737c8c5dc4 morning had come. The chirping tickled his ears.7eb9fa8a608ddd83

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“…”3396d6e727754ae6

Buried in the blanket abc57ba6ac with only his face aa09f0b1aa peeking out, Heeseo stared db25e5f1eb at the ceiling. His long eyelashes brushed through 1a0ed3aa8f the air. His eyes were swollen from 744048c5c8 crying so much; even blinking 424ff2b85a felt stiff.d3d38c160525c034

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His mind quickly drifted back to last night. Chewing over the moment felt both awkward and surreal. Crying like that in front of Seo Yigyeom of all people… It was nothing short of disgraceful behavior.c634486517ce7af5

But he didn’t regret it. In that moment when their gazes aligned, something within him broke free. It felt like something dying had come to life. Even without defining it, the value of that moment was sufficient. Thus, Heeseo only reminisced about what Seo Yigyeom had shown him.0c7ba3a94a4cf0fe

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He said he believed me.fbc12a2ad2083adc

Seo Yigyeom listened when 07a897ef34 no one else would. Whether he knew from the 593008d2cf start or judged so while 53de6c0acf being with Heeseo, either way, 7ee8dece4f it was a welcome change. It felt like gaining his 4b55bfa7fc first ally. Despite saying he would throw a8b695d778 him out if he got 72ac6ab9aa drunk, the kindness in listening 537631ff3e to his drunken ramblings touched d33c3bbd48 his heart.3912cc8d69beb747

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Sniffling, Heeseo felt his eyes 57c4d4c62c sting again and sat up. After tidying himself 1b1d0b301f up, he entered a9d93edc50 the living room, 689cea8d24 which now seemed 21fc526a9a empty. Although it felt slightly ea0deec993 warmer than yesterday, it 496e049490 looked oddly vacant, as ff34de27b6 if everything from last be98215676 night had been an 61d9ce648c illusion, especially since Seo 4d0940966f Yigyeom was nowhere to 2a1a872429 be seen.204886c88adcca5d

However, he knew it wasn’t a dream. The touch of Seo Yigyeom’s hand, his breath, his gaze felt imprinted on his skin. Standing there aimlessly, Heeseo first went to the bathroom to wash up.bf7dbef18aad708c

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“Guide-nim?”d88dcfc49d3b917a

Seo Yigyeom was 5b560a622e still not visible 7b05afcfc4 even after Heeseo 25abf49b25 had finished cleaning aa568f98dc up. Where could he have gone? With his complexion 3ce642b123 now even paler 13b56f0d7b after washing, Heeseo 44a5dafe37 looked around with 09b2d9fd5a wide eyes. He glimpsed the db894e5135 figure he was d534c91092 looking for through e08705f248 the living room 4f5f5666b6 window.c16e145581dc2cbb

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He was smoking, wearing fd71290bbb just a shirt, seemingly fce3299b24 unbothered by the cold, ac16670c1a leaning on the wooden d79f176602 railing while looking at b0d25f4b26 the distant mountains. The scene around 2c2b0a58f7 him was likely ea48ab026b as silent as 43774ce2ae inside the house. As the winter wind 4c591d7f38 embraced him, Heeseo headed 804bd6a6b6 toward the entrance.c57937080e8470c5

Squeak, the sound f3d332061a of the door dd767123e2 echoed as he 32a2dfc976 crossed the boundary 91537edfaf between reality and d5c8fcee07 illusion. Wearing large slippers, Heeseo 0046f779f9 naturally stood beside Seo 79bb4bbd8b Yigyeom. Seo Yigyeom only turned 676d95b781 his head slightly to 9b4bf33610 acknowledge him.f922218ff358c955

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He didn’t show much reaction. He neither seemed sharp nor distanced himself. He just quietly allowed Heeseo to stand by him. Heeseo, in turn, leaned against the railing, taking a deep breath.f52d6b621de24bcc

Seo Yigyeom flicked 01e0df118e his cigarette ash e65a5816fd and changed the e93dad10b2 direction of his 08599b8c8e hand. Seeing this, Heeseo smiled quietly. He remembered Seo Yigyeom 43f360e1c2 doing the same in f44f0960c9 front of a dog. The more he saw 56716013f5 this side of him, a00da53b60 the more he rewrote 3b1330b1da his impressions of him.3a030599c871ee3c

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“Why.”59b68590e279a10c

It was a low, probing ace9fe3bfb question in his ear. Heeseo shook his head, leaning efdd0bc89a more into the railing. The silence that came 2b883c4c6a with the cold air f3837a0c0f wrapped around him comfortingly. He felt he could understand 2e8252ee18 why Seo Yigyeom liked these 99b5015d98 moments. Heeseo now welcomed 42ed289876 the silence Seo 457b7b77f6 Yigyeom seemed to d63dae5c7c embody.609956537a8e61d3

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The clean scent of winter tickled his nose, mixed with the faint smell of tobacco and Seo Yigyeom’s unique fragrance. Even without cologne, his natural scent was pleasant. His restless mind gradually calmed.ed44fca718023459

“When I first joined the Esper Management Headquarters…”945a4104131bd8d6

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Heeseo murmured, watching the cc1457653a snow-laden trees sway.97bd681515bd72be

“I really hated it.”c80f751a36fc3c93

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He remembered the scrutinizing gazes, 0f44c1b91d like looking at monkeys in 7e91444793 a zoo. After the initial curiosity e44d2ff4fc mixed with contempt, he a2385cf3be was ignored. The time he had to 45213dc1f2 endure, even if unwillingly, felt e077aaf4ce like hell.a5a2c47d11261d04

“But why didn’t you run away?”e129c2844bfa39ee

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“My mom lives in the house the headquarters provided.”fabcb3aa7356f354

“Ah, you’re very filial.”85b01ccaa8f878b8

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Seo Yigyeom responded mockingly, letting out a low sigh. Heeseo wasn’t hurt by it.57abeda0e5742cb9

“My mom really did her best to raise me. She never missed a school event.”2ab6ff2e5cce8c37

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“That shows.”c05333ebff58b534

Seo Yigyeom, chewing on his cigarette, spoke in a flat tone. As one would expect from someone raised with love, Heeseo’s demeanor clearly showed it. Seo Yigyeom had recognized this the moment they met. It was a foreign aspect to him, something he hadn’t particularly desired, which was quite intriguing, sometimes uncomfortable, and slightly irritating.30ebe1eaf5545b29

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“So, I didn’t want my mom to know about this. She might have found out by now, though.”afc85b72ae8826f2

Heeseo, laughing weakly, looked 165fa136ec at the void before 53f1ece8c8 turning to Seo Yigyeom.c020da832fd8dcd0

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“Can we find the real culprit?”3f7a67cdfa09fc4e

The question of whether 11fced0aab he could clear his 01662e678f name was asked calmly 4cd99ca518 but with earnestness. Contrary to Seo Yigyeom 01f1c5fe5f telling him not to 09ff3a8968 show his insides, Heeseo 5467375717 was transparent in his 7a1f99ae76 emotions. His gaze towards dcedb4c27a Seo Yigyeom was f5aa977132 solid.d0793ec1513b392f

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“We have to.”8952e9a00b34fc67

Seo Yigyeom dropped f039b5083c his cigarette into 14c64a768e the snow, where 48b39abdc5 it smoldered and afc9fa2af1 then extinguished.7a1e56d8619e6307

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“Why do you think the headquarters covered up the case?”be45570220591477

“Because I’m the only evidence left…”3b4d2c0c14eb7eb3

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“No way.”7f98c1f2695df92f

Seo Yigyeom looked at him without emotion, as if to say, “Do you really think so?” Under that direct gaze, Heeseo swallowed hard, unconsciously clenching his fists.2c6f8cc656650397

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“If they wanted to find out, they would have. The headquarters isn’t just bloated for show.”1534cd9aff1b9047

Then why? Heeseo bit his 7a0ea823c8 lip and asked 611aded1ac with his eyes.02b70313475637e2

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“They wouldn’t bother with a single murder case. It’s all about money and time.”b6cc1c91e9b9a1a5

Ah. Heeseo let out a hollow laugh. He knew the headquarters was steeped in bureaucracy. To them, this case was just another routine occurrence. No matter how much the victim shouted about their innocence, it was futile. They had no interest in someone’s innocence; they just needed a conclusion.560dd23b5c460aad

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“And when an S-rank is involved… there’s even less reason to solve it.”c8f6f9ffd5a9f19a

Seo Yigyeom murmured with a look of disgust, a hint of coldness flashing. Heeseo licked his lips but then sealed them. Now, why the headquarters did what they did didn’t matter. He had experienced enough and knew that revisiting the past was pointless. Moreover, now there was someone who listened to his claims of innocence.dcfcba70da14f55b

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Phew, Heeseo exhaled shortly and patted his cheeks. Then, as if to wake himself up, he opened his eyes wide. He didn’t want to be dragged around by the headquarters anymore. He wanted to act on his own terms to repay their unjust treatment.884fbf16eff64236

“I will definitely find them.”9ac549be4e072a76

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Seo Yigyeom nodded slightly. “Yes,” it seemed like he heard a small reply. Sniffling due to the fierce wind, Heeseo glanced at Seo Yigyeom. He had already turned his gaze back to the front, blinking leisurely, looking bored. As if he hadn’t just allowed him close, he showed an unreadable expression.ab0b2f1c011da612

What was Seo Yigyeom looking at? As that question arose…ae4875fbf2a59dd3

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“A person.”801950d56bc6042a

Seo Yigyeom made a low sound and turned his gaze to meet Heeseo’s eyes.5be68df5f3ae1062

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“You shouldn’t keep looking at me like that.”18b3d080264dd9dd

Though it didn’t seem to bother him, the meaning of his words was ambiguous. Tension climbed up Heeseo’s neck. Remembering the intense gaze from last night, Heeseo felt a heat rise and his breath catch.2cae2bc6f839a61a

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“I just feel like I’ve been talking about myself too much.”853b38904291500f

“I never told you to shut up.”812fa0ab40092650

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By now accustomed to his d1bed7ab9e manner of speaking, Heeseo just 86618b57ca moistened his lips. His eyes, rolling down, landed a71eaf2c11 on the spot where Seo fb8698be9b Yigyeom had been injured. The skin that ec978ab945 had bled was 2e5218d84d now healed and ab741a4e7a clean.488cc50986370b05

“Are you okay, Guide-nim?”27c2999123ad916c

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Seo Yigyeom looked at Heeseo 67dda95f2a without a word.042ab74c2e6dcab2

“If I’m fine for you, you can talk about anything.”2619bef6d7bf6e2d

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He had said 02e2af2a37 every day was e34e99ec02 shit. Despite seeming calm and indifferent 3503181591 about everything, he must have fa505d7c5e his struggles too. Just like Seo c705fad9a7 Yigyeom had been 3e965e138a for him, Heeseo 97980c90b9 wanted to offer 2c80ced5ac a little support.4821a6471a1647e1

“Don’t cross the line.”62b4083dbcb31407

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But after a long silence, Seo Yigyeom’s response was just a chuckle. He leisurely took another cigarette, staring at Heeseo without looking away as he lit it. Their gazes met through the flickering flame. Their differently colored eyes seemed to capture only each other, frozen in place.48bed0f37c5a20bc

“…”7e0b1c87b06bbd99

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“If you smoke too much, it’s bad for your health.”d5341397ddacaed2

“It’s a habit.”9caf84f3283f2b64

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When Heeseo whispered tensely, Seo 77785a7788 Yigyeom responded smoothly. However, blowing smoke b50f2d5da9 towards Heeseo was 82ae6c69cd brazen. Heeseo coughed in 0d8a7a8f17 surprise, and Seo 9cd39b7beb Yigyeom only smirked, 9be0ea69b6 turning his hand 404a7faae4 away.eab6e1d287b8e864

“And you’re stepping in where you shouldn’t.”04632742a2766f4f

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“That’s because I suddenly inhaled the smoke.”9a135f2b1ce99b76

“I’m always like this. Suddenly.”e218727e403322e3

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Seo Yigyeom said, borrowing Heeseo’s words while holding the cigarette between his teeth.cde7057da051a250

“So don’t go snooping around.”025889de734adf7b

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The light-hearted remark was more of a warning than an invitation. At his casual way of setting boundaries, Heeseo chose silence. Even if he wanted to help, there was nothing he could do if Seo Yigyeom didn’t want it.ce1221495c6bd63a

The quiet conversation came b4810aaae9 to a halt, and 96dee4265d the wind filled the 99b1f9954a silence, rustling the bushes. Heeseo turned his head to d4ef363ff6 see a squirrel moving swiftly ce0c9deeb6 up a tree.5b7199f1d5199336

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“Did you see that, Guide-nim?”b65ab93ac0a465ed

Heeseo smiled without realizing d73db5ad64 it, turning to Seo d3af786fcc Yigyeom. But Seo Yigyeom 1bf1e2dbf6 was looking directly 042534905f at him, not d5cf2602a8 at the squirrel.427f31056ed97164

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“Do you always get this red?”2943f1c5877d008c

His calm eyes traced a slow path, scanning Heeseo’s reddened nose, cheeks, and ears. The last place his gaze touched was Heeseo’s eyes, which had been tearful the night before. Heeseo fidgeted with his hands for no reason.60b564985b45d351

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“It’s because the wind is cold…”fe940c267b9fb1ad

“You’re not a child.”f680b1d1544149b5

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His blatant mockery didn’t change much; only his lips, biting the white cigarette, were a vivid red.954d97654396c3ea

“Go inside, kid.”951e282d5caadc23

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“I’ll stay out a bit longer.”17fc3bbbd972dcb5

Though it was cold, it felt like his chest was clearing out. Having expressed his intentions, Heeseo leaned against the railing, taking deep breaths. His heart was pounding. At the same time, Seo Yigyeom’s phone rang with a chime.564865807ad0d8f4

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“Good morning. Why. Were you worried I might be dead? If I die, you’ll have to be the chief mourner at noon.”e9d0d53e5022e304

While continuing the call comfortably, Seo Yigyeom’s expression soured a bit.ba14f6783a96f09d

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“Don’t hang up, just send the data.”c342f212757c83a7

He was about to head inside when he stopped suddenly, saying, “Stay out as much as you want.” Then he walked away. Heeseo watched his retreating figure before stepping forward. Not wanting to go inside yet, he leisurely strolled around. This isolated spot grew on him the more he looked; it was perfect for calming the turmoil in his heart.09fd25ad6e1addb5

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Heeseo crunched through the 229209eb53 snow, leaving a trail c93c644922 of footprints leading to 67ca6694a5 a small path behind 54cee61886 the house, which seemed 381c0fa1c9 quite walkable along the cb416de483 mountain.3469f70877231aaa

How many minutes had passed?964679a0bdecfe13

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“…”f7b1f05016707027

Heeseo’s steps gradually slowed. His hand on his arm tensed, and his skin prickled strangely. His expression hardened. There was nothing around, yet he felt an abrupt discomfort.cda3954ed0513ef7

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