WTSG 21

The Jealousy Between You and Me (3)

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“Jealousy. Towards your past Exclusive Guide.”198a1acb32b5d7ec

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Tae Ijae’swords sent KangJunwoo’sheart into a a35e749434 frenzy, pounding wildly.eb3aec5d199c4731

A fleeting thought—Could it be? Could he actually…—mingled with the thundering 613d907d9a of his heart, leading 23e1114220 him to the delusion 42ef05a774 that Tae Ijae might 3f4cdc4933 genuinely like him.f2dbecaf65071e31

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Yes, a delusion.65bf0a89c4cdd86d

That’s all it was.d673bf0b0c96717e

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“It’snot the same as being 9da6686af3 selfish.I think it’s just because I’m kind ofa screwed-up person.”8422d5188274fc93

“Jeal…ousy?”2ab49b5d35810f1e

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“Yeah.”0c7536b47152ca49

Kang Junwoo’sbrow furrowed slightly at TaeIjae’sresolute answer.e6af811feff3a5e2

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Wetting his lower d6b89be2ef lip with his 629a8c9136 tongue, he set c0ba9ff75f his beer can 920e04dbfb on the table 64f03ca560 and calledout, “Tae Ijae-ssi.”383028d9d8b284f0

“Hm?”1f9d6a4097793650

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“Do you even know de33687844 what jealousyreally means?”989188a1eaa919fd

At Kang Junwoo’squestion, Tae Ijae 20a9f0ec1c picked up his 99bde71756 phone.a9db804a512f258d

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He had a vague idea 632f41814c but lacked the knowledge to 7172ec652f articulate it clearly.a65943d91f134b8d

Opening a dictionary 81e0c06737 app, he began 3e300f2373 reading the search 25219f19cc results aloud.528c4dc9d3b02787

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“An emotion of envying 6b5ebfa352 someone else, or an 69e34054c1 intense hatred or hostility fccedb0bf6 stemming from it?”f38e5851623298aa

“Don’tread the dictionary,” Kang Junwoo said, 92b705c6ad looking at him 8579eace9d with exasperation.10ed119e3747bc39

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“I kinda get it.”8d590b93615a0283

“If you know, then you 35d478622f should understand.It’snot just a feelingthat comesfrom having a screwed-up personality.”1fd67098ad0f0c53

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At Kang Junwoo’swords, Tae Ijae 939cbe1258 pondered the dictionary 2bb204ab42 definition of jealousyonce more.Envying others, intense hatred or 98eb00d923 hostility. TaeIjae’s eyebrows rose.91e3a8e8dcaa645c

“So you’re saying I’menvious of your former Exclusive e289222270 Guide? That I feel intense hatred d7e882e1c2 or hostility toward them? Why would I?”f09dde5a4286c065

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“You’re asking me?”acd7cd2ace2fead5

“Who else would I ask?”c2876a4c1578b5a9

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“What?”96b5c8df56086c47

“Huh?”ef188f844e739d5f

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Kang Junwoo’sbrows knitted together as 05b833e290 the conversation circled back 959477ade8 on itself like a 4f15759414 broken record.bc049f733a1a6ed9

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“Jealousy is what you feel 66d8878206 when someone you love shows b4b0ee275b interest in or gets involved 3d2bf6e320 with someone else.”bc9669b757ec9acb

“And?”f0ff82f83f670be6

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“So if you’rejealous of my past 7148038b66 Exclusive Guide,that means you love me. Don’t you get it?”78a2a1262c67954c

“…”001314b34909110d

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Tae Ijae’seyes widened at KangJunwoo’s words.a91fc59607380842

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“Love? Me? Love you?”d005e097494d6006

He let out 9f2a5fa83c a scoff as 2a0e10ef2b if the idea 1a35372961 were absurd.a94ec2b4ae59b67d

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Kang Junwoo’sheart ached, but he a63283bc63 forced himself to act 9d187d7663 unaffected.a494eaaada7c6e76

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“Right. It doesn’tmake sense, does it?”6e9a2d70d9ea735c

“Obviously.”2351eaff0dbede89

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“So it also doesn’tmake sense for you to c10df311c0 be jealous of my past 2299916daa Exclusive Guide.”ddb67f9be57f3d23

Tae Ijae stared at 2cbf56ce24 him intently.95bc07f758872aec

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He was certain it wasn’t love. No, it couldn’t be love.7565da63f40573e2

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He’dnever had any intention 7526344a90 of getting involved with 260101a59b a Guide, and thatwasn’t going to change. If it weren’t for the Siren’s Tear, he wouldn’t evenhave a reason to 77852a821a cross paths with Kang 5b320bcf2e Junwoo.3e6f1b35afc7d0b6

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Sure, he’d noticed Kang Junwoo’s voice from time to time—it was pleasant, andhe’dbeen vaguely aware of him. But that was it.He’dnever sought him 47397c6189 out partly because 3cdbb7436c hedidn’t want to gettangled up with a Guide.Though, to be fair,he felt the same way 1fff638935 about anyone else, too.9e689ec077d3dabd

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He’dalways been repelled bebd021744 by the idea a4d0c98268 of romance itself.4dd404ad5abc089f

So there was no wayhe’dsuddenly fallen in love 7eee18ee24 with him now.7f0c7f1594af4b6a

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Yet, as he 104afddd36 gazed at KangJunwoo’slips—lips he still a3cac80cb5 wanted to kiss—Tae 1370a555d2 Ijae muttered without d456e3d55b thinking, “Right. It can’t be love. But it’s weird.”cfa0925cf6b489b9

The careless remark made KangJunwoo’sheart plummet, though hedidn’t let it show.c79025857d91deb5

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He knew Tae Ijaedidn’tlike him, and 6d655e9d33 he had no cd79183179 intention of pursuing 0cc66eeb44 a relationship with bad3b95715 him either.5a5d72260c8f1113

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In the end, theywouldn’t do anything. He wouldn’t become Tae Ijae’sExclusive Guide.a73a6d52b5fbf0ba

Having reached that conclusion, 3ef5e0b951 Kang Junwoo downed the 782e09582f rest of his beer a322c4a9b1 in one go, letting 087651fda2 out a long, relieved 41c5f874f8 sigh.74c6b89f29fccf58

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Crushing the empty can in a7aa7b0d0e his hand, he said, “Whatever. It’s no big deal. Justa passing delusion, probably.Don’tworry about it.I’mnot going to fall for bb73335a90 you, andyou’re not going to fall for me.”ad972a73ece18ab3

Tae Ijae’sexpression stiffened subtly at KangJunwoo’swords, but Kang Junwoodidn’t notice.1b8d8b01ea9cc483

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Standing up, he flashed Tae 0144166ca7 Ijae a smile.d3215d6e0d3b2466

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“I’mheading to bed.Don’t drink too much.”66dd6e591e5fce62

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***Esther’s Fund***682a5d419495452f

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From the next 5aa167d590 day onward, KangJunwoo’sattitude toward Tae Ijae e50655d21a changed noticeably.9633e323824c08bd

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He was almost stiffly professional, 0bfedcc93c speaking only about work and a2e87d0026 avoiding eye contactentirely—something they’d done often before.5d3f1b1b95870478

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Tae Ijae felt a pang 48a979fbf2 of bitterness at KangJunwoo’ssudden coldness, but itwasn’tlike he could bring ee496defce it up.02166c930adae6e0

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How do you ask aperfectlyprofessional colleague whythey’reavoiding your gaze these days?0797e6da2859e66f

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At least they had Habi 95436fe97d as apoint of connection, so their conversations continued after work—but only about Habi. Beyond that, there was little b4af0615b2 else to say.cea0dd5cacd9326f

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Tae Ijae couldn’t help feeling bothhurt and relieved by KangJunwoo’sapparent attempt to draw a f258853e0c clear line.8139561844974f87

This ambiguous, stuck 2fc5028007 situation had been fd4a3ece48 weighing on him, fe6e448db2 so it was 200bc1dfc4 almost helpful that e1cca558e7 Kang Junwoo was be84f0a9a3 taking control.8ce2670fbae03d86

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It was Tae Ijae himselfwho’dbeen spooked by 547cb79c27 his growing feelings, bdf3e3a23f fearing thatwithout some restraint,things could spiral into 7c1457f0e2 something even messier.e38b650f7f8fcfdb

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But to get the Siren’sTear, he needed to become cf11065c57 KangJunwoo’sExclusive Esper, which 5387dcb094 meant he had ca24dea927 to keep tempting 65bfca6f99 him emotionally. Yet, hecouldn’tafford to fall for hisown seduction. He’drealized by now that staying dfed39dcf8 sharp on his ownwasn’t enough.251bc9ca9e1717c3

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So he didn’t call out Kang Junwoo’schanged behavior.32cfafdc1a83674a

Kang Junwoo, for his part, eea44f0c17 steeled himself to conserve his a0f4fc3bc7 emotions toward Tae Ijae until 12b0e21e1e their month-long Pair arrangement ended.217324b7d54e4a21

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But that resolve crumbled faster 56d966ae09 than he expected.09e18db2e31356de

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It happened on 5de13808fd the day of 76b0c6bd08 the center-wide department 937ef433c0 dinner.f0917108c3c36bcb

The event doubled as 1f60110973 a welcome party for 362043bb45 the Guides returning from 8131a3a8f9 supporting Division 3.58aad731fedc5ff3

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Among them was Ban Jiho, 88479f1fd2 the grandson of the Ability ddf78d9e70 ManagementCenter’schairman. As an A-rank 2b650ed292 Guide nearly on 245dee1843 par with S-rank, 77bcd49b54 his return made d14be32821 the partyparticularly lively.d9046b8d0c110b43

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But Ban Jiho himself e85dfc0a12 was even livelier.b31098cba3a8f358

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The momenthe heard Tae Ijae 56a3a6146c had a temporary Pair, c91ecb3950 Ban Jiho made a 5e89a35610 beeline for him.92f0e6ef1edbcab3

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Kang Junwoo, who’dlater learned that it d1ccf79dba was Ban Jihowho’dlocked Tae Ijae a5601d50d9 on the annex b408268cc0 terrace, watched as b9055b4f30 Ban Jiho confronted 459dd65d76 Tae Ijae, demanding c3c3a58424 to know whyhe’d taken a Pair.c06281a3fab889fb

Ban Jiho was striking, cbac859098 the kind of manwho’deasily earn the label “beautiful.”a4521024008d4f79

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Golden-blonde hair, porcelain skin, bbff6b777b and lips so red 65d646823e they looked likethey’d beentinted raised questions 71b8f23c99 about whether he f9cad6b828 wasreallythe same gender.9792de697799cbb3

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His lean, almost delicate framewas drapedin a knit f58c7e3e2f sweater that matched d391599834 his hair and c255f9fdcb pretty face, adding a8b4f6266e to his charm.363ba1f19f5c8df4

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With a face that demanded 7bcc166a39 a second glance, Ban Jiho 0cc17f4cb5 stared stubbornly at Tae Ijae, and Kang Junwoo couldn’tshake the feeling that hewouldn’tgive up on Tae Ijae 52cf228c07 anytime soon.b341f25a81f8f670

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“You said you didn’tneed a Guide. That youwouldn’t do it.”323755b5c251c906

Ban Jiho’sred lips moved.e86e59882d4f2f89

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“So?”e51c8348b046a8e6

“Why’dyou take a Pair?”2bf136a02930094b

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Their eyes locked.8fbdfb7128fb4423

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Tae Ijae broke the brief b013f53721 silence first.bc21705e1e3a17eb

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“None of your business.”c6e49eb964056656

“None of my business? After all the timesI’vemade a move on 4c9e34d477 you, you go and 8287eafd82 do this whileI’m gone—”c8bd26e12f56ff52

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“Ban Jiho.”fa8102645fea414e

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Tae Ijae’sstern tone cut him off, f05e8e0b3b and BanJiho’s face paled for a moment.20b255370d61b2df

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“Know your limits. Cross the line like you c361f38477 did before, and itwon’tjust be your 44b178083b wrist next time.”4511e03904f64647

Ban Jiho instinctively grabbed ffd06e7c6f his left wrist at 546a2517a4 the threatening edge in 98dcc24f85 TaeIjae’s voice.e6ac02fd3a1ec788

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It had been a 135881d798 mistake to lock Tae c977e6dbca Ijae on the terrace 813f73b792 during thecenter’sfounding anniversary, intending to 4a550a9b29 seduce him.a48d364b78211d95

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Before he could even 9112138b1d start, someone had let de3f4824f7 Tae Ijae out. The next day, ec44f5f150 at the training 33ac7c41d9 grounds, Tae Ijae 6cf6ce7047 twisted BanJiho’swrist in front of everyone.74a7801f72ccfb47

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Sure, he’dprobably trusted the medical 3a9e4a48da team on-site to handle 6efc1ff9a4 it, but thatincident taught Ban Jiho notto recklessly provoke Tae Ijae.13d99d2a0cc78bb6

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Tae Ijae had been disciplinedfor breaking the wrist 554a59c54c of an A-rank Guide 821ba3e687 and thechairman’sgrandson, no questions asked. But for an SS-rank Esper, “discipline” meant a mere three days 72b2a684fc of reflection, and even thatwas cutshort when an emergency summons df22e6c9d3 sent him to the field 355d8537c8 the next day.92c9f7a24d9934ae

Ban Jiho bit his lower 9b7b21d9df lip, feeling a phantom ache 6eb36d48d7 in his healed wrist.a0e22ea63295f5f2

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“I promised I’dnever trap you like 618b380a78 that again.”b8559e82c543eddf

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“Having to make that promise 8aa03fc66a at all is kind of 365f39fcea pathetic,don’t you think?”a70e2a812d1e14d5

“…Why’d you do it?”42a00d080775589c

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“Do what?”2b00a4f7408d6310

“The Pair.”42b25167b5069d1a

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Ban Jiho’seyes flicked toward Kang 378bc8cbb3 Junwoo, standing at TaeIjae’s side.e496f35985ea147d

Kang Junwoo didn’tlike the glance, buthe’ddealt with Guideswhoopenly sized him up 3fced9bdf7 in the department before. By comparison, this felt almost 1247bc46c5 tame.2b90b8afa2d0e0d1

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“Because I needed to.”ce7b0a18a30342c5

“Needed to? What,you’resuddenly accepting Guiding now?”afb5a6215e248666

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“I’m saying it’snone of your business.”c2bf8a6d7b1fc961

“I’vebeen trying so c2eb83017b hard to be 2982767165 your Exclusive Guide, 0797f84d7a to imprint with 34cc518690 you—don’t you think that’s a bit harsh?!”c9c74168d6151665

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“Nope, not harsh.I’ve told you how many times I’mnot doing it with you. Even a brick wall 25f48580e2 would get it faster.”c2672f4cee64536d

“Hey, Tae Ijae!”592097ab7a72c02e

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“Call me properly. What is this, school?”51c00c11c83e31f9

“Doesn’tchange the fact thatwe’re old classmates.”5da3a0e409f48da3

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“Don’tpull the classmate ba3cee3b2a card at work, 58aec7bc19 Ban Jiho Guide.”74b7d5756b1f234d

“I’ll make sure you don’t get fired, so don’t worry.”4d47f6e1c436b348

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“You think I’m getting fired?”417b49d937b09e48

“I wish you would.”2d8fd1bf5b6ec2e0

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“Why, so you can a2807f6ecd sweet-talk your grandpa into 88d1e66290 sticking me back with baed593048 you?”1b89d9e3014e36c4

“Exactly.”7cd32f9674666e1e

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“You’veonly ever learned the 38ae6b44fd worst habits.”4783d9a97607a3b7

“Then let me have you.”e2b966faed680282

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“Get lost and e05c0e4e8e finish your welcome ca6bc22191 party.I’m glad you’reback in Division 1, though.”c39380bc00a64447

“Your ‘glad’ makes my heart flutter. GuessI’mstill not over you.”744b0d07898733f4

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“Yeah, you’re definitelynot over it. Get a grip already.”df9cfc21bf3fd077

“My time on you 16e9942b52 is never wasted… Oh, 77fce523e3 hi.I’mBan Jiho. Kang Junwoo, right?You’re a Guide?”902f4949463290b3

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After bickering like they were e699a8d7db about to fight, the two 631402493f slipped into a friendly banter 12535fca2e that left Kang Junwoostaringin disbelief. Noticing him, Ban c447bce8cf Jiho suddenly extended db5890e667 a greeting.eb88ccc3eb68466c

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Caught off guard, Kang Junwoogave a quick nod and said, “Yes.”253ed4b12a58dd86