Chapter 5

Kwon I-young was an Esper.

One with telekinesis.

Hee-beom’s expression stiffened.

He twisted his wrist, trying to free himself.

“Let go.”

“No.”

I-young tightened his grip, his fingers digging in.

Hee-beom’s fingertips turned pale from the pressure—

As if I-young was intent on keeping them attached forever.

However—

Despite the aggressive effort, his strength was shockingly weak.

Like a small animal trying to hold on.

In the end, I-young couldn’t overpower Hee-beom’s broad hands.

Finally, their hands separated.

Hee-beom shook out his tingling fingers, staring at I-young.

I-young, looking frustrated, glared at him.

Once again, Hee-beom was reminded—

I-young’s physique and physical strength were nothing like an S-Class Esper’s.

Despite his telekinesis, he couldn’t even overpower a normal person.

Aren’t Espers supposed to lift buildings and punch through walls with ease?

Then why was I-young like this?

Did he only have telekinesis?

Not that it mattered to Hee-beom.

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie.

I-young stared longingly at them.

“How did you get here?”

Hee-beom asked.

“By car.”

I-young answered.

Hee-beom exhaled, shaking his head like he was dealing with a headache.

“No. I mean, how did you even know I go to school here?”

“I asked Director Jang.”

“…….”

“I know everything. Joo Hee-beom. 24 years old. Third-year student in the Department of Energy and Resources Engineering at Korea University. Student ID number: 202210274. Today’s lecture is—”

“Enough.”

Hee-beom turned his face away.

Jang Junho already knew about his part-time jobs.

It was obvious he’d also know about his school.

What else did they know?

His eyes darkened.

I-young leaned in and chattered on.

“Director Jang told me that Korea University is the number one university in the country. That you have to be really smart to get in.”

“…….”

“Are you that smart? Did you rank first in your class and all that? That’s so cool. You’re handsome and smart. My Guide is the best.”

I-young let out a bright laugh.

There wasn’t a single trace of insincerity in his words—

He genuinely seemed proud of him.

Hee-beom stared at him silently, then took a step back.

“So. Why are you here?”

“I came to see you.”

“I’m asking—why did you come to see me?”

“Oh, right. There was a reason. You’re so smart, Hee-beom!”

As if just remembering, I-young slapped his thigh.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, he held up his palm—

And the floating bouquet gently landed in his hands.

Was he going to stab him with it? Hit him with it?

Just as Hee-beom went on guard—

I-young suddenly dropped to one knee.

Then, lifting the bouquet with both hands, he shouted:

“Hee-beom-ah! Will you be my Guide?”

“…….”

For a moment, his vision blurred.

His upper body tilted forward—

His legs nearly gave out.

He almost collapsed in a pathetic heap.

Because right now—

I-young was proposing.

It wasn’t “Will you marry me?”

But it might as well have been.

Because ten out of ten times, a Pair Guide and a Pair Esper—

Became exactly that.

“Ugh…”

Covering his face with a hand, Hee-beom let out a faint groan.

What the hell was this guy thinking?

Had he really planned to do this outside the school—

In front of all those people?

It seemed absurd—

But if it was I-young, he could definitely see it happening.

He could imagine it vividly—

I-young floating around like a balloon, clutching a bouquet of roses.

“Hee-beom-ah?”

And why did he say his name like that?

Not “Hee-beom.”

But “Hibeom.”

It wasn’t that he had a short tongue—

It was more like he just called him whatever he wanted.

As Hee-beom let out yet another sigh,

I-young tilted the massive bouquet to the side and looked up at him.

“Aren’t you going to take the flowers?”

“Why would I?”

“You have to take them to accept. That’s how it works in movies.”

“That’s why—I’m not accepting. I already told you I’m not going to be a Guide.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to.”

“That’s it? You’re just… not doing it because you don’t want to?”

“Yes.”

“…….”

I-young blinked slowly, standing frozen in place.

Then—

He suddenly shot to his feet and threw the bouquet down violently.

Unlike before, the flowers didn’t float midair.

Instead—

They crashed to the floor,

Scattering red petals everywhere.

“…….”

Hee-beom stared at the bouquet, which had been slammed upside down into the ground.

Just then—

I-young grabbed his arm.

More precisely—

He grabbed the fabric of his sleeve.

The stark contrast between I-young’s pale, pristine hands and Hee-beom’s black hoodie was too much.

“Then what about me?”

“What?”

“What about me? I’ve waited for you my whole life.”

“…….”

Hee-beom’s brow furrowed.

He had no idea what I-young was talking about.

Waited for him?

It sounded romantic—

But Hee-beom was not the type to find it romantic at all.

“Shi…”

Hee-beom’s expression remained indifferent, but I-young gritted his teeth.

His temples tensed, then relaxed.

His breathing was irregular, and then—

He began scratching his face with the tips of his nails.

Scratch, scratch—

It made a sound like scrubbing laundry on a washboard.

His pale skin quickly turned red.

Hee-beom’s brows furrowed.

Was he going to hurt himself?

Was he about to tear off his own skin?

Just as Hee-beom thought this—

The flushed skin returned to its original pale shade instantly.

There wasn’t a single mark left behind.

It was like magic.

As Hee-beom stared at it, unable to look away—

I-young tugged at the hem of his hoodie.

“Just… just once. Hug me. I went into a Gate this morning. I’m in pain. Okay?”

“…….”

Hee-beom’s gaze immediately scanned I-young’s body.

Looking for an injury.

But—

He looked fine.

Not a single wound.

It pissed Hee-beom off, thinking it was just a lame excuse.

But then—

I-young’s face suddenly settled into quiet stillness.

“Hee-beom-ah.”

“…….”

“Please.”

His voice was low and calm.

His gaze was fixed on Hee-beom.

And for some reason—

He looked so… pitiful.

That bright, polished skin now seemed pale and lifeless.

“…….”

Even so, Hee-beom didn’t move.

He simply stared at I-young’s almost teary expression.

Then—

Bzzz.

The pocket of his hoodie vibrated.

Hee-beom pulled out his phone.

[Teacher, aren’t you coming today?]

A message from his tutoring student had arrived.

Hee-beom glanced at the time displayed at the top of his phone screen.

Two minutes until the lesson.

Normally, he always arrived five minutes early.

But even if he left right now, even by taxi, he wouldn’t make it on time.

His jaw tightened.

He couldn’t be late.

He couldn’t afford to lose this job.

He had worked too hard to get this tutoring gig.

“I have to go.”

He pried I-young’s hands off his arm.

I-young’s eyebrows dipped slightly as he asked,

“W-where are you going?”

“To—”

Hee-beom stopped mid-sentence.

There was no need to tell I-young where he was going.

“It’s none of your business. Just leave.”

Without hesitation, Hee-beom turned his back on him.

As he opened the door, he paused for a second.

What if I-young broke it again?

But thankfully—

I-young did nothing.

He simply stood there, watching Hee-beom’s retreating figure.

Letting out a short breath of relief, Hee-beom left the classroom.

Then, he sprinted down the hallway, which had grown darker in the meantime.

Back in the now-empty classroom—

I-young stood alone.

Before long—

Through the window, torn rose petals began to swirl in the air.