EST Ch 25

Gijun blinked slowly, taking in the sight of Baek Sunwoo smiling as he recalled that moment.

“…”

Hae Gijun couldn’t remember that day because it wasn’t particularly special to him. If anything, he would have remembered it as the day he was almost forced to join the library club, not the day Baek Sunwoo awakened.

There was only one reason.

“To me, you never seemed scary at all.”

In eyes that could distinguish between good and evil, that could see truth and lies, Baek Sunwoo didn’t seem bad at all. To Hae Gijun, who often felt uncomfortable around others even with glasses, Baek Sunwoo was comforting. He couldn’t even lie properly, always so kind.

So while other students were afraid of Baek Sunwoo, Gijun didn’t understand. Not being one to go with the flow, he never distanced himself. While he kept a distance of 10 from everyone else, he felt comfortable enough with Baek Sunwoo to keep it around 7.

And that was enough for Baek Sunwoo to consider him the only close person.

Gijun sighed.

“If you had transferred to another ability user school, there would have been many who weren’t afraid of you. Or if you had just quit school and focused on H.N.’s training, you wouldn’t have dealt with unnecessary stares.”

“Hmm, maybe?”

Baek Sunwoo replied lightly, tilting his head.

“But maybe I liked you even before that. From the moment you told me I was living a tiring life, and asked if I wasn’t exhausted…”

“Why would you like someone who says that…?”

“You were the first person to tell me that. Hmm, saying it like this sounds like a cliché confession.”

Seeing Gijun’s genuinely bewildered reaction, Baek Sunwoo laughed brightly. Sharing his story seemed to lighten his burden, the shadows on his face gradually disappearing. Embracing the word ‘last,’ he spoke honestly, like reciting a tale from long ago.

“Everyone had expectations of me. Relatives wanted me to be a good child, obedient, and not burdensome…”

Since losing his parents in the otherworld incident, Baek Sunwoo had lived like that. Though not abused by his relatives, they found it hard to deal with a clearly traumatized child. He wasn’t oblivious and knew he had to act in a way to ease their burden. To show he was fine, he behaved maturely. Over a decade, it became who he was.

A kind, polite child, student, friend, junior, senior…

Even at school, Baek Sunwoo drew many gazes. His neat, handsome face always attracted attention, and his gentle demeanor earned affection. Many approached to befriend him, and some sought to ride on his popularity. He was often envied. Outwardly, his life seemed very good.

‘You’re living a tiring life.’

Hae Gijun’s words felt like a splash of cold water to Baek Sunwoo.

Sometimes, people took advantage of his kindness, dumping tasks on him. They were envious of his popularity. Even receiving his goodwill, they mocked him behind his back, which Baek Sunwoo knew.

But Hae Gijun’s words felt different from those malicious jests. They felt like an objective observation, or maybe he had read a hidden truth in Baek Sunwoo’s story about doing a friend’s task in the library.

‘Don’t you get tired of doing all that…?’

Baek Sunwoo had stared at the spot where Hae Gijun had stood long after he left. He felt exposed.

He had memorized Gijun’s face from their class, thinking he was just someone uninterested in others. But in that moment of eye contact, his true feelings had been revealed. Even without his glasses, those clear, blue-tinted black eyes seemed etched into his memory.

Only then did Baek Sunwoo realize he stayed late in the library because he felt stifled at his relatives’ house. But he didn’t want to do tasks for others and was tired of everything.

Since then, Baek Sunwoo hovered around Hae Gijun. When he told him not to do tasks for that friend anymore, Gijun’s indifferent look made him laugh, prompting him to follow him more. Gijun, who expected nothing from him, was fascinating, and his indifferent gaze strangely put him at ease.

“After awakening, I thought I’d leave school if even you found me uncomfortable. But you didn’t, and you stayed the same…”

“…”

Gijun listened quietly as Baek Sunwoo continued speaking.

He felt momentarily taken aback that Baek Sunwoo’s only desire had been to spend time together in the study room. But then he reconsidered the significance of ‘silence’ for him. Baek Sunwoo had always been surrounded by noise, and people always had expectations of him…

“…It seems you’ve lost out on a lot.”

“Hmm, but…”

Baek Sunwoo tilted his head slightly at Gijun’s words. The evening light cast a slanted glow on his face.

“If I had transferred, I might not have been there to save you during the second-year school trip… So, I don’t think it was a loss.”

“…”

“I’m glad I stayed.”

His words, spoken softly and gently, were barely heard as Baek Sunwoo lowered his gaze.

Looking at the yogurt in Gijun’s hand, Baek Sunwoo’s eyes held no desire. It was as if he was looking at something he shouldn’t have. He smiled faintly.

“I got to indulge until this afternoon, so I’m okay now.”

Gijun felt like he couldn’t breathe.

Baek Sunwoo had stayed at school just because he wasn’t afraid of him. And his only indulgence was spending time in the study room. While he cherished trivial conversations Gijun couldn’t even remember, he said he was content with just that.

After going through the ordeal of dying ten times, Baek Sunwoo was satisfied with merely spending part of his birthday with him. Even that time had been spent giving to him. Gijun felt anger rise inside at Baek Sunwoo’s selflessness.

Was he really angry at Baek Sunwoo? Was he upset because his selflessness made him a pushover, someone who always lost out?

Baek Sunwoo’s parents’ last words, about living kindly, probably didn’t intend for him to live as he did. But since moving between relatives’ homes from the age of eight, he had lived a very different life from Gijun.

“…”

Hae Gijun recognized that he had grown up in a very good family. He didn’t need others to tell him; he knew it well.

A supportive grandmother as the head of the family, parents who, though stern, shared a solid mutual affection and trust, and a playful but strong-willed sister, Ha Gaon. They all cared for him. He could be indifferent and uninterested in things because his environment allowed it.

How could he criticize Baek Sunwoo, whose environment was so different? How could he call his selflessness frustrating or foolish? Baek Sunwoo had never truly gotten anything he desired. He had lived in situations where he couldn’t even be greedy.

Telling him that his actions were wrong or foolish felt hypocritical. Was he using his clear-headedness to belittle others?

A person’s way of life can only be understood by the one who has lived it.

Gijun knew Baek Sunwoo was kind. He had seen it countless times at the training center, even before the school trip. How could he now criticize him for being foolish? He had seen firsthand how Baek Sunwoo’s kindness during the school trip saved everyone, including himself.

Baek Sunwoo’s actions had saved everyone, and Gijun himself. He had no right to criticize his actions. But despite knowing this, he wanted to tell him not to do it.

It wasn’t out of pity. Then why? Did Baek Sunwoo seem precarious? Was this just obsessive anxiety from the school trip?

Gijun couldn’t find an answer, but he knew he disliked Baek Sunwoo’s final smile. He hated the idea of them parting forever, and…

He didn’t want Baek Sunwoo’s selflessness to destroy him.

Trying to save Baek Sunwoo during the school trip had initially been about escaping himself. But getting to know him had changed things. Baek Sunwoo’s unwavering actions in the face of danger, his constant effort to save others, even in the face of absurd accusations, had moved him.

In trying to save Baek Sunwoo’s life, Gijun ended up respecting his principles. The desire to protect something led him to care deeply.

That night, I suggested a bet to Baek Sunwoo, who was tormented by responsibility and trauma. Looking him straight in the eye as he begged me not to die, even if it meant deceiving and using him, I proposed that we show each other how to survive. It wasn’t just a trivial bet because promises seemed insignificant…

I wanted him to have the will to live.

Seeing him light up at the word ‘Sowon’ was both absurd and heartwarming. I thought I could grant him as many Sowons as he wanted if it meant he would have the will to live. But now, he was using that Sowon to kill himself, and it made me angry.

I had come to care about his life.

Hae Gijun finally felt clarity. He understood why he was angry. He didn’t want Baek Sunwoo to bury his desires and himself. To have the right to tell Baek Sunwoo, who had lived in an environment where he couldn’t be greedy, not to act that way anymore…

He had to fulfill his desires.

“Baek Sunwoo.”

At Hae Gijun’s low call, Baek Sunwoo turned around. He had finished speaking and was about to leave, thinking Gijun felt guilty and couldn’t leave because he was there.

But he instinctively responded to Gijun’s call, turning to look at him as if he couldn’t resist. His face showed no lingering attachment.

Seeing that sincerity, which bothered him, Gijun took a step closer to Baek Sunwoo.

“I’m about to do something crazy. If you don’t like it, say so.”

“…What?”

“Actually, you might not be able to say it.”

Then hit me if you must.

With those whispered words, Gijun grabbed Baek Sunwoo’s arm and pulled him. Startled by the sudden force, Baek Sunwoo followed, only to be shocked by the sensation on his lips. His eyes widened in surprise.

He froze, unable to breathe, but soon, as if trying to capture the breath coming to his lips, he gently cupped Gijun’s cheek.

Baek Sunwoo kissed Hae Gijun deeply. Though his tongue was stiff, he intertwined it gently, sharing breaths. He brushed his lower lip softly, then overlapped his upper lip, mingling their tongues. It tasted like vanilla.

Baek Sunwoo’s hand naturally moved to cradle the side of Gijun’s head, deepening the kiss. His long fingers brushed through Gijun’s hair, sending warmth with each touch. Gijun couldn’t tell if his ears were burning or if Baek Sunwoo’s hand was warm.

Though he had mustered the courage to kiss him, his thoughts scattered as the kiss deepened. It felt like the box containing his thoughts had tipped over.

The sensation of his trembling body mixed with the irrational desire to get closer. It felt like everything was falling apart.

Baek Sunwoo’s hand moved to the back of Gijun’s head, supporting it as he leaned back. His hair brushed Gijun’s cheek, making everything feel chaotic.

“Wait, wait…”

Finally, Gijun pulled back. Baek Sunwoo’s hand tightened momentarily but then let go. A playful smile appeared on Baek Sunwoo’s face.

“You were the one who stopped first.”

It was a response to what Gijun had said earlier. Baek Sunwoo’s usually pale face now had a healthy flush, looking vibrant.

Meanwhile, Gijun covered his mouth with the back of his hand, trying to catch his breath, looking more flustered than he expected. Baek Sunwoo, cherishing the sight, took a step back. His eyes crinkled with happiness, as if the moment had been a final gift from Hae Gijun.

It wasn’t charity or pity. Gijun wasn’t that kind of person. It was a piece of genuine affection from someone who was indifferent but ultimately kind.

Though surprised by the unexpected gesture, it filled Baek Sunwoo’s heart. He worried that his story might have burdened Gijun, but for now, he wanted to savor the happiness. Baek Sunwoo decided to indulge in the feeling.

“Thank you, Gijun. Now I can leave with a clear heart-”

“This isn’t a final gift, so don’t talk nonsense.”

“…What?”

“Ha, damn…”

Suddenly, Hae Gijun cursed. Baek Sunwoo blinked in genuine surprise. Normally, Gijun might curse with his eyes, but he rarely used actual swear words, even in extreme situations at the training center.

But now, Hae Gijun muttered irritably.

“I had so many things I wanted to say, but I can’t remember any of them.”

“Hmm?”

“It was supposed to be a rebuttal to what you said last…”

Muttering to himself, Hae Gijun seemed very confused. Baek Sunwoo, equally puzzled, tried to recall his last words. He had thanked him, said he could leave with a clear heart, and before that…

“Oh.”

At that moment, Gijun exclaimed. Finally remembering, he looked directly at Baek Sunwoo and quickly closed the two-step gap between them. Baek Sunwoo’s gaze was drawn to him, specifically to Gijun’s eyes that were solely focused on him.

“I wanted to tell you to keep being greedy.”

And to his lips, which curved into a smile.

“Don’t stop now, keep being greedy.”

“…”

“I’ll make sure you don’t lose out anymore…”

Gijun pulled Baek Sunwoo closer by his arm, watching with satisfaction as Baek Sunwoo’s face turned bright red.

“Finish this first. I’ll tell you the rest later, one by one.”

Whispering with their lips touching, Baek Sunwoo held his breath again. His eyes briefly showed shock and disbelief, and he looked like he might cry.

Then, he cupped Gijun’s cheeks with both hands and kissed him. The emotions he had barely held back burst forth. He clung to Gijun with anxious, urgent hands, mingling their tongues.

It was a kiss overflowing with emotions.

His breath, mingling with Gijun’s, felt like that of a crying person, but Gijun smiled at the raw emotion. Feeling happier, he wrapped his arms around Baek Sunwoo’s neck.

They stood at the boundary between sunlight and shadow, finally together in the sunset light.

* * *

The next day, at H.N.’s examination room.

A place designed to check and care for the condition of its members. Using mana capsules, the examination could assess both the physical and mental state of ability users. This care was what made H.N. one of Korea’s elite organizations.

And the head of the examination room, Shin Seungmin, was astonished by the results.

“Sunwoo, your life force is over 20%!”

About two weeks ago, H.N.’s precious youngest member’s life force was at 8%. After refusing to leave school and train with the organization, he got caught up in the school trip incident. Shin Seungmin had been both angry and heartbroken, even shedding tears.

Moreover, Baek Sunwoo had returned from the training center with not just physical injuries but damage to his soul. If it had been a physical injury, the best healers could have treated it, but there was no way to restore lost life force. On top of that, he had formed a subjugation bond…

Though the bond helped his soul hold on, Shin Seungmin was seriously curious about why he had formed it and how his life force had gotten so low. His soul had been shattered. Even the head had silently reviewed the chart and school trip incident report for a while, indicating the seriousness.

To address his condition, they had asked Hae Gijun, the subjugation partner, to stay with Baek Sunwoo for two weeks. They were grateful he had agreed, but a week later, when they met Baek Sunwoo at the Paranormal Ability Management Agency, Shin Seungmin had barely held back a sigh.

It was clear Baek Sunwoo’s condition hadn’t improved. He seemed even worse than a week ago. Ensuring the subjugation partner’s safety should have helped, but it hadn’t. Shin Seungmin wondered if it would have been better for him to be alone.

Baek Sunwoo looked completely faded.

So, Shin Seungmin had hoped his life force would be over 10% today…

“How did your life force recover so quickly?”

Shin Seungmin repeatedly checked the chart, amazed. Baek Sunwoo just smiled silently. He kept looking at the person next to him, who was also checking the monitor with a sigh of relief.

After thoroughly reading the results, Hae Gijun asked.

“22%… Is this stable? He won’t die easily, right?”

“Right! Of course, it’s not completely safe, but-”

“What did you say?”

“You have a scary look in your eyes. Anyway, compared to someone with 100% life force, he’s still at risk. But he’s much safer than when he was at 8%! He’s no longer in a state where a slight touch could kill him!”

Shin Seungmin buried his face in the documents, making sobbing sounds. He had lost sleep worrying about the youngest member for the past two weeks.

“How is this even possible? Sunwoo, did something good happen?”

“…What?”

“Did something incredibly exciting, happy, and fulfilling happen?”

“Is that related to life force?”

Hae Gijun asked on behalf of the flustered Baek Sunwoo. Shin Seungmin nodded, thinking Gijun had always been a good spokesperson.

“Of course. When you feel those emotions, you think it’s good to be alive.”

“…”

“And those thoughts lead to a desire to keep living, giving you the will to live. That’s life force.”

He pressed his hands to his chest, speaking softly like a romantic poet. Though his tone was somewhat comedic, Baek Sunwoo and Hae Gijun didn’t react. Feeling awkward, Shin Seungmin cleared his throat and organized the documents.

At that moment, the two exchanged glances, something Shin Seungmin didn’t notice.

“Oh, right. I explained before that Sunwoo’s subjugation bond with you was a form of willpower, a determination to protect you at any cost. It’s more about enduring in a precarious situation than recovery…”

As soon as Shin Seungmin looked up, they both looked away. He continued his detailed explanation about life force, but Gijun wasn’t listening.

He kept thinking about the previous day.

Last night, Hae Gijun didn’t go home. As Baek Sunwoo predicted, Ha Gaon called around 6 PM, asking if he was coming home by 7 and if he was bringing his friend. Gijun immediately said he couldn’t come.

He said something urgent had come up and asked her to explain to their parents, then hung up. He heard Ha Gaon shout, “Hey!” but turned off his phone. At that moment, Gijun was on top of Baek Sunwoo.

They had been kissing when the phone rang, startling Baek Sunwoo. Realizing they had been kissing for a long time, he tried to escape, but Gijun pulled him back, accidentally pinning him down. Though it seemed like an awkward position, it effectively stopped his escape.

After putting the phone away, they resumed kissing. Though Baek Sunwoo’s phone on the table rang next, Gijun ignored it, wondering when Ha Gaon had gotten his number. The constant calls were annoying, but Baek Sunwoo’s reaction to each ring was amusing.

Hae Gijun discovered he liked kissing. It was his first kiss, so it made sense. Curious, he asked Baek Sunwoo if he had much dating experience, only to hear him shout that he had never confessed or liked anyone. Gijun laughed, finding the truth endearing.

Baek Sunwoo had received many confessions but couldn’t reject them due to his personality, only to be dumped within a week. The reason was always, “Why are you kind and gentle to everyone?”

Baek Sunwoo tearfully shared this, fearing it might disappoint Gijun.

‘I didn’t understand why someone who liked me for being kind would break up with me for the same reason. But now I get it. I want you to be like this only with me…’

‘Why would I do this with anyone else?’

‘Right, so… keep doing this with me…’

He held Gijun’s hand, resting his face on his palm. Baek Sunwoo, now following Gijun’s advice to be greedy, looked up at him with flushed eyes… and they kissed passionately.

They stayed together until this morning, then came to H.N., where Baek Sunwoo’s life force was over 20%.

Feeling grateful to be alive, wanting to live more, and that desire becoming life force.

“I’m so glad, Sunwoo.”

Shin Seungmin held Baek Sunwoo tightly, relieved. He advised him to hold onto those good feelings, even consciously, and Baek Sunwoo smiled. Then, under the table, he grabbed Gijun’s clothes, making Gijun chuckle.

At that moment, Shin Seungmin looked at Gijun.

“Anyway, your friend can go home now.”

“…Now that it’s 22%, shouldn’t he stay with his subjugation partner until it reaches 100%?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“…Well, it’s a bit awkward to explain, but the psychological stability gained from being with the subjugation partner isn’t significantly meaningful once it’s over 20%…”

Gijun’s lips moved slightly. He wanted to argue that it wasn’t entirely meaningless but held back. After all, he didn’t need permission to go to Baek Sunwoo’s house.

At that moment, Shin Seungmin exclaimed.

“Recently, H.N. has been researching ways to break Sunwoo’s subjugation bond. We haven’t found a method yet, but our motto is to create a way if there isn’t one.”

“…”

“We’ll contact you when we have results, so don’t worry too much. Thank you.”

A satisfied smile appeared on Shin Seungmin’s face. Initially, he was shocked by Baek Sunwoo’s subjugation and worried that his partner might exploit him. But when Gijun suggested breaking the bond on the first day at the examination room, he seemed like a genuinely good friend.

Though his appearance might not suggest it, one shouldn’t judge by looks alone. Shin Seungmin nodded.

“…”

However, Baek Sunwoo, who should have been happy about this news, looked a bit down. He lowered his head as if he had wilted, and Hae Gijun didn’t react either. Just as Baek Sunwoo was about to look at Gijun in surprise, he stood up.

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

“Oh, okay! Take care, and thank you so much! I’ll repay you later!”

“No need. It wasn’t something to be repaid for.”

Hae Gijun replied dryly to Shin Seungmin’s farewell and left. Baek Sunwoo had additional tests at H.N. until the afternoon, but Gijun had plans.

It was the consequence of skipping dinner last night.

“The noodles are a bit soggy since they were made yesterday…”

“No, it’s delicious.”

Hae Gijun returned home after two weeks. When he turned on his phone late last night, he found angry messages from Ha Gaon, concluding with, “Come home tomorrow.” They had postponed his birthday meal to the next day.

Seeing the photos, he couldn’t refuse, so he packed his things and returned home today. His father, who had prepared the meal, was disappointed, so Hae Gijun had to eat more diligently. He was paying for his impulsive actions last night.

“I contacted Youngah yesterday, and she said you went to the agency. But you didn’t go.”

“…”

“I checked the agency’s records, and you weren’t there. I didn’t tell Youngah, but what were you doing yesterday?”

Ha Gaon, sitting across from Gijun, kept bombarding him with questions. Gijun remained silent, regretting his excuse, and Ha Gaon kicked his leg, annoyed that he wasn’t chewing. She was upset that she had covered for his lie.

As they had a small scuffle under the table,

“Gijun.”

Their grandmother’s low call immediately made them behave. Gijun straightened up, feeling a bit awkward, and answered, “Yes.” He quickly thought of excuses in case she asked questions. Her gaze from the head of the table was calm.

With a soft thud, a white card was placed on the table.

“You will now train at H.N.”

“…Is this a suggestion to learn abilities there?”

“No, it’s already decided.”

A white card was handed to the bewildered Gijun. It was a provisional H.N. member card, identical to Baek Sunwoo’s. Ha Gaon looked at it in shock.

As Gijun blinked in confusion, their grandmother spoke.

“I was going to give it to you yesterday.”

“If this is a birthday gift, it’s too much…”

He hadn’t heard this news even a few hours ago at H.N. Shin Seungmin seemed unaware, so it was likely an unofficial decision.

Though his grandmother was a co-founder of H.N., her role was mostly honorary. She rarely engaged in related activities. However, being close to the first head and having taught the current head, she might have used her connections to get Gijun’s card.

Gijun tried to return the card with both hands, but his grandmother shook her head.

“Seolwon, I mean, the head, gave it to me. And if you refuse, he said to tell you, ‘There’s a secret I’m keeping for you. If you want to protect it, join us…’”

Gijun blinked slowly. A secret he needed to protect? And what could H.N. head Han Seolwon use as leverage…

Clues began to form in his mind. The documents H.N. had compiled from their thorough investigation of the training center, Han Seolwon’s speculation that the otherworld might be able to turn back time and alter the recent past, and the life force of Baek Sunwoo reported to her. Her calm gaze when he claimed he had saved everyone and escaped the training center by sheer luck.

Finally, Hae Gijun grabbed the card.

“I-I’ll join.”

The reason the head had given the card through his grandmother was clear. As Gijun’s face hardened, Ha Gaon nodded in admiration.

“Well, a mythical-level awakener should join H.N….”

Recently, the Paranormal Ability Management Agency had also been trying to recruit Hae Gijun. Though they had been rejected once, they couldn’t give up on such a valuable talent. So they nudged his sister, Ha Gaon, to persuade him.

Of course, Ha Gaon shrugged, saying it would backfire if she tried. He wouldn’t want to see her at work after seeing her at home. Besides, he didn’t seem interested in joining any organization right now and might find it annoying.

Still, feeling sorry for the desperate team leader, she advised them not to pester him too much.

H.N. quickly took Hae Gijun.

“Their recruitment method is quite unique…”

Last year, the head had personally approached Baek Sunwoo to recruit him. Now it felt more like a notification than a proposal. Ha Gaon was puzzled but congratulated him. After all, H.N. was the top ability user organization in Korea.

“Hey, what’s the secret they’re keeping? Tell me.”

Ha Gaon playfully asked, but Gijun didn’t respond. Ignoring her made her more curious, thinking he was hiding something significant. She kept nudging him, but Hae Gijun remained silent.

He just stared at the card with a hardened expression, making Ha Gaon stop her prodding.

“…”

Despite joining the top ability user organization, Gijun didn’t look happy. He reflexively thanked his parents when they congratulated him and quickly shook his head when his grandmother asked if something was wrong.

After dinner, Gijun sat on the sofa, staring at the card. He held it up, gazing at it.

Was Baek Sunwoo happy when he received this?

His thoughts drifted to him unconsciously. Now that he was also part of H.N., he would train there. Would he see Baek Sunwoo? Their abilities were different, so they might train separately. But being in the same organization meant they would meet more often.

Then, Ha Gaon nudged him.

“Pretending not to care, but you’re happy to join H.N., huh?”

“What?”

“Lower your smile before you speak.”

Gijun was momentarily flustered. He responded gruffly out of habit, but her comment made him touch his lips. He hadn’t realized he was smiling. His fumbling made Ha Gaon’s gaze turn curious.

At that moment, his phone buzzed.

“Oh, it’s a call from Sunwoo…”

“Move.”

As soon as Ha Gaon picked up the phone from the table, Gijun rushed over. Practically charging, he grabbed the phone, leaving Ha Gaon staring at her hand and him in confusion. She seemed bewildered for a few seconds.

Ignoring her, Gijun moved to another spot to talk to Baek Sunwoo, then grabbed his coat and prepared to leave.

Seeing him hurriedly put on his shoes, Ha Gaon chuckled. One thing was clear from his actions.

“Hey! Did you make up? You owe it all to me.”

“…”

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Yeah, thanks. We did talk because of you.”

“…Huh? What? What did you say?”

With a sidelong glance, he mumbled his thanks and quickly left the house, not looking back at the astonished Ha Gaon. It seemed like he was running away out of embarrassment. Even after hearing the door slam, Ha Gaon stood there, her mouth open in shock.

“Has he been influenced by spending time with such a kind friend…?”

* * *

The clear midday sky was blue. The tall, crisp autumn sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds, and the sunlight streaming through them sparkled warmly.

And within that scene, Hae Gijun found himself once again facing Baek Sunwoo’s shining eyes.

“After you left, I checked with the director, and your information was classified under H.N. I was so surprised that I contacted the IT team and the HR team-”

“Okay, okay. Take a breath and tell me.”

Baek Sunwoo, who had come rushing over as soon as he learned the news, was breathless. His excited face showed how eager he was to share the situation and his feelings, making Gijun laugh. He almost imagined a huge tail wagging behind Baek Sunwoo.

Following Gijun’s advice, Baek Sunwoo took deep breaths and smiled more calmly. They sat on a bench in a nearby park and talked.

As Gijun expected, H.N. members hadn’t known about his recruitment. The IT team confirmed there was no error, and the HR team verified his affiliation. In the midst of the commotion, Head Han Seolwon appeared and calmly stated, “I recruited him.” It was as casual as a light greeting, delivered over a cup of coffee.

Though there was some initial surprise, the head’s decision was absolute, and since Hae Gijun was a valuable recruit, the commotion quickly subsided. They had planned to suggest recruiting him to the head, but everyone thought it wouldn’t be easy considering his family. So, when asked how the head convinced him…

“The head said I would know.”

“Ha, really…”

Gijun laughed dryly. Han Seolwon was very efficient in using the information he had gathered. Gijun explained how he received the member card and reassured the worried Baek Sunwoo. Though he had only met the head a few times, he felt strangely certain.

“To keep me compliant, it’s more useful to hold onto the secret.”

“But if the head found out, wouldn’t your grandmother also figure it out? And others…”

“It’s best for the head to keep it secret alone. He’ll likely prevent others from finding out.”

Hae Gijun understood his kind well. Han Seolwon had enough power to bury the truth. Also, only Shin Seungmin and Han Seolwon knew about Baek Sunwoo’s low life force. The details of individual members’ conditions were top secret, so others only knew Baek Sunwoo was in a precarious state.

Baek Sunwoo’s face brightened at this analysis.

“I’m relieved. I was worried it might be revealed.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to get more detailed care if it were known?”

“No. You wanted it kept secret. And if it were revealed, I’d just get more worried, and…”

Baek Sunwoo’s fingers intertwined with Gijun’s as he glanced at him.

“You’ll take care of me.”

Whispering, Baek Sunwoo’s words made Gijun chuckle. He had been showing more assertiveness since last night, which was endearing. Though still cautious, he was much better than before. Instead of nitpicking, Gijun held Baek Sunwoo’s hand tighter. His face lit up even more.

They talked lightly about how they would spend time at H.N. Wanting to seem like a senior, Baek Sunwoo explained everything in detail, and Gijun listened attentively.

After chatting for a while, Baek Sunwoo sighed.

“…Gijun. If they find a way to break the subjugation bond, will you really do it?”

“Why not?”

“But now…”

Baek Sunwoo looked at Hae Gijun, as if asking if he understood why he had been okay with maintaining the bond. His obvious gaze made Gijun’s eyebrow twitch.

“I’m not keeping someone as a spare life.”

“But now we’re not…”

“What are you talking about? We’re still separate people.”

Baek Sunwoo’s face stiffened at Gijun’s firm words. Gijun found his shock amusing. Though he considered lecturing him on the problems and inhumanity of subjugation, he doubted it would resonate with Baek Sunwoo, who had smiled even after dying several times.

In fact, Hae Gijun had been worried about the subjugation bond all along, even if he didn’t show it. He was afraid that if something happened to him, Baek Sunwoo might get hurt, or that Baek Sunwoo might recklessly jump into danger to save someone.

He didn’t want to see that happen again. But saying this outright might make Baek Sunwoo feel guilty…

Also, he recognized that his view of the term “separate” might differ from Baek Sunwoo’s. For the first time in a long while, Gijun tried to see things from Baek Sunwoo’s perspective and chose his words carefully.

“If I’m ever in danger, that’s my problem, not yours. But if you’re scared of losing someone important again…”

“….”

“Just stay by my side and protect me yourself.”

Raising their clasped hands slightly, he spoke with a hint of embarrassment.

“…Because we’ll be together from now on.”

Gijun had been looking directly into Baek Sunwoo’s eyes when he asserted they were separate, but now he averted his gaze, feeling a bit self-conscious.

“….”

Still, there was no reply from Baek Sunwoo. Worried he hadn’t understood, Gijun quickly looked at him and froze.

Baek Sunwoo was smiling so happily.

The emotions in his softly crinkling eyes were clear. Like flowers in full bloom, like a cluster of blossoms, like sunlight pouring in at noon. No matter how he described it, he couldn’t fully capture Baek Sunwoo’s radiant happiness.

For a moment, time seemed to slow down for Gijun. The smile that seemed to draw in sunlight made his vision feel brighter.

“Yes. I will. Let me do that.”

Baek Sunwoo’s whispering voice echoed in his ears. Then, Gijun found a reason he had briefly lost in the whirlwind of emotions yesterday. Feeling it now, he realized this was one of the reasons that had driven his actions.

Gijun sighed and said,

“I guess it was because your smile is beautiful.”

“…What?”

Baek Sunwoo looked puzzled. Not understanding the context, he tilted his head, and Gijun silently took it in.

Endlessly kind, gentle, and caring Baek Sunwoo. But his goodness didn’t extend to himself, and he seemed destined to fade away.

Hae Gijun didn’t want that to happen anymore. He didn’t want Baek Sunwoo to think the only thing he could offer was his life. He wanted his will to live to be driven not by a desire to protect others but by a desire to live for himself.

As someone once said, thinking it’s a blessing to be alive should give him the will to live. And it was the desire to see him smile like this that had driven Gijun yesterday.

“Basically, I’m saying I was selfish about you too.”

Though Gijun couldn’t bring himself to say something so sentimental, kind Baek Sunwoo still responded. He seemed to understand that this was one of the promises Gijun had made yesterday to explain things one by one. A bright smile spread across his face.

Baek Sunwoo quietly whispered in Hae Gijun’s ear. Though it was a short, two-word question, it was filled with clear desire, and Gijun willingly responded. Almost as if he had been waiting for it, he stood up and extended his hand to him.

“Let’s go quickly.”

At his hurried gesture, Baek Sunwoo laughed and followed. The warmth and vitality he felt from holding Baek Sunwoo’s hand filled his heart, making him hold on tighter.

That day, the two who had greeted the dawn together after a storm stood side by side again, finally walking in the midday sunlight.

It was a peaceful autumn day.