PRT | Chapter 2.13

In this noisy, chaotic world, he’d never seen anyone so quiet and readable. Kim Heeseo was so simple, which ironically drew his attention. It was strange.f9c61508fe03ec3e

Feeling burdened by 0770e2ed7c the direct gaze, a5e9ffada9 Kim Heeseo licked e334aac419 his lips and a3937c5a33 then his eyes d9302bcdfe darted around, looking 16ef89852b for something else cb640e7136 to focus on.e8013d3d3c0b349b

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“Do you have something to say?”7d0f9ead1f5c402c

Unable to hold back, the f2e3d93a3d voice that escaped clearly conveyed e38edb0934 a desire for him to de81e399c1 stop staring. Clicking his tongue, e1ae61796c Seo Yigyeom drank 99de70159b the now-cold water c1b630be8a in one gulp. His craving for 6e28afceb9 a cigarette grew 52938c19cf stronger.0b48ae764e62b0df

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“You have big dreams.”da2137e1cd7ea6cd

Thud. Over the noise of the be28f28528 empty cup being put down, 10c818f313 a belated response came. The breath at the ed6e09e61c end of his words 6de12827ad broke into small fragments 3311f68684 like a laugh.ca235a13355ab9cd

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“Kim Heeseo should just be Kim Heeseo. No need to be careful.”ada5502f2dc6b93b

“…”29e20f77c79d8f35

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“Those standing in front of Kim Heeseo should be the ones careful.”38890f9323437e36

Kim Heeseo’s gaze shifted from where it had been directed elsewhere. Their eyes locked in the air.670924a8baf3a601

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“If they can’t handle it… I don’t mind killing them. I’ll take care of the aftermath.”0ab63f3c3385f5f7

Even if this untainted person ended up with blood on his hands, it wouldn’t be an issue. Most were already stained anyway. What difference would one more blemish make? To Seo Yigyeom, this was trivial. It was better than him being treated poorly and causing annoyance.9853cd2c157e1b9f

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“You might really get sued…”6a273a25e135caf8

“I’ve been sued a lot. Maybe they haven’t looked that far.”6c5e9555f1243850

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When Seo Yigyeom responded 3fd7a42d81 nonchalantly, Kim Heeseo made e859559d8e an incomprehensible face.53f4a3c0420098bf

“I won’t get hit anymore.”b5cbcdc3dd6f6676

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“Good.”12ef45e7e1ec1b48

The conversation ended there. As silence fell, 58ef482cb4 the door opened 3974b7bd52 just in time 2326cb2dc3 with the food 9203b43511 being served.94168e738a1babae

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“Eat.”3fdda5ac90ad61fb

Seo Yigyeom gestured towards the full table and moved first. Only then did Kim Heeseo murmur, “I’ll enjoy the meal,” and picked up his chopsticks.c9efc47d93f83567

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The meal continued in silence. There was no sound 3f2a035c16 of utensils clashing. Seo Yigyeom ate in his a6b73488cb own manner, his actions so eeb0e30356 graceful they seemed like performance 55a2437a4e art. Kim Heeseo, watching 9196db94e7 him, was inwardly f32f224e16 amazed as he 9e3dda7023 ate.3a6012179c1274ff

The food was delicious. It was no wonder f088c352b5 Seo Yigyeom frequented this 8362347679 place. The dishes were easy c235aa789f on the palate, reminding 5e0c1b8823 him of home-cooked meals.af160dc88bcecfa4

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Chewing on the lightly 5c3f1d08e0 fried pancake, Kim Heeseo 1bfb9b36c0 smiled unwittingly. To be able to 45ec9a89c0 eat so peacefully with 948d87a6ff someone else. Even without a single word d6caeb6537 of conversation, he found this 1c597796e8 time quite pleasant. Especially since it filled c8af989069 his stomach so satisfyingly.d6bb7c4bc3c363ff

At some point, his eating e3434afd2b speed had picked up slightly, 36fcbf5240 as if he were being 4d1e6dbb8e chased by someone.a450574033957f6c

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‘You just sit there all day eating.’4ab26a33067aa3b6

Perhaps it was after hearing that offhand comment that his throat tightened. The memory of that moment stuck with him. He wasn’t one to eat fast originally, but after that, he found himself moving his hands more quickly without realizing it.45380f49bd286297

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Strangely enough, now his 77b44ff740 speed was quite matched. Glancing at Seo f7ee21e907 Yigyeom, who was b0ada811bb calmly chewing his 6c9267854e food, Kim Heeseo 1208e4e135 briefly thought he 0202f3f39a might be adjusting 16db59619d his speed for aa656f8099 him.7d088ba604d2e0fc

“Why did you jump into the Gate?”ad87ea2f4d1ef8f8

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When Kim Heeseo had nearly 372d8f3932 finished eating and put down c34e828989 his spoon, Seo Yigyeom, who fa958281b1 had similarly finished, asked.c0c5f9ed2b175bc1

“The culprit…”869c57e937a0922f

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Kim Heeseo hesitated, intending to say “the culprit,” feeling Seo Yigyeom’s gaze on him.1ef255730059fdc3

“…I think the person I was looking for was there.”fd7cec38c859dc28

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“Can you specify?”13e51675cee3ec2a

“I remember the smell. There was a sweet scent mixed with the smell of burning. It was a scent I’d never smelled before.”23950e33d900932f

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Smell… Seo Yigyeom murmured quietly, deep in thought.fe65fa68705bafad

“Do you think there’s someone in the Headquarters you’re looking for?”ad3f7cd1ce4aa546

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To the question that followed, Kim Heeseo shook his head. At the moment, he couldn’t make any specific identification. As Seo Yigyeom had said, if it was an unregistered person, he was at a loss on where or how to start.9335854ec6e2818f

“Was everything okay in the Head of Division’s office?”171ee325abd0c1ab

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“As you can see.”7dcc8c744f9ba32d

Changing the subject to cbe2fdcda8 avoid getting caught up eff35da9f0 in his emotions, Seo 6411a69ad7 Yigyeom answered willingly as 0d069c2530 if he understood.48c78c3ca53a2df7

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“Are you really okay?”a085e2372c341692

It was a question with many unsaid words. Whatever Seo Yigyeom was plotting, it was clear that the end would mean the downfall of the Head of Division. Could he really be okay even after getting on the Head of Division’s bad side like this?9a95922531bda123

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“Well, should I say I’m okay…”073af10c519da84d

Unlike before, Seo Yigyeom 9d37297b80 spoke more leisurely. There was not hesitation but 16df598d72 ease in his silence.a7cf4ca6ad83ced5

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“There’s no problem. Seeing that face just isn’t that pleasant.”a271a0b53f2635b5

His words, breaking the extended silence, faintly carried contempt. Kim Heeseo didn’t ask anything more. He had no desire to probe into the parts where even this thorough man would become sensitive enough to show emotion.04e956e430be6d9a

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“If you’re done eating, let’s go.”916a45b242ab5cf1

Seo Yigyeom stood up without any lingering, as if he had been ready to leave for a while. Kim Heeseo, glancing at the space where Seo Yigyeom’s presence lingered, followed him out.63e8b772c90b8e2c

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“Thank you for the meal.”490665d68fb4ab9a

“Get in.”fb2ee0affa5254a9

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Nodding, Seo Yigyeom immediately bit 4913be3b44 into a cigarette upon leaving. Kim Heeseo, heading towards the 832ae0862a passenger seat, turned to look 8fa2dcafd1 at him. In the light, Seo 26e0b6cb31 Yigyeom seemed to blend 38280621a0 into it.8f1ba61fe7cb8f4f

“…”2dcfc03780fdaaec

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It was dazzling, but Kim Heeseo didn’t look away. He just stood there, silently taking in the image reflected in his eyes. The scent of roses mixed with the cigarette smoke seemed to envelop him.5d24ab35a0f2f62a

It was a a146defecd time when the e2c8dc0c6d sunlight felt stronger c2a7553512 than the winter 0bc80d3ecc wind.0106ca7424159c6b

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* * *c5acc5ef639fbde2

The gates that had been bursting open day after day suddenly quieted down. As if it were a reward for all the hard work, there hadn’t been any separate calls either. Thanks to that, Kim Heeseo was able to fully dedicate himself to finding the real culprit, getting rid of his accumulated fatigue.f7ea0647dfc9b816

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Even today, he 45056226a3 visited the records 7e18761a1e room and spent 93e3e819d3 a good amount 3721c5a29e of time going 8b91a10b76 through the documents. When he was returning 67d484629b after time had flown 94a80782d7 by, he had to 94fedc7ad1 stop because he collided 8245ef1c78 with someone. The one who 633da93066 stumbled without making b537c14aa6 a sound was c29a470b7d Hong Taebin.3fc79f6f51e4a36f

“Ah… Hyung, good morning.”e7c4ae217dfc09ba

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His greeting, with 6795ead0b0 dark circles under 86dfc08fea his eyes, made c7f0eb3a9e him look terribly 4e40be145b unwell.3f0ed0966fbe7b49

“Where’s your partner?”6898ccaf6897014a

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“He went to meet your partner.”7e3a46f1d611bf35

“My partner?”5d63df4f8ad9a3c9

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“Seo Yigyeom.”08176d34c18c238c

The immediate reply made Kim Heeseo even more curious. Seo Yigyeom and Kwon Joon? Were they close enough to meet like that? At least from what he had seen last time, it didn’t seem so.8a916a98b4b15ea9

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“He said he had something to talk about, but I didn’t ask in detail.”0e1c131c614c2bb5

“Ah…”100e6fea1b2620c8

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Kim Heeseo responded with a choked voice, nodding his head, and tried to gather his scattered thoughts. He then said, “See you later,” in a small voice before turning around. Just as he was about to continue on his way, he heard footsteps following him, so he stopped. Turning around, he saw Hong Taebin had changed direction and was toddling after him.3fe7e0572a95c4cb

“…Why are you following me?”c5267ac9719f8292

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“Because I saw you, hyung.”b34071dee4f1b89f

It was an inarticulate answer.ab975da09512c5de

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“You look tired, so go and…”1d54db0befac44f1

He was about to say, “go rest,” when Hong Taebin suddenly lost his balance and collapsed with a thud.255c8d1c224f14a4

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“Hong Taebin!”55a2fbc743a1b39f

Surprised, Kim Heeseo immediately went 48ddc04332 to his side.aaf3fb82f70c6bb9

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“Hey… Hong Taebin, wake up.”ce50c0d2d0643a56

Despite gently shaking 2370dd5e23 him, there was a26dd3a781 no response. No one else came 4e406632dd to help the fallen 1f11a60250 one. All there were, abe0cd1921 were eyes watching a1fd404aee as if it 69d59e7490 were just a 4eac42b830 spectacle. What kind of ba045294e7 group was this 6e412d27c7 place, anyway? He felt disgust at their bd7075202b heartless attitude.799fa3c3cc1d82f1

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Clenching his teeth, Kim 5a57880891 Heeseo struggled to carry ce59dc71da Hong Taebin on his fa98d6cfb3 back. With a reflexive sigh escaping, 93ba5a1935 he took one step at 2b1fd7dc10 a time toward the treatment 7d883f8c5b room. By the time 54ea3bc19b he got there, b0192b8c26 his back was 712d217385 drenched in cold 875296f2a8 sweat.5cb30cd5f32f2036

The one in a white coat diagnosed it as a side effect of frequent ability use. While the treatment went on as if it were a trivial matter, Kim Heeseo stayed by his side. He remained there even when a Guide came to guide him. He also didn’t forget to send Kwon Joon a message about Hong Taebin collapsing in the treatment room.ef069a18ad88c29d

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When even the owner of the space left, Kim Heeseo was still by Hong Taebin’s side. Maybe it was because he saw someone fallen alone amidst everyone’s indifference. Somehow, he couldn’t bring himself to leave. Even though his feelings toward Hong Taebin weren’t particularly good, there was a youthful innocence on his face that hadn’t fully grown, making it hard for Kim Heeseo to turn away.f2a8a45847de8b18

“Hi.”7d6b9ab435f6242d

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That’s when it happened. Hong Taebin, who had been half-asleep, opened his eyes and greeted him.6f09367a969b1d70

“I thought you’d leave me.”20a97b5a210dc990

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“…How can you leave someone who’s sick?”bea2e3d81aa41c09

“There are plenty like that.”1679750699a74e99

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He murmured in 974e0896eb a strained voice 1562a869db before closing his 3dd3d00cbe eyes again. Then he smiled, pulling d73a0238a4 the corners of his 0694480f6b mouth up.28b554bcaf7cdf9b

“Still, it’s nice. Thanks, hyung.”5928f3126add6ef4

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In the silence that fell, 110018187a Kim Heeseo suddenly remembered. The fact that Hong Taebin a5a46203ad was abandoned by his parents 3c7530b21d at the tender age of 7d8d88e23d four. A heavy, uncomfortable feeling rose 6db47fd384 within him.1d5e2955475930bf

Hong Taebin soon fell back asleep. While Kim Heeseo watched over him, the sound of the door opening came. Thinking it was Kwon Joon, he turned his head, but his eyes caught sight of a man he had seen only once before, the one who had called Seo Yigyeom ‘young master.’f9b1a7d72bd42d7a

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“Hello, Kim Heeseo Esper-nim.”e85ef7df6046f61c

Breaking the silence casually, 3e60cb1cdf the man scanned Hong bfb051d745 Taebin with emotionless eyes. His dry interest then turned c8646f264d toward Kim Heeseo.47557f585263b74d

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“Could you spare some time, please?”47f7c2ca9616fe42

Coming close, he cd67af3a2a stepped aside, indicating 3bca3766a3 the door.a610e76ec8ae716a

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“The Head of Division is waiting for you.”1d48359842e2d83e

With a veneer c89c3da7b1 of politeness, the aab0096dbd command was delivered 3381082d91 under the guise a5048dd5a3 of a request.401ecc85f0f33c73

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As the man fell silent, silence descended. Kim Heeseo assessed the situation without giving any response. Meanwhile, the man kept his eyes on Kim Heeseo, as if he wouldn’t leave until he got a reaction.a200fa3862beca94

…I guess I have no choice but to go. From what he saw, Kim Heeseo reached a conclusion close to certainty.023e6e8ec1e990cd

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A private meeting with the Head of Division. It wasn’t something completely unexpected. Since aligning with Seo Yigyeom, he had anticipated facing him at least once. It was just that the timing was a bit earlier than expected.032f7ba2ebcef12e

Would Seo Yigyeom know about this situation? Was the Head of Division coming for him outside of Seo Yigyeom’s knowledge? Subconsciously thinking of Seo Yigyeom, Kim Heeseo stood up, and the man stepped back to make room.af7e0be8b690fe2c

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Indicating for him to lead the way, the man’s eyes briefly glanced at Hong Taebin, who showed no sign of waking. After imprinting the image in his mind, Kim Heeseo stepped forward.55cd2c312b6d492f

“This way.”acea7abee4a18949

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As they crossed the 992f88f26b threshold to leave, the 3a5cdc86b8 man took the lead. Kim Heeseo followed at b346dedc42 a distance. His steps on a89c302188 the white marble 778e7be60a floor were slow c8c5f0d056 and heavy, feeling 361b8fb87a as if an 71588ec15a invisible chain was 1e1f46345f tightening around him, 58056ff2e9 sinking his mood.1d392db43a9678e6

“…”1726bbf3d17408c5

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I don’t want to meet him. Despite obediently following, his inner feelings were different.3e5aac4b8de92385