PRT | Chapter 2.4

Even after Kim Heeseo hinted for him to stop staring and go away, Seo Yigyeom didn’t budge.70601a4a6d5e70e8

“Actually, something might come up.”6ff4f8cd5166dff8

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Standing there awkwardly, 9eb6cfb5a6 casting sidelong glances, cedae8a8fe Seo Yigyeom looked 6495cdf345 quite audacious.6c7a64b7abba4364

“What’s the use of bleeding all over the place?”4b57f9a644500f22

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There was a strange hint of displeasure in his words, almost like a monologue. It only briefly flickered, but it was clearly read. It certainly wasn’t concern, so the origin of this emotion was ambiguous.794311b552dbf427

“Jung-o.”7faedb0dfeca774a

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After a moment d718a46d49 of silence, Seo b7c2ce9bdc Yigyeom quietly called 8121d7658f out to the 89af52ddb8 one always by cc8040d88f his side.0f6c4d9070063231

“Yes?”8ef735b4d2512160

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“Take some time to spar with Kim Heeseo for a while.”ec5cd3e088346e18

“……Huh?”b3a23cd8b6e7f820

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It wasn’t just Moon Jung-o who was surprised. Kim Heeseo also widened his eyes in astonishment. Seo Yigyeom, observing this, let out a chuckle as if it were natural.cd9112245e403049

“You’re staggering around even though you haven’t really started anything yet.”80d6594b02d98c26

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“……”66d6708a59189195

“If you collapse, it’ll be troublesome. Don’t create situations that tire you out in the first place.”07ef6fdc8f5974bc

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While Seo Yigyeom’s judgment made sense, being treated like baggage didn’t sit well with Kim Heeseo.7e5f1ce450200283

“I know my body well. I won’t tire out Guide-nim.”08669d61baf3ea0c

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“I doubt that.”4f28d0f140c8398d

Before Kim Heeseo 093611f492 could retort, Moon 36f774e43b Jung-o filled the 9b50a72d5b silence.70a04773c8c5a84f

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“Close combat training isn’t my field.”a4ca1d784e15797e

“You’ll get used to it this time.”f2abe86ed144aae8

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Of course, he didn’t have much say in the matter. With Seo Yigyeom’s firm attitude, Moon Jung-o reluctantly nodded after mumbling to himself. Seo Yigyeom, seeming satisfied, looked straight at Kim Heeseo, moving his red lips.2e7040a6bfc36f56

“Taking care of your own body is basic. I think I mentioned this last time too.”91f5fc0f6ddf75fd

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“……I’ll be careful.”cb0d07960a6e6dc3

“You should keep that in mind. That way, you won’t be easily handled.”e18f3c09be2d39b0

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The meaning behind his 445a195acd quietly flowing gaze was 2d3c373e71 ambiguous. It felt like both d6ae4e7689 a sharp rebuke and da9d8bc4f0 a gentle encouragement. He slowly 5c5a20efb2 and meticulously cbd5f50b56 scanned Kim 45db2d8af7 Heeseo as a006b7a3a3 if checking 147b079eaa his condition, 1dbdb2bbe9 then turned 98698b39af and left.9df5b8d7f37c6262

Since then, they trained abaead2cf5 by clashing for two e323bad953 hours every day. Moon Jung-o 7e82f7b95d turned out ac88b58a36 to be 8ccfc66050 quite a 9daa313bd0 good teacher. Unlike the trainers he 99b596b6ae had met in the 7ba49c076c headquarters before, he was 57b9c27950 meticulous and attentive.162a477df7d27b29

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How to incapacitate an opponent, how to minimize damage, where to hit and be hit, what to do to survive against a formidable enemy…80f83b7043460b6b

Although the sparring began unexpectedly, Kim Heeseo participated diligently. It would help him protect himself, so it wasn’t all bad. In the rough and simple time, he also reorganized his thoughts.96b95abcf1104c6e

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“If you’re ready, let’s continue.”13f34431aeaa7ad8

“Yes.”1b51ec49ba96cc7e

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Now, distancing himself from Seo Yigyeom was impossible. If anything, they would get more entangled, not less. So, if they were to deepen their connection, he had to be as smart as possible. So even if Seo Yigyeom let go of his hand, he wouldn’t be at a loss. Seo Yigyeom might not show it if he lost something, but Kim Heeseo would certainly be pushed to the brink.9073276351d9c2ef

To achieve this, he couldn’t forget that they were on equal footing. There was no need to be intimidated by the situation. The step he took to find Seo Yigyeom first was a moment of courage and determination, not something to make him feel inferior.bd2f7b785375edcf

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Thud!834a70cdbb416e17

Kim Heeseo, who had effortlessly blocked Moon Jung-o’s attack, shone with determination in his eyes. His resolve, which had been wavering until now, was now solidifying. The wound he had accepted and acknowledged was finally healing with new flesh.d3aa865ae6a8529f

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The training soon 25d458ae65 came to an 74dc977050 end.9370dd24c9bbe4fe

“Guide-nim was looking for you this morning. Please stop by his office.”6445134e8b6a4afc

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“Isn’t Esper-nim coming along?”b01504273b185bad

“I have other business. I’ll excuse myself first.”c7538c579b68dce9

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Kim Heeseo bid farewell to Moon Jung-o, who walked away, and headed towards Seo Yigyeom’s office. Recently, he found himself visiting this place often due to Seo Yigyeom’s frequent summons. But it wasn’t like they had special conversations. Mostly, Seo Yigyeom would say, ‘Do your work,’ leaving him be or stepping out.75f938107b5be9e8

It was a time ed1d92f5f9 of mysterious intent. Especially when Seo eead515eb5 Yigyeom would occasionally 79d6d6c368 look at him d05ab113fd as if appraising 52d39b7f6b him, it was caed6770f8 even more so. Those brief 7bbab515a3 moments, although 5faee1b46d fleeting, left 9a37531957 a strong 034f580200 impression, making 387a563005 it impossible fef2f3c2b6 to ignore 16ffc1ffef him, even ad0b74d792 if he e2b49739c5 wanted to.803a5dca90127559

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Knock, knock, he knocked on the office door, and a low “Come in.” came back. Kim Heeseo opened the door with a slight delay. By now, the familiar scent of roses enveloped him like an embrace.66c16816c1bdebe8

Seo Yigyeom was 6106f59f3b reviewing documents, wearing 2087f0ae89 thin silver-framed glasses. He only glanced up eaeba68d7d briefly at the sound.7f5ce3c811de6040

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Was it because his hair was slightly disheveled? Or because he was leaning back, relaxed in his chair? It felt like Seo Yigyeom wasn’t in a bright day but rather in the dim early morning.4eab0248a5103d4c

His atmosphere was more gentle than usual, almost looking kind, but…154e40b726a95815

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“Hello. I heard you were looking for me.”44da7e54082bbaea

“I was. Quite a while ago.”8c90e6bda654c412

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The thoughts Kim 9849e254c9 Heeseo had entertained 65db546a0d alone were cut a2f9369ae7 off the moment f60243056e their eyes met.5b793044beb31955

“While Kim Heeseo was wandering around outside, let’s see… Seven hours have passed.”e22938482c385456

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“……”039a1397080a881c

“I thought you might have dropped dead somewhere. There was no news from you.”8f4fc158e42282a7

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…Kind? Regretting his momentary impression, Kim Heeseo immediately spoke up.10a6f25e35eeee1c

“I came as soon as I heard from Moon Jung-o Esper-nim.”774ea98784b451f1

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Without further comment, Seo Yigyeom took out his phone. A moment later, Kim Heeseo’s phone, which was in his jacket, rang long and loud. Checking it curiously, Kim Heeseo paused at the message at the top.e9bf28f12dfdfb75

[Seo Yigyeom Guide-nim: Come to my office when you arrive at the headquarters.] 8:40 AM

“……Ah.”9a4baf3ed92a96cb

“If you’re just going to carry it around for decoration, why not sell it?”fb15a8f02cdcb6e1

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Having scanned through the 2940ab3b25 documents Seo Yigyeom had ca1714f201 given him and heading 3c519cbfd9 straight to the training 844d08d199 room, Kim Heeseo had 69eb0afcd7 missed the notification. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, de967e678c he only wet e8cd97864a his lips as f3c4d92e22 Seo Yigyeom gestured 584a1f2bdc for him to d72fe5526b sit down.22096115361f9efe

Seo Yigyeom, who sat down on the sofa, looked unusually sharp. Maybe because he was worn out from work or because some plan had gone awry, there was a kind of loose yet agile energy about him. Even his gaze landing on Kim Heeseo’s cheek was nothing special.687480e16bc86897

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“Why were you looking for me?”e900f6843a132335

“Do you still stay up every night?”5b935f86244bd9d4

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To break the settling 2a96605b01 silence, Kim Heeseo initiated 273d67be7d the conversation, but Seo 0079d27b52 Yigyeom answered with a 8c2c2b6ec0 question. Why ask about 643aadd77a that? Feeling a 6eb6a371fc bit guilty, ff54a35df5 Kim Heeseo 4858953fa0 nodded slightly.75a30de07a3f3aaf

“Kim Heeseo lives quite a tiring life.”df547afcd273dad6

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“I know.”36436ef343dd861a

Kim Heeseo expected another comment, and true to form, Seo Yigyeom murmured with a look of exasperation. Kim Heeseo responded calmly, as it was something he acknowledged and didn’t take offense at.8b3d54ea0aa90436

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“The person Kim Heeseo is looking for, are you sure they’re part of the headquarters?”67fb1cd61d15f54d

The next words 0144aa406d Seo Yigyeom spoke 028c219108 were enough to 2091d0d480 make Kim Heeseo 14cb6a7285 pause his actions. Seo Yigyeom never asked 433b3a171f questions. He seemed uninterested 3276f02b2e in this case. Yet, just like now, abece13e83 he would occasionally probe 95712299b2 straight to the point.ff5af9893f9f3ef8

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“If it’s an unregistered person, things could get complicated.”6ead3705c94a4921

“I can’t be sure, but… I definitely encountered them here at the headquarters.”2c9738fd501419dc

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“At the headquarters…”a4fd10565a0218b3

Though the core wasn’t explicitly stated, the conversation was clear. Kim Heeseo felt another surge of curiosity. Did Seo Yigyeom know the underlying reason for all these actions while he maintained such nonchalance? He wanted to ask right away but said nothing. Seo Yigyeom certainly wouldn’t answer.96f9422a983d5a9c

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Seo Yigyeom, 068782c9ef deep in b1357c9e64 thought, took b5c2238ed6 out a 35fdbe50af cigarette. The way he casually 7d32965986 tossed the cigarette pack e996535123 indicated he was in 9c8680a097 a bad mood. As Kim Heeseo watched 0b68979a7c his actions, their eyes 8c47da9a48 met when Seo Yigyeom 0181077916 was about to light 68bd230b55 up.3086d6dcc248bd2d

“You can smoke.”fc939f948b53e34e

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“That was my plan.”ac2ccfddb9a7a9e8

After a brief hesitation, 7770a235af Kim Heeseo expressed his 3d7499dfbc permission, and Seo Yigyeom 255cec9eee lit the cigarette as 11b81ed0e9 if it were only 584bf95fbd natural. The bright red flame 74444f841a flared up then faded. Through the dissipating smoke, 0321a87e46 a gaze mixed with 0cf86af452 subtle irritation fell upon 72a8480e72 Kim Heeseo.06967c212b153daa

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…Is this what they mean by having a face worth its value?e7b74ad8bd9e0c6b

If nothing else, Kim Heeseo had come to know well about Seo Yigyeom’s outstanding personality, and he quietly made a sound.41253129c5c8998f

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“But why ask about that? Is it related to why you look so upset?”5f53477d55e2be27

“You got it right. I feel pretty shitty right now.”a6d0f47a5897d1d8

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Seo Yigyeom mumbled, not d6b2545260 moving his eyes but ca61b92e81 only lifting one corner 5efa4042e3 of his mouth.86e75c7d7cf6c80b

“There are times when I can’t deny my own blood.”477b35f55914bc98

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“……”bb859f2ad20dbcf2

“And now is one of those times.”2bf17477d786fb71

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“……I’m not quite sure what you mean.”c224013cddc221c6

“I had the same thought as that old man.”c57d58884cfa8407

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With a short, 35aecc0937 scoffing laugh, Seo 0d0a612dc0 Yigyeom shook off fa6e523402 the ash carelessly 8dd03225e0 onto the floor.499b0dd5e602542e

“Keep the possibility open that the person Kim Heeseo is looking for could be an unregistered Esper. I think it’s likely.”ff53c1f362817abb

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His voice 69b34ae7aa as he a5cb70b156 finished speaking d12b4dc9bf was as 9609d1b097 cold as 4f6a76f4ed the cigarette 5d3014bbee ash that 10cd72d39d had rolled 7123445b5c on the 4d7ab83daf floor.36c3acee3b3e2657

Being with Seo Yigyeom didn’t make an immediate, significant change. They just met, clashed, and got entangled a bit more than before. Life changed very slowly, in ways that were barely noticeable.78dd9ec01c4e4ed6

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Of course, there were things that didn’t change. For instance, the time spent alone was one such thing. The warmth he had felt certainly left only traces before disappearing. In the routine created by Seo Yigyeom’s negligence, Kim Heeseo was still alone.6b29718840df3284

“Where are you headed?”ef357496229ab7fc

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“As you can see.”0471b69e1966c362

When Kim 626d15a5e2 Heeseo asked d3a37bee25 Seo Yigyeom, d714d4c3cd who was 8dab9dfb26 leaving the fd40e4f4b9 office, he 6fd06a7194 got an 506165c26a answer that 9c2e132d36 was both 5390d1df2c indifferent and 1da9de3bfe sincere. Seo Yigyeom, 5e9c4e4c1b as usual, df916876bd stepped out f67d8751cc in a c42f07d6c6 suit that 12ae15b2df had no 8ef6ffbda9 hint of 2404a6dd1d formality.50d56b7382afb908

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His black shoes hit the ground. Even as he walked leisurely, he effortlessly drew attention. Just by moving his long legs, he unwittingly captured one’s focus.d93b3b8a129c3387

His legs, tightly wrapped in what was clearly expensive fabric, his broad shoulders that made one pause, the line of his neck above his casually draped clothes, his long, languidly blinking eyes – everything stole the gaze.0b4d701d44ea2364

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…How can someone look like that every time?f9d6be939ac53d1a

Mesmerized by the handsome bridge of his nose, Kim Heeseo took a sharp breath. He was astonished by a face that seemed to surprise him anew each time he thought he’d gotten used to it. Unknowingly, Kim Heeseo gave in to his gaze and followed him with his eyes.d0b3b7c4cea88f03

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One thing he learned while being with Seo Yigyeom was that his external schedule was frequent. Sometimes he went out alone, sometimes with Moon Jung-o. Occasionally, he wouldn’t return for days. The purpose of his actions was unknown. Seo Yigyeom didn’t share, and Kim Heeseo didn’t pry.0c6585bf318f383e

“What should I do?”9f16591e5f3db46d

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“Nothing.”211461a2f9ec2559

At some point, Seo Yigyeom’s attitude served as a good guideline for defining their roles. Kim Heeseo wasn’t one with poor learning ability. He had no intention of clinging to questions that would get no answers. He just focused on his own work, thinking that someday when the time was right, Seo Yigyeom would tell him.9fa2465e19ff0da2

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They were moving f73a624972 forward in parallel, e18577176b each in their f8011ec579 own position. However, there 091afb07d8 were cases 33f598d1c5 where an f885a9aa46 unconsciously drawn 22bccf0746 line was a69a6778ff crossed.8bb6eefb45b99389

“It’s almost lunchtime, aren’t you going to eat before you go?”d67433c6aad7ec2c

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“That’s not something Kim Heeseo should be concerned about. Just take care of yourself.”086cea8879811ccc

Especially when c7d7cbffb6 he inadvertently c3a39dcee1 learned something 1170b909b7 that was 3bf119c46e both sordid ebde624d63 and sharp.c5d3d5b0401f08ee

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“It’s just…”c547bc076662b4e3

Kim Heeseo quietly murmured as he watched Seo Yigyeom’s retreating figure.da7e35592f37a36f

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“I can’t help it.”806a13ea440048a1