PRT | Chapter 2.4

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

“Actually, something might come up.”

Standing there awkwardly, casting sidelong glances, Seo Yigyeom looked quite audacious.

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

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.

“Jung-o.”

After a moment of silence, Seo Yigyeom quietly called out to the one always by his side.

“Yes?”

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

“……Huh?”

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.

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

“……”

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

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

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

“I doubt that.”

Before Kim Heeseo could retort, Moon Jung-o filled the silence.

“Close combat training isn’t my field.”

“You’ll get used to it this time.”

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.

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

“……I’ll be careful.”

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

The meaning behind his quietly flowing gaze was ambiguous. It felt like both a sharp rebuke and a gentle encouragement. He slowly and meticulously scanned Kim Heeseo as if checking his condition, then turned and left.

Since then, they trained by clashing for two hours every day. Moon Jung-o turned out to be quite a good teacher. Unlike the trainers he had met in the headquarters before, he was meticulous and attentive.

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

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.

“If you’re ready, let’s continue.”

“Yes.”

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.

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.

Thud!

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.

The training soon came to an end.

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

“Isn’t Esper-nim coming along?”

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

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.

It was a time of mysterious intent. Especially when Seo Yigyeom would occasionally look at him as if appraising him, it was even more so. Those brief moments, although fleeting, left a strong impression, making it impossible to ignore him, even if he wanted to.

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.

Seo Yigyeom was reviewing documents, wearing thin silver-framed glasses. He only glanced up briefly at the sound.

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.

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

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

“I was. Quite a while ago.”

The thoughts Kim Heeseo had entertained alone were cut off the moment their eyes met.

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

“……”

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

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

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

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.

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

“……Ah.”

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

Having scanned through the documents Seo Yigyeom had given him and heading straight to the training room, Kim Heeseo had missed the notification. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, he only wet his lips as Seo Yigyeom gestured for him to sit down.

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.

“Why were you looking for me?”

“Do you still stay up every night?”

To break the settling silence, Kim Heeseo initiated the conversation, but Seo Yigyeom answered with a question. Why ask about that? Feeling a bit guilty, Kim Heeseo nodded slightly.

“Kim Heeseo lives quite a tiring life.”

“I know.”

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.

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

The next words Seo Yigyeom spoke were enough to make Kim Heeseo pause his actions. Seo Yigyeom never asked questions. He seemed uninterested in this case. Yet, just like now, he would occasionally probe straight to the point.

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

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

“At the headquarters…”

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.

Seo Yigyeom, deep in thought, took out a cigarette. The way he casually tossed the cigarette pack indicated he was in a bad mood. As Kim Heeseo watched his actions, their eyes met when Seo Yigyeom was about to light up.

“You can smoke.”

“That was my plan.”

After a brief hesitation, Kim Heeseo expressed his permission, and Seo Yigyeom lit the cigarette as if it were only natural. The bright red flame flared up then faded. Through the dissipating smoke, a gaze mixed with subtle irritation fell upon Kim Heeseo.

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

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

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

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

Seo Yigyeom mumbled, not moving his eyes but only lifting one corner of his mouth.

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

“……”

“And now is one of those times.”

“……I’m not quite sure what you mean.”

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

With a short, scoffing laugh, Seo Yigyeom shook off the ash carelessly onto the floor.

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

His voice as he finished speaking was as cold as the cigarette ash that had rolled on the floor.

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.

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.

“Where are you headed?”

“As you can see.”

When Kim Heeseo asked Seo Yigyeom, who was leaving the office, he got an answer that was both indifferent and sincere. Seo Yigyeom, as usual, stepped out in a suit that had no hint of formality.

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.

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.

…How can someone look like that every time?

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.

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.

“What should I do?”

“Nothing.”

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.

They were moving forward in parallel, each in their own position. However, there were cases where an unconsciously drawn line was crossed.

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

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

Especially when he inadvertently learned something that was both sordid and sharp.

“It’s just…”

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

“I can’t help it.”