PRT | Chapter 3.16

The one who answered the straightforward proposal wasn’t Kim Heeseo. Seo Yigyeom, who had come out of his office, approached. Seeing him, Seo Yihyeon muttered lightly, “Ah, really…”416d8ceea258f47e

“Why are you butting in? I was trying to have a date with Kim Heeseo.”2dc3dd770bdc914e

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“Then you shouldn’t have let me sense you. Do you think I wouldn’t notice?”c6d975a52b6039e4

“Are you going too?”e0a2f04493612948

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“Why, can’t I?”004b08b95df959f9

“There’s no real objection.”e92ecab78d077365

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After finishing his sentence, Seo Yihyeon looked at Seo Yigyeom with a curious gaze. The look that scanned his face seemed to say, ‘What’s this all about?’2738c41f5bbe4728

“Then lead the way. Let’s not waste time.”094b1fbd687ea6a0

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“Man, your temper.”ab965f2a62ccee9f

Shaking her head as if he was annoying, Seo Yihyeon turned. As Seo Yigyeom also took a step, Kim Heeseo called out, “Hey.” Both turned their attention to him. Their gazes, of different colors, focused on one direction.d1db798976081aa5

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“Can’t Moon Jung-o Esper-nim join us?”6fbcab937efc44e9

“Do you guys get along? You take care f80542fbd6 of each other 6ad170ceee so well. Tell him to 41f3c8c43c come to Hwadam. He probably knows it.”351992819472d7d2

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Seo Yihyeon readily 7d11622d5d agreed and took 3aad8fe087 the first step. In contrast, Seo 88d4d5d2a0 Yigyeom still stood 80837aaff1 there, motionless.176e0e0f3aad87c9

“…Are you not coming?”5bbe55c3227a7c40

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“Must have liked the meal you had with Jung-o.”6ff04915a5d0939e

When Hee Seo asked, f7ddd67700 looking at him directly, b975cc6d43 Yigyeom murmured in a 02aa081b62 low voice. For some reason, it 66f580fcb6 felt like he was e9638a4c37 being interrogated.26892c09365d7d92

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“No, I just feel like I’m causing trouble for you…”e4d3b5826eea8d00

“Oh.”adf456c42cb7ecf0

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The one who replied indifferently then briskly turned around. Hee Seo, standing there bewildered, massaged his neck as he followed behind. For a moment, he thought, ‘Why am I even making excuses?’ but he quietly took a step forward.2747f7cd919d3c09

The restaurant was very 49bae12e7c close, about a 10-minute 035a41b34c walk from the headquarters. Inside the shop 5643a16a56 named Hwadam (火覃), 5d1235a236 it was as 81e2b34371 clean and elegant 9600c1c93c as its exterior 01946f1a9a suggested. At first glance, it 0844b070b1 looked like a place 091d4c0fa1 where a good amount a37d990d09 of money was spent.1a547ebbc56972c1

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To think there c0c8de9523 was such a 54fad29f71 place near the 21a6c6333f headquarters. Hee Seo was 16d21e3b61 inwardly amazed as 2c61cfc6d1 he quietly scanned b1c8f77fd8 the place. The space was 4b01b8d4c2 filled with people fbd8b1815e who seemed to a2bc94bb40 be Espers, surprisingly c60d2b36a5 many more than 445a979520 he had noticed c3b6559781 before. About half of 48f8b42893 them seemed to ea8b40f06e be from the 2d41d87118 headquarters.0afbae43149d9b7c

“You’ve never been here? Old men often come here. Father too.”b11d98c13acbb407

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“What would be the point of catching something dirty… Why bother coming?”dda45f16cd2c075b

“With that attitude. Then why did you come cca032e1ed today?”23b58ecb9abaa60d

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Seo Yigyeom easily ignored Seo 8e97ceaa9b Yihyeon’s words and sat down. Seo Yihyeon, who 342668da45 had asked the 76176a3b55 question, also shrugged 0c035ae090 and settled into c4e131aa0d her seat. Hee Seo awkwardly sat down, a62b3f5ec7 caught between the playful banter f4291349de of the siblings.cc4b20a8c688f6de

“Shall I order for us? Is that okay?”5e5a2ba587e28bc9

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“Yes. That’s fine.”4c8f551a1174e27f

Seo Yigyeom, leaning back in d824d3105c a bored manner, didn’t even 12d30f19ce bother to respond. After looking around 906875e802 for something else 5a57ec0877 to focus on, 6d13eccce4 he finally settled d1212cf19d his gaze on 786e9063e6 Hee Seo. With his dry 5a633a5e3a stare, Hee Seo 077c835d77 only moistened his a7d894c0f2 dry lips.d08850a2dac74a3b

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Seo Yigyeom broke 0e2d9f52bf his silence only 8fb092bba3 after the server 731e565dc0 came to take 872c4d94db their order.b9bb56971a61f67e

“Remove anything with cucumber. Someone can’t eat it.”4f5aabbeb50935f5

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“Was that you who couldn’t eat it?”4513b990020781b3

“Someone else.”c3890dc5c59a6818

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His low voice continued nonchalantly. Hee Seo clenched his fists at the seemingly trivial comment. He hadn’t expected Yigyeom to remember… It made his heart flutter that even the things he thought could be forgotten were remembered.b227a960ff7aef01

“Is your condition okay? I heard it wasn’t good.”b1aafc8c06acd6b0

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“Yes, thanks to Guide-nim, it’s gotten better. Thank you for your concern.”30a181a6c0b3b7c6

“Sorry about the disciplinary action. I didn’t expect it 35444b9905 to be handled without 9963b838e6 discussion.”f757cf438efd6e32

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“Ah… Yes.”08add4e26a646936

“You didn’t say it was okay.”971c9c593a98ec2d

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Since it wasn’t okay, he hadn’t lied. Seo Yihyeon seemed to catch this, letting out a small chuckle. She didn’t seem upset; rather, she showed interest as before.7f5950938bf2298b

“It must be tough living at the headquarters.”fced8c7245069c7c

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She nodded towards Seo Yigyeom, adding, “You’re too straight-laced. You don’t fit in with us.”43908a4b6980881f

“Ah, so that’s why you did that? I thought you finally lost it when you unnecessarily escalated things.”fc63b2488aa0ad7f

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“Did I look sane to you until now?”b3859569563883e5

“Take it easy. This place is under my responsibility if you’re not around, so why are you trying to ruin it?”5457ad05f6cab259

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“I’d appreciate it if it only broke this much.”ee87ffbd86a9c46c

Their conversation seemed like talking 26f4057909 to a wall yet somehow d345690f39 flowed well. Seo Yihyeon shook her 58e647f249 head, flipping her hair 8449fd031d over her shoulder. Her gaze towards 561a0ee1d1 Seo Yigyeom was 5d52388c34 strangely tinged with d2eb6813e5 a faint affection.543998e2884482c5

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“Hello.”c1b5d6c2b89c2d6b

“Hey, Jung-o.”78f2c90176d68ecd

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They discussed matters related 51c52df3e4 to the Gate, the 3f8e408a31 buzz in the media, 21e2bc4747 and the gossip around e59c24a1f7 the headquarters. As they exchanged these a366b3a856 trivialities, the food arrived. Just then, Moon Jung-o 516fb0e221 arrived and entered. Seo Yigyeom greeted d64cf039e6 him with just 821457c08e a lift of 47c849f967 his eyes, his 13ceedb006 voice gentle and c16566a3c1 quiet.4897e930c1f64c0e

“Try a lot. The food here is quite good. Let me know if it’s not enough.”86be7d776a249a41

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“I will enjoy it.”5b08dec1ef014f99

The meal proceeded in silence, with only the occasional clink of cutlery. As the quiet settled in, Seo Yigyeom’s phone rang with short, sharp tones. All eyes turned to him.69c67aa41c001380

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“Is there something going on?”5b00af5f557c8d1c

“No.”da6fb30fd01fbcd7

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Despite his indifferent reply, he ff689b97e4 tapped on the screen. After a moment, he stood 5a1cdfd923 up.19a3affd0243e554

“Leaving already?”451cc75dce880419

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“I’ll be back.”63618e9e44dd3804

“Should we go together?”fb34e036fea7d020

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“No need.”43fedf11579fa6b5

As Seo Yigyeom stepped 8e0125826a out through the sliding 603afd20ab door, he suddenly turned 5c75ac157e to look directly at 5b63b0be2c Hee Seo.0eaad41fc523164c

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“Keep eating.”c1e35d1c665ca69d

“Huh? Oh, yes. Have a good trip…”68038081cc51d4bf

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Thud. The door closed. Hee Seo, having responded e7abaea5b7 in surprise, stared blankly 0263a06b78 in the direction Yigyeom 03cb719829 had gone. What was that just now? Why was he the 4916c65cb8 only one to say ec5d95acc1 goodbye to me? He barely ate himself.914b712bf48f575d

“It’s really fascinating when you look closely.”7bff8b97d7a713cb

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Seo Yihyeon’s voice, filled with curiosity, cut through his thoughts.532f9f2c962d34f8

“My brother isn’t one to do things for others…”e3446cf3efd33e18

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“…”6ec63eefabcf9f76

“He’s very clear about his intentions, so he doesn’t act without thinking. Seems like he likes Kim Hee Seo.”4cc4f6dd333798fa

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Her eyes, searching for an answer, scanned Hee Seo. Even though he knew Yigyeom, Hee Seo couldn’t say anything because he himself didn’t understand Yigyeom’s actions.2566d9d713a9b325

“Why does Kim Hee Seo work with him? I saw you were 06ae214457 under Team Leader Ha.”b019fe69ba8ffad2

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“…Because he listens to me.”2332a811c7cb514d

“Hmm?”d715d7be2e25f0b9

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Seo Yihyeon murmured in confusion. Moon Jung-o quietly stayed 2370b00440 by her side.1c74b9bfdddbc6cf

“No one listens to or believes me, but Guide-nim was different.”f8182447ba8aa337

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“Him? That’s interesting.”b0e8533a2df96bd2

She didn’t probe further. Whether it was disinterest or silent consideration was unclear. Before any conclusion could be drawn, there was a knock, and the door opened.98a8d6146ca2caaf

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“We didn’t order more.”124ea289ca68c103

“The chef sent this over, saying an Esper had come.”c7cf56c072d4ecbd

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“Oh, how nice. We’ll enjoy it.”98eb7b3d96d3ce04

The service dish brought 704cf411c4 by the staff was 1ec792ceb3 nicely grilled abalone and ec5297aec1 beef. With another spread of food, 6bdfafb9d0 Hee Seo just drank water. His eating pace was slow, 12ff41b2ae not because he was picky, 90c306e7b3 but because he felt a b770d6facc lump in his throat.ffc3edfeaa8d46c6

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The overall taste wasn’t bad. Objectively, it was good, but it seemed like the meal he had at Seo Yigyeom’s house was much tastier. Chewing the food became even slower, his chest feeling tight.15c57857ab738eb0

Seo Yigyeom didn’t return until the meal was over. Even after drinking the plum tea served as dessert, he was nowhere to be seen. Hee Seo, who had been subconsciously waiting for him, bowed to Seo Yihyeon.17e35e81301b89b7

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“Thank you for the meal.”ded67405b19236c7

“No worries. Let’s have meals together often. We’re close enough for that. Jung-o too.”0ebab8cdc353ee99

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“Yes.”0b007e40f915782d

Moon Jung-o also bowed 96b2773f5e his head, murmuring, “Thank cb5ea63d31 you.” Seo Yihyeon took f8288d81ce this greeting in stride, 35a127a546 pulling out a black d8b1e810b7 card to pay with 7cd50f62e5 ease.8c1d7299dd86d3f5

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“Isn’t there something serious going on with Guide-nim?”77b493ecd1cb416d

“Probably not. He didn’t give any notice. He sometimes moves alone, so don’t worry.”4ac8f43ce3db024d

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While Seo Yihyeon was paying, Hee Seo whispered with Moon Jung-o a few steps away. Moon Jung-o, with his bear-like build, whispered with a worried look, which alleviated Hee Seo’s concerns.bd20f2bddf847433

“Seo Yihyeon Esper-nim.”5a469cbc269755ab

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As Hee Seo eacc11eb87 inadvertently looked at 91418580bc the door, thinking 2b40a0693d of Seo Yigyeom, d3a98a0358 a voice came 1bb72d15a7 from the opposite f0dccbe78d direction.879866aab27c6bb3

Light footsteps echoed through the space. The man who had called out to Seo Yihyeon approached. He had a friendly face, wearing a white chef’s uniform and hat, clearly the main chef. He closed the gap with long strides, extending his left hand to Seo Yihyeon, bowing respectfully.9b127c9bca908ae2

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“It’s been a while.”5b9e024386bef33d

“I’ve been so busy. Your father comes here at least once a week, I heard.”5621b3b1cfb631a9

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“Thanks to him, we’ve been able to keep this place for a long time.”98d92e15b0fba709

The man’s eyes crinkled with a good-natured smile, wrinkles forming at the corners. His prominent cheekbones were noticeable. His smiling face radiated kindness.2d175860e994e5d1

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Contrary to his seemingly pristine 13093f3215 image, he carried a strange fbdc0e23a1 burnt smell, mixed with the 25a10f7cdb aroma of food from being 02a0bd4d38 in the kitchen all the e6ae4ce618 time. This scent triggered unpleasant 89a71f092c memories for Hee Seo, d0bfe621c7 making him bite his a37324b4cc lip.610ac505121c6f50

“I look a bit rough from standing at the stove all the time. It’s embarrassing, but I wanted to greet you.”ca845f0f42b569fb

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“We enjoyed the meal.”8bb4bbd203143748

As the man 85980620c9 conversed comfortably with 52843643ef Seo Yihyeon, his bbb4ce99ac gaze shifted. His jet-black pupils, 75cd979c3d like ink had eb831d1d8a been spilled, focused a169faba4f entirely on Hee 210c00a252 Seo. At that moment, 3ded2afc4d Hee Seo was dc108c4b98 inexplicably chilled, holding 05fca63338 his breath.6d18a2362fabcef2

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The man was not an c24dcc557d Esper. There was no c271596c2f sense of any ee5adc00f8 energy, and his 80920bd6f1 presence was like 8997e9fcf2 that of an 44c317e046 ordinary person. Even if he 014d32e53d were an Esper, 14a0387995 it would be 2cc9cabd6f impossible for someone c9babec76d not affiliated with d2496bd465 the headquarters to 6c08179601 live this way 60d469681b as an unregistered f86bfa244e one.e1931697b9a43729

But why…?ec885bbb864b77e8

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“This person is…”5cd08be42b942c50

He gave me the creeps.afe26dc0ac2a284e

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Suddenly turning pale, Hee Seo looked at the man. He wanted to avert his gaze from those black eyes, but his body wouldn’t move. The moment he inhaled the burnt smell, it felt like his thought process completely collapsed.82ea4c1192abff1c

Just as the man was about to speak to Hee Seo…73d97f15b3dd5ab1

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Ding.3e7a350f5ad37196

A sound came from the 11431c6647 opposite side.15b34525bd8688b4

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“…”58e8f8ff7d82ac94

Hee Seo, who 358124f70d couldn’t even blink, b2bec6f678 turned his head 5189e2b1ec sharply. There was Seo c5d844ee43 Yigyeom, the one 3138144a00 he had been aa760d8d00 waiting for. He paused briefly upon entering 20996628b1 with an indifferent face before 9c81f1ff58 approaching Hee Seo. With just a d723eab7a1 fleeting glance, it f7b65afcf8 seemed like he 67dafbcbcd grasped the situation.da1aac6e5736418c

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“Actually came back? What’s this, really?”88a20f0b021f3243

“Hello, Seo Yigyeom Guide-nim.”58ef88d014dd826e

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The chef turned to Seo 785c08635b Yigyeom with a bright smile.05caae90584387b0

“It seems this is your first time here, please come often. Our cooking is quite good.”b0d09450737d8186

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Only using good ingredients. He added this 19e7425074 briefly, then laughed, ac1527ad83 pretending to be b32d80a153 coy.099f45be62800d0c

“Also, this Esper-nim at the back seems to be visiting for the first time, please drop by often for meals.”cb4f6c44bf4e2c40

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Hee Seo flinched as the 0b372d3fdc man’s gaze returned to him. His simple greeting stirred a2eda75cd5 up his mind. Mixed with the 6fa9a9c9ba acrid burnt smell, f39f762a34 it felt like 0bdc69de17 the humming of 37794eaa1c the real culprit d8ae81bd45 piercing his ears. Ah. Hee Seo let out a 0e0b9584c7 silent scream, exhaling a broken f25701a20a breath.33f52f2f1b4395fc

“…”5f81a8fff59d9c83

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As he was silently crumbling, Seo Yigyeom grabbed Hee Seo’s trembling hand, covering it completely.8ac1671c8d3fcb4e

Tap. The gentle warmth spread quickly. Hee Seo looked at Seo Yigyeom’s back, which seemed to protect him.57493b1c39726337

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“…Yeah. See you again.”7b81faa745ee6d50

His pleasant voice, shaking off the creepy feeling, echoed. For some reason, it felt like he could cry. Just because of the burnt smell. He was thankful that Yigyeom didn’t treat him like a fool for wavering at such a moment.e3940b5f346519ed

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“Please take care on your way back.”8df44ef7de6bc201

With a kind smile, the chef left. Seo Yigyeom didn’t take his eyes off him. Still holding Hee Seo’s hand, he watched the man leave with a strange look.f3284f20b1b34cb0

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After the burnt 84c2b08265 smell dissipated, Hee 32f2b4c04b Seo finally took 125ed3b3d4 a proper breath ef51e81484 and looked up 1f1c78f867 at Seo Yigyeom.0a70be6d49a4e03c

This time, his d2c476cb29 hand trembled for 74480a6422 a different reason.f45578c2dfcf906a

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