TSCEIAB Ch. 4 Pair Candidates (1)

 

“It’s a list of high-level espers.”

Why is he giving this to me?

I tilted my head in confusion, and Richard explained.

“Guide Sophia’s abilities are exceptional. That’s a good thing, of course. But sometimes, extraordinary abilities become the target of bad people.”

At first, I thought he was talking about guide abductions. But I quickly realized, through his tone, that he was concerned about something else.

‘Is he worried that someone from another state might take me away?’

Glance.

I looked down at the list. It really was a list of high-level espers, and there are definitely some names mixed in from the original story.

‘Hmm? Wait. All the people on this list live in different states?’

Suddenly, a thought came to mind. I realized what Richard was trying to do with me.

‘He plans to use me as bait to bring in high-level espers from other states.’

Just as I had that thought, Richard opened his mouth.

“It’s a bit early, but I would like Guide Sophia to pair up with a high-level esper.”

He then went on to explain what a pair was. My parents, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up.

“Excuse me, but we should discuss something like this with us first…”

“Our daughter is still young. She’ll have trouble understanding all of this and deciding on her own.”

Richard waved his hand in embarrassment as if he had anticipated this reaction from my parents.

“Ah, of course, I understand your concern for your daughter. But from what I’ve seen, Guide Sophia seems to understand this situation well enough and is able to express her own opinion. Please trust your daughter.”

“But…”

“Mum, Dad. I’m fine. I understand everything. Since it’s my issue, I’ll handle it.”

I held my parents’ hands tightly for a moment, reassuring them.

‘So, he wants me to find my pair esper from this list.’

An S-class guide considering an Esper as a pair.

If I let this slip, it was clear that all the high-level espers from each state, who didn’t have a dedicated guide, would come to see me.

‘I don’t like being used so openly.’

Richard, who had been looking at me with newfound interest, spoke up again.

“This isn’t a bad proposal for Guide Sophia either. Being S-rank is an incredible ability. Surely, you’ll be bothered here and there. But what if you had a pair?”

He was essentially suggesting that I make a pair to use as a shield. After thinking for a moment, I nodded.

“…Alright. But I don’t want to meet too many candidates.”

My time is important to me too. I need to take naps, and I want to spend time with my parents.

“Hmm. Wouldn’t it be easier to choose the right match if you meet several people?”

“No.”

“Why do you think so?”

Why do I think so?

It’s frustrating to play along with the director’s greed and be used as a puppet.

‘…But I can’t say that.’

I came up with something a six-year-old would likely say.

“I don’t like meeting strangers. Strangers are scary.”

“Uh, that…”

Yes…?

Richard asked with his eyes. I lowered my eyelids and shrank back, pretending to be scared.

“Hng….”

“O-okay. Don’t cry. Ah… Candy! Do you want some candy? Do you like candy?”

Richard hurriedly took a bag of candy from his attendant. It seemed like he had prepared it in advance to please the six-year-old guide.

“Yi-seo, do you want Daddy to hug you?”

No, Dad. That’s not necessary.

I subtly pushed my dad away and took the candy. My mom, who was sitting next to me, took the bag of candy from my hands and unwrapped one for me.

Hmm. Strawberry flavor.

As I rolled the candy in my mouth, Richard let out a sigh of relief. In a quiet voice, he muttered, ‘Are kids selectively shy these days?’

“Alright, then. How many people would you like to meet, Guide Sophia?”

“Hmm… Three?”

As far as I knew, there were eight S-rank espers in the U.S. Excluding the two assistants and the three who already had a pair guide, there are only three left.

‘Hmm.’

For a moment, the male protagonist from the original story came to mind. He must be one of the remaining three S-class espers.

‘Maybe I’ll get to see the male lead’s childhood in person.’

When I held up three fingers, Richard looked openly disappointed. He wanted me to meet more people so that I could bring more espers to Ohio.

“What about ten? Could we meet ten?”

“Three.”

“Okay. What about seven…?”

“Three.”

“Then… five?”

Richard persisted, pressing on. I squinted my eyes and answered.

“One.”

“Three. That will do.”

He wiped his sweat with a handkerchief as he talked about my plans. I shrugged and leaned back on the sofa.

‘I’ve been thinking this for some time… It’s more pathetic than I expected, huh?’

Could it be because of the relationship between the esper and the guide?

“Hmm.”

I exhaled quietly and glanced at the watch on Richard’s wrist. It looked ordinary, but it has the same logo as the esper watch Liam had shown me.

‘The Ohio Center director said he’s an A-class Esper.’

Espers are instinctively weak to guides. According to the original story, the higher the Guide’s rank, the more obsessed and submissive the Esper became.

This fact has not yet been reported in academic circles. Richard seemed confused, feeling that he had been too lenient.

“Huh… well, I think that’s all for now… Did I say everything?”

A distraught Richard asked Liam.

“You still need to talk about the personal information disclosure.”

“Ah, right, of course.”

Ahem.

Richard cleared his throat, and the attendant handed him a tablet. His showed me the screen as it was on.

“It was my mistake, the news about the S-class guide has spread.”

Mistake, my foot.

I could bet Liam’s hair that Richard didn’t deliberately silence people.

‘Is the publicity going well?’

I listened to his words in one ear and read the words on the tablet screen.

 

 

[Ohio S-Class Guide Emerges! (34 comments)]

[OMG, a new wave in the guide world (2 comments)]

[I just booked my plane ticket to Ohio. Going to meet the S-rank guide! (94 comments)]

[Is it just me? An S-rank guide suddenly appears at this timing? (328 comments)]

 

 

Although only the title was shown, it wasn’t hard to guess the contents.

‘I’m a bit curious about the last post.’

As I was debating whether to click on the post with 328 comments, Richard continued.

“Right now, the center’s operations are paralyzed. There are endless phone calls here and there, asking if the appearance of the S-class guide is true, how old she is, who she is, and so on.”

Oh. Serves him right.

“So, I’m thinking of holding a press conference in three days. What do you think?”

Wait. Three days?

I asked Richard with a slightly reluctant look.

“Will I be on TV too?”

“No. I will be in the press conference alone. Guide Sophia is still too young to experience that kind of atmosphere. Well, though, photos will be released.”

Photos are fine.

By default, when one awakens, their proof photo, along with a brief profile, ability stats, and other information are uploaded to the American Awakening Site.

It’ll be released anyway, so it’s okay even if it’s a few months early.

“Alright.”

“Does Guide Sophia not like being on TV?”

“It’s a bit too much for me.”

“Too much… I guess I’ll have to cancel all video interview schedules then.”

I was dumbfounded by Richard’s muttering.

What? You’ve already set my schedule?

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

Three days later.

As promised, Richard held a press conference.

<There is a lot of interest in the unprecedented S-class guide awakening. The new guide is……>

All day long, Richard’s press conference and related news were being broadcast on TV.

“…Excuse me, Guide.”

While I was lying on the soft sofa, watching the boring news, I turned my head toward the voice that called me.

“Yes?”

The person who called me was Eric, a B-rank Esper assigned from the center to guard me.

He is 21 years old, a mana-type Esper. I heard he handles a gun that uses infinite-energy bullets.

“I think it’s time to start watching MeTube. I’m starting to hear your father’s footsteps.”

“Ugh… Already?”

“He’ll be here in 2 minutes.”

Sigh. My fate…

For the record, my parents and I had been staying at the center’s quarters since the day I awakened.

They said it was for my education and protection…

But honestly, it seemed more that Richard, upon seeing the poor security at our house, had been so alarmed and took extraordinary measures.

‘Maybe we should move with the help of the Ohio Center.’

I sluggishly got up and sat up straight. Eric placed the tablet in front of me.

<Brave! Little! Kids~ Guide~>

A childish theme song played from the tablet. It was an educational animation for young awakeners.

“Everything else is good, but this educational video is way too childish.”

“…Guide Sophia is six years old, after all.”

“My mental age is much higher.”

Despite my answering like that, the video continued playing.

My mom, a gate researcher, went to work today, and my dad, a freelance translator and writer, had a free schedule and was taking care of me.

Right now, my dad is out buying food.

He told me to watch the educational videos quietly and study until he comes back.

“Look at this. It’s not even a game, and what’s with this ‘whoosh’ sound effect every time they guide?”

I pouted and increased the video speed. On the screen, a yellowish-brown fox character was holding hands with a pink rabbit character.

<– I feel empowered! You really are a guide!>

The fox, playing the esper role, uttered a contrived line. A red gauge was filling up above the fox’s head.

<– Whoosh~>

When the gauge was finally filled, the fox character rejoiced.

<– Thank you, Guide!>

<– No problem, Esper!>

The fox and rabbit hopped in place. While I watched it with weary eyes, Eric turned off the TV and whispered.

“Your father is coming.”

“You know what I said is a secret, right?”

Eric nodded. At that moment, the door opened.

“My daughter! Daddy’s home!”

“Daddy!”

Throwing the tablet on the couch, I jumped out of my seat and ran to my dad.

He set the bag he was holding down and scooped me up in his arms.

“Did our Yi-seo study hard and not doing anything else?”

“Yeah. I watched the whole video. The rabbit guided the fox.”

“Ohh, did it?”

I could feel Eric’s stinging gaze from behind. I pretended not to know it and giggled.

Eric must be thinking I am two-faced…

‘Well, as long as Dad’s happy.’

I’ll just give Eric some radial guiding later, without Dad knowing.