WTSG 13

Let’s Go See the Sea (2)

His Space. His Rest. His Healing. His Comfort.

Suddenly, he wondered what it would have been like if the books imbued with his father’s scent and touch hadn’t been there all those long years. Unconsciously, he shook his head at the thought.

Knock, knock.

A concise and weighty knock echoed at that moment. It was a sound as blunt and indifferent as its owner.

“Yes.”

[Can I come in?]

Kang Junwoo’s eyes widened at the unexpected question. He never imagined that person would ask for permission to move between rooms.

Kang Junwoo quickly straightened up from his chair and answered towards the door.

“Yes.”

With a click, the door opened, revealing a face like a painting. The body and face, as if God had poured all artistic talent into them, stood amidst the library filled with his father’s books, giving off an almost surreal feeling.

“Wow, what are all these books?” Tae Ijae asked, looking around in surprise. “Is reading your hobby?”

“…They belong to my father.”

“Ah.”

He waited for the next question.

Something like,

‘What does your father do to have so many books?’

or

‘Where is your father now?’

It was always the same. Whenever someone saw his father’s books, they would ask the same questions.

He was a writer. He passed away.

Then would come the inevitable moment of solemn silence, followed by an awkward shift in topic. It didn’t matter who the person was—every conversation ended the same way. So this time, too, he had prepared himself to respond with the same indifferent expression.

But…

“I quite like books. Mind if I take a look at some?”

The question from Tae Ijae was entirely different from anything he’d heard before. Kang Junwoo, who was about to give his usual robotic response, found himself merely opening and closing his mouth in surprise at Tae Ijae’s unexpected question.

“Can’t I?”

“...Ah, no… You can. Feel free to read as much as you like.”

When Kang Junwoo gave his permission with a dazed look, Tae Ijae, finally raising the corners of his lips in satisfaction, slowly walked towards the bookshelf.

“I‘m careful with books, so don’t worry.”

Not that he had ever worried about them being handled roughly.

Although reading wasn’t my hobby, he had always felt guilty for leaving his father’s beloved books to gather dust as mere decorations. It would certainly be a good thing if anyone could enjoy reading them.

Even more so if that someone was Tae Ijae.

“Feel free to read whatever you want. Father would like that.”

“Thanks, then.”

Tae Ijae, who seemed to genuinely have a passion for reading, quickly picked a book he liked, pulled it from the shelf, and plopped down on the single-seater sofa by the window. His sturdy build made the sofa look small.

Kang Junwoo suggested that it might be better to read in the living room, but Tae Ijae, without taking his eyes off the book, replied nonchalantly.

“I don’t like books lying around everywhere. Don’t worry about it and just make your decision.”

“...What decision?”

“Whether or not to go to H001.”

“Oh...”

“Let’s go. It’ll be good.”

Kang Junwoo stared intently at Tae Ijae, who still hadn’t lifted his gaze from the book.

It’ll be good.

Those words melted his heart.

Yes, it seems like it would be good.

The sea with Tae Ijae.

Kang Junwoo quietly smiled with his eyes. “Alright, let’s go.”

***

“What takes so long? What are you even preparing?”

As soon as Tae Ijae closed his book and stood up at the mention of going, Kang Junwoo had to hurriedly prepare for their trip to the sea. He needed to pack a cardigan for walking along the night sea, a mat for sitting and watching the stars in the night sky, and brew some coffee to enjoy while stargazing. Yet, Tae Ijae kept urging him to hurry.

“I still have a lot to prepare. Just wait a moment...”

“Why the coffee?”

“To drink it there.”

“Ha, there’s a café there.”

“There is, but coffee tastes better when you’re sitting on a mat under the night sky.”

“...”

“...Oh, you don’t like things like this?”

“Pack quickly.”

Muttering sharply about how he’d do anything to win him over, it seemed those words were indeed true.

Tae Ijae gestured with his chin for Kang Junwoo to hurry up and then went to sit on the sofa. Watching him, Kang Junwoo continued his preparations with a barely noticeable smile on his lips. After packing everything into a large suitcase, he looked more like someone going on a trip than just visiting the sea. The extra luggage was due to his concern for Tae Ijae, leading him to pack various things.

“Are you done?”

Tae Ijae, who was sitting on the sofa fiddling with his phone, looked up and asked Kang Junwoo.

“Yes.”

Kang Junwoo worried whether he looked ridiculous holding the large suitcase handle. However, Tae Ijae, who got up from the sofa and strode over with his long legs, seemed completely unconcerned about appearances. His strong arm suddenly wrapped around Kang Junwoo’s waist and pulled him close.

Before Kang Junwoo could even gasp in surprise, Tae Ijae teleported. As his vision flickered and his heart tightened like riding a rollercoaster, then released, the vast sea he had seen on his phone filled his eyes.

“Wow…!”

Kang Junwoo couldn’t help but exclaim as he gazed at the sea. His heart began to beat rapidly with a feeling of liberation. The refreshing sea breeze pleasantly brushed against his face.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes. I didn’t expect it to be this good… It’s so nice. I would have regretted it if I hadn’t come.” Kang Junwoo’s eyes sparkled. Tae Ijae silently watched him, smiling genuinely at the sea, and muttered to himself, 

“Indeed… you would have regretted not coming.”

***

“I didn’t know there was a place like this here.” Led by Tae Ijae’s hand, Kang Junwoo found himself in the civilian area of H001, sitting in a rooftop lounge with a panoramic view of the sea. The endless expanse of the Sea made him feel as if he were floating in mid-air.

“But isn’t this Zone 1? Don’t gates open frequently here? How can such a tall building be safe?”

“Barrier,” Tae Ijae replied succinctly while sipping his wine.

“Uh, aren’t civilian buildings prohibited from using barriers?”

“What can’t money do? The owner here is Chairman <Duen>.”

“Duen? …Wow, you mean the Duen of the National Ability Research Institute’s first division??”

“Yeah.”

“Wow.”

“I think that’s enough polite admiration. Now, eat,” Tae Ijae said, gesturing towards the steak plate in front of Kang Junwoo.

“Oh, yes.” Kang Junwoo finally turned to sit properly and picked up his fork and knife. Tae Ijae, who had been sipping wine, only put down his glass after watching Kang Junwoo cut the meat and put it in his mouth.

“Aren’t you going to eat, Tae Ijae Esper?”

“I‘ll eat if you stop calling me Esper.”

“...Please eat, it’s delicious.”

“Will you stop?”

“Eat, Tae Ijae-ssi.”

Kang Junwoo lifted his head to meet Tae Ijae’s gaze. Their eyes locked for a brief moment of silence. With a subtle smile, Tae Ijae picked up his fork and knife.

“Well, it’s not bad.”

Tae Ijae elegantly sliced the meat and chewed it, looking picturesque even while eating. It wasn’t surprising, as he had always managed to maintain an air of elegance even when eating quickly. Watching him eat so deliciously yet with such grace made Kang Junwoo’s mouth water involuntarily. He couldn’t recall ever seeing someone eat so tastefully and with such refinement.

“It’s the same menu, but… if this looks tastier, we can switch.”

Kang Junwoo, who had been staring at Tae Ijae eating, flinched as if caught red-handed and quickly lowered his head at Tae Ijae’s words.

“Switch?”

“No!?”

Startled, Kang Junwoo inadvertently raised his voice and then looked around in surprise at his own outburst. Fortunately, it was a weekday afternoon, so there weren’t many people around to notice.

“Hurry up and eat. Afterward, we’ll leave the suitcase in the room I’ve booked downstairs.”

“What?”

“You want to see more of the sea, right? The sun will set soon. Just bring the coffee pot.”

“You booked a room? When?”

When they arrived, Tae Ijae mentioned his name to the staff, who then greeted them and led them to a window seat.

“While you were getting ready earlier.”

It seemed he had already made all the reservations while looking at his phone on the sofa. Kang Junwoo couldn’t tell if this thorough preparation was innate or if he was really trying to impress him.

Kang Junwoo lowered his head again, trying to hide his flushed face, and focused solely on eating the steak in front of him. He suddenly wondered if such preparedness was something natural or a result of experience. It reminded him of Kim Junha from the Guide Department next door, who often mused about what kind of partner an Esper like Tae Ijae would date.

Indeed, he found himself curious too. Had Tae Ijae ever done all these things for someone else? His widespread rumors didn’t include such gentleness and kindness, so Kang Junwoo wondered if those who dated him received this kind of care. He also wondered if those partners were ordinary people or Guides. Since the bloodline imprint was broken, he probably hadn’t received guidance from any Guide, which led him to speak without thinking.

“Tae Ijae-ssi… what kind of partner have you dated?”

Tae Ijae’s eyes widened slightly at Kang Junwoo’s sudden question. Kang Junwoo avoided his gaze, bringing the wine glass to his lips. Whether Tae Ijae had no intention of answering or was simply caught off guard by the unexpected question, he just stared at Kang Junwoo without saying a word.

“Oh, if it’s a difficult question, you don’t have to answer. It just suddenly came to mind because there were several Guides who were curious...”

“No one.”