PRT | Chapter 3.4

Heeseo, trembling as if truly ecfb928329 falling, suddenly opened his eyes. His sleep-laden eyes 90ad3ec2c3 scanned the room 792ecd80d3 to understand the 561b5e1a8c situation. Seeing the faded e5dff82998 wallpaper, he exhaled 6652c04265 heavily.7f0afd047dbd640b

Ah… it was just a dream. His tense body relaxed. Gazing blankly, Heeseo recalled the dream, now just an image fading into oblivion.a7633684fbf78255

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In that illusory space, had Seo Yigyeom caught him or let him go? Was his touch a lifeline? Now awake, there was no way to know. Even in reality, he wouldn’t know what was in a dream.dd39a9385d8a1982

Heeseo took slow eec7612392 breaths to awaken 4c71b2c749 his dulled senses. The surroundings were quiet, 1743320071 with only the occasional 6e46af0814 sound of birds indicating a6de5a9438 morning had come. The chirping tickled his ears.8be2f02c9ad71da5

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“…”600107a4096c1af0

Buried in the blanket with 572084c9b6 only his face peeking out, ce6d120201 Heeseo stared at the ceiling. His long eyelashes brushed through b54f5b97e0 the air. His eyes were swollen 1f6d79bf38 from crying so much; e6347a6822 even blinking felt stiff.c38f6c1cff1eebdb

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His mind quickly drifted back to last night. Chewing over the moment felt both awkward and surreal. Crying like that in front of Seo Yigyeom of all people… It was nothing short of disgraceful behavior.91043478dc2b545d

But he didn’t regret it. In that moment when their gazes aligned, something within him broke free. It felt like something dying had come to life. Even without defining it, the value of that moment was sufficient. Thus, Heeseo only reminisced about what Seo Yigyeom had shown him.bf348484195cb887

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He said he believed me.f144d45d128dbfbe

Seo Yigyeom listened when no 0562e578f6 one else would. Whether he knew cb3caca3b7 from the start bb01ae3d0b or judged so bb2cb22dcd while being with fe889e886e Heeseo, either way, 91da8cc7b8 it was a 9d85fa6ce5 welcome change. It felt like gaining his 747702f56b first ally. Despite saying he would 23067bfbca throw him out if bbcfb1e9bd he got drunk, the 1f634069b4 kindness in listening to 6a993a2c93 his drunken ramblings touched 915925a0e6 his heart.19fcf7488c6f69c5

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Sniffling, Heeseo felt 6ab4c4fad1 his eyes sting 2708fa61a8 again and sat e93d15505f up. After tidying himself 3ada1a862f up, he entered 93bea871ab the living room, d22b1da9c3 which now seemed 268f20d1ad empty. Although it felt 9795d9602f slightly warmer than 56564d47cd yesterday, it looked c7e22a4f5e oddly vacant, as f4b53a0f05 if everything from 2568ef7281 last night had 478c67d8b4 been an illusion, 2317c4a124 especially since Seo 6c6bcb6109 Yigyeom was nowhere 670624c469 to be seen.6a5ac2b8609fd748

However, he knew it wasn’t a dream. The touch of Seo Yigyeom’s hand, his breath, his gaze felt imprinted on his skin. Standing there aimlessly, Heeseo first went to the bathroom to wash up.420fc67b06fd49cd

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“Guide-nim?”62e68cf5fe4ec1ff

Seo Yigyeom was 8fb674aa49 still not visible 1623865be2 even after Heeseo 3dec22beee had finished cleaning 5986a63874 up. Where could he have gone? With his complexion now d80b27f95a even paler after washing, 7c1b83bb3e Heeseo looked around with 99b014163c wide eyes. He glimpsed the figure 21017a5795 he was looking for b022a93f5b through the living room e3c776d9d8 window.6a020ad08b1b3210

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He was smoking, wearing just c927c6c82b a shirt, seemingly unbothered by b3936f5f57 the cold, leaning on the aa215de556 wooden railing while looking at 2ea8afa6ae the distant mountains. The scene around fc8637d45c him was likely f8d579c032 as silent as 386a7350c8 inside the house. As the winter 03d96c2e7e wind embraced him, 32b7d50fe0 Heeseo headed toward 883d52e64c the entrance.b0587fc2fee9089a

Squeak, the sound of 788c393fef the door echoed as 7481614619 he crossed the boundary fd6d480cd8 between reality and illusion. Wearing large slippers, 0b5f204d46 Heeseo naturally stood 69e335d7a6 beside Seo Yigyeom. Seo Yigyeom only db9c097bda turned his head 50ecd45d70 slightly to acknowledge 3eff5093cb him.f6ed063c9b161295

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He didn’t show much reaction. He neither seemed sharp nor distanced himself. He just quietly allowed Heeseo to stand by him. Heeseo, in turn, leaned against the railing, taking a deep breath.087e9982437d3e34

Seo Yigyeom flicked his a3db9968dc cigarette ash and changed dd4ae0ac87 the direction of his d24950ca4a hand. Seeing this, Heeseo smiled quietly. He remembered Seo 31b2dd0a43 Yigyeom doing the 24f446ad74 same in front 4ac0fb8c22 of a dog. The more he saw this 6dc4a79ce1 side of him, the more 628b1dc16f he rewrote his impressions of 9e4bc121a4 him.2268b58c796ccf5a

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“Why.”d14e27d82259cf27

It was a low, probing 9ce83787e3 question in his ear. Heeseo shook his 4f284b1aff head, leaning more 31b344737c into the railing. The silence that came 841f27adea with the cold air 5d38392e26 wrapped around him comfortingly. He felt he 358abcde13 could understand why 8b37c709f1 Seo Yigyeom liked 507472487e these moments. Heeseo now welcomed the e6ae65dea4 silence Seo Yigyeom seemed de51243c5c to embody.52f86822f47838a3

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The clean scent of winter tickled his nose, mixed with the faint smell of tobacco and Seo Yigyeom’s unique fragrance. Even without cologne, his natural scent was pleasant. His restless mind gradually calmed.9081f44778611120

“When I first joined the Esper Management Headquarters…”fedaace5131f2044

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Heeseo murmured, watching e4c84fbf99 the snow-laden trees 4ce29a6c3d sway.616e430f63271d24

“I really hated it.”e14bf6cdef9211c1

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He remembered the 65e9efb8ef scrutinizing gazes, like 72edcd3eb7 looking at monkeys e6663ae1d6 in a zoo. After the initial 1cdabb6fde curiosity mixed with 9a32069da1 contempt, he was d293319cfd ignored. The time he had 15af77941b to endure, even if 5ca5b362ec unwillingly, felt like hell.fc89fb4b73bb8928

“But why didn’t you run away?”e5a54dd62fec6c1f

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“My mom lives in the house the headquarters provided.”e6ddae9ec374ae2b

“Ah, you’re very filial.”339bdec79beab29d

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Seo Yigyeom responded mockingly, letting out a low sigh. Heeseo wasn’t hurt by it.d25e2a7a6656159f

“My mom really did her best to raise me. She never missed a school event.”9f8762089067b348

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“That shows.”1a397c262e7d268b

Seo Yigyeom, chewing on his cigarette, spoke in a flat tone. As one would expect from someone raised with love, Heeseo’s demeanor clearly showed it. Seo Yigyeom had recognized this the moment they met. It was a foreign aspect to him, something he hadn’t particularly desired, which was quite intriguing, sometimes uncomfortable, and slightly irritating.900ef3cdf82edae7

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“So, I didn’t want my mom to know about this. She might have found out by now, though.”ba69f94a38101bc1

Heeseo, laughing weakly, looked 19a5032f91 at the void before e5dbfe9cad turning to Seo Yigyeom.e76c9e1efbdcb5cf

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“Can we find the real culprit?”96a8fd354c5fe539

The question of whether 0226fed17b he could clear his b2234327c4 name was asked calmly 9a4e84e170 but with earnestness. Contrary to Seo 0ee5abc409 Yigyeom telling him 49902c30bb not to show 8d48caf23d his insides, Heeseo 53a4ce24da was transparent in e347235000 his emotions. His gaze towards 62977a5751 Seo Yigyeom was a455a0c9d0 solid.f804220a254e0cf5

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“We have to.”1b06097dc9ec8bfe

Seo Yigyeom dropped his 12fc63511a cigarette into the snow, 58208367f6 where it smoldered and 2c68c24d11 then extinguished.826de4f2f19c9d2a

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“Why do you think the headquarters covered up the case?”a93bdf9566c01da8

“Because I’m the only evidence left…”6f1ddf9022b996e2

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“No way.”d87180b2c3fa4ba4

Seo Yigyeom looked at him without emotion, as if to say, “Do you really think so?” Under that direct gaze, Heeseo swallowed hard, unconsciously clenching his fists.3b1e7722a6f8d8e3

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“If they wanted to find out, they would have. The headquarters isn’t just bloated for show.”56e71b71fe85ac32

Then why? Heeseo bit his 17356c9a64 lip and asked 07b9557c2c with his eyes.12e4f4450f21c36a

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“They wouldn’t bother with a single murder case. It’s all about money and time.”29ecc936d977e346

Ah. Heeseo let out a hollow laugh. He knew the headquarters was steeped in bureaucracy. To them, this case was just another routine occurrence. No matter how much the victim shouted about their innocence, it was futile. They had no interest in someone’s innocence; they just needed a conclusion.11fc0f9bee7d1e7d

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“And when an S-rank is involved… there’s even less reason to solve it.”56742e0df53e0b4a

Seo Yigyeom murmured with a look of disgust, a hint of coldness flashing. Heeseo licked his lips but then sealed them. Now, why the headquarters did what they did didn’t matter. He had experienced enough and knew that revisiting the past was pointless. Moreover, now there was someone who listened to his claims of innocence.a740284094134f28

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Phew, Heeseo exhaled shortly and patted his cheeks. Then, as if to wake himself up, he opened his eyes wide. He didn’t want to be dragged around by the headquarters anymore. He wanted to act on his own terms to repay their unjust treatment.75903b2abb9fac34

“I will definitely find them.”306995be80f08d03

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Seo Yigyeom nodded slightly. “Yes,” it seemed like he heard a small reply. Sniffling due to the fierce wind, Heeseo glanced at Seo Yigyeom. He had already turned his gaze back to the front, blinking leisurely, looking bored. As if he hadn’t just allowed him close, he showed an unreadable expression.e17fe65992ae2721

What was Seo Yigyeom looking at? As that question arose…9d5a9832ff9a8035

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“A person.”852503a0bf03f1c8

Seo Yigyeom made a low sound and turned his gaze to meet Heeseo’s eyes.940775dbe54fc418

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“You shouldn’t keep looking at me like that.”083209e3ec833c93

Though it didn’t seem to bother him, the meaning of his words was ambiguous. Tension climbed up Heeseo’s neck. Remembering the intense gaze from last night, Heeseo felt a heat rise and his breath catch.36a0bbaec784c595

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“I just feel like I’ve been talking about myself too much.”a1d886a1effe2fa3

“I never told you to shut up.”47d38144a2c8fb9f

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By now accustomed 7f9f8c7223 to his manner 5d904ef65f of speaking, Heeseo 37e07d78ad just moistened his 5c19276da0 lips. His eyes, rolling down, landed c1ef0c4753 on the spot where Seo 5e779cbfec Yigyeom had been injured. The skin that b8b47cc9c2 had bled was 0c7df80572 now healed and 2ee2ce0642 clean.ee1637a6535b5408

“Are you okay, Guide-nim?”d5283045df089647

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Seo Yigyeom looked at a628e62573 Heeseo without a word.28be970ba4960b5e

“If I’m fine for you, you can talk about anything.”d6706d7aa233a328

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He had said every day b6125653f4 was shit. Despite seeming calm and fa452d8b69 indifferent about everything, he 2f37a24e20 must have his struggles d7e1b46226 too. Just like Seo 1f465d20ed Yigyeom had been 86dbee7c0d for him, Heeseo 93f803ce16 wanted to offer 3cb02cc639 a little support.c6712adebc1d1624

“Don’t cross the line.”23910035c71f5621

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But after a long silence, Seo Yigyeom’s response was just a chuckle. He leisurely took another cigarette, staring at Heeseo without looking away as he lit it. Their gazes met through the flickering flame. Their differently colored eyes seemed to capture only each other, frozen in place.45e59ccd862361e5

“…”c9aebbc7163f2853

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“If you smoke too much, it’s bad for your health.”8419617f6158205d

“It’s a habit.”26c3613aa50a2fa9

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When Heeseo whispered 67c91c10ec tensely, Seo Yigyeom a41136a442 responded smoothly. However, blowing smoke f7897b806a towards Heeseo was b856738c3e brazen. Heeseo coughed in 000d570c60 surprise, and Seo cb49922c83 Yigyeom only smirked, 38b3b3c0be turning his hand facc949dd2 away.5510ca64d055839c

“And you’re stepping in where you shouldn’t.”a047e2498ac05991

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“That’s because I suddenly inhaled the smoke.”b7a6aef58fb845ea

“I’m always like this. Suddenly.”fc4cb1f7e035390a

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Seo Yigyeom said, borrowing Heeseo’s words while holding the cigarette between his teeth.27edf63b1a2df8d7

“So don’t go snooping around.”e52a06f638421538

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The light-hearted remark was more of a warning than an invitation. At his casual way of setting boundaries, Heeseo chose silence. Even if he wanted to help, there was nothing he could do if Seo Yigyeom didn’t want it.2ac927e6cfa2a650

The quiet conversation came to 4ec56f77ca a halt, and the wind 94203b519d filled the silence, rustling the e40cca1a88 bushes. Heeseo turned his ccf3d18f5d head to see da2c19ec4e a squirrel moving db73cccae3 swiftly up a d1c42f43bb tree.eaf2b182de64e7a5

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“Did you see that, Guide-nim?”a9b326be4073d33b

Heeseo smiled without realizing it, 73e76a3556 turning to Seo Yigyeom. But Seo Yigyeom ba4ec635c5 was looking directly 6e4b7f2e6a at him, not c00c115942 at the squirrel.8776b3ae12866fd0

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“Do you always get this red?”289bbd2f05cb67b3

His calm eyes traced a slow path, scanning Heeseo’s reddened nose, cheeks, and ears. The last place his gaze touched was Heeseo’s eyes, which had been tearful the night before. Heeseo fidgeted with his hands for no reason.e9e74dbc53c278b4

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“It’s because the wind is cold…”ff1a5c95ef9dca2f

“You’re not a child.”61a5e99c8e68231b

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His blatant mockery didn’t change much; only his lips, biting the white cigarette, were a vivid red.3aaca7a5057c9229

“Go inside, kid.”1319495137f083b8

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“I’ll stay out a bit longer.”ea0672b6537732e3

Though it was cold, it felt like his chest was clearing out. Having expressed his intentions, Heeseo leaned against the railing, taking deep breaths. His heart was pounding. At the same time, Seo Yigyeom’s phone rang with a chime.0fa5f9e7145e60f6

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“Good morning. Why. Were you worried I might be dead? If I die, you’ll have to be the chief mourner at noon.”06dca7af5593718e

While continuing the call comfortably, Seo Yigyeom’s expression soured a bit.6811091ff043e4fa

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“Don’t hang up, just send the data.”859e4088ea2b949a

He was about to head inside when he stopped suddenly, saying, “Stay out as much as you want.” Then he walked away. Heeseo watched his retreating figure before stepping forward. Not wanting to go inside yet, he leisurely strolled around. This isolated spot grew on him the more he looked; it was perfect for calming the turmoil in his heart.ad30ea2510a05a06

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Heeseo crunched through the snow, 02dfdaf6ac leaving a trail of footprints 2c49cc9d3f leading to a small path b4bf946a73 behind the house, which seemed bbc86597cf quite walkable along the mountain.013b4146a0a5a9ad

How many minutes had passed?2f8fbf4ff593a3cd

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“…”50764c9e24f883e4

Heeseo’s steps gradually slowed. His hand on his arm tensed, and his skin prickled strangely. His expression hardened. There was nothing around, yet he felt an abrupt discomfort.e0fea724f965adf0

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