DPGR 20

“…Alright. Have it your way.”

“…!”

“But no guiding.”

“…?”

“Only when I request it. Just hugging or holding hands, that’s all.”

Nod, nod!

Jiho thought to himself that with just hugs or handholding, he’d never get anywhere with guiding. Still, it was more important to secure Dojin’s agreement before he could change his mind.

He slipped a hand out from the blanket and held it out, only his pinky extended. Dojin gave a dry, amused laugh at the sight.

“Fine. Promise.”

Murmuring in a low voice, Dojin hooked his pinky with Jiho’s. Only then did Jiho’s face finally brighten.

“Hehe.”

That innocent giggle made Dojin shallow down a sigh.

Or maybe, he thought, what he’d just swallowed down wasn’t a sigh—but guilt.

***

Time passed like water under a bridge. Dojin’s remaining leave days came to an end, and the day of his return to the Center finally arrived.

“It’s chilly today. You should wear this.”

Nod.

While he had just thrown on whatever clothes came to hand for himself, Dojin picked out Jiho’s outfit with care.

Jiho was practically bouncing with excitement at the thought of going to the Center to officially sign a Pair contract with Dojin. He nodded enthusiastically.

After Jiho put on his sweater, Dojin gently smoothed down the hair on his head, which had puffed up from static electricity.

“It suits you, just as I thought.”

The pale yellow sweater looked great on Jiho. The soft bulk of it helped hide his thin frame, and the warm color brought some life back to his usually pale face.

Flashing a shy smile at the compliment, Jiho smoothed his sweater proudly. Then he moved his lips silently.

—Thank you… for the clothes.

The sweater he wore, and the brown pants too, were all new—bought by Dojin the day before at the department store.

It wasn’t like he had no clothes to wear after their previous shopping spree, but Dojin seemed restless, as if he still hadn’t done enough for Jiho.

A few T-shirts, a few pairs of pants, various hats and bags—everything he bought was expensive enough to make Jiho gasp. But Dojin reassured him each time, telling him not to worry.

Jiho recalled what Dojin had once said:

“You really don’t understand your own worth. It wasn’t officially recorded, but our compatibility score was enough to cause a global stir. And your grade was high, too.”

Jiho tilted his head, confused. He hadn’t even realized a compatibility test or provisional grading had been done while he was unconscious.

Dojin seemed to think he just didn’t understand and tried to explain more simply:

“Your guiding ability is rare, and very valuable. You’ve shared that ability with me—it’s only right that I offer something in return.”

Rare. Valuable.

Words he had never heard before. Until now, every Esper he’d guided had treated it as something he owed them.

No one had ever thanked him for guiding.

No—there had been one person. The Dojin from before the regression had always said thank you after every hand-guiding session.

And it hadn’t just been words. He’d awkwardly but earnestly expressed his gratitude with Jiho’s favorite sweet treats.

He’s exactly the same as before the regression.

The price tags may have changed, but the way Dojin scrambled to express his thanks for Jiho’s guiding remained the same.

Jiho liked that about him—that warm consistency. The way his kindness had never changed.

“Alright. Let’s head to the Center.”

They were finally ready. Dojin helped Jiho into his coat and held out a hand. It was large, rough and callused.

Jiho, half-buried in the oversized coat, hesitated for a moment, then firmly took his hand.

“There’s no need to be nervous. I’ll be right by your side. You’ll even get to meet the team members you saw last time.”

Thinking Jiho was anxious, Dojin offered comforting words. Touched by his thoughtfulness, Jiho gave his hand an even tighter squeeze.

Feeling his concern like that—it made Jiho’s chest feel oddly ticklish, as if something had lodged deep in his throat.

In South Korea, the national Center is split into two branches:

One is the Esper Center (commonly called the Esper Wing), and the other is the Guide Center (commonly called the Guide Wing).

Naturally, the buildings are separate, and each Center has its own director.

After parking in the Esper Wing’s lot, Dojin took Jiho with him to the Guide Wing. It was time to officially register Jiho as a Guide.

The moment Dojin entered the lobby, all eyes turned toward him, murmurs spreading among the gathered Guides.

It was only natural—he was a person who stood out in many ways.

Normally, Dojin would have ignored the attention without a second thought. But today, something was different.

A voice from behind called out to him. It was the Chief Guide.

“Esper Baek Dojin?”

“…Hello, Chief Guide.”

“Well, now. What brings you here? I thought you were on leave.”

“I’ve returned to duty as of today.”

“Oh? Then what are you doing here… coming to get some guiding?”

“No.”

Dojin glanced sideways at Jiho, who was half-hidden behind him. The Chief Guide’s gaze followed his and landed on the bit of clothing sticking out.

“And that is…?”

Even though he surely already knew, the Chief Guide pretended as if he didn’t. But the greed in his eyes—that he couldn’t hide.

Dojin didn’t like that look. Still, he didn’t let it show on his face.

“He’s an unregistered Guide I’ve been protecting. We’re here to get him registered.”

“Oh? Mind if I get a look at his face?”

“He’s a young Guide. Still shy around strangers. I ask for your understanding.”

“Young? You mean he’s a minor?”

“No. He’s exactly twenty.”

“Well then, he’s not that young. Come on now, step forward. You’re in the Guide Center—you should at least greet me, don’t you think?”

The pressure in his voice grew, enough to make Dojin frown.

Jiho, who had been practically glued to Dojin’s back, flinched and trembled slightly before peeking out just enough to show his head. The Chief Guide’s eyebrows lifted.

“Well, well… Looks like he’ll be popular once he’s registered.”

“……”

“We’ve run into each other by chance—seems like fate, doesn’t it? Let’s have a quick chat.”

He jerked his head toward his office and began walking off without waiting for an answer, clearly not expecting to be refused.

Dojin gently patted Jiho’s hand, which clung tightly to his coat.

“It’s alright. I’ll be with you the whole time.”

They followed him to the Chief Guide’s office. The Chief took the head seat, and even before his assistant could bring tea, he dove straight into the point.

“So. What’s your name?”

“…Guide Seo Jiho.”

Dojin answered in Jiho’s place, knowing he wouldn’t speak. The Chief Guide shot him a disapproving look, then turned to Jiho with a sharp question.

“Guide Seo Jiho, cat got your tongue?”

Jiho’s thin shoulders jerked up. Dojin stroked his back and replied, his voice a touch colder than before.

“Guide Jiho is mute.”

The Chief clearly hadn’t expected that. His eyes widened as he looked at Jiho, who shrank under the stare and bowed his head, lips pressed tightly shut.

“…My apologies. That was rude of me.”

“……”

“Well, no matter. With that kind of ability, a little defect like that isn’t a problem.”

Defect, he said.

Dojin’s expression twisted, his eyes narrowing at the Chief Guide with cold fury. But the Chief only lifted his chin, staring back with defiance.

So what if you glare? What can you do?—That was the meaning in his posture.

Sure, Dojin was one of the rare S-class Espers in Korea, but even he couldn’t lay a hand on a branch director of the Center.

As much as Dojin wanted to smash his face in, he couldn’t act on the impulse. The air in the room turned heavy with unspoken tension.

Fortunately, it didn’t last long. The secretary entered with a tray and placed three teacups on the table with a soft clink.

Clatter—

The gentle aroma of tea filled the room, but none of the three so much as glanced at it.

“…Ahem. I heard about this unregistered Guide from Esper Park Gitae.”

After a long silence, the Chief Guide finally spoke again. Dojin’s brow twitched slightly at the mention of that name once more.

“Esper Park Gitae?”

“Yes. He said he thought his compatibility with this unregistered Guide would be excellent. And you’re registering him today, yes? Then he’ll have to take matching tests with Espers.”

“……”

“In that case, why not give the first opportunity to the Esper who already recognized his value?”

“…What did you just say?”

“I’m suggesting you run the compatibility test with Esper Park Gitae first.”

A bitter scoff escaped from Dojin’s lips. The Chief Guide’s eyes narrowed at the blatant disrespect.

“Are you telling me you don’t know Park Gitae raised a hand against Guide Jiho?”

“I heard that wasn’t proven. He says he didn’t do it.”

“Does denial change the facts? There’s solid evidence. Words won’t erase that.”

“What did you say?”

“In any case, he’s currently under internal suspension at the Esper Center. He won’t be using his abilities or receiving guiding for a while.”

“I’ll speak with the Esper Chief about that myself.”

This man isn’t listening at all. Dojin felt like he was talking to a wall—and a very stubborn, corrupt wall at that.

He remembered hearing something about Park Gitae’s background. Some pharmaceutical conglomerate’s heir or something like that.

Dojin didn’t normally concern himself with such things, but he wasn’t oblivious either.

He was almost certain now—the Chief Guide had accepted some kind of favor from Park Gitae.

“I’m afraid that won’t be necessary. Guide Jiho will not be taking a compatibility test with Park Gitae.”

With that, Dojin abruptly stood up. He gently pulled Jiho, who was frozen and unsure of what to do, to his feet.

As the two prepared to leave, the Chief Guide jumped up in a fluster and tried to stop them.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Because I will be the first person to take a compatibility test with Guide Jiho.”

“W-What did you just say?”