DPGR 17

“Yes, Chief Esper. Yes. No, that’s not it. There seems to be a misunderstanding…”

The low voice, muffled and resonating, was thick with unease. Jiho’s curiosity piqued.

He lifted himself off the sofa and crept quietly toward the room.

“I didn’t sneak away with an unregistered Guide. Not at all. They’re not ready for Guiding yet, so I’m keeping them under protection.”

It sounded like he was explaining something to the person on the other end of the line.

“No, no. Yes. There must’ve been some kind of mix-up. Ah… Esper Park Gitae? Hmm. Would it be alright if I came by to explain? I’ll head to the Center now.”

Just when Jiho started thinking things were getting strange, the door burst open.

Standing right in front of it, Jiho flinched in surprise. But the one who opened the door—Dojin—only twitched an eyebrow like he already knew Jiho would be there.

“Just a little longer, please,” he said to Jiho before turning his attention back to his phone. Jiho stood by and watched Dojin continue the call.

“…Yeah. Looks like I really do need to head to the Center. If it’s okay, I’ll… Right. The deputy can stay behind.”

Still on the phone, Dojin made his way to the dressing room, and Jiho followed right behind him like a duckling.

Finally finishing the call, Dojin started changing clothes in a hurry.

“Something came up. I need to step out for a bit.”

Nod, nod.

Jiho nodded as well—and suddenly yanked off his lounge shirt.

Dojin’s eyes went wide as he quickly picked up the discarded shirt and put it back on Jiho.

“No, no. I’m going by myself.”

“…?”

“It’s better if Guide Jiho stays at home.”

Alone?

Jiho’s face clouded with confusion. Picking up on it, Dojin smiled gently and added,

“Do you remember my team members from last time? The ones you saw at the facility.”

Nod.

“I’ve called them over. The deputy can’t come because he’s stuck at work, but the others are around your age. I think you’ll get along fine.”

Jiho tried to recall the Espers from Alpha Team. He didn’t hold any grudges against them.

Actually, he’d barely seen their faces—he couldn’t even remember what they looked like. None of them had ever needed Guiding from him.

When Jiho gave a small nod, Dojin let out a breath of relief and resumed getting ready.

Jiho, not wanting to be in the way, wandered out into the living room. He didn’t even sit down on the sofa, just kept glancing toward the dressing room.

Some time passed.

The intercom light flicked on, followed by the chime of the doorbell. Jiho darted over to it in Dojin’s stead.

Beep—

He remembered what Dojin did when food got delivered and pressed the button.

Just as Dojin emerged from the dressing room, putting on his coat, he spotted Jiho at the intercom.

“Oh. I could’ve done that.”

—I know how to do it too.

Jiho mouthed the words, eager to show his usefulness. Dojin gave a quiet laugh and ruffled Jiho’s hair.

“Well done. But next time, don’t open the door for just anyone.”

“…?”

“It could be dangerous if someone suspicious shows up.”

Ahh.

Jiho nodded like he understood. Meanwhile, footsteps could be heard from beyond the front door.

“Team leader! Kijoonie-joonie’s here~!”

“God, someone stitch that mouth shut already.”

“Hmph. You’re just jealous ‘cause Kijoonie’s cute—ow! Hey!”

“Die.”

“Guys… Can you at least take it inside…”

Eyes wide, Jiho stared at the commotion. He’d assumed Dojin’s team members would be more like him—serious and reserved.

Jiho glanced up at Dojin. The dignified man and the voices outside shared nothing in common.

“Surprised?”

Reading his expression, Dojin gave him a sheepish smile.

“They’re a bit mischievous, that’s all. But they’re not bad kids. Here, let’s open the door first.”

He checked his watch and moved quickly—clearly more delayed than he’d planned.

Click—

The front door opened, and the noisy bunch outside greeted them.

“Team leader! Long time no see. A few days off really lit up your face, huh?”

“Here, this is a gift from Kijoonie~”

“Hello, team leader.”

One by one, they entered: a woman at least a head taller than Jiho, a large man as big as Baek Dojin, and a slimmer, younger-looking guy who came in last.

“Come on in, everyone.”

Dojin accepted a cake box from the one called Kijoon and ushered them inside.

Setting the box on the living room table, he gestured toward Jiho, who was half-hiding behind him.

“You’ve met before, right? This is Guide Seo Jiho. Jiho, these are my team members.”

Unlike the shy Jiho, the team greeted him with loud, cheerful energy.

“Hi there! You look way healthier than last time—glad to see it! I’m Jihye. Sung Jihye. I’m twenty-five.”

“I’m Choi Kijoon. Same age as Jihye~”

“Hello, Guide-nim. I’m So Yulchan. I’m three years older than you.”

Jiho, still clutching the hem of Dojin’s jacket, gave a small bow in return to the warm greeting.

The team members, apparently already aware that Jiho couldn’t speak, didn’t show the slightest discomfort at his silent response.

“There are snacks in the fridge, so feel free to help yourself. If you get hungry, you can order food too. Kijoon, you still have my card, right? Guide Jiho can eat anything except spicy food, so make sure he’s taken care of. And…”

Once they were a little more familiar with each other, Dojin launched into a flurry of instructions, most of which were just nagging reminders.

“Kijoon, Jihye—please, for the love of god, don’t fight. Please.”

“Aw, come on, team leader! When have we ever fought?”

“Yeah! Kijoonie and I are like besties!”

“…Sigh.”

Dojin let out a deep sigh at their perfectly coordinated response. Yulchan shook his head and offered,

“I’ll try to keep them in line.”

“Thanks, Yulchan. I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, sir.”

Finally, Dojin gave Jiho a quick ruffle of his hair and headed out the door.

With his shield—Dojin—gone, Jiho quietly curled up in the corner of the sofa.

He hugged a cushion to his chest and fidgeted with the edges, occupying his hands.

The team members noticed that Jiho, though pretending otherwise, was sneakily glancing at them from time to time. As sensitive Espers, they couldn’t miss it.

Is he scared of us?

He’s on guard. Definitely on guard.

He’s like a stray cat…

Kijoon, Jihye, and Yulchan exchanged glances. Jiho looked like a nervous kitten with his fur bristling, keeping his distance.

It would’ve been fine to just leave him be, but since he might become Dojin’s Pair Guide, it seemed like a good idea to try bonding with him.

Should I try talking to him?

Yulchan asked with his eyes. Kijoon and Jihye nodded encouragingly.

“Um… Guide Seo.”

Still tearing at the cushion, Jiho jumped at the sudden voice.

Yulchan immediately stopped approaching and waved his hands nervously.

“Ah, s-sorry! Didn’t mean to startle you. I just, um…”

He stuttered clumsily and ended up glancing back at Kijoon and Jihye, almost teary-eyed.

Help me, guys…

So much for the bold first move—it was a pretty awkward crash-and-burn. Yulchan, in truth, wasn’t all that outgoing himself.

The more sociable Kijoon rummaged through his pockets and pulled something out. The rustling caught Jiho’s attention, and he peeked at him out of the corner of his eye.

“Ta-da! This always does the trick.”

Jiho tilted his head in confusion. Kijoon held a tiny square, no bigger than a finger segment.

Jiho blinked, and Kijoon shrugged with a grin.

“Want a MyChew?”

Kijoon’s pockets were like a magician’s bag. Out came MyChews, chocolates, candies, bubble gum—it never seemed to end.

Does he have some kind of pocket dimension in there?

As the stream of sweet snacks continued, Jiho’s wariness gradually began to fade.

Of course, it wasn’t just the snacks—it was Kijoon’s earnest effort, too.

“Ta-da! Know what this is?”

As Jiho chewed thoughtfully, Kijoon opened his backpack and pulled out a box. In the center of the box, decorated with drawings of Earth and spaceships, were large letters:

[Blue Marble]

What the heck is that?

Jiho tilted his head, puzzled. Kijoon chuckled softly and began setting up the game board in the center of the living room.

“It’s a board game. Probably your first time seeing one?”

Yulchan chimed in gently from the side.

“You roll dice and buy properties. When other players pass through, they pay tolls, and that’s how you grow your wealth.”

What the heck…

Jiho’s expression scrunched up. He glanced around, found his notebook, opened it, and wrote something down.

[I don’t have any money.]

Buying land? He didn’t even have a single coin to his name. He couldn’t have paid for the MyChew in his mouth, let alone anything else.

Though his message was sincere and worried, Yulchan clamped his lips together after reading it. His cheek twitched—clearly, he was holding in laughter.

Why’s he laughing?