BME | Chapter 1.6

*

“Hyewoo,​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ are you all right…!”

His father arrived within five minutes, just as promised. His hair was disheveled, as though he had run there in a hurry. Even his ponytail, tied with a stretched-out elastic, was on the verge of coming undone.

“I heard you had another seizure. How are you feeling?”

“I’m​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ all right now. I took the medicine, too.”

“Good. You did well.”

Seoin examined Hyewoo’s complexion with worry-filled eyes. Just having Seoin beside him seemed to calm Hyewoo.

“I’m​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ sorry for making you worry.”

When Hyewoo spoke dejectedly, Seoin patted him on the back and told him not to say such things. His broad, sharply defined features, which did not resemble Hyewoo’s much, wore a solemn expression.

“No, Hyewoo. What do you have to be sorry for? I’m the one at fault for not realizing it until you got this bad.”

“……”

At​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Seoin’s words, Hyewoo’s face filled with guilt. He felt ashamed that he kept showing his father only sides of himself that inspired no confidence.

“Hyewoo, you need to shake off those unpleasant feelings. The more you dwell on them, the more you’ll be the one to suffer.”

“Yes, I will.”

Hyewoo​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ answered as though making a resolution. What amazed him was that when his father told him to shake them off, it truly felt as though he could.

“As I’ve told you time and again, Dad doesn’t ask for much. I just want my Hyewoo to stay healthy.”

“…‘No matter what happens’?”

“Hmm?”

Hyewoo​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ realized too late that he had asked the question without thinking. He did not know why his father’s last words had come to mind now: ‘No matter what happens, you have to be the one who survives.’

Fortunately, his father readily nodded despite the unexpected question.

“That’s right. My Hyewoo understands how Dad feels. You’ll do that for me, won’t you?”

“……”

Does ‘No matter what happens’ literally apply to any situation? Even if I end up in some terrible state, would Father still feel the same way? Hyewoo could not bring himself to ask the next question. His father would obviously answer no, but for some reason, he could not find the courage to say it aloud.

Perhaps​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ he had resented his father, at least a little, for leaving him such a final message. His father had only said it out of love for his child.

Hyewoo stared at the back of his hand with a complicated expression before nodding.

“…Of course. I will.”

“It’s​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ a promise.”

Seoin smiled warmly and hooked his pinky around Hyewoo’s. His eyes, gazing fondly at Hyewoo as though proud of him, were gentle. Hyewoo thought those affectionate eyes were the clearest window into his father’s love.

Seoin pulled the limp Hyewoo into a tight embrace.

“I’ll​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ leave some extra medicine here. If you start feeling unwell, you can take one more.”

Seoin carefully examined Hyewoo from his face down to his upper body, which was exposed above the blanket. Hyewoo had grown a little gaunt over the past few days. Although his cheeks had thinned slightly, he looked as though he could return to normal with a few days of rest.

Seoin had spent years raising Hyewoo with meticulous care, making sure not a single part of his body developed a flaw. He had even kept him safely inside the house so he would not wander outside and get hurt, yet Hyewoo had suddenly begun suffering seizures for no apparent reason. Seoin worried that such a closed-off lifestyle might have caused this side effect.

“Hyewoo,​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ how about taking a short walk each day, starting tomorrow?”

“Yes. I will.”

Hyewoo answered readily, then noticed that Seoin’s eyes had taken on a golden hue. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around Seoin’s waist. Since his father took longer to Guide than his rank would suggest, an embrace was more efficient than shaking hands.

Of​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ course, even without guiding, Hyewoo liked being held in Seoin’s arms. His large body, concealed beneath the loose lab coat, gave Hyewoo a familiar sense of security. Unconsciously, as though acting spoiled, Hyewoo rubbed his cheek against Seoin’s chest.

“Thank you. Have you been practicing on your own without Dad knowing? Your guiding has become much more skillful.”

“…I did practice whenever I had the chance.”

Hyewoo’s​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ guiding ability now far surpassed that of the Hyewoo who had originally existed at this point in time. He was especially skilled at guiding quickly, pouring it out all at once. He had needed to satisfy the Espers on Delta Team even one second faster so he could escape their harassment.

Before long, the color of Seoin’s eyes returned to normal. Hyewoo had no way of knowing what guiding felt like from the Esper’s perspective, but Espers who received satisfactory guiding often became much more tolerant than usual. Seoin seemed pleased with the guiding as well, a clear smile spreading around his lips.

“You practiced by yourself, too? What a good boy. Still, don’t overdo it.”

Seoin​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ grinned and ran a hand through Hyewoo’s hair.

“…It’s still damp with sweat.”

“That’s all right. I’m your dad.”

When​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Hyewoo pulled his head away, Seoin only mussed his hair more, as though to show him he meant it.

“You shouldn’t stay cooped up at home all the time. How about getting a change of scenery? Meet some friends, hmm?”

“I don’t have any friends yet….”

“Huitae​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ said he was very worried. He said he hadn’t heard from you in days.”

“……”

Hyewoo’s face stiffened slightly.

“Did you turn off your phone?”

“…No.​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ I’ll contact him later.”

“Good. Do that.”

Seoin stroked Hyewoo’s shoulder, told him to rest, and left the room. Hyewoo glanced at the desk. His phone had been lying facedown, its screen hidden, for a long time.

After​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ hesitating for a moment, Hyewoo reached for the phone. He stared at the black screen for a long while, then slowly began typing something.

*

Lee Hyewoo

Sorry. I couldn’t get in touch because I wasn’t feeling well.

“Well,​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ look who it is.”

When a notification popped up on his phone screen, Jo Huitae shot upright. It was a message from Lee Hyewoo, his first in no less than two weeks.

That alone was not particularly surprising, but the message notification that appeared immediately afterward sent Jo Huitae into a state of excitement.

Lee​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Hyewoo

Isn’t your birthday in a few days?

Usually, Lee Hyewoo maintained an attitude of not caring whose birthday it was or whether anyone had one at all. Wondering what change of heart had occurred over the past two weeks to make him act this way, an intrigued expression spread across Jo Huitae’s face. Excited, Jo Huitae sent several replies in succession.

Yeah,​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ it is

Why do you ask?

Hyewoo, can I call you right now~?

Excited,​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Jo Huitae pressed the call button before he even received a reply. Yet the connection was cut off in less than a second.

Lee Hyewoo

I’m not ready to talk on the phone yet

“So​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ fussy.”

Jo Huitae grinned without a trace of displeasure.

I heard you were really sick. Are you okay?

Lee​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Hyewoo

Yeah

“Why is he replying so quickly for once?”

Usually, Lee Hyewoo was so slow to reply that one might wonder why he even carried a phone. Jo Huitae would have to repeat the same question several times before receiving a few cursory consonants in response. Seeing him act so differently today, it seemed he wanted something. Amused by the unusual situation, Jo Huitae sent one question after another.

Should​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ I come visit you?

Lee Hyewoo

It’s okay. I’m completely better now.

I​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ contacted you because it’s your birthday.

My birthday is Friday.

Are you coming to wish me a happy birthday??

Keeping​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ his eyes fixed on the phone screen, Jo Huitae crooked one finger. The refrigerator door opened on its own, and a can of beer flew into his hand.

Surely his only purpose wasn’t to wish Jo Huitae a happy birthday. It seems more like he needs an invitation than a celebration. Is there someone he wants to meet separately? Even if he comes that day, he won’t exactly be seeing anything pleasant.

Lee Hyewoo

Yeah. Send me an invitation.

Sure,​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ sure ^^

Jo Huitae took a sip of beer, then sent another message.

Are you getting me a birthday present, too?

Lee​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Hyewoo

Is there anything you want?

Guiding? Haha.

Expecting​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ to see what kind of reply he would get, Jo Huitae pressed the send button. Yet even after he took two or three more sips of beer, the message window remained silent. Based on his past experience, he realized the conversation had ended there. It was hardly surprising.

Finicky Lee Hyewoo kept everyone but Dr. Lee at arm’s length. He was so difficult to approach that even exchanging a few words with him was a pain in the ass. Even though he was an S-rank Guide, getting to hold his hand even once was nearly impossible, making him nothing more than a prize just out of reach.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, Lee Hyewoo possessed one tremendous advantage, enough to cover all those flaws. His appearance seemed to embody Jo Huitae’s preferences from A to Z. Even when Hyewoo irritated him, looking at his face made him willing to put up with it.

Having​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ spent a long time at the bottom of society, Jo Huitae liked Young Masters who had grown up pampered, the exact opposite of himself. And Lee Hyewoo belonged to the sort whose face practically had the words “Young Master” written all over it. He had the clear, delicate features of a sheltered bookworm who had never known hardship, and his straight waist and measured gait made it obvious he had been well trained.

His air of someone who seemed ignorant of how the world worked made him look like a magnet for every kind of pest, but in reality, that was not the case. It was probably because of his bad attitude, which treated everyone but his father like an invisible person.

Even so, a few persistent pests continued to linger around Lee Hyewoo. Jo Huitae was one of them.

Jo​‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‌‍​ Huitae closed his eyes and imagined Lee Hyewoo. Like the Young Master he was, someone who had never had to walk under the blazing sun on his own, Hyewoo’s skin, even the parts Jo Huitae had secretly glimpsed, was snow-white. Jo Huitae also liked his clear face, his not-so-small stature, and the sharp, right-angled line of his shoulders.

In truth, anyone, regardless of gender, would fall for Lee Hyewoo at first sight. Just a few smiles from him, if he steeled himself to give them, would be enough to melt anyone’s heart, so it was almost impressive that he had managed to make so many enemies with a face like that.

Lee Hyewoo, an S-rank Guide in name and ability, did come to the Center periodically, but he only performed radiant guiding, as if to taunt them, and then left. Even then, he picked only high-ranking or well-connected Espers to Guide.