To avoid any potential surveillance, Joo-hyun and Beom-gyu got off at a location quite a distance away and started walking towards the harbour. Although it was an abandoned harbour with few houses or shops around, they couldn't help feeling tense.
What if one of them ran out of control? Or what if people recognised them as runaway espers? Would they scream and flee? Or if innocent people were killed before them, would they detonate?
Joo-hyun's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but Beom-gyu, who had been free to roam outside until just six months ago, seemed to be thinking differently.
"It's been ages since I last smelled the sea. Joo-hyun hyung, come quickly!"
Beom-gyu, who had been awkwardly following along earlier, now called out to Joo-hyun with a wide grin, clearly excited by the briny sea air.
While the rigid atmosphere was a problem, being overly relaxed was also an issue. Joo-hyun cautiously scanned his surroundings as he walked, ensuring no one was around.
"Keep your voice down. We're here to work, not to play."
"I know. It's just that after being stuck in gates every day, it's nice to be somewhere people actually live."
Beom-gyu was perceptive enough to know that unlike him, other espers in Block C were not only sent to gates.
It's because I became a runaway esper not too long ago, right? You never know when it might happen again. But at least I've finally got an easy mission."
"An easy mission?"
In the port, where even the streetlights had been turned off, the only light came from the distant lighthouse. Joo-hyun glanced at Beom-gyu, who was smiling as if genuinely pleased, and whispered in a low voice.
"Don't say that in front of Bom-i noona or Seung-cheol hyung. You'll get beaten."
When Beom-gyu asked why, Joo-hyun didn't answer.
Joo-hyun knew that being devoured by a monster was far more pleasant than living after killing someone. Bom-i, who was often called upon due to the nature of her abilities, and Seung-cheol, who had a strong aversion to killing, would undoubtedly be more hurt than angry if they heard such things.
After walking quietly for a while, they arrived at the place filled with containers, just as they had been told. It was old and rusty, clearly abandoned, making it a perfect spot for nefarious activities.
According to the information, the ship carrying the drugs had already left. They planned to leave the drugs in the containers and move them tomorrow to avoid a crackdown.
So, they had to destroy everything there today. If this many guiding drugs were distributed, who knew how many people would become addicted?
That was the Association's rationale for giving them this mission, but Joo-hyun didn't see it that way. The reason people turned to illegal guiding drugs was simple: there was a lack of guiding.
All guides were registered with the Association, and unless it was an emergency or a matching, guiding without permission was illegal. The Association held a monopoly on guides, leaving some espers without the necessary guiding, forcing them to rely on drugs to survive.
The fact that there was someone addicted to the drugs right next to him made this task even more unpleasant.
However, the mission had already been assigned. If Joo-hyun failed, someone else would have to take on the same task. Since someone had to do it, it might as well be him.
Joo-hyun gestured for Beom-gyu to follow him cautiously. Using his ability, the two climbed onto the containers and lowered their bodies to focus on the voices coming from below.
"Is it true we get a bonus after this job?"
"Of course. Look at the quantity. It's the first time we've brought in this much."
Two men, one with a gun slung over his shoulder, were laughing and chatting. There was no one else in sight.
"Does this really make that much money? How strong must the drug be? No one will notice if just one goes missing, right?"
"Don't even think about it. It's only effective on espers. You don't want to lose your head over this."
The man with slit eyes was scolding the bearded man. There were several containers stacked around them. They couldn't tell how many contained drugs, but it was clearly not a small amount.
"At least I'll be able to sleep well tomorrow. Why do we have to keep watch if the Association doesn't even know about this place?"
"Well, thanks to this, we'll make a lot of money after a few sleepless nights."
The bearded man sat on a small camping chair, folding his arms and lowering his head as if trying to take a nap.
It seemed these two were mere foot soldiers in the drug-smuggling operation, unaware of the details. There was no point in waiting any longer. Joo-hyun pulled out a silenced gun from under his hood and aimed it at the man.
With a soft thud, the bullet hit the man squarely in the back of the head. As the large body slumped forward and fell from the chair, the slit-eyed man, who had been looking out at the sea, hurried over.
"What's wrong?"
Flipping the body over, he saw the lifeless eyes and the blood flowing out, unable even to scream. He pushed the corpse aside.
Joo-hyun aimed the gun at the slit-eyed man without hesitation, but the bullet hit a distant container. Beom-gyu, with a horrified expression, had grabbed Joo-hyun's arm.
"What are you doing!"
"I think that's my line."
Realising that Joo-hyun hadn't made a mistake, Beom-gyu looked bewildered. Gazing at the lifeless body, his face was a mix of anger and confusion.
"Why...?"
"Why did I kill him? Because he was in the way."
"Our mission is to destroy the drugs, not to kill anyone!"
A stealth mission meant leaving no witnesses. Joo-hyun was pondering how to explain this when he heard movement below.
The man, realising he was not safe after hearing the bullet hit the container, was trying to speak into his communicator. His trembling hands struggled to press the buttons, and he cursed under his breath.
Clicking his tongue, Joo-hyun pushed Beom-gyu aside and jumped down towards the man.
With a thud, Joo-hyun landed lightly using his ability, kicked the man, and shot the communicator on the ground. The actions flowed smoothly, taking only seconds.
Smirking at how much more accustomed he was to dealing with people than monsters, Joo-hyun aimed the gun at the man. But he couldn't pull the trigger. He turned away, closing his eyes tightly before opening them again.
"What now?"
"How can you kill someone without batting an eye?"
"Save that for later. If you don't want to help, go back. I'll handle it alone."
"You didn't even cry when Han-na noona died. You're just a cold-blooded killer!"
Joo-hyun paused. The man, who had been inching away, was trying to crawl to safety when the runaway esper stomped on his back with a sturdy boot.
"Listen carefully. If we let this guy live, the information will get out eventually. That means not just us but others will suffer."
Given that it was a shady organisation, they wouldn't spread word of an attack easily, but it was best not to give them any leverage.
"I won't tell anyone! I don't know anything! Please, just spare my life..."
The man, terrified, whimpered and begged. The heavy trembling was palpable even through the thick boots.
Joo-hyun bit the inside of his cheek, using the sharp pain to focus. Sympathy was for humans. Runaway espers, who were no different from monsters, couldn't afford such luxuries.
Resolving his hesitation, Joo-hyun aimed the gun again, but Beom-gyu spoke earnestly.
"That doesn't justify murder."
Due to their overwhelming power, espers received safety training from the moment they manifested their abilities. They were taught to protect citizens, never to use their powers on them, and that their abilities should only be used against monsters.
Of course, this was irrelevant to Joo-hyun, who had run out of control immediately after manifesting his powers, but the other espers in Block C had all mentioned undergoing such training.
Usually, manifestation occurred around the age of fourteen, so hearing the same thing repeatedly for over ten years made it nearly impossible not to be affected.
Joo-hyun quietly observed Beom-gyu's determined face. The salty, fishy sea air lingered around them. He wondered if the smell would have seemed more pleasant if they weren't in a situation with a corpse lying around and red containers stacked up, glaring at each other.
"There's no need to kill him. We can just do our job and leave."
Should he call it righteousness, or just naivety?
Joo-hyun had once been severely beaten for sparing a child, the apparent witness, from the Association. Even if he didn't know what punishment awaited for sparing a witness now, he knew it wouldn't be easy.
Yet, why did he want to side with Beom-gyu? Was it a yearning for the innocence he could never have? A rising guilt after all this time? Perhaps he was simply intoxicated by having someone to rely on after being pushed around for so long.
The man didn't know they were runaway espers. He didn't know where they came from and might not even realise they were espers. Even if he told his organisation about them, all he could say was that two hooded men had attacked them.
'Maybe it's alright.'
A glance at Beom-gyu showed he had no intention of backing down, his face still stern. Beom-gyu was a year younger than Joo-hyun. Though Beom-gyu didn't know it himself, he was currently the youngest esper in Block C. Joo-hyun seemed to have grown quite fond of him.
Joo-hyun swallowed a sigh and bent down to lift the man who was lying on the ground. The man's face was soaked with tears, and he was trembling so much that his teeth chattered.
"Please, spare me..."
"You saw nothing, got it?"
The man nodded vigorously. For a moment, the light from the lighthouse flickered through the gap between the containers.
"Try to say a word anywhere, and I'll hunt you down and kill you."
Without waiting for a reply, Joo-hyun struck the man's face, knocking him unconscious, and tossed him back to the ground.
A mix of unease about not killing the witness and a peculiar sense of relief surged within him. It was a strange feeling, but not entirely unpleasant.
"Is it done?"
"Yes... but I'm still not over it."
Beom-gyu pointed to the corpse of the man who had died without even closing his eyes.
There was no way to bring the dead back to life. At the time, Joo-hyun had acted on what he believed was the best course of action, so he had no intention of apologising. Beom-gyu, who had at least saved one person and had a mission to complete, seemed not to dwell on it any longer.
Joo-hyun tied the unconscious man's hands behind his back and approached the nearest container.
With a creak, he opened the stiff door to reveal a stack of wooden boxes filled with illegal guiding drugs.
"There are so many. Do we just blow them all up?"
"Yes, but hold on a second."
Joo-hyun, who had been carrying a backpack to disguise himself as a regular student, began putting the drugs into it.
"What are you doing?"
"These are for Chae-kyung hyung."
Chae-kyung, addicted to guiding drugs, suffered immensely during withdrawal symptoms. Regular guiding would help, but since that wasn't an option, reducing his pain was the best they could do.
Because Block C lacked guides, the reliance on guiding drugs was significantly higher than for typical espers. Though Beom-gyu, not yet used to this, looked uncomfortable, he knew how much Chae-kyung suffered and didn't stop Joo-hyun.
Compared to the process, the mission itself ended surprisingly easily. With a mere gesture from Beom-gyu, everything inside the container exploded.
The two checked even the empty containers thoroughly before leaving the unconscious man behind and departing the harbour. They walked in silence through the darkened streets. Beom-gyu seemed deep in thought, while Joo-hyun gripped the gun in his pocket tightly, staying alert.
"Was that what you meant when you said Bom-i noona and Seung-cheol hyung would hit me?"
Beom-gyu's voice lacked its usual strength. His red eyes glinted faintly as they stayed fixed on the ground.
"Do they take on missions like this too? ...Killing people and all?"
Joo-hyun didn't answer, but silence sometimes speaks volumes. The can kicked by Beom-gyu clattered noisily away.
"Of course, you're not sad. You kill every day; why would one more death make you cry?"
"Do you think we do this because we want to?"
The words, harsher than expected, echoed through the quiet harbour. Beom-gyu, a few steps ahead, turned back to face Joo-hyun, who had stopped.
"You're not supposed to kill someone so easily. We shouldn't be doing this. They shouldn't make us do this."
Beom-gyu was crying. His eyes were red, and tears streamed down his cheeks as he bit his lip.
The anger that had flared up dissipated instantly upon seeing Beom-gyu's pitiful face. The ghost that always hung over Joo-hyun's shoulder felt especially heavy today. Beom-gyu sniffled, wiping his tears with his sleeve, and spoke in a shaky voice.
"Are you sad about Hana noona's death?"
"...Yes."
"Then why don't you cry?"
The salty sea air brushed Joo-hyun's nose. He wanted to comfort Beom-gyu but didn't know how.
"Is crying that important?"
"Of course. When you're happy, you smile; when you're sad, you cry. How can you call it living if you don't do the obvious things?"
The fact that the espers in Block C didn't express their sorrow over Hana's death was a significant issue for Beom-gyu.
Joo-hyun tried to remember the last time he cried uncontrollably over someone's death. He delved into his past but couldn't recall shedding tears.
Even before becoming a runaway esper, Joo-hyun hadn't lived a life where expressing emotions through laughter or tears was common, so he couldn't fully grasp Beom-gyu's sentiments.
As a runaway esper, leaving Block C was impossible. Death was the only escape, and he would have to live in grey walls for the rest of his life. Beom-gyu would eventually realise the harsh reality and stop crying.
But Beom-gyu had only been living as a runaway esper for six months, and his tears hadn't dried yet.
The salty sea breeze gently caressed the cheeks of the two sitting side by side on the large tetrapod. Beom-gyu, who had mostly stopped crying, rubbed his sore eyes and sniffled.
"Did you ask why I don't cry?"
Startled by the sudden question, Beom-gyu looked at Joo-hyun with his swollen eyes. Joo-hyun was staring somewhere deep in the pitch-black sea.
"...Maybe it's because I've already thought about everyone dying."
In a simple hoodie, he looked like an ordinary person, not a runaway esper. Just a tired, slightly depressed regular person. If not for his red eyes reflecting the lighthouse light, anyone would have thought so.
Beom-gyu had always felt that there was something dangerous about the aura surrounding Joo-hyun, not just his clothes, but not now. Perhaps it was because his expression was gentler than usual.
"I've been in Block C for 11 years. Do you know how many people have died in that time?"
Beom-gyu shook his head. Joo-hyun's voice held an unfamiliar softness.
"I don't know either. There are too many to count."
"That many?"
"Yes. In the end, everyone will die. Whether it's from running out of control, failing a mission, a chocker malfunctioning, or having a night so scary that the sunrise feels unbearable."
Beom-gyu wanted to ask if Joo-hyun had ever had such a night, but he swallowed the question and kept silent. This was the first time Joo-hyun, usually indifferent, had opened up like this. He didn't want to ruin the moment with unnecessary questions.
"Thinking this way isn't pessimistic. It's just that everything is predictable."
"Predictable?"
"Yes. How do you feel when something you expected happens?"
"...I knew this would happen?"
Finally, Beom-gyu understood the mindset of Joo-hyun and the other sunbaes. Hana's death was something they had already anticipated, so they weren't shocked or moved to tears when it happened.
The sorrow was felt the moment they foresaw her death and the subsequent loss.
It wasn't just Joo-hyun. Chae-kyung, Bom-i, Se-hwa, and Seung-cheol – all of them had thought about, anticipated, and mentally prepared for each other's deaths, so they wouldn't be overwhelmed by the grief when it happened. With so many instances, the mind naturally gravitated that way.
Becoming overly accustomed to the death of comrades, he finally understood what that meant. The tears he had managed to stop began to flow again. Beom-gyu buried his face in his hands and cried like a child.
Joo-hyun didn't pat his back or shoulder but didn't leave, despite the noise. It was his way of providing comfort.
Beom-gyu wondered if Joo-hyun had ever properly cried. During his 11 years in that harsh place, had anyone comforted him?
The black sea waters swayed, and the lighthouse light spun once more.
"Even so, I hope you'll cry when I die."
They had probably already anticipated Beom-gyu's death. Would they just say, "I knew it," and forget about him?
"I don't expect my death to be hugely significant, but since we've shared time together, I think I deserve at least some tears."
Beom-gyu had witnessed the deaths of comrades several times as an esper. It was always sad, but after crying like his heart would break at their funerals, he felt a bit lighter. Smiling when happy and crying when sad – there's a reason everyone worldwide, despite language barriers, behaves this way.
Listening quietly, Joo-hyun chuckled. Still staring at the sea, his side profile looked kind, and Beom-gyu felt his impression of Joo-hyun shift slightly.
"If that's what you want, I'll cry for you."
"Promise. Don't forget."
"But you also have to promise to cry like a child whenever someone dies."
"I didn't cry like a child!"
Thinking Joo-hyun was teasing him, Beom-gyu saw that his eyes were deadly serious. Hesitating for a moment, he wiped his eyes with his sleeve and answered.
"It's not something you can promise. I'll keep doing it anyway."
Joo-hyun, staring silently, suddenly stood up and ruffled Beom-gyu's hair. If it had been Seung-cheol, he would have pushed the hand away, but since this was Joo-hyun's first such gesture, Beom-gyu protested loudly without actually pushing him away.
"Let's go back now."
With his hood up, Joo-hyun's expression was hidden. Beom-gyu, sniffing one last time, got up to follow. The tranquil sea seemed to bid them a quiet farewell, unsure when they'd return.
* * *
"Hyung, we finished the mission quicker than we thought, right?"
Beom-gyu asked as they were almost out of the harbour. Joo-hyun, still tense and scanning their surroundings, nodded.
"Do you want to do something fun before we go?"
Joo-hyun turned his head so quickly his neck might have stiffened, wearing an expression of disbelief.
"Are you mad? We're runaway espers. You don't know when or where you might lose control again. Do you really think that's a good idea?"
Having calmed down, Beom-gyu returned to his usual self, though his slightly red eyes and pout gave away his lingering frustration.
"I don't think I'll go on a rampage in the next hour or two."
"Nobody knows that for sure. Just a while ago, you told me not to kill anyone. If you run out of control in the middle of the city, who knows how many people will get caught in it?"
The sharp, rapid words made Beom-gyu's shoulders twitch. Though Joo-hyun felt sorry for the threatening tone, he didn't take back his words. After the first rampage, they taught you in Block C just how dangerous you were to others, tied up as you were.
Watching videos of grieving families of those killed by runaway espers, collapsed buildings, screams, blood, and swirling dust for hours made you feel guilt from head to toe. Hearing about the atrocities you could hardly believe you'd committed made you so fearful that you were even thankful for the confinement in Block C.
Beom-gyu had only been a runaway for half a year. Knowing he still shuddered at the memories of his rampages, Joo-hyun couldn't take his words lightly.
"I know. But... I miss my parents so much."
Though his tears had dried, his voice sounded far more pitiful than when he had been crying. Joo-hyun, who had never felt such emotions, opened his mouth but couldn't find any words.
"This chance might never come again."
"..."
"I don't know when I might die..."
Beom-gyu whispered, lowering his gaze. His conversation with Joo-hyun might have made him feel his death more acutely.
Normally, Joo-hyun would have firmly said no. If Beom-gyu had persisted, he would have used his powers to drag him back.
But today was different in many ways. He wore a plain hoodie, didn't kill at least one witness, remembered the past after a long time, and shared his inner thoughts with someone.
Joo-hyun looked up at the sky. The moon, half-hidden by clouds, hung faintly in the black night, with not a single star visible.
Beom-gyu was the only esper in Block C allowed to contact his family. He had seen him holding the receiver and smiling numerous times.
"My home is close by. I'll just take a quick look at my parents' faces, okay?"
"If you're caught, you could be killed."
"I won't get caught. Even if I do, I'll say I ran off alone. I won't let you get into trouble, hyung."
A runaway esper's escape was treated as terrorism. Even if he didn't accompany him, Joo-hyun would face punishment without a good reason. He had to say no, no matter what.
But instead of shouting at him to wake up, Joo-hyun looked at his wristwatch. It was just past midnight.
They had finished their mission much earlier than expected, so being an hour late wouldn't raise suspicions. Although the choker around his neck would reveal his location, no one checked the espers' locations every hour. They didn't even realise Joo-hyun's GPS in his choker was broken until three days later.
Sighing deeply, Joo-hyun spoke to Beom-gyu, whose hands were clasped tightly together.
"Just one hour."
"Re-really? Can I go? Okay! One hour!"
"But if you run out of control, I won't hesitate to shoot you. You have to do the same."
Beom-gyu nodded vigorously. Watching him with a stern gaze, Joo-hyun felt the cold gun in his pocket with trembling fingers.
He wasn't afraid to die. He was afraid to kill.
Just minutes ago, he had shot a man in the head without hesitation, but that was something he had to do, whether he liked it or not.
Three years after his first rampage, there had been an esper who took over his mission when Joo-hyun shouted that he no longer wanted to do it. That esper never returned from the mission Joo-hyun had abandoned. Since then, Joo-hyun hadn't passed his duties to anyone else.
"Lead the way."
"What?"
"You said you wanted to go home."
"...Yeah!"
Biting his lip to keep his smile from spreading too wide, Beom-gyu answered loudly, unable to hide his joy. Watching him, Joo-hyun thought that even if he was shot as a terrorist, he wouldn't regret it and slowly followed Beom-gyu.
Despite it being past midnight, there were quite a few people on the streets. Joo-hyun found it hard to breathe, his anxiety rising, but Beom-gyu seemed unfazed.
"I used to buy snacks here often."
Beom-gyu pointed with nostalgic eyes, as if the place was familiar.
"Don't look around. Just go home."
"Okay. Ah! I don't recognise that shop. When did it open?"
"Koo Beom-gyu."
The threatening tone from Joo-hyun finally made Beom-gyu close his mouth.
Contrary to Beom-gyu's claim of proximity, the house was quite a distance away, but they managed to arrive quickly by using their powers in less crowded areas.
Despite wanting to come so badly, Beom-gyu stood stiff with nerves in front of the small two-story house. Joo-hyun tried to imagine what it felt like to see your family after half a year, but having no such experience, he couldn't even guess.
"Go on, then."
"Won't they be asleep?"
"They probably are. The lights are off."
It took several pats on the back before Beom-gyu's fingers pressed the doorbell. He pressed it five times, not once, before the front door opened abruptly.
"Who on earth at this hour—!"
"Mum."
The middle-aged woman, wearing a cardigan over her pyjamas, bore a strong resemblance to Beom-gyu. Her furrowed brow, disturbed from being woken up, softened instantly at the sight of him.
"It's been a while."
"Beo...Beom..."
Her lips moved soundlessly before she extended trembling arms to hug Beom-gyu. Supporting her as she collapsed into his arms, Beom-gyu cried and laughed. Her hands, cradling his face, were as delicate as if she feared he'd vanish if touched too roughly.
"Dear, dear! Come quickly!"
At her call, a man who resembled Beom-gyu's father appeared.
Watching from a distance, Joo-hyun felt like he was intruding on something too private.
Though they might not fear their runaway esper son, a runaway esper who was a stranger would certainly be terrifying. After a moment's hesitation, Joo-hyun decided that Beom-gyu wouldn't lose control in just an hour. He hoped and slowly disappeared around the corner.
* * *
Cha In-ho rarely spoke about his acting career during guiding sessions. If asked, he would answer, but Joo-hyun never asked. Therefore, Joo-hyun never expected to find Cha In-ho filming here.
Distancing himself from Beom-gyu's house, Joo-hyun sought out a secluded spot. His hunched shoulders and hurried steps whenever someone passed him looked suspicious, but fortunately, people were indifferent to strangers.
He eventually arrived at a spacious park. People rarely visited parks at this hour. Despite living in isolation for 11 years, Joo-hyun was confident that rule hadn't changed.
But contrary to his belief, the park, with its neatly arranged grass and trees, was bustling with voices.
Joo-hyun, who had visited parks in the early hours as a child to find peace, was surprised but more concerned with escaping unnoticed. Planning to retrace his steps, he saw a couple approaching from the opposite direction and decided to head further into the park to avoid them.
Pulling his hood lower and weaving through the trees, Joo-hyun soon realised why there were so many people here. Under a particularly large and beautiful tree, a crowd had gathered, and numerous cameras indicated a filming set.
Clicking his tongue, Joo-hyun turned to leave. But then he saw a familiar face among the crowd.
Cha In-ho, holding a bouquet, looked on the verge of tears as he faced another actor. Always accustomed to his stoic or cheerful expressions, Joo-hyun felt a jolt of surprise and halted.
When Cha In-ho said something, the other actor slapped him. Though too far to hear, the impact was loud enough to echo.
Joo-hyun involuntarily gaped, thinking how unnecessary it was to hit so hard when pretending would suffice.
As Cha In-ho's turned face straightened, his eyes met Joo-hyun's. Despite the distance and the obscurity of his hood and the tree's shadow, Cha In-ho unmistakably saw him.
Caught in his gaze, Joo-hyun stood frozen.
he filming crew seemed equally confused by Cha In-ho's diverted attention. When the scene stalled, they started murmuring, and soon an NG sign was called.
Cha In-ho exchanged words with someone who looked like the director, handed over the bouquet to a staff member, and walked off somewhere.
Of course, Joo-hyun had no intention of following or even continuing to watch. He turned decisively, seeking deeper darkness within the park. The further he distanced himself from the voices, the calmer he felt.
Finding a darkened lamp post, Joo-hyun sat on a bench beneath it, relishing the quiet.
He propped a foot on the bench and rested his chin on his knee. Hearing someone approach, he didn't move, knowing who it was.
"I searched everywhere. Thought I was seeing things."
As Joo-hyun stealthily opened his eyes, he saw Cha In-ho standing there, drenched in sweat, with a smile on his face. His hair was dishevelled, and his face was as red as a plum, but his beauty remained undiminished.
Joo-hyun, who had been momentarily lost in thought, turned his head silently as if nothing had happened.
"There's no one following us, so you can relax," Cha In-ho said.
"Weren't you working?" Joo-hyun asked.
"I was, but it's alright. The other actor was late, so filming got delayed. Consider it my way of getting back at them."
"What about the staff? What did they do wrong?"
Cha In-ho shrugged and sat down on the bench, leaving just enough space for a child to sit beside him. He smiled, clearly pleased with himself.
"I was prepared for people to think Cha In-ho is a diva on set. Got nothing to say?"
His sweat-soaked face moved closer. Even though the streetlight was off, Cha In-ho's eyes were shining, as were the beads of sweat on his forehead. The slight swelling on his cheek was quite evident. Joo-hyun noticed the red mark left behind and turned his face forward.
"I didn't ask you to come," he said. His words came out more petulantly than he intended, and he felt his neck heat up.
Cha In-ho leaned back against the bench, releasing a gentle, pleasant laugh. A subtle mix of perfume and faint sweat wafted from him. It wasn't a bad scent. The anxiety that had gripped Joo-hyun began to subside, likely due to the guiding effects emanating from Cha In-ho.
Guiding had a way of calming not just the wavelengths but also the psychological aspects. As Joo-hyun mused on this, Cha In-ho adjusted his collar and exhaled deeply, as if to catch his breath.
Joo-hyun suddenly wondered why Cha In-ho had run enough to sweat. Why had he come looking for him in a place like this?
"Be careful," Ga-ram's voice echoed in his mind again. Once a tower starts to shake, it doesn't stop until it collapses.
Is an obsession with guides a common trait among all espers? Joo-hyun brushed the pistol in his pocket. What would Cha In-ho think if he knew that he had just ended someone's life less than an hour ago?
Oddly enough, he didn't want to know. He would rather never know.
"Did you come here to see me?"
"No, I just happened to be nearby and..."
"I thought runaways couldn't roam around freely."
Cha In-ho's tone wasn't mocking or probing, but it wasn't entirely free of curiosity either, making Joo-hyun answer with some awkwardness.
"You're right, we can't. If we get caught like this, a bomb will go off."
If someone from Block C checked the tracker and found out they were missing, they wouldn't hesitate to press the switch.
"Bomb?"
Joo-hyun lowered his collar, revealing the thick choker around his neck. Usually hidden by a scarf, it was the first time he had shown Cha In-ho the mechanical device.
"Even if it goes off, only my head will be blown off, so you don't need to worry."
His clothes might get a bit dirty, but Joo-hyun swallowed the unnecessary comment and lightly shook his leg.
He wanted to smoke, but he remembered Cha In-ho had once said that he didn't want the smell of smoke on him. Not now, especially during filming. Cameras can't capture smells, but still.
'Now that I think about it... I used to go out of my way to irritate him.' Joo-hyun thought and immediately wondered when did he start to act like a docile dog, just to avoid upsetting Cha In-ho?
Ga-ram's warning, the red-dried stains on Cha In-ho's watch—they alternated in his mind, making his head spin. Unable to solve the issue, Joo-hyun decided to put it aside for now.
He expected Cha In-ho to react with fear or relief, but he did neither. Instead, he quietly looked at the choker around Joo-hyun's neck with an unreadable expression. With no fear, anger, or even curiosity in his gaze, Joo-hyun hurriedly covered the choker with his shirt. Only then did Cha In-ho's dark eyes move to meet Joo-hyun's face.
"There's a scar here."
Cha In-ho's warm hand brushed Joo-hyun's cheek. The scratch from Beom-gyu a few days ago healed almost instantly.
"Is your arm fully healed?"
"Yes, thanks to you."
Cha In-ho moved closer, gently squeezing Joo-hyun's bandaged arm. Though the wound had scarred, there were no other lingering effects, thanks to Cha In-ho's guiding.
At Joo-hyun's reply, Cha In-ho smiled genuinely, as if truly relieved. His refreshing smile narrowed Joo-hyun's eyes. Despite the bomb, Cha In-ho moved closer rather than away, making Joo-hyun suspicious.
"Are you coming back from a mission?"
"Yes."
"Then you must be tired."
Today, it seemed Cha In-ho was opting for a more inviting approach.
Holding Joo-hyun's hand, he looked up at the night sky. The spot they were in was dark, making the moon visible more clearly than from other benches.
"Aren't you afraid?"
Joo-hyun, startled by his own question, stubbornly kept his mouth shut. He could see bugs flying around a distant streetlight.
"Of the bomb going off?"
His question was neither loud nor soft, but Joo-hyun instinctively tightened his grip on Cha In-ho's hand before quickly loosening it, realising their connection.
"How could I be scared in front of someone with a bomb around their neck?"
Joo-hyun inadvertently turned to look at Cha In-ho. His thick lashes fluttered lightly. He was still gazing at the night sky.
With nothing to say, Joo-hyun also tilted his head up. The sky wasn't particularly pretty, but it was more breathable than the bright blue sky of the day.
The warmth of their clasped hands spread. The fatigue he had felt earlier had entirely disappeared, though Joo-hyun didn't tell Cha In-ho. Perhaps it was selfish. They said guides were drained of energy after guiding. Cha In-ho still had more scenes to shoot and would be exhausted, inconveniencing many people.
But Joo-hyun was a runaway esper, a dangerous monster. Monsters in films were typically selfish, weren't they?
When Joo-hyun wiggled his fingers, Cha In-ho tightened his grip slightly. A lone star twinkled in the dark sky.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Cha In-ho suddenly let out a small laugh.
"That scene earlier was supposed to be incredibly sad."
His still slightly swollen cheek lifted in a joyful expression. He must have been talking about the moment he had been slapped by the co-star, right before discovering Joo-hyun. The distance had prevented Joo-hyun from hearing the lines, but the expression on his face had indeed seemed sorrowful.
"I remembered the lines, but my emotional line broke, and I couldn't act. I was supposed to feel sadness and pain, but instead, I felt the complete opposite."
Typically, the opposite of sadness was joy. So, had Cha In-ho felt joy upon seeing Joo-hyun?
Joo-hyun quickly discarded that thought. There was no reason for Cha In-ho to feel joy at seeing him.
"When I saw your face among the trees, I first thought I was seeing things."
"Things like a ghost?"
"Actually, that thought did cross my mind."
Cha In-ho's tone was hard to discern between jest and sincerity. Joo-hyun decided not to try and distinguish and nodded for him to continue.
"But then, realising it was truly you made me forget I was in the middle of filming and just smile."
Not knowing how to respond, Joo-hyun pretended not to hear and tapped the ground lightly with his toe.
"I never thought I would run into you outside."
It was indeed a series of coincidences that had led to this meeting. If Beom-gyu hadn't expressed a wish to see his parents, if Joo-hyun had refused that wish, or if they hadn't come to this park, they wouldn't have met. Not that it would make much difference, since they would meet again in Block C in a few days.
"How did the mission go today?"
"It was fairly ordinary. I went with another colleague, and we finished sooner than expected."
"That's good to hear."
They were in a secluded spot, far from the filming location, with no one else around. The rustling sound of the wind sweeping through the trees added to the atmosphere, similar yet fundamentally different from Block C, surrounded by woods.
Joo-hyun scanned the open park. It felt odd to be idly passing time in a place without electrified fences.
A literal ticking time bomb, a dangerous individual—a true murderer. The people in the park were unaware of the monster in their midst.
The unauthorised departure of a runaway esper was considered an act of terrorism. In other words, everyone nearby was under a life-threatening risk. Despite this knowledge, Cha In-ho smiled at him as if he were just another person.
Joo-hyun had never been ordinary, not for the past eleven years, not for a single moment.
Joo-hyun had never forgotten the gravity of his actions. The horrors of that day still vividly appeared in his dreams.
Yet, when he sat on a bench with his hood pulled over his head, holding hands with Cha In-ho under an unlit streetlight, he felt as if the bomb wasn't strapped to his neck, and there was no gun in his pocket.
It was almost as if he hadn't just killed someone. As if he was an ordinary person, enjoying a late-night walk, not dangerous, not uncommon.
The idea was laughable. He had never considered himself to be the type of person to entertain such unrealistic dreams.
When Joo-hyun subtly moved his arm, Cha In-ho released his hand without hesitation. Joo-hyun shoved his hands into his pockets and bowed his head low.
"Isn't it about time we head back?"
"Come to think of it, quite a bit of time has passed. My cheek's no longer swollen. Shall we go back?" Cha In-ho responded.
"That's for you to decide."
Cha In-ho chuckled softly and rose from the bench. Enjoying the breeze on his now dry face, he slowly turned to stand before Joo-hyun.
"I was glad to meet you outside."
Joo-hyun didn't vocalise his question, but Cha In-ho seemed to sense his curiosity. Perhaps Joo-hyun wasn't as good at hiding his feelings as he thought.
"Do you know? Out of all those people earlier, I was the only one who knew you."
From beneath his hood, Joo-hyun's red eyes were visible. Anyone who saw those eyes on the street would scream and run away, yet Cha In-ho, looking into those demonic eyes, felt something indescribable, something close to ecstasy.
Joo-hyun, unable to find an appropriate response, mumbled.
"Of course."
"But you're the only one who knows me too," Cha In-ho added.
Cha In-ho often said mysterious things and seemed unwilling to explain them. This time was no different.
Joo-hyun watched Cha In-ho walk away, his figure growing distant until it disappeared. He remained seated, thinking about Beom-gyu and Hana. Hana, who died as they expected, and Beom-gyu, who said one should laugh when happy and cry when sad, insisting that was the important thing.
After spending a bit more time in the darkness, Joo-hyun brushed off his seat and stood up. It was time to return.
* * *
It wasn't long after Joo-hyun knocked on the door that Beom-gyu appeared. Despite being tear-streaked, he wore a happy smile. His parents, who followed him out, were similarly joyful. Even after just a few minutes together, it was evident they were a harmonious family.
"Take care of yourself, okay?" his mother urged.
"I know. Mum, you should take it easy on your hikes. I'm worried you'll get hurt," Beom-gyu replied.
"I'll take care of your mum. You just take care of yourself. Come home whenever you have time," his father added.
The family embraced each other. The fact that Beom-gyu was a runaway esper seemed to be no obstacle to their affection.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting."
"It's fine."
"Thanks to you, hyung, I got to come home. Mum, Dad, this is Joo-hyun, my colleague."
Joo-hyun, unable to refuse Beom-gyu's enthusiastic tugging, awkwardly stood before the middle-aged couple.
"Hello, I'm Shin Joo-hyun. I work with Beom-gyu," he introduced himself, unable to hide his awkwardness. He kept his gaze on the ground, fearing his red eyes might frighten them.
"Beom-gyu told us about you earlier. He said you always look after him."
Though not particularly affectionate, Joo-hyun couldn't deny it.
As Joo-hyun nodded slowly, Beom-gyu's parents beamed at him. Despite making eye contact, their eyes filled with gratitude rather than fear, much like Cha In-ho's.
Pretending to adjust his collar to hide his choker, Joo-hyun took a few steps back. Beom-gyu embraced his parents once more, and Joo-hyun felt grateful they could part ways alive. The idea of Beom-gyu losing control and killing someone, or witnessing his son's head explode, was too horrifying.
The sky remained dark, hiding their ominous eyes.
On the way back, Beom-gyu, delighted from seeing his parents after so long, walked with a lightness in his step. Though he was usually cheerful over small things, Joo-hyun had never seen him so genuinely happy.
"Hyung, thank you so much for today. I didn't expect you'd agree."
"I didn't expect to agree either."
It had been a life-risking gamble. If anyone had discovered they had left the mission site, their heads would have been blown off. Luckily, no one noticed their brief escapade.
Of course, Cha In-ho knew, but Joo-hyun doubted he would tell anyone. He wasn't sure when he had started to trust Cha In-ho. Not long ago, he had been wary and hesitant.
Not that all his wariness had disappeared. Cha In-ho was still suspicious, but Joo-hyun was beginning to think he wasn't entirely bad.
Given they had to work together for a year, maintaining a good relationship seemed wise. Joo-hyun blinked, contemplating his excuse-like thoughts.
"They seem healthy. I've never seen dad cry like that."
It was too dark to see clearly, but Beom-gyu's eyes were slightly red. However, he still wore a smile, so Joo-hyun turned his head, pretending not to notice.
"I didn't get to see my hyung or noona, but they said they're doing well," Beom-gyu added.
"That's a shame."
"It's okay. Just seeing my parents was enough. And who knows, we might get another day like this."
Joo-hyun felt as if he'd been struck. Such a simple statement, yet he had never heard it directly. His life had always been a mess, and he had never hoped for a better tomorrow.
It was unlikely Beom-gyu would get another chance to see his family during a mission without being caught. Beom-gyu rarely got missions in the city, and even if he did, he would be accompanied by someone else who wouldn't allow it. Even if permitted, it might cost them their lives.
Expecting the worst and thinking negatively was a chronic issue for espers, especially runaway espers.
Though many thoughts filled his throat, Joo-hyun didn't want to spoil the mood by voicing them. So, he smiled lightly and decided to nurture Beom-gyu's hope. Even if it would eventually shatter, leaving him in despair, a day of happiness seemed worth it.
"Yeah, who knows? Good days might come again."
Beom-gyu's swollen eyes widened.
"Hyung, I never knew, but you look pretty when you smile."
"Do you always give thanks in such a creepy way?"
"No, seriously," Beom-gyu insisted.
Perhaps this was the reason. Like his birthplace, Shin Joo-hyun was destined to live in darkness and unhappiness forever, yet he smiled.
To excuse himself, it was too dark, the waves too loud, and he had let his guard down after their escapade. These combined reasons made Joo-hyun miss the nearby presence. And this slight lapse came with a heavy price.
Bang. The gunshot echoed as Joo-hyun's psychokinesis activated.
A man, instantly pierced through the heart by an invisible force, collapsed. Joo-hyun recognised him as the low-level thug from the organisation they had spared earlier. The man, with his slanted eyes, stopped breathing with the same terrified expression he had worn before.
Joo-hyun didn't know why he had drawn his gun. Perhaps he feared the punishment for losing the guiding drugs. Whatever the reason, it no longer mattered. He was already dead.
Joo-hyun cradled Beom-gyu, who lay clutching his chest. His sweat-drenched, pale face was contorted with pain.
Only a high-grade guide could heal such an injury immediately. No guide would come running to help Beom-gyu. They were runaway espers, after all.
"Hyung..."
"Don't talk. Just focus on breathing."
Beom-gyu's grey hoodie was already half-soaked in blood. Even with firm pressure, the bleeding wouldn't stop. Joo-hyun suddenly thought of Cha In-ho. He wasn't far and might come if called. Maybe, just maybe.
"Am I... going to die?" Beom-gyu asked weakly.
"Do you think an esper would die from a single bullet?"
Though both knew they relied on guiding to recover from severe injuries, neither mentioned it.