They had asked him to capture a part of his daily life in photos.Joo-hyun, who had received the photo, couldn't take his eyes off the picture of his own face. The runaway esper, with a somewhat melancholy aura, parted his lips slightly before handing the photo back to Cha In-ho."Thank you for the guiding. Thanks to you, the pain has disappeared.""That's my job."Cha In-ho, who had put the photo in his pocket, rose leisurely from his chair, and the screen transitioned back to his home. The camera, reflecting the night sky with a rising moon, captured him in his pyjamas, lying in bed before returning to the studio."In-ho, you go to bed early?""After guiding, I feel a bit more fatigued than usual. Though it's nothing serious."He answered the host with a light laugh. After a few more exchanges, it was time for the last segment of Wednesday Film, the photo selection. It was a segment where the guest would choose their favourite photo among those capturing their daily life. Cha In-ho looked genuinely troubled as he stared at the array of photos.In the end, he chose a picture of a black stray cat."Isn't it so cute?"Seeing Cha In-ho shake the photo with a smile, Eun-a didn't need to see to know that her friends were probably screaming in delight.Eun-a stretched as the broadcast was nearing its end, downing the now lukewarm beer in one gulp."Huh?" She realised that the photo of the runaway esper wasn't among those displayed on the screen. She wondered if she had missed it, but upon careful inspection, it was indeed missing."A personal keepsake...?"It could have been left out for various reasons, though that seemed most likely...! As Eun-a reached for her phone with slightly trembling hands, the screen lit up with her friend's name, accompanied by a vibration."Hello?""Eun-a... our In-ho is dating someone."Her friend's voice was filled with despair, skipping even the usual greetings. "With a runaway esper? Nobody's perfect, but doesn't he have any better sense?""Hey, that's enough. Cha In-ho has a good eye."Defending Joo-hyun instinctively, Eun-a realised she had just stepped into a world of trouble. And not just with a celebrity, but with a runaway esper, no less!After a brief argument with her friend over differing opinions, Eun-a hung up and immediately checked her social media, adorned with a bluebird mascot. To her relief, she wasn't alone in her sentiments. Real-time trends were flooded with Cha In-ho, Wednesday Film, and the runaway esper.Although no one seriously believed in Cha In-ho's genuine affection, many realised that his pairing wasn't purely business.Saving a gif of the esper's face, Eun-a collapsed onto the sofa.* * *
At the same time, in a rest area of Block C, a place unknown to most, a runaway esper with red eyes glared at the small TV with a mix of anger and confusion."What is this?"Seung-cheol, sitting next to him, laughed loudly at the tone of Joo-hyun's voice."Seriously, what is this? You look like a total coward.""Our Joo-hyun must have been really nervous. I find it kind of cute."Ignoring Se-hwa and Chae-kyung's remarks, Joo-hyun turned up the volume with a glimmer of hope, but Wednesday Film ended in less than a minute.Watching the broadcast with his Block C colleagues, except for Bom-i, who was on a mission, Joo-hyun felt utterly wronged.Trying not to appear too friendly with Cha In-ho, he had come off a bit awkward, but they had made him look like a timid coward. He had consciously tried to be assertive and rude, but those parts were all cut out, making him look like a strange guy obsessed with romance novels.As a runaway esper, he didn't expect to be portrayed as kind and heroic. He would have accepted being depicted as a dangerous killer, but they had gone completely the opposite way."Cha In-ho said not to worry."Frowning deeply, Joo-hyun harshly pressed the power button. Se-hwa, who had taken the remote from him, protested, but he crossed his arms, clearly irritated.He vowed never to appear on a show again, but, as always, the world did not revolve around Joo-hyun's wishes.* * *
Are his eyes not lenses? They're so pretty┗ Yeah, red lenses are banned because they can confuse people with low guided espers He's getting popular everywhere, I hope he appears more on TV My mom was cursing him out for being scary at first, but later she was smiling watching him lol Hey, what's up with people saying he's just okay? Are their standards really low?┗ If he's just okay next to Cha In-ho, then he's really handsome, what are you talking about┗ Exactly lol. Most people next to Cha In-ho don't even look human hahaha Why wasn't Joo-hyun's photo in the final selection on Wednesday Film?┗ Maybe the person who took it kept it? Hey, did you see Yoon Ga-ram's guide post something and then delete it?┗ Who's Yoon Ga-ram?┗ The S-rank guide?┗ Yoon Ga-ram, right?┗ Yeah, he posted something new, check his social media for it
But still, runaway espers are a bit...ㅠ┗ 222 No matter how gentle they look, they're still runaway espers.. too dangerous┗ Why even look up their profile if you're going to say stuff like that?┗ Can't I share my opinion? The censorship is getting ridiculous I bought a red scarf..lol. It looked so pretty. I know I won't pull it off like him, thoughㅠㅠㅠㅠ Seeing the actor gently hold the esper's hand like he was kneading dough haha. Anyway, it was nice to see them look close. I hope this show ends the rumour about him having a cold personalityㅠ Yoon Ga-ram's guide posted something on Instagram and then deleted it:https://tolkyard.net/1528725140(Screenshot_034824.jpg)It got deleted right after I captured it.
Comments: 386 Wow, that's unexpected Oh my God, I wish it was true lol If he went on a mission with S-grade Ga-ram, his grade must be high, I think. What's this? My Wi-Fi isn't working, and I can't see the picture. What does it say?┗ In the main comment, it was written, "The person who appeared on Wednesday Film today is a truly amazing esper! He saved me when I almost died last time (crying face emoji)."┗ T And in the follow-up comment, it said, "I almost got into serious trouble during a mission, but he appeared out of nowhere and lifted me up into a tree, distracting the monster and saving my life." Why did they delete it? Is it because they can't share mission details? He lifted the guide into a tree, hahaha. But still, guides are in danger no matter what safety measures are in place.┗ Yeah, unlike espers, they have no powers..." Why do I like Joo-hyun so much? I don't know why, but he seems so likeable. A poignant handsome man! Red eyes!!! Broad shoulders and long legs, a quiet personality with a hobby of reading romance novels, and when he smiles, he looks like an angel but is actually at least an A~S-grade esper??? Is he planning to ruin my real life??? Damn it! You crazy guy!┗ Why are you so angry? Calm down, haha.┗ Looks so excited but uses perfect spacing like a true fanatic, haha. Espers appear in magazines and on TV like celebrities, making them seem approachable, but whenever mission stories come up, you realise they're a different breed altogether. Not only is he handsome, but he's also good at his job? Why does the Association keep pushing someone like Choi Yoon-geon into the entertainment industry instead of someone like him?┗ Why bring Yoon-geon into this? It makes no sense.┗ Stop the hate.┗ But honestly, I agree, haha. Everyone knows Yoon-geon's personality is awful.┗ Yeah, report it too. The comment had been deleted.┗ How sweet of you. It's not like he wanted to become a runaway esper.As time went by, Joo-hyun's regret for appearing on Wednesday Film only grew. He hadn't realised how popular the programme was, but now, whenever he turned on the TV, his own bewildered face seemed to be everywhere. It was infuriating enough by itself, but the reactions from those around him made things even worse.His colleagues in Block C had teased him a few times and then stopped, but the stares from the other staff had become relentless. They would occasionally make comments about the show, suggesting that it had been heavily edited and sanitised. They would also throw jabs, saying things like, "You're still just a runaway esper." He had been tempted to curse them out but held back, not wanting to risk any punishment.Even Doo-shik, the centre manager, had summoned him. It was clear he was pleased with the attention Joo-hyun was getting. He had even patted Joo-hyun on the shoulder, a gesture that confirmed his delight.On the other hand, the deputy centre head, Tae-seok, had firmly warned Joo-hyun to keep his mouth shut about certain topics. He had hinted that Joo-hyun might appear on more shows, which made Joo-hyun shiver with apprehension.The only fortunate thing was that Joo-hyun's circle of acquaintances was very limited. The only people he was close to were other runaway espers, and the staff in Block C were too busy to engage in much conversation.However, there was one person who managed to dodge all this—the root cause of it all, Cha In-ho."Do you know how popular you are these days, Joo-hyun? Everyone keeps telling me how cute and cool you are," Cha In-ho said proudly, wearing a smug expression, almost like a child showing off a prized toy.Joo-hyun had no idea if what he said was true. Trapped in an enclosed space, he had no way of knowing how others reacted to his appearance on Wednesday Film.So, Joo-hyun suspected that Cha In-ho was just spouting empty flattery. No matter how he looked at it, his appearance on the show hadn't exactly been endearing.Watching his gloomy self mumbling on the screen made Joo-hyun want to smack himself. Being with Cha In-ho only made his already unattractive face seem worse.Joo-hyun glared at Cha In-ho for a moment before abruptly turning his gaze away. Smoke drifted out from his cracked lips."Don't people tell you it's hard to guide such a miserable guy?" he asked."They don't say that. They do say you're handsome, though.""Do they say that to you?"How could anyone say Joo-hyun was handsome in front of Cha In-ho, whose looks were undeniably striking? Joo-hyun couldn't understand. Shaking his head, he took another drag of his cigarette, then realised Cha In-ho hadn't responded. He turned to look at him.Cha In-ho was wearing a peculiar expression, one that Joo-hyun couldn't quite read. It seemed like he was trying to determine if Joo-hyun was being sincere."Anyway, people are just momentarily fascinated by a runaway esper. It will pass soon enough," Joo-hyun said.That was both his prediction and his hope. Cha In-ho chuckled softly, but Joo-hyun didn't dwell on it. He ground his cigarette butt into his arm, enjoying the sight of Cha In-ho's brows furrowing. The runaway esper laughed with a malicious glint in his eye.* * *
"I'm sorry, but could you please repeat that?"Normally, Doo-shik would have snapped at such a request, but he just nodded, smiling warmly."You're going to appear on Gate Date."It was a decision made without any regard for Joo-hyun's wishes. Doo-shik, seated in his large, plush chair, rubbed his bald head and beamed."Who knew people would like a runaway esper this much?"Joo-hyun felt the same way. Once they'd seen a dangerous and scary runaway esper, wasn't that enough? He had no idea why they would want him back. He clenched his fists and asked hesitantly."What kind of programme is it?""Well... let me think..."At Doo-shik's signal, Tae-seok stepped forward."It's a show that films espers on their missions to highlight how hard they work and to show the public the sacrifices they make for peace."Joo-hyun barely managed to refrain from grabbing his head in frustration. The thought of having to use his abilities while keeping an eye on cameras and civilians was exhausting."It's a joint project by KSC Broadcasting and the Esper-Guide Association. You should be honoured to be selected," Tae-seok added with a tone that brooked no argument."Is it okay to broadcast people getting killed?" Joo-hyun asked sarcastically.Tae-seok's eyes narrowed. If Doo-shik hadn't been there, he probably would have kicked him."...We'll assign you suitable missions."He didn't want to do such showy missions, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. He was tired of being pushed around but saw no way out. He just nodded. "They really make you do anything," Se-hwa had said when Joo-hyun told her about being on Gate Date."It'll probably die down after a few times.""I'm worried if it doesn't."As Se-hwa's swift punch burst the sandbag, spilling its contents onto the floor, she stood before another bag, wiping sweat from her forehead. Joo-hyun lay sprawled on the training room floor, staring up at the exposed pipes on the ceiling."What if it doesn't?"What would happen if he continued to be dragged into the media spotlight? He could only imagine people eventually growing tired of him."They'll see only what they want to see and make their own judgements. If you or anyone else runs out of control, you'll take all the blame.""....""That's what I'm worried about."Bang. The sound of Se-hwa punching the sandbag echoed at regular intervals. Joo-hyun, too exhausted to move a finger, slowly sat up."If that happens, I'll live a long time."If the saying that being criticised extends your life was true. When Joo-hyun grinned, signalling not to worry, Se-hwa sighed and threw another punch."What's the point of living long?" she muttered.He agreed but didn't say it aloud.* * *
Gate Date was a documentary series co-produced by KSC Broadcasting and the Esper-Guide Association, totalling ten episodes, each featuring a different esper.Joo-hyun was slated for the final episode, the tenth. Originally planned for nine episodes, it seemed they had squeezed Joo-hyun in at the last minute."Don't worry too much. You can always ask them to edit out any parts you don't like," Cha In-ho said soothingly, but Joo-hyun's expression didn't relax. It wasn't about the editing; it was the very idea of having civilians lingering around him all day that bothered him.Despite being kept isolated and carrying a bomb around his neck for safety reasons, the higher-ups in the Association didn't seem to mind sending runaway espers close to people.Joo-hyun was acutely aware of how dangerous he was. Runaways were unpredictable, a kind of natural disaster. He knew all too well the horrific ways people could die if they got caught up in his outbreaks. This situation made him incredibly anxious.Yet, no one else seemed to take the danger seriously, not even Cha In-ho, who casually stroked the back of Joo-hyun's hand."It's okay. You won't go berserk, Joo-hyun.""How do you know that?""Of course I know. I'm your matching guide."It was pointless to argue when he couldn't even gauge the emotions on Cha In-ho's face. Joo-hyun bit his lip and lowered his head. The dreaded day arrived swiftly, and Joo-hyun was pulled out of Block C.After days of dealing with bothersome scripts and preparations, he climbed into the car already feeling drained. Seeing that it wasn't a secured vehicle, he had tried to close the door, but an irritable staff member forced him to reopen it.Sitting in a cleaner, smoother ride than usual, Joo-hyun looked out the window, feeling as if he were being taken to the gallows. On missions, he usually sped down desolate roads, but today, the streets grew busier with buildings and people.Joo-hyun's fingers trembled as he touched the choker hidden beneath his scarf. Recently serviced, the bomb was likely in perfect working order. Taking solace in that, the runaway esper took a shallow breath."You know what will happen if you say anything you shouldn't, right?"He nodded to the usual stern warning before stepping out as the lock clicked open. The rear doors lacked control locks, probably a deliberate detail. He laughed mirthlessly as he planted his feet on the ground.The preliminary meeting was set in a small café in front of the broadcasting station building downtown. He wasn't allowed to enter the station, and due to security, Block C was off-limits, so the café was the meeting place.Joo-hyun had asked if they could do it over the phone, but the producer had refused. He had even requested to meet Joo-hyun alone, without staff or security.Internally cursing the producer's apparent disregard for safety, Joo-hyun entered the café he had been told about.The clear chime startled Joo-hyun, who flinched and struggled to hide his nervousness as he took cautious steps into the shop.Today, he wasn't wearing his usual mission outfit but a plain white hoodie. Wearing something that identified him as a runaway esper in a crowded place could cause an uproar. Most of his casual clothes were old and worn out, so the hoodie was his only decent option.Joo-hyun, hiding his scarf and pulling his hat down low, approached the counter hesitantly.It was his first time in a café, and the fragrant coffee scent filled the air. Chae-kyung had taught him how to order in advance, but standing in front of the staff, his mind went blank."Excuse me, sir? Can I help you with your order?"The staff's voice wasn't particularly kind, possibly due to the time Joo-hyun had taken to decide.Feeling both embarrassed and apologetic, Joo-hyun lifted his head. The staff's eyes widened in surprise upon meeting his gaze, and Joo-hyun quickly looked down, remembering his red eyes.Despite all he'd heard, nothing came to mind clearly. So he decided to use the trick Chae-kyung had taught him."I'll have whatever's most popular these days.""Pardon? Oh, right! The Peach Peach Twinkle Cherry Frappe is really popular. Is that okay?""Pea… yes, that will do.""Alright, I'll help you with the payment."Joo-hyun handed over his card, curious about the drink he couldn't even remember the name of. It had been eleven years since he last bought something outside of Block C's convenience store.The presence of the staff and the customers sitting in the café made Joo-hyun's nerves tingle. If he were to lose control, he considered where he might run. Lost in these thoughts, he was brought back by the voice calling him."Aren't you the one from Wednesday Film?"Joo-hyun stiffened. If they screamed that a runaway esper was here, what would he do? His mind went blank.For reasons unknown, the staff looked at him with bright, expectant eyes. Joo-hyun bit his lower lip. Would they believe him if he denied it? Thinking a lie might make things worse, he hesitated before slowly nodding and closing his eyes, not wanting to see a fearful reaction."Wow, I knew it! I've watched that episode so many times. At first, I wasn't sure, but then I recognised your eyes!"The staff's voice was high and cheerful, filled with excitement. Joo-hyun couldn't understand why anyone would be happy to see a runaway esper, but he was relieved they weren't screaming."…Could you please keep it a secret? I think it would scare a lot of people."Joo-hyun, knowing not everyone would be as kind as this staff member, nervously fidgeted with his fingers. The staff, likely not wanting any commotion, readily agreed."Just hold onto this. When it vibrates, come over here."Joo-hyun took the round pager with a slight smile. It had been a long time since he'd had a normal conversation, and he was grateful it had gone well. He also appreciated the staff's kindness.Yet, the staff's expression suddenly hardened. Perhaps they had just realised how dangerous a runaway esper could be."Should I wait outside? If it makes you uncomfortable...""No! It's fine. Stay inside."Not wanting to insist on going outside, Joo-hyun timidly walked to a corner seat.There were about ten minutes left until the meeting time. Joo-hyun looked out the window, watching people hurry by, feeling like he was dreaming.A few months ago, Cha In-ho had accidentally pressed a button, causing Joo-hyun to be dragged away like a dog and tightly bound. Now, he sat freely in a café.Suddenly afraid, Joo-hyun lightly shook his leg. Without Tae-seok's reassurance that he'd be monitoring Joo-hyun's waves, he wouldn't have come here.It's okay. If I lose control, my head will be blown off in ten seconds. I won't kill anyone. No one will get caught up in it. Joo-hyun muttered to himself, trying to calm down, when the pager vibrated, prompting him to stand.The Peach Peach Twinkle Cherry Frappe was a light pink drink with a cherry on top. It was too sweet for Joo-hyun, but he forced himself to drink it, not wanting to waste it.The PD arrived when the frappe was half-finished."Hello. Sorry I'm a bit late. The traffic was terrible.""Oh, I see.""The traffic here is usually bad, but it was particularly awful today."Of course, Joo-hyun neither knew nor cared about the traffic. Despite his awkward response, the PD smiled kindly, excusing himself to order.As he nervously rubbed his tingling hands, Joo-hyun hoped the PD would take his time returning.Ignoring his wish, the PD returned in a minute, handing over a business card with a bright smile. The card read 'Koo Beom-jin'. With a familiar look in his eyes, Beom-jin extended his hand to Joo-hyun."Looking forward to working with you."Joo-hyun's heart raced, and his neck felt cold. He wanted to get up and leave immediately but restrained himself.Can I touch a normal person? I'm a runaway esper.Not responding to the handshake, Joo-hyun's silence might have seemed rude, but Beom-jin shrugged it off easily. The conversation progressed slowly, with Joo-hyun unable to focus. He was too tense, aware of everyone in the café. Noticing this, Beom-jin paused and suggested,"Would you prefer to move to my car?"Being in a spacious room with many people versus a small space with just one person. Feeling sorry for Beom-jin, but knowing fewer people meant fewer casualties, Joo-hyun stood up silently.
Whether Beom-jin was truly oblivious to the danger or had some hidden confidence, he showed no fear of Joo-hyun.If you cross your legs, you won't be able to run away quickly. Watching Beom-jin's legs, Joo-hyun tuned into the conversation."Do you know the purpose of our programme?""To show the tasks espers handle and improve public perception, right?""Exactly."Sipping his Americano, Beom-jin leaned forward, his smile disappearing as he spoke seriously."But is there really a need to improve the perception of runaway espers?"Under the hoodie, Joo-hyun's red eyes flashed. Beom-jin wiggled a finger nonchalantly."From the Association's perspective, there's no need at all. Keeping the perception of runaway espers as dangerous acts as a leash on regular espers."Even though Joo-hyun knew he was being used as a cautionary tale, hearing it directly was unsettling. His eyes narrowed."Did you know that when editing Wednesday Film, In-ho constantly interfered, insisting you be shown as harmless as possible?"Joo-hyun had no idea. He paused, and Beom-jin adjusted his glasses as if expecting this reaction."Showing runaway espers on media was a huge challenge for both the Association and us. For us, viewer interest was guaranteed, so we pushed for it. But why the Association agreed, I still don't understand."Lightly tapping his scarred fingers on the cold plastic cup, Joo-hyun realised there was more complexity than he had expected."Regardless of the initial reasons, the Association now cooperates fully due to the publicity benefits. Initially, they were very reluctant.""…Is that so.""Yes. And I was one of the few who opposed it."Their eyes met in midair. Joo-hyun, feeling a familiar sensation, lowered his gaze again."But somehow, In-ho paved the way, and now I'm working to broaden that path.""Why?""Why indeed."Cold droplets fell onto his trousers. As Joo-hyun stared at the nearly melted drink, a cherry floating on top, he pressed his fingernail into his skin."A foolish brother's atonement, perhaps?"The quiet whisper struck Joo-hyun's ears directly. Finally, he understood the source of the familiarity he'd been feeling."I watched the show. I was ready to curse out the Wednesday PD, but I saw you, Joo-hyun, terrified, anxious. Afraid that people would be scared of you. Despite being a runaway esper, you weren't scary at all..."Beom-jin, now without his glasses, rubbed his eyes with his palm. Apparently, being expressive was a family trait."How was my brother, Beom-gyu? Was he afraid too?"With eyes resembling his brother's, Beom-jin asked desperately. Joo-hyun didn't know how to respond. His heart ached, memories of someone long gone resurfaced, enveloping him in regret and guilt."Ever since Beom-gyu went runaway, I've never called. My parents and little sister said Beom-gyu wanted to talk to me... They said he was waiting, but I just couldn't bring myself to answer."Beom-jin's younger brother was dead. Beom-gyu had died, and Joo-hyun had killed him. Because of his mistake, Beom-jin lost his brother. The sound of the cup crumpling under his tightening grip was loud, but no one paid it any mind."Looking back now, I think it was hard to accept. The fact that my cute, little brother had become a runaway esper."The ratio of espers going rogue was very low. Any esper registered with the Association would receive sufficient guiding."But then, suddenly, like that..."One had to be exceptionally unlucky to go berserk, and even more so to survive afterwards.Beom-jin, who had been wiping away endless tears with his head bowed, finally lifted his head. His flushed and panting face looked remarkably like Beom-gyu's when he cried."Joo-hyun, you were with Beom-gyu on his last mission, right?"How did he know? He must have heard from their parents. No matter how much of a TV producer he was, their missions were confidential.When Joo-hyun closed his eyes, he could hear the sound of waves, the panting breaths, and the salty smell of the sea, no, the smell of blood. The breaking harbour and the loud, short gunfire. The scenes he could never forget replayed in his mind as he opened his mouth, but Beom-jin interrupted."Don't apologise. No one is to blame. Joo-hyun, thank you for letting Beom-gyu meet our parents. Thank you for not letting him die alone. He was the youngest, so he was always quite lonely.""I didn't do anything worth thanking.""No, I heard everything from our parents. Beom-gyu said multiple times that he would never have met them without you."If Joo-hyun hadn't thought he would die and hadn't given permission, Beom-gyu wouldn't have met his family. On the other hand, if Joo-hyun had refused Beom-gyu's request, he would still be alive now. If he had ignored the plea to spare the witness and returned to Block C immediately. But regrets are always too late."My brother died, and the funeral is over, but it still doesn't feel real, you know? Then I watched the show with you on it, and it made me realise Beom-gyu must have been scared too. But... I can't console him because he's not in this world anymore."The narrow car was filled with the sound of sobbing.Joo-hyun, who didn't know how to cry loudly, gritted his teeth and squeezed his knees. He was so angry that he wanted to leave immediately, but if he went berserk on the street, he wouldn't even be able to close his eyes peacefully if he died."And what exactly made my brother feel so lonely?"Was Beom-gyu lonely? Born inside that life and living it constantly, Joo-hyun didn't really know what it felt like to be lonely. Because there was never a time he wasn't lonely.After a long bout of sobbing, Beom-jin wiped his face with a tissue from the car. He also wiped his nose and then closed his mouth, staring at the floor in silence. Not knowing what to say, Joo-hyun joined in the silence, biting his lip."You know what? There's actually no law that says runaway espers can't be in public places. It's just an internal regulation of the Association."But Joo-hyun knew that for an esper, the Association's regulations were as good as law. Rebelling against the Association, which controlled and dominated guides, meant a lifetime of struggling with guiding.Still, the thought that he wasn't breaking the law by being in the city did lighten his mood a bit."I don't know much, but isn't there a safety mechanism for when you go runaway? If so, why hide you?""Even with a safety mechanism, it doesn't activate immediately after going runaway. There could still be damage in the meantime.""It's like never standing up because you're afraid of falling."Joo-hyun wanted to argue with Beom-jin, who sniffled and spoke with swollen eyes. It's not that simple, he wanted to shout. "It's cutting off your leg so you don't fall and hurt others, to keep everyone safe."But seeing Beom-jin smiling with a face so much like Beom-gyu's made him speechless."I think I've done enough regretting."Cha In-ho tried to refine Joo-hyun's image even by interfering with the editing. Why? Joo-hyun didn't know. What did his reputation have to do with him?The hood barely hanging over his head finally fell back. The face of the runaway esper revealed was blank, and his eyes shone with a colour more beautiful than on screen.Beom-jin, who had wiped his nose again, smiled and extended his hand."Let's show the world what kind of person you are."Joo-hyun didn't know why he took his hand. He just had an inexplicable certainty that he wouldn't go berserk for now.* * *
"Are you really okay without me? Should I come now?" Cha In-ho asked. "I said it's fine, didn't I? It's not a difficult mission, and it's not even a place you can get to quickly."Cha In-ho was currently in a region that took hours by train to reach for filming. It was absurd that he kept insisting on coming, but it didn't feel entirely bad to have someone care.Today was the filming day for Gate Date. The shooting for the other espers was over, and it was finally Joo-hyun's turn. Episode 5 had aired yesterday, so the schedule was quite tight.He had watched it with his Block C colleagues, and the protagonist of episode 5 was Ga-ram. As always, Ga-ram flapped his flamboyant wings and made witty remarks, clearly comfortable in front of the camera. Other prominent espers had their own followings, which only heightened Joo-hyun's anxiety.But no matter how much he worried, he couldn't change what was already decided. All he could do was finish the mission as quickly as possible."Don't overdo it without a guide. If you think you might need guiding, call me anytime."Cha In-ho's voice over the phone was as gentle as ever. Leaning against the grey wall with the receiver in his hand, Joo-hyun chastised himself for feeling calmer just because of that."I will. ...Good luck with your filming."Even after hanging up, Joo-hyun stood there with his eyes closed, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.* * *
The car carrying Joo-hyun drove down the mountain road for a long time before stopping on a road surrounded by nothing but trees. Whether they had chosen the meeting place to accommodate Joo-hyun was unclear, but it was convenient for him.Beom-jin, who had arrived earlier and was waiting, greeted Joo-hyun with a broad smile."Thank you for coming. This is Kim Seo-chan, who will be filming you today."Nice to meet you."Seo-chan, wearing a baseball cap, grinned. His tanned skin and youthful smile suited him well. Joo-hyun was introduced to a few others handling sound and other tasks, but none were as welcoming as Beom-jin or Seo-chan."The crew is a bit small, right? Since it's a documentary, we're keeping the team minimal to preserve the on-site feel."Beom-jin adjusted his glasses. But Joo-hyun sensed there was another reason."Well, even so, there are fewer people than for the others."Because Joo-hyun was a runaway esper. No one wanted to be near a ticking time bomb. Embarrassed by his own thoughts, Joo-hyun stared at the ground."I'm sorry. Because of me...""No need to apologise. Thanks to you, I'm getting a huge bonus."Seo-chan's sudden interjection made Joo-hyun flinch and recoil reflexively, but Seo-chan's expression remained nonchalant.After a few more words about the schedule, the filming officially began. Joo-hyun, who sat in the back seat with Seo-chan, tried not to be nervous, but it was difficult.Honestly, Joo-hyun didn't think Beom-jin's wish to change the perception of runaway espers was very realistic. An esper going rogue couldn't be easily stopped. If a civilian got involved, it was almost a death sentence, so how could that danger be viewed positively?Still, the higher-ups had permitted the filming, and there was no way for him to back out. Having decided to comply, Joo-hyun glanced at Seo-chan, or rather, at the camera."Isn't that heavy?""I'm used to it, so it's fine."Indeed, his arms holding the large camera were quite muscular. Since he insisted he was fine, Joo-hyun found it hard to continue the conversation and turned his head."Where are we headed?"Seo-chan, who already knew the destination, asked. Remembering Beom-jin's instruction that there would be various questions for the audience's understanding, Joo-hyun slowly spoke."We're heading to the BE-16 gate. The mission is to survey the gate and subdue the monsters."BE-16 primarily produced green and blue-grade monsters, so Joo-hyun could handle it alone with ease. Compared to his usual tasks, it was surprisingly simple."Is it okay to go without a guide?"Despite having heard the question in advance, Joo-hyun momentarily found himself at a loss for words. He calmly recited the prepared answer."For the safety of the guide, runaway espers usually go on missions alone.""Doesn't that increase the risk of going runaway?"This was an unexpected question. Joo-hyun pondered whether he could talk about the choker hidden under his scarf. He hated to reveal that he was controlled and managed like a dangerous dog with a collar, but if it calmed the public's fear, it was a humiliation he had to endure."…There is a safety mechanism.""How does the safety mechanism work?""If I start to go rogue, the device detects the change in wavelength. It's monitored 24 hours a day, so they can respond quickly.""What happens after the device detects it?"When it detected a runaway esper, Doo-sik or Tae-seok would press the button. Then, the bomb attached to the collar around the neck would explode, and the tragedy would end.At Beom-jin's insistence that they should continue as planned, the car they were in was divided in half by reinforced glass, and Joo-hyun had guiding drugs in his pocket in case of an emergency. The drugs had significant side effects, which were why ordinary espers refused them, but for them, it was a lifeline."To prevent greater harm, the esper in question is terminated."Joo-hyun said, staring straight at the camera. He hoped the meaning—that people could feel safe even if he went rogue—was conveyed properly."It is done remotely, so no one gets hurt."With those words, the car stopped at the mission site.Joo-hyun got out of the car, and Seo-chan followed closely behind. Beom-jin, who had followed them in another vehicle, approached the two. In front of them was a tall mountain that appeared sparsely populated."Do we have to climb this? There doesn't seem to be a path.""Why would there be a path to a gate? If ordinary people wander in, it could lead to accidents."Listening to Beom-jin's rebuke, Joo-hyun checked his weapons and emergency tools once again. Finally, he made sure the choker under his scarf was securely fastened before leading the way up the mountain.Though the production crew of Gate Date followed with displeased expressions, they did so diligently. Initially, it was burdensome and uncomfortable knowing they were filming his every move, but he quickly adapted."Whoa!"Joo-hyun lifted Seo-chan, who almost slipped, with his psychokinesis."Be careful. If you fall down there, we won't even be able to retrieve your body.""Th-thank you."Still clutching the camera, Seo-chan placed his hand over his chest, clearly relieved. Though he seemed quite startled, he recovered quickly and began walking again, prompting Joo-hyun to follow suit."What is your ability, Joo-hyun?"After they had gone a bit further, Beom-jin, who was sweating less than the others, asked.Each esper's abilities varied in form and scope. However, similar abilities could be categorised together, and psychokinesis was one of the more common abilities. While it was rare to control it physically as Joo-hyun did, there was no need to elaborate on that."Psychokinesis.""A convenient ability.""Then you must have never turned off the lights by hand at night."Even with the large camera, Seo-chan still had the energy to smile, his lips curling upward.Joo-hyun considered using his ability to lighten the camera's weight but decided against it, fearing he might waste energy and lose control. Instead, he slowed down a bit, parting the knee-high grass as he spoke."I've never used my ability for such trivial things.""Not even to fetch the remote? Or pick up a fallen sock while carrying laundry? ...Why not?!"Seo-chan's voice rose as if he genuinely couldn't understand. Even Beom-jin, who raised his hand to stop Seo-chan, glanced at Joo-hyun, seemingly curious. The rest of the crew followed suit, some muttering that it was unbelievable.Not used to being the centre of attention, Joo-hyun lowered his eyes and replied honestly."Because I don't want to waste the guiding I've received."Both Beom-jin and Seo-chan looked shocked at his straightforward answer. For Joo-hyun, the reason was so obvious that he couldn't understand their reactions."My colleagues and I avoid using our abilities unless absolutely necessary."Most of Joo-hyun's colleagues had manifested as espers for over ten years before going berserk, so they adapted quickly to refraining from using their abilities in daily life. The trauma from the memories of going berserk also helped them adapt faster."From here on, you need to be really careful. The gate is just ahead."Joo-hyun pocketed the blinking detector and scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes.It would be ideal if every gate could have an esper standing guard, but practically, it was impossible. Relatively small gates with fewer monster appearances were inevitably lower in priority, and BE-16 was one of those gates."Shouldn't you be taking on more dangerous missions to showcase the hardships of espers?" When Joo-hyun had asked this, Tae-seok had closed his eyes tightly, pinching the bridge of his nose."That's for other espers. Have you forgotten? You are a runaway esper. People are already scared enough when you're just standing still. What would they think if they saw you barely defeating monsters, looking like a mess?" Was his answer. It would appear as if the countdown on a ticking time bomb had rapidly decreased.Therefore, as a runaway esper, Joo-hyun had to carry out his missions calmly and smoothly. Only then could public interest remain favourable. Or perhaps people would realise that runaway espers weren't always dangerous.Both Tae-seok and Beom-jin had said so, but Joo-hyun believed it was only natural to think of dangerous people as dangerous. Having positive interest in runaway espers was worse than having none. He didn't want to run away, given the collective effort that went into filming, but he couldn't help being sceptical about the project.* * *
BE-16 was a small circular gate among the trees. There were no signs of monster activity around the gate, which was just large enough for one person to enter."I'm going in now. Please wait here.""We came here to film; there's no way we'll let you go in alone. We'll go together, of course."The person who first opposed Beom-jin's words wasn't Joo-hyun. The usually silent production crew, who had been quietly following, raised their voices in horror."Producer, it's too dangerous to rely solely on a runaway esper!""That's right. Until now, there were guides and high-ranking espers, but not today."Apart from the runaway esper standing right next to them, it was understandable. But Beom-jin seemed to disagree. His eyes were very cold behind his glasses."You knew you were going into a gate when you came here, didn't you?""Yes, but... We didn't expect there to be no one else here."There were no guides, medical staff, or even backup personnel for emergencies, just Joo-hyun. Trusting only him to get through the gate was daunting.Beom-jin showed no signs of backing down, but neither did the crew. Some even said they'd rather go back than risk their lives, making Beom-jin sigh heavily."Then I'll go alone. You all stay here.""I'll go, too."The unexpected volunteer was Seo-chan, who had been silently holding the camera. With a determined expression, he faced Beom-jin. Somewhat surprised, Beom-jin nodded, looking around, but no one else volunteered.Joo-hyun had told them all to stay outside, but the two were adamant. In the end, it was Beom-jin, Joo-hyun, and Seo-chan who crossed into the gate.Having crossed into gates nine times while filming "Gate Date," Beom-jin and Seo-chan handled the transition adeptly. Unlike ES-23, which was newly discovered and had unknown conditions, BE-16 was a well-explored gate, so no one was caught off guard.Joo-hyun waded through the water that lapped at his ankles. All around, there was nothing but water and unknown green trees that jutted out from it.Beom-jin and Seo-chan, having changed into boots, followed Joo-hyun much more cautiously."There are holes everywhere, so follow carefully."The holes were about the size of an adult man's fist, not big enough for a foot to fall through but large enough to cause a slip. Beom-jin and Seo-chan, who swallowed nervously, nodded and followed behind Joo-hyun. "When did you go runaway, Joo-hyun?"With no monsters in sight and only the sound of water splashing, Beom-jin asked, perhaps because the tension had eased a bit."When I was fourteen."Joo-hyun squinted as he checked the gate's position again with the detector. According to prior information, this gate shouldn't be this quiet. Something felt off."That's right after you manifested, isn't it?""I went berserk at the same time as I manifested.""Is that... is that possible?""I didn't know it was, but apparently, it is."Joo-hyun stopped. A large tree, wide enough that even spreading both arms wouldn't fully encircle it, was strangely broken. It looked as if it had been gnawed at with a spiky axe."Were any people involved?"Joo-hyun, examining the tree seriously, turned his head abruptly. Meeting his gaze, Beom-jin seemed determined not to back down.A round full moon shimmered before his eyes. The red-stained night clung to the inside of his eyelids, reminding him of his sins each time he blinked. Joo-hyun, whispering like a defeated dog, spoke weakly."My family."