This S-Class Esper is Not an Obsessive Maniac

6.

Choi Jae-won, who had squandered his life on an unsolicited, incredible devotion, finally thought that these days, when he had officially entered as Ryu Ho-yeon’s pair Guide, were the most unfortunate moments in his otherwise mostly prosperous life. The biggest problem was that this most unfortunate moment was simultaneously the happiest paradise.

The haughty young master who used to nibble pretentiously on food meticulously prepared by the professional chef employed by his family or the main chef of an jaw-droppingly expensive high-end restaurant they occasionally visited for dining out was now nowhere to be found. It was a rare and remarkable achievement for someone who rarely even poured himself a glass of water to now wake up at dawn, fumble through pre-printed recipes, and place on the table a dubious scrambled egg, half-burnt while trying to fry it, along with grilled ham, all while cutting and burning his hands countless times with his clumsy, inexperienced cooking skills. Ryu Ho-yeon, who was mumbling with a spoon while burying his nose in a comic book, probably couldn’t even imagine how rare and great this feat was.

There was no need for such trouble if they just ordered delivery or went out to eat. His delicate fingers, which often got scratched every morning due to the misfortune of having the wrong owner, would have remained unharmed.

But what could he do? He had to at least make up an excuse like, “Cooking is my hobby, so I might as well make two portions. Won’t you eat with me?” Otherwise, the impenetrable Ryu Ho-yeon would just say with his usual blank expression, “We are pairs, and we do live together, but… Do we really need to eat face to face? We can just take care of our own meals,” and then trudge off to his room, slamming the door shut.

At first, when Jae-won suggested again that they should have a meal together, Ho-yeon even asked if he was short on money. Ho-yeon even tried to hand over his card to Jae-won. It was only after Jae-won awkwardly lied to Ho-yeon’s face that cooking was actually his hobby that he was barely granted this precious opportunity. That is, to have at least one meal a day together with Ryu Ho-yeon, his pair and housemate.

The warm conversations he vaguely dreamed of or the familiarity that seeps in like clothes getting wet in drizzle were still nowhere to be found, no matter how hard he looked. Even during meals, Ho-yeon always brought a comic book, novel, or some unfinished video from the night before, making it difficult to even catch a glimpse of his face as he bowed his head low and focused on eating.

“Um, after today’s training ends…”

Flinch.

“…”

Today too. He was about to suggest having a coffee during the free time after basic training, but it seemed he wouldn’t even be able to finish his sentence. Ho-yeon’s shoulders, which had been buried in a comic book, flinched noticeably, and then, peek, only his large eyes moved towards Jae-won. The cat-like, aloof gaze, mixed with anxiety like ‘Surely he’s not suggesting we do something together? I don’t want to, it’s uncomfortable, I prefer being alone…’ was incredibly pretty, as always.

In the end, Jae-won surrenders this time too.

“I have plans today. I’ll be late, so you can go ahead without me.”

“Oh. Is that all?”

“…Yes.”

“Okay.”

The eyes that had been full of wariness immediately relaxed. And then they plunged back into the pages of the book.

Come on, isn’t this a bit too much? It’s natural for the one who fell in love one-sidedly to lose, but…!!

Jae-won felt a surge of frustration, but then,

“Give me more ham.”

“Yes, hyung!”

When Ho-yeon tapped the empty plate with his chopsticks, asking for more ham in a half-hearted manner, Jae-won forgot everything else and became deliriously happy again.

It was somewhat comforting that Ho-yeon’s behavior wasn’t due to any negative perception or feelings towards Jae-won as a person. Whether it was because his personality had hardened from living alone for so long, or if it was his innate nature, Ho-yeon deeply trusted the motto that humans are born alone and die alone. (He could only be described as a typical extreme individualist with somewhat lacking social skills, but from the perspective of Jae-won, who had given up on an objective view due to his extreme one-sided love, that was how it was for now.)

After roughly finishing the meal, Jae-won hurriedly prepared to leave. All ability users who enter the center had to complete mandatory basic training immediately after admission. Since Ho-yeon had unofficially completed all the relevant content long ago, Jae-won was the only one going for the training. He was informed that combat training to match up with Ho-yeon as a pair would be conducted separately once Jae-won’s basic training was completed.

Before leaving, he knocked on Ho-yeon’s door one last time. Ho-yeon, who was reading the next volume of the comic book he had been reading earlier, tucked into his blanket with only his head peeking out, didn’t answer but just stared up at Jae-won as if asking why he had come. Jae-won tried his best to hide the trembling in his voice and spoke as calmly as he could.

“G-g-g-guiding…”

“Ah. Right.”

“J-j-j-just let me hold your hand once…”

At least he tried to say it.

“Alright. Here.”

“Y-yes. Thank you.”

Ho-yeon lazily extended his left hand, and Jae-won respectfully held it with both hands as if he were receiving something precious. Anyone watching would never be able to guess which one was the Esper and which one was the Guide. To begin with, it was very rare for an officially paired Esper and Guide to live in the same accommodation but use separate rooms. Of course, it was entirely Ho-yeon’s decision.

Jae-won, who had fallen in love at first sight before even entering elementary school and hadn’t even had a chance to experience a tingling crush or anything like that until he was almost twenty, felt his heart pounding just from holding hands for a few minutes under the guise of guiding.

“I’m going now.”

“Okay.”

It was still far from a “Have a good day,” but if he were to be discouraged by such things, he wouldn’t have been able to keep looking at someone he hadn’t even properly conversed with so persistently. Jae-won stood up bravely.

* * *

Knock knock knock knock.

The knocking on the door sounds particularly irritable. Since he had come without notice, one would normally wait for the room’s owner to say “Come in,” but Choi Jae-won, who was generally inconsiderate to others except Ryu Ho-yeon, immediately opened the door and entered.

Inside the guiding room, furnished with a desk, a cot, a work PC, and other office equipment, there was a head bowed low, deeply engrossed in a mobile game. The sight of that concentrated crown reminded him of Ho-yeon from this morning, making him feel inexplicably annoyed.

“Excuse me. May I come in?”

Having already entered while saying this, the person who heard didn’t even turn their gaze as they responded just as coldly.

“Please submit a guiding request through the department before coming. Your guiding turn won’t come faster just because you barge in like this. There’s a reception desk if you go out and turn the corner.”

The clear voice revealed an undisguised sharp temperament. It’s a face he hasn’t seen in a very long time, but it’s exactly the same. It’s almost laughable.

The person Choi Jae-won, who had finished today’s training, came to see was none other than Ryu Ho-yeon’s dearly missed cousin, the S-class Guide Lee Han-seo.

For Choi Jae-won, who had been hopelessly in love with Ryu Ho-yeon, Lee Han-seo, who had spent a long time with him as his prospective pair, had always been a source of inferiority and jealousy.

Jae-won’s feelings towards Han-seo were a bit complicated. While jealousy was primary, he was also a benefactor like no other. Five years ago, if Han-seo hadn’t met another Esper and given up his place beside Ho-yeon forever, Jae-won probably wouldn’t have had even this speck of an opportunity until the day he died.

It was also thanks to Han-seo that his vague feelings for Ho-yeon, whom he just wanted to meet again as a pretty hyung, were clearly labeled as love.

“Could you try to hide the edge in your voice? Is there any need to show off your nasty personality everywhere?”

“Excuse me. How dare you… Huh, hey! Choi Jae-won!”

Han-seo’s face, which had suddenly looked up while slamming down his mobile phone, quickly filled with joy. Just as Jae-won’s love for Ho-yeon was one-sided, his feelings of inferiority towards Han-seo were equally one-sided. He hid his bitter feelings and greeted him, saying it had been a long time.

“What the… This kid, look at you. You didn’t say a word to me about entering.”

“Just. I was a bit busy. With basic training and stuff.”

“Sit down first. What do you want to drink? Juice?”

“It’s fine. I have coffee.”

“Wow, wow! Choi Jae-won is drinking coffee. The little kid who couldn’t even drink the green tea grandfather gave him because it was too bitter!”

There was not a hint of mockery in the surprised voice, which made Jae-won feel even more hurt. Although he had heard stories through his parents and family elders, it had been 4-5 years since they had actually faced each other. It was understandable. While it was a big change for the 20-year-old Han-seo to become 25, it was an even bigger and deeper change for the 15-year-old Jae-won in middle school uniform to become a 20-year-old adult.

His eyes were wide open as he examined his cousin’s thin cheeks and broad shoulders, who had grown up beyond recognition.

“How’s uncle doing? By the way, if you’ve come in like this, who’s going to succeed our Chairman? Sehyun hyung? Juhee noona?”

“I don’t know. They’ll figure it out.”

“You’re really frustrating, Choi Jae-won. Couldn’t you have not come in? Everyone’s dying to get out, but you walked in here on your own.”