By Zephyria 
I took a taxi and arrived at the place where I was supposed to meet Huai Yan.
As expected of an Esper, he chose to meet near the Association of all places. Because of that, I was on edge, worried I might run into someone I knew.
As I looked around warily, a car approached and stopped in front of me. The window slid down, and Huai Yan poked his head out.
“You really came alone?”
“……Yes.”
“Get in for now.”
The car Huai Yan drove was an ordinary black sports car. I felt relieved that it wasn’t a conspicuous red as I climbed inside.
As I sat in the passenger seat and fastened my seatbelt, Huai Yan asked,
“Does Vasily know that you’re going to China, Guide? It would be troublesome if he misunderstood and thought I kidnapped you.”
“I left a note.”
“Hmm…… I guess that’ll be fine then. Let’s head to the airport.”
The car glided forward. I couldn’t take my eyes off the Association building as it grew distant in the side mirror.
“By the way, is that bag all the luggage you brought?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t that too little?”
Huai Yan looked puzzled as he saw me with only a single bag. I answered nonchalantly.
“I plan to return home immediately after solving the suppression chip issue, so it’s fine.”
“Come on, there’s so much to see in China. Go sightseeing before you leave. I’ll show you plenty of great places.”
“I’m fine. I’m not in a position where I can be away for too long.”
In my heart, I wanted to, but since I wasn’t going with Vasily, I had to return to Korea as quickly as possible.
It would have been nice if I had gone with Vasily. We could have wandered around and looked at things leisurely. Perhaps our relationship would have improved if we had traveled together.
The roads were unusually quiet today, so there was no traffic, and we arrived at the airport in no time.
After entering Incheon Airport, I walked with tension in my steps. I couldn’t relax, fearing that my departure might have been banned, but no one stopped me while I passed through security and went through the departure procedures.
Back when I was an S-Class Guide, I couldn’t even leave the country as I pleased. I could only go abroad if Vasily accompanied me.
Now, since my official matching rate with him wasn’t high and I was merely a C-Class Guide, it seemed the Association had overlooked me. It would be a nightmare for the Association official who would find out about my departure later, but for me, it was a relief.
My smartphone remained silent. Is he still sleeping? By the time Vasily realizes, I’ll already be in the sky.
Huai Yan, having finished talking with the airport staff, approached me.
“I think we’ll have to wait a bit. They say the inspection of the private jet isn’t finished yet.”
“A private jet?”
Come to think of it, whenever I was dispatched to China with Vasily, the Chinese side always sent a private jet. Since China was a country particularly generous with its support for Espers, it wasn’t strange that Huai Yan entered the country on a private jet.
“The inspection will be over soon. Oh, for your information, I’ve blocked reporters from entering the airport, so you can wait comfortably.”
After explaining, he sat in the chair opposite me. As soon as I sat facing him, I immediately stood up. Then, in a small voice, as if embarrassed, I spoke to Huai Yan, who was looking at me with a puzzled expression.
“I’ll just use the restroom for a moment……”
Using the restroom as an excuse to leave the spot, I stopped in a place where Huai Yan’s gaze couldn’t reach.
I was anxious because Vasily was the only person who knew I was following Huai Yan to China. Thinking that I should tell someone else as well, I searched through my contacts.
Should I call the Association? No, if they end up blocking my departure, it’ll be a disaster. Then my parents? I don’t want to cause them unnecessary worry……
After pondering for a long time while tapping the smartphone screen, I finally thought of a suitable person.
“……The Attending Physician.”
I had never received his phone number, but since he was someone who had used the same number for six years, it should be the same now. As I pressed the familiar digits and hit the call button, the call connected quickly.
“Hello, Attending Physician. This is Guide Kwon Gi-dam.”
Ah, Guide! Good morning.
As expected, the Attending Physician’s voice greeted me. While he welcomed me, he sounded puzzled to receive my call.
Since I didn’t have much time, I got straight to the point.
“I intend to go to China briefly with Esper Huai Yan. If you cannot reach me a week from now, please inform the Association that there seems to be a problem.”
What? You’re going to China? Does Esper Vasily know?
“……He doesn’t know yet.”
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the Attending Physician asked in great panic.
W-wait a moment, Guide Kwon Gi-dam, are you at the airport right now? Please don’t board the plane yet and think about it a bit more……
“Something has come up that I must attend to. I plan to return soon, so please take care of Esper Vasily until then.”
I hung up after saying only what I needed to.
I had revealed to the Attending Physician that I was leaving the country and that my companion was Huai Yan. While I couldn’t be completely at ease, I had at least put a minimum safety measure in place.
Huai Yan was also a certified S-Class. This meant he was in a position where he couldn’t openly do anything reckless to a civilian. Furthermore, since I held the status of Vasily’s dedicated Guide, it would be even harder for him to touch me.
Nominally, I was a C-Class Guide. Since there would be plenty of people of this rank in China, the Chinese government would have no reason to take an interest in me.
While waiting in the departure lounge, I stood up upon hearing that the inspection was complete. Until the very last moment, no one stopped me.
As I thought, my departure wasn’t blocked. Just as I was about to board the private jet, feeling relieved, my smartphone rang long.
[Vasily]
……Did the Attending Physician contact him?
It was too late for him to chase after me like last time. That’s why he called.
“Please board the plane first. I’ll go in after taking this call.”
“We have to take off soon, so don’t talk for too long.”
After letting Huai Yan board the private jet first, I hesitated, looking down at Vasily’s name on the smartphone screen.
While I was hesitating, the call cut off once. It immediately rang again, and this time, I answered right away.
…….
“…….”
The call was clearly connected, but neither of us spoke. After a long silence, the first one to speak was Vasily.
I was foolish. To think I was fooled by such an obvious lie.
His tone sounded as if I had betrayed him. I rubbed my brow and let out a sigh.
“Did you read the memo I left properly? I’m just going to turn off the power to the suppression chip and return shortly.”
Am I supposed to believe that? Hasn’t Guide Kwon Gi-dam always only thought about escaping from me?
“Whether you believe it or not is your choice, Esper. For your information, I am already at the airport. Just know that it’s too late even if you chase me now.”
…….
Vasily fell silent. If he had heard it from the Attending Physician, Vasily would already know that I was at the airport. That’s why he chose to call rather than chase.
No answer came for a long time. Deciding that further conversation was a waste of time, I tried to hang up.
“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll hang up. We’re about to take off……”
……Don’t go.
A powerless voice leaked through the receiver. I found myself speechless.
Don’t go, Guide Kwon Gi-dam.
I hadn’t misheard. That powerless, trembling voice held onto me once more.
I was the one flustered by a voice I had never heard before. Wondering if he was sick somewhere, I asked seriously.
“Esper Vasily…… are you alright?”
If he wasn’t alright, would I return?
“……I’m already at the airport. The plane will take off soon.”
…….
Once again, a long silence followed.
I unconsciously clenched my fists tight. What if Vasily was truly sick? Because he was a person who had never been like this, I was even more concerned.
But I soon steadied my heart.
If Vasily’s condition was bad, then all the more reason to solve the suppression chip issue. Only then could I perform proper guiding and stabilize Vasily’s wavelength.
If I could return to the original matching rate and perform guiding, Vasily’s condition would improve significantly. Thinking of him spending his prime after receiving sufficient guiding, I barely managed to continue speaking.
“You won’t be able to receive guiding for a while, so please take care of yourself and rest. I’ll be back soon.”
As soon as I finished speaking, I firmly hung up. After the call ended, I immediately turned off the smartphone power. I felt that if Vasily contacted me again, my heart might waver.
With a complicated heart, I boarded the private jet. As I entered, Huai Yan, who was drinking wine, welcomed me.
“Who was it? Esper Vasily?”
“……Yes.”
“The conversation ended well, right? Then sit down. Take-off permission just came from the control tower.”
I sat in the plush seat and fastened the belt tightly, but my mind was not at ease at all. I turned my head toward the window, but as the long runway came into view, my heart became even more complicated.
“Do you have a fear of flying?”
“No…… I don’t.”
“Your expression is bad; are you really okay?”
“Is my expression…… that bad?”
“Yes. You look like someone who’s sick.”
Hearing that, I checked my face reflected in the window. ……I really do look pathetic.