32 – TDG 32

Looking ​at ​the ​upload ​date, it was ​the ​day ​of ​the ​incident. Ten million views ​and ​eight thousand five ​hundred comments? And ​it ​was ​still ​increasing ​in ​real-time. What is ​the ​higher-up ​management doing, not ​blocking something like this?

Amidst ​the barrage ​of camera ​flashes and ​requests for ​handshakes, ​the ​crowd grew even ​larger. Many ​were likely joining in ​simply because they were ​curious about what was ​happening.

Just then, ​Han ​Ji-hyuk stepped in front of the ​crowd, separating me from ​them. ​His ​frost-like ​gaze ​shifted toward somewhere ​behind us. ​I ​suspected someone had ​tried ​to touch me from behind. ​When I ​looked ​back, a fat ​man ​with ​a ​hooked ​nose flinched, ​hesitantly ​lowered his ​hand, and disappeared as if fleeing.

“Catch him.”

After ​spitting out those ​short words, Ji-hyuk ​suddenly scooped me up ​in his ​arms. As the ​people ​reflexively backed away ​from the sudden ​movement, he ​kicked ​off the ​ground ​and leaped ​high ​into the ​air. ​In ​an instant, the ​ground ​fell far ​away.

“Huh! ​What!”

“Did ​he ​fly?!”

With a single high leap, Ji-hyuk evaded the dense crowd and began sprinting at full speed the moment he landed.

Watching the buildings fly past and the people shrink into tiny dots in the blink stolen contentof visit our sitean eye, a small sense of skepticism [stolen content]spread deep within my chest… why on earth had I wasted twenty minutes trying to catch a taxi?

…Once I get off here, I should call the Team Leader first.

• I bet the higher-ups did it.

After listening to a nearly ten-minute explanation of the situation over the phone, Team Leader Park Chi-soo gave an unexpected answer.

“What? Really?”

• Of course. Do you think a civilian drone just happens to enter a controlled scene? The only important information exposed in the video is Esper Han Ji-hyuk’s face and his approximate stats. This was 100% produced for promotional purposes.

This is absolutely absurd. The higher-ups are doing this?

• They’ve been doing it for a long time. It’s an open secret. Why do you think Esper Song Hyun-ho became so famous with the public? If you just silently go around catching monsters, nobody recognizes you. It’s not to the level of appearing on variety shows like they do abroad, but the citizens need to know exactly what we’re doing for the country, rather than just eating up government funds. We need a face to represent the authority of the organization.

“Then why not just use official promotional materials like Esper24…?”

• Of course, we produce those too. But who is actually going to search for the Esper department’s website or video channel to watch promotional materials?

…I had nothing to say because he wasn’t wrong.

Even I don’t go in there.

• Besides, modern people obsessed with conspiracy theories tend to be more enthusiastic about these raw videos haphazardly filmed by amateurs than polished, sophisticated promotional materials produced by official agencies. This insignificant Shorts video has been a quite effective means of announcing South Korea’s new and powerful asset, Han Ji-hyuk, to the entire world.

Damn, he’s convincing me. There’s a reason he’s the Team Leader.

Well, whatever… I’m just glad to know it wasn’t illegal filming.

“…Then, are they just going to leave this video up?”

• No. Since it’s not an official video, it has to be taken down. It’ll probably be gone by today. Oh, and while we’re on the subject… starting today, the third-quarter newsletter for Esper24 will be distributed to city halls, district offices, and community centers nationwide. I received a copy in advance, and you look really great in it.

“Excuse me…?”

What kind of nonsense is this now?

“I… I’m in it?”

When I shouted, Team Leader Park’s voice took on a puzzled tone.

• Huh? You didn’t know? There’s a two-shot of you and Esper Han Ji-hyuk in the newsletter.

“?! What… I never heard anything about that…?”

• Uh… you probably didn’t know because you haven’t been at the Center for long. Taking photos in a studio is synonymous with being featured in the newsletter.

My grip tightened on the phone.

You bastard of a cinematographer, you said it was just a test shoot! I… I thought you were just going to print them and give them to me… If I had known it would be in the newsletter, I would have refused from the start. No wonder he kept taking endless photos and even demanding specific poses…

The thought of my tin-robot-like photos being distributed nationwide was a horror story.

• Haha, it’s an honor. Not just anyone can do this because it has to pass strict regulations, Joo-won. Of course, it’s not free labor; a special allowance will be included in this month’s salary, so look forward to it.

A stabbing headache surged inside my temples. Who asked for such an honor? Allowance or not, I wouldn’t do it even for a hundred million won! Take the photo down! I said I hate it!

“Um… is it possible to take it down now?”

• Huh? Distribution is already finished, how can we take it down? Don’t worry, you came out flawlessly beautiful.

Sob… that’s not what I meant…

• And I have something to ask you personally.

Suddenly, the Team Leader’s voice dropped.

• I heard about the situation from Soo-jeong. Are you two by any chance living together?

The abrupt question almost made me hiccup.

“What? Oh, no. That’s not the case.”

We aren’t “living together,” but I have been eating, sleeping, and commuting from Han Ji-hyuk’s house. But it’s not living together.

Whenever I try to go home, Han Ji-hyuk puts on such a pitiful, heartbreaking expression as if to ask if I’m really going, and blocks my path, so I have no choice. It just so happened that I’ve headed to his house seven days a week because I couldn’t withstand that sorrowful gaze. It’s not because I couldn’t break through him physically. Absolutely not.

Once Ah-yoon comes, these days will end, so I figured I should grant his wishes for as long as it lasts.

• …Is that so? Is there any possibility of a re-assignment as a dedicated Guide?

A faint hint of regret was audible in the voice coming through the receiver.

Before answering, I checked behind me. Han Ji-hyuk was standing a short distance away, staring at me with an expression that asked when the call would end.

“…No.”

It’s understandable that this man would still have lingering hopes. If a team has a Guide who is a dedicated assignment to an S-rank Esper or has a close relationship with one, the other team members benefit from it consciously or unconsciously. But don’t worry. Jung Ah-yoon will become Han Ji-hyuk’s dedicated Guide, and you will enjoy the trickle-down effect you’re hoping for without regret.

• …I see. Still, if possible, try to commute with Esper Han Ji-hyuk tomorrow.

“What? For what reason…?”

• Well… the people at the Center must have seen that video too…

It was a prediction that a rush of “sales pitches” from Guides eyeing the spot next to an S-rank would unfold.

Between being the cover model for the official newsletter ‘Esper24’ and the YouTube video, anyone at the Center who didn’t know Han Ji-hyuk would be an anomaly. It was Team Leader Park Chi-soo’s consideration, suggesting that I prove a broad presence so that even if I were to be stolen (?), it would happen as late as possible.

I appreciate the consideration, but he’s saying that because he doesn’t know. I’m fine with anyone as long as it’s not Kwon Min-wook. No matter how many flies swarm, they won’t be able to surpass the fortress of the female lead.

“Understood. I’ll do that.”

When I hung up and returned to his side, Ji-hyuk asked as if he had been waiting.

“What did he say?”

“It wasn’t illegal filming; the higher-ups did it for promotion. He said they’ll take it down.”

“I see.” Ji-hyuk accepted it readily. I thought he’d be at least a little surprised.

“Did you know about it?”

“No. Not really, but I don’t particularly care whether I’m filmed or not.”

…What is this? The confidence of a born handsome man?

“You can’t be like that. Portrait rights are very important. What if someone uses this handsome face recklessly! You have to cherish and protect it.”

Hearing my admonishment, one corner of Ji-hyuk’s lips curled up slightly.

“Hyung, you’re a very kind person.”

To hear this from my bias… this is truly rewarding. I puffed out my chest proudly.

“I’m only like this to you.”

Ji-hyuk tilted his head. He looked puzzled, as if he hadn’t expected that at all.

“…Only to me?”

“Of course.”

“Why am I the exception?”

“That’s…”

Ji-hyuk’s gaze focused entirely on my lips.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a big deal, but saying it out loud felt somehow embarrassing, so I paused for a moment. I took a light breath and continued.

“Maybe it’s the same as the feelings you have for me?”

The unconditional trust he had in me, the way he grew angry on my behalf at the unfair treatment I received, and the small, sweet considerations conveyed in various other ways. I believe it’s an overflowing reward compared to what I’ve done. I intend to do my best not to betray the precious trust he gave me until the day I eventually leave him.

Han Ji-hyuk’s eyes widened, and then he smiled brightly, his eyes curving into crescents. It was a dazzling sight, as if light were scattering.

On the way to work the next day, I took a rental car provided by the insurance company as a countermeasure for the accident. Ji-hyuk said I could take the car in the underground garage, but for that, I’d need to be registered as a driver first. Since there’s a clear owner, I couldn’t register my name first.

As I was almost at the Center, a black limousine bus passed in front of my [stolen content]car while stolen contentI [stolen content]was waiting for the signal.

“Oh.”

Isn’t that a prisoner transport bus? It’s the bus used to transport Espers who have committed serious crimes and are A-rank or higher. I’d heard it’s equipped with the most powerful brainwave jamming device capable of neutralizing an Esper, and this was my first time seeing one in person. Seeing that ominous thing appear, a serious crime must have occurred somewhere. But why is there nothing in the news…?

“Hyung. The light changed.”

I snapped back to reality at Ji-hyuk’s words. I waved my hand to the car behind me that had waited patiently and quickly started moving.

After completing the entry authentication and entering Building B, people turned to look at us as if they had made a pact to stop talking. It was the first time the first-floor lobby, which was always full of energy, had become so deathly silent. Some of them were holding copies of Esper24 in their hands.

“He’s so handsome…”

A woman nearby, staring at Ji-hyuk as if possessed, let out an exclamation unconsciously, then quickly covered her mouth, her face flushing red.

Oh dear, it’s okay. Everyone thinks that the first time they see Han Ji-hyuk.