Chapter 34 – GOY 34
#34
A press conference, out of nowhere.
I had been so grateful when the Esper Academy blocked all the reporters upon my discharge, but I never imagined they would push for a joint press conference with Joo Seung-hyuk only a few days later.
I have always been introverted, and since realizing the original plot, I’ve lived even more cautiously. I was terrified that I might catch Joo Seung-hyuk’s eye.
I especially loathed being in the spotlight. Being an S-Class Guide, I was often called to government events and such, but I could never get used to it. Professor Choi, knowing my personality, approached me and apologized.
“I’m sorry, Yeon-soo. But the public is trembling with anxiety; what else can we do? Please understand and think of it as the mission of an S-Class Guide.”
“I guess it can’t be helped. In exchange, [visit our site]the content of the [visit our site]press conference will [unauthorized copy]follow the script, right?”
The purpose of today’s press conference was to alleviate public anxiety. Therefore, the plan was to announce that Joo Seung-hyuk would not be retiring and that I was healthy, and as a bonus, to declare that I would be Joo Seung-hyuk’s assigned guide ‘for the time being.’
The most important part here was ‘for the time being.’
An S-Class Guide was even rarer than an S-Class Esper.
Setting aside the traditional debate over whether the Guide or the Esper played a more important role during a Gate Raid, the absolute number of Guides was far smaller.
Looking at Ability Users in their twenties, there were four S-Class Espers—Joo Seung-hyuk, Park Geon-woo, Do Hyuk-jin, and Kim Chae-ah—but I was the only S-Class Guide.
Neither the Esper Academy nor the Center wanted a precious S-Class Guide to be tied solely to Joo Seung-hyuk.
Of course, it was problematic for them to live like sworn enemies, so they hoped we would reconcile and get along, but becoming an exclusive guide was a separate matter.
Seven years ago, many people were delighted when I refused the [stolen content]position of Joo Seung-hyuk’s exclusive guide. Not only the companies and guilds, but government officials were pleased as well.
It was only when Joo Seung-hyuk’s life as an Esper was on the brink of ending that they begged for my help, clutching at straws. But as they say, people change their minds once they’ve achieved their goal.
Furthermore, the fact that Joo Seung-hyuk had a high matching rate with me proved that he didn’t have complete Guiding Rejection symptoms, and at the same time, it meant he could potentially show a high matching rate with other guides as well.
The academy planned to conduct matching rate tests between Joo Seung-hyuk and other guides. Once they found a guide with a matching rate over 30%, they could manage the Guiding somehow.
Once Joo Seung-hyuk recovered even slightly, I could step down as his assigned guide.
This was something both I and the Academy desired.
Even if I couldn’t stop the official announcement that I had become Joo Seung-hyuk’s guide to calm the public, I had to emphasize the fact that it was ‘for the time being.’
“I am Esper Joo Seung-hyuk’s temporary guide.”
“Of course. Don’t worry about that. Just read the script. It’s [visit our site]only a Read on Read BL Novelsfew lines. I’ll do all the talking, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Besides, only [Read on Read BL Novels]the pre-selected reporters will ask questions, so don’t be anxious.”
“Yes. I’ll trust you, Professor.”
I don’t know why I’m so nervous when this isn’t my first press conference.
To be honest, while I hate the attention, I usually do well once I’m actually doing it, but today I lacked confidence.
Is it because I’m with Joo Seung-hyuk?
“Hyung.”
The source of my anxiety had arrived.
I turned my head. Joo Seung-hyuk was wearing the Esper Academy uniform, just as I was. He was perfectly dressed, complete with the hat and cloak.
The black cloak fluttered with every step he took. That cloak wasn’t just a decoration; it was protective gear imbued with defense magic.
Because it was enchanted, it was incredibly expensive, making it realistically difficult to provide to the entire student body. Therefore, only those with excellent grades were given uniforms with defense magic, while the other students received ordinary cloaks with no functions.
The design was the same, but due to the texture and luster of the fabric, the enchanted one looked far more luxurious.
Because of this, some students said they studied blood, sweat, and tears just to get that cloak.
Since Joo Seung-hyuk and I were the top students upon admission, ours were naturally enchanted.
Honestly, I didn’t like it. It was much heavier than a regular cloak. However, seeing the cloak boast its heavy texture and luster following Joo Seung-hyuk’s stride, I had to admit it did look cool.
“Seung-hyuk-ah, you’re here early.”
“You’re even earlier, Hyung.”
“Well, I live in the dormitory.”
Today’s press conference was being held in the main auditorium of the Academy.
“Did you sleep well yesterday?”
“Yeah.”
I had fallen asleep from exhaustion as soon as I tidied my clothes, unaware of the chaos that had broken out last night.
“Good job.”
Joo Seung-hyuk caressed my cheek.
“You’re pretty today, too.”
“Haha. Thanks.”
Perhaps because the professor and staff weren’t looking, he pulled me into a tight embrace around my waist, creating a world for just the two of us.
I desperately wanted to push him away and ask what on earth he was doing, but since the ‘patient privileges’ were ending today, I didn’t dare reject the Obsessive Madman.
“White suits you so well, Hyung.”
“Y-you… you suit black well, too.”
True to his nature as an Obsessive Madman, black suited Joo Seung-hyuk perfectly.
Long, large eyes with black pupils, eyelashes long enough to cast shadows, a high bridge of the nose, a clean line of the mouth—he truly had an incredible face. Just as I was getting lost in his features, forgetting the situation, Joo Seung-hyuk whispered in my ear.
“It feels just like a wedding.”
“W-what?”
What kind of horrific thing is he saying?
“Hyung is in white and I’m in black. Given the design, doesn’t it look just like wedding attire?”
…After hearing Joo Seung-hyuk’s words, I grew to hate the uniform, which I already disliked, even more.
“I-is that so?”
“If we go out like this, it’ll look like a wedding press conference.”
“…….”
“Should we just announce our marriage?”
“…….”
His gentle voice was terrifying.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t tell me you won’t marry me? My purity…”
Before he could bring up that damn purity again, I hurriedly shouted.
“T-the cloak…!”
“The cloak?”
“Wedding attire doesn’t have cloaks.”
“Should I burn it?”
Burn what?! Do you know how much this costs! It’s the crystallization of tax money!
“Not just the cloak, but it’s a uniform that’s the same as everyone else’s. Wedding attire should be special.”
“That’s true. You’re right, Hyung.”
Joo Seung-hyuk smiled softly and kissed the back of my hand.
“A marriage announcement should be special.”
“…Yeah.”
No. There is no way we will ever announce a marriage. There must not be.
My entire body trembled with fear.
Just then, the sound of salvation arrived.
“It is time. Let us go out.”
“Yes!”
I quickly pulled my hand away. Joo Seung-hyuk gazed down at me for a moment but walked forward without saying anything.
As I tried to follow behind Joo Seung-hyuk, Professor Choi stopped me.
“Yeon-soo, are you perhaps marrying Joo Seung-hyuk?”
He must have heard our conversation. Well, it would be strange not to hear it when it happened right in front of him.
Joo Seung-hyuk had already climbed onto the podium. I answered Professor Choi in the smallest voice possible.
“No.”
“But…”
“Absolutely not. Student Joo Seung-hyuk was joking.”
“Is that really it? About the script we discussed earlier… if you were speaking indirectly because you wanted to become Joo Seung-hyuk’s exclusive guide, and I was just too oblivious to notice…”
“It is absolutely not that.”
Professor Choi, why have you been saying such scary things lately? I really liked you, Professor, but this is disappointing.
“…I see. Then may we proceed according to the script?”
“Yes. You absolutely cannot change it. You promised.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Just as I was getting a final confirmation that the script must not be changed, I heard Joo Seung-hyuk’s voice.
“Hyung, why aren’t you coming?”
“Uh, I’m coming now.”
I quickly climbed onto the podium.
Despite the sudden nature of the press conference, the main auditorium was packed with reporters.
Before I could even sit in the prepared seat, the sound of camera shutters poured down incessantly. My eyes closed instinctively at the flashing camera lights.
No matter how many times I experience it, I never get used to this. However, Joo Seung-hyuk didn’t even blink amidst the barrage of flashes.
“Hello. I am Choi Ji-sung, the Head of the visit our siteGuide Department at the Esper Academy. Thank [stolen content]you for traveling from afar to be here.”
Professor Choi greeted them first, and Joo Seung-hyuk and I bowed our heads.
For the sake of student protection, Professor Choi managed almost everything during today’s press conference, and Joo Seung-hyuk and I only had to say the bare minimum.
We read through the script as prepared, and finally, only the Q&A session for the reporters remained.
Many reporters raised their hands, but Professor Choi pointed to those who had been pre-agreed upon.
“A question for Guide Lee Yeon-soo. Have you fully recovered your health?”
I already knew that reporter would ask this. I gave the prepared answer.
“Yes. Thanks to everyone’s concern, I have fully recovered. I apologize for causing anxiety to the public.”
The next reporter asked.
“There are rumors that Esper Joo Seung-hyuk is retiring. Are these truly false rumors?”
“Yes.”
Joo Seung-hyuk answered in a short, blunt manner.
Joo Seung-hyuk was given almost no lines today. He was unpredictable, and the professors actually found him difficult to deal with, so they couldn’t actively demand his participation in this clumsy play.
Right now, Professor Choi was probably grateful just that Joo Seung-hyuk was sitting still. Moreover, since Joo Seung-hyuk was always like that, there was no particular sense of incongruity.
“Haha. Of course. Esper Joo Seung-hyuk will continue to protect the Republic of Korea alongside Guide Lee Yeon-soo.”
As the Q&A continued, the reporters’ expressions grew full of dissatisfaction.
Only reporters who were already on friendly terms with the Academy were being selected. Furthermore, the [visit our site]content of [stolen content]the questions was extremely mundane, and the answers lacked substance.
They must have felt that this was a rigged game. However, Professor Choi ignored the cold stares of the reporters and delivered the predetermined closing remarks.
“Then, we will take one last question.”
Finally, it’s over.
I had been very worried, but Joo Seung-hyuk stayed quiet, and it was wrapping up without any issues.
Just as I felt relieved, a reporter in the corner suddenly shouted in a loud voice.
“Why is it ‘temporary’! Is there a special reason why Guide Lee Yeon-soo must be Esper Joo Seung-hyuk’s temporary guide?”
One might be flustered by the sudden situation, but Professor Choi handled it skillfully.
“Please ask your question after being selected.”
“What was the cause of the Rampage!”
But that reporter fired off the next question as if to defy him. This was a breach of the press conference rules, but the expressions of the other reporters actually looked gratified.
The situation was turning volatile. At this rate, the reporters might start pouring out questions one after another.
Professor Choi seemed to be thinking the same as I was and moved to settle the situation.
“We cannot disclose the cause of the Rampage.”
Jeers immediately poured out, but Professor Choi continued immediately, as if he had expected it.
“And as I mentioned before, Lee Yeon-soo became Joo Seung-hyuk’s temporary guide to alleviate public anxiety, and the special reason is…”
“A Guiding Rejection Reaction occurred.”
A calm, low voice echoed through the auditorium. I looked at Joo Seung-hyuk in shock.
“Student Joo Seung-hyuk!”
Even Professor Choi, who had maintained a poker face until now, shouted in panic. However, Joo Seung-hyuk lightly ignored him and continued speaking.
“This is why I went to the brink of a Rampage.”
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