By Zephyria 
As soon as I woke up, I was greeted by fresh morning air rather than the damp scent of grass. It was a silent morning, without the rustle of tents, the chirping of birds, or the sound of insects.
Having slept in a proper bed for the first time in a while, my whole body felt refreshed. I enjoyed a moment of leisure, gazing out at the wide-open high-rise view beyond the window.
I should be able to rest comfortably this weekend.
Since I had been at the Gate for quite a long time, the association wouldn’t call me for at least two days. With a satisfied smile, I got out of bed to quench my thirst with some cool water.
“….”
The moment I stepped into the living room, I froze upon discovering Vasily sitting on the sofa in a familiar posture.
My eyes are ruined first thing in the morning. I frowned and turned my head away.
While I took bottled water from the refrigerator and drank it, an intense gaze pierced the back of my head, but I ignored it as usual.
Whether Vasily had stayed up all night or not was none of my business. I finished my water and returned straight to my room.
Because the conflict between us remained unresolved, the atmosphere was still unpleasant even though a day had passed. Was I supposed to spend the entire weekend in this uncomfortable air? My head was already starting to throb.
Well, whatever Vasily does, I’ll just ignore him like I am now. I shook my head and prepared to go out for a workout.
The moment I put on my sneakers as usual and looked toward the front door, I noticed something strange. Instead of the door, a massive wall of ice blocked my path.
“Ha…”
Just in case, I tried turning the doorknob, which I barely managed to reach outside the ice, but it didn’t budge. It was certain that I was trapped in the house.
Feeling anger surge within me, I went back inside. As I headed to the living room, I saw Vasily sitting on the sofa in the exact same posture as before.
“What do you think you’re doing right now?”
“What?”
“I’m talking about the fact that you froze the front door!”
When I questioned him demandingly, only then did Vasily lift his head and look at me.
“In case Guide Kwon Gi-dam-ssi tries to run away.”
“I’m only going for a workout, so melt it.”
“I don’t want to. What if you pretend to exercise and just disappear?”
“Then come out with me!”
“….”
Vasily turned his gaze away without answering. Did that mean he didn’t want to go out together?
Feeling a deep sense of irritation, I pressed my hand to my forehead. Right, so this is how he’s going to play it.
I strode forward to the sofa and plopped down next to Vasily, pressing my body against his. To be precise, I got close enough that only our arms and legs touched through our thin clothes.
“I’ll give you guiding, so go to sleep.”
Once Vasily falls asleep, the frozen door will melt.
I had no intention of guiding him, but I hated the idea of being trapped in the house alone with Vasily all weekend even more. It was better to touch bodies for a moment to regain my freedom.
“I have no intention of sleeping right now.”
I snorted at Vasily’s words.
From the last two days of the Gate conquest until today. He hasn’t slept for three whole days, so he’ll fall asleep the moment the guiding starts. No matter how much of a powerhouse Vasily is, what can he do against overwhelming drowsiness?
However, my expectations gradually crumbled as time passed.
“…Why aren’t you sleeping?”
An hour had passed, but Vasily did not fall asleep. Only my innocent neck grew stiff as the suppression chip heated up.
Turning my head, I saw Vasily blinking slowly. His eyelids looked incredibly heavy, as if he were fighting off sleep.
Ha, I’ve lived long enough to see this. Seeing Vasily dozing off…
“Just sleep comfortably.”
“I don’t—”
Frustrated, I forced Vasily’s head to lean on my shoulder. Vasily’s body stiffened for a moment, then quickly relaxed. Perhaps the contact triggered the sleep, as I felt his body loosen instantly.
“….”
He fell asleep.
I laughed hollowly, feeling the sound of his deep breathing beside me. Since it was going to end up like this anyway, why did he bother resisting sleep? He just wasted my precious time.
Although I confirmed Vasily was asleep, I didn’t move immediately. If I left while he had just fallen asleep, he might wake up, and it would take time for the frozen front door to melt.
I sat there for five more minutes before carefully standing up. Praying that he wouldn’t wake up for at least half a day, I even went as far as to lay the sleeping Vasily comfortably on the sofa.
“I wish he’d just sleep for the rest of his life.”
The guy who was usually so prickly looked completely harmless while asleep. I clicked my tongue while looking at his peacefully closed eyelids.
Quickly averting my gaze, I first entered my room. Now it was time to calm the heated suppression chip.
Since there was no way to get blood without waking Vasily, I took out one of the pills I had kept for emergencies and swallowed it. I tucked the remaining one into my pocket and prepared to leave the house.
As I headed to the entrance, I was greeted by puddles of water from the melted ice. A splashing sound echoed with every step I took.
I was finally outside.
I stared in the direction of the walking trail where I usually exercised, then turned my body the opposite way. It was the direction of the subway station.
Originally, I intended to just exercise and come back… but after seeing Vasily block me from the morning, I changed my mind.
Vasily would likely continue to control me like this every time for a while. Just thinking about it made me tired. I thought it would be better to stay at my parents’ house for a few days to avoid him.
That said, if I just disappeared without a word, it would be chaos.
I frowned, recalling the memory of being caught at the airport after fleeing the moment the suppression chip was discovered. If I disappeared without warning again, Vasily would find me in no time. I couldn’t face my parents if a catastrophe occurred where Vasily suddenly showed up at their apartment and froze the house.
[I’ll be staying at my parents’ house for a while.]
I sent a text to Vasily and boarded the subway. I could only hope that Vasily’s patience would last a long time this once after he woke up.
* * *
After a long time, I met my parents and had dinner together.
I hadn’t yet revealed to my parents that I was working as Vasily’s dedicated Guide. I hadn’t expected Vasily to find out about the suppression chip, nor did I intend to remain as Vasily’s Guide for this long after being caught.
‘Once I remove the suppression chip, I’ll have to tell my parents.’
Once I return to being an S-class guide, my face will be all over the news as Vasily’s dedicated Guide. Moreover, due to the recent dating rumors, my photos were already floating around the internet. Although they were only silhouettes, people who knew me could easily recognize me.
My parents still think I’m on a leave of absence from university and working as a temporary Guide. Temporary Guide my foot; it would be less shocking if I told them myself before they found out through someone else that I’m practically Vasily’s slave.
After finishing the meal, I lay down on my childhood bed for the first time in a while and ordered the medication. If I have it delivered here, there’s no way I’ll be caught. It’s not particularly close to Vasily’s house, but I planned to store it at my parents’ home and come pick it up occasionally.
As night fell, my mind began to feel restless. I hadn’t thought of Vasily at all until the sun set, but the moment I pulled up the covers to sleep, the silent smartphone became incredibly distracting.
I peeked at the smartphone resting by my head. I was sure that messages would be flooding in, but it was strangely quiet, which made me anxious. He’s not causing trouble somewhere again, is he?
Sigh… I’m anxious when I’m with Vasily, and I’m anxious when he’s out of sight.
I had to return to Vasily’s side soon to keep the contract of guiding four times a week, but even without the contract, I didn’t think I could stay away for long.
Just then, the phone rang. The caller was Vasily.
Did he wake up already? I glanced at the time and answered immediately.
Where are you?
“I’m home.”
You’re not in your room.
As soon as I answered, Vasily’s cold voice flowed through the receiver. I let out a shallow sigh and answered calmly.
“You saw the text. I’m at my parents’ house.”
A long silence followed. Since Vasily remained silent despite being the one to call, I spoke up this time.
“Esper-nim, I think it would be good for you to cool your head. And please think seriously about Huai Yan’s proposal. You can’t keep living like this for six months.”
…Guide Kwon Gi-dam.
“I’m doing this for your sake, Esper-nim.”
If it were for my sake, you should have been by my side right now.
“….”
I was momentarily speechless at the voice that was different from usual. His low, sunken voice felt somehow powerless.
I almost instinctively asked if he was okay. I barely swallowed those words and spoke coldly.
“I’ll be back in three days, so please think about it until then. I’ll hang up now.”
I hung up and flopped back onto the bed. I glanced at the blackened screen, but the phone didn’t ring a second time.