“It’s been a while.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. It has.”

“Why do you look so stiff, like you’ve done something wrong?”

“It’s just been so long that it feels a little awkward.”

Ju-eon laughed awkwardly and took a sip of his coffee. Awkwardness aside, his attention remained entirely focused on Myung-hwon, who likely still waited in the room beyond the wall.

“There’s a lot I’m curious about, but I don’t feel the need to pry.”

Seo Yun-jin spoke maturely, naturally stating that she wouldn’t ask about things that might make him uncomfortable. She seemed stronger and more composed than before, while Ju-eon felt he had regressed, returning to being a trainee. Perhaps that’s why he felt a bit intimidated.

“Was it that obvious?”

“I’m pretty perceptive, you know.”

“…….”

“So, how have you been? I just want to ask this one thing. Please answer me.”

A lot had happened. He had fallen ill, suffered memory loss as a side effect of the treatment, and discovered that the lover he once thought was everything was actually a fake. After regaining his memories, his real lover announced his engagement, and when Ju-eon went to find him, he suddenly got caught up in a dungeon.

“Yes. I’ve been doing well.”

Most of what had happened to him wasn’t the kind of thing one could casually say they’d been “doing well” through, even as a polite lie. But Ju-eon genuinely believed he had been doing well. After all, he had regained his memories and found Myung-hwon again. Though the journey had been long and roundabout, he had ultimately reached his desired destination.

“Thank you.”

“Sorry?”

“You guided Myung-hwon, didn’t you?”

“Oh, yes.”

“When I was heading to the hotel, I feared the possibility of Myung-hwon going berserk more than the dungeon itself.”

“Berserk?”

Ju-eon tilted his head, wondering why that would deserve thanks. It didn’t seem like something worthy of gratitude. Guides existed for the sake of Espers, after all.

“After you disappeared, Myung-hwon couldn’t accept any guiding.”

“…What?”

“The doctor mentioned earlier that Myung-hwon’s energy had stabilized a lot.”

“Wait. You’re saying he couldn’t accept guiding at all? How is that even…?”

No Esper received guiding as a hobby. It represented a necessity for their survival. The price of wielding such violent power was steep. Without guiding, an Esper could lose their mind or even self-destruct. Every year, accidents occurred because Espers hadn’t received guiding in time.

“They said it was psychological.”

“Then all this time… how did he…?”

It was hard to believe. No matter how high-ranking an Esper was, Ju-eon had never heard of one surviving for years without guiding. Seo Yun-jin didn’t bother to explain that Myung-hwon hadn’t been “fine” during that time.

“He relied on medication.”

“Is that even possible?”

It hadn’t been just a few months—it had been years. When Ju-eon guided Myung-hwon, he had noticed the dense, violent energy within him, but never imagined it had been building up for years without guiding. Seo Yun-jin shrugged at Ju-eon’s question. She, too, marveled that he hadn’t gone berserk. Having stayed by his side, she knew just how much Myung-hwon had suffered. For the first time, she realized that silent endurance could convey deeper sorrow than overt anguish. The torment she had witnessed likely represented just the tip of the iceberg.

“It’s probably only possible because it’s Myung-hwon.”

“…I didn’t know.”

“You don’t need to feel guilty about what happened while you weren’t here.”

“…I know.”

Ju-eon smiled softly at Seo Yun-jin’s attempt to comfort him, and she returned the smile without pressing further.

“Well, let’s put the small talk aside and get to the main point. If I keep you here too long, Myung-hwon might hold it against me.”

“No, he wouldn’t. He’s good at separating work and personal matters, and he’s so kind and soft-hearted.”

For a moment, Yun-jin felt an overwhelming urge to ask if they were even talking about the same person. But seeing Ju-eon’s shy smile, she decided not to rain on his parade.

“…Ahem.”

How many people who knew the real Yeo Myung-hwon, not his media persona, would describe him as “kind”? Especially given his recent behavior, Seo Yun-jin could only manage a bitter smile at Ju-eon’s innocent comment.

‘He’s really putting on a show.’

She used to wonder why someone as sweet as Ju-eon would date someone as intense as Myung-hwon.

“Sorry. I must’ve sounded like a lovesick fool.”

“Why apologize? Alright, let’s really get to the main point now.”

Ju-eon omitted the details of what he had done to track down Myung-hwon and what had happened in the restroom.

“Will this be reported directly to the higher-ups?”

After finishing his account, Ju-eon hesitantly asked. Only after explaining everything did he realize he hadn’t mentioned that he lived under the name Woo Ju-won.

“Well, it’ll go through the Team Leader first. Luckily, we found you in the dungeon before anyone else, so your identity hasn’t been made public yet…”

“Does that mean if the higher-ups ask for a detailed report, my personal information will have to be included?”

“You might not know this, but everyone’s attention focuses on the dungeon that appeared in the middle of the city. You know the International Allied Conference is being held in Korea this year, right?”

“Yes.”

“Because of this incident, they considered canceling it, but since there were no fatalities, they’re pushing ahead with it.”

“…I think it’d be better to discuss this when the Team Leader is present.”

This wasn’t something Yun-jin could decide on her own. The two of them stood up together.

Click.

As they stood in front of the room where Myung-hwon was, they could hear Kang No-hun’s voice from inside. He sounded agitated, his raised voice making the conversation clearly audible.

“You know, I heard I was the only one who wrote the resume. Ji-woo and Yun-jin must be plotting against me, right?”

“…….”

“…Myung-hwon? Why aren’t you answering? Is it true?”

Though they couldn’t tell what the conversation was about, the increasingly heated tone suggested it wasn’t pleasant.

“The Team Leader really holds grudges. Let’s just leave him be.”

“Pardon?”

Seo Yun-jin seemed to know what the conversation was about, clicking her tongue in exasperation. She glanced at Ju-eon before smiling dismissively.

“This isn’t something I should explain.”

“Sorry? What do you mean…?”

“Let’s just go in.”

Ju-eon couldn’t make heads or tails of what she meant. Was it something he needed to know?

Knock knock.

Even though they knocked, no response came from inside. Normally, No-hun would have sensed their presence outside, but he seemed too caught up in his emotions to notice.

“Myung-hwon, I’m not saying this because of the resume, but isn’t a month-long leave a bit much? You’ll be fine in a week at most.”

Click.

Perhaps sensing that they shouldn’t overhear any more, Seo Yun-jin quickly opened the door. The two men inside turned toward the door, startled. Seo Yun-jin broke the silence with a sigh, pressing her fingers to her forehead.

“Team Leader, could you lower your voice?”

“…You’re back already.”

“I told you we’d be in the room next door.”

“…How much did you hear?”

“From the part about the resume.”

“Oh.”

Kang No-hun awkwardly laughed, glancing at Myung-hwon for his reaction. Myung-hwon looked flustered, but not because the door had suddenly opened. He had already sensed Ju-eon’s presence outside the door. What startled him was that No-hun hadn’t noticed Ju-eon and had blurted out such things.

Ju-eon walked over and began gathering his belongings. Myung-hwon, not expecting Ju-eon to leave, was slow to react. It wasn’t until Ju-eon reached the door that Myung-hwon hurriedly asked.

“Where are you going?”

“The dormitory.”

Though he had quickly washed up in the restroom, he still felt grimy and wanted to shower properly back at the dorm. Besides, his training wasn’t finished yet, and his phone was dead, so he hadn’t been able to contact Gu-young or Su-hui.

“Now?”

Kang No-hun looked at Ju-eon with pleading eyes, but Ju-eon avoided his gaze. Though he had focused on Myung-hwon since he woke up, Ju-eon also had things he needed to take care of.

“I don’t think there’s anything more I can do here, so I’ll head out first.”

“No, just being here is enough.”

Ju-eon bowed slightly as he opened the door.

“You’re busy with work. I’ll get going now.”

“Alright, Ju-eon. See you later. I’ll call you.”

Only Seo Yun-jin bid him farewell.

“Okay.”

He wasn’t leaving because Myung-hwon had lied to him or because he had spoken about things Ju-eon didn’t know as if they were obvious.

“See you tomorrow.”

It would’ve been a lie to say he wasn’t upset at all, but it wasn’t enough to make him outright angry.

“Phew.”

He needed to go home and clear his head. After all, they’d see each other tomorrow.

‘I need to shower first.’

He had only managed a quick rinse in the hospital restroom, not knowing when Myung-hwon would wake up. Now that training was almost over, he needed to catch up on things. As he planned out his tasks, someone suddenly hugged him tightly from behind before he could leave the hallway. The familiar scent of Myung-hwon filled his senses, and the desperate grip on his shoulders conveyed an urgency.

“Are you mad?”

It wasn’t painful—just sad. Seeing Myung-hwon so desperate over something like this felt unfamiliar. The fragments of anguish he had endured seemed to stab at Ju-eon, a reminder of the scars left on those who stayed behind. Softening, Ju-eon shook his head.

“No.”

“Liar.”

“…I just didn’t want to get in the way of your work.”

“Are you upset?”

“…….”

“…Hmm? Answer me, Ju-eon.”