Uijae stared at his two phones, one showing the twelve missed calls from Lee Sayoung, and the other with Jung Bin’s ssage. He let out a long sigh and pressed his forehead against the steering wheel. As much as he wanted to rush to the Seowon Guild to question Nam Woojin about what he knew, he couldn't shake off the voice that echoed in his mind.
"Do whatever you want. I know you're hesitating."
That voice belonged to Lee Sayoung, the one person who constantly kept Uijae tethered, the one thing that felt like a weight around his neck.
“Fine, Sayoung. You win.”
Uijae lifted his head to see Gaeul watching him with a worried look. Removing his cap, which had been pushed up during his frustration, he asked calmly, "Do you need to take you sowhere, Gaeul?"
"Sowhere...? Oh, maybe ho?"
"Won’t your parents wonder where you’ve been?"
"Ah, no. They’re both at work."
"I’ll take you ho, then."
"What? Oh... but, wait, aren't you supposed to do more investigating? What about everything we just saw?"
"I do have more to check on..." Uijae trailed off, rubbing his thumb over the phone screen showing Sayoung's missed calls, "but soone’s waiting for ."
"Okay..."
Uijae handed her his phone. "Give your number. I’ll contact you if anything cos up."
Gaeul quickly input her number, and Uijae saved it with a short sigh.
---
After dropping Gaeul off, Uijae parked the truck in a quiet alley near the Wave Guild building. Well, technically, the goldfish parked it for him.
Once he stepped out, donning his mask and changing into a new outfit, the goldfish scattered and drove the truck away on their own. Their usefulness never ceased to amaze him. With a click of his tongue, Uijae walked toward the Wave Guild’s headquarters.
The mont he entered the lobby, he felt the stares. No one approached him, but it was impossible to miss the curiosity directed his way. It wasn’t malicious, but the weight of being Rank 1, along with the swirling rumors about his relationship with the Guild Leader, was sothing Uijae couldn't escape.
'Damn it.'
He pulled out the temporary key card from his jacket pocket and scanned it at the entry door. As whispers grew louder behind him, he hurried through the entrance.
When Lee Sayoung was asleep, Uijae used the back entrance for guild mbers, thanks to Bae Wonwoo's assistance. Letting the public know that J was staying in one place for too long was never a good idea. However, Sayoung had forbidden that route, handing him a key card instead.
"From now on, use the front door."
"…"
"What? What's with that face?"
"I'm fine with how things are."
"Wouldn’t it be better to co and go openly? You’re not a rat..."
'What the hell did you say?'
If he hadn’t added that last remark, the mory would’ve been a pleasant one. But, as always, Lee Sayoung had to sprinkle in unnecessary comnts, enough to rile Uijae up.
Uijae stepped into the elevator, inserted the card, and pressed the button for the top floor. As the scenery blurred past him, the doors eventually opened, revealing the faint presence of others.
“Hey, it’s J!”
Kang Jisoo waved enthusiastically. Bae Wonwoo and Kang Jisoo were sitting near the Guild Leader’s office door. Uijae gave a slight nod and approached them.
"What are you two doing here?"
"The Guild Leader kicked us out."
"..."
"He must be receiving so kind of important report. Where have you been, J?"
"Oh… um, just at the Awakener Managent Bureau."
“Ugh.” Kang Jisoo pretended to gag. Bae Wonwoo gave him a sympathetic look, as though understanding his plight. Uijae tilted his head, confused.
"Why?"
"Going there is a nightmare. All they do is lecture you, fine you, and make you deal with Captain Jungbin. And, to top it off, he’s terrifying when he's mad."
“Even the Director is scary.”
“Yeah, I agree.”
Oh, right. Uijae rembered the conversation he had with Director Ham Seokjeong. Didn’t Jung Bin and Bae Wonwoo bring Lee Sayoung in? So, was Bae Wonwoo also part of the Awakener Managent Bureau at so point? Uijae hadn't known that. Maybe it was after the West Sea Rift incident. Curious, he asked, “I heard from the Director that you used to work for the Bureau with Jung Bin?”
“Huh? Oh, she told you that? Haha… well, I wasn’t exactly an official mber.”
Bae Wonwoo scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.
“After the West Sea Rift… well, let’s just say they were short on manpower. The Bureau recruited hunters temporarily. I was sort of a rcenary for them.”
“I see…”
“I worked with the captain for a while back then. But when Sayoung decided to start a guild, claiming he wanted to open closed rifts, I followed him.”
“Why?”
Bae Wonwoo, given his experience, would have been treated well within the Bureau. He could have joined any good guild with his credentials. Why follow a freshly awakened rookie like Sayoung? Bae Wonwoo looked around awkwardly before smiling.
“Well… I was concerned about his health, for one. And his ambitions were big.”
“Ambitions?”
“He wanted to open closed rifts.”
“…”
“That’s a new idea, isn’t it? Opening closed rifts. It’s not sothing an adult’s rigid mind could co up with.”
Opening closed rifts. Anyone with half a brain could imdiately understand what that ant.
*Opening the West Sea Rift.*
And the thought of what could be inside…
Just then, the door opened without a sound, and a head wearing black sunglasses popped out. It was Minggijeok. He glanced at the two crouched outside the door and then at J standing in front of them.
“The Guild Leader asked to tell Deputy Leader Bae to stop rambling about the old days, as he’s showing his age.”
“Hey! If you tell anyone I’m old, you’ll get beaten up.”
Minggijeok’s head disappeared behind the door for a mont before reappearing.
“He says it’s none of his business.”
“Oh, that little…”
“Also, Deputy Leader Bae and Kang Jisoo should return to their posts. He only wants J inside.”
“See? He just wants J all to himself again!”
“Guild Leader! You know you have a ton of work to finish today, right? You better get it done!”
“He says, ‘Get lost right now.’”
“Is Minggijeok even delivering the Guild Leader’s ssages, or is he just saying whatever he wants?”
“I’ve been thinking the sa thing, Jisoo.”
“He says, ‘Shut up.’”
“Hey, Minggijeok! You’re coming with . I’ve had enough of this.”
“I’m against violence… ack!”
Minggijeok was dragged away by his tie, but even as he disappeared, he winked at Uijae through his sunglasses. What the hell was that about? Uijae awkwardly nodded in return before cautiously entering the slightly open door.
Inside the spacious Guild Leader’s office, Lee Sayoung sat at his desk, dressed in a shirt without a tie, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was flipping through a file but looked up when Uijae entered. Maybe it was because of the different attire, but Uijae felt oddly tense. Sayoung’s gaze slowly traveled from Uijae’s head to his toes. His purple eyes glinted behind his glasses.
“Looks like you had fun? You didn’t answer your phone.”
Sayoung intertwined his fingers and rested his chin on them. Uijae, feeling strangely defensive, answered more brusquely than usual.
“Hey, I was talking to an elder. Couldn’t pick up.”
“I manage to answer.”
Well, that’s because you're rude as hell, Uijae thought, biting back the retort. Sayoung adjusted his glasses and leaned on his elbow. The pen he held between his fingers tapped lightly.
“So?”
“What do you an, ‘so’?”
“What did you talk about?”
Was it guilt, or was Sayoung already aware of everything? Uijae scratched his head, feeling oddly cornered.
“Just... old stories. Why?”
“You should’ve told about it. I’ve been stuck here all day.”
Sayoung gestured for him to co closer with a lazy flick of his hand. Uijae clicked his tongue in annoyance.
“Don’t gesture at your elders like that.”
“So? Are you not coming?”
“….”
With a sigh, Uijae moved closer to the desk, and a soft laugh escaped Sayoung’s lips. Uijae stood across from him, feeling sothing in the atmosphere that made him unusually self-conscious. Was it just him, or did Sayoung’s gaze look particularly mischievous today? Sayoung extended a hand, palm facing up, a faint scar running down the middle.
“…What?”
“Hand.”
He wanted Uijae’s hand? Uijae placed his palm in Sayoung’s open hand. Sayoung removed his glasses, set them aside, and gently tugged Uijae’s hand toward him. Resting his cheek against Uijae’s palm, he closed his eyes. Uijae’s eyes widened in surprise. The cold, soft skin of Sayoung’s cheek filled his hand, and the tickle of eyelashes brushing his fingertips made
him shiver. He opened his mouth to say sothing.
“Now I feel a little better.”
Watching Lee Sayoung rest his face in his hand, Uijae felt a strange warmth fill his chest, as though a spring breeze had passed through. It was soft, gentle. He clenched his other hand behind his back, trying to shake off the sensation. But then…
“…By the way.”
Sayoung’s teeth gently grazed the pad of Uijae’s palm, making him frown. What now? Sayoung slowly opened his eyes.
“Did you eat snacks with Ham Seokjeong or sothing?”
Oh, damn it.
“You sll a bit sweet.”
Of course, I do, Uijae thought. I stirred that damn tteokbokki for a good while! Trying to keep his composure, he responded, “I grabbed a quick bite at a snack shop nearby.”
“Ah, sure. You did all that while wearing a mask?”
“….”
As Uijae turned his head slightly, Sayoung bit down on his wrist. It didn’t hurt, but the sight of his teeth marks left Uijae exasperated. Satisfied, Sayoung gazed at the imprint before sighing dramatically.
“Honestly, always lying… and you’re terrible at it.”
“What.”
“Well, never mind. I’ll let this one slide. I won’t even ask what you were really up to.”
That was strange. What was he up to? Why was he being so lenient? Uijae looked at him suspiciously, but Sayoung simply smiled, gently tracing Uijae’s hand.
“On one condition.”
Of course, there it was. Uijae glared at him from behind his mask, waiting for the inevitable demand. Sayoung intertwined their fingers, bringing Uijae’s hand to his lips.
“For the Assembly, enter with .”
“….”
“Wear the outfit I’ve prepared for you.”
Uijae could feel the smile against his hand.
“Not as my assistant, but as J.”
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