TGIC Ch 113

Chapter 113

I arrived by taxi at the place where I was supposed to meet Huai Yan.

Of all places, he had to choose near the Association. Typical of an Esper. Because of that, I was on edge, anxious that I might run into someone I knew.

As I glanced around warily, a car rolled up and stopped in front of me. The window slid down, and Huai Yan poked his head out.

“You really did come alone?”

“…Yes.”

“Get in, then.”

The car Huai Yan drove was an ordinary black sports car. It wasn’t the flashy red kind, so I was relieved as I climbed in.

Strapping on the seatbelt in the passenger seat, I heard him ask:

“Does Vasily know you’re going to China? If he misunderstands and thinks I abducted you, that would be troublesome.”

“I left a note behind.”

“Hmm… I see. Then maybe that’s fine. Let’s head to the airport.”

The car slid smoothly into motion. Even as the Association building shrank further in the side mirror, I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

“By the way, is that little bag all you brought?”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t that far too little?”

Huai Yan frowned at me, carrying only a single small bag, but I answered nonchalantly:

“I only intend to fix the suppression chip issue and return immediately, so there’s no problem.”

“Come on, China has so much to see. Do some sightseeing before you leave. I’ll show you plenty of good places.”

“No thank you. I’m not in a position to be away for long.”

Honestly, I wanted to as well, but since Vasily wasn’t coming with me, I had to get back to Korea as quickly as possible.

If Vasily had come, it would have been good. We could have taken our time, enjoyed the sights together. Maybe even grown closer during the trip.

The roads were unusually empty today, so we reached the airport quickly.

Stepping into Incheon Airport, I walked briskly, tension coiling inside me. I feared my departure might be blocked, but no one stopped me at the checkpoints or during the immigration process.

Back when I was an S-rank Guide, I couldn’t even leave the country on my own. Vasily had to accompany me.

Now, with our official compatibility no longer especially high, and me reduced to a C-rank Guide, it seemed the Association overlooked me. A horrifying surprise for the official who would later hear of my departure—but for me, a stroke of luck.

My phone remained silent. Still asleep? By the time Vasily noticed, I’d already be in the sky.

Huai Yan, done conversing with an airport worker, returned to me.

“We’ll need to wait a bit longer. The private jet’s final checks aren’t finished yet.”

“Private jet?”

Thinking about it, whenever Vasily and I were sent to China, they always arranged private jets for us. China was known for its generosity with Espers, so it wasn’t surprising that Huai Yan had come using one.

“The inspection will be done soon. Oh, and don’t worry—the press has been barred from entering the airport, so you can relax.”

He sat opposite me. The moment he did, I scrambled awkwardly to my feet.

When he gave me a questioning look, I muttered softly:

“I’ll just… head to the restroom.”

Using that excuse, I slipped away to a corner out of his sight.

Vasily was the only one who knew I was going to China, and that thought unsettled me. I needed someone else to know. Fishing through my contacts, I considered calling the Association—only to shake my head. No, they might stop me from leaving. My parents? No, I didn’t want to worry them.

After pondering while tapping my phone screen, I recalled the perfect person.

“…My doctor.”

I hadn’t saved his number, but he’d been using the same one for six years straight. Punching in the familiar digits, I hit call. The line connected quickly.

“Hello, doctor. This is Guide Kwon Gidam.”

– Ah, Guide! A good morning to you.

As expected, his voice welcomed me warmly, though tinged with surprise. There was no time to waste, so I got straight to the point.

“I’ll be accompanying Esper Huai Yan to China for a short time. If I’m out of contact for more than a week, please notify the Association that something must have happened.”

– What? To China, you say? Does Esper Vasily know about this?

“…He doesn’t yet.”

Sensing the gravity of the situation, the doctor seemed rattled.

– W-wait, Guide Kwon Gidam, are you at the airport this moment? Don’t board that plane yet, let’s talk about this a little more—

“I have no choice. I’ll return quickly. Until then, please look after Esper Vasily.”

I cut the call after saying only what needed to be said.

Now the doctor knew I was leaving, and that my companion was Huai Yan. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a safety net of sorts.

After all, Huai Yan was an officially recognized S-rank Esper. He couldn’t afford to make trouble openly. With my status as Vasily’s exclusive Guide, it would be even harder for him to touch me.

On paper, I was just a C-rank Guide. China had no shortage of those, so the government would hardly spare me any notice.

I waited in the departure lounge until someone announced that the inspection was over. At no point did anyone step in to block me.

So indeed, they hadn’t stopped my departure. Relieved, I rose to head toward the private jet—when my phone began ringing insistently.

[Vasily]

…Had the doctor told him?

Too late to chase me now. So instead he called.

“Go on ahead and board,” I told Huai Yan. “I’ll just take this call.”

“The plane’s about to take off. Don’t talk too long.”

After Huai Yan boarded, I stared down at Vasily’s name on the screen, hesitating. The call ended once—only to come again at once. This time, I took it.

……

Nothing. Though connected, neither of us spoke. The silence dragged on until Vasily finally broke it.

– I was a fool. To fall for such an obvious lie.

As though I had betrayed him. Rubbing my brow, I sighed.

“Did you even read the note properly? I’ll just turn off the suppression chip and return right away.”

– And you expect me to believe that? Guide Kwon Gidam, you’ve always thought only of running away from me.

“Believe it or not, it’s your choice. For the record, I’m already at the airport. Even if you rushed here now, it would be too late.”

……

Vasily fell silent. If the doctor had told him, then he knew well I was at the airport. So he made the call instead of chasing.

Still, he said nothing for long enough that I thought of hanging up.

“If you’ve nothing left to say, I’ll end the call. The plane is about to—”

– …Don’t go.

A frail voice filtered against my ear. I froze.

– Don’t go, Guide Kwon Gidam.

It wasn’t a mistake—I had heard right. Again that trembling voice seized me.

I, who had never once heard such a tone from him, found myself shaken. Was he sick? The unease made me ask seriously:

“Esper Vasily… are you all right?”

And if he wasn’t… would I turn back?

“…I’m already at the airport. The plane will be leaving soon.”

……

More silence. My fists clenched tightly. What if he really was unwell? Never, in all the time I’d known him, had he shown such weakness before. The thought gnawed at me.

But I forced myself to stay the course.

If his condition was bad, that only underscored how urgent the suppression chip problem was. Once resolved, I could guide him properly again, stabilize his waves.

If we could return to our original compatibility, Vasily would recover swiftly. I pictured him, strong again, living through his prime—and somehow found the strength to stand firm.

“You won’t be guided for a while, so take care of yourself and rest. I’ll return soon.”

The moment I finished my words, I deliberately cut the call. Then I switched off my phone entirely, fearful that if another call came, my heart would sway.

Shoulders heavy with turmoil, I boarded the jet. Inside, Huai Yan greeted me with a lazy smile, a glass of wine in hand.

“Who was it—Esper Vasily?”

“…Yes.”

“And all settled? Good. Sit down. The control tower just cleared us for takeoff.”

I fastened my seat belt in the plush chair, but was far from at ease. Looking out the window, the long runway filling my view, my chest only grew heavier.

“Do you have a fear of flying or something?”

“No… it’s not that.”

“Your face says otherwise. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Do I really… look that bad?”

“Yeah. You look like someone who’s sick.”

At his words, I checked my own reflection in the glass.

…Pathetic. Truly pathetic.