AAGULT Ch 69

Chapter 69

“Name: Song Jaeha. Affinity: Mental type… Age: 26. Other than that, there’s not much information.”

“There’s one more thing. He’s good-looking.”

“Hey. Is that really important? …Ahem, well… I guess it is.”

Maybe because he was a mental type, the recorded wavelength graph looked rather troublesome. His pale face made him appear somewhat tired, but that only emphasized his distinct and well-balanced facial features. The soft, deep, bluish-green eyes naturally drew one’s gaze. Hidden behind his calm expression, as though trying to mask his emotions, was a faint sense of unease that somehow…

“He kind of makes you want to help him…”

It tickled a part of their conscience they hadn’t even realized existed.

“Right? Should I apply? I heard Han Dodam from Team 01 already went to take the compatibility test.”

Just as one of them took a sip of coffee and whispered with a giggle in their voice, a shadow fell over them, and someone interjected.

“—I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“Huh?”

“Uh, uh…! Guide Aiden?”

“I heard there’s already a pre-designated pair. It’d just be a waste of time.”

The two guides lifted their heads, but even before seeing his face, the presence alone made it obvious who he was.

His face gave off an impression of reliability and warmth from the very first glance. His features were sharp but not overly so, maintaining a soft and refreshing image. Especially when he smiled, people couldn’t help but be drawn in.

Though he wore the same white uniform issued to all guides, it suited him so perfectly it felt tailor-made. Strangely, looking at him gave the feeling of being back in school—even though everyone present was an adult. He reminded them of the beloved student council president, the quintessential first love.

The man gave an awkward smile and tilted his head slightly.

“A pre-designated pair, huh…”

The guide holding the coffee quickly realized the implication behind his words, but their companion hadn’t yet caught on.

“Well, even so, it’s just a test anyone can take…”

“Hey, hey.”

Elbowing their clueless friend and giving them a look, they signaled the obvious—having a “pre-designated” pair meant the Esper was likely tangled up in politics and power games.

“Oh, I didn’t mention it.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m the pre-designated pair.”

Though his voice was gentle, why did it feel like there was irritation buried beneath it?

Only then did the companion freeze in realization. Aiden reached out toward the tablet in their hands and, ever so kindly, tapped the “x” above Song Jaeha’s compatibility test application. There was an odd pressure behind that gesture.

“So save yourself the trouble.”

“…”

“Understood?”

“Yes, yes…”

With that final smile of satisfaction, Aiden turned and walked away. The two guides, left staring blankly at his back, let out a baffled sigh and sipped their now-cold coffee. The air felt heavy, as if a great storm had just passed. One of them let out a dry chuckle.

“He’s a little different from what I imagined…”

They’d heard he was kind and gentle, and he did seem that way, but…

“Yeah. Something about the way he smiles… Talking to him felt like suddenly taking a pop quiz.”

“Let’s not get involved… He’s clearly on a whole different level. You mess up once and you’re done for.”

“Yeah… Oh, crap, lunch break’s over. Let’s go.”

Their movements as they stood up were quick but heavy. It felt like a strange tension still lingered in the room, as though the man had left some trace of himself behind.

As they walked away, they exchanged quick glances. Though no words were spoken, they were both thinking the same thing.

Somehow, the Aiden they had just encountered… was someone they didn’t want to get involved with. Just watching from a distance already felt exhausting.

He was annoyed.

Honestly, fine—he’d admit it.

He had thought everything would be resolved once Song Jaeha was brought out from under Baek Beomwoo’s control and into the Association’s hands. He had assumed that his irritation stemmed solely from watching Jaeha being helplessly dragged around under Baek’s thumb. But now that Jaeha was here, the irritation hadn’t lessened—in fact, it seemed to be increasing.

“…Tch.” Aiden clicked his tongue and swept his hair back in frustration.

While investigating other victims of the Baek Beomwoo case, a gate had opened, and he was now on his way to see Jaeha again for the first time in a while. Even during this time, Jaeha, completely unaware of how Aiden felt, was probably still receiving guiding from various other guides every single day. That thought twisted something in his chest.

There were too many things that didn’t make sense.

Why had he spoken to those guides earlier? Why had he butted in? With Jaeha’s rank recovery almost guaranteed, it was obvious that Aiden would be his final pair. Jaeha liked him. There was no way that naïve man didn’t like him. Even if Jaeha, having just stepped into the light, had his attention momentarily pulled elsewhere, Aiden could always win him back.

As long as Jaeha was an Esper and Aiden was a guide, that would never be difficult. It was a given.

“Guide Aiden, good afternoon!”

“Oh—hello!”

“Yes, hello.”

As he entered the Association hospital connected to Seoul’s largest guiding facility, staff greeted him. He responded with his usual pleasant smile, maintaining a perfect demeanor as he headed to the floor where Jaeha was hospitalized. What time was it now? Had that guide—what was the name, Han Dodam?—already come for the compatibility test?

Just as he stepped into the hallway, a familiar voice caught his attention.

“…Guide Aiden?”

“Oh, Guide Kwon Ido. Just finished a guiding session?”

“Yes. Today’s session ended a bit early… I heard about the gate opening. Did everything go well?”

“Of course.”

The large man in a suit seemed to fill the hallway. Aiden wasn’t really in the mood to chat, but he responded politely. Kwon Ido was a nuisance, sure, but Aiden held no personal grudge—and getting entangled emotionally was nothing but trouble.

“You’ve been going out on gate missions a lot lately. Are you all right?”

“It’s only been twice. Nothing to worry about.”

“…”

Guide Kwon Ido fell silent. Knowing exactly why he had gone quiet, Aiden felt a flicker of irritation.

It was probably “that incident.” People who had seen him lying low for a while must’ve assumed he was still recovering from “that.” He found it amusing how useful that frame had been—but maybe it was time to shed it. Acting like nothing was wrong, he changed the subject with a smile.

“How’s Song Jaeha doing?”

“His treatment is progressing well. He’s recovering physically and actively participating in rehabilitation. But…”

“But?”

“There’s no real improvement with his memory or Esper rank.”

“…”

That was news to him. He had been told everything was going smoothly. His brow furrowed slightly.

And in that moment, Aiden realized the true source of all his irritation.

“Ah, so that’s it.”

Aiden was intelligent. He was also quick to recognize his own emotions. More precisely, he could identify the inconsistencies and disharmony within himself.

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing.”

He was someone that all Espers desired. As long as Song Jaeha remained an Esper, Aiden would always hold the upper hand. But what if Jaeha’s rank couldn’t be restored and he had to continue living as an F-rank?

What if he became an ordinary person—someone who no longer needed guiding?

Aiden let out a breathless laugh. In front of him, Kwon Ido gave him a puzzled look, prompting Aiden to wave it off.

“It’s still early. He’ll be fine with time. Rather than focusing on his rank, I think it’s more important to be glad that his body is recovering well.”

“True enough.”

“Well then, take care.”

“You too, Aiden.”

After the brief farewell, Aiden passed by him like a breeze and stopped in front of Jaeha’s hospital room. He pasted on his usual calm smile, suppressed the strange emotions twisting inside him as always, and opened the door.

“Jaehaaa~”

His voice, filled with playful affection, was so sweet that it would have startled Kwon Ido if he had heard it from down the hall.

“Iden?”

Sitting up in bed, the man looked toward him with surprise and a bit of excitement. Aiden approached him without hesitation and pulled him into an embrace, thinking—

Aiden needs Song Jaeha to remain an Esper. It’s simply more convenient that way.

But even if he doesn’t…

He could just seduce him.

And if seduction didn’t work—

Then he’d set a trap.

And if the trap was discovered—he’d simply dig a pit so deep and wide that Jaeha wouldn’t even see it coming.