Chapter 149

He wanted to meet him once the lecture ended, to speak with him somehow. But the moment it was over, the man vanished swiftly, surrounded by strict security—gone before Jaeha could find a way to stop him.

“What’s this? Didn’t know you were a fan.”

“Kid was staring at his face the whole time. Guess that’s what a pretty face does.”

“Didn’t you hear the rumor last year? That he dumped that girl who was famous for her looks? Hey, Song Jaeha. You can tell us, right? Is it true?”

The only ones left were his friends, teasing him after he’d rushed out in a daze. They elbowed him with playful jabs. He smiled awkwardly. He wasn’t in the mood—but he wasn’t the sort to storm off sullenly, either.

“It’s not like that…”

“So after you broke up with Jisoo, you haven’t been seeing anyone? Wait, was that breakup because of him too?”

“No, everyone said Jisoo dumped him because of his hyung.”

Jisoo? Who the hell is that? Jaeha suddenly felt like crying. Apparently, this version of himself was active, sociable, even dating—very unlike the real him. And if his “hyung” had ruined his relationship? He didn’t want the details.

He just picked up his bag instead of answering. He had to find Aiden—no matter what.

“Look at him, he’s about to cry. Stop teasing. He’s trying to run away.”

“Hahaha.”

He could barely stand their cheerful tone. He forced a smile, let it fade, and considered simply moving on with the mood—leaving quickly to figure out, once he reached the Association, how to see Aiden. But the words slipped out unconsciously:

“Didn’t you think… it was strange?”

“What was?”

“That… Guide Ye Aiden’s speech just now.”

“And what about it?”

He let his gaze drift over the faces of these friends—friends who felt familiar without carrying a single real memory with him. That only made the dissonance sharper.

“Don’t you think… he praised the Association too much?”

Like someone brainwashed.

“Really? But the Association is impressive.”

“Look at other countries. Hardly any of them even have a centralized association like ours. Most are guilds competing so viciously over gates that Breaks happen all the time.”

“Exactly.”

“……”

Is that really how ordinary people see it? Maybe if he’d never been an esper in the real world, he’d have thought the same. Even as an esper, if he hadn’t known Aiden properly, maybe he wouldn’t have cared either.

“I… I’m gonna go.”

“Eh? What about next class?”

“I’ll call you later.”

And then he knew it for sure. Maybe he was exaggerating. Maybe he was forcing meaning into things that weren’t there.

But without Aiden, this world was empty to him.

“Hey—!”

Bag in hand, he ran. Ran to find Aiden.

The taxi ride to the Association was familiar, yet dragged like eternity. His chest felt scorched with urgency, like when he’d once rushed to visit Aiden hospitalized after a raid.

Of course, even if he made it to the Association, meeting him wasn’t likely. That lecture had shown clearly enough how busy and tightly guarded he was. Even in this altered world, he seemed unchanged as Korea’s only S-rank Guide.

“Thank you.”

Still, Jaeha moved heaven and earth. He paid the driver, sprinted to the Association building. Because he’d warned his parents ahead of time, he wasn’t blocked at the entrance.

“Jaeha!”

“Fa—Dad!”

He nearly slipped into calling him 아버지 (abeoji, father) from old habit, but corrected himself. A middle-aged man in a white uniform greeted him warmly. In the real world, his father had been almost his own age when Jaeha knew him. Seeing him aged with dignity stirred something strange in his chest.

“What’s this about, calling me at work? You scared me. Your mom too, she was worried.”

“Hahh… I’m sorry…”

He had known he was intruding, calling several times while they were surely busy—of course they’d been startled. His mother hadn’t shown up, probably unable to leave work. She must be shaken after their talk that very morning.

His father looked like he was about to scold him for recklessness, but when he saw the boy pale, gasping, he softened instead. He patted Jaeha’s back gently, soothing him. Jaeha grabbed his arm tightly.

“I—I’m sorry. But could you do me a favor?”

“A favor? Something urgent?”

“Yes. I want to meet Guide Ye Aiden. Even just briefly. I need to see him.”

He still didn’t know what he would say. But he was convinced an answer would come, if only they met.

“…Guide Ye Aiden? You mean the S-rank Guide?”

His father frowned deeply at the name, voice low. Jaeha nodded quickly.

Would his father in this world know Aiden? Remember the raids? Maybe he could help him.

“This is…”

Letting out a troubled sigh, his father couldn’t shake off his desperate grip. Finally, he pulled out his phone.

“I don’t know what this is about, son.”

“……”

“But alright. Sit down, catch your breath.”

“You—you’ll do it?”

He pressed his phone between shoulder and ear, gently pushing Jaeha into a chair. As Jaeha clung to his sleeve, he gave a small laugh.

“You know I’m always on your side. As long as you’re not in trouble with the law, it’s fine. I’ll try.”

His hand ruffled Jaeha’s hair softly. The boy’s throat constricted at the tenderness, unable to speak.

“……”

And then a thought struck troublingly clear. Wasn’t he rejecting everything about this peaceful world? Treating it like a lie?

His parents had no idea their son might be planning to betray them, abandon this life, chase after another reality. They didn’t know he was calling their world fake. They were just agreeing, without even question, to his plea. The ache of guilt nearly crushed him.

“Hello—it’s me,” his father was saying into the phone. “Jaeha’s here at HQ. Is there any way to get in touch with Guide Ye Aiden? …Mm. Alright. Let’s meet.”

Was he calling the boss? Aiden’s boss, perhaps. Jaeha swallowed. He didn’t want to deal with him at all—but forcing the issue would clearly help nothing.

“Alright, thank you. See you later.”

By the time that conversation ended, Jaeha’s breaths had evened out. His father crouched in front of him now, eyes worried.

“Jaeha. I told your hyung to meet us. He’ll be here soon. I have to go back now, but Beomwoo said he’ll try to contact Aiden for you. Don’t worry too much, okay?”

“Yes…”

“Good. Just explain it properly later. Your mom’s going to worry.”

Jaeha nodded. His father smiled kindheartedly, patted him once more, and left for work, glancing back again and again to make sure he was alright. Jaeha mustered a faint smile each time, reassuring him until the elevator doors closed.

“……”

Maybe it was silly, feeling like this at his age. But to someone who had lived carrying his own burdens alone, never daring to rely on anyone, the fact that he could ask for help and receive it—without reason, without cost—felt miraculous. He repeated to himself silently: Don’t get used to this. Don’t.

Sweat cooled on his body, leaving goosebumps. Jaeha scrubbed at his forehead with a sleeve, shivering. This reality felt too solid. Could it really be false? Yet Aiden’s too-perfect, too-polished face still haunted him, goading him to act.

“……”

Guides in uniform passed, glancing at him. He ignored them, chewing the inside of his cheek to mask his nervousness.

Until finally—

“Song Jaeha.”

“……”

He snapped his head up to the voice calling him.

And there stood his boss—wearing that all-too-familiar frown, the kind that shouted concern to anyone looking. And Jaeha smiled weakly, pretending to welcome him.