Instead of loosening his hold on Wi Hajoon's leg, he crouched down fully, wrapping his arms around the muscular leg. The back of his neck was a deep pink. He knew he shouldn't drag out this scene unless he really wanted both the villain and the male lead of the novel to engrave how Rim Young had fallen by a plain old pull and clung to Wi Hajoon's leg for a good while in their memory. But!
But how could he have the guts to even turn his face? He was 100% certain both of them were staring at him right now!
"Can't you stop looking at me?...."
Rim Young muttered. Invisible tears ran down his face. Perhaps too shocked to react until now, Wi Hajoon suddenly began to shake his leg after hearing his voice.
"What the fuck... get off of me! What are you doing? Don't you hear me?!"
The leg in his arms moved violently, almost lifting Rim Young off the ground. Wi Hajoon shouted at him, half disgusted, half irritated by the weight on his leg. They had long forgotten about the monsters who could be rushing to their location after all the noise.
"Erase it from your memory that I ever did this!"
Rim Young shouted back, raising his head at Wi Hajoon, but his eyes were sealed. He couldn't bring himself to face Wi Hajoon.
"What?"
Wi Hajoon exclaimed, stunned, finally lowering and grabbing onto Rim Young to tear him off his leg.
"What are you— why is your grip so strong?! Get off, you bastard!"
"Pfft—"
Hyeong Ki, who had been witnessing everything quietly, bit his lips, suppressing the sound that almost came out of his mouth. Rim Young and Wi Hajoon were both gazing at him.
"You're laughing? You find this funny because it isn't happening to you! Get him off of me."
Although Hyeong Ki didn't want to help either, they were making a racket. It was best if they stopped now. Stepping forward, Hyeong Ki grabbed the arms wrapped around Wi Hajoon's leg and, without struggle, managed to pull them off.
"Just take me away like this. I don't want to open my eyes!"
Sitting on the ground, Rim Young spoke out, his arms in Hyeong Ki's hands. He wanted the male lead to just drag him on the ground to the safe zone.
"You're quite dramatic."
Hyeong Ki remarked, gazing down at him.
"He's just really good at making a scene out of nothing."
Wi Hajoon retorted from the side. Rim Young managed to half-open his eyes at Hyeong Ki.
"I'm sorry, but can't you just take me to the safe zone? I'm really scared of Esper Wi Hajoon right now. Please."
"I don't want to take you to the safe zone either, you sleaze!"
Hyeong Ki's brow lifted as he thought about it, glancing around them, surveying the area. After a few seconds of Rim Young's hopeful eyes staring at him, Hyeong Ki nodded once.
"Alright, then. Let's stick to the original plan. I will take him to the safe zone. You clear the zone. Those creatures surely have noticed us by now. It's only a matter of time before they come here."
"Yes! A truly wonderful idea."
Rim Young nodded consistently as he unsteadily turned away from Wi Hajoon, getting back on his feet. He didn't know why Wi Hajoon had out of nowhere wanted to take him to the safe zone himself when Hyeong Ki had agreed to do so already. Rim Young would have been saved from this embarrassment if Wi Hajoon hadn't changed his mind belatedly.
["Esper Hyeong Ki, there is a group of monsters heading towards your location. Be prepared."]
A voice came through the walkie-talkie clipped to Hyeong Ki's shoulder strap, but before Hyeong Ki could respond, Wi Hajoon beat him to it.
"Wi Hajoon speaking. You can all leave. I will clear the ones left alone."
["Roger that."]
*
Hyeong Ki put his thumb on the fingerprint scanner to unlock the doors to the safe zone, newly built right by the restricted zone. Rim Young had successfully separated the two this time. Only after Hyeong Ki stepped inside did Rim Young follow him in. Immediately upon walking inside the safe zone, the personnel began to remove the equipment on him and check his state with a device pressed to his forehead.
Since Hyeong Ki had informed everyone of his arrival and their plan to let Wi Hajoon take care of the clearance, the staff was already waiting on them. Rim Young was dragged to the side, and a barrage of questions was launched at him. Thankfully, three warnings were issued by the center before they let go of the guide. Obviously, it was different for higher-class guides, but for Rim Young, three warnings were enough. He was sure he wouldn't have to use all three to complete the plot of the novel to ensure Wi Hajoon didn't destroy the world.
Rim Young was taken to the room where guides were waiting for the Espers, along with Hyeong Ki. Seeing them both coming together, Su Iseul, who had immediately run to Hyeong Ki's side, frowned for a split second before turning to Hyeong Ki.
"Ki hyung, is this the guide you brought back from the restricted zone?"
"Yeah, he's the one you were talking about, right?"
"Hm..."
Su Iseul mumbled and glanced at him. Rim Young was trying to slowly get away from them to give them space and let the fated talk without the presence of another when Su Iseul spoke to him.
"Why did you go inside the restricted zone, anyway?"
"Thought I would gain some hands-on experience..."
".....?"
Su Iseul frowned deeply but decided not to ask further.
Hyeong Ki suggested taking Su Iseul home as he was also planning to clock out now, but due to Wi Hajoon still being out there and no other guide left to provide any guiding to him, Su Iseul rejected the offer. Rim Young sat on the couch watching Su Iseul, who was also waiting for Wi Hajoon. They were the only ones left in the room. Everyone else had gone home already, and it was well past 9 PM when Wi Hajoon returned.
Rim Young was worried about Wi Hajoon, that's why he stayed, because the plot had changed by him taking Hyeong Ki out. He was afraid Wi Hajoon might still get injured by something else.
"You're still here?"
Wi Hajoon came into the room, his eyes instantly finding Su Iseul, who was standing beside the water dispenser filling up his water bottle. Su Iseul didn't move a step even after seeing Wi Hajoon and only lightly smiled at him.
"I was waiting for you."
This was exactly the reason why Wi Hajoon couldn't let go of his crush. Su Iseul was a really good friend. It was almost impossible to stay friends with him and dissolve your crush on him at the same time. Though even after seeing Su Iseul run to Hyeong Ki first in the novel, Wi Hajoon hadn't liked Su Iseul any less. Wi Hajoon walked over to Su Iseul, entirely ignoring Rim Young, who was sitting so close it was difficult to even act like they couldn't see him. But it was fine. Since he had seen Wi Hajoon come unscathed out of the restricted zone, he should go home now.
"Water."
Mumbling, Wi Hajoon directly grabbed Su Iseul's water bottle. Su Iseul also didn't resist and let him take the water bottle.
"Is this not disgusting to you? Putting your mouth on someone else's bottle?"
"You need to have a strong stomach as an Esper. I kill those hideous things almost every day. If I had such a weak stomach, I'd just starve myself to death."
"That does make sense...."
Wi Hajoon smirked at Su Iseul's innocent realization and continued to drink from his water bottle as Rim Young sat on the couch, his eyes unconsciously fixed on them as a sudden thought came to his mind. It would be better if he tried to separate these two too for the time being. Wi Hajoon shouldn't fall more for Su Iseul. It would only hurt him more when Su Iseul and Hyeong Ki get together.
"My head hurts. Iseul, guide me."
Wi Hajoon held out his hand towards Su Iseul, putting the water bottle on the counter by the coffee machine.
"Really?"
Su Iseul was about to grab his hand when he abruptly turned to Rim Young and their eyes met.
"Rim Young, why don't you try guiding Hajoon?"