No. It’s nothing.Raon quickly shook his head. Since the System was gone and he’d been living more freely, he sometimes caught himself thinking thoughts he never used to.Shaking it off, he continued walking. Then he saw a familiar figure approaching.“Siwoo.”“Where were you, Raon?”“I saw the Director and got my evaluation done.”“Oh. And the results?”“Yeah, they said I’m fine.”Raon forced a smile. He didn’t want to say anything that would make Siwoo feel uneasy. Fortunately, Siwoo didn’t seem to notice anything off. Raon let out a quiet breath and continued.“And I heard from the Director—Espers from the European Union are coming soon.”“Why?”“I’ll send you the briefing later. One of them is an A-rank healer Esper, and the other is someone you know. The healer is coming to help Dasom.”“Ah.”Siwoo’s expression darkened immediately. He clearly knew who it was. Mikhail did not get along with Siwoo either.“I’ll be receiving the two of them in place of Team Leader Seo and guiding them through the Center. You’re coming with me.”“Alright.”There would be guards present, and if Mikhail had any sense, he wouldn’t cause a scene in another country—but one never knew. Raon felt more secure having Siwoo beside him.Raon reached out and took Siwoo’s hand. His hand was larger, firmer than Raon’s—steadying. He hadn’t grabbed it intending to guide, but warmth spread instantly at the touch.“And it looks like our house will be ready soon. The Director said it shouldn’t be too far from the Center. Is that okay?”“…Yes.”Siwoo nodded slowly. His face was still pale, still fragile in hue—but the tips of his ears were flushed bright red. He was still shy about these things, every single time.“Start packing what you have. So we can move right away.”“There’s not much to pack.”“Yeah?”Raon smiled and lifted his free hand, brushing his palm along Siwoo’s cheek.Before, Siwoo would freeze whenever Raon touched him like this. Now he accepted it fully—and even leaned into Raon’s hand, rubbing his cheek against his palm. The sight stirred something low and warm in Raon’s body.Maybe we should stop by a guiding room first.It was already late. They could return to the training field «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» whenever. Raon’s thumb grazed Siwoo’s lower lip slowly, deliberately.“Ah—Team Leader! There you are.”“……!”A voice cut in. Raon turned to see Juwon hurrying over, waving. Raon’s smile tightened.“You were taking a while, so I came to look for you. You’re heading back to training now, right?”“…Mm.”Interrupted at the perfect and worst moment, Raon forced the corners of his mouth upward. Behind Juwon, Taehyeok elbowed him sharply in the side—too late.“Training. Right. Time to train.”“Aha… Team Leader, about that…”Only now realizing Raon had been with Siwoo, Juwon gave an awkward laugh. Raon approached him slowly.“I’ll make sure you sweat so hard you’ll beg for mercy. Let’s go, Guide Juwon.”“H—Team Leader—!”Juwon was dragged away like a hostage. Taehyeok sighed and followed.“Hm. Not bad.”Raon spoke casually as he looked around the spacious home. Starting today, this was the place he and Siwoo would live together.The house had been arranged quickly—too quickly. The Center and the military must have been waiting for the chance. If Raon hadn’t requested living arrangements himself, the military likely would have issued a formal request soon anyway.With Seo Dojin in that state, every S-rank Esper is precious now.They intended to keep Siwoo in peak condition before the next irregular Gate. Having Raon, his matched Guide, living with him meant sustained guiding—military command would be thrilled.“How is it, Siwoo? Do you like it?”“Yes.”Siwoo answered in his usual subdued tone. Remembering the empty, barren state of Siwoo’s previous quarters, Raon let out a faint sigh. Siwoo probably didn’t care where he lived. To him, a room was simply a place to sleep.“Look carefully. This is our home now. Check everything.”“I like everything. It’s all fine.”The moment Raon folded his arms, Siwoo’s body went stiff with tension. Raon laughed quietly.The place was large—an entire top floor as a single unit, reminiscent of the penthouse he had lived in before regression. It wasn’t luxury for luxury’s sake—the security was the point.Guards were stationed downstairs, and every area of the home had reinforced safety measures. Even if a Gate appeared nearby, the building would not collapse easily.If it were a home for an Esper alone, it wouldn’t be this fortified. But because Raon, a Guide, would also be living here, the state had spared no expense.Raon continued touring, satisfied.“Look at this—this kitchen’s huge. You could bring in ten chefs.”“I’ll be the one cooking.”“Why bother? If we call, people will come.”“I don’t want other people coming here.”“…Yeah?”Siwoo sounded like a territorial animal. In his old quarters, he wouldn’t have cared who came or went.Is it because it’s the place we’ll share?Raon laughed inwardly.“Speaking of which—I’m hungry. What should we eat?”“What do you want?”“They say you’re supposed to eat jajangmyeon on moving day.”“…Jajangmyeon…”Siwoo looked troubled—clearly his first time attempting it. Raon couldn’t hold back his laugh.“Haha, it’s fine. We can just order takeout or eat something else.”“No. I’ll try making it.”“You don’t have to—”But Siwoo was already determined. Raon couldn’t stop him.“If it gets difficult, stop, okay?”“Just finish unpacking and shower first.”“Alright.”Raon watched him with fond amusement. It was cute, seeing Siwoo insist on doing something difficult himself.He went to his room.“Hm. I don’t have much stuff either.”He had called Siwoo’s room barren—but his own was the same. The Center’s personal item regulations were strict. He had never cared much for possessions anyway. But having a real home again left him feeling unexpectedly complicated.“Maybe… I should hang photos.”Raon brushed a blank wall with his fingertips. He could hang art or decorations—but he wanted photographs. Something lasting.Pathetic. I’m getting soft.He let out a dry laugh. Whatever comfort he had now was temporary. A mirage.He unpacked quickly and stepped into the bathroom. Even though the Center had handled the move, fatigue weighed on him.“Haa.”After showering, he walked back toward the kitchen—already prepared to find Siwoo frustrated and on the verge of tears, to comfort him and suggest takeout.“Hmm?”But the air was filled with a warm, savory aroma. Sweet notes mingled in the steam. Raon narrowed his eyes.He actually made it? Not instant packets?He stepped forward. Siwoo stood at the stove, back turned, expertly flipping a wok.“You—”“You’re back? It’s almost done.”“No, wait—you—”“I had to look up a tutorial, so it took a while.”Siwoo glanced over his shoulder, voice calm. But Raon couldn’t process any of it.Because—Raon was staring at the apron.A soft pink apron, trimmed with frills. On Siwoo’s frame.It should have looked ridiculous. But it didn’t. At all.“What… are you wearing?”“This?”Siwoo finally looked down at himself. He let go of the wok and met Raon’s gaze carefully.“Is it weird?”“…Mm.”The problem was that it wasn’t weird. Siwoo’s face was so absurdly beautiful that anything looked right on him.Raon nodded slowly, resigned.

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