7 ~ If He's With You, I'll Feel Safe

To be honest, I hadn't planned on doing this. This was the first time I'd ever allowed myself to be guided. I wanted to try seeing things from another perspective. I needed to learn about the inner workings of this man and how I could see how far he could go to guide me.

 

This time it wasn't an Esper that'll be controlled by a Guide. It would be me.

 

"I had lost control a little and I had to do something about it before I completely lost myself."

 

Dr. Yoona walked to Minseok, giving him a hug from behind. "Thank you. You've helped me save Seojin's life!"

 

Minseok smiled and replied, "You're welcome. I can tell you care a lot for him, so I'm glad I could return some of what you have given him."

 

"That's not true!" Dr. Yoona said, wiping her face with the back of her hands. "I don't think I'll be able to thank you enough for finally breaking through his tough shell. Thank you, Minseok."

 

He bowed his head slightly. "No, no, your gratitude is unnecessary. I was only trying to help Seojin."

 

"I know, but I still want to express my thanks." She reached out and hugged him once again.

 

"Oh, come on, I already told you. There's nothing to worry about. You should focus on getting better," Minseok insisted, still holding on to her.

 

"But..."

 

"Please trust me, ma'am," he said, gently patting her on the shoulder. "Let's get you well so you can spend more time with Seojin."

 

"You're right, I suppose," she conceded as she took her hand off Minseok.

 

Then she turned her attention back at me, "Knowing you, I'm sure you'd still want that mission assigned to your team regardless of your health."

 

"Well, yes, the citizens are de—"

 

Before I could finish, Dr. Yoona cut me off. "I'll take care of it. Just make sure you stay put. You will not be moving until I say you can move."

 

"No! Can't do that. I need to keep going," I protested, but Dr. Yoona held up her index finger and shook it side to side, signaling that I couldn't continue without permission.

 

"I won't let you do anything risky. If you insist, you will have to wait here until Minseok confirms that you are fit to go back on duty," she stated matter-of-factly, eyes fixed firmly upon me.

 

Her gaze felt like a sharp blade slicing through my chest. The fact that she wasn't letting me join the rescue mission was killing me inside. I wanted to go so badly, but I knew better than to push any further.

 

"Fine," I grumbled and gave up.

 

"Now then, where were we? Ah yes, we're talking about how much I love Seojin," Dr. Yoona said, looking at me with a smile.

 

Dr. Yoon had been making herself sick with worry over me ever since I collapsed last week. She wouldn't listen to anyone when they tried to tell her I would be alright after a day or two of resting—AS I USUALLY DO!!!

 

Instead, she forced me to stay in bed for the entirety of the week and kept me company every second of every day. Now that she knows I'm fine, she's like a completely different person. Her energy levels have skyrocketed, and she's grinning from ear to ear. She's like a mother who's been reunited with her long-lost child... and I happen to be the lost child.

 

Minseok rubbed his chin as he looked at me. I know he was staring at me, but it felt like he was trying to see if I was really okay. It made me feel self-conscious, so I averted my eyes.

 

"It seems that Seojin is quite the eye pleaser, hmm?" Dr. Yoona piped up, her voice betraying her excitement.

 

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

 

"Oh, nothing. I just found it interesting that the only man my Seojin could be comfortable enough to hug is a foreign male Guide," she replied, her eyes shining with curiosity.

 

"Huh..."

 

"Anyways, Minseok, what's your take on all this? You seem quite taken by Seojin."

 

Minseok had been watching me carefully while she was speaking. Once she finished, he turned his attention to Dr. Yoona and lowered his voice. "He's an incredibly powerful Esper. I've never seen someone have such immeasurable mana reserves before," he mused.

 

"That's my Seojin!" Dr. Yoona exclaimed, clapping her hands together. Then she went back to fiddling with the ends of my hair.

 

I swatted her hands away. "How many times do I have to tell you not to touch my hair?!"

 

She mouthed something and whacked me on the arm, which made me yelp.

 

"Ow! What did you say now?! That hurts!" I cried out in pain.

 

"I love you, too, Seojin. I just want to make sure that everyone else does as  well." Dr. Yoona cooed, still smiling brightly.

 

"We're in public! Stop saying things like that!" I scolded, but I couldn't help but smile myself.

 

"You know, I think we should go out somewhere sometime soon. Just the two of us," Dr. Yoona said, looking up at me. The way she'd spoken made it sound like she wanted to spend some time alone with me.

 

"It would seem I'm interfering in you two's time together, so I'll excuse myself for today," Minseok said, walking over to stand next to Dr. Yoona.

 

"So, as I said, do you think he's fit to go on the mission soon?" Dr. Yoona asked, turning her attention back to Minseok. Her expression was serious, and Minseok couldn't help but feel the same way.

 

"Well... I've been thinking about this for a while, but we barely get along, do we?" He chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

 

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. You're right," she agreed, nodding like some sage.

 

"But if he's going to lead his team, then I have to be there with him, don't I?"

 

"Yeah, I guess," she murmured, agreeing with him.

 

I watched them from the side, listening to their conversation. They were so comfortable with each other, like they'd known each other forever. It wasn't surprising to see how easily they could slip into teasing each other. In fact, I almost felt bad for my next words.

 

"Hey, he said I could join in the mission, so—"

 

"If Minseok goes along with your team, then you are free to do whatever you please," Dr. Yoona said, cutting me off mid-sentence. She looked at me expectantly, and I blinked several times before answering.

 

"Great! I'll be on my way." I stood up quickly.

 

"Wait, wait, Seojin!" Dr. Yoona called after me, but I didn't look back.

 

"Do what you will, but don't expect me to waste any more time; the people need me." I muttered under my breath before leaving.

 

*****

 

I had changed into a set of clothes that I hadn't worn in quite some time. The tight black t-shirt hugged my body nicely, accentuating my chest and shoulders. I paired it with a pair of black cargo pants and a thick belt, which added to the overall effect of making me appear even more muscular than usual.

 

Looking in the mirror, I smiled. Yeah, this is perfect. I took one last glance around the changing area before heading towards the door.

 

I walked through the hallway till I met Na Ri, Hye Jin, Soo Min, and...

 

Sigh

 

Minseok.

 

He waved at me, flashing those white teeth of his. He's smiling. That bastard is actually smiling at me.

 

"Oppa!!!" Soo Min cried out, running toward me.

 

Huh?