Beyond The Control

Chapter 63

“Hello.”

I stood up quickly and bowed deeply to the two of them. Soon, the Deputy Guild Master approached and sat in the seat opposite us.

The tension increased a bit more. Unlike the Guild Master, who had practically become a recluse after retirement, the Deputy Guild Master was very active in external affairs. He was a celebrity who was seen much more often on TV than in person, so it was impossible not to be nervous when facing such a person at close range.

The man who had entered with him carefully placed a tablet PC on the table. Almost simultaneously, the Deputy Guild Master smiled and spoke.

“Have you eaten?”

“Yes.”

“I wanted to have lunch together, but I had a prior engagement. Shall we have some tea instead?”

With a nod from him, the man quietly opened the door and left. As a result, only three people remained in the office.

The Deputy Guild Master looking at us from across the table was much smaller in stature than he appeared on TV, and his face held a gentle smile. Yet there was an inexplicable aura about him. There was a sense of an unapproachable energy, making me think, “So this is what charisma is like.”

Soon, teacups were placed in front of each of us. After smiling and inviting us to drink with a “Please, help yourselves,” the Deputy Guild Master got straight to the point.

“You both already know what you are to each other. And what kind of relationship you should have from now on.”

“Yes.”

“In that sense, this contract is not just a piece of paper, but also encompasses the future you’ll share as partners. There will undoubtedly be difficult times ahead, but I hope you’ll be able to overcome them well by supporting each other.”

“Yes, we’ll keep that in mind.”

“Well then, shall we proceed with the contract?”

The powered-on tablet was first placed in front of Song Ji-hyeok. But instead of moving his fingers, he opened his mouth, which had been closed until now, and said one thing.

“What if the pair guide acts like a jerk?”

My mouth fell open involuntarily for a moment.

“…I don’t mean Senior Su-hyeon is like that.”

He quickly added, but it was something no one would believe. The Deputy Guild Master also looked surprised for a moment, but then laughed heartily, his eyes crinkling. It seemed like a genuinely amused laugh.

“It’s not about guiding issues, is it?”

“No.”

“Then you two will have to figure it out yourselves, for better or worse. Do you think it would be solved if others interfered?”

Even in this situation, his charisma remained intact. It felt like watching a mother lion rolling her cubs down a hill to toughen them up.

“It’s true that you’re becoming unique and irreplaceable to each other, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be perfectly compatible in every aspect. That would be an unreasonable desire.”

“…”

“Sometimes we can’t even control our own hearts, so how could we change someone else to suit our tastes? Harmony isn’t something that’s just given. You need to say what needs to be said, try to change yourself first, and know when to give up on what can’t be changed. That’s how you gradually adjust to each other.”

There was a weighty message in his words. Song Ji-hyeok seemed to feel it too, as he didn’t say anything more and just said, “I’ll sign,” moving his fingers.

I also completed signing my part of the contract. Having already thoroughly understood and agreed to the contract terms through the copy, there was no need to review it again.

The final touch was the Deputy Guild Master’s part. With a flourish of the electronic pen for an elegant signature, Song Ji-hyeok and I finally became officially recognized pairs. Realizing this, the tension and subtle trembling that I had momentarily forgotten resurfaced slightly.

The Deputy Guild Master, who had now returned to a benevolent smile, offered his final words of blessing and sincere advice.

“I won’t give you platitudes about fighting for the greater good or anything like that. Whatever you do, I hope you create wonderful times without regrets or disappointments.”

“Yes. Thank you, Deputy Guild Master.”

I also responded sincerely and left with Song Ji-hyeok. Unlike the busy administrative office, there wasn’t an ant to be seen in the corridor. Breaking that silence, Song Ji-hyeok spoke.

“He looks like a timid old lady, but he really hits you hard with that smiling face.”

I couldn’t help but look at him with surprised eyes. Did he just talk to me?

That wasn’t all. Finding my reaction amusing, he even smirked when our eyes met. It wasn’t a bright smile, but rather a mischievous one with just one corner of his mouth lifted, but even that felt very welcome.

“You’re free this evening, right?”

“Huh? Me?”

“Who else is here besides you, senior?”

Even his impolite response was equally welcome. Anyway, when I said I was free, Song Ji-hyeok continued.

“Then let’s have dinner together. I’ll treat you to meat.”

“That sounds great.”

As we walked a bit further, an elevator appeared. Checking the time, it was just past 2:20 PM.

“Are you coming to the guiding room later?”

In response to my question, Song Ji-hyeok also checked the time and answered like this:

“Yes. I’ll rough up some people a bit, then come around 4 PM.”

The “people” he mentioned were likely the Espers who tirelessly requested sparring matches. Although I didn’t know exactly who they were, I silently wished them luck. I hoped they would endure well without getting beaten up too much.

***

As promised, Song Ji-hyeok and I went out for dinner together after work. He said he’d treat me to meat, and I had my suspicions, which were confirmed when he took me to the same fancy meat restaurant we’d been to before.

Although it was our second visit, so the layout and interior weren’t as unfamiliar as the first time, there were still things I couldn’t get used to. The prices were as evil as ever. While I trembled as I ordered, Song Ji-hyeok confidently ordered a 5-person combo set and even added alcohol.

To sum it up, the meal was very satisfying. It was impossible not to be satisfied when filling up on high-quality beef.

Song Ji-hyeok also seemed content. However, after ordering three bottles of soju, his face had become a bit flushed. The intensity had left his expression, and his speech had slowed down. It seemed the alcohol was starting to take effect after eating and drinking enthusiastically.

Thinking it was the right time, I casually brought up the topic while eating a piece of already cooled meat.

“Did something unpleasant happen yesterday?”

I thought he might brush it off indifferently since he seemed to have gotten over it now. But Song Ji-hyeok’s response completely missed my expectations.

“You knew I was in a bad mood?”

For a moment, I was dumbfounded and my mouth fell open.

How could you not know when you showed it so clearly? Even a complete stranger would have noticed at that level.

I looked at him wondering if he was joking, but his expression didn’t seem to indicate that. With his gaze lowered and sitting there a bit dazed, it led me to one conclusion.

He’s drunk right now.

If that was the case, it might be for the better. They say in vino veritas (in wine, truth), so I thought I might be able to hear honestly why his attitude towards me had suddenly changed.

“Let’s have another drink.”

Before that, I filled his glass and my own, and we lightly toasted. As I tilted my glass to my lips, Song Ji-hyeok also emptied his glass as if entranced.

“Was your bad mood because of me?”

My heart pounded a little as I fiddled with the empty glass. Whether he knew my feelings or not, Song Ji-hyeok answered without hesitation.

“Yes.”

Although I had thought it might be because of me even without knowing the specific reason, actually hearing it was somewhat shocking. Stunned, I unconsciously blurted out a question.

“Why…?”

Song Ji-hyeok, who had been speaking without restraint, hesitated this time. Soon, his brow furrowed slightly, suggesting his mood had soured again. I thought he might clam up after dropping that bombshell, but fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, he continued with a sulky voice.

“…You said you were going to find a place.”

“What?”

“A place. You said you were going to find one.”

I blinked, not understanding at first, but after mulling it over a couple of times, I could comprehend. We did talk about real estate after guiding yesterday.

“I did… didn’t I?”

But why? Oh, could it be because I didn’t move out sooner?

“You said you liked my place. You said you wanted to live somewhere like that too, but then you go looking for a place without saying a word to me?”

By now, the haziness had disappeared from Song Ji-hyeok’s eyes, replaced by a sharp glint. His pronunciation was also crisp, as if reading from a textbook.

“You were acting like you were going to stick around. I didn’t expect you to suddenly say you were going to move out like that.”

Maybe it was my imagination, but there seemed to be a hint of resentment in his eyes. Caught off guard by this unexpected development, I stammered in response.

“No, it’s natural to move out… You must have been uncomfortable too…”

“Why are you judging my thoughts on your own? When did I ever say or hint that I was uncomfortable?”

I had no words. True to his words, during the time I had been essentially freeloading, Song Ji-hyeok had never hinted or acted territorial. On the contrary, I was the one who felt I should do something and busied myself in the kitchen, and I thoroughly enjoyed the exercise equipment and the comfortable sofa in the living room.

“You ruined all my plans.”

Wait, what is he talking about now?