Churu for the Angry Guide

67

“I was going to make it for you.”

Geonho’s face was full of dissatisfaction after failing to cook repeatedly.

“It’s fine. This is more delicious.”

Siwoo ate a hearty boxed lunch instead of the unidentifiable, burnt-black food. It was packaged by Jihan. He had given them the meals and left, as it was time for him to go to work.

“How do you know without trying it?”

“I don’t need to try it to know.”

Siwoo gestured for Geonho to eat quickly too, without complaining. Geonho was holding an Esper-specific lunchbox twice the size of Siwoo’s.

“You should eat porridge instead of rice.”

“I’m not that sick. I just have a slight fever.”

Originally, Jihan was going to buy porridge, but Siwoo said he wanted to eat meat. Since he had an appetite, it seemed the cold wasn’t too severe. However, to Geonho’s eyes, Siwoo looked like a frail patient.

“Having a fever means you’re sick.”

“Ah, you talk too much, really.”

Siwoo frowned and roughly tore into a large piece of Korean beef rib. He then immediately picked up another side dish and stuffed it into his mouth.

“Eat slowly. No one’s going to take it away.”

Geonho, who had been grumbling, laughed with a sigh as he watched Siwoo eat the lunchbox hurriedly.

Siwoo always ate food quickly. Not just Churu, but even when eating regular food, he would devour it instantly as if vacuuming it up. It’s not like anyone was chasing him.

“Hey.”

Siwoo called out to Geonho after gulping down a mouthful of food.

“Put on a shirt.”

Even if it was the lodging, still. He was fully exposing his burly chest muscles. Not considering the person looking at him.

“Shirt? Ah, shirt.”

Geonho had forgotten he was shirtless.

“I usually sleep completely naked. But I kept my pants on.”

“Just hurry up and put it on.”

Since it was a fact he already knew, Siwoo gestured with his chin towards Geonho’s clothes on the floor. Geonho immediately brought the clothes over with his telekinesis without saying a word.

“Wait.”

As Geonho was about to put on his clothes, Siwoo stopped him. Geonho tilted his head and smiled lightly as he saw where Siwoo’s obvious gaze was directed.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s almost healed.”

When he tapped the bandaged shoulder, Siwoo’s frown deepened. His expression was scolding, asking why he was touching the injured area.

“It doesn’t hurt at all.”

Thinking Siwoo was worried, Geonho unwrapped the bandage to show him. But contrary to expectations, he received a shocked reaction.

“Your shoulder was… bitten?”

The flesh sewn with thick thread was still not fully healed. It was a serious wound even at a glance.

Surprised, Siwoo put down his chopsticks and opened his mouth wide. He thought it was just a minor injury since Geonho showed no signs of pain. He had even said directly that it wasn’t a major injury.

“It was bitten a little. Just a little.”

Geonho shrugged his shoulders and quickly covered the wound with the bandage. From his perspective, it wasn’t a serious condition, so he showed it without much thought.

“It’s healing quickly thanks to your guiding.”

He told Siwoo not to worry and to continue eating. It was nonsense. Siwoo’s guiding from last dawn hadn’t worked at all. He could barely read the wavelength, but that was it.

As Siwoo kept glaring at the bandage, Geonho personally put the dropped chopsticks back in his hand.

“Eat quickly. You’re hungry, aren’t you?”

Siwoo’s lips quivered as he watched Geonho naturally hold his hand again. But soon he fixed his gaze back on the lunchbox.

He should tell him not to touch casually. But for some reason, the words wouldn’t come out.

“Don’t work until your fever goes down.”

Geonho said contentedly as he watched Siwoo eat only the meat, leaving out the vegetables. Siwoo, who had been eating normally, immediately refused.

“I don’t need to rest. The fever isn’t that high.”

“You shouldn’t work when you’re sick.”

“I told you I’m not sick.”

“You are sick. Staggering and having a fever means you’re sick.”

Siwoo frowned at Geonho’s firm attitude. He felt guilty for resting without doing any work.

It had been over a week since he signed the contract, but he hadn’t officially started working yet. Yesterday’s guiding was just done willingly, so it couldn’t even be called work. It wasn’t effective either.

“I’m really fine…”

“We’re all fine too. No one needs urgent guiding.”

Siwoo hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. Anyway, doing guiding in a weakened state wouldn’t be efficient. He decided to rest sufficiently while he could.

After finishing the meal and taking cold medicine, Siwoo sprawled out on the bed. Geonho watched Siwoo pat his full stomach while collecting the used water glass.

“But why don’t you gain weight?”

It was amazing that he didn’t put on any weight despite eating so well. It’s not like he had a lot of physical activity either.

“How would I know?”

Siwoo replied casually while yawning. Eating his fill brought on drowsiness. Seeing that nonchalant attitude, Geonho burst out laughing as if a button had been pressed.

“You should know your own body.”

Though he was chuckling, his voice was serious.

“Take good care of your body. They say you have to protect your own body.”

At his low voice, Siwoo’s indifferent expression also became serious.

“Who said that?”

“My brother.”

Geonho’s voice, which had been speaking seriously, grew a little louder.

“My brother knows everything. He’s a genius. A genius.”

Geonho’s smile widened like a child bragging about their family. It was clear he was genuinely proud of his brother.

“Do you like your brother that much?”

“I do.”

The answer came immediately. It was an attitude Siwoo could never understand.

Is that how family is supposed to be? He suddenly wondered if you’re just supposed to like them unconditionally because they’re family, no matter how coldly they treat you. Though looking at the Leader, it didn’t seem that way.

“Call me if you get bored after waking up. I’ll come to the lodging right away.”

“Where are you going?”

Hadn’t he said he was under house arrest? He heard he had to stay cooped up in the lodging for a week. But seeing Geonho’s bright expression, it seemed the house arrest had been lifted.

“To work. My brother gave permission. We’re short-handed at the guild right now.”

I see. Siwoo nodded vaguely while fiddling with the edge of the pillow. He thought they would be together until the house arrest was lifted.

“Should I not go?”

Geonho, who had been staring at Siwoo, asked casually. Siwoo blinked, his face saying ‘why are you asking me that?’

“No, I was just asking.”

Geonho laughed lightly and got up from the chair. Then he turned off the lights so Siwoo could sleep.

“I’m going.”

He was about to say ‘sleep well’ and leave, but came back to the front of the bed. There was something he was going to say but almost forgot.

“Haven’t you learned guiding?”

“What?”

Siwoo’s eyes widened at the sudden question as he abruptly sat up.

Asking if he hadn’t learned guiding. He was about to get angry, thinking Geonho was picking a fight, but held back.

“Was it… that bad?”

“No, that’s not it.”

Geonho waved his hand in denial. His next words surprised Siwoo even more.

“I asked because it was too good.”

Geonho continued as calmly as possible. He hadn’t noticed during the matching rate test because he couldn’t feel the guiding at all. But thanks to Siwoo’s hug at dawn, he could faintly detect the energy of guiding. Siwoo’s overly aggressive guiding was also a big factor.

“Do it with moderation. If you pour it out like yesterday, only you will be in danger.”

“That’s how guiding works, isn’t it?”

Siwoo spoke as if wondering what the problem was. The Baekya Guild wasn’t a group of low-level Espers with no control, and except for the youngest, they all had considerable experience. Above all, because of the low matching rate with Geonho, he had to pour out the energy more strongly.

“It worked a little because I poured it out.”

Siwoo asserted as firmly as Geonho.

“It’s dangerous.”

But Geonho’s force was a level above.

“Don’t you know what’s dangerous about it?”

His already deep voice lowered even further. If he didn’t know, he really needed to retake guiding education.

Guiding was a power that saved Espers, but conversely, it could also endanger guides. The more intense the contact, the more wildly the Esper’s desires, usually covered by reason, ran amok. That’s why they had to be careful. For the guide’s safety.

“…Alright. I just need to moderate it, right?”

Siwoo buried his face in the pillow, avoiding Geonho’s gaze. Having completed the training process, he knew what was dangerous. But he thought it didn’t apply to the Baekya Guild.

He thought Geonho would leave after getting the answer he wanted. But Geonho just stood there. As if he had more to say.

“What. What is it now?”

Finally, Siwoo asked first. It seemed like he wouldn’t leave the room until Siwoo fell asleep if he stayed quiet.

“You’re not dating Ha Seojun, right?”

What nonsense is this now?

Siwoo’s eyes narrowed so tightly it seemed they might never open again.

“Are you crazy?”

“Okay, that’s good.”

Geonho left the room with a satisfied smile. Seeing Siwoo’s expression, there seemed to be no need to inquire further.

“Hey.”

“Ah, what now!”

Geonho, who had opened the door and then closed it again, turned his head towards Siwoo. Despite his rough appearance, his actions were at an elementary school level.

“I’ll protect your body.”

A deep smile permeated his fiercely sharp eyes. It was an innocent smile like that of a boy.

“That would be better.”

He closed the door and left before hearing Siwoo’s response. Very carefully, so as not to make a loud noise.

Siwoo turned to face the door instead of the wall, listening to Geonho’s fading footsteps. He blinked for a long time, staring blankly at the door, before falling into a deep sleep. With his hand resting on his hot face.