Confinement Constitution Guide

Warning! Gully 300m Ahead (9)

I stood still in front of the bathroom for a while before coming to my senses. Sa Hae-geon, who had hurriedly left the room, seemed to be gathering his wits and preparing dinner, as I could faintly hear the clattering of dishes.

“What on earth is going on…”

The more I thought about the absurd situation, the more I couldn’t help but laugh. Then suddenly, I realized I was still not wearing anything. Thinking I should at least put something on, I was about to walk to the closet when I noticed neatly placed pajamas and underwear on the dressing table in the powder room. It seemed that was the reason Sa Hae-geon had entered my room. He must have been about to leave after placing the folded clothes when I unfortunately came out of the bathroom.

Recalling Sa Hae-geon’s face turning red with embarrassment, I couldn’t help but chuckle. His hasty retreat was kind of cute too.

‘No, no.’

…What am I thinking? I was just feeling embarrassed and confused a moment ago.

I shook my head vigorously to get rid of the strange thoughts spreading through my mind. I might have shaken it too hard as my vision spun, but at least my mind felt clearer.

I put away the clothes Sa Hae-geon had left in the closet, then took out the most ordinary prisoner pajamas and a pair of black briefs to wear. It’s amazing that among all the clothes packed in this huge closet, only a handful were normal. Should I be grateful that there are at least some relatively ordinary ones among the bizarre designs?

With such idle thoughts, I slowly headed towards the door. I could hear the sounds of dinner preparation through the closed door. Since it would be awkward to just go out as if nothing had happened, my hand hesitated on the doorknob.

‘Somehow, I keep ending up in uncomfortable or awkward situations with this guy…’

It bothered me that I had never been so incompatible with a kidnapper before. Well, discomfort is discomfort. I decided not to be overly conscious, since we wouldn’t be seeing each other for long after this confinement ends anyway. In fact, wasn’t Sa Hae-geon more at fault in this situation? I resolved to go out brazenly, putting on a thick skin with a deep breath.

After much hesitation, my hand finally turned the doorknob. As I passed through the gently opening door towards the kitchen, I saw Sa Hae-geon standing in front of the stove, absorbed in cooking. As if he hadn’t just run away in surprise, he casually asked without making eye contact:

“Have you finished dressing?”

“Yeah.”

“I see.”

Sa Hae-geon’s ears were slightly red as he nodded. …Wasn’t it supposed to be no big deal? Despite all his silly and absurd actions, it seems Sa Hae-geon lacks immunity in this area. Feeling that his reaction wasn’t too different from mine, I felt a bit less uncomfortable.

Even after I confirmed I was dressed, Sa Hae-geon didn’t easily look at me. Right. Despite all his eccentricities, Sa Hae-geon is still young. So he might not be immune to situations like earlier. Of course, the same applied to me.

“It’s almost ready. Please wait just a bit longer.”

“Take your time.”

“Wait while wearing the shackles.”

“Ah, right. The shackles.”

Only then did I remember the shackles that were neatly arranged in a corner of the living room. By now, I didn’t feel any aversion or discomfort towards the shackles after wearing them a few times. They felt almost like a part of my body. While I put the shackles on my ankles myself, Sa Hae-geon busily prepared food in the kitchen.

As I yawned softly, listening to the sound of dishes being placed on the table one by one, Sa Hae-geon, who was ladling soup, suddenly spoke to me.

“Are you very tired?”

“Huh? Well…”

“Still, eat before you sleep.”

“Mm. I will.”

I had to listen since Sa Hae-geon was terribly attentive about my meals. Of course, the fact that the food he makes is delicious also plays a part.

The dinner time, which I thought would be awkward, passed surprisingly quietly. Sa Hae-geon, seeming to be aware of his mistake, didn’t do anything strange or say anything silly. As soon as I finished eating, I prepared for bed and lay down. Although it’s not good for digestion, I was so mentally and physically tired that I didn’t care about such things.

Maybe because I had put more effort into Guiding than usual, my body felt heavy with intense fatigue even though I had worked less than when I was in the field. It felt as if I was sinking deep into the ground through the mattress. As I closed my eyes, recalling the events of the day one by one, sleep washed over me as if it had been waiting.

The next morning. My eyes sprang open. I felt so refreshed that I wondered if I had momentarily died while sleeping, given how deeply I had slept.

“I’m in such great condition today!”

I stretched as I got up and started making the bed. There was no special reason; I just wanted to tidy up the bedding myself since I had started the day so refreshingly. However, Sa Hae-geon, who entered my room after hearing me stirring, seemed to have a slightly, no, very different idea.

Sa Hae-geon, wearing an apron with a snowman wearing an upside-down bucket on navy fabric, looked serious.

“…Hyung.”

“Oh. Good morning.”

“Why are you making the bed?”

Sa Hae-geon stared at me as if he had received a great shock. His eyes, round like a rabbit’s, were filled with a complex mix of bewilderment, anxiety, and doubt.

‘…Why on earth?’

I couldn’t understand the reason. Of course, I’m not very good at tidying up, but it wasn’t bad enough to deserve such a look. Moreover, it’s not like I’ve been making a mess in this house. Seeing Sa Hae-geon, who hadn’t shown much emotional change until now, suddenly looking at me like that made me feel unfairly accused.

When I didn’t say anything and just kept fiddling with the blanket, Sa Hae-geon strode over. He snatched the blanket from my hands with his cold hands. I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight, as if he was extorting some valuable item. After taking the blanket from me, Sa Hae-geon tidied it up without a single wrinkle and then said to me:

“This is something the kidnapper should do. You shouldn’t do it, hyung.”

“It’s not such a big deal to make the bed. I understand that you don’t trust my skills, but even I can manage the simple task of tidying up the blanket I slept under.”

“That’s not what I meant. How could I not trust you? I just said that because I want you to rest comfortably here, at least in this place.”

Sa Hae-geon, grumbling in a sulky voice, skillfully removed the pillowcase and left the room hugging it. I alternately looked at the bare pillow and the door, feeling somewhat naked.

‘…I hope I didn’t drool in my sleep.’

Although I had this silly worry, it was already out of my hands, so I decided to just go along with it, just like yesterday.

* * *

I was being tortured, not really tortured, while eating egg porridge for breakfast at the table. That terrible Sa Hae-geon was barely eating his own meal, instead observing me. Although I had become somewhat used to his gaze, today it felt different and kept bothering me.

I tried to ignore it and continue eating, but Sa Hae-geon’s gaze felt like a dog begging its owner for a walk, making it impossible. I finally put down my spoon and looked at Sa Hae-geon.

“If you have something to say, say it.”

Sa Hae-geon then opened his mouth as if he had been waiting for this.

“Are you very tired?”

“No, not particularly. Why?”

“I think both you and I overdid it yesterday.”

I wondered what he was trying to say by asking such a thing. Knowing all too well that Sa Hae-geon was an unusual person, I felt unnecessarily tense.

“I originally wanted to train together today too. But I think it’s better to just rest at home.”

“Why?”

I clearly remember how excited he was about training with a Guide. My head filled with question marks at Sa Hae-geon’s out-of-nowhere statement. Sa Hae-geon just blinked his eyes silently at my response, then mumbled an additional reason.

“I’m a bit tired, probably because it’s been a while since I trained.”

“Tired? You seemed fine yesterday.”

“Muscle pain usually comes the next day, right? It’s similar with abilities.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. I’m not sure if it’s the same for other Espers though.”

I hadn’t particularly heard about that before. Could it be some side effect from not receiving Guiding for too long? Thinking along those lines, it made a bit more sense. Despite his large build suggesting excellent stamina, it seems his internal state was not good at all. Somehow, I felt pity for Sa Hae-geon.

I drank water while glancing at Sa Hae-geon, who hadn’t even finished a third of the egg porridge he had made. I hadn’t noticed earlier, but the atmosphere seemed to have become strangely subdued… His appearance bothered me somehow, making me feel uneasy. It was as if the egg porridge Sa Hae-geon had made was stuck in my throat.