Episode 54. Giving Up Isn’t Just for Counting Cabbages (6)

The sharp words exchanged during their first meeting resurfaced, though Sodam’s version lacked the same bite as Juyul’s had back then. Still, the shared memory brought a small, knowing smile to both their lips.

When Juyul wiped her clean, Sodam finally quieted, tensing slightly under his touch. But despite the awkwardness, a faint chuckle still slipped from her lips.

After wrapping her securely in a blanket he had pulled from the depths of the dressing room, Juyul effortlessly lifted her and placed her on the sofa. He had been so thorough in bundling her up that she couldn’t even feel the smooth leather beneath her.

It wasn’t as luxurious as the bed, but still, it felt too comfortable—almost excessive. Sinking into the plush cushions, she let out a soft laugh.

“So, are you going to make me tea now?”

“There’s also coffee and juice. Whatever you prefer.”

“Hmm… Tea, then. But something different from yesterday’s.”

After issuing her precise order, something suddenly came to mind—something she had completely forgotten in the midst of everything.

Like, for example, the slices of bread she had tossed into the toaster, desperately trying to distract herself from her guilty conscience.

She let out a quiet groan, pouting.

“Ahh… my toast must be cold by now…”

“I’ll make you fresh ones. Just sit back and rest.”

Now that was a pleasant surprise. Sodam let out a hum of satisfaction. A piece of toast made by an SSS-class Esper—practically a national treasure in the Association—felt like an incredibly indulgent breakfast.

As a creeping chill set in, she huddled deeper into the blanket, hugging it tightly while idly glancing around. That was when her eyes landed on a phone sitting beside her.

Unlike her own, which was covered in cracks and scratches, his looked pristine, untouched, almost brand new—just like she’d expect from someone with his personality.

Just then, the dark screen lit up with a bright notification.

「Association: S-Class Monster Subjugation Schedule. Departing today…」

She couldn’t see the full details, but it told her everything she needed to know.

An S-Class subjugation. Departing today.

Which meant that, unlike the subjugation in Gunsan, this mission wouldn’t be completed within the day.

Recalling that Juyul’s subjugation schedules were typically planned at least a month in advance, it was clear—this had been arranged in a hurry.

It could have been a real emergency, just like what happened in Gunsan. But to Sodam, this felt more like someone had stolen another Esper’s mission and handed it to Juyul instead.

‘That bastard Association President…’

If she had her way, she’d curse him out in front of everyone, reciting complaints from verse one to eighteen. And if she factored in the expectation that a dedicated Guide should always accompany their Esper on the field, she could probably stretch it to twenty-eight verses.

That insufferable man was clearly trying to wear her down by throwing away other people’s opportunities just to force her into a corner.

The screen soon went dark, but that single message remained burned into her mind. Closing her eyes, Sodam carefully reviewed the situation.

‘With my current condition, a domestic subjugation is impossible. If it were overseas, I could at least rest during the flight, but here, I’ll have to keep moving constantly. And if it’s on some damn island, I’m screwed. Car, train, boat—I might have to take all of them. Please, just let it be a simple flight. Allah, Buddha, God, I’m begging you!’

Perhaps the distant deities had heard her desperate plea, because suddenly, the sweet scent of flowers reached her nose.

At the very least, Buddha seemed to have granted her wish.

Opening her eyes, she spotted a tea set and a neatly arranged plate on the coffee table—four slices of toast, butter, jam, all prepared and waiting for her.

Still, Sodam wasn’t ready to give up yet.

With a hesitant smile, she poked Juyul’s thigh a few times. The thick blanket made it hard to tell exactly what she was prodding, but she was fairly certain she had found his leg.

“…Guide Maeng Sodam. Do you really want to pass out this time?”

…Maybe she hadn’t been poking his thigh after all.

Slowly, she retracted her hand, clearing her throat dramatically.

“Ahem! Uh, you got a message on your phone earlier. I figured you should check it…”

“Oh? And here I thought you were disappointed about not passing out.”

“Who would be disappointed about that?!”

If she had the strength to sit up properly, she would have expressed her indignation more fiercely. But in her current state, the most she could do was grind her teeth in frustration.

Meanwhile, Juyul had already settled beside her, reaching for his phone. Sodam subtly glanced over and caught sight of the message. It was long—painfully so—and filled with unnecessary apologies while detailing the circumstances of the mission.

She groaned at the sheer length of it.

“Ugh, just reading that could make someone suffocate. Are all their messages like this?”

“Pretty much.”

“…Can you at least drink your tea?”

“Of course I—”

She hesitated, suddenly questioning her own abilities.

“…Maybe? No, wait, I will do this. I accept the challenge.”

She had confidently agreed, only to hesitate. Even as she clutched the blanket, her hands trembled—how was she supposed to hold something heavier like a cup? Ugh.

Struggling upright, Sodam carefully lifted the teacup to her lips.

“Oh, I can do it!”

“Your hands are shaking like crazy.”

“That’s a minor detail. What matters is—I lifted it, didn’t I?”

The tea inside wobbled dangerously with every tremor of her fingers.

Despite the slight difficulty, she managed to take a sip. The warmth spread through her, easing the tension in her body. Gradually, her trembling lessened, until only the rim of the cup quivered slightly against her lips. This is basically normal now, she reasoned.

“I guess warm drinks really do help. I feel a lot better now.”

“…”

“Oh, come on, it’s true.”

Juyul’s doubtful stare made Sodam wiggle her limbs under the blanket in exaggerated protest. He probably knew exactly why she was trying so hard to prove herself, which only made her flail harder. Eventually, she exhausted herself and leaned her head against his shoulder.

“…I’m fine. I already signed the dedicated contract—I can’t run away from my first subjugation.”

“If you’re in this state, you can back out. The contract includes a one-week break after ‘deep Guiding.’ You can use that as an excuse, and the Association won’t be able to argue.”

“No, no, no! If I do that, it’s basically announcing that we had sex first thing in the morning!”

“…That wouldn’t even be a lie. What’s the issue?”

His blunt, work-oriented response made her see red.

Sodam furiously gulped down her tea, pulled away, and stated clearly, “I’d rather not go around broadcasting that, thank you very much.”

“Why not? Saying you provided deep Guiding would actually boost your career.”

“Oh, for—! Do you realize how that makes it sound? Like I only slept with you because it was my job!”

“…So you’re saying there was another reason?”

For once, Sodam had nothing to say.

She could have come up with dozens—no, hundreds—of excuses. The mood, the physical proximity, instinct, whatever. But for some reason, she didn’t want to lie.

If she stripped away all the excuses, all that remained was Juyul himself.

If it had been anyone else, she would have ruined the mood and run. And Juyul had given her an out. If she had pushed him away this morning, nothing would have happened.

This was her choice.

But admitting that? Saying out loud that he was special to her? Just imagining it made her ears burn.

Blaming it on drinking her tea too fast, she quickly changed the subject.

“Anyway! I’m going. You’re my Esper, so of course I’m going too.”

“…That’s how you’re justifying it?”

“Of course! You can’t just use me all night and then say I’m not your Guide anymore, can you?”

Despite her sharp words, Juyul didn’t look the least bit annoyed. If anything, he seemed pleased. He pulled her close, a smirk on his lips.

“Right. I wouldn’t dare deny my Guide.”

“Good. Now, can you let me eat my toast in peace?”

“How could I let my Guide dirty her hands? Open up—I’ll feed you.”

“…You do realize my hands are completely fine, right? No thanks.”

Undeterred, Juyul held the toast up to her mouth, his persistence unwavering. Frustrated, Sodam snatched it from him and stuffed it into her mouth before he could insist again.

Halfway through chewing, she realized her tea was already gone. Her jaw ached as she struggled to swallow the dry toast, and in desperation, she snatched his coffee and downed it in one go.

Wiping her mouth dramatically, she smirked.

“There. I drank my Esper’s coffee. You’re not petty enough to get mad about that, are you?”

“Not at all. If you want, I’ll even make a fresh one for you. What do you say, Guide?”

“Ugh, that polite tone is creepy. Never do that again.”

It was just meaningless banter, simple back-and-forth teasing.

Yet, for some reason, she couldn’t stop smiling.

And when she glanced at Juyul, he was smiling, too.

This moment—whether since her possession, or perhaps even before, in Maeng Sodam’s entire life—felt like the warmest one she had ever had.