"Are you mad? We're runaway espers. You don't know when or where you might lose control again. Do you really think that's a good idea?"
Having calmed down, Beom-gyu returned to his usual self, though his slightly red eyes and pout gave away his lingering frustration.
"I don't think I'll go on a rampage in the next hour or two."
"Nobody knows that for sure. Just a while ago, you told me not to kill anyone. If you run out of control in the middle of the city, who knows how many people will get caught in it?"
The sharp, rapid words made Beom-gyu's shoulders twitch. Though Joo-hyun felt sorry for the threatening tone, he didn't take back his words. After the first rampage, they taught you in Block C just how dangerous you were to others, tied up as you were.
Watching videos of grieving families of those killed by runaway espers, collapsed buildings, screams, blood, and swirling dust for hours made you feel guilt from head to toe. Hearing about the atrocities you could hardly believe you'd committed made you so fearful that you were even thankful for the confinement in Block C.
Beom-gyu had only been a runaway for half a year. Knowing he still shuddered at the memories of his rampages, Joo-hyun couldn't take his words lightly.
"I know. But... I miss my parents so much."
Though his tears had dried, his voice sounded far more pitiful than when he had been crying. Joo-hyun, who had never felt such emotions, opened his mouth but couldn't find any words.
"This chance might never come again."
"..."
"I don't know when I might die..."
Beom-gyu whispered, lowering his gaze. His conversation with Joo-hyun might have made him feel his death more acutely.
Normally, Joo-hyun would have firmly said no. If Beom-gyu had persisted, he would have used his powers to drag him back.
But today was different in many ways. He wore a plain hoodie, didn't kill at least one witness, remembered the past after a long time, and shared his inner thoughts with someone.
Joo-hyun looked up at the sky. The moon, half-hidden by clouds, hung faintly in the black night, with not a single star visible.
Beom-gyu was the only esper in Block C allowed to contact his family. He had seen him holding the receiver and smiling numerous times.
"My home is close by. I'll just take a quick look at my parents' faces, okay?"
"If you're caught, you could be killed."
"I won't get caught. Even if I do, I'll say I ran off alone. I won't let you get into trouble, hyung."
A runaway esper's escape was treated as terrorism. Even if he didn't accompany him, Joo-hyun would face punishment without a good reason. He had to say no, no matter what.
But instead of shouting at him to wake up, Joo-hyun looked at his wristwatch. It was just past midnight.
They had finished their mission much earlier than expected, so being an hour late wouldn't raise suspicions. Although the choker around his neck would reveal his location, no one checked the espers' locations every hour. They didn't even realise Joo-hyun's GPS in his choker was broken until three days later.
Sighing deeply, Joo-hyun spoke to Beom-gyu, whose hands were clasped tightly together.
"Just one hour."
"Re-really? Can I go? Okay! One hour!"
"But if you run out of control, I won't hesitate to shoot you. You have to do the same."
Beom-gyu nodded vigorously. Watching him with a stern gaze, Joo-hyun felt the cold gun in his pocket with trembling fingers.
He wasn't afraid to die. He was afraid to kill.
Just minutes ago, he had shot a man in the head without hesitation, but that was something he had to do, whether he liked it or not.
Three years after his first rampage, there had been an esper who took over his mission when Joo-hyun shouted that he no longer wanted to do it. That esper never returned from the mission Joo-hyun had abandoned. Since then, Joo-hyun hadn't passed his duties to anyone else.
"Lead the way."
"What?"
"You said you wanted to go home."
"...Yeah!"
Biting his lip to keep his smile from spreading too wide, Beom-gyu answered loudly, unable to hide his joy. Watching him, Joo-hyun thought that even if he was shot as a terrorist, he wouldn't regret it and slowly followed Beom-gyu.
Despite it being past midnight, there were quite a few people on the streets. Joo-hyun found it hard to breathe, his anxiety rising, but Beom-gyu seemed unfazed.
"I used to buy snacks here often."
Beom-gyu pointed with nostalgic eyes, as if the place was familiar.
"Don't look around. Just go home."
"Okay. Ah! I don't recognise that shop. When did it open?"
"Koo Beom-gyu."
The threatening tone from Joo-hyun finally made Beom-gyu close his mouth.
Contrary to Beom-gyu's claim of proximity, the house was quite a distance away, but they managed to arrive quickly by using their powers in less crowded areas.
Despite wanting to come so badly, Beom-gyu stood stiff with nerves in front of the small two-story house. Joo-hyun tried to imagine what it felt like to see your family after half a year, but having no such experience, he couldn't even guess.
"Go on, then."
"Won't they be asleep?"
"They probably are. The lights are off."
It took several pats on the back before Beom-gyu's fingers pressed the doorbell. He pressed it five times, not once, before the front door opened abruptly.
"Who on earth at this hour—!"
"Mum."
The middle-aged woman, wearing a cardigan over her pyjamas, bore a strong resemblance to Beom-gyu. Her furrowed brow, disturbed from being woken up, softened instantly at the sight of him.
"It's been a while."
"Beo...Beom..."
Her lips moved soundlessly before she extended trembling arms to hug Beom-gyu. Supporting her as she collapsed into his arms, Beom-gyu cried and laughed. Her hands, cradling his face, were as delicate as if she feared he'd vanish if touched too roughly.
"Dear, dear! Come quickly!"
At her call, a man who resembled Beom-gyu's father appeared.
Watching from a distance, Joo-hyun felt like he was intruding on something too private.
Though they might not fear their runaway esper son, a runaway esper who was a stranger would certainly be terrifying. After a moment's hesitation, Joo-hyun decided that Beom-gyu wouldn't lose control in just an hour. He hoped and slowly disappeared around the corner.
* * *
Cha In-ho rarely spoke about his acting career during guiding sessions. If asked, he would answer, but Joo-hyun never asked. Therefore, Joo-hyun never expected to find Cha In-ho filming here.
Distancing himself from Beom-gyu's house, Joo-hyun sought out a secluded spot. His hunched shoulders and hurried steps whenever someone passed him looked suspicious, but fortunately, people were indifferent to strangers.
He eventually arrived at a spacious park. People rarely visited parks at this hour. Despite living in isolation for 11 years, Joo-hyun was confident that rule hadn't changed.
But contrary to his belief, the park, with its neatly arranged grass and trees, was bustling with voices.
Joo-hyun, who had visited parks in the early hours as a child to find peace, was surprised but more concerned with escaping unnoticed. Planning to retrace his steps, he saw a couple approaching from the opposite direction and decided to head further into the park to avoid them.
Pulling his hood lower and weaving through the trees, Joo-hyun soon realised why there were so many people here. Under a particularly large and beautiful tree, a crowd had gathered, and numerous cameras indicated a filming set.
Clicking his tongue, Joo-hyun turned to leave. But then he saw a familiar face among the crowd.
Cha In-ho, holding a bouquet, looked on the verge of tears as he faced another actor. Always accustomed to his stoic or cheerful expressions, Joo-hyun felt a jolt of surprise and halted.
When Cha In-ho said something, the other actor slapped him. Though too far to hear, the impact was loud enough to echo.
Joo-hyun involuntarily gaped, thinking how unnecessary it was to hit so hard when pretending would suffice.
As Cha In-ho's turned face straightened, his eyes met Joo-hyun's. Despite the distance and the obscurity of his hood and the tree's shadow, Cha In-ho unmistakably saw him.
Caught in his gaze, Joo-hyun stood frozen.
The filming crew seemed equally confused by Cha In-ho's diverted attention. When the scene stalled, they started murmuring, and soon an NG sign was called.
Cha In-ho exchanged words with someone who looked like the director, handed over the bouquet to a staff member, and walked off somewhere.
Of course, Joo-hyun had no intention of following or even continuing to watch. He turned decisively, seeking deeper darkness within the park. The further he distanced himself from the voices, the calmer he felt.
Finding a darkened lamp post, Joo-hyun sat on a bench beneath it, relishing the quiet.
He propped a foot on the bench and rested his chin on his knee. Hearing someone approach, he didn't move, knowing who it was.
"I searched everywhere. Thought I was seeing things."