Joo-hyun had never forgotten the gravity of his actions. The horrors of that day still vividly appeared in his dreams.
Yet, when he sat on a bench with his hood pulled over his head, holding hands with Cha In-ho under an unlit streetlight, he felt as if the bomb wasn't strapped to his neck, and there was no gun in his pocket.
It was almost as if he hadn't just killed someone. As if he was an ordinary person, enjoying a late-night walk, not dangerous, not uncommon.
The idea was laughable. He had never considered himself to be the type of person to entertain such unrealistic dreams.
When Joo-hyun subtly moved his arm, Cha In-ho released his hand without hesitation. Joo-hyun shoved his hands into his pockets and bowed his head low.
"Isn't it about time we head back?"
"Come to think of it, quite a bit of time has passed. My cheek's no longer swollen. Shall we go back?" Cha In-ho responded.
"That's for you to decide."
Cha In-ho chuckled softly and rose from the bench. Enjoying the breeze on his now dry face, he slowly turned to stand before Joo-hyun.
"I was glad to meet you outside."
Joo-hyun didn't vocalise his question, but Cha In-ho seemed to sense his curiosity. Perhaps Joo-hyun wasn't as good at hiding his feelings as he thought.
"Do you know? Out of all those people earlier, I was the only one who knew you."
From beneath his hood, Joo-hyun's red eyes were visible. Anyone who saw those eyes on the street would scream and run away, yet Cha In-ho, looking into those demonic eyes, felt something indescribable, something close to ecstasy.
Joo-hyun, unable to find an appropriate response, mumbled.
"Of course."
"But you're the only one who knows me too," Cha In-ho added.
Cha In-ho often said mysterious things and seemed unwilling to explain them. This time was no different.
Joo-hyun watched Cha In-ho walk away, his figure growing distant until it disappeared. He remained seated, thinking about Beom-gyu and Hana. Hana, who died as they expected, and Beom-gyu, who said one should laugh when happy and cry when sad, insisting that was the important thing.
After spending a bit more time in the darkness, Joo-hyun brushed off his seat and stood up. It was time to return.
* * *
It wasn't long after Joo-hyun knocked on the door that Beom-gyu appeared. Despite being tear-streaked, he wore a happy smile. His parents, who followed him out, were similarly joyful. Even after just a few minutes together, it was evident they were a harmonious family.
"Take care of yourself, okay?" his mother urged.
"Beom-gyu told us about you earlier. He said you always look after him."
Though not particularly affectionate, Joo-hyun couldn't deny it.
As Joo-hyun nodded slowly, Beom-gyu's parents beamed at him. Despite making eye contact, their eyes filled with gratitude rather than fear, much like Cha In-ho's.
Pretending to adjust his collar to hide his choker, Joo-hyun took a few steps back. Beom-gyu embraced his parents once more, and Joo-hyun felt grateful they could part ways alive. The idea of Beom-gyu losing control and killing someone, or witnessing his son's head explode, was too horrifying.
The sky remained dark, hiding their ominous eyes.
On the way back, Beom-gyu, delighted from seeing his parents after so long, walked with a lightness in his step. Though he was usually cheerful over small things, Joo-hyun had never seen him so genuinely happy.
"Hyung, thank you so much for today. I didn't expect you'd agree."
"I didn't expect to agree either."
It had been a life-risking gamble. If anyone had discovered they had left the mission site, their heads would have been blown off. Luckily, no one noticed their brief escapade.
Of course, Cha In-ho knew, but Joo-hyun doubted he would tell anyone. He wasn't sure when he had started to trust Cha In-ho. Not long ago, he had been wary and hesitant.
Not that all his wariness had disappeared. Cha In-ho was still suspicious, but Joo-hyun was beginning to think he wasn't entirely bad.
Given they had to work together for a year, maintaining a good relationship seemed wise. Joo-hyun blinked, contemplating his excuse-like thoughts.
Joo-hyun and Beom-gyu wandered through the abandoned port, heading towards where the car should be waiting. Though later than planned, unexpected delays were common on missions. This delay wouldn't raise any suspicions.
"How are your parents?"
"They seem healthy. I've never seen dad cry like that."
It was too dark to see clearly, but Beom-gyu's eyes were slightly red. However, he still wore a smile, so Joo-hyun turned his head, pretending not to notice.
"I didn't get to see my hyung or noona, but they said they're doing well," Beom-gyu added.
"That's a shame."
"It's okay. Just seeing my parents was enough. And who knows, we might get another day like this."
Joo-hyun felt as if he'd been struck. Such a simple statement, yet he had never heard it directly. His life had always been a mess, and he had never hoped for a better tomorrow.
It was unlikely Beom-gyu would get another chance to see his family during a mission without being caught. Beom-gyu rarely got missions in the city, and even if he did, he would be accompanied by someone else who wouldn't allow it. Even if permitted, it might cost them their lives.
Expecting the worst and thinking negatively was a chronic issue for espers, especially runaway espers.
Though many thoughts filled his throat, Joo-hyun didn't want to spoil the mood by voicing them. So, he smiled lightly and decided to nurture Beom-gyu's hope. Even if it would eventually shatter, leaving him in despair, a day of happiness seemed worth it.
"Yeah, who knows? Good days might come again."
Beom-gyu's swollen eyes widened.
"Hyung, I never knew, but you look pretty when you smile."
"Do you always give thanks in such a creepy way?"
"No, seriously," Beom-gyu insisted.
Perhaps this was the reason. Like his birthplace, Shin Joo-hyun was destined to live in darkness and unhappiness forever, yet he smiled.
To excuse himself, it was too dark, the waves too loud, and he had let his guard down after their escapade. These combined reasons made Joo-hyun miss the nearby presence. And this slight lapse came with a heavy price.
Bang. The gunshot echoed as Joo-hyun's psychokinesis activated.
A man, instantly pierced through the heart by an invisible force, collapsed. Joo-hyun recognised him as the low-level thug from the organisation they had spared earlier. The man, with his slanted eyes, stopped breathing with the same terrified expression he had worn before.
Joo-hyun didn't know why he had drawn his gun. Perhaps he feared the punishment for losing the guiding drugs. Whatever the reason, it no longer mattered. He was already dead.
Joo-hyun cradled Beom-gyu, who lay clutching his chest. His sweat-drenched, pale face was contorted with pain.
Only a high-grade guide could heal such an injury immediately. No guide would come running to help Beom-gyu. They were runaway espers, after all.
"Hyung..."
"Don't talk. Just focus on breathing."
Beom-gyu's grey hoodie was already half-soaked in blood. Even with firm pressure, the bleeding wouldn't stop. Joo-hyun suddenly thought of Cha In-ho. He wasn't far and might come if called. Maybe, just maybe.
"Am I... going to die?" Beom-gyu asked weakly.
"Do you think an esper would die from a single bullet?"
Though both knew they relied on guiding to recover from severe injuries, neither mentioned it.