"There's nothing to be afraid of."
A single insect, having somehow found its way inside, wavered through the darkness. It flitted unsteadily, but rather than crashing down, it sought out the light.
"I've been helped by so many people. I won't die until I repay them all."
The insect, crushed by Joo-hyun's power, disintegrated without leaving a trace.
It was a small, weak, insignificant insect, one that no one would remember. Even if it hadn't died and had reached the light, it would have burned to ashes eventually.
Just like him. Was Joo-hyun, who reached for the light despite knowing better, doomed to the same fate? The runaway esper, so strong he had become weak, hugged his knees.
"How will you repay them?"
"Well, I'm trying my best."
Though he had left his cigarettes behind, the sound of a lighter flicking open echoed through the darkness. The tiny flame burned brightly in the gloom.
"Is matching with me part of that effort?"
He had considered many theories: perhaps quelling rumours or coercing Joo-hyun into missions. Maybe they were all wrong. Perhaps, without any ulterior motives, Cha In-ho had contracted with the notorious runaway esper out of some inexplicable sense of guilt.
It didn't matter. The lighter clicked off, and the hallway grew darker than before. Eyes barely adjusted to the darkness saw nothing after that brief flare of light.
"No. It's a personal interest."
The voice was clear and strong.
Joo-hyun suddenly wanted to see what expression Cha In-ho was making. It pleased him to know that contracting with him wasn't out of mere pity.
"Is anyone there?"
A voice from the staircase at the end of the hallway—it was a night guard.
Runaway espers weren't allowed out of their rooms after midnight unless on a mission. Joo-hyun hadn't filed a request for training or other reasons. Depending on the guard, he might get off with a warning, or he might find himself cuffed to his bed for a week.
"I should go. Take care of your treatment."
"Thank you for calling. It gave me strength. Sweet dreams."
Cha In-ho's goodnight sounded natural. For Joo-hyun, not so much. He fumbled for words, but footsteps approaching the stairs made him end the call silently.
"Ah, Joo-hyun."
He was about to end the call, if not for Cha In-ho's words.
"You'd better have a good reason for being out at this hour." The guard, who enjoyed picking on Joo-hyun and his peers over minor infractions, appeared at the end of the hallway, teeth clenched in barely suppressed glee.
Though he knew ending the call and giving an excuse was best, Joo-hyun couldn't. He pressed the receiver closer, waiting for Cha In-ho's next words.
"I'll come straight to see you once I'm discharged. Don't meet any other guides in the meantime."
Joo-hyun couldn't say anything. Meeting another guide wasn't simple, but what was the point of saying that? This time, he finally lowered the receiver.
"Runaway espers aren't allowed out after midnight. Can't you remember that simple rule?"
The guard stopped right in front of him, eyes shining with a mix of anger and delight.
Cha In-ho had said he would be discharged in a few days. In a few days, he would come to see Joo-hyun in Block C. Thinking of that made the guard's unpleasant touch on his shoulder bearable.
It seemed like a good idea to call, Joo-hyun thought as the handcuffs clicked around his wrists.
"We're resuming filming next week."
Cha In-ho's face was free of bandages as he spoke.
After an accident where equipment had fallen on him during filming, he'd come to Block C looking like a mummy. Though he claimed it was exaggerated, Joo-hyun, with his experience of many injuries, could tell otherwise.
Joo-hyun had declared he wouldn't receive guiding until his guide is fully healed, which had left the latter with a sour expression. Only today, having fully recovered, did he hold Joo-hyun's hand.
When Joo-hyun first met In-ho, remote guiding had sufficed. Now, holding his hand felt like proper guiding. The thought of what would happen once their contract ended worried him, but there was nothing he could do about it now.
"That's good news."
"Yes. I'm glad I recovered quickly. If it had taken longer, I might have been cut."
Joo-hyun, staring at the faint scars on In-ho's hand, blurted out without thinking.
"Is there anyone who can possibly replace you?"
Though the scars were barely visible, they bothered him. Actors' bodies were their assets, after all. He wondered if In-ho was okay. Noticing the silence, he glanced up.
In-ho, eyes wide in surprise, stared at him. Despite having ordinary coloured eyes, they sparkled like jewels as they looked at Joo-hyun.
"No, um, I mean, is there another skilled actor like you who is free? It's not easy to find someone to fill your role..."
His words seemed to dig him deeper into a hole. He meant that it wouldn't be easy to replace a popular actor like In-ho, but his face grew hot nonetheless.
"That sounds like a huge compliment."
In-ho's eyes curved, and a pleased breath escaped his lips.
Feeling awkward, Joo-hyun wondered when the previously distant In-ho had become so close. There wasn't a clear marker, but if he had to choose, it was probably the day he thought he was truly going to die.
Perhaps seeing an esper on the brink of death made In-ho decide to treat him better, knowing he might die any day.
No one could know another's inner thoughts, nor was there any need to. Shaking off the thought, Joo-hyun gripped In-ho's hand a little tighter.
* * *
After two phone calls, Joo-hyun and In-ho began to call each other occasionally. Since it was from a public phone, Joo-hyun always called, and In-ho always answered, as if he wasn't busy.
It was a small change. Joo-hyun still killed people and monsters, and In-ho still filmed. Sometimes, he just called his guide. These ordinary days, however, felt oddly invigorating.
Despite not having talked to many people, Joo-hyun realised In-ho was a good listener. His responses were gentle, and his laughter genuine, making even the inarticulate Joo-hyun want to talk.
Initially, his colleagues had teased him for holding the receiver, but they soon got used to it and passed by without comment.
Then, one day, as he looked up at the clear blue sky, he thought of In-ho.
A mission that had started at dawn ended by morning, and as the blood on his arm clotted, he thought of the guide's frown.
Wanting to get it over with, Joo-hyun decided to call In-ho and mention the tough mission. A perceptive person like In-ho would know it meant he was injured. He might sigh, but it wouldn't be in front of him, so it was okay.
With that thought, he made the call. This time, the line rang longer than usual.
In-ho answered just as Joo-hyun was about to hang up, his voice urgent. He sounded both surprised and troubled.
"I've got something urgent. Can you wait a moment? It'll only take a minute."
"Should I call back later?"
"No, don't hang up! Just a moment...!"
Not finishing his sentence, In-ho's distant voice was heard shouting something. Joo-hyun, feeling awkward, traced a crack in the grey wall with his finger, waiting.
In-ho returned after what felt like three minutes.
"Sorry for the wait. I had to handle something."
"It's fine. Did it go well?"
"Well, about that..."
A muffled sound, as if he was rubbing his face, came through the receiver. It seemed something troublesome had happened. Being a celebrity wasn't easy, but whatever had happened must have been quite bothersome for In-ho to react this way.
"Sorry to tell you this over the phone, but I just found out myself."
It sounded as if this bothersome issue was related to Joo-hyun. Though unlikely, it felt that way.
Tracing the crack, he saw his finger was black with dust. Joo-hyun frowned.
"Your staff will explain in detail later, but I'll tell you now."
"Yes."
"Joo-hyun, you're going to be on TV with me."
"...What?"
"Have you heard of 'Wednesday Film'?"
"Huh?"
"It's a reality show. Our contract states that my guiding sessions with you must be included."
His red eyes scanned around in vain. No one was there to tell him it was just a dream.