Raon froze, mouth hanging open.What had he just heard?Imprison.That chilling word passed through his mind—something that should have existed only in fiction.Of course, this was a fictional world.But for Raon, who had spent his ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) whole life hated as the villain, it was a word that didn’t belong to him.That was the kind of thing that should’ve been said to the story’s protagonist, like Hamin—not him.What the hell was happening?Calm down first.Raon forced his startled thoughts into order. Whatever had gotten into Siwoo, he needed to correct it before the kid got corrupted by the rotten habits of other Espers. He swallowed hard and finally managed to speak.“Do you even know what ‘imprisonment’ means—”“I know. I just want to keep you locked up at home now.”“Wait—”Siwoo took Raon’s outstretched, hesitant hand and pressed it to his own cheek.Raon was so stunned that not even a wisp of guiding energy came out.Still, Siwoo buried his face in Raon’s hands and let out a long sigh.“I want to gouge out the eyes of every bastard who looks at you.And cut off the arms of anyone who touches you.But you’ll tell me not to, right?”“O—of course not!”“Then I have no choice but to keep you at home.”“……”His tone was so serious that Raon couldn’t speak.Without warning, Siwoo had turned into someone unrecognizable.How did it get to this?Imprisonment, obsession—that was what other Espers did. Not Siwoo.Even in the original story, he hadn’t acted like this toward Hamin.“You—hey, you can’t just… imprison me like that. That’s not okay.”Flustered, Raon stammered. He didn’t even know what he was saying. His mouth, usually so quick, refused to move.The novel’s scenes flickered through his mind—Do-jin, the madman protagonist, had locked Hamin up at home when the world was collapsing, but Siwoo? He’d never imagined Siwoo would think like that.“Pfft.”“…?”Raon blinked. Siwoo, still holding his face, was letting out a faint, deflating laugh—like air leaking from a balloon.When he lifted his head, there was an uncharacteristic smile on his face.“I’m kidding.”“…Kidding?”“Yeah.”Raon blinked again. His tone was too calm, too natural.It didn’t sound like a joke.Raon was good at reading people. Whether it was instinct, or something learned from years of tiptoeing around his mother’s partners and the legitimate children at the main house—he could always tell when someone was serious.And right now, he knew Siwoo was lying.But for once, he decided to let it go.“You—you can’t just joke about something like that.”“That’s how much I hate the idea of you guiding someone else.”“…Okay, I’m sorry.”Raon kept apologizing to the boy who rubbed his cheek against his palm, grumbling under his breath.Up close, Siwoo didn’t look like a gentle herbivore at all—more like a carnivore pretending to be one.The dark hair, the sleek build, the glint of his eyes—he looked like a black panther.Raon gave a weak laugh.He’d almost ended up imprisoned the moment their cohabitation began.If that happened, he’d probably spend the day lazing around this big house, waiting for Siwoo to come home. Then they’d guide, and do other pleasant things together.As long as Raon didn’t resist or run, Siwoo would be gentle, just like always.…It might not be that bad.The thought came unbidden, and Raon’s chest felt strange.He was already satisfied living with Siwoo—surely even being kept at home wouldn’t be lonely or boring.No, what the hell am I thinking—Raon flinched at his own imagination and shook his head hard.He looked up at Siwoo, who was still pressing his face against his palm, eyes tangled with a mix of feelings.“Don’t joke about that again, okay?”“Yes.”“You always answer so nicely.”Raon clicked his tongue, finally letting the guiding energy flow again.Siwoo’s black eyes slowly relaxed.At least it seemed the matter was settled.Raon exhaled quietly in relief.***The next morning, Raon began his day as usual.Since Dasom was training with Jamie, he started his rounds from the Esper sector of the training grounds.But this morning, an unwelcome visitor arrived early.“What the hell did you report up there?!”“…Huh.”Mikhail stormed in, shouting.Clearly, his superior from the Union had torn into him after hearing about the reverse guiding incident.Raon couldn’t deny the satisfaction. He feigned ignorance.“What’s this about?”“You told me you’d drop it if I apologized! And then you ratted me out?!”“Oh, that’s what this is about.”Raon stuck his pinky in his ear and twisted lazily.Mikhail’s handsome face twisted in rage.“I wanted to keep it quiet, but the Director already found out. Nothing I could do.”“Ha!”“Should’ve thought of that before you did it.”“What did you just—?”Mikhail trembled, glaring at him.Any other Guide might have cowered before an S-rank Esper’s killing intent—but not Raon.And Siwoo had already stepped forward, eyes narrowed.“You’ll regret this.”“Anytime.”“Damn it!”Mikhail spat the same curse he always did—apparently the only one he knew, since it came out the same every time through the translator.Raon waved lazily as he stomped away.“What happened, Team Leader?”“Nothing serious.”“Did Mikhail insult you again—?”“No, no. It’s fine.”Jamie, well aware of Mikhail’s temper, looked worried.Raon waved both hands.“Please keep up the good work with Dasom today.”“I’ll do my best.”Raon nodded. It was time to start thinking about the next Gate.The Violet Gate had appeared sooner than expected; the next one would likely be the same.Better to prepare in advance.“Um, Team Leader.”“What is it?”Just as he turned to leave, Hamin stopped him.She was blushing, looking slightly anxious.“Could we… talk after training?”“Talk?”“Yes.”Her hands were clasped tightly. She nodded, nervous.Raon frowned slightly.What’s this about?Do-jin’s still in the hospital, so it’s not him…Since re-awakening as an Esper, Hamin had been like an angel who’d gotten her wings back.She had none of Dasom’s trouble controlling her power—and she no longer had to tremble before Do-jin.Everything had seemed fine.So why the sudden “consultation”?“All right. I’ll meet you in the counseling room later.”“Ah, thank you!”Hamin’s face brightened immediately.Raon tilted his head slightly, then went on his way.He would find out later.After training ended, he explained the situation to a displeased Siwoo, who insisted on waiting outside the counseling room for safety.Raon felt slightly rushed.“Hamin—Esper. What’s wrong?”He almost called her Guide out of habit and corrected himself.Hamin spoke carefully.“It’s just… I haven’t been feeling well lately.”“Not feeling well?”“Yes. The contamination level hasn’t gone up, but the Center says something’s off…”“Ah.”Of course—a multi-Esper wouldn’t need guiding.Her best match was herself.And yet, she claimed to feel as if her contamination had risen.“It might be psychological. Any idea what could be causing it?”“Well, I thought about that, and…”“You thought?”“Yes, I…”She fidgeted, gathering her courage.And then, finally, she said it.“Could you… guide me again?”“Me? Guide you?”“Yes…”“……”Raon’s head snapped toward the door—instinctively, worried that Siwoo might have heard.But there was no sound outside.He exhaled quietly and looked back at her.“I’m sorry, but I already have a pair Esper. Outside Gates, that’s…”“C-couldn’t you just once?”“……”Hamin’s hands trembled. Her face was small and pleading, like a mouse caught in the rain.Raon’s mind went black.At this rate, I really am going to get locked up.A heavy sigh slipped between his teeth.

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