FETCH 24

Whether the term “resident Guide” was a shock or not, it took a full three hours after that for a reply to come from Han Kang.

Jaechan didn’t particularly respond to Han Kang, who sent messages whenever he had a spare moment from then on. He thought it would be best to talk when they met at the end of the workday.

Jaechan, finishing his work to match the time the Esper training ended, called Han Kang as he left the office. Perhaps he had been clutching his phone the whole time, because even though it wasn’t quite time for training to be over yet, a sudden roar of “Hey!” could be heard.

— Why are you only calling now!

“Is training over?”

As he spoke, Jaechan thought to himself that since he had to live at the dormitory for a week, he should stop by his house before heading over.

The thought of potentially having to handle other Espers was a bit of a burden, but he was nonetheless glad to be staying as a resident Guide. It was enjoyable because it not only offered a vague expectation and excitement for a new experience, but also fulfilled his ultimate goal—being able to stay close to Han Kang.

— Yeah.

“I’m going to go home now, do you want to come with me?”

— Home?

“Yeah. We can do the guiding at the dormitory later.”

When he intentionally mentioned guiding, a sigh full of irritation, an “Ah,” was immediately heard from the other side. It was a reaction he should be used to by now, but his heart shrank for no reason.

Jaechan placed a hand over his small heart to soothe it and continued.

“Come out if you’re coming with me, I’ll have the outing permit ready.”

— Do you even know what a resident Guide does?

“Yeah, it’s guiding the team’s Espers if they start to go berserk.”

— Did you apply for it knowing that?

“I didn’t apply; I’m just learning because it’s something I’ll have to do eventually.”

— Shit, you, ah seriously…

Talking at length about a subject he disliked was just a waste of breath anyway. Since it was better to block Han Kang’s exploding complaints early on, Jaechan pressed for an answer.

“Are you coming or not?”

It grew quiet over the receiver. It seemed he wanted to go, but was hesitating to answer because his pride was slightly wounded by actually saying yes.

He was like a little kid, through and through. Jaechan added a few more words, picturing Han Kang’s expression which was clear as day even without seeing it.

“I’ll cook ramen for you if you come.”

— With eggs in it?

“Yeah, three just for your portion.”

— I’ll let you off the hook this time. Should I go to the Center lobby now?

Let me off the hook, my foot. The corners of his mouth must be hanging by his ears right now.

Jaechan, whose own mouth was also stretched from ear to ear, answered with a “Yeah” and headed toward the lobby. Since there were many documents to fill out for an Esper’s outing, he intended to prepare them in advance before Han Kang arrived.

.✦ ݁˖

“Hey, hey. Don’t take your clothes off.”

At Han Kang’s behavior of stripping his clothes off the moment they got home, Jaechan pulled his T-shirt back down, saying it wasn’t going to happen. No, he didn’t know why he was taking his clothes off when they were only going to eat ramen and leave. And it was a T-shirt, not an overcoat.

Discovering the abdominal muscles that were briefly revealed, Jaechan gave a dry “Ahem” cough. Han Kang blinked. He looked like he didn’t understand why he was being told not to take his clothes off.

“We’re going straight to the dormitory after eating, don’t take your clothes off.”

Pointing an index finger and issuing a warning as if threatening him, Jaechan stood immediately in front of the induction stove. He didn’t have much time. The rule for resident Guides was to move into the dormitory by eight o’clock in the evening, and it was already approaching seven.

He placed the pot he only used when eating ramen with Han Kang on the stove and poured water to the appropriate line. After turning up the heat, he put the ramen in immediately and waited for it to boil with the water. It was a method he had seen on the internet once; he had learned the recipe because it was great for keeping the noodles springy and firm, and it suited Han Kang’s taste well.

It was just when he was thinking he should add the powder soup once it boiled properly and add the three eggs as promised. The voice of Han Kang, who was likely standing idly in the house, came from behind him.

“But honey, it looks like a war broke out here.”

Only then did he realize the house was a total mess.

When he hurriedly looked around, he saw the inside of the house was no different from a battlefield, just as he said. Not only was there no place to step, but there was also underwear scattered among the clothes strewn about randomly.

“Ah, ah fuck.”

Jaechan began to tidy up the clothes quickly, muttering a curse to himself. When he gathered the clothes dropped under the bed and the pants scattered around the hangers and stuffed them all into the washing machine at once, he heard the sound of Han Kang giggling, “Hee-hee,” from behind.

“I think it would be really fun to live with you, honey.”

Gasp, honey, is that why you said to eat ramen? To tell me to eat ramen and then go?

The additional comment wasn’t even worth responding to. Saying that a married couple should live in one house, and so he should move his belongings over one by one. Han Kang was saying the same things again as if he never got tired of them, even though it felt like only yesterday he was talking nonsense.

Besides, what “reason” is there for ramen? It was a line that used to be a famous way to flirt in the past, but if used now, one would surely be cursed out and asked if they’d been living cut off from civilization.

“Why does he say he hates being a resident Guide when he wants to be together that much?”

Just because the location was the dormitory, they’d be stuck together all week, so he didn’t know why he was grumbling so much. Grumbling to himself, Jaechan let out a “Sigh” and nagged Han Kang.

“Don’t give the ramen any weird meanings and put out the kimchi.”

“Where is it?”

“The kimchi compartment right at the bottom when you open the fridge door.”

“Is this your mom’s kimchi?”

“Yeah. She sends it every time, thankfully.”

Han Kang’s parents, who knew Jaechan’s situation well, occasionally took care of Jaechan like their own son. The thing he was most thankful for was the kimchi, and since Han Kang also loved his mother’s homemade kimchi, a round smile blossomed on his face as well.

Jaechan also gave a wide grin in return. Although Han Kang’s parents occasionally told Jaechan, “Thank you so much for continuing to get along well with Kang.” Well. To his own parents’ regret, Jaechan always felt it was a shame that he hadn’t awakened as a Guide on the same day Han Kang became an Esper.

Watching Han Kang open the kimchi container and set it aside in bite-sized pieces, he pointed to the spoon container this time.

“Set out the chopsticks too. The ramen is all finished.”

“Already?”

“Yep, it’s boiling now.”

“No, Jaechan. That needs to cook a little more.”

“Yeah, I’ll take care of it, so just get that ready.”

Jaechan gave a reliable smile as if telling him to just trust him. He hadn’t been cooking ramen for Han Kang for just a day or two; he could boast that he knew Han Kang’s taste better than anyone.

That was because Han Kang, who had two older brothers, very frequently came to Jaechan’s house to get a meal because of his brothers’ large appetites. It wasn’t that his parents didn’t take care of him, but the problem was that despite being the youngest born late in life, his appetite was even greater than his brothers’.

Sharing with his brothers left him unsatisfied, but he felt self-conscious about asking for more. He would pretend he hadn’t eaten and play with Jaechan while sneaking in another meal.

Back then, his parents seriously suspected child abuse. Though they also tilted their heads, saying there was no way an old friend would do that.

And that misunderstanding was soon cleared up thanks to his mother, who had come looking for the missing youngest son. His mother couldn’t hide her embarrassment as she gave the tender Han Kang’s back a few good thwacks.

Recalling the past, Jaechan burst into a hollow laugh, thinking it was absurd. Since Jaechan already knew well how much Han Kang ate, there were a total of six bags of ramen in this pot today. Two were his, and the other four were Han Kang’s.

“You said it was all done, why aren’t you giving it to me. I’m really hungry.”

“It’s really all done. Really.”

Jaechan salivated as he calmed Han Kang down. He could hear the sound of feet stomping behind his back. Whether it was because it was so difficult to endure with something delicious right in front of him, he could even hear a whining sound.

It sounded exactly like a puppy waiting for its owner to say “Eat.” Turning back because he was so incredulous, he saw Han Kang looking at him while biting his lower lip hard.

Jaechan laughed loudly at the absurdity. Han Kang, drawing out the word “Honey,” looked truly pained. His handsome eyes even drooped slightly downward.

No, why go that far?

“A-Alright. It’s really all done, hey. Don’t look at me like that, it makes me go soft. It’ll be cooked in a second, just wait a little.”

Han Kang crept up and hugged Jaechan tightly around the waist. Burying his face in the nape of his neck and pressing his body close, Han Kang whispered repeatedly into his ear, “I’m hungry, hurry, I’m hungry.”

The sensation burrowing into his ear was quite ticklish. It was the moment Jaechan giggled and checked the pot. As soon as the pre-set timer went ding, Jaechan quickly lifted the pot and placed it on the dining table. Jaechan held a pair of chopsticks in each hand and snapped his fingers at Han Kang, who was waiting for permission.

“Eat.”