FETCH 57

Regular checkups conducted within the Center required the attendance of both Espers and Guides. These quarterly checkups identified whether wavelengths were being sustained and determined grades based on that data. Furthermore, it was a crucial process that scrutinized the body in detail to assess physical capabilities and check for any abnormalities.

It also included an analysis of the matching rate with the dedicated Guide. Jaechan recalled Ji Sangtaek’s explanation that while there are cases where dedicated partners are changed through these checkups, it had never happened within Team Zero so far.

Han Kang hated the checkups every time. He said it felt like becoming an animal trapped in a zoo, having his status judged to see if he was at a level worthy of display or not.

Even so, once the checkup actually began, he participated actively. After all, it was a matter of dividing teams based on ability levels and determining whether one could participate in the next match.

The Olympics were right around the corner. Jaechan let out a low groan, “Hureum,” at the regular checkup being held in line with the national team re-selection period.

Like Han Kang, Jaechan wasn’t particularly fond of the checkups either. He was nervous that the matching rate with Han Kang might have dropped, and he worried about what would happen if he developed a tolerance to the drugs and his Guiding ability declined.

He was also anxious about the possibility of a dedicated partner being changed for the first time in Team Zero’s history. Even the anxiety that fettered him remained the same as ever.

Ultimately, the two of them showed displeased expressions toward each other.

“It’s next week.”

Han Kang, who opened the email first, said apathetically. No particular emotion was visible in his eyes as he read through the email sent by the Center.

The Han Kang who had been saying mischievous things just moments ago—about being erotic or whatever—was long gone.

“It’s a real pain.”

The predictable reaction was a bonus.

Jaechan gave a small laugh and stood up. Just then, Han Kang, who had finished all the aftercare, handed over the fresh underwear he had brought. As Jaechan took them, slid both legs in, and pulled them up to his waist, Han Kang suddenly flicked his groin as if delivering a finger-snap to the head.

“Ah, what was that for?”

Jaechan was startled and covered his crotch with both hands instantly, while Han Kang cackled. Jaechan didn’t know what was so funny to a guy who was standing there butt-naked without even wearing underwear himself.

“It’s because you’re cute.”

“What’s so cute about…!”

“You’re flaring up; that makes you even cuter.”

“Hey!”

Truly, I declare, I did not flare up.

Jaechan felt his face turn bright red and clenched his fists. That guy was just abnormally large; Jaechan himself was never told he was small anywhere he went. In fact, he had heard that he was large.

When Jaechan trembled with petty annoyance, Han Kang chuckled and put on his own underwear. Even the way his firm butt muscles twitched was irritating.

Regardless of whether Han Kang was fully dressed or not, as soon as Jaechan finished dressing quickly, he swung the door open and walked out. It was his own form of revenge. At the sound of the chasing “Hey!”, Jaechan giggled and replied, “You should have behaved.”

Jaechan headed straight to the office. Aside from the checkup, Jaechan had been spending increasingly busy days lately.

As the Olympics drew closer, the entire Center became frantic. Pulling Espers to serve as national athletes wasn’t that difficult. Nominally, they were conducting training in preparation for the selection matches, but for the most part, there were no major changes. It was extremely rare for an Esper to be newly drafted into Team Zero or for an already drafted Esper to be excluded.

However, deducing the national teams of other competing countries and creating a corresponding training schedule was a bit tough. Because of that, with a bit of exaggeration, Jaechan had been pulling all-nighters for nearly two weeks.

Furthermore, training camp to prepare for the Olympics was also right in front of them. Was it two weeks away…?

Recalling the schedule, Jaechan turned on his phone and looked into the calendar. Synced with the Center’s schedule, a large circle drawn on the Monday after next caught his eye.

“Hmm…”

Jaechan made a sound in his throat and bit his lip.

Living in the same space as Han Kang wasn’t that difficult. No, in fact, it was good. Regardless of whether he accepted Jaechan’s feelings or not, wasn’t it a matter of staying close to the person he liked? Besides, it was Han Kang, the most comfortable person in the world, so there was nothing to be uncomfortable about.

However, the medicine was the problem. How to hide that again… Jaechan unconsciously clicked his tongue in his mouth, ttok, ttok, making a troubled sound.

“Whatever, I’ll figure it out somehow.”

Still, he had stayed as a resident Guide for several weeks before and had managed to hide it well. Since Han Kang was the type who surprisingly never touched personal belongings at all, Jaechan hoped he could pass through safely this time as well.

Just as he swallowed his own desperate wish, a heavy weight suddenly settled on his head. Han Kang, who had followed him out before he knew it, leaned his head against Jaechan’s.

Precisely, it was as if he had placed his ear against him; at the sudden weight, Jaechan rolled his eyes to look up.

“The sound of Jeon Jaechan’s brain wheels turning.”

To that single remark that saw right through him, Jaechan couldn’t give any other answer. Jaechan stopped the sound he was making in his mouth and stood a span away from him.

A disapproving gaze followed him instantly. In the stare fixed on him, it felt like he could hear the word “suspicious.” But what could he say to him?

Jaechan simply laughed and tapped Han Kang on the chest.

“You came out fast?”

“Yeah, well, in all my life, it’s my first time seeing a honey who puts his husband’s naked body on display.”

“Hey, what do you mean naked?”

“My dick wasn’t fully covered! What if someone saw?”

What if they did? They’d just be seeing something they already know one more time.

Whether Guide or Esper, it was a situation where their bodies were practically already exposed. During checkups, it wasn’t enough that they made them wear checkup clothes that incited shame; since the primary Guiding was conducted through contact, researchers scanned every nook that could perform Guiding, including hands and feet. The genitals were no exception to that.

And yet, he talks about a “naked display.” When Jaechan burst into an incredulous laugh, Han Kang still looked at him with pouting eyes.

“Try to cherish your husband’s body a little more.”

“Sure.”

Arguing back would only be a loss for him. Finishing the conversation by giving a half-hearted answer, Jaechan was soon walking with a heavy tread in step with Han Kang.

Since it was the time when everyone would have started training, the Center was quite deserted. Today, even the researchers passing by weren’t visible, so the not-so-wide hallway felt exceptionally spacious.

A large TV hung at the front of the hallway. On the screen, two familiar people sat side by side. Seeing that, Jaechan frowned, ugh. Unlike him, Han Kang smiled brightly.

“Honey, it’s us.”

Yes, it was them.

On the screen, a documentary filmed by him and Han Kang together was being broadcast.

— Yes, we have Esper Han Kang and Guide Jeon Jaechan here with us. You are national athletes and at the same time making a name for yourselves as the most popular pair. Simultaneously, after disclosing in a previous interview that you call each other ‘honey,’ you are also being called a ‘married couple’ online due to your chemistry.

— Ah, a married couple is…

— Why? We are a couple.

— Haha, it seems Esper Han Kang likes that. Since we have you both here, we can’t leave out the topic of this Olympics. If you seize the gold medal this time, it will be your second medal overall. In the last Olympics, Esper Han Kang expressed his ambition, saying he would win properly next time. What do you think? In this Olympics…

Jaechan’s gaze looking at it was utterly apathetic. When he first appeared on screen, he had watched with fascination to the point of purchasing the VOD, but now, appearing on broadcasts had become too familiar.

He had already appeared in several variety shows with Han Kang, and there were countless documentaries focusing on the Esper life. Moreover, that program was themed around the next Olympics, which had suddenly drawn near, so just watching it made him feel like he was getting indigestion.

Jaechan turned his gaze away in disgust, eou. Perhaps because it was the Olympics, the Center’s posture in preparing for the matches was extraordinary. Whether it was the Asian Games or the World Championships, there were countless matches where Espers belonging to the Center participated, but it felt like the Olympics carried an especially heavy weight.

So even when he wasn’t working, just hearing the word “Olympics” made him feel sick of it. When Jaechan shook his head as if to say he was fed up, Han Kang gave a leisurely observation from the side: “Honey, you look really good on screen.”

Jaechan thrust his index finger right in front of Han Kang’s brow.

“Don’t go into training today and return straight to the dormitory, okay?”

“I told you, I get it.”

“Don’t think about anything and just rest well, alright?”

“Are you nag-scratching at me?”

Han Kang, who was picking at his ear as if dealing with someone else’s business, smiled beautifully and airily as if telling him to stop nagging. They say you can’t spit on a smiling face, and lately, that was exactly the case.

Jaechan looked at him with a worried gaze. A rampage was a problem for the surroundings that get affected, but above all, he now knew better than anyone that the body of the Esper who endures it suffers the most. Since the heart that has to watch him suffer from the side was also pained, Jaechan firmly kept Han Kang in check.

“Take the regular checkup properly, too.”

“I said I understand.”

“Ah, don’t speak so lightly. I’m serious right now, okay? If you keep being unstable like this, a really big rampage will come.”

“Ah, honey. I get it. I told you I’m fine! What’s the problem when you’re here?”

One person is worried to death. Seeing Han Kang, the party concerned, smiling broadly made it feel like his insides were bursting. Since a new problem was discovered in Han Kang, who had been fine until now, the arrow of suspicion naturally pointed toward himself as well.

He wondered if perhaps a drug side effect that hadn’t existed until now was occurring, and if that was why he couldn’t perform proper Guiding for Han Kang.

Fortunately, the regular checkup date was close. Since a detailed checkup was only possible during the regular checkups, he hoped that this time, he could identify the proper cause.