SOFTIE 35

Yeonwoo’s house was on the top floor of the Esper Association, so one naturally had to pass through the entrance hall.

“Our kid is pretty cute.”

“…I never said he was cute.”

“That’s basically what you meant.”

“Well, there were some among the staff who were scared of him, but after watching him, they do say he’s cute. But that’s not the case for the Espers. There are many who find magical beasts loathsome. So be careful. It really bothers me that information about Softy leaked outside. You said it was from the Guide Association side? What on earth were they thinking?”

It had been puzzling ever since it was mentioned that he would be taking classes in the same space as other Guides. Since there were eyewitness accounts, the news naturally spread among those with supernatural abilities. In principle, leaking internal Association matters to the outside is punishable, but there was no way information about a Guide who is a magical beast wouldn’t leak out.

The public currently dismisses the rumors spreading secretly as mere ghost stories, but how would they react if it turned out to be the truth?

“They probably just went ahead and did it. The Guide department didn’t want to lose an S-class Guide, so they intentionally released the information through the Association.”

“What about the Minister? Why didn’t he stop it?”

“The Guide is a magical beast. He probably thought it would tarnish my reputation.”

“So they revealed Softy to the outside with different intentions? Honestly, what a mess. Grown adults at their age…”

“I can’t hide him forever. I actually think it’s fine. It’s going to be revealed eventually anyway.”

“If that’s what you think. Let’s get on with the detailed examination.”

Yeonwoo set Softy down. There was a separate area prepared inside for detailed examinations. When Softy tried to follow him, Yeonwoo blocked him with his hand.

“Softy, stay here. I’m just going in there for an exam and I’ll be back. Watch from here.”

Yeonwoo entered a white room visible through a glass window. It was a room completely cut off from the outside, as one never knew what might happen. Yeonwoo lay on the bed and connected himself to the machines. Worried about Yeonwoo, Softy pressed himself right against the glass window.

“Um… Softy. I can’t see.”

Kim Yoojung let out a hollow laugh as she watched Softy showing symptoms of separation anxiety the moment they were apart. She pulled Softy away and set up a separate spot for him. Then, while talking with Yeonwoo, she checked various aspects of his physical condition. Kim Yoojung and the other researchers moved busily.

“Sunbae, look at this. This part is a bit strange.”

“There was an Esper who showed this kind of rhythm. Those Espers were…”

Softy watched the humans gathered in a huddle whispering, then stared intently at Yeonwoo, who looked trapped behind the glass window. Yeonwoo, who had changed into a white gown, explained his condition while having blood drawn or trying out his abilities. He was used to it, saying it wasn’t just a once or twice occurrence.

Then, his eyes met Softy’s, who was watching fervently. When Yeonwoo gave a slight wave, Softy waved his small tentacles back and forth.

Softy stared fixedly at Yeonwoo. Isn’t it stifling to be trapped in a place like that? Softy listened to the surrounding conversation, but the words were difficult. They laid out strange terms like biological rhythms, fluctuations in wavelengths, and how the pollution level did this or that every time he used his ability.

But one thing was certain. It’s all because my guiding is insufficient.

The small humans had said:

‘Don’t act stupidly.’

‘As a mere magical beast, can you even do guiding properly?’

Those words might be right. Softy struggled to make Yeonwoo’s pollution level turn Green. However, it was frustrating because it wouldn’t drop, as if blocked by a wall. Yeonwoo actually discouraged him, saying it was fine and that this much was enough for Softy, who was whimpering.

That made it even more frustrating. I do it every time just like those small humans said, so what is the problem? Should I try a type of guiding other than radiation or contact? The teacher said the contact surface area is important.

Next time, will it get better if I guide while making as much contact as possible? Or should I try something called mucosal or sexual guiding?

Softy, who had been a passionate student, asked the teacher countless times, but the teacher wouldn’t tell him, saying he wasn’t ready yet. In Softy’s memory, he saw the image of the teacher who liked passionate students and the teacher who wanted to tell him even one more thing seeing such a student.

Shouldn’t a teacher answer when a diligent student asks? That’s what a teacher is! Or should I look into it myself?

Half of Softy’s head was filled with Yeonwoo, and the other half was filled with guiding.

Just then, he heard the sound of a door quietly opening from behind. When Softy turned his head, a man in a white gown appeared. His eyes flashed when he saw Softy. Softy was puzzled by the gaze full of desire. Then, it occurred to him.

Oh? That’s the human Yeonwoo told me was “no-no.”

Softy stared intently at Lee Taeho, who was approaching with a strange butterfly net.

Yeonwoo doesn’t like that human very much. I shouldn’t get involved.

However, Lee Taeho’s target was Softy. Since they wouldn’t show Softy to him, Lee Taeho had broken in secretly, determined to see him even by force. He had come carrying a butterfly net for magical beasts to ensure a successful capture. It was a tool he had created with great effort.

He approached Softy very carefully, keeping his body low to avoid making even the sound of a footstep. Softy watched Lee Taeho approaching in such a ridiculous manner, then nimbly dodged the butterfly net he swung.

Since everyone was focused on Yeonwoo, no one noticed Lee Taeho struggling to take Softy from behind. When Lee Taeho was huffing because Softy was almost caught but not quite, Yeonwoo heard a strange noise and raised his head.

“…Softy?”

And then Yeonwoo spotted Lee Taeho. Yeonwoo’s brow naturally furrowed deeply.

What on earth is that human doing?

Yeonwoo’s body leaned forward. Forgetting he was in the middle of an exam, he didn’t answer the researchers’ words but tore off the machines and lunged toward the glass window. The thought of going out through the door didn’t even cross his mind.

Why hadn’t he been more alert? He had been too complacent just because they were inside the Association.

“Uh? Ye-Yeonwoo?”

The bulletproof glass, which most Espers couldn’t even crack, shattered like crumbling grains of sand. While the researchers recoiled in horror to avoid the broken glass and Softy was looking at Yeonwoo, Lee Taeho swung the butterfly net and snatched Softy.

“Caught him! I caught him!”

As Lee Taeho hopped around in excitement, Yeonwoo growled out a low mutter.

“Let go of that right now?!”

Due to Yeonwoo’s agitated voice and the commotion behind them, the researchers also realized that Softy had been kidnapped by Lee Taeho.

“Eh? Team Leader?”

“Who told the Team Leader that there was a matching rate test today?”

“It wasn’t me!”

“I eavesdropped! How could you guys study this fellow while leaving me out completely!”

The researchers shook their heads, saying that man was running wild again. Yeonwoo’s brow was distorted mercilessly. Softy squirmed to escape but couldn’t get out. Then, Lee Taeho shouted triumphantly.

“It’ll be hard to escape! This is a magic tool I specially crafted for you! Well then, I’m off!”

Having appeared like the wind, Lee Taeho dashed away in the blink of an eye.

“Fuck…”

Yeonwoo muttered a curse under his breath. He could not control his rage at the thought of his Guide being taken away. As Yeonwoo glared toward the spot where Lee Taeho had disappeared as if he would kill him, Kim Yoojung stepped forward to try and settle things, but he had already burst out after him.

After Yeonwoo left, leaving scorched marks on the floor, a loud roar echoed so intensely that the building shook. The terrified researchers scurried outside to follow, and the scene they witnessed was Yeonwoo threatening Lee Taeho while pinning him against a wall.