The wedding ceremony proceeded swiftly, a result of Gu Jei's agreement with Pyo Myungho's suggestion to get it over with before the center intervened. Gu Jei hated wasting time, so he entrusted Pyo Myungho to handle the arrangements, seeing no point in spending unnecessary time on a sham marriage.
One month later, at the wedding venue.
Gu Jei watched as the man who would soon become his "husband" staggered down the aisle. This was the first proper look he'd had of the man since the day they signed the contract. Since he left all the wedding preparations entirely to others, there'd been no reason to meet in person.
Though he lacked telepathic abilities, Gu Jei could practically read the man's thoughts. His thoughts were always transparent, and today was no different.
He looks like he's about to throw up.
His face was so pale it seemed whiter than the white suit he wore. This tension likely stemmed from more than just the wedding itself.
"So, what does he do?"
"I heard he's a janitor."
"A janitor? Seriously?"
"He's an orphan with no formal education."
"Good heavens, what is this?"
"Well, he looks decent enough, I suppose."
"Anyone can look decent if you spend enough money on it."
The guests murmured among themselves. Being influential figures from the political and business worlds, they didn't even bother to lower their voices. At this volume, even a non-Esper would have heard them clearly.
The man already looked fragile, but his fear only doubled the pity he evoked. At this rate, he looked more like he was being led to an execution than a wedding.
Still, the rehearsal seemed to have paid off. The man staggered but managed to walk without falling. Gu Jei pulled his slightly forward right foot back into position and straightened his posture. The sigh of relief the man exhaled felt unusually clingy to his ears.
The officiant moved quickly through the ceremony. Gu Jei's gaze briefly lingered on the parents' seats, where he spotted a face he hadn't seen in years. These guests had been invited just days before the wedding, at Pyo Myungho's insistence that the ceremony appear respectable to outsiders.
Though they tried to appear calm Gu Jei could sense their unease about this sudden marriage, especially given that the groom was a man. When they visited the groom's waiting room, their complexions had been even worse than now. At least now, in front of others, they were managing their expressions.
"Now, let's proceed with the marriage vows between Mr. Gu Jei and Mr. Yeo Hanseo."
Gu Jei shifted his gaze from the parents' seats to face the man standing before him. Lowering his eyes, he finally saw the face of the man who would soon become his husband.
Was it the man's large pupils, or perhaps the slightly downturned corners of his eyes? Just as when they first met, the man reminded Gu Jei of a small, gentle herbivore.
That was the extent of the feelings Gu Jie could muster toward a man of the same sex.
Even in an era where same-sex marriage was legal, Gu Jei had never considered men as objects of romantic interest. He had always assumed that if he were to marry, his partner would naturally be a woman. As if to prove this, even while looking at the man standing before him, Gu Jei's heart remained completely unmoved.
"Gu Jei, do you swear to take Yeo Hanseo as your husband, to love and cherish him always, and to build a happy home together, no matter what circumstances may arise?"
But Gu Jei knew this man was different.
He had seen the man's eyes, which had been filled with fear throughout the ceremony, suddenly light up the moment their gazes met.
Yes, it was because of those eyes. That was why he couldn't dismiss the man's absurd claim of falling in love at first sight as a lie.
After all, this entire wedding had been orchestrated by exploiting that very sentiment.
The realization struck Gu Jei anew, and a faint unease settled in his heart.
On the day he had presented the contract, Gu Jei had explicitly warned him to abandon his feelings. He had cited discomfort as the reason, but it was also partly for his sake.
Gu Jei couldn't reciprocate his feelings. He could clearly see the man's future: No matter what he hoped for, he will only be disappointed. He will be disappointed as much as he had hope, and after repeated disappointments, he will eventually give up. He knew firsthand how agonizing this process could be, the longer it dragged on.
It would be better for him to give up quickly and find another man to love before things reached that point. But looking into his eyes today, it was clear that this foolish man had ignored his warning.
This marriage will end as soon as a drug that replaces Guiding is developed anyway.
What could he do? He already warned him. Since he didn't heed his warning, whatever followed was entirely his responsibility.
"Yes, I swear."
Gu Jei spat out the false vow, swallowing his cynicism.
Regardless of his increasingly frigid heart, the ceremony continued toward its conclusion. Finally, the moment Gu Jei considered most pointless arrived.
"Now, the couple will seal their vows of love with a kiss. Guests, please offer your congratulatory applause."
This was a ritual Gu Jei had repeatedly argued against. However, Pyo Myungho's position remained firm.
This wedding wasn't just a simple ceremony. It was a performance for the Center officials itching to put a leash on Gu Jei, and for the hyenas waiting to find any flaw and tarnish the national hero. Therefore, it had to proceed more flawlessly than any other wedding, leaving no room for doubt.
Gu Jei looked down at the man, trying hard not to frown. As if sensing his sharply tense mood, the man's gaze wavered uneasily. But Gu Jei was in no position to sympathize with his plight.
He loathed even the slightest touch of another person's skin, yet now he had to bring himself to make contact. He'd rather fight a horde of monsters in a bloody battle. The mere thought made his stomach churn.
But he had already committed to this. Once he got through this, he would never have to endure it again. Gu Jei lowered his head with the resolve of someone swallowing poison.
The moment their lips touched, Gu Jei swallowed a small, involuntary gag. The sound was so faint that no one else would have noticed, but the man standing right in front of him must have heard it.
But when Gu Jei quickly looked up at the man, he was smiling brightly, as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Fortunately, they were able to skip the wedding reception. There might be some grumbling about not properly hosting the guests, but everyone knew Gu Jei had never cared for such formalities, so it wouldn't be a major issue. The ceremony alone sufficiently fulfilled the purpose of this marriage.
As soon as Gu Jei settled into the prepared car, he felt a sudden wave of exhaustion. He instinctively pressed his fingers against his temples, and Yeo Hanseo, sitting beside him, immediately reacted.
"Are you alright? If you need Guiding..."
Smack!
Gu Jei slapped away Yeo Hanseo's approaching hand.
For a moment, Gu Jei thought he might have struck too hard, but he quickly changed his mind. Giving this man, who clearly liked him, any leeway would only cause problems later.
Gu Jei coldly spat out, "We agreed you wouldn't touch me without permission."
"Ah, sorry. I just..."
"Yeo Hanseo."
Gu Jei stared at Yeo Hanseo.
Twenty years old this year, only a year younger than himself, yet Gu Jei felt Yeo Hanseo was absurdly young. Was it because Yeo Hanseo had disappeared at a young age and never properly socialized? Or was it because Gu Jei himself felt like he had lived far longer than his actual age?
It was impossible to tell which it was, but it was best to address the issue here and now.
"You seem to be under the delusion that our marriage makes us a real couple. Let me make this clear just once."
Gu Jei lightly pushed Yeo Hanseo's forehead with his long fingers, as if disciplining a spoiled dog. Normally, he wouldn't initiate physical contact, but he still wore his ceremonial gloves, which made him less hesitant. Yeo Hanseo, pushed back weakly, bumped his head against the car window with a dull thud.
He had no preference for tormenting weaker creatures. But maintaining distance was the only way to prevent this foolish man from harboring false hopes. And to stop him from touching Gu Jei so carelessly again.
"I have no intention of playing house with a man."
"......"
"So stop wasting your time on pointless gestures and just focus on Guiding me properly when I need it. That's all I expect from you."
"......"
"Do you understand?"
"......Yes, I'm sorry."
The man slumped his shoulders and mumbled dejectedly.
Gu Jei tore his gaze away from Yeo Hanseo's face, which looked like he was about to burst into tears. He felt a twinge of guilt, as if he had bullied a weak animal.
If Gu Jei had the ability to read minds and could see what Yeo Hanseo was truly thinking right now, he would have immediately thrown him in the trash.
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