Fortunately, Hanseo was the only one who knew the truth. After a brief additional examination, he received a diagnosis confirming there was nothing wrong with his foot. The bruises on his knees and shins from the fall reassured Pyo Myeongho, who dismissed the matter without further suspicion.
Gu Jei turned to the doctor and asked, "Do you have a Healer stationed at the hospital?"
A Healer was a rare Esper with healing abilities. Hanseo's eyes sparkled with hope. High-ranking Healers were capable of miraculous feats, such as reattaching severed limbs. Surely a broken wrist would be a quick fix for them.
While the inconvenience of a broken wrist was bothersome, Hanseo hated the pain above all else. No one enjoys pain, but for him, physical discomfort was a trigger that dredged up unpleasant memories.
However, the doctor shook his head.
"No. As you know, Esper Gu Jei, Healers are extremely rare and busy. Even with an appointment, there's no telling how long you'd have to wait. It would be better to take the time to heal it properly."
Though the response was polite, its underlying message was clear: Don't even think about seeking the Healer's help for a mere broken wrist. Hanseo's heart, which had been swelling with anticipation, deflated like a punctured balloon.
Hanseo walked out of the hospital with his right arm in a cast, his face devoid of its usual brightness, replaced by a dejected expression. Pyo Myeongho, seeing Hanseo in such a state for the first time, felt utterly helpless.
"Hey, Hanseo... Are you okay? Well, of course you're not, but..."
"I'm fine," Hanseo insisted, forcing a smile. It's already broken anyway. If it can't be undone, might as well find a way to use it, like playing on Gu Jei's guilt.
"I'm really fine. More importantly, I'm relieved Esper Gu Jei is safe."
As Hanseo said this and gave a faint smile, a strange light flickered in Gu Jei's dark eyes for just a moment.
The awkward silence didn't last long. Pyo Myeongho, who had been looking back and forth between the two, tilted his head and asked, "By the way, can I ask you something?"
"Yes."
"You're married now, but you still call each other 'Yeo Hanseo-ssi' and 'Esper Gu Jei'? You don't do that in front of other people, do you?"
Is that really a problem? Pyo Myeongho shifted his gaze from Hanseo, who blinked in confusion, to Gu Jei. The latter sighed audibly, his expression troubled.
"Jei, you need to be more careful about this. What if the Guide Human Rights Organization starts investigating? Are you going to let all our hard work go to waste?"
Guide Human Rights Organization... Hanseo suddenly remembered the instructor he'd met at the cafe before coming to guide Gu Jei. Could that instructor be a member of the organization?
Considering the questions she'd asked, it seemed like a plausible guess.
"I don't think there's any problem."
"What do you mean there's no problem? Do you really think you two look like a loving couple who cherish each other?"
"......"
"Jei, I'm not asking you to put on some grand performance. Just try to minimize the reasons for others to suspect something."
Hanseo agreed with Pyo Myeongho. If the term was problematic, it was better to change it. There was no need to stir up trouble unnecessarily.
Since Gu Jei remained silent, Hanseo asked instead, "Then what should we call each other?"
"There are plenty of good terms, like 'honey' or 'darling.'"
What did he just say? Han Seo's eyes widened in shock as he stared at Pyo Myeongho. Gu Jei also couldn't hide his emotions, glaring intensely at Pyo Myeongho.
"That's not a funny joke."
"It's not a joke. I'm genuinely suggesting it. If you don't like 'honey' or 'darling,' use something else." Pyo Myeongho shrugged.
"Since Hanseo is a year younger than Jei, calling him 'hyung' should be fine, right?"
"...H-hyung," Han Seo stammered, struggling to maintain a neutral expression. He knew his real age because it was recorded in the research institute's records.
Hanseo was thirty years old when he died. Even disregarding his age from his previous life, the current Hanseo was twenty-five, four years older than Gu Jei.
However, as Yeo Hanseo, his official age was indeed twenty, making it difficult to refuse this arrangement.
Hubby? Darling? Or Hyung...?
The decision was swift.
"Then I'll call you hyung from now on! Jei-hyung!" Han Seo shouted, grinning so widely his lips twitched. For the sake of the peaceful life that lay ahead, he was willing to use any title necessary!
Gu Jei froze slightly, clearly not expecting Hanseo to adopt the term so readily. But sensing the logic in Pyo Myeongho's words, he didn't object to the title. He probably thought "Hyung" was far better than "Hubby" or "Darling" anyway.
Regardless of their awkwardness, Pyo Myungho clapped his hands in delight.
"Well done! Jei, you should speak more casually to Hanseo too. Act like a real married couple!"
"Director, aren't you busy?"
"I am. That's why I don't think I can keep looking after Hanseo anymore. Besides, now that you're back, Jei, there's nothing left for me to do, right?"
"What...?"
"You're not just going to leave Hanseo's hand like that and pretend nothing happened, are you?"
"......"
Gu Jei's calm gaze shifted from Hanseo to Pyo Myeongho.
"I think it would be better to hire a professional caregiver than rely on me."
"That's not for you to decide. Hanseo should make that choice."
Pyo Myeongho winked at Hanseo.
Why is he acting like this?
Hanseo, still unfamiliar with the meaning of winking, simply stared blankly at Pyo Myeongho, who cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Ahem, Hanseo, what do you think? Wouldn't it be better for Jei to take care of you until your wrist heals, rather than a stranger?"
"......!"
Finally understanding Pyo Myeongho's intention, Hanseo's eyes widened before he murmured shyly, "If hyung doesn't mind, I'd like that..."
"See, Jei? He likes you."
"......"
"And you too, Jei. You abandoned your husband on your wedding night to enter a gate and only just returned. You should take better care of him now. I'll give you both a vacation. Spend some quality time together, get some Guiding, and come back when your energy rate drops below 50%. Until then, I'll block your access to the gates."
"Director."
"Alright, I'll be off now! Hanseo, get some rest! If you need anything, just put Jei to work!"
Pyo Myeongho vanished before Gu Jei could even open his mouth.
Left alone, an awkward silence settled between them.
"Then I'll head back—"
"Are you sure you're alright?" Gu Jei asked, turning to Hanseo.
"I'm the one who put you in this state."
"It wasn't intentional, and I'm fine!"
Gu Jei stared silently at Hanseo before issuing a warning.
"Next time, even if the Director orders it, don't approach me while I'm unconscious. And never guide me without permission."
"But you said it's allowed in emergencies! Besides, it wasn't even Contact Guiding. Ah, well, there was contact, but that wasn't intentional—"
"......"
Feigning surprise, he pointed out that Gu Jei had grabbed him first, and Gu Jei's expression darkened. It was satisfying to see, but there was no need to leave a bad impression here.
"If you're saying this because you feel sorry for me, you don't have to. Even if I could turn back time, I'd make the same choice again."
Of course, it was a lie. If I could truly go back, I would have ignored Pyo Myeongho's call and hung up.
A quiet question came from above.
"Why would you go to such lengths?"
"Because I want my hyung to be safe."
Unlike previous words, this statement was pure, unadulterated sincerity.
Of course he has to be safe. If you die, Gu Jei, my peaceful life will vanish too.
Even without seeing the prophecy written in the Book of Prophecy, having returned to the past, he would have tried to save Gu Jei anyway.
Five years from now, a gate of immeasurable magnitude known as the Great Catastrophe will appear, bringing about the world's destruction.
Gu Jei is the only one who can stop it.
Think I’m saving you because I like you? After stopping the Great Catastrophe, you can die or live—it’s up to you.
For his own sake, Hanseo will do everything in his power to ensure Gu Jei doesn't meet the same meaningless death he suffered in his previous life. Until then...
"I'll do everything I can to help you, hyung!" Hanseo declared without a hint of hesitation, flashing a wide grin.
He breathed a silent sigh of relief, once again grateful that Gu Jei didn't possess telepathic abilities.
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