Churu for the Angry Guide

17

“I’m sorry for being late.”

The new dedicated guide for the Baekya Guild arrived two hours later than the appointed time.

He said he overslept due to jet lag, having recently returned to the country. To Siwoo, it didn’t seem like he was genuinely sorry.

“The location was difficult to find and quite far. It’s really far from the guide dormitory building.”

The new guide sat across from Seojun on the sofa and rambled on endlessly. Siwoo was lying on Geonho’s bed, his usual spot, glancing at the two.

Just shut up and do the guiding. His apology was brief, but his excuses were long.

“Would you like some water?”

“That would be great. I’m a bit thirsty from rushing here.”

What rushing? It doesn’t look like you ran here at all!

Siwoo snorted as he watched Seojun treating the late guide kindly. He kicks my food bowl and throws cat food at me, but puts on a smile and hides his cold expression in front of this new guide. Siwoo wanted to hit Seojun for his two-faced behavior.

What a hypocrite.

Although Siwoo couldn’t stand the sight of Seojun, he couldn’t stop watching the new dedicated guide’s outrageous behavior.

“Do you have any juice by chance? Orange juice would be nice.”

The guide with slicked-back hair that looked like it was drenched in oil asked. He had a lot of demands for someone who came late.

He looked quite old, but his behavior was like that of an inexperienced rookie. Even to Siwoo, a real rookie, this seemed inappropriate.

“We don’t really drink juice here.”

Seojun smiled apologetically and offered cold water instead.

What do you mean you don’t drink it? Siwoo had definitely seen Geonho drinking juice this morning. He thought Seojun was true to form. With such a strange guide, Seojun’s oddness seemed almost normal in comparison.

“Well, can’t be helped then. Thanks.”

“I’ll buy some for next time.”

“Ah, that would be even better.”

The guide laughed heartily without declining and took a sip of water. Despite claiming to be thirsty, he barely wet his lips before putting the glass down on the table.

“You’re Esper Seojun, right? I heard you’re the youngest.”

“Yes, I’m 21 years old.”

“21, I envy you. It must be tough being cooped up here at the prime of your life.”

The guide clicked his tongue and rested one arm on the back of the sofa. He seemed to like the spacious guiding room, slowly looking around and commenting on how nice the facilities were.

“You’re meeting Jihan hyung tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. The secretary here arranged all the schedules. Two days in a row is a bit tough though.”

The guide shrugged and started complaining already. He said at his previous guild, he only worked three times a week. He was a guide who not only showed up late on the first day but also had many demands and complaints.

“Please try not to be late tomorrow.”

Seojun, who had listened to all the guide’s words with a gentle smile, said briefly. He was still smiling, but it somehow sounded like a warning.

The guide, who had been venting his dissatisfaction, tilted his head slightly and picked up the water glass again.

“Looks like I’ve upset you, Esper.”

Wow, what’s this really? Is he looking for a fight?

Siwoo poked his head out from under the blanket, his face full of question marks, as he listened to their conversation. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t understand the new guide’s attitude.

He clearly looked like an experienced guide, but this was still the Baekya Guild. The number one famous guild in the country.

Civilians welcomed the Baekya Guild more than celebrities, and within the center, no one dared to treat them carelessly. He had heard that even the center director couldn’t boss the Baekya Guild around.

Yet this guide made people wait for two hours and sat with an arrogant attitude. Moreover, he seemed to subtly disrespect the young Seojun.

“Don’t be upset. I won’t be late next time.”

“I’m fine, but please be mindful of the time when you’re with my hyungs.”

Seojun’s smile became even gentler. He politely asked the guide to keep to the schedule, saying his hyungs were much busier than him.

Seeing this, Siwoo was reminded of when he first saw Seojun on TV. The image of the young face smiling awkwardly and watching the host’s reactions flashed before his eyes.

Right, no matter how weird he is, he’s only 21 after all.

Suddenly, Seojun looked like a very young child to Siwoo. Like a chick just out in the world, blinking cluelessly. A chick with an absurdly large body.

“Yes, yes. Don’t worry, I won’t be late. Is that the bathroom over there?”

The guide grinned and headed towards the bathroom. He showed no sign of remorse, just like when he first arrived.

While the guide was away, Seojun sat upright on the sofa and closed his eyes for a moment.

Siwoo watched Seojun quietly regulate his breathing as if meditating. He must be fuming inside, trying to hide his nasty temper.

This won’t do. As the older one, even if I’m a cat, I should step in.

Siwoo jumped out from under the blanket and approached Seojun with a solemn expression. As the sound of determined footsteps approached, Seojun rubbed his temples and made an openly annoyed face.

“Go back inside.”

He whispered in a low voice. It was completely different from the voice he used when talking to the guide.

‘Hey, youngest. Give that guide some attitude too. Stop pretending to be nice.’

Siwoo meowed, biting Seojun’s pant leg. He deliberately annoyed him, biting hard on the pants and not letting go.

“Go away, will you?”

Even when Seojun pushed his body away with his foot, Siwoo kept coming back. It was to provoke Seojun’s temper that he hid behind his nice personality.

He intended to make Seojun angry enough to snap at the arrogant guide. That way, the guide would leave the guild of his own accord.

“I said, go away.”

Siwoo firmly grabbed the foot pushing his bottom. He bit the ankle and kicked the shin with his hind legs. Seojun glared at Siwoo with a ‘has this cat gone crazy’ expression. He seemed to be holding back curses because the guide was there.

‘What’s the point of looking good to a guy like that! Wake up, you’re Baekya Guild!’

Siwoo meowed louder, continuing to get on Seojun’s nerves. He didn’t want to let him meet such a rude guide with that fool Geonho.

That fool would probably just be nice to him, not realizing he was being disrespected. The problem was that he had a soft heart despite his appearance.

‘Kick out a guy like that! You have plenty of guiding machines!’

Just as Seojun, unable to bear it anymore, was about to lift Siwoo up.

“Oh, you keep a cat here?”

The guide came out, shaking water off his hands, with a bright expression. Seojun missed the chance to put the cat away and just smiled.

“My goodness, it looks like a doll. How old is it? Is it still a kitten?”

Siwoo ran to the room, avoiding the guide’s hand trying to touch him.

The guide smelled of perfume mixed with a strong alcohol scent. Using such strong cosmetics. He showed no consideration for Espers with sensitive senses.

“Do you like cats?”

“Who doesn’t like cats?”

The guide smirked at Seojun’s question and looked regretfully at the door to Geonho’s room. He seemed to want to pet the cat.

“Can I take a quick look?”

The guide, interpreting Seojun’s smiling response as positive, crossed the threshold of the room.

The cat had already slipped under the blanket.

“Come out. Let me see that pretty face.”

When it didn’t come out despite being called, he yanked the blanket off. The surprised cat with wide eyes looked very cute.

Seeing this, the guide’s playful side emerged. Suddenly, he squeezed his eyes shut and transformed just his face into a fox, making a loud “Woof!” sound. He was a fox beastkin.

Ah, hiyaak…!

The cat made an unfamiliar cry, seemingly genuinely startled. It looked like it tried to hiss but failed, its mouth wide open as it trembled.

Finding this amusing, the fox made another “Woof!” sound. The crouching cat quickly left the bed.

As it ran out of the room, its white fur flying, it made eye contact with Seojun.

The cat, with dilated pupils and puffed-up fur, stared at Seojun as if seeking help. But soon it turned back to the room and hid under the bed. It seemed to have judged that Seojun wouldn’t help.

Seojun sat quietly on the sofa, observing the situation. The guide, having returned to his human face, chuckled, saying how adorable the cat was.

“It really got scared. Sorry, little one. It was just a joke. A joke.”

It wasn’t a joke, but clear bullying. Only the guide was laughing.

The cat, pressed tightly against the wall, was clutching the bed leg firmly. There was nothing else to lean on.

“Come on, just show me your face.”

The guide followed under the bed, sticking his face in.

“Okay, I won’t do it again. Come here.”

He gazed longingly at the puffed-up tail and reached out his hand. He wanted to touch the tail that was swishing like a shield.

“Want a treat? Treat?”

He also tried waving a feather toy that had fallen on the floor. But of course, it didn’t work. Finally, the guide tried to forcibly pull the cat out from under the bed.

The sound of the cat scratching the wall echoed.

A “Woof!” sound was heard again, as if he had transformed back into a fox despite saying he wouldn’t. Chuckling laughter followed softly.

“…”

Seojun slowly stood up from the sofa, watching to see how far the guide would go. His hand naturally went to the water glass, but he held back for now.