Churu for the Angry Guide

43

Siwoo followed the secretary to the Baekya Guild’s guiding room. On the way, the secretary tried to make conversation, but Siwoo only responded with short answers and nods.

“Would you like something to drink?”

Siwoo, perched on the edge of the sofa, shook his head again and remained silent. He wasn’t in a bad mood.

“We have plenty of snacks, so let me know if you’re hungry.”

The secretary worriedly observed Siwoo, who kept responding only with nods. He was concerned that Siwoo might change his mind and run away.

Due to Siwoo’s image as a runaway, the secretary became suspicious even when Siwoo glanced at the door. The secretary deliberately sat with his back to the door, blocking any potential escape route for Siwoo.

He decided to stop trying to make conversation. It seemed that the more he spoke, the more guarded Siwoo became. He was the type whose thoughts were impossible to guess.

The one thing that was clear was that his appearance was exceptionally striking.

The secretary consciously turned his head to avoid staring at Siwoo too much. He was pretty enough to mask his sullen expression.

“The weather is nice. Though it’s hot.”

His eyes were so large and bright. Even among beastkin, his eyes seemed to shine particularly brightly. Moreover, his skin was admirably clean, and the delicate features on his small face were in perfect balance.

His unique cold aura made his beauty stand out even more. And that snow-white hair piled up high.

They say cat beastkin rely on their faces to be picky. His appearance was enough to believe that rumor.

“Oh, where are you going?”

Suddenly, Siwoo stood up from the sofa. The secretary, who had been admiring Siwoo’s appearance from the side, also jumped up.

“…Bathroom.”

“Ah, yes. Take your time.”

The secretary pointed to the bathroom, relieved. Even without his guidance, Siwoo knew the location. He had memorized the structure by exploring every corner of the guiding room during his stay.

“Hah…”

Siwoo sat on the closed toilet lid and buried his face in his knees. He curled up his body, pulling his legs close, looking quite uncomfortable.

It was the secretary’s kind attitude, more than anything else, that was making Siwoo uncomfortable. It was especially awkward to deal with him right after apologizing.

If it had been Yoo Jihan, he would have openly scolded him not to act so sentimental, but Siwoo couldn’t do that to the secretary. He still felt apologetic towards him.

Siwoo just found the secretary awkward. It wasn’t entirely comfortable that someone who had been yelling at him just a few days ago was suddenly being nice.

He should just accept it. That was Siwoo’s problem – he couldn’t.

“Don’t act so annoying.”

Standing in front of the mirror, he tried to give himself a pep talk. In fact, Siwoo had made similar resolutions every time he was assigned to a temporary guild. It never worked, though.

“Answer properly. Open your mouth.”

He raised his hand as if to hit himself, warning his reflection in the mirror. He wondered if it would be effective this time. Probably not.

Siwoo wasn’t confident. The more awkward and nervous he felt, the sharper his expression became and the more crooked his words came out. It was a deeply ingrained habit that didn’t change even when he was conscious of it.

But this time, he had to suppress this temperament as much as possible. He wanted to stay at the Baekya Guild for as long as possible.

[We need you.]

That one sentence from Jihan had a big influence on Siwoo’s decision.

It was the first time in his life he had heard such words. He had never expected to be someone necessary to anyone.

Jihan’s words deeply resonated with Siwoo. Even though he knew it was said to persuade him, with honeyed words.

And the mysterious candies on the bedside table. They gave Siwoo a small hope.

Siwoo hoped that the person who left those candies was Geonho. He wanted to believe it was him.

Knock knock knock!

Siwoo, who had been glaring at himself in the mirror, suddenly curled up. His ears almost popped out at the sudden loud knocking sound.

“Our Guide Han Siwoo!”

Jihan’s playful voice came through the door. Siwoo’s expression immediately crumpled upon hearing it.

“You didn’t fall into the toilet, did you? Hm?”

Jihan knocked on the bathroom door repeatedly, asking. He had rushed over to tease Siwoo as soon as he heard he had gone to the bathroom.

“Please stop. It’s only been 10 minutes since he went in.”

The secretary blocked Jihan, trying to stop him from knocking. Jihan paused and asked the secretary:

“He’s been in there for 10 minutes?”

“Um… yes.”

The secretary nodded, worry belatedly crossing his face. Ten minutes wasn’t a short time. Could it be…

Fortunately, before they could break down the door, the doorknob turned. The secretary and Jihan both sighed in relief as they saw Siwoo fling the door open.

“You scared me. I really thought you fell into the toilet.”

“What are you talking about? Move!”

Siwoo yelled at Jihan. When Jihan didn’t move, Siwoo even hit his arm.

Jihan groaned exaggeratedly, pretending to be in pain. However, he couldn’t hide the smile spreading across his face.

“I heard you decided to join our guild.”

“Yeah! Got a problem with that?”

Siwoo hit Jihan’s other arm as he walked past him. Jihan caught Siwoo and suddenly laid out a red cloth at his feet. It was a red carpet.

Siwoo kicked it away, grimacing, and nagged at Jihan not to use his ability recklessly.

The secretary and Seojun exchanged surprised glances as they watched the scene. When did those two become so close? Sharing the same question, they all gathered around the sofa.

“Is the leader still in his office?”

The secretary asked Jihan.

“Yes, he couldn’t come because of work. He’s always busy, you know.”

Jihan deliberately emphasized the last part for Siwoo to hear. He wanted Siwoo to know that even if the leader wasn’t ecstatic about his recruitment, he wasn’t against it either.

“But is it okay for the guide to be discharged already?”

“I’m not sick, so why should I stay hospitalized?”

“Still, you never know…”

“I know my own body. Mind your own business.”

Siwoo reflexively answered gruffly. It was an attitude that would make even Seojun, who was listening, feel embarrassed, but Jihan seemed unaffected.

“If you feel sick later, tell me right away. Got it?”

He only looked pleased. When Siwoo bit his tongue and kept his mouth shut, Jihan chuckled as if he’d heard a joke. Siwoo rolled his eyes and cursed at him with his expression, telling him not to laugh.

“Well then, let me explain properly.”

The secretary began, his face brightening as he got to the main point.

“First, we need to do a matching rate test. You’ve been skipping this when you were temporarily assigned to guilds, right?”

Siwoo was about to nod but mumbled a small “yes” instead. He had never taken a matching rate test before.

“It’s not difficult. While it’s possible to test with blood, to get accurate results, we need to conduct a guiding test.”

“Don’t worry. It’s possible with radiant guiding too.”

Jihan chimed in, perhaps noticing that Siwoo tensed at the word “test.” He unnecessarily leaned in close to Siwoo’s ear to whisper, earning himself a hit on the arm.

“I can hear you even if you just speak normally.”

“I can understand even if you just say it.”

Jihan lightly blocked Siwoo’s hand as it repeatedly hit his arm. This time, he got kicked in the shin. Indeed, this guide was not to be trifled with.

“Ahem, you two can fight separately later. Guide, if you have any questions, please ask first.”

The secretary asked while touching the documents containing the contract. Being only half a year into his guide career, Siwoo must have many questions.

“As a dedicated guide… do we share living quarters?”

After pondering what to ask, Siwoo voiced the first question that came to mind. The secretary was a bit surprised at such a basic inquiry. Did he not have colleagues to share even such trivial information with?

“Ooh, living together is a bit embarrassing.”

Jihan couldn’t resist teasing again. Even from a casual listen, it was clearly a mocking tone, so Siwoo had no choice but to use his fist. He realized he couldn’t win against Jihan with words.

“That’s optional,” the secretary answered, watching Siwoo hit Jihan.

“If you want, we can make a room for you in the dormitory, but… yes, that would be uncomfortable, wouldn’t it?”

Siwoo responded with his expression. There was no way he’d enjoy living with the espers.

“We’ll provide separate accommodation. Just let us know how many square feet you want.”

Siwoo’s body relaxed a bit as he lowered his fist. Could it be… they’d get him whatever he asked for?

“We’ll also try to reflect your opinions on the interior design as much as possible.”

Siwoo’s mouth hung open. Jihan smiled, debating whether to close those slightly parted, jelly-like lips. He decided to leave them be because they were cute.

“By the way, Secretary, didn’t you offer him anything to drink?”

Jihan looked disapprovingly at the empty table. How could they not even offer a glass of water to their precious guide?

“I said I didn’t want anything.”

“Still, your voice is so hoarse.”

“I’ll bring something.”

Seojun, who had been quiet, stood up from the sofa. He headed to the kitchen before Siwoo could say it was fine.

“I’ll go get some water too.”

The secretary followed Seojun. He was thirsty after talking so much.

“Guide.”

Left alone on the sofa, Jihan lowered his voice subtly. Siwoo tried to ignore him, but he couldn’t help reacting to the question that followed.

“The secretary didn’t threaten you, did he?”

“No. I said I’d do it first.”

“Why?”

Jihan was genuinely curious. He wanted to know why Siwoo, who had been so guarded until yesterday, had changed his mind overnight. Well, he had a guess.

“Because of Geonho?”