Chapter 2

Chapter 2

SECTION 1. Twenty-one again

Translated by Springlila

The seminar ended two hours later.

Meanwhile, Seon Jae-chan had been pinching his body 20 times, asking a colleague next to him to hit him, fumbled to take out his cell phone to look at his face (which had been smashed 6 years ago), and was mesmerized by his youthful face. He was even criticized by the professor.

The crowd of Guides dispersed after a brief question-and-answer session and discussion. Jae-chan’s mind was as hectic as the hallway which was full of people at the time.

“Seon Jae-chan, you crazy, why are you so fucking mean!”

The event item was gone because of you! Park Yu-ram, a classmate who followed him, slapped him on the back and made him realize it again. It was extremely painful. It wasn’t a dream at all.

This was reality.

Avoiding the palm of Park Yoo-ram, who was as good as a volleyball player, he stared at the well-organized corridors of the liberal arts center where people left. It felt like only yesterday that Black Swan’s raid destroyed this place…

Maybe, really.

Perhaps the miracle of the windless area had sent him back to six years ago.

He went back to the past.

Seon Jae-chan’s heart began to beat faster little by little.

***

One day in the past, in his early twenties.

The Guide Bureau hosted a celebration for new guides who had completed their probationary period. The venue was decorated with the sound of firecrackers and champagne exploding here and there, as well as loud laughter that made the eardrums tingle.

Seon Jae-chan attended as a senior Guide and was sipping a glass of champagne. Unlike his brightly smiling face, his insides seemed to be twisting.

He never considered… Go Woo-jin came as a companion of the new guide, Nam Hae-sol. At this fucking hairless party, which was decorated with pearl balloons and bubble flowers, they were brightly smiling like a real couple.

Seon Jae-chan didn’t pay attention to the two friendly people and only drank the transparent champagne, not knowing what it tasted like. The fortunate thing was that Go Woo-jin and Nam Hae-sol happened exactly as he ‘expected.’

As expected, measures have already been taken.

Before getting more drunk, Seon Jae-chan took a clear step toward Go Woo-jin and Nam Hae-sol.

‘Congratulations on completing your probationary period, Guide Nam Hae-sol.’

He congratulated her while observing her light-colored dress. The luxurious material of the dress, the obviously high price, and her obvious financial situation. Several thoughts ran through his mind. It was obvious that Go Woo-jin had bought her dress. The twisted stomach tightened even more.

‘I have something to say to Woo-jin. Can you please leave for a moment?’

‘It’s okay. Stay here.’

Go Woo-jin then opened his mouth. A low voice accompanied by extremely restrained emotions. Seon Jae-chan’s eyes widened. He wasn’t dressed in party clothing, just his Esper military uniform, and he protected Nam Hae-sol like an escort knight.

For a brief moment, the corners of Jae-chan’s lips rose in the opposite direction, as if his feet were collapsing at Woo-jin’s dependable demeanor toward others.

He knew how to deal with Go Woo-jin in such a situation. It was extremely difficult to have the heart, but it was easy to tightly grip the reins.

‘Well, having Nam Hae-sol here would make it better.’

That one sentence was enough. Seon Jae-chan, who read the story of the shepherd boy as a child, never said anything nonsense. Go Woo-jin’s eyes narrowed at that confident tone.

The eyes of the two people, who were once close friends and pair guides, were intertwined as if frozen. In the end, Go Woo-jin sent Nam Hae-sol away.

‘Say it.’

It was said as soon as the Guide Nam Hae-sol moved away. Still, Go Woo-jin’s worried gaze continued to follow her as delicate as a single flower that has fallen on the other side.

‘A new gardener came into my parents’ house. I personally recommended it.’

Seon Jae-chan continued to speak while narrowing his eyes and holding back the shimmering drunkenness.

‘That person’s name… Was it Mr. Nam Myung-sung?’

Go Woo-jin’s eyes slowly returned to Seon Jae-chan. His cold-like ice gaze struck him like lightning. As the fierce gaze locked on him as if it was going to pierce his stomach, emotions arose that he couldn’t tell whether they were joy or despair. He then laughed uncontrollably.

‘Oh my gosh. Do you already know Nam Hae-sol’s father’s name?’

He couldn’t decide whether to be happy because he could talk to him or depressed because Go Woo-jin was close enough to Nam Hae-sol that he knew his father’s name. Seon Jae-chan twisted the corners of his mouth in the midst of conflicting emotions. He lifted the champagne glass from his grasp.

‘Don’t worry. He was a good man. That man loved working at my house. Well… I don’t know what will happen if he makes a mistake.’

There was no limit to what a person could do. Jae-chan tapped Woo-jin’s broad shoulder in silence. He turned his back. Seon Jae-chan’s lips rose slowly as he walked without hesitation.

As he was sure, Go Woo-jin was following him.

‘What do you want.’

A very low-pitched questioning voice was heard. When Jae-chan turned around slowly, he met his calm, but dark eyes, which concealed the eerie depth of his gaze.

That’s the question Woo-jin-a. What do I want?

Jae-chan was lost in thought. If he had run into himself a few years later, he expected to be stabbed in the back of the head one after the other in an attempt to calm himself down.

***

Back to the present. Central Management Headquarters Guide’s Accommodation.

…!

Seon Jae-chan, who had dreamed of a moment in the past, awoke bouncing out of bed. His heart was pounding so hard.

Crazy… You were crazy, you crazy!

He hurriedly looked around while hurling abusive language at his former self. He lived in the Guide’s dormitory until he was transferred to the intelligence agency. He barely regained his sense of reality as he gazed out the window, and saw the setting sun in his eyes.

Thank God. The truly regrettable events haven’t happened yet.

He also did not threaten Go Woo-jin with Guide Nam Hae-sol’s father, and the tragic events that followed have yet to happen. He stretched out his arms as he felt relieved. He looked at the clock on the wall. 18:39. He slept for over an hour despite only intending to close his eyes for a few minutes after work.

It was the third day since he had returned to the age of twenty-one.

In the aftermath of the dream, Jae-chan, who was reflecting on a few events from his past, sighed in distress. He had no idea when he was caught up in the emotion of obsession beyond unrequited love. He was well aware of it now. Only for Go Woo-jin that he became an idiot and the worst villain.

In addition to threatening Nam Hae-sol for being a guide, there were many things that he regretted. He got out of bed after burying his face in one hand and swearing at his former self for a long time. He intended to wash his hair and cool down his head.

Seon Jae-chan came out from the warm bathroom twenty minutes later, carrying a towel over his shoulder. The air conditioner blew cool air over his damp skin.

Beep. He adjusted the temperature with the remote control and looked around. It was because he was still unfamiliar with his own reflection in the mirror.

Six years later, his eyes were cold enough that he was nicknamed ‘Snake,’ and his cheeks were clean despite having wet hair. A small dot in an ambiguous location that had been ripped out along with a deep wound was lodged on his slimy cheek instead of a half-moon-shaped white scar.

He looked like a docile person like this.

No matter how he looked at it, he wrinkled his brow at the stranger that was himself and sat down in front of the laptop. The desk was cluttered with various printed materials, library books and papers, and tablet PCs.

He hasn’t been able to sleep for the past three days. It was difficult to accept the reality, but he needed to plan for the future ahead of time.

In fact, he wanted to run out as soon as he realized he had returned to the past. He wanted to see Go Woo-jin. He had been struggling with this feeling for over ten years. Didn’t Go Woo-jin hold his hand for the first time in years just before he died?

It was a sweet touch between an Esper and a Guide. Like a drop of water on dry lips, he wanted to feel it again right away.

But the bitterness of failure was stronger than the sweetness of a moment. If he acted according to his impulses, If he acts on his impulses, he will end up living a hellish life, just as he has in the past. Meanwhile, he could be defeated by the Black Swan and die again. That was how he got over his desire to see Go Woo-jin.

Instead, he made a plan.

He was pushed to work as a Guide during the day, but after work, he stayed up all night organizing his past in his room. Everything was listed, including the sequence of events, the context, the people involved, facts, speculations, and rumors. So, what was completed in three days was the project in front of him.

[SUCCESS PROJECT]

He scuffed the mouse wheel. A table of contents containing only the names of major events that will take place over the next six years was revealed. Separated into personal and public events.

[Personal Events]

1. Kim Geun-won’s death

2. Parents divorced

3. Aunt Esper’s disease

4. Go Woo-jin’s sight loss

Woo-jin has lost his sight. Even thinking about it again makes him feel as if his heart was being pierced. It was because of the Black Swan. He had the most perfect eye surgery but how uncomfortable it must have been. Seon Jae-chan took a deep breath. He decided to protect both Go Woo-jin and his calm eyes this time.