Beyond The Control

Chapter 37

“Did you order it?”

“Yes.”

Silence lingered after I closed my mouth. Before it got more awkward, I asked a question I should have asked earlier.

“Um… this is your house, right?”

Song Ji-hyeok, who had been sitting in a daze, turned his head towards me. His expression said he’d heard something utterly ridiculous. Feeling embarrassed, I scratched the back of my neck and spoke again.

“I thought the team leader had taken care of me.”

At that, he raised the corner of his mouth slightly.

“He dumped you on me and left without giving me a chance to refuse.”

“The team leader did?”

“Yes.”

Judging by his expression, he didn’t seem to be lying. I felt a bit betrayed by the team leader upon learning this unknown fact. He probably did it on purpose for us to get closer, but still, he should have taken better care of me. What if Song Ji-hyeok had left me on the street?

‘What do you mean what if? I would have woken up on the street as a homeless person.’

Thinking about it that way, I was grateful he didn’t abandon me and brought me home. And he didn’t just leave me anywhere but put me nicely in bed.

“Well, I usually don’t drink to the point of getting drunk, but yesterday I must have overindulged without realizing it because I was in a good mood. Sorry for causing trouble.”

“It’s fine. Let’s call it even.”

Hearing that, I realized he was right. Thanks to that, I leaned back on the sofa with a slightly more relaxed feeling. Now that I looked, the TV was huge, and to the right, I could see a glass display case filled with rows of luxurious liquor bottles. It didn’t seem like they were there just for decoration.

“You must like alcohol. There are so many types.”

“I ended up like that after buying one at a time for drinking alone.”

The fact that he drank imported liquor when drinking alone was a culture shock. The solo drinking I knew was a shot of soju with shrimp crackers or canned beer with coffee peanuts.

“If you feel lonely drinking alone, call me anytime. I’ll come running.”

I joked with a smile and then leaned back again. Of course, I didn’t really mean it. No, even if I wanted to, I didn’t think Song Ji-hyeok would call me. Solo drinking has its own charm, after all.

The food arrived faster than expected. When I sat at the table and opened the container lid, a spicy aroma wafted out strongly.

“Thanks for the meal.”

After saying grace out of courtesy, I spooned the tightly packed rice into the hangover soup container. A proper hangover meal should be eaten with rice mixed into the broth.

Watching what I was doing, Song Ji-hyeok also mixed rice into his soup bowl. That’s right. Well done. I should teach him many more things in the future.

“You live alone too, I guess.”

“Yes.”

“It must be hard to clean such a big place.”

“I don’t do it myself.”

For a moment, I wondered what he meant, then understood a beat later and nodded. Of course. Someone like Song Ji-hyeok could afford to hire not just one but ten housekeepers without any burden.

“Is the Esper work manageable?”

“Why suddenly?”

“I’ve wanted to ask for a while, but just remembered now.”

It might sound like a lie, but it was true. I don’t know why, but it suddenly came to mind just now.

By the way, the cubed radish kimchi here is really delicious.

“It seems to suit me well.”

Song Ji-hyeok gave me an incredulous look but answered readily.

“No nightmares or anything?”

“Not at all.”

“That’s good.”

Not everyone who manifests as an Esper becomes aggressive. Most are citizens who have lived lives unrelated to killing. While it’s a bit better with monsters that obviously look monstrous, some Espers hesitate when faced with monsters that have appearances similar to familiar animals in the early stages of manifestation.

People become desensitized and accustomed over time, but that time varies greatly from person to person. I also had nightmares about horrific battle scenes for about the first month and even experienced sleep paralysis for the first time in my life.

On the other hand, there were Espers who weren’t affected at all, or who engaged in thrilling activities as if they were playing some kind of game. No matter what people thought inside, at least on the surface, no one criticized them. It’s an obvious fact that the world’s order is maintained thanks to such Espers. Song Ji-hyeok seemed to be closer to the latter, which was fortunate in terms of mental aspects.

Just as I was about to resume eating with relief, I heard a piercing question.

“Seems like you had nightmares and such, senior.”

“…It happened briefly in the beginning.”

Seeing that denying it wouldn’t work, I just confessed honestly. Not stopping there, Song Ji-hyeok continued.

“When did you awaken?”

My eyes widened slightly at the unexpected question. Then, a mischievous feeling suddenly welled up.

“Have you started to take an interest in me now?”

“I’m going to be sucking you dry to the bone from now on, so I can show that much interest.”

Ah, you cheeky bastard.

If it had been another junior, I would have made a motion of grabbing their head, half-jokingly and half-seriously. But seeing this guy’s face in front of me, my hand wouldn’t move as if under a spell. I’m not sure if it’s because of his face that still inspires admiration, or because of the instinct to protect an Esper.

In the end, I gave up on punishing him and answered while stirring the contents of my bowl.

“It was seven years ago, I got caught up in a dungeon break on my way home, unfortunately.”

The memory of that time is still vivid. After finishing my evening part-time job, I was riding a bike home when suddenly evacuation warning broadcasts blared from all directions. It was news of a dungeon break occurring.

Driven by survival instinct, I pedaled like mad and somehow managed to get out of the high-risk area. But it was too early to feel completely safe. The monster appearance zone I saw when I looked back was truly a scene of carnage.

Smoke was rising in the distance as if there was a fire, and every time something like an octopus leg with suction cups wreaked havoc, huge buildings crumbled like sheets of paper.

Every time a massive explosion sounded, people screamed in fear. Just as I was gritting my teeth to start running again.

Among the people fleeing in panic, I saw an old man who had fallen down. Though I couldn’t hear his voice in the commotion, his outstretched hand seemed to be asking for help.

It’s true that I didn’t hesitate for a moment. Helping him up wouldn’t be a big deal, but what came after was the problem. He didn’t look like he could walk properly, and to be blunt, I wasn’t confident I could take care of someone else in a situation where I could barely take care of myself.

To make matters worse, the wind blowing towards us was getting stronger. I could feel heat in the wind, and small sparks and debris started flying. The old man still couldn’t even raise his body.

‘Damn it.’

Unable to ignore him or approach rashly, I finally muttered a small curse and supported the old man. Seeing that walking was clearly impossible, I had no choice but to offer my back. Just as I was about to lift him onto my back.

‘Kyaaah!’

Hearing the screams of people around me, I turned back and froze on the spot. Something like a huge metal plate was flying mercilessly towards us.

I could see it approaching moment by moment, but I couldn’t move my body at all. Just as I thought I was going to die, what I had only thought happened to others happened to me too. A huge windbreak formed around my body.

“Later when I watched the news, I found out the boss mob at that time was a giant squid. I haven’t looked at squid since then.”

To be precise, I extremely hate squid legs. The body is delicious, so that’s okay.

“Your awakening was… very like you, senior.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just, it is what it is.”

Seeing him smile, it doesn’t seem to be a good meaning. But I didn’t feel the need to confirm it further, so I didn’t ask more deeply. Instead, I resumed eating with my spoon, which I had paused momentarily. After eating two bowls of rice and finishing all the side dishes, I felt full.

I offered to pay half for the meal, but Song Ji-hyeok declined, saying it was fine. He said it wasn’t much money anyway, and since he had eaten at my place last time, he would pay this time. Despite looking like he was used to receiving, he unexpectedly knew how to return favors.

Since I was already indebted, I also borrowed a new toothbrush. After coming out of the bathroom, I went straight to the entrance and put on my boots.

“Thanks for everything. Have a good weekend, and I’ll see you on Monday.”

“Okay.”

Leaving him behind with his halfhearted response, I opened the door and went outside. Or rather, I tried to, but even though I pressed the door lock button discreetly, the door wouldn’t open. Afraid that pressing various buttons might set off an alarm, I turned around slightly and sent an SOS to Song Ji-hyeok.

“How do you open this?”

“You can’t even open a door properly?”

Despite his scolding, he took a big step forward and reached for the door lock. As the distance closed, a nice fragrance, whether from his clothes or body, wafted strongly. Soon, with a beep, the front door opened.

“I’ll treat you to coffee on Monday. Have a good weekend.”

“Wait a moment.”

“Huh?”

“…It’s nothing.”

“What? What is it?”

“Just go straight when you leave. Don’t whine about not being able to find your way.”

“I’m going to call you right away. Be prepared.”

I left a gesture as if pointing at him with my index finger and turned around.

Come to think of it, I don’t even know where this is. I pressed the elevator button and immediately opened my navigation app.