BCGWR Chapter 47 Part 1

046.

Side Effect 3

Veins bulged on Jung Ha-jin’s hands and forearms as he gripped the bedsheets. Fortunately, Han Ji-su had taken medication, forcibly blocking his Guiding.

Jung Ha-jin, maintaining his composure thanks to the circumstances, cautiously tried to separate himself from Ji-su, but a deeply sorrowful voice held him captive, as if binding his body.

“Hold me…”

“…”

The hand that had reached to push him away from his shoulder stopped in mid-air. Then, Toto, who had been pulling at his butler’s pajamas, scurried over next to Popo and looked up at Jung Ha-jin, narrowing his eyes sharply.

“…”

“…Squeak!”

Seeing Jung Ha-jin frozen and hesitating, unable to properly push Ji-su away in this situation, Toto began to furiously hit his thigh.

“Squeak!”

“…”

Each time he alternated hitting with his short front paws, his body swayed wildly from side to side, so much so that he seemed dizzy and even tumbled backward. Yet, he steadfastly got back up and delivered a precise kick with his hind legs.

“Squeak!”

“…Ahem. I understand. Do not worry, Han Ji-su Guide.”

“…Mm-hmm… why?”

“I will escort you to your room.”

“No… I want to sleep with my older brother…”

“…For now, I will hold you.”

“Yes… hold me…”

Han Ji-su, his words slurred and tearful, mumbled that it didn’t matter if it hurt or if he broke, he just wanted to be held tightly and not let go. He pressed his body closer and buried his head in Jung Ha-jin’s firm neck.

Jung Ha-jin, holding Han Ji-su firmly with his left arm supporting Ji-su’s back and his right arm beneath his hips, slowly rose from the bed.

Held loosely in Jung Ha-jin’s wide embrace, Ji-su wrapped his legs around Jung Ha-jin’s waist as if to physically assert that he would never let go. Still not feeling secure, he whispered not to let go, tightening his arms around Jung Ha-jin’s neck.

Arriving at the adjacent room shortly, Jung Ha-jin tried to lay Ji-su, whom he held, down on the bed, but he froze for a moment at the tear-choked whisper asking him to lie down together.

“…”

He knew better than anyone that this tearful plea was not directed at him. Therefore, instead of explicitly stating that he was not the one Ji-su wanted, he slowly lay down on the bed next to Han Ji-su, still holding him, and offered his arm as a pillow.

As Jung Ha-jin slowly stroked his back, as if urging him to sleep, Han Ji-su rubbed his cheek against Jung Ha-jin’s firm arm, wiped away his tears, and gazed intently at him. Jung Ha-jin, without a word, carefully wiped away the moisture from around Ji-su’s eyes.

Han Ji-su naturally rubbed his cheek against the touch, trying to press his body closer. Observing his desperate attempt to stay even a little bit closer, Jung Ha-jin suddenly seemed to remember something and cautiously lowered his hand.

As the hand left his face, Han Ji-su’s eyes, still unfocused, looked up at him with a hint of regret. After hesitating for a few seconds, Jung Ha-jin seemed to make up his mind and gently gripped Han Ji-su’s slender neck.

He applied a slight pressure with his hand, but Han Ji-su neither resisted nor was surprised. Instead, he offered a faint smile, gazing at him with an expression full of pure curiosity, as if asking “Why?” or “What is this act?”

As the moderate grip was maintained, he coughed softly as if struggling a little, shrugging his shoulders slightly, but then immediately smiled brightly again. The gaze directed at him was still hazy and unfocused, but it was full of trust and affection.

The mere fact that Han Ji-su couldn’t properly distinguish the person in front of him yet made no attempt to hide his emotions left Jung Ha-jin with a bitter taste in his mouth.

“…”

Though they were gone now, there was once someone who looked at him this way too.

As he looked at this defenseless man, what he had only speculated about before seemed to become increasingly clear. Some had simply suggested that Kang Jae-yoon and Han Ji-su had been in a secret relationship, but now, facing this, he could finally truly understand why Han Ji-su had suffered so desperately after losing Kang Jae-yoon.

A deep-rooted affection evident even in their gaze. Generosity and acceptance that allowed someone close even when vulnerable. An unwavering trust that the other person would never cause harm. All of this led to one conclusion.

Han Ji-su was unaware that he had lost his companion.

“…Older brother… hold me quickly.”

“…”

Jung Ha-jin released the grip on his neck and covered Han Ji-su’s eyes with his palm. A soft chuckle was heard. Then, Han Ji-su slightly lifted his head, grazed Jung Ha-jin’s palm with a kiss, and nestled into him.

Did Kang Jae-yoon know? That he had Imprinted with Han Ji-su?

Han Ji-su, as a Guide, might not have known, but Kang Jae-yoon, as the Esper receiving Guiding, likely did. But why didn’t he say anything? Was it an unshakeable confidence that the two of them would be together forever anyway?

“…”

Or… though it was a very low probability, it was possible he didn’t know. Investigations through various records on Han Ji-su confirmed that the two had been together since the first day of The Cataclysm.

They hadn’t been separated for a moment until the terrible period known as the dark age completely ended. Thus, it was possible they had Imprinted without knowing during the chaotic time when the concept of Awakened individuals didn’t even exist. If that were the case, it wouldn’t be impossible for them both to be unaware. Furthermore, they had known each other for a long time and had such an affectionate relationship that they might have simply regarded it as their bond growing stronger. On second thought, this seemed more plausible.

Days where massive earthquakes struck one after another, the ground split open, sinkholes appeared, fissures formed in the air, and terrifying monsters poured out.

Various conflicts and violent incidents erupted between those who suddenly gained unknown powers and those who did not. Battles over food and shelters to escape monsters… Amidst all these adverse conditions, they must have crossed the line between life and death, communicating with the person they relied on most, bonding their souls without even knowing what they were doing. Otherwise, there was no way Han Ji-su wouldn’t know the reason for his profound sorrow and hardship.

Only after observing him closely did Jung Ha-jin feel certain. He gently brushed back the hair from Han Ji-su’s forehead, his eyes lowered.