Guide Me If You Dare-Chapter 141: MAKE IT OFFICIAL

YUNO was relieved that Choi Kangmin’s funeral process ended without a problem.

It was a traditional funeral where only family and close friends could attend.

However, colleagues were allowed to pay tribute to Choi Kangmin during a ceremony held at the National Awakened People Cemetery in Daejeon.

Yuno and around 100 colleagues observed the funeral procession in deep sorrow.

A flag-draped coffin carrying Choi Kangmin was carried by Yang Youngjae and the Top 5 Espers.

Yes, including Ki Gayoon Hyung.

"It’s an empty coffin," Bambi, who was standing next to Yuno, whispered. "Guide Choi Kangmin-ssi’s family already cremated his body. Aside from his immediate family, I was there with Esper Yang Youngjae-ssi, Guide Moon Noa-ssi, Chief Kim Munhee, and President Kwak Hakjae to serve as witnesses."

Oh.

That was a relief.

If it had just been Bambi and Chief Kim Munhee, then Yuno would have been suspicious.

But Sajangnim and President Kwak Hakjae were also there, so I’m relieved.

"Thank you for telling me, sir," Yuno whispered back. "How about Guide Jae-ssi?"

"Guide Jae-ssi was executed by Esper Yang Youngjae-ssi before we cremated Guide Choi Kangmin’s body," Bambi answered calmly. "Choi Kangmin’s parents were there. We didn’t allow them to see Guide Jae-ssi’s execution, but we allowed them to hear his cries."

Ah.

So, Esper Yang Youngjae-ssi really tortured the baby chick mentally. And he probably killed the kid in the most painful way possible.

Yuno wasn’t a fan of violence, but he wouldn’t judge Yang Youngjae.

I would probably be as cruel as him if the same thing happened to me.

"We decided to keep Eun Rina alive since she wasn’t guilty of killing anyone."

To be honest, at this point, Yuno was already wondering why Bambi was telling him things that a mere Guide like him wasn’t entitled to know.

It’s a matter that should have been exclusive to the higher-ups only.

But since he was getting free information, he just let the Team Leader blabber.

"Eun Rina has been acting strange recently, though. She claims she doesn’t remember anything that happened after she awakened as a Guide," Bambi said, and then he paused before asking: "Once President Cheol Kang is back from his business trip, I’ll set up the meeting that you requested. By then, I hope that you can tell us if there’s an E-Class Guide who has the power similar to possession."

Oh, that made sense.

So, this is why Team Leader Bambi-ssi shared those pieces of information with me.

It wasn’t for free.

"I will cooperate properly. But may I remind you, Team Leader?" Yuno asked politely. "The Lab didn’t only have Guides— there were also Espers in there. After all, Guides wouldn’t be able to bring out their power without Espers."

Bambi looked like he forgot that part, and then he nodded. "I’ll keep that in mind, Guide Noh Yuno-ssi."

***

IT WAS a funeral attended by the most elite Espers and Guides in the country.

Hence, Yuno shouldn’t have been surprised to see Ki Gayoon’s entire gang present.

But what he didn’t expect was for Ki Gayoon to bring them all to a traditional Korean restaurant in the center of downtown Seoul.

I recognize them all since Gayoon Hyung’s gang members are infamous.

Of course, there was Baekho— Ki Gayoon’s right-hand man.

Then the Gu Twins Brothers: Inwoo (A-Class Esper) and Inkyu (A-Class Guide, officially working for the National Guide Bureau, but everyone knew his loyalty was with Ki Gayoon and their gang).

Oh, a celebrity!

The next person Yuno paid attention to was Lee Woonhak— a B-Class Esper. Yes, he was the only B-Class in Ki Gayoon’s elite team. However, his ability as a Healer was very valuable to the team.

Moreover...

Esper Lee Woonhak-ssi is so freaking handsome.

Lee Woonhak was in his mid-thirties. But he only awakened as an Esper seven years ago. Before he became an Esper, he was actually an A-list actor.

Esper Lee Woonhak-ssi only makes noir movies these days, but he’s still hella popular.

Yuno’s blatant admiration for Lee Woonhak’s godly face was literally blocked when Ki Gayoon’s hand covered his eyes.

Aigoo.

"Woonhak Hyung, from now on, you’re required to wear a mask when meeting Noh Yuno," Ki Gayoon said sternly. "And don’t smile— you’re going to blind this punk."

Lee Woonhak just chuckled, and damn.

Even Esper Lee Woonhak’s laugh sounded handsome!

The artist in Yuno suddenly awakened.

I want to draw that face— Esper Lee Woonhak-ssi is like a character who stepped out of a romantic novel.

That was the kind of face most artists would want to draw.

"Hyung, let me see it," Yuno said, trying to remove Ki Gayoon’s hand that was covering his eyes. "I want to see a living masterpiece laugh."

"Yah," Ki Gayoon complained. "Am I not handsome enough for you?"

"Hyung, you get less attractive when you act like that."

"Tsk."

Ki Gayoon finally removed his hand that covered Yuno’s eyes earlier.

"Hello, Yuno-ssi," Lee Woonhak greeted him with a smile on his (seriously handsome) face. "Thank you for the compliment."

"You’re welcome, sir," Yuno said, giving Lee Woonhak a polite thumbs up. "I’d like to draw you a portrait if you’d allow me."

Lee Woonhak just smiled and nodded.

"Why have you never asked me if you could draw my portrait?" Ki Gayoon complained. "You just photoshopped my picture and turned me bald."

"Don’t ask for a portrait from me, Hyung."

"Yah."

"I want to see the real thing and not a portrait," Yuno said bluntly, and then he turned to Ki Gayoon and gently patted his cheek. "Plus, I’m not confident that I’m skilled enough to draw my favorite face in the world, so please don’t ask me for a portrait yet."

He was just being honest.

I mean, it’s no use hiding that I like Gayoon Hyung’s face the most.

So, Yuno wondered why Ki Gayoon looked (pleasantly) surprised.

Have I not told Hyung yet that I like his face?

"Get a room if you’re going to act like a newlywed."

Oh.

It was Kang Dabin— Ki Gayoon’s friend from Busan with the sand manipulation ability.

The androgynous man looked formal in his black suit, but the pink turtle plushie in his arms made him look quirky.

"Hello, Yuno-ssi," Kang Dabin greeted him after taking a seat. "It’s been a while."

Yuno smiled and nodded. "Yes, sir."

"It’s been a while since our team has been complete," Ki Gayoon said while eyeing everyone around the table. "It’s hard for the seven of us to gather like this."

"Seven?" Yuno asked, confused. And then he counted. "Hyung, Baeko Hyung-nim, the Gu Brothers, Esper Lee Woonhak-ssi, Dabin-ssi. There are only six of you here."

<"I’m here.">

Yuno flinched when the pink turtle plushie "spoke."

Aigoo.

"Were you startled?" Ki Gayoon asked worriedly while rubbing Yuno’s back as if to console him. "That’s Yu Minju— the leader of the Intelligence Unit. She doesn’t like leaving her office, so she just sent her "eyes" to attend this meeting."

Ah.

That turtle plushie is similar to a video camera then?

"I see," Yuno said, tilting his head to one side. "Hyung, if this is a rare meeting for your elite team, is it alright for me to be here?"

"Of course, Yuno-ya— this meeting is for you."

"Huh?"

Ki Gayoon suddenly stood up.

As soon as he did, all the members of his elite team also got up from their seats (and Kang Dabin picked up the pink turtle plushie with him).

Wait, what?

What’s happening here?

"Noh Yuno," Ki Gayoon called his name, and then he extended his hand to him. "Get up."

"I’m about to, Hyung."

Yuno awkwardly accepted Ki Gayoon’s hand, and then he let him pull him up.

I wonder what this is all about.

"Everyone, I’d like you all to meet Noh Yuno. I know you know him as my Exclusive Guide. However, the nature of our relationship has changed since then," Ki Gayoon said, pausing for a moment to entwine his fingers with Yuno’s. And then he lifted their hands that were clasped together. "This is Noh Yuno, my lover."

Whew.

Yuno was glad that Ki Gayoon only introduced him as his lover and not someone he wanted to marry.

He would have felt pressured if that was what happened.

I should talk to Hyung about taking it slow—

"Hello, Madam!"

Yuno almost choked on his saliva when the older and higher-ranking Espers suddenly bowed their heads towards him while greeting him politely.

"Please take care of our Boss from now on!"

Aigoo.

Did I just become the "lady boss" of a gang?

***

"HERE, drink this."

Yuno thanked Ki Gayoon before taking the indigestion pill that the Esper handed to him.

Whew.

Now I feel better.

Yuno’s stomach acted up after having lunch with Ki Gayoon and his elite team members.

Of course, his observant boyfriend immediately noticed that he wasn’t feeling well.

So, when they got in the car, Ki Gayoon handed him the medicine for his indigestion.

"Am I being too fast?" Ki Gayoon asked worriedly and nervously. "I should have given you a heads-up."

"Yeah, you should have," Yuno said, nodding. "But that’s not the reason I got an upset stomach— it’s just too awkward to eat with elite Espers. I was worried that your elite team members might think you settled for less. It’s not that I think your colleagues are judgmental people. It’s me, I’m the problem— me and my low self-esteem."

"Yuno-ya, here."

Hmm?

Yuno was confused when Ki Gayoon handed his phone to him, but he accepted it nevertheless.

"Read our chat room."

Yuno, still confused, did as he was told— he read Ki Gayoon’s messages.

<Baekho: Boss, please don’t mess this up. Only Yuno-ssi can tolerate your rotten personality. If you lose him, then you’ll end up alone forever.>

<Lee Woonhak: Love is blind, indeed, if Yuno-ssi thinks you’re more handsome than me, Gayoon-ah. Don’t let that kid go. He’s the one for you.>

<Gu Inkyu: I only prayed for you to find the Guide meant for you, Boss. I guess there’s a god somewhere up there. You didn’t only find your Exclusive Guide— you also found your lifetime partner. Congratulations, Boss. Please treat the Madam with a sincere heart.>

<Gu Inwoo: Boss, I’m sorry to say this. But if you and the Madam fight in the future, I’m taking the Madam’s side. Then I’ll cry and beg for her to stay with you. I’ll do my best so that the Madam won’t leave your grumpy ass, but please do your job, too. Don’t give the Madam a reason to question why he chose you!>

<Yu Minju: Boss Oppa, does the Madam like ice cream? I’ll send him an ice cream truck as a token of gratitude for allowing you to be his lover.>

<Kang Dabin: HAHAHA! GAYOONNIE, NO ONE IS ON YOUR SIDE!>

<Kang Dabin: But, on a serious note, congratulations! I’m happy for you, Gayoonnie. I know you and Yuno-ssi are the forever kind of couple. ^^>

Pfft.

Yuno was surprised that Ki Gayoon’s colleagues didn’t hesitate "bullying" their boss.

I didn’t expect their guild to be tight-knitted.

"My friends think you’re too good for me, and I agree with them," Ki Gayoon said while gently squeezing Yuno’s cheeks. "Yuno-ya, I won’t make you regret choosing me."

Aww.

Frankly, Ki Gayoon’s feelings were too intense for Yuno.

However, he was reminded that he could die at any moment.

And I haven’t told Gayoon Hyung about my condition yet.

Hmm.

Yuno could already picture it causing a ’drama’ later.

I guess we don’t have the luxury to take it slow.

"Hyung."

"Yeah?"

"I want you to meet my friends, too. But most of them are already gone," Yuno said carefully, and then he paused for a moment before he swallowed the lump in his throat. "Would you like to hear my story later?"

Ki Gayoon looked surprised at first, but then he smiled warmly. "Of course, Yuno-ya— I’ll listen when you’re ready to share your story with me."

***

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