Guide Me If You Dare-Chapter 187: MEMORIES, MEMORIES, MEMORIES

HUH?

"I’m fired," Yuno said, shocked, while reading the email that he just received from the National Guide Bureau’s HR. "The Bureau said I don’t have to go to work anymore, and that Chief Kim Munhee will reinstate my status as a Freelance Guide."

He was in the VIP Room while waiting for Lee Woonhak to finish his round when he received the email.

So, I’m back to being a Freelance Guide.

But, of course, in case of an emergency, Yuno was expected to fulfill his duty as an Awakened Person.

"You’re fired?" Ki Gayoon asked while gently massaging Yuno’s hand. Yuno had an upset stomach after their breakfast, so Ki Gayoon was pressing the right spots to help him with his indigestion. "But you have a contract with them."

"According to the email, my contract was terminated."

"Without telling you? I know you don’t want to work with the Bureau, but you can definitely sue them for suddenly terminating your contract."

"It’s actually the other way around," Yuno explained while reading the long email. "Apparently, I breached the contract by not showing up at work for consecutive weeks— without a proper excuse."

"But it was the chief who gave you an indefinite leave, and she even said they’ll just summon you if they need you."

"Right? But, according to them, I breached my contract so I was charged with a huge fine."

"Ah, so they made an excuse to exploit you financially. The government probably needs a huge amount of money to prepare the stage for my fight with Ryu Sungbin," Ki Gayoon said, sighing while shaking his head. "Don’t worry about the fine, Yuno-ya. I’ll pay for it."

"It was already paid."

"Who the fuck paid for the fine?"

"Sajangnim, probably."

Aside from Ki Gayoon, only Moon Noa would spend so much money thoughtlessly.

And Sajangnim probably felt responsible for me since he was the one who asked the Bureau to have that contract with me.

"Tsk."

"Hyung, why are you upset?"

"Moon Noa stole my role," Ki Gayoon complained. "I should be the one paying your fine."

"Excuse me? I should be paying my own fine."

"My money is your money, so isn’t it the same as paying the fine on your own?"

What?

That logic was screwed, but Ki Gayoon sounded so convincing.

If Yuno wasn’t careful, he might get carried away and find himself as the owner of his lover’s entire wealth.

I want to live comfortably, but not like that.

"I’m also upset, Hyung."

"Why?"

"If Sajangnim paid my fine, it only means they informed Sajangnim about my breach of contract first," Yuno complained lightly. "It was my contract, but they ignored me. I don’t like being ignored when the issue has something to do with me. It’s upsetting."

"Ah, you’re right. They should have contacted you first," Ki Gayoon said, obviously consoling Yuno. "Should we sue them?"

He paused for a moment, and then he shook his head.

It was true that he was upset, but there was someone else who should be more upset than him.

"Sajangnim probably paid more than just the fine."

"The government needs money, so they probably charged more than necessary. Moon Noa is arguably one of the wealthiest people in the country. But that’s not the only reason why they asked him to pay your fine."

"You think so?"

"If they only need the money for the fine, then the Bureau would have asked you or me to pay for it," Ki Gayoon said in a serious tone, pausing for a moment. "I bet the Bureau summoned Moon Noa for another reason."

Hearing that made Yuno worry for his boss.

But Sajangnim hasn’t said a thing to me.

"I’m worried about Sajangnim," Yuno said, sighing. "Hyung, can you send someone to check on Sajangnim?"

If they weren’t busy, he would have gone to check on Moon Noa first.

Of course, he could have just called.

But, if Sajangnim didn’t tell me about my contract, then that only means he’s hiding something from me. So, he won’t be honest with me even if I call him.

"Alright, I’ll send someone to check on Moon Noa."

"Thank you, Hyung."

"I’d like a kiss with that thank you."

Aigoo.

Yuno leaned down to give Ki Gayoon a kiss on the lips, but he was startled when the door suddenly burst open.

So, he ended up pushing Ki Gayoon instead of kissing him.

Oops.

Of course, Ki Gayoon didn’t fall off the chair.

Yuno was relieved, but he also felt guilty.

I’ll make it up to you later, Hyung.

"I’m so sorry, Boss and Madam," Lee Woonhak said, hesitating to enter the VIP Room now. "Should I go back later?"

"No. Get it done and over with as soon as possible," Ki Gayoon said, standing up while gently ruffling Yuno’s hair. "I need to make a phone call anyway."

***

SO, I really took him home.

Moon Noa paid the ridiculously high fine that Noh Yuno owed the National Guide Bureau.

It was expensive, even by his standards.

But he actually didn’t care.

After all, he ended up taking Ryu Sungbin home.

"Hyung-nim, should I show the guest to his room?" Leehan asked, frowning, while acting like a butler. "Esper Ryu Sungbin-nim is a guest, isn’t he?"

Moon Noa cleared his throat, embarrassed.

He didn’t know what to tell Leehan, and that was why he kept his mouth shut the entire ride back home.

I’m embarrassed, and I should be.

Leehan probably couldn’t contain his curiosity anymore, so he ended up asking that question.

"I don’t need you to show me where my room is— I still remember my way here, and I know where Noa Hyung room is," Ryu Sungbin said casually, obviously shocking Leehan. "Yes, I’m not a guest. I’ll be staying here as Noa Hyung’s Esper again."

This time, Leehan just didn’t look shock— he looked betrayed.

Moon Noa felt guilty for a reason.

Now I don’t know how I’ll face Yuyu.

"Noa Hyung, do you mind if I go to our room first?" Ryu Sungbin asked. "I need to write a report."

"Alright, Binbin," Moon Noa said, nodding. "Let’s talk again later."

Ryu Sungbin just nodded politely, and then he walked towards the grand staircase as if he owned the entire mansion.

And once the #1 Esper was out of sight...

"Hyung-nim, what’s going on here?"

"I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you yet, Hanhan."

"But Hyung-nim—"

"Lee Hansol."

Leehan flinched when Moon Noa called him by his full name, and then he finally kept his mouth shut.

I don’t want to be this cold, but I have to.

"I’ll tell you about the deal later," Moon Noa assured his loyal subordinate. "For now, please keep this a secret from Yuyu and the others."

***

KI GAYOON left the VIP Room and went outside the clinic to make a phonecall.

Since his subordinates had gone home already after Lee Sarang returned their missing memories, the small clinic had finally become quiet again.

<"Getting a phonecall from you never fails to surprise me.">

"You have three hours to get your ass here," Gayoon said, biting the cinnamon stick that he put in his mouth when he felt the urge to smoke. "Go and keep an eye on Moon Noa— the sly fox is acting strange..."

He didn’t mean to be rude and end the call.

But Gayoon’s finger suddenly had a mind of its own when a familiar gust of wind passed him by.

He could tell that it wasn’t an ordinary gust.

Haaah.

Gayoon clenched his hands tight at the same time something invisible squeezed his heart painfully. "Is that you, Matthew?"

***

"THE SEAL is undone, Madam— you may open your eyes now."

Yuno opened his eyes slowly.

And, as expected, he saw the "ghost" again.

The "ghost" of Esper Matthew stood quietly behind Lee Woonhak.

However, the ghostly Esper wasn’t looking at Yuno.

What is Esper Matthew-ssi looking outside the window?

"Madam, can I leave you for a moment?" Lee Woonhak asked. "I need to check on Guide Kim Jaeha again."

Oh, right.

Yuno almost forgot that Kim Jaeha was still in the clinic.

Kwon Hojun often visits, too. Those two kids seem to be hiding something from the adult, so I want to talk to them later.

But first things first.

"Alright, Hyung," Yuno said, nodding. "Thank you."

Lee Woonhak then bowed before leaving the VIP Room quietly.

When the healer left, Yuno got up and walked towards the ghost of Matthew.

And then he stood next to the ghostly Esper, leaving a decent space between them.

He finally saw what Matthew was looking at with a melancholic look on his face.

It’s Gayoon Hyung.

"Esper Matthew-ssi, I can see and hear you again."

"I remembered something after absorbing a huge chunk of your Mana, Noh Yuno."

"What did you remember?"

"I’m already gone."

Oh.

"No, I was killed," Matthew said, his voice cracking. "Sungbin Hyung killed me."

Oh.

Yuno looked at Ki Gayoon, his heart already breaking for his lover.

Gayoon Hyung would lose it once he confirmed Esper Ryu Sungbin killed Esper Matthew...

***

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