Chapter 32:
“You’re not bothered by what they said?”
Perhaps she should get him a really expensive custom suit…
Seo Jae-yi, who had been glancing at the bouquet with a regretful expression, tilted her head at Baek Joo-won’s question.
“Should I be bothered?”
“You know they were mocking you. I didn’t realize you were so naive.”
Ah, only then did Seo Jae-yi realize that Baek Joo-won saw her as foolishly innocent.
She felt a thrill of excitement.
“Oh my. Do you see me as such a kind person, Mr. Baek Joo-won? I’m so happy that you have a good impression of me.”
“Is this really the time to be saying that?”
“It’s the most important thing. At least it means you don’t see me as a bad person. Improving your opinion of me is my top priority.”
It seemed like her terrible first impression had been somewhat redeemed. Her efforts had paid off.
“And I find their comments rather endearing. They were a bit mocking, but they were also concerned about me.”
Baek Joo-won muttered, “Concerned? They’re delusional.” Seo Jae-yi laughed.
But it was true. Since Guides gained a higher status, some Espers had become more disrespectful, but those comments were nothing compared to what she had experienced before.
‘It’s thrilling to be treated like this after so long.’
It was a refreshing experience for her, a veteran S-rank Esper who had been Awakened for eleven years.
Seo Jae-yi glanced at the Guides who had been talking to her. They were still clueless.
She took a step closer to Baek Joo-won and whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.
“I can’t get angry at chicks, can I? They’ll be crushed like tofu if I even exert a little force.”
How could she possibly bully Guides who had just awakened, who didn’t even know her face from her time at the Center?
“…What did you say?”
“All non-Espers look like straws to me. They’re so fragile that I can’t even get angry at them.”
Baek Joo-won looked at her with a dumbfounded expression, finally understanding her true intentions.
“…Do I look like a chick to you too?”
“Huh? Of course not.”
Seo Jae-yi’s eyes crinkled with amusement.
“You’re a lion in chick’s clothing.”
A chick? How could he be compared to those other Guides? He could kill her if he wanted to.
“At least I’m not considered a straw.”
Baek Joo-won pretended to be relieved, oblivious to her true thoughts. Seo Jae-yi laughed.
“But if you’re bothered by them, I’ll quiet them down.”
“How?”
It was simple.
Seo Jae-yi placed her hand on the nearby wall. Since this was a Guide training area, the walls weren’t as sturdy as those in the Esper training rooms.
So it would be easy to break.
As her fingers dug into the wall, a spiderweb of cracks spread across it with a cracking sound.
She hadn’t even punched it; she had almost torn through the wall with her grip strength alone. Seo Jae-yi removed her hand.
“Ah, this wall is really weak. Good thing I didn’t punch it. It would have crumbled.”
Then she smiled sweetly at the Guides who had been gossiping about her.
Their faces paled as they finally realized she wasn’t a clueless low-ranking Esper but a powerful one, at least A-rank.
They scattered like frightened mice.
“There’s nothing more unsightly than showing off your strength, but sometimes it’s the most effective method.”
For ignorant people, an ignorant approach was best.
Seo Jae-yi grinned, and Baek Joo-won chuckled, shaking his head.
Fortunately, the incident was quietly resolved without any major repercussions.
While Seo Jae-yi’s actions were reported by a few Guides, the instructor didn’t take any action.
Of course. Unlike the newbies, he knew who Seo Jae-yi was.
How could he possibly reprimand the infamous Firestarter, the Esper who had even defied the Center?
“Don’t cause unnecessary trouble. Focus on your training. If your performance doesn’t improve, you’ll be transferred to another Center.”
Instead, the instructor scolded the Guides who had gossiped. They grumbled but couldn’t argue, fearing expulsion from the Central Center.
Soon, only the sounds of training and the instructor’s booming voice filled the room.
‘It’s quiet now, right?’
Seo Jae-yi winked at Baek Joo-won, who was watching the scene.
He couldn’t help but chuckle at her smug expression, as if seeking praise.
***
Seo Jae-yi hadn’t visited Baek Joo-won today just to watch his training.
“Let’s go get your suit tailored!”
She exclaimed as Baek Joo-won emerged from the shower after his training.
Baek Joo-won, who was running his fingers through his damp hair, tilted his head.
“Now? Today?”
“Yes. I asked the instructor, and he said your training is over for today. Do you have any other plans this afternoon? We can reschedule if you do.”
“No, I don’t, but…”
“Then let’s go today!”
“You seem unusually enthusiastic.”
It was because Joo Seon-min had told her to show Baek Joo-won her best qualities, her strength.
She had already showcased her strength; now it was time to show him her cool side.
“I’m always full of enthusiasm.”
However, instead of answering truthfully, she snapped her fingers. A gentle warmth enveloped them, instantly drying Baek Joo-won’s hair.
“And my ability is stable and under control thanks to your Guiding.”
“Your ability is unstable?”
Baek Joo-won, who had been curiously touching his dry hair, asked.
Seo Jae-yi, who hadn’t properly explained her condition to him, realized her mistake.
“It’s not dangerous right now! I’m actually in better condition than ever, so don’t worry!”
She hurriedly waved her hands, fearing he might avoid her, but then another realization struck her.
If she was going to ask him to be her Guide, she had to tell him the truth about her condition.
She hadn’t intentionally hidden it, but it was definitely a problem that she had kept it a secret.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t properly explained my situation to you. I’m sorry. My mistake.”
Unaware that Baek Joo-won had already heard about it from Kwon Yi-soo, Seo Jae-yi contemplated how to tell him without scaring him off.
“I’d like to talk about it in detail, but not here. How about we have dinner together and talk?”
Baek Joo-won, who had been looking slightly nervous, relaxed at her suggestion.
She was incredibly skilled at smoothly setting up dinner dates.
“A custom suit and then dinner? I’ve never met anyone who arranges dates so seamlessly.”
“You have to seize opportunities when they arise.”
Baek Joo-won chuckled, but he didn’t refuse. He was curious to hear what she had to say.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“I’ll escort you safely.”
Seo Jae-yi confidently assured him and led him to her car. Her white SUV, chosen for its safety features, seemed to gleam today.
He had expected the interior to be messy, considering her usual disheveled appearance, but surprisingly, Seo Jae-yi’s car was quite clean.
Baek Joo-won unconsciously scanned the interior, still amazed, even though he had seen it before.
Her driving was incredibly smooth, the epitome of safe driving, which didn’t match her nickname, “Reckless Firestarter.”
“You’re a surprisingly good driver. I expected you to enjoy thrills.”
“Ah, it’s dangerous to enjoy thrills in the middle of Seoul.”
“So you do it elsewhere.”
“Here we are. Get out.”
The car had arrived in front of a tailor shop in Cheongdam.
Seo Jae-yi quickly got out, and Baek Joo-won followed with a smile.
The tailor shop looked luxurious but was smaller than he had expected. Baek Joo-won was a bit surprised; he had thought she would take him to a place frequented by celebrities.
“Have you been here before?”
“Of course. It’s a referral-only place.”
The shop, decorated with wood and green accents, was quiet and peaceful. The scent of fabric and wood created a cozy atmosphere.
“Ms. Seo Jae-yi? My goodness, it’s been a while. I was worried about you. How have you been?”
A middle-aged man in a suit and glasses emerged from the back. It was Jeong Hoon, the tailor shop manager.
“It’s been a while. You must have heard about me.”
“It’s been all over the news. How’s your health?”
“It’s much better.”
“That’s a relief. And this is…?”
Jeong Hoon’s gaze shifted to Baek Joo-won, standing beside Seo Jae-yi. A glint of curiosity appeared in his eyes.
“You’re not with Center Head Kwon Yi-soo today.”
Kwon Yi-soo. He was the one who had introduced Seo Jae-yi to this place.