Dirty Sweet Baby Chapter 13

“This is Director Cha Moogyul of the Musan Group.”

Following that, Cha Moogyul recited a statement. Whether he had memorized the entire text in that short time or had prepared it beforehand, he was speaking flawlessly while looking at the camera.

“Awakened and civilians. Special districts and general districts. In order to fight against the absolute threat of creatures, humanity has, over a long period of time, built an invisible fence. While boundaries and distinctions are important, it is also true that today, voices of concern pointing out excessive dualism are growing louder.”

Was this announcement planned from the beginning?

Since when was it planned for Baek Heeheon to be standing in this place?

“Now is the time to tear it down. We will take the lead in a direction that is for all citizens, without a dichotomous distinction between the awakened and civilians. And I, along with my brother, Second Lieutenant Baek Heeheon, will protect the nation with an unprecedented new perspective from the center of that change.”

Cha Moogyul slowly extended his hand. In his palm, a flame flickered into existence with a blue hue.

A blue esper ability, flashing like lightning, gathered and condensed around his hand. The power, which had formed a perfect sphere, gradually grew larger and emitted a strong light. The platform vibrated, the wind stirred, and the national flag and other banners attached to the back wall began to flap violently.

The lights flickered too. Darkness and light alternately enveloped the surroundings, focusing all attention on Cha Moogyul, and on Baek Heeheon.

Heeheon saw it. The distinct smile that appeared on his lips. It was a smile of accomplishment and victory, one that could only be seen on a person who, after building a fortress, has planted his flag at the summit as he intended. It was all according to his will. Finally, the blue lightning that had bloomed in his grasp cracked with a zzzzzzt sound and then flew like the teeth of a comb, scattering in all directions.

The esper ability he had scattered twinkled like a drizzle and fell to the floor, where it dissipated.

“That is all.”

It was quiet. After a moment of silence, a storm of applause erupted.

The eyes of Brigadier General Kang Joongmo and the members of the administrative unit who were seated in the main conference hall shone with fervent light. For Cha Moogyul, who had just manifested as an Esper, to already be able to handle an esper ability of such power so freely was an unprecedentedly encouraging event.

The S-rank Esper who would change the world.

He could see what they, what everyone, expected of Cha Moogyul.

*

He barely made it home by car. He was sitting blankly in the unlit bedroom when a monotonous ringing sound echoed repeatedly before stopping. A call was coming in on the cell phone he had put in the drawer.

Heeheon, thinking that he did not know what he was doing, opened the drawer and answered the video call.

— Son! I saw the news! How could you surprise your mother like this?

Heeheon hesitated before greeting her.

“…I’m sorry for answering late. I couldn’t hear the ringer.”

— Oh, really? Did I call while you were busy? Should I hang up?

“No, it’s okay. I’m not busy… I’m at home.”

— That’s a relief then. Mom can call later.

A look of concern crossed his mother’s face, which was displayed on the cell phone screen. Realizing his mistake a little too late, Heeheon belatedly smiled and straightened his shoulders.

“I’m really fine. But, has that news been broadcast already? The news travels really fast.”

— Yes. It was on TV a little while ago. Seeing you and Moogyul standing side by side, Mom was so surprised again, you know.

“Ah, yes…. To be honest, I was very surprised too. Finding out that it happened so suddenly…. I must be a celebrity now.”

— Of course. It’s already a huge deal. Do you know how many fans you and Moogyul have?

As it is, the awakened are beings who receive the attention of all kinds of media. They are the living heroes of the modern era and celebrities more famous than entertainers. Naturally, their fame soars to the sky, and they have an enormous number of fans who follow them.

“Haha…. That must all be Cha Moogyul’s popularity. It has nothing to do with me.”

Heeheon laughed it off awkwardly. A dimple appeared on his pale face.

— No! Everyone was only talking about our Heeheon, you know? They said you have a, a deer? A deer-like face and they really like it.

“What a bizarre thing to happen.”

Of course, no matter how much popularity he gained in the general residential district, it was something Heeheon, who lived in the special residential district, had a hard time feeling.

— So, how have things been with Moogyul lately? Are you getting along well…?

“Yes, of course. Absolutely. We have a good relationship.”

— Heeheon-ah, even if Moogyul acts a little prickly, you should try to approach him more…. Since you’re the hyung…. Will you be upset if your mom says this?

“No, not at all. I should be the one to do well. We’ll get along with great brotherly love. Please don’t worry.”

After that, they talked for a long time, asking and answering about whether he was eating well lately and if he was having a hard time. All the while he was smiling, asking and talking, his insides were boiling.

He recalled his pitch-black pupils. He recalled the lips that curved up in an elegant arc and the raw smile that flowed out smoothly.

<It’s done. Just give up.>

<All you have to do is stand still next to me, hyung.>

Cha Moogyul….

Is he challenging me to a fight?

Does he really mean to go through with this?

‘…….’

Heeheon slowly bit the soft flesh on the inside of his cheek. A tingling sensation spread from the inside of his mouth throughout his whole body.

‘You son of a bitch. Just you don’t regret this later.’

It was Baek Heeheon, not Cha Moogyul, who knew what would happen if things went all the way to the end like this. Because Heeheon knew that, he had tried to stop it, tried to avoid it, and tried to prevent it.

‘I don’t know anymore either.’

Heeheon lowered his tired eyes.

He cannot quit being Cha Moogyul’s dedicated guide.

He cannot abandon his position as his hyung either.

‘If that’s the case, then just….’

He tasted the metallic tang of blood in his mouth. It could not be helped. Without showing any sign, Heeheon swallowed it down the back of his throat and ended the call, smiling until the very end.

Coming full circle, the time for another guiding session had arrived. Whether it was because Cha Moogyul was devoting himself to esper ability training every day, or because his growth was exponentially fast, the imbalance accumulating in his body was frighteningly severe. There were minor side effects, such as experiencing ringing in the ears or chills.

Espers are truly ill-fated beings. They possess the great power to save humanity, but the burden is just as great. There is even research that shows that the awakened have short lifespans. In particular, the average lifespan of an Esper is very short.

“Sit.”

Heeheon, who was waiting for Cha Moogyul in the guiding room, gestured with a tilt of his head. Cha Moogyul did not hold back a dry laugh.

“What’s with that expression? You’re not even trying to hide it now?”

“I said sit. Cha Moogyul.”

“You’re openly disliking me. You’re the same as ever, Baek Heeheon…. I don’t know what you’re so difficult about.”

Cha Moogyul sat on the empty metal chair. The chair legs tensed and let out a creak under the weight of his large, muscular frame. Cha Moogyul languidly crossed his legs.

“No, that’s not right, was it only with me that you were difficult. Everyone says Baek Heeheon is easy to understand, but I really don’t get you, hyung.”

“…Hey, I don’t get you either. So we’re even.”

“Well, did you even have any intention of getting to know me?”

“What would be the point.”

“True.”

Heeheon, with a determined look in his eyes, slowly took off his gloves. Cha Moogyul had talked about sticking his mouth in or whatever, but he had no intention of readily participating in that bullshit.

“Cha Moogyul, so, did you want to play at being brothers with me?”

“No.”

“See.”

“Not at all.”

“We both felt the same way, so what’s the complaint. Our parents are the ones who got married, not you and me.”

“Complaint. Saying it like that is a bit funny.”

“Then what.”

“Didn’t I tell you before? Hating and avoiding me at every turn. It puts you in a shitty mood when you’re on the receiving end.”

“I’m sorry. For not being able to act like a hyung and only putting you in a bad mood. I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but it’s not like I wanted to be like this either.”

“Yeah, I don’t believe you at all, but.”

“I was young back then, and I didn’t have the luxury to act as your hyung.”

“Oh, really?”

“To be honest, it’s still overwhelming for me to handle, and it’s uncomfortable being stuck together with you like this. It must be the same for you too. Still, anyway, you… are my younger brother.”

“……”

“I have no intention of denying even that. We’re brothers. So we should just… tsk, forget it. Hold my hand. For the guiding.”

Heeheon awkwardly extended his arm.

Cha Moogyul grabbed Heeheon’s hand as if for a handshake and squeezed it tightly. Perhaps because it was his second time, he seemed to have gotten a little used to the guiding. But Baek Heeheon was still not used to it. His heart pounded in response to the core of the S-rank Esper. A continuous reverberation spread out from within him.

“So we should just what. Spit it out.”

“……”

“Baek Heeheon.”

“…Don’t talk to me right now. I have to concentrate.”

“Geez. One thing after another.”

“You too, stop fooling around and just concentrate like your life depends on it. I don’t have a single shred of intention to stick my mouth in with you or anything like that.”

He slid his fingers between his. He, who had interlaced their fingers to create a deep connection, let out his characteristic, sensual laugh.

“Well now. We’ll have to wait and see about that.”

In truth, Baek Heeheon also knew the answer.

This was just stubbornness.

But even knowing that he could not guide Cha Moogyul through skin contact guiding, he could not quietly acquiesce to it.

With the slow guiding, a period of time that felt like torture passed once again. He felt like an impurity floating on the ocean current. Drifting in the vast, open sea without any particular use…. The digital clock on the wall kept changing its numbers. Only time was being wasted. Sweat trickled down his spine.