The Espers Who Regretted Losing Me Chapter 56

Just as expected, when I said “Who’s that?”, the Director’s face—visible over Cha Eunhwi’s shoulder—froze stiffly.

Cha Eunhwi answered me right away.

“Hyeya. That person is the Director here… basically, the one in charge. And personally, he’s also your guardian.”

“Guardian…”

Right.
The Director was legally my guardian.

Even though he never cared about what I wanted.

Still, I didn’t understand why he was looking at me with such pity.

He didn’t look as bad as these guys, but his face was clearly worn down.

Even if the death rate had dropped a lot compared to the past, anyone who lived as an awakened person for decades would get used to losing comrades.

And it wasn’t like I’d been fighting gates alongside him, or like I was his real family or an adopted daughter he was deeply attached to.

…Anyway, I want to know what happened to my property.

I’d given up on it once, but now that things had turned out like this, I was definitely going to get it back.

For now, I’d act carefully, then naturally bring up family matters and ask about the inheritance.

If he says there’s nothing, or that he can’t return it, I’ll seriously go wild like a mad dog.

Stepping back into a place I’d always wanted to escape felt exactly as bad as I’d imagined.

At this point, nothing was off-limits to me.

As I stared at the Director with undisguised hostility, his expression collapsed.

He pressed his fingers to his brow and lowered his head.
A restrained voice came out.

“You were alive. You were… alive.”

“……”

“I’m sorry, Hyeya. I’m so sorry…”

His low voice trembled.

And I panicked.

Why is this old man crying?!

What is going on, seriously…?

It was shocking enough seeing Yeon Dogyeong, Lee Shinra, and Cha Eunhwi crying over me—but seeing the man nicknamed the “Iron Mask” cry was on another level.

If we had been close, that reaction would’ve made sense.

If my mom and dad came back alive, I would’ve cried without being able to say a word too.

But you and I weren’t close like that.

Swallowing the words I couldn’t say, I just frowned.

Like before, it felt strange—but honestly, that was it.

Maybe my thoughts showed on my face, because Lee Shinra hesitated, then spoke up.

“T-The Director… really regrets it a lot too…… He said sending you off like that… was wrong……”

Lee Shinra’s face turned pale again.
His hands were clasped together, trembling with fear—but unlike earlier, I didn’t guide him.

The headquarters was a safe zone.
Unless we were inside a gate where even I could be in danger, there was no reason for me to make contact first.

They don’t even want it. I’d just be the only one benefiting.

I’d been taught to pity and admire them as heroes of humanity, but I felt light instead.

Having lost my memories, I should be self-centered above all else.

Like almost every esper—selfish, stubborn, and annoying!

With that mindset, I replied flatly.

“There sure are a lot of people who need to atone to me.”

See?
I could be sarcastic over just four people.

I just hadn’t done it before.
If I wanted to, I totally could.

As I stood there boldly without blinking, the Director—his eyes now red—spoke to Cha Eunhwi.

“Esper Cha Eunhwi. Could I speak with you for a moment?”

Normally, Cha Eunhwi would’ve answered immediately, but this time he hesitated.

His anxious gaze kept flicking toward me, like he didn’t want to be away from me even for a second.

Honestly, if he hadn’t been staring like that, I would’ve said, I don’t like people talking about me behind my back.

But I hated giving people what they wanted even more.

“He’s the one who asked to talk, so why are you looking at me?”

“……Yeah. It’s hard to take my eyes off you, even for a moment. I’ll be right back.”

“Hey, whether you come back fast or slow doesn’t matter. You don’t need to tell me. We’re not close enough for that.”

Even I could tell—this was master-level nitpicking.
In other words, extremely annoying.

Of course, all my behavior came from how Yeon Dogyeong, Lee Shinra, and Cha Eunhwi had treated me before, so I didn’t think Was I too harsh? even once.

People say acting the same makes you the same kind of person—but again, people need to learn empathy.

Cha Eunhwi didn’t seem bothered at all. He smiled gently.

“I know. I just wanted to say it.”

“……”

“Director. Would it be alright to talk outside?”

“…Fine.”

The Director looked at us with a complicated expression, then left the ops room with Cha Eunhwi.

Standing there with an awkward expression, I sighed as the door closed.

It slipped out without me thinking—and at the same time, I heard Yeon Dogyeong’s voice.

“Are you tired?”

I almost yelled.

Not because he spoke suddenly—but because his voice was way too gentle. It sent chills down my spine.

I didn’t mishear that… did I?

Startled, I glanced to the side. Lee Shinra was staring at Yeon Dogyeong too, like he was looking at an unfamiliar creature.

Shuddering, I replied with my face still scrunched up.

“I’m not tired. Why?”

“Huh? Uh—well, I mean…”

The way he dragged it out was incredibly irritating.

Don’t tell me… he’s about to ask me to guide him if I’m not tired?

For Yeon Dogyeong, not forcing it was already huge progress—but no way.

I took a deep breath, ready to scream the moment he even mentioned guiding—

Then Yeon Dogyeong said lightly,

“Want me to show you around the ops room?”

“Sho—”

“Show?”

“N-No. I mean, this is the ops room, right? Is there really anything I need to see?”

“…If you become part of our unit again, you’ll be here a lot. So I thought it’d be good to see it in advance.”

A month ago, he would’ve said that with a deep scowl and a sharp tone.

Now it came out timidly.

I didn’t reply and just looked around the room.

The windows were covered with blackout curtains—no light came in. Only one dim light was on, making the room very dark.

There’s not really anything new to look at…

But I’d lost my memories, so I had to act like it.

I nodded and pointed at the ceiling.

“Looking around is fine, but turn on the lights first.”

“…Okay!”

Was it because I agreed with him? Yeon Dogyeong smiled brightly and hurried over to flip the switch.

The emotion spreading out was unmistakable joy.

He listened right away, even though I ordered him around…

Come to think of it, when we were kids, if I asked him to turn off the lights or get me water, he’d do it without complaining.

Watching him come back, I spoke calmly.

“My throat’s kind of dry. Get me some water.”

“Just water? I can get coffee or soda too.”

“…Anything cold is fine.”

“You liked soda, Hyeya. You couldn’t drink that inside the gate, right? Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

It wasn’t necessary at all, but he didn’t wait for my answer and ran out of the ops room.

The room fell quiet with just me and Lee Shinra left inside.

And somehow, I found myself thinking, That Yeon Dogyeong guy really has potential as a doormat…

I wasn’t sure whether I should be happy or not.
It was a strange feeling.

As I stared at the tightly closed door, I felt Lee Shinra’s emotions this time.

Anxiousness, happiness, sadness—everything mixed together. Even after taking his medicine, he didn’t look okay at all.

“……”

And he was way too quiet.

He’d never been very talkative, but he also hadn’t been this cautious before.

It felt deeply awkward.