Confinement Constitution Guide

Life in Confinement, Hard Ver. (8)

Sa Hae-geon, gazing at the red shackle on my ankle, had a satisfied expression just like Cream after eating a fulfilling meal. His eyes sparkled excessively.

I gently asked Sa Hae-geon, who seemed genuinely happy.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes. Very much.”

Sa Hae-geon’s cheeks flushed a faint pink as he answered in a slightly trembling voice. His long eyelashes fluttered and his deep blue eyes slowly stared at me.

As our eyes met, it felt like peering into the depths of the ocean with gentle waves. Sa Hae-geon looked at me intently, then took off his nitrile gloves and reached out. His large hand abruptly approached my face, and his thumb brushed my cheek.

“Wh-what.”

My body involuntarily flinched at the unfamiliar sensation from his cool touch. Just as Sa Hae-geon had said before, his hands were extremely cold. So much so that I could instantly understand why he would dash into the bathroom to warm his hands before coming out whenever we shook hands or held hands.

It was as if ice had touched my skin.

“Ah, sorry. There was an eyelash on your cheek.”

Sa Hae-geon hastily withdrew his hand and apologized at my reaction.

“I forgot for a moment. From now on, I’ll make sure to warm my hands before touching you. My hands are very cold because I’m still clumsy at controlling my ability.”

Sa Hae-geon spoke in a reflective tone as he got up and tidied the box and spare shackles. He brought a disinfectant from the utility room and sprayed it on the floor where the box had been placed, then checked his watch.

Exactly 30 seconds later, Sa Hae-geon wiped the floor with a wet tissue. Watching that scene, I had a sudden realization.

‘Now that I think about it… isn’t this house a bit too neat and clean?’

Aside from the space I occupy being a little messy, all other spaces were tidily organized. Even my room became as neat as a hotel room with a single touch from Sa Hae-geon.

Could Sa Hae-geon have a cleaning disorder or something? The more I mulled over Sa Hae-geon’s actions that I had seen without much thought, the stronger that guess became.

And if Sa Hae-geon really had a cleaning disorder… then wouldn’t my existence be quite annoying? After all, I had a talent for unconsciously making my surroundings messy.

Sa Hae-geon, who had been busily moving around alone, finished cleaning after washing his hands in the bathroom.

“I’m done tidying up. Did you pick a movie?”

“Oh, no. Let’s choose together.”

“Okay. Sounds good.”

Sa Hae-geon nodded and sat beside me. Then he naturally took the remote control from my hand. Unlike earlier, his hand that brushed my skin was so hot it felt like it was boiling. It was a miracle I didn’t get burned.

“Did you wash with hot water?”

“Yes. Just in case.”

He answered with a gentle smile and turned his gaze to the TV, starting to pick a movie.

“Let’s watch your favorite genre this time. What genre do you like?”

“I just watch anything… If I had to choose, action or fantasy?”

“Then have you seen this movie?”

“No. It’s a movie I haven’t seen. If you haven’t either, let’s watch that.”

“Okay.”

Sa Hae-geon got up, turned off the living room lights, and returned. Soon, the movie began with grand background music. It was about several Espers and an even larger number of Guides conquering an extremely difficult dungeon together – an ideal subject that every Guide in Korea has imagined at least once.

As I watched the Esper presumed to be the leader manipulate psychokinesis, I opened my mouth.

“You said your hands are cold because you’re not used to controlling your ability?”

“Yes. By the way.”

Sa Hae-geon’s gaze, which had been fixed on the TV, turned to me. He asked with an excited face.

“Do they sleep in the same tent like that when going to a dungeon too?”

“Huh? Yeah. That’s right. Espers with Espers, Guides with Guides, Pairs with Pairs.”

“Guides and Espers who aren’t Pairs can’t share a tent?”

“No, not necessarily. Close friends just sleep together regardless of that.”

“What about you then?”

Sa Hae-geon even fully turned his body towards me and waited for my answer. Why did he suggest watching a movie in the first place if he was going to be like this?

“I almost always use one alone or share with a close Guide friend. Why?”

“What about with an Esper?”

“I don’t. I never even thought about it. If there’s a shortage of tents, I might consider it. But why are you suddenly asking this?”

“I was just curious.”

Sa Hae-geon smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting, and threw another question.

“What about food then?”

“For food, we just make do with high-calorie energy bars, rice balls, or triangle kimbap provided by the Center. No ESP user increases their luggage just to have proper meals.”

“Don’t tell me you worked while eating that stuff too?”

“Yeah. It’s not like I’m any different.”

Sa Hae-geon made a shocked face at my answer. He had an expression as if he couldn’t understand how anyone could work while eating such things.

“By the way, what’s your ESP ability?”

“My ability? Are you curious about me?”

“No, well… I only know you’re an Esper, not what kind of Esper you are, so I’m curious.”

Even though the lights were off, it was clear that Sa Hae-geon’s cheeks were flushed red. He spoke, openly showing his excitement.

“For now, I can manipulate water.”

“Water?”

“Yes. Water. But I’m not very good at it yet. I can only move about an Atlantic Ocean’s worth at the moment, so I need to practice more, but I couldn’t do that without receiving guiding.”

“…You can only move about an Atlantic Ocean’s worth?”

I couldn’t understand what he meant. Thinking he might be trying to fool me, I glared at Sa Hae-geon, but he just added more strange words, looking very shy.

“I’ll work harder. I heard other Espers can even draw and use groundwater. I can do it too if I practice more. I’ve already succeeded in creating water, so soon I’ll be able to draw up groundwater as well. So please wait a little longer.”

“That’s true, but…”

“There may not be an ocean in a dungeon, and if I can only move the ocean, it won’t be much help. I don’t want to be a burden to you.”

Sa Hae-geon said that while lowering his eyes. He seemed to really think his ability was insignificant, but my thoughts differed.

Creating water and drawing groundwater is possible for high-grade Espers, but those who can move the entire Atlantic Ocean are extremely rare. Meaning Sa Hae-geon’s ability was not at a level to be considered insignificant.

‘Then that means he’s at least A-grade or above.’

Not only that, didn’t he clearly say “for now” he manipulates water earlier? I bluntly asked Sa Hae-geon, who was gauging my reaction.

“Do you happen to have other abilities too?”

At that, Sa Hae-geon widened his eyes and stared at me. My face was reflected in his eyes that held the deep sea.