“Aw, come on, it’s our first team dinner—he has to drink at least a little!”Even though Raon hadn’t clearly said yes, the preparations for the party were already moving along like a well-oiled machine. He watched Yeojoon setting up the drinks table with an incredulous look.“When did you even get all this ready?”“I brought the Esper liquor, and the rest we all—”“Ahem!”“Oh, so that’s how it is.”So they’d all planned it together. Raon swept his gaze over the fidgeting chicks in front of him and curved his lips upward.“Well, I don’t go back on my word. Drink responsibly.”“Team Leader, you’re the best!”Raon snorted at their cheers. If word got out that they’d turned the Center’s conference room into a bar, Seokhyeon would probably chew him out later—but since they couldn’t take Espers outside anyway, there wasn’t much choice.“Come on, Siwoo, you too. You have to toast.”“Mmh.”Raon didn’t like it one bit. After years of medication, Siwoo’s body was still weak; letting him drink something as toxic as Esper liquor felt wrong. He frowned instinctively as Yeojoon poured a full glass for him.“I’m not drinking.”“Good decision.”When Siwoo quietly pushed the glass aside, Raon smiled in approval and ruffled his black hair.“But we’ve gotta do at least one toast, right? Pleaaase, Team Leadeeer.”“Hah.”Raon grimaced at Yeojoon’s pathetic attempt at aegyo.“Fine. Just one.”“Yesss!”It was their first get-together; refusing completely would have killed the mood. One glass wouldn’t hurt Siwoo either. If even Minjae, a C-rank, was drinking it, it probably wasn’t that strong.“Team Leader, you’ve gotta give the toast.”“Oh, for crying out loud.”Under their eager eyes, Raon rose with his glass in hand. Feeling faintly embarrassed, he rubbed the back of his neck and lifted the drink high.“We’ve still got a long way to go, but I appreciate how hard everyone’s worked. To the Guide Team!”“To the Guide Team!”They clinked glasses. After the Violet Gate’s successful suppression—a mission everyone had expected to be a disaster—the team’s faces were bright with pride.A night like this was well deserved. Instead of dark thoughts about the next Gate, Raon let himself watch his team laugh and drink.“Guide Dasom, are you pretending to be all saintly these days? The internet’s calling you Saint Dasom, you know?”“I—I never said anything like that!”Dasom’s cheeks flushed as she snapped back at Yeojoon, who was already pink from his first drink. Raon chuckled softly.After Dasom and Hamin’s reawakening had been made public, several Espers who’d fought alongside them had given interviews. Once they learned she wasn’t a Guide but an S-rank healer, they eagerly shared stories—like the one who’d seen her healing with light streaming behind her, making her look haloed.And so the internet dubbed her the Saint. Given her ability, it wasn’t far off.“I’m telling you, I’m not! You’re terrible, Yeojoon! Terrible!”“Ah, Dasom, ow—ow! That hurts! Ow!”Apparently S-rank healing came with S-rank grip strength. Her smacks landed with the dull thud of a blacksmith hammering iron.Raon laughed into his beer and turned aside.“Pretty funny, huh?”“…”“Siwoo?”No response. Raon ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) glanced over—and froze. Siwoo’s head hung low, his face hidden by his bangs.Thud.“Siwoo!”His head hit the table with a heavy sound. Raon bolted upright.“Hey, Siwoo! Wake up! Come on!”“Mmh.”No matter how he shook him, there was no proper response.One glass. Just one, and he was out cold. The aftereffects of those guiding drugs must have been worse than Raon thought. Guilt pricked sharply through him.“Wh-what’s wrong with him…?”“He’s been on guiding meds for years. Must be that.”“I—I didn’t know…”Yeojoon, who’d been the most insistent about pouring him a drink, went pale. Raon shook his head and lifted Siwoo up.“It’s fine. Keep drinking. I’ll take him to the infirmary.”“Should I help—?”“No need.”He waved Yeojoon off and slung Siwoo’s arm around his shoulders. The boy could still walk a little, half-leaning against him, eyes unfocused.“Siwoo, can you hear me?”“Mmh.”“Let’s get you to the hospital.”“…Don’t wanna.”“What?”As they walked down the corridor, Siwoo scrunched his nose, whining like a child who didn’t want his shots.“You’re hurt, you need to see a doctor, okay?”“I’ll… be fine. Just rest a bit.”“Yeah?”He was still talking clearly, at least. Raon looked at the head resting on his shoulder and sighed.“All right. We’ll go rest, then.”The Espers’ dorm was too far from the Center; he’d have to take him to his own quarters. Siwoo had been there a few times before—it’d be fine.He got him as far as the doorway before Siwoo’s knees gave out completely, nearly toppling them both.“Haah… damn…”Panting, Raon dragged him to the bed and let him drop onto the mattress.“Siwoo, you should change before sleeping.”“Mmm…”Still in his stifling uniform, Siwoo frowned. The heat from the alcohol was getting to him.No way he could undress himself. Clicking his tongue, Raon reached out to help. It felt almost like taking care of a baby—if the baby were built like a tank.“Arms up. That’s it. Good boy.”“Mm.”“Good. You’re doing great.”Just getting his shirt off took forever. Raon nearly gave up twice, but leaving him like that wasn’t an option.“Siwoo, lift your waist—hey, Siwoo?”“Mmh, hyung?”“Yeah, it’s me.”The pants were worse. As Raon fumbled with them, Siwoo stirred, blinking half-open eyes that locked on him.Raon’s hand paused. He brushed a thumb over Siwoo’s flushed cheek. The boy leaned into the touch like a sleepy cat seeking warmth.“Mmh… hyung…”“Yeah, yeah.”So this is what he’s like drunk… Raon couldn’t help smiling faintly. Siwoo’s half-lidded eyes curved in a lazy grin that almost made him laugh.“Ha, you’re ridiculous.”He murmured the familiar words and gave the soft cheek a gentle pinch—though at twenty, most of the baby fat was gone. A small pang of regret crossed him.“Hyung… you’re annoying.”“What?”Siwoo caught his hand between both of his and mumbled, “You’re annoying.”“Me? Why?”“Mm… keep guiding other people… it’s annoying.”“…What?”“You’re my Guide. Mine…”“….”“So annoying.”The quiet, slurred complaint left Raon speechless. Watching Siwoo glare at his palm like it had betrayed him, he barely managed to swallow a laugh and leaned closer.

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