99 Percent Love

“Tomorrow we start the adaptation period. Let’s work well together. I can just call you Yuwon, right?”  

“Yes, call me whatever you like.”  

After handing in the couple registration form, the two of them went to the cafeteria with the card given to them by the centre manager.  

‘I’ve got enough money too, you know.‘

‘Hey, I’ve got plenty of money too. But on a day like this, it’s only right to eat at someone else’s expense. It’s not every day we get to use the centre manager’s card.’

Unlike Rion, who was grinning from ear to ear while holding the centre manager’s card, Yuwon had the same expressionless face as when they first met.  

Whether they liked it or not, they’d be together all the time after registering as a couple, but with this kind of aloofness, it would be hard to get close.  

Rion thought as much and clicked his tongue.  

“You must have finished school recently?”  

“Yes. I was tested right after graduation. My birthday is quite early.”  

“Didn’t want to go to college? Most kids don’t come here straight away.”  

Still, it felt like he was talking more than when they first met. It’ll get better with time, Rion thought as he went on.  

“I was accepted, but after the results came out, I cancelled my admission.”  

“Why? Just because you got your results doesn’t mean you had to join right away.”  

When Espers and Guides first appeared, personal freedoms weren’t guaranteed. Things like age limits were more like wishful thinking at the time.  

But after some reckless parents started pushing their children who had awakened as Espers or Guides into Gates to make money, various regulations were put in place.  

While the specifics vary from country to country, in Korea, minors under the age of 19 cannot work as Espers or Guides. They can’t even take aptitude tests until they’re of age.  

And with the growing recognition that individuals should be respected as human beings, not just as rare species, the regulations forcing immediate entry into training centres began to disappear.  

Even after receiving Awakening results, people could join the centre after graduating from college, or simply undergo emergency training while living a normal civilian life.  

“Where were you accepted? What subject?”  

“H University, Law Department.”  

“…Pfft! What?”  

Rion, nervous, almost spilled the water he was drinking and quickly wiped his mouth. Even someone like Rion, who had no interest in universities, knew that the Law Department of H University was a prestigious institution.  

“Uh… were you by any chance not interested in law? Was it your parents’ decision, even though it didn’t suit you?”  

“No. Since my first year at school, law was my first choice.”  

Then why did he have his aptitude tested at the age of 19, give up studying and join the Centre?  

Rion asked with a puzzled face. 

“Then why? Isn’t it really hard to get in there?”  

“That’s because I didn’t know I was a guide back then.”  

Yuwon answered clearly.  

Yuwon hadn’t wanted to enter the legal department because he wanted wealth or power.  

It was simply his first choice, because if he couldn’t go the way he really wanted, it was the next best thing.  

“If there’s something I can do, I should do it.”  

“So you really wanted to become a Guide, and that’s why you took the test and came straight here?”  

“Yes.”  

At Yuwon’s answer, Rion’s eyes flickered with a hint of admiration.  

He must have chosen this way to save people and to use his abilities as soon as possible. He may be reserved, but he seems to be a good guy.  

Rion nodded to himself, thinking that.  

“The first month is basically like a probationary period. Once you start working, it’ll be really hard and you might want to quit. Are you still okay with that?”  

“I’m fine. I didn’t jump into it without knowing it would be hard. Even if it’s hard, there’s still something to be gained from it.”  

“Well, that’s true. It’s exhausting, but saving people is rewarding, and it’s a cool job… although not many people seem to understand that”.  

Everyone grumbled about living like they were barely alive, but Rion really liked the job. Being able to save people and knowing he had the strength to do it made him proud.

Finally, someone who understands how I feel. Maybe I’ll get along with this guy better than I thought?

Rion smiled at the thought.

“I’m glad you feel that way. I think we’ll get along really well, don’t you think?”

“…Maybe.”

Yuwon still answered in his usual blunt tone, but his attitude no longer bothered Rion at all.

Rion, still grinning, said. 

“Since you’re twenty, you’re allowed to drink, right? I’ll buy you one. Well, technically the centre manager is buying, but still.”

He waved the centre manager’s card between his fingers.

“Something expensive.”

“…Are you going to drink too?”

“No. I’ve never had a drink because of the leadership issues… and, well, a lot of reasons.”

So he didn’t know his alcohol tolerance or what kind of drunk he would be. If he turned out to be a lightweight and woke up the next day in terrible shape with a hangover, he wouldn’t be able to use his abilities when he needed to.

Being unable to prevent a Gate disaster because of a hangover was the worst-case scenario Rion never wanted to face.

Besides, with his chronic leadership deficiency, he already had to take care of his body. Alcohol was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

“If it’s a leadership problem, doesn’t it matter now?”

“…What?”  

Rion, who had been shaking his head at Yuwon’s words, suddenly froze.

‘Come to think of it, this guy is an S-class guide with a 99% match rate against me, isn’t he?’

He had momentarily forgotten.

From the beginning, he should’ve received a Guide as soon as the Guide appeared. But the shock of discovering a Guide with a 99% match rate had made him forget something so basic.

“Oh, right. You’re my matching Guide.”

Rion let out an embarrassed laugh. How could he forget such an important thing? It seemed that not only he, but also the people in the centre had been surprised.

“Should we shake hands or something?”

Unable to bear the awkwardness, Rion held out a hand. Well, they had completed the basic training, so surely Yuwon would at least know how to lead.

“……”

Yuwon stared at Rion’s hand in silence. What’s this? Why does he just look at it? Just as Rion started to feel embarrassed by his outstretched hand, Yuwon slowly extended it.

“……!”

Yuwon’s big, warm hand practically swallowed Rion’s. Contrary to his cold demeanour, his hand was remarkably warm. At the same time, a sensation completely unlike anything Rion had ever experienced flowed into him through his hands.

If the previous guidance had felt like a trickle, this felt like a waterfall rushing through his veins with a refreshing intensity.

The foggy sensation in his mind that had felt like a constant burden vanished in an instant. The exhaustion that wouldn’t lift no matter how much he slept was gone, as if it had never been there.

Rion had always thought of guiding as a kind of first aid, but this was on a completely different level. He suddenly understood why other Espers in the centre relied so heavily on their guides, and why those with matching guides clung so tightly to their pairs.

“How long do you plan on holding my hand?”

“……Oh? Ah.”

Rion pulled his hand away belatedly, realising how long they had been holding hands. Their palms were damp with sweat from the prolonged contact.

He had been so dazed by the intense leading that he hadn’t noticed the time passing.

“Wow… I’ve never had a proper guide like that before.”

“Your first time?”

“Yeah, you probably heard… I’ve always had a strangely low match rate with guides. Even the highest match I’ve had was only 34%. So this feeling is a first for me.”

As clarity returned to his mind, his mood naturally improved. For the first time, Rion smiled at Yuwon.

“That’s why everyone is so desperate to find a guide.”  

Rion felt a little sorry for Kangwoo, who had done his best to lead despite their poor compatibility. But for the first time, Rion felt like he was really living life the way it was meant to be.

“I’m your first?”

“Yes. You’re the first. It feels amazing.” 

At his answer, Yuwon fidgeted with his hand resting on the table and said.

“I’m glad. It’s good to know that I was helpful.”

“They say life always finds a way. Anyway, I’m counting on you from now on. Excuse me!”

Rion called to a passing waiter.

“Can we have two glasses of your most expensive drink, please?”

“The most expensive drink, you say…”

“Don’t worry about the price. Just bring us the best.” 

Rion said with a grin, not wanting to hear the price and feel guilty about charging it to the Centre Manager’s card. He chuckled playfully and added. 

“I have to work tomorrow, so I can’t overdo it, but I think I’ll try a drink for the first time. You’re okay with that too, right?”

“Yes, I’m fine with it.” 

Even though Yuwon was a bit blunt, Rion found him to be a bit likeable as the conversation went on. Even if his personality wasn’t great, Rion thought it wouldn’t matter if he could feel this good every day.

A little later, Rion raised the glass the staff had handed him and said.

“Shall we toast to that?”

“Sure.”

“To our partnership from now on!”

Clink–! The clear sound of glass hitting glass rang out across the table.

“I’m looking forward to working with you, Yuwon.”

“Me too, let’s work well together.”

After that, the two continued to eat in a peaceful atmosphere.

When they finished eating and parted ways, promising to meet again the next day, Rion still didn’t realize it. Yuwon wasn’t just shy or blunt – he was just a rude idiot.