After the presentation ended, the attendees gradually filed out of the conference room. Jaegyeom, Yoon Taehee, and the other members of Team 1 also exited the room. They walked down the hallway, sharing their impressions of the event when a voice suddenly called out from the opposite end of the corridor.
"Hey, you irritating Exorcism Department punks."
The members of Team 1 simultaneously turned to look behind them. The moment he saw who it was, Jaegyeom's expression hardened. Meanwhile, the rest of the team greeted the person cheerfully.
"Oh? It's Chief Lee."
"Hello, Chief!"
The person who had called out to Yoon Taehee was Lee Youngshin, the chief of Team 1 from the Ceremonial Instruments Department.
Known to be one of the few people who kept in touch with Chief Yoon, Lee Youngshin was also familiar with the members of Team 1.
After being reprimanded for gathering materials without permission from the higher-ups and contracting dongti, Lee Youngshin had just returned to work a few days ago after a one-month suspension.
"Yo, it's been a while, hasn't it, Yibin? And Junhyung, you're doing well?"
As Yoon Taehee looked on, glancing between Team 1 members exchanging pleasantries with Lee Youngshin, he subtly turned his eyes toward Jaegyeom, who stood beside him. Meeting Lee Youngshin for the first time in nearly a month, Jaegyeom wore an unreadable expression.
"By the way, it was Jonghoon's first time taking the lead on the presentation today, and he even took some calming meds. But thanks to you guys, our department is basically in mourning now.
You annoying Exorcism Department brats."
Lee Youngshin grumbled with mock resentment, squinting at Yoon Taehee with a faintly playful tone. As he glanced sideways, his gaze fell on Jaegyeom, who was standing beside him.
"And who's this guy? Haven't seen him around before."
At that, Yoon Taehee placed a hand lightly on Jaegyeom's shoulder, then glanced at the rest of the team and said, "You all go ahead. 'll catch up shortly." Once the team members had left, the hallway felt empty. Now, only Yoon Taehee, Lee Youngshin, and Jaegyeom remained in the corridor.
"He's the new guy on our team. Still in training."
He considered sending Jaegyeom off as well, but Lee Youngshin didn't seem to remember him, so it seemed better to formally introduce him at least once to keep things formal.
"Oh! Is this the one you mentioned back then? You said he was tough to reel in because of his fierce personality-guess you managed to tame him? With your team size always capped, does this finally let you breathe a little?"
Yoon Taehee's eyebrow twitched ever so slightly before settling back in place. He glanced subtly to gauge Jaegyeom's reaction, but he merely looked down at the floor without a change in expression.
"...How's your health, by the way?"
Avoiding the subject, Yoon Taehee shifted the conversation in a more neutral direction.
"Ugh, don't even ask. I still wake up in pain at night."
Lee Youngshin was evidently still struggling. Despite a month of purification treatments from the Purification Department, he hadn't fully recovered. The feeling hadn't yet returned to the left side of his body, so every other day, he went for treatment, facing the sideways glances from the Purification Department's exorcists.
"By the way, your new kid has been making waves. Apparently, he earned a Gold Pass on test day. When was the last Gold Pass, huh?
He's the first since you, isn't he?"
Curious, Lee Youngshin couldn't seem to hide his interest in the new recruit handpicked by Yoon Taehee. Meeting him in person for the first time, he kept glancing over at Jaegyeom with an intrigued expression.
"But, who does he take after? For such a small fry, he doesn't have much sense for greetings, does he? Hm?"
Then, suddenly grinning, Lee Youngshin said, "Hey, kid. Let's hear your rank and name."
He ordered playfully, but Yoon Taehee immediately responded.
"...Youngshin."
A slight irritation lingered on Yoon Taehee's brow, though barely noticeable.
"What? Didn't you teach the kid to introduce himself?"
Despite the hint to stop, Lee Youngshin remained obliviously cheerful.
"Ah, hurry up. Rank and name."
He urged. The boy Yoon Taehee had brought in looked awkwardly down at his feet instead of meeting his eyes, perhaps because he was too shy. Then, he reluctantly spoke up.
"Exorcism Department, Team 1... Trainee exorcist Kim Jaegyeom."
Hearing this, Yoon Taehee briefly paused and looked at Jaegyeom in surprise. Satisfied, Lee Youngshin smirked. Since he'd received an introduction, he felt obligated to reciprocate.
"Alright, this hyung is Lee Youngshin, Team 1 Chief of the Ceremonial Instruments Department. If, after your training, you feel the Exorcism Department doesn't suit you, come join us at my department. We'd love to have a Gold Pass recruit on our team."
Lee Youngshin reached out to lightly ruffle the head of the boy, who had been staring at the floor the entire time. But then, without warning, he swatted his hand away and looked Lee Youngshin straight in the eyes, filled with an intense hostility that made the latter involuntarily stop in his tracks.
"You..."
Lee Youngshin's face hardened instantly as he took a step back.
"Oh, Youngshin. Do understand."
At that moment, came Yoon Taehee's hand, large and steady, blocking the space between them. He blocked Jaegyeom's vision and then placed his hand on Jaegyeom's forehead and brushed it gently over the top of his head, down to the nape of his neck.
"Our youngest kid is a bit prickly. Also, something unpleasant happened today, so."
The hand that had been sweeping along the back of his head lightly massaged Jaegyeom's neck twice before retreating. It seemed as if it was signaling him to calm down and reassure him. The touch seemed to wash away the sensation of Lee Youngshin's hand on Jaegyeom's head. His hostility visibly softened as he lowered his gaze.
With Yoon Taehee's gentle intervention, the sharp edge faded from Jaegyeom's eyes. Though he'd been doing his best to keep it together, the moment Lee Youngshin laid a hand on him, he'd felt a surge of anger and heat. If he could have it his way, he wanted to beat him down right here, but he was in the main office, Yoon Taehee was beside him, and Lee Youngshin had no memory of what had happened in the mountains that day.
"Huh? Uh... oh. sure..."
Lee Youngshin, who had briefly frozen, awkwardly nodded, trying to shake off the odd vibe. What was that? He felt like he saw a murderous intent in the other person's eyes. He had heard from Taehee that the kid had a ferocious personality, but... was this what he meant?
"Well, I've got work to do, so I'll head off first. Take care of yourself."
With that, Yoon Taehee wrapped an arm around the boy's shoulders and turned to leave. Watching the two of them walk away, Lee Youngshin unconsciously called out, "Hey, wait!"
"Hey, kid! Have we met somewhere before?"
Both Yoon Taehee and Jaegyeom stopped in their tracks.
"That can't be. Why?"
Yoon Taehee looked back at him with a questioning expression as if he was saying something nonsensical.
"Oh? Uh... never mind. Strange, though. Why does he look so familiar?"
Lee Youngshin scratched his head, a puzzled smile on his face. Yoon Taehee merely chuckled without a word and resumed walking away with Jaegyeom after a curt greeting.
"..."
Left alone in the hallway, Lee Youngshin lingered for a long while, unable to shake the feeling.
"What's with that? I'm sure l've seen him somewhere..."
He tilted his head with a strange expression.
***
After meeting Lee Youngshin, Jaegyeom had been in a foul mood.
Yoon Taehee, seeing this, took him outside the main building, got him into the passenger seat, and started the car.
"You held it together well."
The black sedan, carrying the two of them, glided smoothly along the road tinged by the evening sunset.
"Even though he seems a bit sloppy, Youngshin is still a chief and not an ordinary exorcist. He's not completely clueless, so it's best to avoid dealing with him when possible."
"..."
After finishing his words, Yoon Taehee glanced over at Jaegyeom. He remained silent, his expression showing signs of a bruised ego.
Yoon Taehee, steering the car with one hand, asked softly, "Are you very upset?"
With his question, he lowered the passenger-side window halfway. A cool breeze flowed in, ruffling Jaegyeom's short bangs as it brushed over his forehead.
"..."
Although seeing Lee Youngshin's face had annoyed him, Jaegyeom's silence was actually due to the fact that he was alone with Yoon Taehee.
"I'm not upset."
After a long pause, he responded stiffly.
"So, where are we going?"
"To eat."
Jaegyeom, who had been staring straight ahead, turned to look at Yoon Taehee.
"I told you I already had dinner."
"I know. Who did you eat with?"
"With Kang Yibin."
After a brief silence, Yoon Taehee tapped the steering wheel a couple of times before speaking.
"Then I'll just eat by myself. You can watch me eat."
Jaegyeom fell silent for a moment and then glanced at the clock on the car's dashboard.
"Then you should have told me earlier. Kang Yibin gave me some work to do."
Looking out the window, Jaegyeom continued with a sulky expression.
"What if she scolds me for leaving work without saying anything?"
"Just say the Chief tempted you."
Without even blinking, Yoon Taehee, still looking straight ahead, spoke.
"The Chief got on his knees and begged for you to eat with him."
"..."
"He says he'd throw herself onto the road if you didn't join him for dinner."
"..."
"Go ahead, tell her that."
The outrageous comment left Jaegyeom momentarily speechless. In the past, he would've brushed it off as a silly joke, but now he didn't know how to respond. Strangely, he could feel his pulse quicken.
Jaegyeom stared straight ahead, unable to find a retort, and finally replied with a forced nonchalance.
"S- stop talking nonsense."
At this, Yoon Taehee chuckled softly and pressed down on the accelerator.
"Right. I'm nonsensical."
With a roar, the sedan accelerated forward.