OMH Chapter 50
by Volare“Did you check if the number of bullets is correct? Does the vest and harness size fit?”
“Yes, yes~ I counted everything and wore everything.”
“If you’ve all packed your things securely, get in the car.”
“Yes~”
The kids answered without enthusiasm and got into the car.
Today is the long-awaited mission day.
Today’s mission location is a general Civilian House/Area, so the S-grade teenagers seemed quite excited. They can’t even freely roam inside the Esper Guide Association, so it’s understandable they’d be excited.
Whenever the training intensity increased and the kids’ morale worsened, they were appeased by going to general Civilian House/Area.
‘I didn’t get permission, but it should be okay to take the kids to Downtown before returning, right? Everyone who goes on a mission does it, so it should be fine. It’s not like they’re going to use their abilities there.’
I finally checked the luggage and closed the car trunk.
The kids were all in the car, and Cha Woojin was in the passenger seat, so we could leave.
The car was a jeep rented from the Esper Guide Association, so even with three teenagers crammed in the back seat, there was plenty of room.
“Teacher! It’s too cramped here.”
It was only cramped for Jo Yong, who was almost 190 centimeters tall.
“Just move a little to the side. I’m really cramped.”
“Can’t you see the line dividing the seats? Just take your share. Don’t push.”
“You have to endure it even if it’s cramped. If it’s really uncomfortable, detach your shoulders or something. Who told you to grow so unnecessarily big?”
I’m really glad Woojin isn’t in that pandemonium.
Woojin, sitting comfortably in the passenger seat alone, was lost in his own world.
Today was the first day Cha Wooreen went to kindergarten alone, so he must be worried about that.
But on the second day of kindergarten, he apologized to the kid he hit and seemed to be doing okay.
In my opinion, Wooreen was only scolded by Woojin on the first day, and after that, he seemed happy.
Even though I comforted Woojin that Cha Wooreen would be doing well in kindergarten, Woojin’s expression remained dark.
Is it the heart of a caregiver to be worried about such trivial things? But he’ll get used to it after some time. I decided to understand Woojin.
“Senior. When are you going to get a house? If you’re a B-grade Esper, you can live outside and start a family, can’t you?”
But suddenly, Jang Hana in the back seat said something strange.
“Everyone finds a partner inside the Association and lives outside. If you have a child, the Association gives you a house for free, right? Senior meets the requirements, so it’s enough to live outside, isn’t it?”
“Wow, Teacher, if you get a house, you have to invite us to a housewarming party!”
What is this really? Start a family? Free house? Housewarming party?
“What are you guys talking about? Say something I can understand.”
“Senior, I’m saying that since you’re starting a family, you should get support from the Association and be comfortable. I heard that B-grade Dormitorys are studio apartments. How can three people live there?”
“Really? Teacher lives in a studio apartment? Wooreen and I have three rooms in our private Dormitory.”
“…….”
I knew that A-grade Dormitorys had one room, but this is the first time I’ve heard this? S-grades use three-room Dormitorys. I’m kind of jealous. I’ve done so much for the Association, and they discriminate like this based on grade?
No. They can’t move freely except for Dormitorys. There’s probably a camera in their Dormitory, so whatever. I’m not jealous of them.
I calmed my petty mind and regained my composure.
“But to get support, you have to register your marriage first, right?”
“Aren’t you already registered and living together? Teacher, are you registered?”
“…….”
No, I didn’t. Marriage registration? Me? With Woojin?
‘I’ve never thought about it, marriage registration. But since it’s Woojin… well… it’s okay? Marriage registration with Woojin… marriage registration…’
I glanced sideways at Woojin next to me.
Woojin was also stiff, probably embarrassed by the kids’ talk.
I need to ease Woojin first.
“You don’t have to pay attention to what the kids are saying, Woojin. We’re approved by the Guide Bureau, so we don’t need that.”
“Yes? That, that kind of thing…?”
“When rescued civilians want to get a house, they often register their marriage and adopt a child, but that’s because they have nowhere to live. We’re allowed to live in my Dormitory, so we don’t need that kind of registration process.”
“Senior wants to get married, doesn’t she?”
‘Oh really, Jang Hana, be quiet.’
I held back my words with superhuman patience. It’s only my loss if I get angry at the kids’ nagging. And Woojin must be embarrassed because of the kids, right? There’s no need to get caught up in their jokes. Woojin must think the same way. Right, Woojin?
But Woojin in front of me was staring at me with wide eyes.
‘What is it? Why are you looking at me like that, Woojin?’
Woojin’s usually deep eyes were round and sparkling. It’s different from usual, kind of cute. While I was unguarded by Woojin’s face, Woojin joked.
“Do you want to register your marriage with me?”
‘Ugh, why are you suddenly smiling at me like that after looking at me so cutely!’
I want to take a picture, no matter if I’m driving or not. I want to film a video of him looking at me cutely and then smiling with his eyes and watch it for eternity.
“Senior, what are you doing? The Guide asked if you want to register your marriage.”
“Ooh~ Answer her~”
“An.swer! An.swer!”
The back seat was clapping to the syllables of “answer” and making a fuss.
Just in time, a curve appeared. I stepped on the accelerator hard and turned the steering wheel.
Screeeeech!
“Ack! What’s wrong!”
“Why are you driving like that!”
The kids in the back seat, who weren’t wearing seatbelts, were thrown to one side by the momentum.
The kids who were complaining about being cramped were compressed in one direction, creating space in the back seat.
My mind was also relieved.
So, you have to wear seatbelts when you get in the car, kids. Don’t forget that I’m holding the steering wheel.
*
Our mission location is on the outskirts of Downtown, at the very end of the residential area, the boundary line.
Some people think that Downtown was “naturally created” by general civilians rescued by the Association gathering one by one, but in fact, this is a residential area planned by the Esper Guide Association.
Of course, they didn’t plan the commercial district, but the Association provided the land for the rescued general civilians to live together.
The Esper Guide Association built high barbed wire fences with high-voltage electricity flowing through them on the edges of the land provided so that civilians with weak combat abilities could live in peace.
And they dispatched patrol teams to manage the barbed wire and supervise the external situation.
Even after doing that, they were not at ease and constantly sent Association members capable of combat as mercenaries.
And today, we are those combat mercenaries.
Managing the barbed wire is the job of the patrol team, so it’s not our job.
In this mission, our job is to monitor the situation outside the barbed wire.
More specifically, it’s to prevent anything from crossing the barbed wire from the outside. Whether it’s a monster or anything else.
“But the barbed wire has high-voltage electricity flowing through it, right? Is it possible to break through it?”
Ham Soyoung, who was listening to my explanation, asked a question. I have to answer my student’s question.
“Yeah, it is. There are cases where a monster that can withstand that level of shock rams into it or cuts the wires and crosses the barbed wire.”
“Ugh, are we catching monsters again today?”
“There are many monsters in hibernation right now, so we probably won’t be catching monsters.”
“You said that last time too, and we caught a really big one.”
That’s why I said ‘probably’. Don’t you know what ‘probably’ and ‘maybe’ mean? They never just say ‘Yes, I understand’ and move on. And in this world, what’s so special about catching monsters that you’re grumbling about? If you don’t want to catch monsters, I want to tell them to go back to the Research Center instead of doing missions or classes.
My mouth was itching, but I held back because Woojin was in front of me.
‘At least in front of Woojin, I have to show a cool and dignified appearance. If I get angry at the kids, I’ll look bad.’
I smiled like an adult and scolded the immature kids.
“This is a safe zone established by the Esper Guide Association. It’s different from the outside. There are more than 20 control posts installed between the barbed wire. Barriers are also installed in the sky and underground. Even if it’s not hibernation season, monsters don’t usually come in.”
“That’s right. This boundary area is much safer than working outside. That’s why the field team with the most non-combatants is the boundary area patrol team~ Hahaha.”
While I was briefing the kids on the mission, a patrol team employee came.
“Hello~ I’m Kwak Seungtae, the head of control post D, who will be working with you today. Hahaha. It’s an honor to work with such promising people~”
This plump man, who greeted us with a joke, is the head of the boundary area patrol team.
The boundary area patrol team is the largest among the field teams. Because they have to patrol a wide area, they have a large number of people, and they need replacement personnel to avoid creating empty areas.
So, the patrol team is usually divided into 26 groups and operates.
Between the barbed wire surrounding the residential area, 26 control posts are installed at regular intervals. The 26 divided groups operate around the control posts, and the leader of that team wears the hat of a head.
And Kwak Seungtae in front of us is one of those heads.
Being a head is just an intermediate manager who relays information to the patrol team leader.
“Oh my~ S-grade boys who will illuminate the future of our Esper Guide Association. When else would I get to meet you if not now? Haha. And even Gang Hana Esper came, it’s an honor for control post D.”
Kwak Seungtae flattered us, saying that it was difficult to leave the control post because of his position as head.
It’s a bit embarrassing, but it didn’t feel too bad. I don’t usually hear this kind of thing except when I win the Martial Arts Tournament, so I should enjoy it when I can. Even if it’s flattery from a stranger.
“Despite being a B-grade, defeating A-grades and S-grades with bare hands is really amazing. Even a member of that Great Monster Extermination Team. Originally, that team doesn’t accept B-grades very well, right? But even in such a place, she single-handedly defeats a giant monster. Very amazing!”
‘Wow, how many times in my life will I hear this kind of flattery?’
My fingers are slightly curling, but I feel great. Should I give him an autograph later?
My heart fluttered slightly with excitement and anticipation. Seo Yuntaek always gives autographs to low-grade Espers or civilians, so am I going to do that now too? It’ll save face in front of Woojin too.
“I really wanted to meet Gang Hana Esper. But is she in the bathroom or something? I definitely know she’s coming today…….”
“I’m here?”
“……Yes? Oh, come on, what kind of joke is that? Who doesn’t know that Gang Hana Esper shaves her head?”
No, it’s me……. Why does everyone always think I shave my head? You praised my achievements so much, but you don’t even recognize my features. I’m suddenly getting sad.
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