The X Guide-Chapter 20: Guiding Session (3)

The yellow zone they were in was more like a town than a city, but the nearest city was a green zone, and so this place was only considered a garrison.

They did not come to the city near the forbidden zone and specifically chose a small zone, so the chances of being recognized were lower than when they were in a big city.

Ayen entered a small house, located at the very edge of the town. This was the most dangerous location in any zone, which was likely to be targeted by wandering monsters.

When he swept his eyes over, Ayen already noticed the emptiness of the area. It was so quiet, but not comfortable. He averted his gaze and closed the door behind him.

"You’re here," Khal welcomed him with a smile. At his side was Devion, fixing something.

Ayen nodded. "What’s going on?"

"I’m fixing the lines here at least," Devion answered.

"Lines?"

"Yeah, electricity lines. This place isn’t connected to the power lines," he explained.

Devion kept himself busy; Ayen also noticed this about himself. Whether about cooking or fixing things, although this was the first time seeing him fix something.

Ayen looked around, eyes landing on a big chunk of solid ice at the foot of the stairs. He shifted his gaze back to Devion, and small lightning appeared at his fingertips, connecting to the lines.

Soon, the fan on the ceiling and the stand fan that was facing the ice became functional.

"Done." Devion grinned at Ayen, as though asking for praise.

Unfortunately for him, Ayen was not one to do that. Even if he thought the two were indeed convenient to be with, especially if it was the summer.

"Well done." Khal complimented instead, patting Devion’s head like praising a pet.

"Pissed off, dude." Devion slapped his hand before fixing his hair.

Khal only smirked, eyes returned to Ayen, who was watching them silently. He already figured out Ayen by this point. If no one started the conversation, then Ayen could continue to watch without interrupting.

Unless, maybe, it was necessary.

"Who should be the first? Me or Devion?" He went straight to the point. Ayen simply likes that, talking about the matter at hand.

Sure enough, Ayen blinked at them as if thinking about it.

"You both decide." In the end, Ayen has them decide. For him, it did not matter who was first. This was a test, and complications were better left for later.

The two exchanged glances, as if communicating through each other’s gazes. For some reason, Ayen enjoyed watching them like this. Strange, but true.

"Khal," Devion pointed at Khal.

Khal shrugged. "Guess it’s me first."

Ayen thought he was too casual about this, but then again, he was an SS-Class Esper. There was no way a guiding session, one that only had a 50% chance of success, could make him nervous, either.

Perhaps, he was the only one anxious about this. He reached out his hand and let Khal grab it to start the guiding session. Since this was the first time, Ayen was more inclined to do hand-holding guiding than its more intense counterparts.

He was not ready for that.

Khal calmly reached out and clasped Ayen’s hand.

Then...

"..."

"..."

The two stared at each other.

"What is it? Is something wrong?" Devion also sounded anything but calm.

"Sorry," Khal chuckled helplessly and withdrew his hand before wiping it on his pants. It turned out he was not as calm and casual as he looked.

His palm was sweating like crazy. Ayen also looked at his palm, which was slightly wet as well because of Khal’s sweat.

"Let me," Khal grabbed Ayen’s hand, then wiped it with his shirt. Devion also realized and burst out in laughter. However, he also pointed to his own palm. The moisture was visible to see.

"I’m anxious as fuck." Devion wiped his hand as well, shuddering.

Ayen looked at the two, found the absurdity of the situation laughable, but he felt relieved. It turned out that he was not the only one anxious.

"It’s fine." Ayen caught Khal’s hand, which was still slightly sweaty. "We’re all nervous for our first time. It made sense."

"Oh damn," Devion exclaimed.

"Huh?"

Khal coughed and squeezed Ayen’s hand. "Ayen, next time..."

"What?"

"Nevermind." He shook his head, covered his head with his other hand, and laughed; his shoulders even trembled.

Devion jabbed at him again, laughing.

"Your words... man, sorry, we’re simpletons, Ayen."

"I know that." To think they were self-aware made Ayen impressed. He was actually beginning to understand the joke behind his words, but he still could not get the reason why they laughed.

If the two could hear his words, they might have shouted at him: It was your voice, okay. Ayen, your tone of voice! It was like a seductive but innocent demon.

"Aww, that hurts." Devion pretended to clutch his chest.

Khal, who had now calmed down, comforted Devion. "Don’t worry, babe. I’m here for you."

"Who cares about you?"

"Fuck, that hurts." Khal now also facepalms as if depressed.

Ayen’s right eye twitched. Seriously, these two...

However, it also helped ease the tension and anxiety that slowly crept around them. As soon as the fuss ended, they returned to the serious business.

Ayen noticed Khal’s palm was not as sweaty as before. He did calm down.

"I’ll start," Ayen informed. Khal nodded, and Devion watched from the side. While inexperienced, Ayen could still remember most of the teachings at the organization.

He took a deep breath and shut his eyes. On one hand, he thought of controlling his wavelength better this way. Looking at those chaotic wavelengths around the two distracted him.

And the other was, if ever he failed at guiding Khal, he would not immediately see the disappointment in their faces.

Just like when activating the blaster gun with his guide energy, he awakened his wavelength and slowly tried to connect with Khal’s wavelength.

He found it easier to connect than what the textbook told him, easily bypassing most of the other steps. He could not help but marvel once again at the compatibility between them.

Ayen quickly captured and enveloped Khal with his guiding energy to the point that it was almost overwhelming. His eyes were shut so he could not see Khal’s reaction.

If he could, then he was about to witness what Devion was seeing. Khal furrowed his brows at first, and then slowly redness spread from his neck and now on his whole face.

Devion was alarmed at first, but then realized, no, Khal was not in danger. He was only flustered and blushing! Their eyes met, Devion with questions in his eyes and Khal, who bit his lips, eyes dreamy. He leaned back as if feeling some kind of ecstasy, also shutting his eyes.

Devion swore he had seen that same look before.

He could not help but gulp and look back at Ayen. Damn... hurry up, beautiful Ayen, I want to experience it too!