“Jungmin, I transferred your lunch money to your account. Mina, your stockings have a run.”

“Okay.”

“Ugh! These were brand new today!”

“Hey, my pretty princess, watch your language.”

Taehun adjusted his tie with one hand while tidying the breakfast table with the other. Despite his multitasking, he still found time to nag his three half-asleep younger siblings who were sluggishly eating breakfast.

“Woojin, don’t crawl back into bed after eating. Wash your face and get to your TOEIC class. I’m not paying for your classes so you can skip them. Seungyu, help with the dishes. Jihyun, you’re working later today, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Be careful on your way out. Eat well and study hard, all of you.”

The five younger siblings nodded in unison, clearly used to his daily lecture. Well, technically, four nodded.

One of them, Choi Jihyun, had something to ask her eldest brother today. She quietly approached him and, in a show of exaggerated sweetness, adjusted his tie a little more neatly.

Taehun raised an eyebrow while the other siblings exchanged knowing glances, some preparing their bags while others continued eating.

Gently ruffling Jihyun’s hair, Taehun teased in a mock-affectionate voice, “Need some spending money?”

“No! Well… I wouldn’t say no, but that’s not it!”

“Then what?”

Glancing at his wristwatch, Taehun was about to check the time when his youngest brother, Choi Jungmin, a middle schooler over ten years his junior, chimed in.

“There’s a book signing today at ○○ Bookstore near your office. It starts at 12:30.”

“…Ji Gwanyeong?”

Taehun let out a deep sigh at the name, prompting their second brother, Woojin, still half-asleep with puffy eyes, to burst into laughter.

Ji Gwanyeong. Now, who was he again?

That impressive man was the lead actor in the drama his sister was currently obsessed with and widely regarded as one of the most talented actors in his thirties. Whether it was commercials or acting projects, he was nearly flawless, with a perfect track record in this small country where everyone seemed to know his name.

Avoiding his sister’s overly sparkling eyes, Choi Taehun mumbled, “I’ll think about it if I have time,” and rushed out of the house. But despite his casual response, he was fully aware that he would end up elbowing through a crowd of fans during his precious lunch break, all just to get an autograph from a top star.

Fan events were a completely foreign world to him—he had never shown interest in them. However, when it came to his younger sisters, Taehun was powerless.

Starting his car, he made a mental note to check the exact location and time of the signing event as soon as he got to work. Of course, he had to avoid getting caught by his grumpy supervisor, Manager Kim.

—

Thankfully, things worked out.

Taehun, who didn’t get along too well with his mentor, had bonded surprisingly well over a conversation about Ji Gwanyeong. The topic had smoothed things over so much that they ended up heading to the autograph session together during lunch break.

He was amazed at how his mentor, wearing high heels, seemed to walk faster than him. But seeing her determination reminded him—if he let his guard down, he wouldn’t be able to secure the autograph for his sister.

By the time they arrived, the line for the signing was already long.

Naturally, Taehun stood out.

Among the crowd of mostly young women, his neatly pressed suit and employee ID hanging around his neck made him seem completely out of place. Curious glances were cast his way, as if he were the definition of an overzealous fanboy.

But Taehun wasn’t bothered. Having raised five unique siblings, he had become both resilient and, in some ways, quite stubborn. As the eldest of six, what mattered more than others’ stares was the fact that a single autograph could be exchanged for shoulder massages or help with trash sorting back home.

After what felt like ages, his turn finally approached.

Checking the time, Taehun felt a wave of relief. “Great! If I hurry, I can grab a kimbap roll at the convenience store before heading back.”

The fan in front of him, a young woman, was still holding Ji Gwanyeong’s hand, stammering with excitement as she told him how handsome he was. Meanwhile, Taehun shifted anxiously, tapping his fingers against his side.

Then, it happened.

Suddenly, his ears felt blocked, as if he were on a plane. His brows furrowed slightly at the unexpected sensation. There was no apparent reason for it.

Well, if he *had* to find a cause… maybe it was because the deep voice that had been muffled until now suddenly sounded clearer as the line moved closer.

Frowning, he tugged gently at his earlobe, shaking his head.

“What the… Am I really getting nervous over seeing a celebrity?”

The thought alone was ridiculous enough to make him let out a small, self-deprecating laugh. His heart was even beating a bit faster than usual.

He wished he could stay in denial a bit longer.

Because as soon as the woman in front of him stepped aside, revealing Ji Gwanyeong—

Taehun’s eyes slowly widened.

“…….”

“……”
I should just get this over with quickly and leave.

The guide’s goal of getting a simple, quick autograph shattered the moment his eyes landed on the man sitting across the table. His lips remained tightly shut, unable to form a single sentence. All he could do was swallow dryly, his throat suddenly parched.

But it wasn’t just Choi Taehun who was silent.

The top star, who had been effortlessly charming the entire time, also fell quiet, seemingly surprised by the unexpected presence of a young man in the line. Like Taehun, he seemed momentarily speechless. The bodyguard standing beside Ji Gwanyeong glanced at his employer with a puzzled expression.

Ji Gwanyeong was a professional.

His public image was so flawlessly managed that people often described him as almost inhuman—no scandals, no controversies, just absolute perfection.

But right now, something was off. And even Ji Gwanyeong himself seemed unsure why.

The man, famous for his composure and gentle charisma, appeared slightly shaken, drawing the attention of the crowd.

Then, like a cheap battery-operated doll, Ji Gwanyeong broke the silence in a way that was uncharacteristically awkward.

Taehun had no idea how unusual this was for the top star, but he was too distracted to notice.

The signature smile on Gwanyeong’s face was still there, but his voice, usually calm and measured, trembled slightly.

“Ah… yes. Uh… Hello. Thank you for coming. Your name?”

“Choi Taehun… No, no. Please sign it for Choi Jihyun.”

“Understood.”

Taehun clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, his heart racing uncontrollably. For a moment, he wondered if he was losing his mind.

He quickly rationalized that his sister’s endless praise of Ji Gwanyeong must have made him feel this strange tension. Even so, he couldn’t bring himself to meet the star’s lingering gaze directly, awkwardly averting his eyes.

Ji Gwanyeong moved his pen across the paper, writing slowly.

Then, with a slight, almost hesitant pause that only Taehun would notice, he handed over the signed paper.

“Thank you.”

The voice, adored by millions, sounded just a touch hoarse.

But by then, Ji Gwanyeong had already returned to the flawless version everyone knew—the poised, graceful celebrity. Taehun, flustered, mumbled a half-hearted “Yes,” taking the autograph with both hands.

Yet, it didn’t end there.

Ji Gwanyeong extended his hand toward Taehun.

“Would you mind shaking hands with me?”

It was such a polite request that it almost sounded like Taehun was the celebrity here.

Feeling awkward, Taehun quickly grasped his hand, intending to shake briefly and leave.

But fate wasn’t that kind to him.

The moment their hands met, a searing heat spread from Taehun’s right shoulder down his back, like his entire body was on fire. He barely managed to suppress a small gasp—soft, but just loud enough for the other man to hear.

For the first time, Taehun fully looked Ji Gwanyeong in the eye.

“…Take care on your way back.”

The star’s dark eyes narrowed slightly, studying him.

Taehun, overwhelmed, barely nodded in response.

His throat felt dry, his whole back burning as if he’d swallowed flames. The only thought in his head was to run.

And so he did.

Ji Gwanyeong silently watched Taehun’s retreating figure as he continued to sign autographs for the fans eagerly reaching out to him. His signature warm smile remained, but his mind was elsewhere—completely focused on the man he had just touched.

He already knew too much.

Approximately 180 cm tall. Slightly tanned skin. Double-lidded eyes. Dark brown irises. Black hair styled lightly with wax. A small mole near his jawline. A faint scar under his eye. The light scent of skin care products. His body temperature when their hands touched. His heart rate. The way he walked—upright, confident. Even the company name on his employee ID.

Found you.

Ji Gwanyeong was certain.

And an Esper’s certainty had never once been wrong.