Trash Can Guide by Daldare

18-19

Note: next one might take a bit. Or maybe not. I have no idea.
Enjoy the read

18. Flowers on the Sacrifice

'Your eyes are puffy. Put this on them.'

Nabin took the cold towel held out to him and fumbled to put it over his eyes. He blinked but it felt foreign, like a heavy stone resting on his eyelids. His shoulders slumped forward.

Not too long ago Hayan had carried Nabin downstairs for a change of scenery.

After sitting him down on the sofa, the Esper went into the kitchen and came back with a frozen towel.

Since Nabin had started his sessions with Han-soo, Hayan had put a stack of towels into the freezer to be prepared for his breakdowns.

Noise unexpectedly intruded the quiet space between them as the bell rang.

Nabin, who was reclining comfortably on the sofa with a towel over his eyes, jumped up in surprise.

With a quick move of his hand Hayan caught the towel as it fell to the floor and placed it back over his eyes.

'I think we've got a little Esper here. Keep this on, I'm going to go check.'

'It's .......'

At the Esper's words, Nabin leaned back against the couch, trying to relax his stiffened body. He was embarrassed that he was startled at such an insignificant sound, and thankful that the size of the towel hid his reddened cheeks.

With the door open, soon sounds of light footsteps mingled with the sound of dignified ones.

'Hello.'

'It's good to see you again today, Lee Hayan Esper.''

It was Ryu Han-soo and Kim Soo Hyun. Nabin lowered his towel at the sound of the familiar voices. It was a familiar routine. They came to the mansion every day.

'Hello, Guide Kim Nabin.'

'Nice to see you every day, isn't it?'

Both of them had open and friendly personalities. Whenever they came over, fresh energy wafted through the mansion and the air felt light.

It seemed more so especially since neither Nabin nor Hayan was a man of many words, but rather quiet.

Like a drizzle, gently wetting the parched ground, the two of them were slowly approaching Nabin.

'......Hello.'

Nabin stood up and offered a small greeting to the two.

The memories and feelings triggered by Ryu Soo-min's reminiscent appearance had started a chain reaction the first few times. Fortunately, with Ryu Han-soo's daily therapy, Nabin has grown to distinguish between Ryu Han-soo and Ryu Soo-min.

Sometimes, when he saw a sky so blue, reminding him of Ryu Soo-min's, he got a vague feeling that he's being dragged down into the depths of his memories again, but now he was less likely to panic to the point of losing his senses. In response to Nabin's shy greeting, Ryu Han-soo's face broke into a smile that was refreshing to behold. As he smiled, his large eyes curved into half-moons, and the corners of his mouth twitched upwards slightly to follow suit.

It was a slight movement that could hardly be called a smile if you weren't paying attention, but Nabin's lips moved. It was enough to make Ryu Han-soo feel overwhelmed with emotion.

'......Kim Soo Hyun Esper, please pinch my cheek.'

Wondering if what he had just seen was just an illusion, Han-soo asked his colleague for approval, but he only shook his head, looked at him as if he had a few screws loose and walked over to Nabin.