Guardian of my Heart // Keesoul

Missions and Secrets

Chapter 16: Missions and Secrets

As the day drifted into evening, Keeho sat in his room, fingers tracing the faint shimmer of his hidden wings beneath his shirt. For him, this mission was supposed to be straightforward: help Soul find happiness and companionship, and gently nudge him into a brighter path. But as he thought back to his day with Soul, those simple goals seemed increasingly complicated.

This was nothing like his previous missions. Before Soul, Keeho had always been able to remain detached, to quietly guide his assigned person without letting himself get emotionally involved. But Soul was different. The way he'd blush, the small smiles he'd try to hide—every detail about him drew Keeho closer, threatening to blur the lines between guardian and... something more.

A soft glow appeared in the room, and Keeho glanced over to see a faint, spectral figure—a presence from the celestial realm. It was the messenger sent by the Head of the Guardian Angels.

"Keeho," the figure began, its voice steady, "you've made decent progress with your assignment. But we sense a shift in your focus."

Keeho's heart tightened, and he looked down. "What do you mean?"

"You know the rules," the figure continued, its voice laced with a warning. "Attachment to humans must remain professional. Your purpose is to complete the mission without personal interference."

Keeho swallowed, suddenly nervous. "I know my duties."

"Remember," the figure said sternly, "Soul's growth and happiness are paramount. Any diversion from that path could risk consequences. He must be able to carry on without you when your task is done."

The figure's light dimmed, vanishing from Keeho's room, leaving him in silence. The words echoed in his mind. His purpose was to guide, not to become part of Soul's world. Yet, every time he saw Soul's shy smile or the way he'd struggle to speak, he felt a pull that was far stronger than his duty.

The next day at school, Keeho found himself drawn to Soul even more. As he approached Soul's locker, he reminded himself to be subtle, to focus on his mission. But just as he reached him, Soul looked up, and their eyes met. Keeho's resolve weakened instantly, replaced by the familiar thrill of being near him.

"Hey, Keeho," Soul mumbled, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. His shyness was adorable, and Keeho could feel his heart skip at the sight.

"Good morning," Keeho said with a grin, trying to appear casual. "I was thinking we could grab lunch together again, maybe head outside. The weather's nice."

Soul glanced away, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "That sounds... good."

They found a secluded spot under a tree in the courtyard, away from the bustling cafeteria. Keeho sat close to Soul, his shoulder brushing against Soul's in a way that felt both comforting and electrifying. He could tell Soul was slightly uncomfortable around other people, but when it was just the two of them, he seemed to relax.

"You ever think about the stars?" Keeho asked, his voice soft, catching Soul off-guard.

Soul looked at him, surprised. "The stars?"

"Yeah." Keeho's gaze drifted upward, as if he could see them even in the daylight. "They say every one of them is watching over someone, guiding them... kind of like a guardian."

Soul chuckled softly, the sound like music to Keeho's ears. "That's a poetic way to put it. Sounds like something out of a story."

Keeho's lips quirked into a smile. If only Soul knew how close to the truth he was. But he couldn't reveal the real reason for his interest in stars, in humans, in him. The rules were clear—he couldn't expose his identity or purpose. He could only observe, guide, and hope that Soul would be able to thrive without him.

As they continued talking, Keeho felt a sudden urge to tell Soul more, to share pieces of his life in ways that didn't betray his celestial duty. "You know, it's funny," Keeho said, leaning closer, his voice a low murmur, "I've... never really felt this attached to anyone before."

Soul's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise. "Really? I thought you'd be surrounded by people."

Keeho's gaze softened. "Maybe, but not like this." He paused, his hand resting on the grass close to Soul's. "I've always been the one standing on the sidelines, helping others without getting too close. It's easier that way."

Soul looked away, his fingers absentmindedly tracing circles on his notebook. "So, what changed?"

Keeho hesitated, a soft, almost pained smile on his face. "Maybe it's because I'm here with you."

Soul's breath caught, and he looked up, his eyes meeting Keeho's. For a moment, it felt as if the world had faded around them, leaving just the two of them beneath the tree. Keeho's heart raced, torn between his desire to stay close to Soul and his duty to keep a certain distance. The temptation to lean in, to close the space between them, was overwhelming.

Just then, Jiung and Intak strolled by, snapping Keeho out of his trance. "Hey! There you two are!" Jiung called, giving them a teasing grin. "You look cozy."

Keeho quickly leaned back, laughing off the tension. "It's just a quiet spot," he said casually, but his gaze flickered to Soul, noticing the faint blush on his cheeks.

"Just a quiet spot?" Jiung raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Uh-huh. Sure. By the way, are you guys... a thing?"

Keeho laughed, trying to brush off the question. "We're friends," he said, grinning as he caught Soul's embarrassed expression. "But thanks for the vote of confidence."

Jiung chuckled, glancing at Soul. "Well, whatever you two are, you're cute together." With that, he and Intak wandered off, leaving Keeho and Soul alone again.

As the day wound down, Keeho found himself on the roof of the school, looking out over the campus. His wings itched beneath his shirt, a reminder of his celestial origins and the responsibility he carried. He was here to help Soul, to bring happiness to his life, not to complicate things with his own feelings.

Yet, every moment he spent with Soul, that mission felt increasingly difficult to uphold.

As he sat there, gazing out at the horizon, a familiar light appeared beside him, and his heart sank. It was another messenger from the celestial realm, more authoritative this time.

"Keeho," it said, its voice filled with caution. "The Head Guardian has sensed your attachment. Do not lose focus on your mission. Soul's journey is to find his path without relying on you."

Keeho took a deep breath, pushing down the emotions swirling within him. "I understand," he replied, his voice steady but strained.

The light faded, leaving him alone. As the sky darkened, Keeho whispered to himself, "I have to do what's right... even if it means letting go." But deep down, he knew that as long as Soul was in his life, letting go would be the hardest part of all.

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