"Guid president-nim."

"Marza-shi, that girl you rescued from a dungeon who manifested around you, she's joining Quasar! Did you know?"

"...yes."

"Actually she just signed the contract, how crazy is that?"

"Yes, I am aware."

"Oh?"

"I—happened to run into her."

"What a coincidence! How's she doing?"

"...fine?"

"And you?"

"...fine."

"And, you know, for her to have manifested that strongly around you and to have skipped the first while of backlash, that means that the two of you are pretty compatible, right?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"Did you know she expressed interest in partnering with you, even?"

"Yes—"

"Which would be pretty good for your backlash—"

"Yes, I know. I—"

"Are you trying to kill yourself?"

"...what do you mean?"

"Surely you're aware that espers' backlashes kill people?"

"Yes, of course."

"And how long has it been since your last partner? Five years?"

"Yes, guild president-nim."

"Tae-gun, you're going to die. You get that? Have you seen your physicals? You're going to die if you keep going this way."

"...sorry, that was a bit uncalled for. I care about you, you know that, right?"

"Yes, guild president-nim."

"That seemed to be on your mind, though."

"...it's just that it's..."

"...it's...?"

"Been brought to my attention."

"By Marza-shi?"

"...yes, guild president-nim." How the fuck did he—

Sigh. "Alright. Cool. Okay. I'm going to be direct, here: I want you to work with her. And I'm going to call in my favour for it."

"...I see. And you're sure this is—"

"Yes."

"I see."

"You're going to give it an honest shot. ...you don't have to try to convince her or anything, just, if she goes through with it, so do you. Got it? Try to make it work."

"Yes, guild president-nim."

"You know I hate being called that."

"Yes, guild president-nim."

"...so stop it."

"No, guild president-nim."

"Ugh, just—whatever. Do your best, alright?"

"Yes, guild president-nim."

And he hang ups.