Chapter 235. Veteran Lessons

"Really?!" 

Abel almost stood up from his seat, eyes widened in surprise. He blinked repeatedly before leaning back in his seat. Of all the things they talked about that day, this was actually the most surprising thing for him.

"Knowing him, I thought he would already beg you to," the shorter guide muttered.

Honestly, Zein thought so too. They rarely spent their night apart nowadays--either Bassena would stay over in the dorm, or Zein would sleep in the esper's apartment. Bassena was walking on a tightrope between maintaining professionalism and clinging to his lover. 

Abel narrowed his eyes and frowned a little bit, stroking his chin and making a serious face--even more serious than the time he perused the application forms. "Is he being considerate? He knew how much you value your privacy," he tilted his head, even speaking in a low and serious tone like an investigator.