The Guide is Actually a Body-Switching Esper [BL]-Chapter 275: Crumbling Reputation

The receptionist turned her eyes to Lane, then back to Damien, and to Lane again, a light bulb popping up in her head. Could it be that Team Leader Damien Lennox had a new lover? And a much hotter one this time! Not that the previous ones were bad, but this one was much more handsome, by far! His hair was a bit unusual, pastel pink, but it looked good on him, so it didn’t matter.

Either way, what a juicy piece of gossip she got here! Her job at the front desk was boring most of the time, but to think she would be able to witness something so interesting today!

Still, she was at work, so she had to remain professional. She quickly schooled her expression, and cleared her throat. "Lane Allen, was it? Just a moment, please..." She quickly typed the name, searching the database, and clicked on the result that popped out. "F-rank Esper with physical enhancement?"

"Yes, that’s correct," Lane confirmed.

Now that was a little disappointing. But then again, Lane was certainly handsome enough to make up for his low rank, and there was no saying that high-rankers could only date other powerful Awakened. Love didn’t choose. In a way, it was even more romantic that the two of them got together despite their differences...

The receptionist shook her head lightly, chasing away the thoughts. It was not the right time for that. "We can arrange a test for you in about two hours," she said, checking the testing schedule. "However, I need to remind you that only the initial testing conducted right after the awakening is free of charge, and any re-testing afterwards is charged 5,500 per attempt..." she then explained, eyeing Lane with unease.

No wonder. That was a large amount of money for a single test, especially for an F-ranker, who didn’t have many job prospects, at least in the Awakened field. It was set that way on purpose, to discourage people from coming to challenge their rank frequently, as it was nothing but a waste of time and resources. It’s not like it was that easy to advance in rank, most of those people simply couldn’t come to terms with their ranks, thus wanted to test themselves again and again, hopelessly wishing for a different result...

But Lane just smiled. "I understand. I’ll pay by card, please!"

What was a little 5,500 to him? He could afford to spend that much every day!

"Ah, yes. Please swipe here, then," the receptionist pointed at the terminal. Now that she took a better look... He did seem to be very well dressed. His clothes, although casual, seemed fancier than what you might get at regular, high-street stores... But then again, she couldn’t really tell, she wasn’t that well-versed in fashion.

But... Didn’t he say that his surname was Allen? Was he perhaps from THE Allens? He did resemble Guild Leader Allen and Miss Nyla Allen... They were almost identical, now that she thought about it, like twins! If that was indeed the case, then there was no wonder he didn’t even blink at the test fee he had to pay! But how come she had never heard about him?

Either way, it was such interesting news! She just couldn’t wait to share it with her friends!

Meanwhile, Lane put his wallet away, and took the registration slip the receptionist automatically handed to him, absentminded, and turned to Damien. "Should we go home now? Since we have to wait."

They had a meal on the plane, so neither of them was hungry yet. And with two hours left... That should be enough to go home and test the bed, no?

However, Damien shook his head, guessing what was going on in Lane’s head. "I don’t think that’s a good idea. We might be late."

"We won’t. Just a quick number, a shower, and we’ll be back. Or we can just do it in the shower to save time, hmm? What do you say?" Lane stepped closer to Damien, until there was hardly an inch of space between them.

And Damien’s ears instantly turned bright red. "Lane..."

"Hmm?"

"We’re still in public."

"But we don’t have to be."

"..."

"Come on, let’s go, we’re wasting time here..."

Damien grabbed whining Lane by the shoulders, and pushed him away at an arm’s distance. But it was already too late. The receptionist had already witnessed the scene. Which included hearing every word Lane had said. And it wasn’t exactly hard to guess what it meant...

Damien could almost see his reputation - or at least whatever still remained of it, after the past few months spent with Lane - crumble right in front of him. Not that it was unexpected - it had already received a death sentence the moment Damien decided to bring Lane to the Association to join his team - however...

"Do you really need to do it?" he sighed.

"Do what?" Lane tilted his head, blinking innocently.

"Act like... that. In public."

"What’s wrong with that? I thought you liked me, no?"

"I do, but... Why, in front of other people..."

"To make a statement," Lane said, proud of himself.

"...What?"

"To make it clear to everyone that you’re mine. Mark my territory," Lane flashed a wide grin, causing Damien’s whole face to flush bright red.

"Now that we have that out of the way..." Lane grabbed Damien’s arm, and tugged him toward the exit. "Should we move it somewhere more private? I haven’t been able to get in your bed for a week now..."

The way Lane had said it, it sounded almost as if Damien had been keeping him starved for weeks, if not months. Not... a few hours. After all, while Lane hasn’t been able to get in Damien’s bed - as in, the bed in his current apartment - for a week... They still had slept together in the hotel bed. Every day, multiple times.

But, as ridiculous as Lane’s whining was, Damien still found himself unable to oppose... And allowed himself to be dragged back to their apartment.