The Night Of The Untraced

“Why the hell are you making things so damn annoying? You don’t tell me what you’re doing or who you are, and just show up when you need something? So what, am I supposed to listen to you and stay quiet every time you show up?”The raw anger wasn’t directed at the man in front of her alone. The moment something surged from within her, her mind was filled with thoughts of someone else, not him. That cruel person who would show up when it suited them, disappear, and only return once Seungjoo had finally exhausted all his patience. The man she didn’t want to hate, yet ended up resenting more than anyone—her considerate Hyung.“If you’re not going to tell me everything, then don’t even bring it up! You think this is some kind of joke, going back and forth like this… seriously…”Shit, Kim Muheun. How far are you going to make me crawl?* * *“…This is crap, seriously.”It was her first time liking someone, and she wasn’t sure if this was normal. She wasn’t usually one to have extreme emotional highs and lows, but she couldn’t bear her unpredictable feelings.“Ha…”She never expected to feel this much.It was true that the feelings had been growing since childhood, but she always believed she could stop them at any time. It wasn’t the intense kind of love people usually spoke of, nor was it the bittersweet, unrequited kind. It was just a love she thought she could handle with moderation, maintaining some distance, believing it would naturally fade out eventually.“Why the hell am I talking about Kim Muheun right now…?”But Kim Muheun had ruined it. He probably hadn’t meant to, but his actions, though unintentional, weren’t without consequence. Even if they were done out of good intentions, if the person on the receiving end is hurt, isn’t it just deception?“…”Seungjoo exhaled with a heavy sigh and covered his eyes with one hand. He bowed his head and took several deep breaths to calm himself.As the emotions that had peaked started to slowly subside, an indifferent question came from across the room.“Are you crying?”“…Why would I be crying?”Seungjoo immediately denied it, lifting his head with reddened eyes. Crying? He wasn’t the type to cry, and in this situation, tears seemed like a waste. He was furious, and if he had the energy to cry, he’d rather use it to curse him out.“…”“…”For a while, neither of them spoke. Seungjoo tried to collect his scattered emotions, while the other watched quietly. Only the muffled sounds from somewhere nearby filled the silence between them.“…Seungjoo.”How long had passed? The man spoke slowly, still with a mechanical tone, asking a question that lacked any sensitivity.“Did you really hate Kim Muheun that much?”“…”Seungjoo’s expression went blank as he momentarily froze. What the hell? He didn’t think this man would be able to pick up on his feelings, but to ask if he hated Muheun? He had no idea what kind of thought process led to that conclusion. Then Gwangsik awkwardly added something else.“Did you hate him so much that you can’t even bring him up?”“…Hey.”Seungjoo couldn’t help but chuckle in disbelief. He must have misunderstood what she had said earlier. While it was true that topics involving Muheun made her uncomfortable, the conclusion that Gwangsik had drawn was absurd.“I’m not really trying to insult you, I’m just asking out of curiosity.”Seungjoo started with that, picking his words carefully. Out of all the things he was curious about, he tried to choose something as polite as possible. Though everything he wanted to ask was direct, he’d still tried to narrow it down to this.“Don’t you have any friends?”“…”Gwangsik stretched his lips into a thin line, looking unamused. He didn’t answer right away, which only confirmed Seungjoo’s guess.‘Guess I was right…’This wasn’t just about now; it was the same with everything he had seen so far. Gwangsik didn’t seem familiar with dealing with people. The longer their conversations went on, the more he gave off a strange, disconnected vibe. It wasn’t that he didn’t have any friends—he seemed more like someone who simply didn’t have anyone around him.‘What the hell is he doing?’As his anger began to subside, Seungjoo’s thoughts turned colder. The name and the mention of no birthday that had been dropped earlier now made sense. After all, everyone had a story, but something told him this guy had a secret he’d never imagine.“…Is it wrong to not have friends?”After a long pause, Gwangsik asked slowly, his voice still monotonous, but the question had a tinge of guilt to it. Especially after Seungjoo had partially vented his frustration on him earlier.“I’m just asking. Don’t read into it.”Seungjoo responded deliberately in a nonchalant tone. He had no intention of explaining the importance of friendship in a kindly manner. Judging by what he had seen so far, Gwangsik probably didn’t even realize that Seungjoo had discovered he didn’t have any friends because of the question Seungjoo had just asked.So, Gwangsik must have asked again with that calm face of his.“So, do you hate Kim Muheun?”“……”He was annoyingly persistent in the weirdest ways. Seungjoo, who had pressed his hand to his forehead, let out a thin sigh.“Ah… I wish I could hate him.”There should be something to hate, in order to hate. It was harder to not form an attachment when someone was so dedicated. How could you hate someone who had always been by your side since you were born?“If I hated him, would I pass on everything you said? You’re asking obvious questions.”Gwangsik nodded with a sound of “Mm,” as if he agreed with that. It seemed like he thought Seungjoo was right. Then, he adjusted his hat, and beneath his sleeve, the area around his wrist became visible.“…Hey, what’s that?”Seungjoo blurted out, startled. There were several scratches on Gwangsik’s pale wrist. The location of the wounds made Seungjoo momentarily think the worst, and Gwangsik responded in a flat voice.“I got scratched by a cat.”“……”“They have surprisingly sharp claws.”Sharp claws, of course, Seungjoo thought. But what the hell was Gwangsik even saying? Seungjoo couldn’t hide the disbelief on his face and started muttering under his breath in an irritated tone after noticing the beads of blood on the line of scratches.“No, it’s still bleeding…”Why do these exorcists treat their bodies like this? It was clearly a painful injury, yet Gwangsik didn’t even flinch.That behavior reminded Seungjoo so much of the neighbors, and he irritably ran his fingers through his hair as he walked away.“I’ll give you some ointment, so follow me.”* * *Surprisingly, Gwangsik followed Seungjoo without protest. Now that he thought about it, Gwangsik never seemed to act unwillingly. His behavior was rude, but he hadn’t threatened anyone, and aside from the time he caught Seungjoo from falling, he hadn’t used force.“What’s this… Where did everyone go?”When they returned to the sociology club booth, Seungjoo found that his classmates had already left. Wondering where they had gone, he checked his phone and saw several missed calls and a message to come to the club room. It seemed they had left because Seungjoo was too late.Well, it was a good thing. If Gwangsik had been asked who he was, it would’ve been awkward. Though his behavior was a bit suspicious, he wasn’t bad-looking, and there would be pointless questions about Seungjoo’s relationship with him.“Sit over there for a bit.”Seungjoo told him to sit in a corner while he rummaged through his bag. In the front pocket, there were all kinds of ointments and bandages that Seungjoo had been carrying since high school. He’d bought them because Kim Muryeong kept getting hurt, and eventually, it became a habit to always have them on hand.“Here.”Seungjoo handed over the ointment and cotton swab, but Gwangsik just looked up at him, seemingly wondering why he was being given this. Seungjoo shook the ointment and urged him again.“Put this on your wounds.”“……”Gwangsik silently took the ointment and awkwardly twisted off the cap. Seungjoo had wondered why he hadn’t taken the cotton swab, only to see Gwangsik squeeze the ointment directly onto the wound without spreading it. He hadn’t even tried to rub it in, just squeezed it out.“No, what the hell are you doing…”Almost half of the new ointment was wasted. Seungjoo couldn’t help but gasp and snatch the ointment from his hands. He then grabbed Gwangsik’s wrist and carefully applied the ointment with the cotton swab.“What’s with all the mess… You might as well eat it.”“Can you eat it?”“Do you think so?”Gwangsik really was lacking in some areas. Seungjoo couldn’t understand what he was doing.Though he wasn’t planning on pampering him, Seungjoo, by habit, ended up putting a bandage on the wound after applying the ointment. Gwangsik, who had been watching quietly, suddenly spoke up.“I know what they call this.”“What?”“Give the disease and then the cure.”“……”Seungjoo had no words to counter that. It wasn’t him who had caused the injury, but the cat, but it was true that he had vented his anger earlier.But Seungjoo had something to say too.“…You saved me last time.”It wasn’t exactly a reward; it was just a human kindness. He had saved him from falling into the lake, so Seungjoo felt he had to express some form of gratitude. If he hadn’t noticed the blood, it would have been different, but now that he had seen it, ignoring it wasn’t an option.“Hey, Gwangsik.”After checking that the bandage was securely in place, Seungjoo subtly spoke up. For some reason, Gwangsik’s name seemed to stick in his mouth, and once again, Gwangsik raised his eyebrows in response. Seungjoo, however, didn’t mind; he simply continued with what he had been about to say.“Just answer this. What exactly do you want?”“…What do I want?”“If you came to see me, there must be a reason. What is it that you’re trying to achieve by getting closer to me?”Seungjoo hadn’t asked from the start because he didn’t want to get involved. If he were to accept a request, he’d have to reject it somehow, and to do that, he needed to think it over first. He didn’t want to waste energy on unnecessary matters, but now it seemed like he had no choice but to ask.“I’m not saying I’ll help you, I’m just curious. I just want to hear it out. Do you understand?”In case Gwangsik didn’t get it, Seungjoo explained. Gwangsik didn’t respond for a long while. He just fiddled with the bandage Seungjoo had applied and lowered his eyes with an unreadable expression.After quite a long pause, he finally spoke in the slowest tone yet.“I…”What was he dragging this out for? It probably wasn’t an important answer, so Seungjoo almost reconsidered his decision to listen.Just as Seungjoo’s patience was running thin, Gwangsik finally lifted his head, his face set with determination.“I’m going to bring down the association.”It was insane.* * *Seungjoo stood in front of a tall officetel, holding his phone in his hand as he gazed up at the sky. At the very top, where he had to tilt his head to see, the full moon hung, round and glowing as if it could fall at any moment. It was the only thing in the clear sky, completely unadorned by clouds.“…”Seungjoo couldn’t take his eyes off the moon, as if he were mesmerized by it. The faint, flickering light reflected in his eyes, almost like the moon itself. His simple, mono-lidded eyes gave off an unusually still atmosphere that day.Now, what should he do?The rising sigh caught in his throat, but he swallowed it back down. He felt a sense of helplessness, but he forced himself to ignore it. He tried to push away the distracting thoughts in his head by recalling the words he had heard earlier.“The exorcist association plays an important role in protecting life from the unseen and preserving the bonds of the living.”Gwangsik had told Seungjoo a story he had already heard once. The basic ideology of the exorcist association and the pride of every exorcist. It was a familiar goal Seungjoo had heard about many times before.“When an exorcist works, their priority is the safety of the living. And that ‘living’ does not include exorcists themselves.”Seungjoo knew this, and he had always thought it was a bit wrong. It would have been better if he hadn’t known, but sometimes, seeing what his neighbors went through, he became aware. The association didn’t care if a few exorcists got hurt as long as the job got done safely.“Human life is equal for everyone, and exorcists shouldn’t be treated as expendable.”It was a line that sounded rehearsed, but Seungjoo agreed with it. So, he kept quiet, but Gwangsik, looking down, hesitated for a moment.“…There’s a lot of injustice I can’t tell you about. The tasks the association gives are becoming more about making money, and there’s constant turmoil within.”Suddenly, he sounded so unsure, but it must have been because he couldn’t tell Seungjoo about the injustice. Seungjoo had just yelled at him for not sharing everything, after all.That wasn’t meant for him, though, it was directed at Muheun.“So, I’m going to bring down the association.”It was the same conclusion Seungjoo had heard earlier. He was about to dismiss it as nonsense when he saw the desperate look in Gwangsik’s eyes.“To do that, I need Kim Muheun’s help.”Seungjoo couldn’t ask “why?” because Gwangsik immediately followed up.“And the only one who can persuade Kim Muheun is you, Seungjoo.”“…”Once again, Seungjoo couldn’t ask why Gwangsik thought this. No matter what answer came, he felt he wouldn’t be able to bear the weight of it.Did Gwangsik really think that Seungjoo was capable of convincing Muheun? Instead of feeling pride, Seungjoo felt a sinking sense of emptiness.“…So, you want me to persuade Muheun to convince Hyung?”“Something like that.”It seemed that what Seungjoo wanted was not just that, but he didn’t offer any further explanation. From the way he furrowed his brow, it was clear he didn’t have a concrete plan either.Before pointing out his recklessness, Seungjoo first shattered the misconception the other person had.“Sorry, but I haven’t been in touch with Hyung lately.”To persuade him, they’d have to meet, but unfortunately, it wasn’t easy even to see each other’s faces. He hadn’t even tried to contact him, but Seungjoo decided to lie.“It’ll probably stay that way for a while. I don’t think he’ll even answer the phone…”However, as soon as Gwangsik heard this, he quickly responded as if he had the answer.“He’ll be at home.”“…How do you know that?”How could he be so sure of Muheun’s whereabouts? Seungjoo asked, feeling baffled, but then a surprisingly plausible reason followed.“He usually does that around the full moon. He gets all his work done ahead of time, and on the day itself, he just stays home.”Exorcists were said to be most effective during the full moon. Wasn’t Muryeong proof of that, happily boasting how light and energized his body felt?“So, go visit him today.”It sounded a bit like an order, but Seungjoo didn’t mind. He had heard about the grand conspiracy to dismantle the association, so it seemed necessary to pass the information to Muheun. It’d be troublesome if something happened in the meantime.“….”No… In the end, it was just an excuse. He just wanted to visit Muheun under the pretext of relaying Gwangsik’s words. Even though earlier, in front of Gwangsik, he had coldly responded not to give orders, saying he’d go or not as he pleased.He wasn’t usually this impulsive, but when it came to matters involving Kim Muheun, nothing ever went as expected. He had been hesitating until the moment he and Muryeong arrived in front of the gate.After that, Seungjoo wasn’t sure what changed in his mind. He simply entered the house, dropped his bag, and, as if possessed by something, changed clothes.Anyway, now Seungjoo was standing in front of Muheun’s house, looking somewhat like a thief. He had to see Muheun, but he was also concerned about the new forces targeting him.To be cautious, he pulled his hat low and hid his face with the hood of his coat. It probably wouldn’t make much difference, but it was better than walking around announcing, “I’m Seungjoo.” He had even prepared himself for the inevitable scolding once Muheun realized he had come alone.“…I still need to meet him.”Should he call? Or should he try buzzing the intercom? Between the two options, Seungjoo decided to make a call. If Muheun wasn’t home, ringing the doorbell would be pointless. Of course, it wasn’t something he should be thinking about since he was already standing at the doorstep.The moment the phone started ringing, he suddenly felt thirsty. Since he rarely made phone calls, he always had this feeling when he did. It was like a mix of tension and excitement, a fluttering sensation that was hard to explain.Riiing, riiing.Riiing…Click.“The customer did not answer the call…”“…”Seungjoo hung up and redialed. He thought maybe Muheun hadn’t seen the first call. He’d try once more, and if it didn’t work, he’d have to figure out another way.Riiing…Again, the ringing continued for a while without an answer. The initial tension Seungjoo felt was now turning into boredom and anxiety. The repetitive sound was starting to unsettle him.‘He’s probably working.’Although the sun had set, it wasn’t late yet. Gwangsik had said Muheun would be home on the full moon, but he wasn’t sure how reliable that information was. Without seeing it with his own eyes, no one would know for sure where Muheun was.“The customer did not answer the call…”“…”Reluctantly, Seungjoo ended the call and walked towards the entrance of the officetel. He had heard the number before, so he was planning to try the intercom. If nothing else, he’d just leave if it didn’t work out.“Room 1405…”The last time he had been here, he had found the intercom system fascinating. Having always lived in a detached house, he wasn’t used to visiting places with multiple households. His closest friend, Muryeong, also lived in a detached house, and whenever he visited a friend’s home, the friend always opened the door for him.This was only his second time, so Seungjoo was now familiar with the room number and intercom button. The music played as the words “Calling” appeared on the screen.“….”However, after a long wait, 1405 remained silent. Even if Muheun was sleeping, he should have woken up by now. At this point, it seemed like no one was home.“…Ah, that damn liar.”He always spouted nonsense. Muttering under his breath, Seungjoo canceled the call. It would be strange if someone didn’t report him for ringing the bell repeatedly at an empty house.Although disappointed, there was also a sense of relief. Seeing Muheun’s face, in any case, felt a bit burdensome. Whether it was delivering Gwangsik’s message or coming without notice, it was all a little too much.As Seungjoo turned his body, a shiver ran down his spine.“……”A chill filled the air. It felt as though a cold wind was blowing, and he could have sworn he sensed someone’s gaze on him. For a moment, fear washed over Seungjoo, and he froze, unable to move. It was an instinctual sensation, as if someone was approaching him.‘No way…’He tried to shake off the uneasy feeling. Holding the talisman tightly in his pocket, Seungjoo could feel that there was no energy coming from it. The footsteps he heard now were definitely from a person.So, the shadow falling from behind him was certainly not that of an evil spirit.“……”Suddenly, a hand shot out from behind. Seungjoo almost screamed in reflex, but when he saw the neat fingers, he swallowed the scream that had risen in his throat. The finger then tapped on the touchpad, slowly entering numbers.1, 4, 0, 5, #.It was a familiar number. Seungjoo let out a soft, airless laugh, a beat too late.The straight index finger continued, inputting a four-digit passcode after the number sequence. It moved so slowly, almost as if it were meant to be memorized, and after a few moments, a ‘ding’ sound followed.“……Seungjoo.”A soft, soothing voice that was as sweet as a lullaby, especially when heard late at night. The scent of the wind that drifted faintly and the warmth that seemed too familiar to ignore. And then the unexpected question that felt like a prick to his conscience.“Why are you here?”It was Kim Muheun.* * *Seungjoo awkwardly removed the hood of his coat. In the still spacious living room stood the same white leather sofa he had seen last time. The clean, almost empty interior still lacked the slightest sense of homeliness.As he was about to take off his cap, Seungjoo absentmindedly fiddled with its brim. Without it, he thought he wouldn’t be able to endure Muheun’s gaze. After all, Muheun had been staring at him, leaning slightly to the side.“……”“……”Seungjoo couldn’t help but feel like he had done something wrong, though not too seriously. He had made mistakes, of course, but he didn’t expect Muheun to look at him this sternly. He had always assumed that Muheun, who never seemed to get angry with him, would just give him a little scolding and let it go.But since Seungjoo met Muheun at the entrance, that serious look hadn’t left his face. Even when the door opened, when Seungjoo explained he came to talk, and when they rode the elevator together, Muheun had maintained that expression.“……”Today, Muheun’s cold stare seemed even more intense. His dark eyes were weighed down, and his lips, which usually curved into a smile, were tightly pressed together.“Well…”Seungjoo reluctantly opened his mouth. If he didn’t speak, he might have to spend the whole night facing this punishment. Muheun wasn’t the type to give punishments, but the atmosphere felt just as uncomfortable.“I’m sorry.”Seungjoo mumbled quietly, lowering his eyes.Now that he thought about it, when was the last time he had been scolded? Except for when he was very young, Seungjoo couldn’t remember receiving more than light scolding. He had never really done anything wrong, and most mistakes were just overlooked.But now, when he found himself apologizing to Kim Muheun, an unexpected sense of rebellion surged within him.“……I just need to not do it again, right?”Seungjoo added gruffly, and Muheun furrowed his brows. He tilted his head slightly to the side and gave a slow, almost reluctant response.“What?”Was he asking because he didn’t understand, or was he suggesting that Seungjoo should explain what he had done wrong? Seungjoo, slightly confused, stammered out his answer.“Coming here by myself…?”“Ah.”Muheun let out a small exclamation and nodded. His response was slower than usual, and he seemed a bit dazed. But then, in contrast to his expression, his voice was soft as he replied calmly.“That was wrong. Next time, call Hyung. Or you could just come inside.”Was he not angry, but just tired? Seungjoo thought to himself, though he hadn’t noticed before because he was avoiding Muheun’s gaze. Now he realized that Muheun seemed a little sleepy, though he wasn’t throwing a tantrum like usual.“……”“……”Once again, a heavy silence fell. Muheun continued to stare at Seungjoo, while Seungjoo carefully avoided his gaze, waiting for a question like “Why are you here?” or “Do you have something to say?” But none of those expected questions came.It wasn’t difficult to be the first to speak. However, whether to bring up the mysterious Gwimae hunter, Gwangsik… or ask what Muheun had been doing in the meantime, Seungjoo couldn’t decide between the two. If he brought up the former, the latter would be in the way, and if he brought up the latter, it would seem too petty.‘Then again, does it even matter…?’Maybe the emotion he thought was resentment was actually longing. There had been so many things Seungjoo wanted to say, but when the person appeared in front of him, he couldn’t even remember what had bothered him. When they weren’t in front of him, all he felt was resentment, but now, face-to-face, it all felt pointless.“Hyung, earlier…”So Seungjoo decided to bring up the topic of Gwangsik first. But before Seungjoo could even continue his sentence, Muheun cut him off.“First.”Muheun casually gestured with his chin and took out his phone. What he said next was something Seungjoo had never expected.“Muryeong will call you a ride, so go home.”“…What?”Seungjoo was confused. He’d heard people tell him to stay before, but he’d never been told to leave. When Seungjoo blinked in shock, Muheun frowned and shook his head.“No… no, that’s not it.”It was a slow response, as if Muheun was a bit flustered. He pursed his lips, looked down at his phone again, then slowly ran his hand through his hair before shaking his head.“I’ll go. You stay here.”“Huh? No, what do you mean…”Muheun then actually started walking toward the entrance. He looked ready to leave, and Seungjoo, in a panic, grabbed his wrist.“What are you doing? You’re just going to leave like this?”“…”It wasn’t a strong grip, but Muheun froze, his steps halted. His face tightened, and he frowned slightly. Seungjoo, still holding his wrist, spoke in a voice full of suppressed frustration.“No, Hyung.”Was it annoyance? No, maybe “frustration” was more accurate. They had just reunited, and he couldn’t understand why Muheun was trying to avoid him like this.“Why are you doing this?”Now that he thought about it, Muheun had done something similar before. When Muheun had handed Seungjoo his phone last time, he’d said it was awkward to come back in two weeks. What did the two weeks and meeting Seungjoo have to do with each other? When Seungjoo saw Muheun today, he didn’t seem all that different except for looking a bit dazed.“Hyung, you mentioned two weeks before. You should have told me. Is there a reason you can’t come to me in two weeks?”Seungjoo, still holding onto Muheun, poured out his frustration. If Muheun just told him the truth, Seungjoo would understand and accept it. But the silence only burned him inside. It felt like all the emotions he thought were okay before had suddenly been flipped upside down.“Say something.”“…Seungjoo.”Muheun spoke slowly, his voice quieter than usual. His voice was so slow, it felt almost teasing, and even as he spoke, he pulled his wrist away from Seungjoo’s grip.“Let’s talk later.”“…”When he said “later,” Seungjoo wondered when that would be. Another vague promise, “We’ll talk later,” but not “I’ll tell you.” It made him wonder if Muheun would never tell him the reason.“You won’t tell me later, either, will you?”As expected, Muheun didn’t deny Seungjoo’s outburst. He just frowned and spoke softly.“There’s nothing good for you to know.”“Then why are you hiding it from me?”Seungjoo hadn’t intended to argue like this. But Muheun often said things like “hiding things isn’t for the good of others.” Seungjoo decided to use his own words against him.“Why don’t you just tell me why you can’t? How am I supposed to take it if you just say no without an explanation?”It wasn’t really his place to say. If someone asked who was hiding more, Seungjoo knew he would be the one, not Muheun. Muheun always told him to speak about the small things, but Seungjoo, when he didn’t think something was dangerous, would leave it unsaid.“If it makes you uncomfortable, Hyung, I won’t ask anymore.”Seungjoo said that, but he still held onto Muheun’s wrist. If telling him would make Muheun uncomfortable, then Seungjoo would pretend to not notice. Whether it was a reason that would cause trouble or a secret that could not be told, Seungjoo was willing to accept it.“If you’re going to leave because of me, I’ll understand and just stay here quietly.”But there was something about Muheun’s attitude that felt tricky. Looking at Muheun in front of him, Seungjoo couldn’t shake the feeling that the reason Muheun wasn’t telling him was because he was the one involved. If it had been anyone else, wouldn’t Muheun have just given a vague answer?“But it’s not like that, is it?”“…It is because of me.”“You’re funny.”“……”Muheun chuckled derisively when Seungjoo retorted in a sarcastic tone. Even in the midst of everything, Seungjoo’s reaction seemed amusing to him. Muheun casually glanced at Seungjoo before stiffening his expression and turning his head slightly.“No, it’s because of me.”This time, it sounded somewhat sincere. As if that wasn’t enough, the words that followed flowed like a breath.“I don’t want to show you this side of me.”“……”What side? Seungjoo furrowed his brows as he looked Muheun up and down. Though his gaze was somewhat cheeky, it wasn’t the time to focus on that. The piercings hanging from his ears and the tattoos that ran down his neck. Aside from the fact that his expression was a bit stiff, there wasn’t really any particular side of him to call out as “this side.”“Anyway, let’s talk later, okay?”Muheun spoke with an oddly nervous tone. His voice was soft, as if he were soothing a child, but his downcast eyes were nothing like that. The mighty Kim Muheun had no reason to be so anxious.Indeed, there was no need for him to turn away like that again.“……”How long would it take for him to return if he left like this? This was Muheun’s house, and Muheun would definitely return here. Yet, knowing all that, Seungjoo couldn’t shake off the feeling of restlessness. He even had the thought that Muheun might not come back until Seungjoo had to go to school.“Hyung.”So, Seungjoo called out softly, in a tiny voice.Muheun, who had turned his back as if he would leave without a second thought, stopped in his tracks upon hearing Seungjoo’s call. Watching his back, something inside Seungjoo surged up.“I saw a ghost at school.”No matter how cowardly it might sound, there was nothing Seungjoo could do. This was the only way he could think of to stop him now. He couldn’t help but feel upset about the fact that he hadn’t been given a chance to talk to Muheun, especially after meeting him after such a long time.“In the big pond at school… there was something strange, something that looked like a goldfish.”“……”The moment Muheun heard that, he turned to face Seungjoo, as if asking why he was only mentioning this now. His expression grew serious, but Seungjoo didn’t stop. He even shared facts he had never told anyone.“It asked me to help.”* * *This part, too, was something Seungjoo hadn’t mentioned to either Gwangsik or Muyeon. In Gwangsik’s case, he hadn’t even thought about telling him, but in Muyeun’s case, he hadn’t been able to bring himself to say it. There were just too many things he needed to explain to Muyeun first.“Asked for help, you say……”Muheun trailed off, frowning slightly. His face, now colder than before, gave off an unfamiliar chill. Muheun ran a hand through his hair, as if frustrated, then closed his eyes before opening them again, asking,“When did you see that?”“……It was a while ago.”The day he almost died. He didn’t mention that he had encountered the goldfish that day. Though it had been a spur-of-the-moment topic, if he had brought that up, he knew exactly what kind of reaction Muheun would have.However, Muheun quickly picked up on what Seungjoo hadn’t said.“That day you had your fortune told, huh?”“……”Ah, why did his words always get stuck at times like this?“You saw the goldfish by the pond that day… and almost fell, huh?”Seungjoo’s memory was too sharp. As Muheun recalled what Seungjoo had said, he pieced the facts together, connecting all the dots. With one hand covering his eyes, he spat the words out as if chewing on them.“So, it was involved in your fortune-telling.”“……”“Yeah……”Muheun had seemed on edge earlier, but now, it was clear that he couldn’t hide his emotions at all. His lips, which had been exposed, were now cold, without a hint of a smile. His voice, when it slowly emerged, lacked any warmth, as if it had been drained completely.“……Because your spiritual sight opened.”He hadn’t wanted to say it. He knew that once Muheun found out everything, he would be shaken emotionally. The person who normally didn’t flinch at anything would always be strangely weak in moments like this.The spiritual sight that had opened this time was entirely because of Muheun. He was the one who had forced Seungjoo to take in the Yeongi spirit, even after Seungjoo had been safe from the ghost. If Seungjoo had been hurt that day—no, even if he hadn’t been hurt—Muheun would have felt guilty.“Seungjoo.”Soon after, Muheun quietly called out to Seungjoo. He lowered his hand from his eyes and met Seungjoo’s gaze. His voice was gentle, but his words were not.“Why didn’t you tell me about this until now?”There was something in his tone that seemed to blame.He said it was because he didn’t want Hyung to worry, that it seemed fine since he wouldn’t be going near the lake. While coming up with a reasonable explanation, the words that actually came out were:“Then what about you, Hyung?”It might have been different if he had asked earlier, but Seungjoo had already seen Muheun’s back as he was about to leave. Without saying anything, just delaying things, once again attempting to push him into waiting.“Hyung has a lot of things you don’t tell me, too.”“That’s different.”Muheun replied sharply, furrowing his brow. Then, with a firmer voice, he added:“This isn’t just your problem.”Muheun must have known what part Seungjoo was questioning. Even though he knew how Seungjoo felt, he still drew a line, saying you and I are different.It was a strange logic. Was Muheun’s own secrecy something only he could handle? If the scope of the issue included the worry for someone else, then Seungjoo was just as involved.“You could be in danger, too.”“And it happened when you weren’t around.”With a calm tone, Seungjoo’s words made Muheun shut his mouth. Seungjoo, still locking eyes with him, spoke clearly.“I can see ghosts when I’m alone.”This had been something Seungjoo had been thinking about for a while. The big contradiction in Muheun’s behavior that he couldn’t tell him before.“Hyung can’t always be there to protect me.”Just because they walked to school together didn’t mean all dangers were blocked. Seungjoo had to go to many more places, and Muheun couldn’t be with him everywhere. In fact, avoiding Muheun’s gaze, wasn’t it Gwangsik who had been visiting?“Gwimae, yeah, Hyung had to be there, I get that. You saved me, and I’m grateful for that. I know.”“…”“But that new power isn’t the same.”As he spoke, a sense of unfairness rose up. No, it was an emotion he had been feeling all along. What he had kept bottled up inside burst out when Muheun turned his back. The way Muheun didn’t ask why Seungjoo came, just trying to avoid him outright.“When you told me not to hire a bodyguard, when you said it wasn’t necessary, when you suddenly kissed me saying we should stick together because it’s dangerous—Hyung, that was you.”Even now, remembering that day, Seungjoo was angry. The day when his spiritual sight closed. The day when he got away from the danger Muheun had mentioned, from Gwimae. The voice of Kim Muheun saying he would come for him, with that expression.“…But now you’re saying you can’t come for half a month?”If he couldn’t take responsibility, why start in the first place? If he hadn’t started it, none of this would have happened.“Am I just someone who says ‘okay’ when you tell me to walk with you? Should I just wait until you can come back, if something happens?”He was frustrated by the fact that he had no choice. Whether it was Muheun protecting him or briefly leaving his side, even the people who stayed with him instead of Muheun.“Why didn’t you say why you couldn’t come, when you’d be back, how long I would have to wait for you? Should I just accept it and think it’s safe because someone else is here?”Muheun couldn’t say anything. He just stared at Seungjoo with complicated eyes. Maybe he wasn’t even trying to make an excuse, or maybe he just wanted to listen first. Either way, Seungjoo had something he had to say.“If that’s the case, you should have let me hire a bodyguard.”If he trusted Muryeong and Hwanyeong because they seemed reliable, Seungjoo wanted to ask if the bodyguards his parents had carefully selected were good enough. If it was because of a difference in strength, did that mean he couldn’t be protected by an ordinary person, but another exorcist was fine? If not, was it just that days when something happens to Hyung are exceptions?“Hyung doesn’t have to protect me. I never expected that from you.”Seungjoo said this and took a deep breath. He had to hold back his voice to avoid raising it, continuing quietly.“…But if you were going to do this, you shouldn’t have.”He didn’t want to blame Muheun, but right now, he just felt resentful. Not just because of what had happened, but because of all the vague attitudes he had shown so far. There had been many times when things started without him asking for them, and Muheun left whenever he wanted.It was hard to describe this feeling. He knew he should be angry, but in the end, he realized it would only be anger without a solution. And with that conclusion, the anger that had surged earlier seemed to fade.Seungjoo lowered his head deeply and pressed his hat down. He was glad he hadn’t taken it off; at least it helped him maintain his composure by hiding his face. If not, he wouldn’t even have been able to pretend everything was okay.“…But… I know this is all just me throwing a tantrum.”“…”“I’m just really curious sometimes.”He didn’t add what exactly he was curious about. Where had Hyung been so busy? Why did he disappear so suddenly, and where did he go? What was he investigating, and would he ever tell Seungjoo?“…And Hyung doesn’t need to go. Since I came suddenly, I’ll leave.”If he offered to give him a ride, he had decided to accept that. If he told him once more to stay home, he’d have accepted that, too. After spilling out everything he had to say, his mind felt much clearer than before, clear enough that he didn’t feel the need to hear the reason, at least not for now.“Reason…”But then Muheun spoke up slowly, covering his face with both hands. Seungjoo could see his flickering eyes between his straight fingers. Staring at him intently, he asked just one thing.“Will it be enough if I tell you?”“…”Why was that? Even though he could simply say yes, an immediate sense of unease crept over him. Anxiety surged up his spine like a slow, creeping chill. Before Seungjoo could say anything, Muheun’s slow, deliberate voice came again.“Would it be enough if I told you why Hyung said to go home?”Was he angry? It was hard to judge. His tone was the same as always, but there was an intensity in his eyes that he couldn’t ignore. He could hardly move a step, and even swallowing felt tense.“And what’s the reason?”When Seungjoo finally asked, Muheun looked away momentarily and closed his eyes. It was a simple action, yet strangely, he looked unsteady—so fragile, as though he’d shatter at the slightest touch.And then, as if that weren’t enough, a faint sigh slipped out, almost like a groan.“Ah… Seungjoo.”His cracked voice was unlike his usual self. Ruffling his own hair with the hand that had covered his face, he stepped closer to Seungjoo. When Seungjoo flinched at the intimidating force, Muheun let out a faint laugh, like air escaping a punctured balloon.“What am I supposed to do if I can’t handle what I’m about to say?”“What…?”Seungjoo barely got the words out, his temper flaring, when Muheun reached out. His shoulder was grabbed before he even realized, and his view flipped in an instant. The hat he had been wearing fell to the ground just as he lost his balance and fell backward.“…!”He didn’t hit his head. Muheun had wedged his hand between Seungjoo’s head and the ground. A soft, almost painful sensation brushed his parted lips with a thud that seemed like it should have hurt.* * *What was happening? He didn’t even have time to ponder it. Muheun, devouring Seungjoo’s lips, pressed down on his shoulder with one hand. His touch was more careful than usual, yet the pressure felt even heavier.“What… ah…”The lips, separated with a soft sound, quickly met again. Surprised, Seungjoo tried to get up, but Muheun’s knee was faster, pinning down his thigh. Right shoulder, left thigh—only those two spots were held down, yet he couldn’t move an inch.“Mmph… What are…”Seungjoo pressed hard against Muheun’s shoulder, but that had no effect. Whether he tried kicking or yanking his head back, even twisting his torso, nothing seemed to work.‘This is crazy, he’s so heavy.’He knew Muheun was strong, but feeling such an overwhelming difference was new. Normally, Muheun would at least pretend to let him off, but this time, he didn’t budge.“Could you… Damn it, Hyung!”When Seungjoo finally shouted, Muheun looked down at him with a slightly dazed expression. But it was only for a moment—soon, he leaned in to close the distance between their lips again. This time, as Seungjoo clutched a fistful of Muheun’s hair, an insidious voice slipped out from between his reddened lips.“Seungjoo, Hyung’s hurt…”“…”It was obviously feigned, but Seungjoo reflexively hesitated. The word “hurt” coming from Muheun’s mouth felt oddly unfamiliar. Even though he had done nothing wrong, guilt settled in his chest, and that was the moment Muheun eagerly seized his lower lip.“Stop, ah… don’t… ah, please…”As he tried to speak, Muheun’s tongue slipped into his mouth. Startled, Seungjoo turned his head to the side, but Muheun merely followed, slipping his tongue out and tracing his lips. Seungjoo instinctively clamped his mouth shut.“…”“…”A warm breath settled over his wet lips, making a sound that was neither laughter nor a sigh. Then Muheun started to lick his lower lip, as if playfully kissing him like Seolgi would. He would taste his lips with his tongue and occasionally press his tongue against Seungjoo’s closed mouth.“…”He should’ve asked what he was doing, but he knew that opening his mouth would let Muheun’s tongue slip in, so he stayed silent. Instead, when he widened his eyes, Muheun flashed a sly smile. He rubbed his lips softly, leaning in to whisper.“…Don’t be tense.”“…”“I won’t put it in.”Put what in? It was obviously his tongue, but the nuance was strangely suggestive. His concern wasn’t solely about that, but it felt as if Muheun was promising not to do anything Seungjoo would hate. Not putting his tongue in didn’t change the fact they were still kissing.“I’ll just lick.”“Wait, wait, Hyung… I…”Seungjoo tried to turn away, but Muheun held his head firmly in place. His hand was so large that it easily gripped his head, keeping it still. The soft, brief kisses on his lips caused a warmth to surge from his belly.‘Ah… damn it.’He had never been so sensitive to this kind of touch. Just a simple graze and it felt like his hair was standing on end. He grabbed Muheun’s shoulder, trying to push him away, but his face turned red as Muheun’s hand stroked his nape.“You’re good…”“… What, damn it, huh…”Whatever curses he tried to spit were swallowed by Muheun’s mouth again. Unlike Muheun, who kept whispering between kisses, Seungjoo had no chance to respond. The moment he parted his lips, Muheun would follow, persisting with an insatiable intent.“…Shh.”At some point, his shoulder regained its freedom. But then Muheun’s hand that had been on his shoulder began to stroke the side of Seungjoo’s ear. His index finger traced the outer curve of his ear, and his middle finger delicately brushed down from behind his earlobe to his jaw.For the first time, he realized that the lightest touch could be so arousing. It wasn’t a passionate exchange, but with each continued kiss, his breathing grew heavier. His heart pounded, and his vision felt like it was blurring.Seizing the opportunity, Muheun guided Seungjoo’s arms around his neck. Though he had been gripping his collar tightly, his fingers gradually loosened at that simple gesture. The chapters have been revised, edited, and compressed, and the complete main story has been released for free, as I’m concerned it might be taken down or worse. I didn’t want to disappoint the readers, so I apologize for any inconvenience, and I hope you enjoy reading the complete story! The side stories will be coming soon, so don't worry~