The Night Of The Untraced

Muryeong quietly kept his mouth shut and looked at the person in front of him. The man sitting on the sofa, arms crossed, had deep wrinkles between his eyebrows. His eyelid-less eyes were full of irritation, and his usually aloof expression looked even more skewed.That man was Seungjoo, Muryeong’s long-time friend. He’d lived next door since childhood, and they’d seen each other almost daily until high school. Because of family circumstances, Seungjoo knew that Muryeong was an exorcist, and despite having zero spiritual abilities himself, he had an extensive knowledge of the supernatural.They were on good terms, but Seungjoo was not the type to visit first unless necessary—not because he didn’t think of Muryeong as close, but because he saw no need to. With his naturally blunt personality, Muryeong would usually be the one to call him if anything came up.But this time, Seungjoo had uncharacteristically shown up first at Muryeong’s place, not even at the family home, but at the place Muryeong shared with Hwanyeong. Judging by the bag next to him, he must have come straight over after school.“So….”After a long silence, Muryeong finally spoke with a hardened expression. His usual calm, measured voice was more somber than ever. It was understandable, given that Seungjoo had started the conversation with this:“Hey, Muheun hyung said there’s a new group rising in the association aiming for power. And apparently, they’re targeting the Seo family.”While there were many surprising elements to this, none of it was incomprehensible. People seeking power were a constant, and most of them always sought the Seo family’s support. Some even assumed that the Seo family’s abilities came from Muryeong’s lineage.In any case, it was a plausible and all too realistic story—enough to leave Muryeong speechless. He’d known something like this might happen but hadn’t expected it to be this soon.The fact that Muryeong, still a newcomer, didn’t know all the details only heightened his worry, especially with his friend now caught in a difficult situation.“What did Hyung say?”First, Muryeong calmly asked about his older brother’s response. Though he had a lot to say, it was crucial to assess the situation rationally. If Muheun had delivered that message, he likely also had a plan in mind.“He said he’d protect me.”As expected, Seungjoo’s answer aligned with Muryeong’s prediction. If his brother intended to protect Seungjoo, that at least was reassuring. Muheun was not only the most reliable eldest son at home but also one of the most capable in the association as a Gwimae fighter.Still, Muryeong planned to investigate on his own—exactly what this faction was after, how they were targeting Seungjoo, and how he could best help.“Then, first, I’ll also—”Just as he was about to say this, Seungjoo interjected, cutting him off sharply. What he said was completely unexpected.“But I refused.”“What?”Muryeong blinked in surprise. Had he misheard? If his ears weren’t deceiving him, Seungjoo had just said, “I refused.”“…Did you tell him not to protect you?”“Yeah.”When Muryeong asked again, Seungjoo nodded, confirming he hadn’t misheard.“Hmm…”Muryeong furrowed his brows and let out a long sigh. He knew Seungjoo disliked being in a position to be protected, but he hadn’t expected him to refuse even in a situation like this. If something went seriously wrong, that would be exactly the situation Seungjoo hated most.It wasn’t as if he usually showed stubbornness over trivial matters…“Was it because you felt bad for Hyung?”“That’s part of it…”When he asked, Seungjoo gave a vague answer, evading the question. The subtle twitch in his cheek was a telltale sign of his habit when he felt guilty about something. Muryeong, realizing there must be another reason, quietly rolled his eyes in thought.“…”“…”Neither broke the silence that filled the living room. Muryeong was observing Seungjoo, while Seungjoo seemed deep in thought. Though he couldn’t read minds, he had a rough idea of what Seungjoo was contemplating.“…Did you fight with Hyung over this?”It was his frown that prompted the question. From the moment he walked in, Seungjoo had been wearing a disgruntled expression, furrowing his brows into a deep scowl. He wasn’t one to walk around beaming, but he didn’t typically show such visible annoyance either.“….”Judging by Seungjoo’s face, which remained filled with dissatisfaction, Muryeong guessed there had been some friction with Muheun.“Hm…”Of course, Muryeong understood Seungjoo’s feelings. Being in a one-sidedly protected position was a stifling situation. He likely understood the logic but couldn’t accept the frustrating reality.Especially for Seungjoo, this issue was a long-standing source of irritation. Being placed in danger, having others worry for him, his life being disrupted, and watching others make sacrifices for him—none of it sat well with him.Although Muryeong understood his friend’s perspective, this time, he felt inclined to side with Muheun.“I don’t want you in danger either.”If someone had to be at risk, it was better him than Seungjoo. Muheun probably felt the same. Seungjoo hated seeing others sacrifice themselves for him, but in this case, it was more about personal choice than sacrifice. It was far preferable to try his best to keep an eye on Seungjoo than to leave him with guilt.“Hey, I don’t want to be in danger either.”Seungjoo replied nonchalantly as though it was obvious, letting out a sigh and running a hand over his face in frustration. Despite his strained expression, his tone was rather calm.“It’d definitely be safer with Hyung around. It’s not like he’d listen even if I said no.”“That’s true.”Muryeong understood well. Muheun wasn’t the type to back off simply because of Seungjoo’s mild refusal. If anything, he’d stubbornly stick around, persuading him until he relented.“Well, it’s not like I’m not sorry. And if more problems come up, I know I’ll feel even guiltier.”Just as Muryeong suspected, Seungjoo lowered his gaze, speaking slowly.“But…”He seemed about to reveal his thoughts but then trailed off. Rather than urging him, Muryeong chose to wait patiently. If Seungjoo, usually indifferent, was hesitating, then his reasons were likely worth the wait.“…Ah, damn, I don’t know.”At last, when his lips parted, Seungjoo let out a rough voice and ruffled his hair in frustration. He rarely showed this level of exasperation, even when Muryeong was doing something reckless.Seungjoo let out a deep sigh once again and picked up the bag he’d set beside him.“Anyway, I just came to tell you about this. I wanted to see if you might know something, Muryeong. If not, then forget it.”With that, Seungjoo got up from the sofa without hesitation, his task seemingly complete. He slung his bag over one shoulder, checked the time on his phone, and Muryeong, eyes wide with surprise, asked, “You’re leaving?”“Yeah.”His demeanor suggested he felt his purpose here was done. True to his straightforward nature, he’d come only to get to the point. To an outsider, it might look cold, but this was Seungjoo through and through.“Have dinner before you go,” Muryeong suggested.“For what?”With Seungjoo’s curt response, Muryeong didn’t insist further and stood up as well. Although it wasn’t late, given the situation Seungjoo had described, Muryeong thought he might as well accompany him to his place.But before Muryeong could offer to go with him, a quiet voice interrupted.“Where are you going?”Seungjoo flinched, clearly startled by the sudden intrusion. His reaction was subtle enough that most wouldn’t notice, but Muryeong, who had known him for so long, could easily tell.Seungjoo was easily startled, a thought that amused Muryeong as he turned toward the voice.“Hwanyeong,” he greeted.Hwanyeong, who had been in his room while they were talking, appeared as if he wasn’t particularly interested in Seungjoo’s serious expression.Without even looking at Seungjoo, Hwanyeong addressed Muryeong. “Seungjoo’s leaving?”Though Seungjoo was right there, they seldom spoke when Muryeong wasn’t around, despite having known each other for years. They didn’t have a bad relationship, but… just different temperaments. Not that Seungjoo minded this arrangement.“Yeah. I’m going to walk him out,” Muryeong replied.“To walk me home?” Seungjoo asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.Well, that’s new, he thought, chuckling dryly. He seemed ready to say more, but Hwanyeong shook his head first.“Muryeong, you stay and rest. I’ll take him.”“What are you saying? I’ll go by myself.”Disregarding Seungjoo’s protest, Hwanyeong began moving toward the door, murmuring, “I’ll be right back.”“No, I can do it.”“But you still have to go to work later, don’t you?” Hwanyeong reminded him.“It’s fine…”“Did you not hear me say I’d go alone?”Seungjoo reiterated, though to no avail. Hwanyeong added, looking at Muryeong, “I’ll be back soon, so if you’re hungry, just wait a bit.” And Muryeong, slightly flustered, nodded in agreement.“Messed-up people,” Seungjoo muttered, finally giving in as he bent down to put on his shoes. When it came to Muryeong’s stubbornness, Seungjoo usually relented. Despite his indifferent demeanor, he was quick to sense and respond to others’ concerns.‘But why did he act like that with Hyung…?’Watching the two leave, Muryeong furrowed his brow, his wide, double-lidded eyes narrowing slightly.No matter how he thought about it, it seemed like something troubling had happened between his Hyung and his friend.* * *In the quiet residential neighborhood, only the sound of their footsteps echoed. There was no conversation, no other noise blending with the rhythmic steps.One man walked with a disgruntled expression, brows furrowed, while the other followed behind with a blank face. They walked single-file, giving no impression of familiarity.“…”Seungjoo, the one frowning, kept his hands in his pockets and his gaze straight ahead. The sky over the hill was perfectly clear, but his mood was still clouded.When had it been—sometime on Saturday morning, after that conversation with Muheun?“…So they’re targeting me?”He hadn’t thought much of it at the time. Seungjoo knew, however reluctantly, that he had a strong support system. Whatever the reason, it wasn’t surprising that someone might target him.“…Did they want to ask for my help or something?”That lack of urgency stemmed from this knowledge. If there were any issues with his safety, it would mean going up against his family, not to mention the neighbors. Challenging the association was one thing, but this was a different matter. If these new forces hadn’t considered that, they were too foolish to be forming an organization.“Don’t know. Maybe they want help, or maybe they’ve got something else in mind.”But Muheun’s words had only intensified Seungjoo’s unease. Something else? What other reason could there be? The sense of dread that washed over him wasn’t just a feeling. Seungjoo’s face hardened, and Muheun’s voice quickly softened.“It’s fine.”After stirring up such a serious atmosphere, Muheun’s tone was casual, even gentle. And then, smiling faintly at Seungjoo’s bewildered expression, he said, “I’ll protect you.”“…”It was something Seungjoo had heard many times before, and truthfully, he felt reassured hearing it again. No matter what threats lay ahead, with Muheun at his side, he felt certain things would be okay.“…Protect me? Again?”Still, hearing those words stirred up many conflicting emotions. The mention of protection brought back memories—guilt, frustration, the weight of responsibility, and a tinge of resentment.And it didn’t help that Muheun, who’d said this with his usual serene smile, had looked unusually tired, despite having had a full night’s sleep.“Does Hyung think he’s some kind of volunteer?”Seungjoo knew he should be realistic, but that didn’t lessen the bitterness he felt. Whenever he offered to help, he was turned down without a second thought, yet when Muheun decided to help, there was no room for refusal. Watching him act as if nothing was wrong, even as exhaustion visibly piled up day after day, something within him churned.“If they’re exorcists, it shouldn’t be too dangerous. After all, they can’t touch me, right?”It was mere bravado. Exorcists affiliated with the association always prioritized the safety of the living. Seungjoo knew it was a careless statement, and he knew that Muheun wouldn’t accept it.“Seungjoo, you don’t know what those guys are capable of.”Sure enough, Muheun countered without a hint of a change in his expression. If the upward curve of his mouth seemed angry, was it just Seungjoo’s imagination?“They’re the kind of people who’d release a malevolent spirit’s seal just to gain power. You can’t assume they’ll abide by the association’s principles.”Seungjoo chose silence. He hadn’t expected his excuses to work anyway. He thought it best not to wander around alone or go out at night. But even before he could voice these thoughts, Muheun dismissed them.“Exorcists aren’t like spirits. They don’t weaken in the daytime, and someone like you—they could easily carry you off without so much as a scratch.”Wasn’t he talking about kidnapping as if he were snatching up a child?Seungjoo knew Muheun wasn’t just boasting. In fact, Muheun had once carried an unconscious Seungjoo all the way home. Moreover, saying he could take him unharmed implied that even if no harm came to Seungjoo, Muheun would raise issues with the entire process. Kidnapping, threats—whatever scenarios Seungjoo could imagine, Muheun likely wouldn’t take them lightly. He wanted to eliminate any possibility.“There’s always the chance something unexpected could happen.”Seungjoo understood what he was saying. He wasn’t naïve; he could see the reality objectively.But at the same time, Seungjoo knew what Muheun would have to endure because of that slight chance.“You’re busy, Hyung.”Hadn’t he once said that he could make time to pick him up? That wasn’t a lie, but receiving his kindness wasn’t something Seungjoo could easily take for granted.“How can you talk about protecting anyone when you’re barely sleeping… I know you were home last night because of me, even though it wasn’t your day off.”Seungjoo couldn’t be sure, but he could guess. Just because Muheun had a day off didn’t mean his work disappeared. If anything, his workload for tonight would probably double.In this world, there were far more living people than deceased ones, but few could guide those lingering spirits. Comparatively, the number of restless souls far exceeded the number of exorcists. Muheun might hunt malevolent spirits, but their situations were not so different.“How long are you going to protect me from that new faction? If I should be hiring a bodyguard… no, how did you even know they were targeting me in the first place?”A new question arose as he spoke. Why had Muheun appeared at the perfect time? Why wasn’t he surprised when he saw Seungjoo’s awakened spiritual sight? And why did he react so calmly, as though he understood when Seungjoo spoke about the sunglass-wearing exorcist?An assumption flashed through his mind.“Don’t tell me you’ve been investigating that too?”“…Mmm.”The barely audible hum was as good as an affirmation. Even though he was already insanely busy, here he was investigating the reasons behind the release of malevolent spirits. He didn’t have three bodies, so how could he handle all of this?“Just so you don’t misunderstand, I would’ve investigated it even if it wasn’t related to you, Seungjoo.”Seungjoo couldn’t accept that explanation so easily. Maybe it hadn’t been about him at first, but now, it certainly was. Knowing Muheun, he probably wouldn’t care much if that new faction existed, as long as it didn’t affect him.“So let’s just listen to what I’m saying.”Muheun’s tone was gentle, as if trying to console him, as if he knew that Seungjoo would eventually have to accept his offer.“…I’ll stay with you until your spiritual sight fades.”A compromise was needed. Seungjoo knew he needed Muheun until his spiritual sight disappeared. If he ran into a malevolent spirit, that would truly be disastrous.“But after that, you don’t have to do this.”However, Muheun protecting him from that faction was another matter. Once his spiritual sight faded, the danger from spirits would be gone, but the people in that faction weren’t spirits. He didn’t know how long or how many more times similar situations would arise. Unless Muheun was always there, there was no need for it to be him this time either.Besides,“Hyung… you’ll just leave again once everything’s resolved.”That was it. He didn’t want to get used to relying on someone, only to feel empty when they were gone. It was infuriating enough to feel that emptiness, so he didn’t want to grow accustomed to it.It was resentment, and partly bitterness. He’d said he’d protect him, only to disappear just a month ago. He was trying to stay by his side again, as if there hadn’t been a gap. If he got used to this again, what would he do when it happened again?“…This has nothing to do with you, Hyung.”He knew he was being harsh. He shouldn’t be drawing boundaries with Muheun, who was so devoted.Yet the surge of urgency weighed more on his heart than his head. His emotions took precedence, and he’d been rejecting Muheun’s kindness from the beginning.“I’ll handle it myself.”He planned to hire a bodyguard, even though he hated the thought of telling his parents. Right now, that seemed the better option.It didn’t matter if people thought he was just being stubborn. Even if it was impulsive, he didn’t want to make the same mistake again. Even if he knew Muheun wasn’t at fault, he didn’t like the idea of coming to resent him.Ultimately, this was all his fault for expecting anything, but if the blame ended up falling on Muheun, he wouldn’t be able to bear it.“Seungjoo.”Muheun’s voice, softer than usual, called his name. His dark, deep gaze met Seungjoo’s without wavering. As Seungjoo struggled to hold his gaze, a lower voice spoke.“How could your danger have nothing to do with me?”“…”“How is this only your problem?”Did he even realize how irritating those words sounded? If he was so worried, why did he just vanish? Did he not worry when they weren’t meeting? He wanted to throw all these questions at him.“If something happens to you, Seungjoo…”Starting slowly, Muheun couldn’t bring himself to finish. For the first time, his face, usually so relaxed, was set firmly. Normally, Seungjoo wouldn’t have acknowledged it, but the anger in his heart pushed his lips to move.“…Hyung, are you thinking about my sister right now?”* * *He knew the guilt he carried. It must be because Muheun was reminded of Seunghee, his sister’s old friend who had passed away 11 years ago. Feeling a needless sense of responsibility over a death that wasn’t his fault.It was a chronic issue in the family next door. As exorcists, they had a duty to watch over Seungjoo’s family, honing their powers while keeping their sense of duty alive. Over the years, they continued to live next door, had children around the same time to prepare for the next generation.Of course, now it was mostly passed down as a tradition. Seungjoo’s parents, as well as the next-door parents, didn’t impose any responsibilities on their children. They said it was half by coincidence that the three siblings were all born in the same year.“It’s been years already…”This was an odd kind of guilt indeed. Kim Muheun felt guilt over Seo Seunghee’s death, and Kim Muyeon over Seo Seungtae’s. If he himself died, would Kim Muryeong feel a similar regret? Thinking that way only made Seungjoo feel worse.“How much longer do you plan to do this?”It was a burden, and he felt sorry; honestly, it was annoying, too. Although his sister and Hyung had lost their lives to malicious spirits, strictly speaking, it had been a kind of accident. Like how Seungjoo had hurt his wrist in high school — some things were simply beyond human control.Even so, Muheun sometimes remembered Seunghee, making a face as if everything had been his fault, as if he were reliving a past he regretted deeply, vowing never to make a mistake again.“That’s disrespectful to my sister.”Seeing him like that left Seungjoo feeling suffocated. He began to wonder if it wasn’t concern, but guilt, that was compelling him to protect him. Even if it wasn’t malicious, the fact that he was thinking of someone else through him bruised his pride.“It’s not because of Seunghee.”But Muheun spoke firmly. He said he wasn’t protecting him because of the deceased Seunghee, that he wasn’t projecting her onto him.“Seungjoo, protecting you won’t bring Seunghee back.”“…”At that point, Seungjoo was the one who found himself at a loss for words. As much as Muheun was tethered to his past, he also knew how to face reality. Even if he sometimes remembered his late friend when looking at Seungjoo, this wasn’t out of guilt. He had just overreacted in a fit of irritation, but he knew that fact.“Anyway, Hyung, you don’t need to do this.”When Seungjoo managed to finish his words, Muheun gave him a steady look, as if wondering what had gotten into him. Normally, he would’ve accepted it, but it seemed odd that he was stubbornly holding his ground today.“I’ll be going.”Instead of saying anything else, Seungjoo just stood up. Half of his meal was still left, but Muheun didn’t stop him. He just set down his chopsticks and offered to take him home.The ride back, unsurprisingly, didn’t do much to improve his mood. Sensing something in Seungjoo, Muheun quietly drove without his usual banter. The scenery whizzing by through the window couldn’t calm his tangled feelings.“I’ll pick you up Monday.”At the gate, Muheun’s farewell was, as expected, a promise for next time. Was he planning to accompany him until his sight closed? Or did he intend to protect him despite Seungjoo’s objections? The latter seemed more likely.* * *All weekend, Seungjoo spent time at home. He hadn’t had any plans anyway, but since he didn’t know when his vision would close, roaming freely wasn’t an option. He stayed in his room doing assignments, and whenever he felt stifled, he’d wander the yard, organizing his thoughts.What kind of person smokes a cigarette like that? What was he planning to do with his gathered force? And was Kim Muheun planning to find and dismantle that group? Too many unanswered questions haunted him.He kept replaying Muheun’s words, feeling frustrated each time he realized he couldn’t do anything on his own. He’d try to remind himself to heed Muheun’s advice, only to suddenly feel a pang of frustration, venting his irritation into the empty air.And then, Monday arrived before he knew it.He went to school with Muheun, yet his feelings hadn’t changed. He was wary of growing used to this routine, and he couldn’t erase the lingering resentment toward Kim Muheun, who would soon vanish.So, even before his lecture ended, he messaged Muheun, saying he’d go home with Gi Hwanyeong — something he’d usually never say. He hadn’t even asked Hwanyeong’s opinion, and when Muheun called afterward, he didn’t pick up.It was an almost impulsive decision. He didn’t want to see Muheun’s face, and he just wanted to vent to someone. Though he couldn’t explain the details, he thought it might be nice to meet Muryeong.“…”And now, he was on his way home with Hwanyeong after stopping by Muryeong’s place.There hadn’t been much to say, but it wasn’t a visit he expected results from anyway, so it was fine. Muryeong, who’d let him go without asking questions despite his own reticence, was simply a relief.“I don’t want you getting hurt either.”I don’t want that… I really don’t. Yet, the problem was that even knowing that, he couldn’t get his feelings in line. He hadn’t realized that liking someone could be such a complicated emotion. Though he’d convinced himself he’d given up, he was scared of hoping and was running away.“Hey.”As they passed the hill where he’d encountered the malicious spirit, Seungjoo quietly called to Hwanyeong. He just felt like talking, and the scenery reminded him of that night. Perhaps Hwanyeong could satisfy the curiosity he hadn’t managed to ask Muheun about.“Do you shoot arrows too?”The arrow embedded in the spirit’s head — it looked like it had flames flickering on it, probably Muheun’s doing. When the arrow disintegrated into ashes, the aura emanating from it was no different from the chill he felt when he touched him.“Why’d you bring up arrows out of nowhere?”“Just… I heard they shoot things like that with spiritual energy.”Since he couldn’t say he’d seen it with his own eyes, Seungjoo gave a vague answer.Although he was practically an ordinary person, he knew exactly what that arrow was. It was probably shot to gather spiritual energy and vanquish the spirit.Ordinary exorcists gathered the energy of the formless and transformed it into a tangible weapon. Because of that, the three siblings next door, born into an exorcist family, learned from a young age to harness spiritual energy and use it as power. He didn’t know the exact process, but that arrow he’d seen yesterday was surely a continuation of that.“Just curious. I wondered if exorcists all knew how to do that.”It felt like when he’d seen a barrier. The scene had seemed like magic, and to Seungjoo, it hadn’t felt much different. They looked like they were using superpowers, which, in a way, wasn’t inaccurate.“Not everyone can; you have to train.”Hwanyeong answered in his usual stoic voice, without suspicion. Apparently, not all exorcists could do it. If they could, there wouldn’t be a need for the family next door to train in the annex every night. He’d heard that back when their father was alive, he used to take the three siblings to training sites.“Everyone has a method that suits them. I learned how to shoot from my mother.”During high school, Hwanyeong once stayed at Muryeong’s house for about a year and a half. It seems he learned various things from Muryeong’s mother at that time. Although Seungjoo knew he trained, this was the first time he heard the specifics.“So, can you do anything with enough practice?”“Some things are natural…”According to Gi Hwanyeong, Muryeong’s older sister is good with a bow, while Muheun Hyung primarily uses a sword. He had tried learning from both, but admitted with unexpected honesty that he found both equally challenging.So Kim Muheun uses a sword. For someone like that, he was also exceptionally skilled with a bow. Though he wasn’t sure of the exact distance, Seungjoo recalled the arrow that had flown again toward the demon after striking it precisely in the head.“Can Kim Muryeong do it too?”“Muryeong is very good.”Hwanyeong’s voice held such pride that Seungjoo couldn’t help but laugh softly. Hwanyeong claimed he wasn’t very skilled himself but seemed eager to praise Kim Muryeong. It felt more amusing than anything else, and with a light laugh, Seungjoo’s mood improved.“Exorcists are fascinating…”He’d known these people his whole life, yet recently, he felt like he was learning so many new things about them. He thought he knew them well, but there were far more experiences outside his own knowledge. The stories Muryeong shared were almost like supernatural tales, though the demons he’d actually seen were terrifyingly real.“…Is something really going on with you?”Hwanyeong seemed to find Seungjoo’s behavior strange. He could tell by the way the usually aloof Seungjoo asked suddenly. Despite this rare display of concern, Seungjoo only shrugged and replied casually, hands stuffed in his pockets.“Nothing, really.”* * *In the end, yes, the issue lay in his feelings for Kim Muheun. He could continue his usual routine, but his unexpected change of heart was causing trouble for them both. If he could just see Muheun as the Hyung next door like he always had, things would be easier, but these unnecessary emotions were making things complicated.He’d realized his feelings quite some time ago, yet had never felt discouraged about it. He’d occasionally decided to set his feelings aside, but even when he couldn’t, he’d never felt ashamed. He thought it was his right to feel however he wanted, as long as he didn’t expect anything in return.“Hyung will protect you.”But this time, he felt oddly frustrated. He couldn’t accept Muheun’s kindness purely, and the annoyance mixed with hope made the earlier rejection he’d faced seem more unfair.“A kiss, huh. We’ve done it twice; I wonder why not a third.”He’d given him a gentle rejection, saying that if he might be in danger, he wouldn’t let anyone help him. Then, as always, Muheun had offered a farewell with no promise of a next time. After letting Seungjoo in through the gate, he’d disappeared without a trace again.Seungjoo knew that his safety was Muheun’s top priority. The line he’d subtly drawn wasn’t a warning to stay away, but a vow to avoid putting him in danger. Yet if he crossed that line, he’d have to be prepared for the consequences.Even knowing all this, Seungjoo still wondered. If that was the case, why did he often disappear without a word, only to come back on his own terms?There wasn’t much of a reason, really. Muheun was simply busy, not intentionally cutting off contact. He treated everyone the same, and he visited his family even less often.But still, waiting was frustrating. His naturally reserved personality meant he didn’t dare to reach out without a reason, which only made it harder. Whenever he heard news of Muheun, he’d respond curtly on the surface, yet deep down, he always waited for him, which bruised his pride.It turned out liking someone was harder than he thought. For Seungjoo, who usually had little emotional fluctuation, these feelings were unsettling. The frustration at his actions not matching his intentions, and the sense of losing his rational judgment, didn’t sit well with him.In the end, it all boiled down to one thing. As he said earlier, his feelings for Kim Muheun were the problem. If asked whether he blamed himself, he’d shake his head firmly.“…Damn it.”Tuesday morning. Waking up early, Seungjoo despaired at the fact that his vision was still open. He wondered why the Yeongi he’d absorbed through cigarette smoke was lingering so long. It had been four days, yet nothing had changed.He wondered if it would never close, then quickly shook his head. Negative thoughts could weaken his resolve, so it was best to avoid them. With everything already so complicated, he didn’t need to add unnecessary worries.Seungjoo got up right away and prepared for school. It was still early, but he moved as if entranced. Even though he thought Kim Muheun wouldn’t be there yet, he couldn’t stop himself.Just as Seungjoo, bag in hand, stepped outside the gate—“You’re out early.”“…!”Startled by the familiar voice, Seungjoo turned to see Kim Muheun standing next to the gate. As usual, Muheun was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, waiting for him with his usual look.“Oh, you scared me…”Muttering under his breath, Seungjoo put a hand over his heart. He hadn’t expected Muheun to already be there. Giving him a look of mild disbelief, Seungjoo asked,“Why are you here so early?”His first class wasn’t until lunchtime, so it wasn’t time for school yet. Having already seen his schedule, there was no reason for him to be here at this hour.“Well, that’s something I should be asking you, Hyung…”Muheun let out a light laugh, his eyes narrowing with a familiar, habitual smile, though he didn’t seem particularly pleased. His drawled response didn’t sound especially welcoming either.“Why are you out so early?”Ah, he’d dug his own grave.Seungjoo awkwardly averted his gaze and clamped his mouth shut. The way he had his bag slung over his shoulder made it too obvious that he hadn’t just come out for a quick step outside. It was clear what Muheun, watching him closely, must be thinking.“You didn’t even answer your phone last night…”Muheun exhaled in exasperation as his lips twisted slightly. Though he’d been smiling the whole time, it was impossible not to notice his displeasure—perhaps not hurt, but a frustrated sort of concern.Though, this time, Seungjoo had his reasons, too.“…Did you really need to call me? I already told you in advance that I’d be with Gi Hwanyeong.”Seungjoo had indeed left a message for Muheun well before his class had ended, letting him know he’d be walking home with Gi Hwanyeong and there was no need for Muheun to come. Wasn’t it fine as long as he wasn’t going alone? As he erased the missed call notification from Muheun, he had thought just that.“I wasn’t alone, and before heading home, I stopped by Hwanyeong’s apartment. Then he walked me back home.”“I know; Muryeong told me.”“Well then, what’s the big deal…”Apparently, right after Seungjoo got home, Muryeong had called Muheun. Seungjoo had expected as much; even if it hadn’t been about him specifically, Muryeong would certainly have wanted to discuss the situation with the new group.“Fine… then let’s forget about the call.”Muheun nodded, letting it go. He seemed to have more he wanted to ask, but he’d decided to back off, for now. Instead, his next question was equally exasperating.“So why did you come out so early?”“….”It was the same question as before, and this time, Seungjoo had no answer. After racking his brain, all he could come up with were flimsy excuses.“…I wasn’t planning to go alone.”“….”“Really.”It was a lie. If Muheun hadn’t been there, he might have dared to go alone in a reckless moment. Well, he would’ve probably chickened out before actually doing it, but he figured he’d hear a scolding for just considering it.“I came out early to wait for Hyung.”Did he really have to go this far? Resentment rose up, but he stuck to his story. He tried to sound as casual as possible, though he couldn’t stop his gaze from wandering away.Muheun looked down at Seungjoo with a faint smirk.“Diligent of you.”He didn’t seem to believe it, but he was letting it go this once. Seeing his ironic smile, Seungjoo could tell he found it a bit absurd, but at least he wasn’t going to dig any further. So, Seungjoo simply readjusted his bag.On the way to school, they didn’t talk much. It was strange, Seungjoo thought, how a habit could form without needing excessive gestures or words. Just the overlapping sound of footsteps or the presence close by—little things, like how Muheun always walked on the side closer to the road, with Seungjoo on his left.‘Ah… I didn’t want to feel this way.’Seungjoo fidgeted with his hand in his pocket, gripping and releasing his phone, occasionally fingering his amulet. Though he managed to keep a straight face, his insides were a mess.Today, as usual, Muheun looked exhausted—or at least, Seungjoo thought he did. In truth, Muheun appeared as polished as ever, just a bit sleepy-eyed. He might not even be tired; it could just be his usual demeanor when he wasn’t teasing Seungjoo.“….”Yet, to Seungjoo, everything about him felt unsettling. He worried about him, even as he enjoyed this moment walking together. Though he wished their time together would end soon since it was limited, a part of him still clung to the bittersweet feeling.‘How selfish.’It was a harsh judgment, but Seungjoo acknowledged the truth. His own behavior was childish and contradictory.So what? Was it really wrong?“Seungjoo.”As they neared the school gates, Muheun quietly called to him. Startled, Seungjoo glanced up, his shoulders tensing. Muheun gave him a gentle, knowing smile.“You’ll walk home with Hyung today, right?”“….”Seungjoo couldn’t answer. He had spent the walk to school preoccupied with wondering if he’d manage to go home alone today. He’d even wished, half-jokingly, that his ability to see spirits would fade by the time school ended so he could make it home solo.“Well…”But he couldn’t exactly say all that out loud. So, he averted his gaze and picked up his pace. Thankfully, Muheun didn’t press him for a reply, merely keeping in step behind him.As they reached the gates, Seungjoo turned and looked at Muheun directly, uttering just one phrase. The same indefinite farewell that Muheun always gave him.“Take care.”* * *With plenty of time before his class, Seungjoo bought a coffee from the cafeteria. He considered sitting on a bench but instead started wandering aimlessly. After a while, he found himself at the campus lake. Now that the weather was warmer, more students were milling around, enjoying the outdoors.Seungjoo took a sip of his coffee, staring absently at the sky. The weekend rain had cleared, leaving not a cloud in sight. Now that the lingering cold had finally gone, it was a rare, perfect day to be outside.“…Guess my personality’s changed for the worse.”He let out a quiet sigh and looked down at the lake instead. Surrounded by a fence, the large, man-made lake lay in the middle of campus. At the start of the semester, it had been frozen solid, but now it was beginning to thaw.‘Take care.’He recalled Muheun’s expression when he’d said those words. His usually composed expression had cracked, his dark eyes turning cold. Muheun had looked as though he wanted to say something but couldn’t before Seungjoo had quickly disappeared past the gates.“….”It seemed his personality had indeed changed. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have acted that way toward someone who had only meant to help him. Then, lacking the confidence to handle the response, he’d quickly slipped away.“Whatever, Muheun does this all the time…”While he felt a bit guilty, he also felt a bit wronged. It wasn’t like he’d said anything out of line—he’d just given a casual goodbye. If Muheun read deeper into it, well, that wasn’t Seungjoo’s fault, now was it?Seungjoo brought his drink back up to his lips, moving closer to the railing. Resting his arms on it, he looked down at the lake, noticing a black fish that suddenly jumped up to the surface.“A goldfish?”What’s a goldfish doing in a lake? He couldn’t see it very well from that distance, but judging by the shape and size, it sure looked like one. Seungjoo didn’t have bad eyesight, so the chances of him misidentifying it were nearly zero.He squinted, studying the shadow in the water. The shape of the fish moving slowly was clear against the water’s surface. Although he never paid much attention to fish before, he found it strangely hard to look away.“…”Wait, was it just his imagination, or was the fish coming closer? Even from that distance, he had the odd feeling it might swim right up to him.Slowly, just a bit further…“Huh?”A quiet exclamation pulled at his attention. Still staring blankly at the lake, Seungjoo snapped back to reality upon hearing a voice call out a familiar name he couldn’t easily ignore.“Muryeong’s friend?”“…?”It was hard to brush off as a passing remark when it contained the name “Muryeong,” which wasn’t very common. Instinctively, Seungjoo turned toward the voice and spotted someone a few steps away, a guy with a vaguely familiar face. He had a neat appearance and a slightly delicate air about him.“You’re Muryeong’s friend, right?”“…Do you know me?”Seungjoo responded with a guarded expression without realizing it. Over the past few days, he’d run into too many people he couldn’t quite identify. A strange exorcist, another one with sunglasses in the middle of the night… Now he was half-expecting this guy to be another exorcist too.“Oh, sorry. I came on too strong, huh.”But to his surprise, the guy reacted normally. He didn’t ask for his number or light up a cigarette out of the blue. He just gave an awkward smile, looking genuinely apologetic.“I went to the same high school as you… I actually hired Muryeong for something. Don’t you remember?”“…Ah.”A memory sparked in Seungjoo’s mind. In high school, he and Muryeong once saw a senior looking anxiously into their classroom until Muryeong approached him, and the senior’s face lit up in relief.‘…Kim Muryeong?’The senior had attended the same high school, a year above him. It had been around midterms in the first semester of his second year. He and Gi Hwanyeong had come back from lunch when they saw this senior waiting at the front door for Muryeong. Seungjoo remembered Muryeong’s casual question when he saw him.“Here for a job?”It was a common scene. If a stranger was waiting outside their class, nine times out of ten, it was to hire Kim Muryeong. The remaining one was just there to hang out.Seungjoo didn’t know the specifics of the job, but he did know that Muryeong had helped the senior out twice. Once by spending the night at school, and another time by going to the senior’s home. He even recalled Muryeong’s hands covered in scratches from digging the ground with his bare hands.And one detail that Muryeong had emphasized, making it unforgettable.“The senior with the cat…?”Was the cat named Button or something? As Seungjoo hesitantly replied, the senior smiled, as if amused that he’d remembered.“So you remember because of the cat?”“…Not exactly.”What was he doing here? Seeing a familiar face in a familiar place somehow felt strange. They weren’t even close back in high school. The fact that they both recognized each other was surprising enough.“Do you go here?”“Yeah, I’m in the business department. What about you?”“I’m in sociology…”Business, so he’d be in the same department as Gi Hwanyeong. Seungjoo frowned slightly at the thought, and the senior shrugged in response.“I noticed. Hwanyeong’s one of the juniors here.”Well, that made sense. If he recognized Seungjoo, he’d surely recognize Gi Hwanyeong too. Hwanyeong had always drawn attention wherever he went, both in high school and here at university.“…”“…”Once they’d exchanged introductions, an awkward silence lingered. The senior had likely approached out of friendly curiosity but now seemed at a loss for words. Avoiding eye contact, he casually asked.“…What were you doing here?”“Just hanging around. I have a lot of time before my next class.”After answering, Seungjoo looked back at the lake. The goldfish he’d been watching was now gone without a trace. There were probably many fish in the lake, so it wasn’t that unusual, but for some reason, it left him feeling unsettled.“Have you had lunch?”“Not yet. I’m about to eat now.”Although he was debating whether to eat or not, that’s what he replied. He wasn’t particularly hungry, but he rarely skipped meals. Maybe he’d message Choi Jinwoo to come a bit earlier… He was thinking about it when the senior spoke up.“Oh… want to eat together?”“…?”Seungjoo paused and looked over at the senior, who scratched the back of his neck with a sheepish laugh.“My girlfriend’s running late today.”“…”“It’s kinda awkward to eat alone.”So he’s fine eating with a junior he barely knows but not alone?Oddly enough, Seungjoo found he didn’t mind the idea. He didn’t have anyone else to eat with anyway, and eating alone or with him would be pretty much the same.“Just asking, so…”“No, let’s eat together.”Seungjoo replied casually, straightening up from leaning on the railing. He glanced one last time, but the fish was nowhere to be seen. Clicking his tongue in frustration, Seungjoo asked the senior.“What are you having?”“…”“…What’s wrong?”“It’s just… I guess you really are Muryeong’s friend.”The senior gave a chuckle, amused by something he wasn’t saying. He seemed a bit surprised that Seungjoo had agreed so readily, as if sharing lunch wasn’t a big deal.“I’ll treat you.” 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~