Ha-Joon settles on his bed phone on his hand, after the long day, he need some rest.
He props his phone against a stack of textbooks so that the picture frames his face and most importantly his broad crisscrossed bandage swaddling on his nose.
Late sunlight flickers through the room, casting light on his LEGO collections. He breathes and type Joy's name, and waits as the video rings.
The screen flickers, and there is Joy sprawling on her Blue sofa, with her multi colored hoodie. Beside her eyes a purple bruise, and her glasses new and fixed. How did she do that? we will never know.
For a moment her eyes were fixed on Ha-Joon's bandage nose before her lips twisted into a wicked grin.
''Well-Well-Well, that goon hit you hard ay?'' Her voice mock serious '' you see that contraptions look less more like a bandaged it looks more like modern art installation''
Ha-Joon pressed a finger on his nose wincing '' Ah thank you-thank you I was thinking of trying out a a fashion trend..''
''And anyways.. how are you feeling?'' Ha-Joon asked and Joy nodded looking some where else smiling.
''I'm Feeling better...just I won't be able to come to school...tomorrow.. cover it up for me'' Joy winks.
Joy leans in eyebrow dancing.
''And don't worry about Ji-Hoo he won't disturb you, just ignore him maybe he will..''
Ha-Joon rolls his eyes but can't suppress a grin '' Spare me I'll probably receive a teasing of a lifetime.. he will skip my hair and turn to my Nose...'' Ha-Joon said tone lace with annoyance.
Joy clasps her hands theatrically.
''Don't worry-you can tell me if he teases you... I will break his nose too..''
''And can we just pause right here and acknowledge In-Su's help?'' she added.
''Yeah he was a great help-and I get to hear his voice for the first time'' Ha-Joon smiled, but Joy gave a confuse look on her face.
'' What? you never heard his voice before?'' She asked and Ha-Joon narrowed his eyes.
''Yes what do you mean by asking that question...?''
''I mean he talks, even jokes'' She said and Ha-Joon leaned forward.
''What?''
''Yes... anyways we have to thank him'' Joy added like she did not just made him confused.
Ha-Joon gave a thumbs up, smile genuine.
''Yes... let's thank him... maybe with lunch dessert?''
Joy nods, eyes soften.
'' Yes maybe some... Mochi.... yes I will tell my mom to make it'' She said fingers on the bruise beside her eyes.
''That will be a great idea.... then you will give him...''
''No you do it..''
''let's do it together...'' Ha-Joon said and Joy giggled.
''Sure...we will not do it together because I will be staying at home for a few days....''
''Silly girl... I will come by your house and get it...''
They riff on more '' Injury treatments'' even Joy pretending to read a 'medical journal' while Ha-Joon wince in mock pain-and then finally the call ended.
The room felt into a gentle silent, Ha-Joon leaned back on the headrest letting relief wash over him until.... the door crept open. Ji-Woo slips in carrying a steaming tray of rice, soup and kimchi. She places it on his desk without meeting his eyes.
''Dinner's ready Ha-Joon, mom said you should rest'' Ji-woo said softly '' so she send me here to give it to you''
He glances at her grateful, but then her expression was not.... it seems off, something unreadable.
''Thanks Ji-Woo- did you say something else.?..''
She hesitate fingers lingering on the side of the tray... she sighs and walked slowly to Ha-Joon and sat beside Ha-Joon on his bed.
''I saw him'' she whispered voice low.
Ha-Joon's smile froze mid wide.
''Saw who?''
Ji-Woo moved closer her eyes starring into his.
''In-Su I saw... In-Su... the red eyed boy'' She nodded.
Ha-Joon's heart thumped.
''What do you mean?'' he asked.
Ji-Woo's smile curled in a small, enigmatic smile and she said quietly.
''Ha-Joon... you didn't do what we asked you...''
''You didn't do it... you don't know maybe...In-Su is something different....or not even human.'' Ji-Woo added.
Then as abruptly as she left her smile changed to every day warmth, without letting Ha-Joon process what she just said.
''Anyway eat up-before it gets cold..'' She said, and then without another word, she got up and glide outside, Ha-Joon froze, chopstick in hand, if In-Su is not what he think he i s what could-he be?.
''What does she mean not human?... Ji-Woo left me here all confuse. In-Su who are you?'' - Ha-Joon thought.
-------
In-Su stands alone before, a narrow mirror mask off, shoulders stiff, breathing shallow. His eyes scan his face, first to the fine sharp fangs, then to the scar beside his lips hands trembling as he touch the ridge of it, as if by feeling will remind him who he was.
At the reflection, he saw not just him but the weight of his origin '' I'm In-Su from the Demon side..'' he whispers to the glass, voice rough with contempt and longing all at once.
''I wanted to leave this world behind-and walk among angels. But my parent's forced me into this-into wearing my brother's name like a mask''
Beside him on the smaller dresser, sits a faded photograph of a boy looking exactly just like him well... except the scar, Fingers brushing on the face of the photo.
''If you were here...''He murmurs ''none of this would've happened''
He looked at his reflection, red eyes burning '' They-Killed you- I mean the elements... Mom and dad used you... now they are using me..''
He closes his fist on the picture, pressing it to his chest '' Ha-Joon is a nice kid..'' He said voice cracking '' I really want to be friends with him... maybe a brother... I want to be a part of them...'' He sighs.
''But am a vampire.. he is an element we don't match...'' he click his tongue and gently kept the picture back to where it belongs, he glances at the clock showing I2 midnight he smiled.
''My father commands Demons, while my mother holds the sway of the dark rites. on the other hand Ha-Joon's parents are head of...Angel council...our bloodlines were written in prophecy long before any of us drew breath.. Angels and Demons will forever be opposite.... but when I met Ha-Joon everything in my mind change''
''I wanted to be one of the Angels-to walk with them-but every time I try to get closer to Ha-Joon, my parents tighten their grips 'Never show mercy' they say...'' In-Su let out a mock laugh.
''It's time to fight more angels...tonight''
''I hate pretending to be you brother... I hate pretending to be someone who is not me... I hate pretending to be In-Su...'' he breaths a last ragged one, and moves back from the mirror. Before disappearing into the dark.
------
Joy came downstairs, cheek still flushed bruises still fresh, she founds her mother at the kitchen counter. She clutch her hands to a fist took a deep breath and walks to her mother.
''Mom are you still mad at me?'' Joy began voice low - she pushes a short brown strand of hair behind her back '' In-Su is a very nice boy mom...''
Her mother paused, knife in hand, she glances at Joy her sharp blue eyes stern '' Very nice boy... He is the prince.. he survived after the tragic incident...''
''But he saved me..'' Joy argued.
''Saved you? what do you mean Joy?''
Joy smiled remembering the Ironveil street incident '' He saved both me and Ha-Joon from goons, and I wanted to thank him by giving him Mochi that you will make....'' Joy said.
''Yes.. Joy he might saved you but you know his family.. are... complicated..'' Her mom said settling down the knife, she pushes a brown strand of hair behind her back. ( and I almost forgot Joy's mom is just like her.. a little older..)
Joy waved away the warning, her eyes bright '' yes I know how everyone in the world of Nightmire considers him a Demon.. and he is mom...but he is very kind he is like an angel''
Her mom crossed her arms, lip pressed in a thin line '' I'm glad you think that and he helped you... but Joy.. you're one of the Angels... my only daughter.. and you're just like your dad'' her mother sighs '' and I don't want to loose you too... see I am not a part of that world... and you are ''
Joy smiled '' I am Mysta Glimmer... queen of light..''
''Yes dear.. be careful just listen to your leaders...'' Her mom warned and she smiled.
''Yes mom.. I will be careful.''
''Ok... dear I will be watching you... And I will make the Mochi'' Her mom said not making eye contact.
''Deal...'' Joy grinned her heart full.