The shower was definitely long overdue; it helped me clear my mind and properly get rid of all the blood and grime.
Kim Hyunjin's steps thudded softly against the wooden floors, he couldn't sleep despite the late hour, so instead of tossing and turning in discomfort all night, he let himself slip into complex, undisturbed thought.
He hadn't agreed to the arrangement it offered
not yet at least
The voice, contrary to being a helpful companion, stated it was exhausted and found the prospect of observing him doze unexciting, even though he had many questions.
Which would be reasonable if this were all fiction, but he was very much a person, not lines of text on a screen.
For whatever reason he'd falsely assumed he could finally rest after so much turmoil, he'd been mistaken of course, maybe if he were braver, he would've walked the nights fearless,
But he's almost positive that's put him in another Ghost story and he'd die.
The Thought was tempting.. the shadow from the train was very alluring,
…
What did it want from him?
[3:52]
He glanced away from the clock, it was such a thoughtless idea, he shouldn't be impulsive, he has a million other things to worry about.
But yet again, curiosity picked at the back of his mind, it might be the absence of sleep, he hadn't died last time, even when the voice had anticipated that he would.
But in that same breath that could've just been because Yeong Siyun was there.
'Or maybe I just wouldn't die.'
"..What's wrong with me.."
'Is this how thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies feel?'
His eyes fluttered open once more against his will, finding his gaze fixed on the clock again as the hands ticked, counting upwards in the seconds that passed,
His body still felt heavy, despite his attempts at distracting himself, his mind kept returning to his parents, the offer, a painful twist curled deeper into his stomach like a snake.
he bit his aching tongue, holding his breath, counting until his head hurt, barely breathing out as he exhaled, continuing the age-old ritual, staring into the darkness of the room.
It wouldn't be the worst thing to walk around. Realistically, if anything were to happen, I already doubt this room would stop it from happening.
'I'm being an idiot.'
Ah… but I really want to
I'll really regret it if I don't at least satisfy my curiosity, it would be pointless to try and sleep now,
tak tak tak
…
'Who would be pestering people this late at night?'
Most likely nothing at all, which meant it was nearly impossible for it not to be a monster, it's dangerous, but my heart is beating so fast.
The soft padded steps of my feet now felt loud and creaky on the floor as I approached the door, the metal doorknob cool to the touch,
'Expensive officetel but no peepholes or cameras to see.. desperately cheap..'
I can't tell if it's excitement or fear that's controlling my judgment right now, even with this anticipation, I shouldn't ignore what happened on the train,
Thinking about the blood and gore made something bitter and sharp spike in my stomach, fortunately cooling the enthusiasm struggling to overpower me,
I need to be realistic,
I don't want to die because of my own absentminded thoughts..
tak tak..
Only two this time?
"ah.. who is it?" The flat grating scrape of my own voice made me cringe, heat flaring on the back of my neck.
No response, as if a sort of evidence to my ridiculous conspiracies,
haah..
If it is a monster, am I supposed to open the door or not, since it's not responding to me, meaning it's not bothering to impersonate a person..
Which could further mean the extent of the knocks could be a sort countdown.. the issue with that theory being that I don't even know what the repercussions will be if I choose to open the door.
"seriously this feels like a lose-lose scenario.." it's nearly impossible to decide in the moment like this
Tak—
The third knock barely finished before the door twisted and opened before I could think about it, a combination of thoughts trailed through my head, had I opened it on reflex?
Was I forgetful enough to leave this unlocked the entire time I've been here?
Or had I left it like that without thinking, like how I opened it so fearlessly?
Was it apart of a ghost story as well?
But in unproductive fashion, this was reality, or at least something comparable to it.
Kim Hyunjin couldn't help the frown that crossed his mouth, and it wasn't because of the frigid air oozing up from the outside, sending goosebumps rushing up his arms.
it was just Yeong Siyun.
'I shouldn't be disappointed, I would've died if it wasn't her'
I had to justify to myself as the long-haired woman haphazardly entered my room, soaking wet from the pouring rain, gnawing at my lip to refrain from saying something unpleasant, for all I knew, she could be the protagonist of this world.
I hadn't even realized that it was raining...
"Kim Hyunjin.. I seem to be in a bit of trouble."
huh..
Even if we passed orientation together, isn't it a bit much to come over so late out of the blue, much less so unapologetically..
Yeong Siyun, who was still staring blankly at me, spoke up, "This isn't how I'd originally planned to speak with you..." she dipped her head lightly to the left,
"But I've come across another Ghost story and—"
"Yes."
That probably sounded impatient,
'It doesn't matter in the end, does it?'
If I don't help, she might die,
That's just the essence and the appeal of ghost stories
I want to do it, I want to do it so badly.
I wasn't able to sleep anyway, so this would just be a better way of spending the night instead of trying to push through the restlessness
(and abandon the thoughts of his parents)
"What kind is it?"
The way she studies me is different, it makes me feel embarrassed.. ah we must not be friends after all..
She finally uttered, "I do not know.. But from what I can tell, it needs two people to enter." She tapped her chin, the movement making the water dripping off her clothes more pronounced, "I wished to ask Baek Siyun as well but it seems he's locked himself inside his own room"
He must've been having a hard time recovering from the field test..
"...Yeong Siyun ssi.. are you sure you don't want to change before we leave?"
"There's no point in it anyways, it will just get wet again from the rain."
...is there a reason to walk through the rain? Does the Ghost Story only occur in this sort of weather if you're wet?
She's so cool..
I want to be her friend..
I want to be her.
Thinking back to the train station, Yeong Siyun's boldness is undeniably more effective than Kim Hyunjin's own reluctant judgment.
Even if it leads to the blank-faced woman performing some questionable actions..
'Well, if it's her i'm sure it'll work itself out...'
Having someone as perceptive as her is truly reassuring,
"You should change before we leave, it will be raining for a period"
right..
'I can't believe I almost forgot something as important as that.. it all rattled me more than I thought it did...'
"I'll lead the way", she tilted her head, face twisting slightly at the wet feeling of hair against her skin as she stepped down the stairs,
The creaky steps didn't match the modern offictel style, the downpour was louder outside than it had been in my room, too bad the officetels didn't have umbrellas..
i'd have to make a note to buy one later after looking into the Ghost Story,
Even without a detailed explanation I don't know myself why I have such trust and faith in Yeong Siyun-ssi, maybe it's instinct
maybe I'm just foolish,
But I really trust her right now.
"Kim Hyunjin, if it doesn't bother you, you could speak more freely when it's just the two of us."
'..it's hot… is this normal rain for this world or is it the ghost story?'
…
Casual?
"Ah— you want to talk familiarly?"
The shock almost made me forget about the warm rain hitting my head and seeping into my shoulders
Why is it warm?
"Yes.. I have a feeling we'll be working together from now on"
ah so straightforward..
Well, Yeong Siyun seems like a genuine person this far anyway, it's much easier to work with decent people than deal with a sociopath as a colleague
"Hyunjin?"
She stopped, turning to face me, whatever makeup she wore before long since washed away in the warm rain,
"Y..yes.. Siyun-sii...!"
Was something wrong? Is the Ghost story hidden in plain sight like this—
"Thank you for trusting me, "
oh..
Right..
Yeong Siyun was still a person after all, even if she didn't show it, it must have been difficult for her.
She's not having fun like I am.
"Is there.. a reason.. I shouldn't have, Siyun-ssi?"
She's just trying to survive.
"You could have died."
She was afraid of death just like any other person.
A sort of slimy disgusting feeling curled and settled beneath my ribs,
"But I didn't,"
this clear chalky taste of sick coated the roof of my mouth,
She paused, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly as she turned, stepping back to the path illuminated by street lights.
"..i suppose you are correct in this instance"
'So she can smile..'
It looks nice on her,
"Am i usually incorrect?"
Before Yeong Siyun could answer there was a faint glow of read from the alleyway, our feet stopped dead in their tracks, a faint trickle of sweat ran down my neck,
Though Kim Hyunjin had started to become slightly used to things like this happening, something pushing himself (or things) forwards like the plot of a story,
However internally he worried for the long-haired woman, even if it was somehow fine, not being able to control his body had been startling the first few times for himself,
Things generally seemed normal at first as thus phenomena guided us into the glowing alley, slowly becoming distorted the deeper they went through narrow gaps between buildings, through shady doors and out back.
The alleyways grew brighter and brightful until everything saw red, an uncanny unease (and internal excitement) trickled in.
"This.." the long-haired woman muttered as a door finally had shown some resistance—which seemed to be the catalyst for their returned autonomy,
Skreeee
However Yeong Siyeon didn't show any hesitation as she opened the door
"..!"
The street-side shops lit up.
White and gold lights from the signs contrasted the alley's red glow.
But instead of monsters bustling around like a flooded street, it was..
"People?"
Faceless people specifically, they reminded me of the shadow from the train, their faces were obscured by a cold, murky mask-like sphere, slouched over like marionettes moving like they were tugged this and that way by puppeteer strings,
These shadows filled the alley to the absolute brim, despite the doors to the shops lining the alley being wide open, welcoming customers and street stalls with monsters shouting bargains for their 'merchandise'
"...it appears we have arrived Yeong Siyun-ssi"
"Yes."
Her fingers slipped into Kim Hyunjin's easily, making the man flinch slightly before she tightened her grip,
After all this wasn't like the Field test, they'd entered a ghost story without anyone's knowledge, at this point they were practically civillians