At the end of the hiking trail, a solitary building stood in quiet isolation. The observatory — old and weathered — remained upright with a stubborn dignity, even though no other structure stood beside it. Rows of pine trees lined the entrance gate, like silent sentinels guarding it from total collapse.
As they drew closer, a heavy mystical aura seeped into the air, greeting them in the most unsettling way.
"Is this place still operational?" Norris asked Taryn, frowning as he noticed creeping vines clinging to one side of the observatory wall.
Taryn nodded and tugged him along enthusiastically, completely unfazed by the ominous presence that clearly suggested something was off. "The inside isn't scary at all. In fact, the sky looks clearer from up there since it's on the mountain."
Norris didn't comment further. He simply followed as Taryn pulled him through the observatory gate.
Jayden, meanwhile, turned to look at Leci, raising one eyebrow in curiosity.
"Are you some kind of crow whisperer?" he asked, staring at her oddly before leaning closer to inspect the crow.
Don't ask Leci — she didn't know either. She had never been able to predict Kieron's thoughts. "Maybe it's my aura?" she guessed half-heartedly.
Jayden sighed before gesturing for her to follow the others. "Let's see if they even allow pets inside," he said.
Leci was quietly grateful that Jayden was so understanding. He didn't mock her explanation or accuse her of anything strange. He simply accepted it.
Norris and Taryn, however, reacted differently when they noticed the crow perched on Leci's shoulder. Taryn looked delighted — crows were usually difficult animals to befriend — while Norris eyed the bird suspiciously.
"Judging by that wicked beak, I'm sure it's the same crow from before," Norris muttered. As someone who had been bitten once, he trusted his instincts.
Taryn grew even more excited, though she kept her distance, clearly afraid of getting bitten again. "Should we keep it, Leci? It looks like you've already tamed it."
Keeping a crow, huh. People would probably think she was some kind of shaman. They'd avoid her even more. "Well… I'll think about it," Leci replied.
Just as they were about to enter the observatory, the crow suddenly took off from Leci's shoulder. It flew toward one of the pine trees lining the entrance and settled there quietly, as if waiting for them to finish exploring. Its calmness made it seem as though it were part of the landscape itself.
Leci couldn't help but smile. She didn't know why Kieron had come here — but she was certain he meant no harm. If anything, it felt like she was being watched over.
Throughout their time on the mountain — taking photos, eating lunch, and observing plants that only grew at high altitudes — the crow continued to follow them from a distance. It never interfered with their enjoyment, merely observing.
"To wrap things up, let's cross that suspension bridge," Norris suggested enthusiastically, pointing toward the bridge's pillars not far from the villa. He even started walking ahead with Taryn down the trail.
As if aware that the four of them were about to move again, the crow returned to Leci's shoulder. Seeing this, Jayden frowned slightly.
"I don't think it's an ordinary crow," he commented.
It isn't, Leci thought, feeling increasingly awkward under Jayden's watchful gaze. He seemed suspicious — but chose to remain silent out of respect for her.
After descending the trail and reaching the mountainside, the suspension bridge came fully into view.
It was slightly dilapidated — and once again, steeped in an eerie presence.
The chains creaked softly whenever the wind shook the bridge. Fallen leaves and lingering rainwater gave it an untouched, abandoned look.
"Is this safe?" Leci asked. The crow on her shoulder shared the same hesitation, as though they were connected by the same unease.
Once again, Taryn stepped forward — far too casually. She walked all the way to the center of the bridge and spread her arms wide.
"See? It's perfectly fine. Trust me." She flashed a slightly smug smile. "How long do you think I've been roaming around this place?"
With their guide so confident, they exchanged glances before following her one by one.
"For some reason, it's not scary at all," Jayden commented, gripping the rope barrier while enjoying the breeze. "It's actually… calming."
"Be careful. Don't stand too close to the edge," Leci warned. She stayed a bit farther away, ignoring Norris and Taryn who were busy taking selfies.
Jayden nodded and stepped back without argument.
"Are you part of some ghost-hunting organization? Or is your entire family made up of Exorcists?" Leci asked, while the crow on her shoulder glared sharply, clearly annoyed at being ignored.
Jayden glanced at her, feeling oddly unfamiliar with Leci's appearance today. She looked like the skater kids who hung out at skate parks — at least, she should have. But with a crow perched on her shoulder, he wasn't sure how to describe her.
"I'm the same as you," Jayden said after a long pause. "I come from an Exorcist family too."
Leci didn't look surprised. It wasn't exactly new information. If counted, there were more than five Exorcist families living in the capital alone. "I knew there were others. This is just the first time I've met them."
"Maybe it's because each Exorcist family has its own territory," Jayden replied, snapping photos of the clear river below.
That was true. To avoid conflict, Exorcist families divided territories among themselves. Coincidentally, the area around Leci's school and home belonged to her family.
"Do you enjoy being an Exorcist?" Jayden suddenly asked, his gaze more intense than before.
Leci fell silent, considering her answer. "I wouldn't say I enjoy it. I just live with it—it's the life I've known since I was little. I don't regret it either. I just… let it be."
"Like water flowing?" Jayden guessed.
Leci snapped her fingers and nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly. Like flowing water."
They laughed softly, completely ignoring the noise Norris and Taryn were making — almost as if those two were strangers passing by.
"Kwak! Kwak!"
The crow flapped its wings and tugged at Leci's hair with its beak, clearly annoyed that she was busy talking to Jayden.
To calm it down, Leci gently stroked its head. The crow relaxed instantly, even brushing its feathers against her hand.
"It really sees you as its owner," Jayden observed, noticing how close their bond had become.
Leci didn't understand why that made her happy. Had she and Kieron unknowingly developed strong chemistry? "That's not a bad thing," she murmured, continuing to walk.
They reached the end of the bridge in good spirits. Since it was already past noon, they decided to rest back at Taryn's family villa. They gathered on the sofa, lounging comfortably.
Then Norris suggested a game. Whoever lost rock–paper–scissors would have to make drinks for the winners.
Taryn protested, saying the staff could do it for them — but Norris was stubborn.
In the end… he was the one who lost.
"That's karma for your selfishness," Leci commented with her arms crossed. The crow on her shoulder even nodded in agreement.
Norris clicked his tongue and shot her an annoyed glare — only to be glared back at by the crow. Defeated, he headed toward the kitchen.
Everyone laughed.
"While Norris is making drinks, I'm going to the restroom," Jayden said before heading in the opposite direction.
With only Taryn left, it was the perfect chance to interrogate her.
Leci quickly patted the sofa, making sure it was clean, then grabbed a blanket and draped it over Taryn's shoulders.
"Leci… why are you suddenly acting like this?" Taryn shivered. Whenever Leci behaved excessively sweet like this, it meant she was plotting something. Taryn knew her too well.
Leci sat beside her with an overly wide smile — so wide it looked almost frightening. "Have you been dating Norris behind my back? How long has this been going on?"
Knowing she wouldn't be released until she answered, Taryn sighed. "Three months ago, Norris confessed on my birthday. I asked for time. I planned to give him my answer today," she admitted, her face as red as a ripe tomato.
Aaaah! Leci felt itchy all over. Friends turning into lovers always made things awkward. How could they stand it?
"Ahem!" Leci cleared her throat, forcing her expression back to normal. Even the crow seemed amused by her earlier reaction. "So… are you going to accept him?"
It was as if steam were rising from Taryn's head. Her arms and neck were flushed red too. At this point, it was obvious she had feelings for Norris.
Oh, damn. Leci felt even more amused. Watching other people fall in love was ridiculously entertaining.
"Well then, I guess I'll be the first to congratulate you," Leci said, reaching out for a handshake.
Taryn covered her face with both hands, unable to handle the embarrassment. "You too, Leci. You should choose soon," she mumbled.
Leci frowned. "What did you say?"
Taryn straightened her back and took a deep breath before looking Leci in the eye. "Between Jayden and Mr. Kieron—who will you choose?"
Bang!
A loud crashing sound echoed, immediately stealing both their attention. They stared ahead, eyes wide in shock.