Morning comes quietly.
Too quietly.
No chaos.
No whispers.
No red lights.
Just… soft light slipping through the curtains.
And for a second—
it almost feels normal.
I wake up slowly.
Eyes half-open.
Breathing steady.
Warm.
…too warm.
I frown slightly.
Something feels… different.
I don't move immediately.
Just blink.
Once.
Twice.
Then I realize—
we're not in the same position as last night.
Not the chaotic "who gets the middle" formation.
No.
I'm still in the middle—
but now…
I'm the one being held.
Ara's arms are wrapped around me.
Tight.
Her face pressed into my shoulder.
Still asleep.
Peaceful.
For once.
No fear.
No tension.
Just… quiet.
I stare at her for a second.
And something soft—
really soft—
pulls at my chest.
A small smile slips out.
Unplanned.
"…she's the only one who gets it," I mumble under my breath.
Then I roll my eyes immediately after.
"…okay, that sounded dramatic."
I turn my head—
other side—
and—
freeze.
Completely.
Niran is already awake.
Just… staring.
Eyes open.
Calm.
Too calm.
Our eyes meet.
And something—
weird—
hits me.
Sharp.
Familiar.
That same moment.
That same feeling—
from before.
Before he died.
When their eyes met like that.
Like something passed between them without words.
He tilts his head slightly.
"…your breath stinks."
I blink.
"…wow."
"Just saying."
"Everyone's breath stinks in the morning."
"Not mine."
"Yours definitely does."
"Impossible."
"Delusional."
He scoffs.
I sigh.
"…good morning to you too."
"…you're alive. that's enough greeting."
I huff.
"…rude."
But I'm smiling.
Just a little.
I try to move—
but Ara tightens her grip instantly.
"No," she mumbles, eyes still closed. "I'm not letting go."
"…Ara."
"No."
"…it's morning."
"No."
"…we have school."
"…cancel it."
I stare at her.
"…you're not serious."
"I am."
"Get off."
"No."
I sigh.
Then lightly tap her head.
"…wake up."
She groans.
Still doesn't move.
Of course she doesn't.
Niran clicks his tongue.
"…move."
And before I can say anything—
he leans over—
and physically pushes her off me.
Not gently.
"HEY—!" she snaps, finally awake.
"Get off him."
"I was comfortable—!"
"You were suffocating him."
"I was protecting him—!"
"From oxygen?"
"FROM YOU—!"
I sit up slowly.
Watching them.
"…you two are exhausting."
They both pause.
Look at me.
Then at each other.
Then—
"he started it,"
"she started it," they say at the same time.
I blink. "…children."
I stretch slightly.
Back still aching.
"…okay. bathroom first."
Ara groans again but drags herself up.
"Fine. but I hate both of you."
"Noted," Niran replies.
"Unappreciated," she mutters, walking out.
I grab my towel and head in next.
The bathroom door clicks shut.
And just like that—
everything gets quiet again.
Water runs.
Warm.
Steady.
I stand under it.
Eyes closed.
Letting it hit my face.
My shoulders.
My back.
I exhale slowly.
"…that wasn't a dream."
Because it doesn't feel like one.
My chest tightens slightly.
The memory—
Ji-Ah floating.
The voice.
That face.
"…yeah."
Definitely not a dream.
I press my hand against the wall.
"…this is real."
And for a second—
fear creeps back in.
Slow.
Cold.
But—
it doesn't stay as long.
Because now—
I'm not alone in it.
I step out after a while.
Dry off.
Change.
Uniform on.
Neat.
Normal.
Like today is just another school day.
Like nothing is wrong.
When I come back—
Niran's sitting on the edge of the bed.
Waiting.
Watching.
"…you're slow," he says.
"…I almost died yesterday."
"Excuses."
I roll my eyes.
Then pause.
"…you said something earlier."
He looks at me.
"…you need to go see what's happening outside."
He nods slightly.
"…yeah."
"…okay."
We step out.
Together.
The hallway feels—
off.
Not chaotic.
Not loud.
Just… heavy.
Like something is sitting in the air.
Waiting.
Then—
I stop.
Ji-Ah's door is open.
Voices inside.
Low.
Serious.
I hesitate—
then walk in.
Mrs. Sun-Hea is sitting at the edge of the bed.
Hyun-Woo beside her.
Mrs. Lee standing—
arms crossed—
tense.
Ara near the door.
Already dressed for school.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
My eyes move—
to the bed.
And—
my stomach drops.
Ji-Ah is still lying there.
But—
something's wrong.
Very wrong.
She's breathing.
I can see it.
Slow.
Steady.
But her skin—
it's darker.
Not pale.
Not sick.
Just… wrong.
Like something is sitting under it.
Like it doesn't belong to her anymore.
"…what happened?" I ask quietly.
Mrs. Lee doesn't look at me immediately.
"…she didn't wake up."
A pause.
"…they told me everything that happened last night."
Ara's voice breaks slightly.
"…she's not waking up."
I step closer.
Slow.
Careful.
Like I might disturb something.
Then reach out—
and touch her face.
Warm.
Too warm.
I look back.
At Niran.
"…should we call a priest?" I whisper.
He shakes his head immediately.
"…no."
"…why not?"
He steps closer.
Voice low.
Serious.
"Because if that spirit is as angry as I think it is…"
A pause.
"…it won't leave."
My chest tightens.
"…what do you mean?"
"…it could take over the priest."
Silence.
"…and then?"
"…then you have something stronger. something trained."
A beat.
"…and something that can kill all of you."
My eyes widen.
Ara stiffens.
We both look at him.
"…that's not helping," she whispers.
"…it's the truth."
Behind us—
Mrs. Lee speaks.
"Alright. I'll call a priest."
My head snaps toward her.
"…no."
She pauses.
"…what?"
"…don't."
She frowns.
"…Min-Jun—"
I step forward.
"…just wait."
They all look at me now.
Listening.
Because I don't talk like this often.
"…if she doesn't wake up later… then call him."
I swallow.
"…but for now—just leave her."
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
Mrs. Sun-Hea nods slowly.
"…he's right."
Hyun-Woo exhales.
"…we wait."
Mrs. Lee hesitates.
Then nods once.
"…fine."
One by one—
they leave.
Work.
School.
Responsibilities.
Like normal life didn't just break.
I step out last.
The hallway feels emptier now.
Too quiet.
I grab my bag.
Slip my shoes on.
And step outside.
The air hits different.
Cool.
Real.
Alive.
I exhale slowly.
"…this is a lot."
Niran walks beside me.
Hands in his pockets.
"…you're handling it."
"…barely."
"…still counts."
I glance at him.
"…you always say that."
"…because it's true."
We walk.
Side by side.
Toward school.
Like nothing changed.
Like everything did.
"…we need to figure this out," I say quietly.
"…we will."
"…before it gets worse."
He looks ahead.
"…it already has."
And for once—
I don't argue.
Because I know he's right.
By the time I step into school—
I already regret it.
The air feels wrong.
Too loud.
Too normal.
Like the world decided to keep moving… even after last night tried to break mine.
My fingers twitch at my sides.
I curl them into fists.
Walk.
Don't think.
Don't remember—
"Min-Jun."
I stop.
Of course.
Lalita.
She's leaning against the wall near the classroom door, one shoulder pressed casually against it like she owns the space.
Her hair falls perfectly—dark, smooth, just brushing past her shoulders, slightly tucked behind one ear like she didn't even try but still got it right.
Her uniform is neat, sharp, fitted just enough to remind you she knows exactly how she looks.
And her eyes—
already on me.
Focused.
Too focused.
My face heats up instantly.
Stupid.
"…you look terrible," she says.
No hesitation.
No softness.
Just truth.
I blink.
"…good morning to you too."
She straightens a little.
Steps closer.
"Did you sleep?"
"…yeah."
She tilts her head.
"Liar."
I look away.
"…why do you care?"
A pause.
Small.
But it stretches.
"…because I do."
That—
that lands harder than it should.
I hate that it does.
"…you shouldn't."
Her brows pull slightly.
"…why not?"
I don't answer.
Just walk past her.
But I feel it.
Her gaze—
following me.
Heavy.
The classroom is worse.
The moment I step in—
everything shifts.
Whispers.
Low.
Sharp.
"They said he fainted mid-air—"
"—no, he fell again—"
"—but he didn't die—"
"—Niran did though—"
My chest tightens.
I sit.
Quiet.
Still.
Don't react.
Don't—
A chair creaks behind me.
Of course.
Him.
That boy.
Same one.
Leaning back like this is entertainment.
"…hey, miracle boy."
I don't turn.
"…don't call me that."
He laughs.
"Why? Isn't it accurate?"
Silence.
Then—
"You fell from the rooftop… didn't die…"
A pause.
"…but your friend did."
My fingers tighten slowly on the desk.
"…stop."
"Why?" he pushes. "Explain it to me."
Still don't turn.
Still don't look.
"Explain how you survived."
A beat.
Then lower.
Crueler.
"Or was he just weaker?"
That's it.
I turn.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Look him dead in the eyes.
"Say his name properly."
The class quiets.
Just a little.
"…what?"
"He's Niran."
My voice is calm.
Too calm.
"And you don't get to talk about him like that."
A pause.
Something shifts in his expression.
But he scoffs anyway.
"Relax. It's just facts. No miracle saved him."
My jaw tightens.
"Then maybe learn when to shut up."
Silence.
Then—
he leans back again.
"…whatever."
Coward.
I turn back.
But I feel it.
Eyes.
Watching.
I glance slightly—
Seo-Yeon.
Sitting two rows away.
Perfect posture.
Hands folded.
But her eyes—
locked on me.
Unblinking.
Like she's waiting.
For something.
Break time.
Outside.
Finally—
air.
I drop onto the bench.
Exhale.
Jea-Hyun flops down beside me.
Hair messy like always, tie loose, sleeves rolled up like he woke up and chose chaos.
"…so," he starts, "you're telling me she just floated?"
"Yeah."
"…like fully floated?"
"Fully."
"…nah."
I side-eye him.
"I wish I was lying."
He leans back.
"…your house is cursed."
"Shut up."
"I'm serious—"
"Shut up."
A soft snort.
Niran.
In front of us.
Crouched like he always does, elbows on his knees, watching us like this is some kind of show.
"…technically, he's not wrong," he says.
I glare at him.
"Not helping."
Jea-Hyun squints.
"…you're talking to him again, aren't you?"
"Yeah."
"Tell him I said hi."
"He said no."
"I didn't even—"
"He still said no."
Niran smirks.
Then—
his expression softens.
Just a little.
He reaches out—
lightly taps my knee.
"…you're okay."
Quiet.
But real.
I nod slightly.
"…I'm trying."
Jea-Hyun looks between us.
"…I feel like I'm interrupting something."
We both turn to him.
"…you are."
"Wow."
Footsteps.
Slow.
Controlled.
We look up.
Seo-Yeon.
Standing there.
Too close.
She doesn't even acknowledge Jea-Hyun.
Her eyes are only on me.
"…I need to talk to you."
My stomach drops.
Jea-Hyun leans back.
"…you know what? I don't like you."
She glances at him.
Flat.
"…I don't care."
Then—
she grabs my wrist.
Firm.
Before I can react.
"Come."
"Hey—"
Too late.
She's already dragging me.
Behind the building.
Quiet.
Isolated.
She lets go.
Turns immediately.
"You need to stay away from Lalita."
I blink.
"…what?"
"She's dangerous."
My brows pull together.
"Why do you keep saying that?"
"Because she killed him."
My chest tightens.
"Stop."
"No, you stop—"
"You're lying."
She freezes.
"…what?"
"You keep changing your story."
My voice rises.
"First you didn't see anything. Then you did. Now it's Lalita?"
"Because it is her—!"
"Then why does it sound like you're guessing?!"
She flinches.
Then—
"Because I saw—"
She stops.
Mid-sentence.
My eyes narrow.
"…you saw what?"
Silence.
Her lips part.
"…Niran—he—"
She cuts herself off.
Too fast.
Too sharp.
My heart pounds.
"Say it."
"…nothing."
"No—say it."
Her breathing gets uneven.
"…he looked at you."
I freeze.
"…what?"
"He looked at you before he—"
She stops again.
Frustrated.
"—this isn't the point!"
"It is!"
My voice cracks.
"You're hiding something!"
"I'm trying to protect you!"
"From what?!"
"FROM HER—!"
She steps forward—
and shoves me.
Hard.
I hit the ground.
Pain shoots through my back instantly.
Sharp.
Familiar.
"—ah!"
I inhale sharply.
She freezes.
"…I—"
She steps closer.
"…I didn't mean—"
I look up at her.
Confused.
Hurt.
"Why are you doing this?"
She hesitates.
Just a second.
"…because you don't understand."
"Then make me understand!"
Silence.
Then—
she looks away.
"…I can't."
That's it.
Something inside me—
clicks.
Cold.
"…you're lying."
She looks back.
"…what?"
"I don't believe you anymore."
Her expression cracks.
"Min-Jun—"
I stand.
Slowly.
Ignoring the pain.
Step back.
"Stay away from me."
And I leave.
I walk fast.
Too fast.
My chest feels tight.
My thoughts loud.
Too loud.
I don't think—
I just go back.
To them.
To where I can breathe.
Jea-Hyun is mid-argument.
"…I'm just saying—"
"—and I'm telling you you're wrong—" Niran snaps back.
I walk straight to them.
Don't stop.
Don't think.
I grab Niran—
and hug him.
Tight.
Really tight.
Everything stops.
Jea-Hyun blinks.
"…what happened?"
I don't answer.
Just hold on.
Like if I let go—
I'll fall again.
Niran stiffens.
Just for a second.
Then—
his hand comes up.
Slow.
Careful.
Rests against my back.
Warm.
"…hey."
Soft.
"Talk to me."
I shake my head.
"…I wanna go home."
Jea-Hyun frowns.
"…what did she say?"
"…nothing."
My voice is small.
"…I just wanna go home."
Niran looks at me.
Really looks.
Then nods.
"…okay."
No questions.
No pressure.
Just—
okay.
"Go get your bag," he says.
"I'll take you."
I nod.
"…okay."
Jea-Hyun pats Niran's shoulder.
"…take care of him."
Niran doesn't even hesitate.
"…obviously."
And for some reason—
that makes my chest feel a little lighter.
As we walk away—
I don't look back.
Because right now—
I don't care who's lying.
I don't care who's right.
I just want—
to feel safe again.