I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
"…Lalin?"
The name felt strange in my mouth.
I looked between her and Niran, my brain slowly catching up.
Niran tilted his head slightly, watching me.
"Lalin. Lalita," he said. "Doesn't it sound familiar to you?"
It clicked.
My eyes widened.
"…they're related."
He nodded once.
"Smart."
I straightened a little, staring at the girl—no… the ghost.
Lalin.
She looked… young.
Too young.
Even with the blood staining her pink shirt and dripping faintly down her legs, her face—
soft.
Almost gentle.
Until she spoke.
"I died unfairly."
Her voice cracked.
Then sharpened.
"Why?"
The air shifted.
The lights flickered.
"Why would they do something like that to me…?"
Her hands clenched.
"I was their family."
Something in my chest tightened.
"…why?"
Her voice broke into something raw.
"I don't know!"
The room shook slightly.
Ara flinched beside me.
"I don't know who killed me!" Lalin cried, her voice echoing now. "I just know it was my family—just like him!"
She pointed at Niran.
I swallowed.
Then stepped forward a little.
"…then why are you angry now?"
That—
that was the wrong question.
Her head snapped toward me.
Eyes dark.
Voice rising.
"Because she didn't listen!"
Everything trembled.
"Because I tried—I tried to tell her—I tried to show her—but she ignored me—she walked away—like I was NOTHING—"
"Okay—okay—" I said quickly, hands up. "I get it—I get it—"
My voice softened.
Careful.
"If you let Ji-Ah go… we'll help you."
A pause.
The shaking slowed.
"…help?" she repeated.
I nodded.
"You said she was the last one who saw you, right? Then she can help you. We all can."
Silence.
Lalin hesitated.
Then slowly—
she nodded.
"…okay."
And then—
everything exploded.
Not violently.
But like pressure releasing.
The air twisted.
The lights flickered wildly.
Ji-Ah's body jerked—
and then—
dropped.
Ara rushed forward immediately.
"—I got her—!"
"Careful—" I moved to help, grabbing Ji-Ah's arm as we lowered her onto the couch.
Behind us—
something formed.
Fully.
Lalin.
Not inside someone.
Not hidden.
Just—
there.
Small.
Blood-stained.
Watching us quietly now.
"…how did you die?" I asked softly.
She looked down.
"…a car."
My stomach dropped.
"They hit me."
Ara groaned slightly.
"Okay—why is she suddenly heavy—"
"Hold her properly—" I muttered, adjusting Ji-Ah.
We managed to get her settled.
Then—
we waited.
It felt like forever.
Until—
Ji-Ah's fingers twitched.
Her eyes slowly opened.
"…ugh…"
She blinked.
Looked around.
Then froze.
Her gaze locked onto Lalin.
And then—
she pointed.
"—you again?!"
I quickly sat beside her.
"Hey—hey—it's okay—"
"It's NOT okay—why is she following me?!"
"Because," I said gently, "she's attached to you."
She blinked.
Confused.
So I explained.
Everything.
Carefully.
Slowly.
By the time I finished, her expression had softened… just a little.
Still scared.
But listening.
She looked at Lalin.
"…what do you want?"
Lalin smiled.
Not scary this time.
Just… small.
"I have three wishes."
Of course she does.
I sighed quietly.
"First…" she said, lifting a finger. "I want to make my own wish."
I blinked.
"…that's cheating."
She ignored me.
"Second… I've always wanted a big sister."
She looked at Ji-Ah.
"Be one."
Ji-Ah froze.
"…what?"
"And third…" Lalin tilted her head, smiling faintly. "Something interesting."
I stared at her.
"…your wishes are so simple."
Then I glanced at Niran.
"Unlike someone."
He scoffed immediately.
"Mine had depth."
"Your wishes were stressful," I shot back.
Ji-Ah looked between us.
"…what are you talking about?"
Ara jumped in—
but in the most suspicious way possible.
"It's like—uh—he's… connected—like… spiritually—like a… thing—"
Ji-Ah narrowed her eyes.
"…what."
I sighed.
Then explained properly.
"…just like Lalin is attached to you… I'm attached to him."
I gestured to Niran.
He placed a hand on my shoulder.
Solid.
Warm.
Nodding.
Ji-Ah stared.
"…so he's the one you've been talking to this whole time?"
"…yeah."
"…wow."
Ara sighed.
"Finally."
Lalin was still watching.
Still a little intense.
But…
softer now.
Less… violent.
Ji-Ah exhaled slowly.
"…I think I need to rest."
Lalin brightened instantly.
"Okay! Let's go, big sis!"
Ji-Ah looked at me.
I nodded.
"It's okay."
She hesitated—
then nodded back.
"…okay."
They left together.
Ara watched them go, then let out a long sigh.
"…that's a lot of responsibility."
"No kidding," I muttered.
Then—
silence.
I turned.
And immediately—
my face dropped.
"…Mr. Fluffington."
His head.
Gone.
My soul left my body.
I turned slowly to Niran.
"…she killed him."
Niran blinked.
"…it's a stuffed toy."
I grabbed his arm.
Dramatically.
"Took his HEAD, Niran."
"…you're overreacting."
"I am grieving."
Ara patted my back.
"Stay strong."
"I can't—"
I clung to Niran now.
Fully.
Emotionally.
Physically.
"Everything is falling apart—my life—my back—my penguin—"
"Get off—" he muttered, trying to move.
I didn't.
He sighed.
Then just—
dragged me.
Literally.
Across the floor.
Back toward my room.
I was still holding onto him.
"…I'm not okay."
"You're fine."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I lost someone today."
"…it was cotton."
I sniffed.
"Respect the dead."
He rolled his eyes—
but didn't shake me off.
Not really.
And honestly?
Even while being dragged—
I felt a little better.
Just a little.
------------
Ji-Ah's POV
The moment I step into my room—
I freeze.
"…wow."
Not in a good way.
My room looks like a crime scene met a hurricane and decided to redecorate.
My vanity is half overturned, makeup scattered like it tried to escape and failed, my chair is on its side, and—
"…my mirror is cracked."
I walk in slowly, hands on my hips.
"Okay," I mutter. "This is not how I left it."
Behind me—
a soft voice.
"…I can fix it."
I glance back.
Lalin stands there.
Small.
Too small.
Big eyes.
Soft face.
And blood—
still trailing faintly down her forehead like it forgot to stop.
She smiles.
Like nothing's wrong.
Which is… honestly worse.
I exhale.
"…please do."
I gesture lazily.
"Because I'm not cleaning this. I just got possessed. I deserve a break."
She giggles.
Actually giggles.
Then—
she lifts her hand.
And the air shifts.
Not violently like before—
no chaos, no fear—
just…
gentle.
Like the room breathes in.
The broken mirror pieces lift first—
slowly rising, like invisible hands are holding them.
They slide back into place—
click.
Perfect.
Not even a crack left.
"…okay," I whisper. "That's actually cool."
My chair straightens.
My makeup flies back into place—brushes lining up like they've been trained their whole life for this moment.
Clothes fold themselves.
Drawers shut.
Bed smooths out.
Pillows fluff.
And just like that—
my room looks better than it did before the haunting.
I blink.
"…can you stay?"
She tilts her head.
"I am staying."
"…I meant permanently."
She laughs again.
Light.
Too light for someone who said she died.
I drop onto my bed.
"…right."
A pause.
Then I look at her.
Really look at her.
"…so."
I cross my legs.
"What are those wishes you mentioned?"
Her smile widens.
Excited.
Like this is her favorite topic.
"Okay!" she says brightly. "First one—"
She raises a finger.
"—I want to feel loved."
I blink.
Oh.
That's—
"…simple."
She nods happily.
"Second—"
Another finger.
"—I want to feel appreciated."
My expression softens a little.
"…okay."
Then—
she raises a third finger.
And her smile…
changes.
Just slightly.
"Third—"
Her eyes darken.
"—you know Kai?"
My stomach drops.
"…yeah."
She leans forward a little.
Voice quieter.
"I want to deal with him."
Silence.
"…deal how?" I ask carefully.
She shrugs.
But it's not casual.
Not really.
"He's abusive."
The word lands heavy.
I stare at her.
"…you knew him?"
She nods.
"Enough."
A pause.
Then I sigh.
"…I still don't get how I'm involved in all this."
She perks up immediately.
"Oh! I can explain!"
She points at the door.
"Min-Jun and Niran, right?"
I nod slowly.
"…yeah."
"They're connected," she says. "Anchored."
I frown slightly.
"Like… spiritually tied?"
She nods enthusiastically.
"Yes! So if something happens to Min-Jun—"
She makes a small poof gesture.
"—Niran's soul goes with him. No rest. No peace. Just… gone."
My stomach twists.
"…that's dark."
She nods like it's normal.
Then points at herself.
"Same idea. I got attached to you."
"…why me?"
She tilts her head.
"…you saw me last."
And then—
something flickers in my memory.
A night.
A road.
Headlights.
A shape—
standing in the distance.
I sit up slowly.
"…wait."
I look at her.
"…I did see you."
She smiles softly.
"You did."
"After the car—" I start.
She nods.
"It hit me."
Her voice stays light.
Too light.
"Then it drove away."
Silence.
"…how did I see you?" I whisper.
"You were looking," she says simply. "Most people don't."
I swallow.
Then sit back.
"…you said 'family.'"
She nods.
"Yeah."
I frown.
"…so it's either Kai or Lalita."
She shakes her head immediately.
"No."
Firm.
"Not Lalita."
"…you're sure?"
"She tells me everything," Lalin says quickly. "She loves me. She wouldn't—she—"
She stops.
Her voice cracks—
just slightly.
"…she wouldn't."
I watch her.
Quiet.
Then she suddenly—
wipes her eyes.
Except—
there are no tears.
Not really.
Just the idea of them.
She sniffles dramatically.
"…how could they do that to me…"
I start to move closer—
but she suddenly straightens.
Bright again.
"—just kidding."
I freeze.
"…what?"
She grins.
"I mean I am sad."
A pause.
"Just not crying right now."
I stare at her.
"…you're weird."
She beams.
"Thank you!"
I sigh, rubbing my temple.
"…I hate this house."
Then I glance at her again.
"…you said you didn't want them punished?"
She nods.
"I didn't make a wish for justice."
"…why?"
She shrugs.
"…they were still my family."
That—
hits.
Harder than I expected.
I look away.
"…I hate Kai."
The words slip out.
Sharp.
Cold.
She tilts her head.
"…why?"
I laugh.
But there's no humor in it.
"He's my ex."
Her eyes widen.
"Oooooh."
"Yeah, don't 'ooooh' me."
"He's that bad?"
I nod.
"Worse."
A pause.
Then she leans in slightly.
Excited again.
"…you wanna mess with him?"
I blink.
"…what?"
She grins.
"Might as well have fun before I disappear."
"…you're very chaotic for someone who died."
"Thank you."
I sigh.
Then—
"…fine."
Her grin widens.
"Really?!"
"…a little."
She claps.
"Yay!"
Then she pauses.
"…after my wishes are done," she says more quietly, "I'll disappear."
I nod slowly.
"…rest in peace?"
She nods.
Soft smile.
"Yeah."
I look at her.
"…I'll make sure that happens."
Something in her expression softens.
"Thank you, big sis."
I blink.
"…don't call me that yet."
She giggles.
Then suddenly—
"Oh!"
I raise an eyebrow.
"…what now?"
She points toward the door.
"I need to apologize to Min-Jun."
"…for what?"
A pause.
Then, casually—
"I kinda killed his plushie."
I stare at her.
"…you WHAT?"
She winces slightly.
"Accidentally."
I cover my face.
"…he's going to be dramatic."
She nods.
"Very."
I sigh.
"…yeah."
A small pause.
Then—
"…he'll be fine."
Another pause.
"…maybe."