Morning light slid into the house like nothing was wrong.
Soft sky. Calm air. Birds doing their little concert.
Meanwhile—my life? Haunted.
I opened my eyes and immediately looked at the bed.
Empty.
I sat up. "…He left?"
Hope lasted three seconds.
I went downstairs. Quiet. Normal. Suspiciously normal.
I stepped into the kitchen—
"H—ah!"
Mrs. Hana flinched, holding a cup midair.
Floating.
Of course.
I turned slowly.
Niran stood by the counter, pale, glowing, running a hand through his messy dark hair like he was in a shampoo commercial instead of being dead.
He smirked. "Good morning."
I glared.
"What is it?" Mrs. Hana asked, voice calm but careful. "Min-Jun… did you see that?"
I stepped in quickly. "It's nothing."
She looked at me. "The cup—"
"You're tired," I said gently, taking the cup and placing it down myself. "You didn't rest well."
She hesitated. Looked around again.
Then back at me.
"…Are you sure?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
A pause.
Then she sighed softly. "…Alright."
Because it was me.
Because she trusted me.
"Go rest," I added quietly.
She gave a small smile. "You take care of yourself too."
"I will."
She nodded and left.
I turned instantly.
"Niran."
He raised a brow. "What?"
"Stop touching things."
"I didn't touch anything. The cup wanted freedom."
"…You are the problem."
He grinned. "You're welcome."
I pointed at him. "If someone notices, I'm done for."
He leaned closer. "Relax. I'll behave."
"…That's exactly what a problem says."
Before I could argue more, a maid stepped in.
"Master Min-Jun, your mother is waiting in the living room."
I straightened. "…Okay."
I shot Niran one last warning look.
"Stay. Here."
He gave a lazy salute. "Yes, sir."
I didn't believe him.
Not even a little.
The living room felt… different.
Formal.
She was there.
My mother. Mrs. Lee.
Perfect posture. Perfect expression. Everything about her looked expensive. Even the way she sat felt like it cost money.
"…Mother," I said softly.
I sat down across from her.
She nodded slightly. "Min-Jun."
Straight to the point. As always.
"Your uncle and his family will be staying with us for a while," she said.
I paused.
"…What?"
"They arrive today."
I kept my face calm.
Inside?
Absolutely not.
"Oh," I said politely. "That's… sudden."
"Yes."
I nodded slowly.
Because what I wanted to say was:They gossip about everything I do, laugh at me like I'm a joke, and treat this house like it's theirs.
But instead—
"I understand," I said. Calm. Nice. Civilized.
She studied me for a second. "You don't seem pleased."
"I'll manage."
Translation: I will suffer quietly.
Behind her—
I froze.
Niran.
Sitting on the couch arm right behind her.
Hand casually resting on her shoulder.
Like he lived here.
Like this was normal.
My eyes widened.
Go away.
I mouthed at him.
He smiled.
Didn't move.
I mouthed again. Leave.
He leaned closer to her.
I shook my head slightly.
Don't you dare.
"Min-Jun?" my mother said, noticing my face. "What is it?"
"…Nothing."
Niran turned to me, eyes glinting with mischief.
Then—
He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
I shot up.
"STOP IT!"
Silence.
My mother's expression hardened instantly.
"…Excuse me?"
I froze.
Right.
She didn't see him.
I slowly sat back down. "…I—"
Niran was behind her, trying not to laugh.
Traitor.
"That was extremely disrespectful," she said coldly.
"I'm sorry," I said quickly.
She stood. "Go back to your room. Now."
I nodded immediately. "Yes, Mother."
I turned to leave—
Niran followed, still smirking.
"You're unbelievable," I whispered under my breath.
He shrugged. "That was funny."
"That was not funny!"
"It was a little funny."
"…I hate you."
He grinned. "No, you don't."
I kept walking.
Because if this is how the day started—
I was not surviving the rest of it.
I walked to school.
With a ghost.
Because apparently that's my life now.
"Why are you following me?" I muttered under my breath.
Beside me, Niran walked like this was completely normal—hands in his pockets, messy dark hair falling perfectly, glowing just enough to be annoying.
"I told you," he said. "I can't leave you. We're connected now."
I frowned. "Connected how?"
"Where you go, I go."
I sighed. "That sounds like a threat."
"It's a fact."
"…I don't like it."
"No one asked."
I glanced at him. "You're enjoying this."
"Very much."
Of course he was.
Then he looked down at himself. "Also, don't worry. I look cool for school."
I blinked. "…What?"
"I'm basically wearing the uniform," he said, gesturing to his white shirt and black jeans—
"…It's covered in blood."
"Details."
"That's not a detail!"
He ignored me. "Anyway, I want to see who's mourning me."
I went quiet for a second.
Then—
"You said your death wasn't fair."
He didn't answer immediately.
I looked at him. "What did you mean?"
His face changed.
The smirk dropped.
"It was murder," he said simply.
I stopped walking. "…What?"
"I didn't fall," he continued. "I was pushed."
A chill ran down my spine.
"By who?" I asked.
He paused. Then slowly turned to me.
"You're supposed to find out."
I stared at him.
"…Excuse me?"
"You're my anchor."
I immediately cut him off. "Stop saying that."
He rolled his eyes. "I remember being pushed. I just don't remember who."
"That's very convenient."
"I'll remember when you get closer to the person."
I blinked. "…What does that even mean?"
"You'll figure it out."
I sighed. "My life just got crazier."
"Correction," he said. "More interesting."
"No."
We reached the school gate.
Students everywhere.
Normal people.
Normal lives.
Meanwhile—
I was arguing with air.
I walked in anyway.
"…You're unbelievable," I muttered.
"You love me," he replied.
"I really don't."
People were staring.
Of course they were staring.
Because to them, I was just… talking to myself.
Great. Reputation ruined before first period.
I quickly looked down and kept walking.
Niran nudged me. "Raise your head."
"No."
"Why?"
"I'm trying not to look insane."
"You already do."
"Thank you."
He leaned closer. "Anyone who insults you, I'll deal with them."
I frowned. "…Deal with them how?"
He smirked. "Magic."
I blinked. "You have magic?"
"Of course I do. I'm a ghost. I'm dead. I'm basically upgraded."
"…That's not how that works."
We reached class.
The moment we stepped in—
The lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Everyone looked up.
I froze.
Then slowly turned my head.
"Niran," I whispered, "stop that."
"Stop what?"
I gestured slightly. "That."
"I'm not doing anything."
I stared at him.
"…You're lying."
"I'm bored."
I sighed, frustrated, and walked to my seat.
Jea-Hyun immediately leaned over.
"Why were you talking to yourself?"
I paused.
Then said, completely straight-faced—
"I'm practicing conversations. In case people become tolerable."
He blinked.
"…You're weird."
"Thank you."
He nodded like that made sense.
I looked around.
Niran was gone.
I frowned slightly.
"…Where did he go?" I muttered under my breath.
No answer.
I sat back in my chair.
Focused on class.
Or at least—
Tried to.