We got back to my room.
Bickering.
Of course.
"You're too kind," Niran said immediately, arms crossed, floating like he owned oxygen. "It's embarrassing."
"You're too much," I shot back. "Stop doing weird things. Plates, lights, pushing people—do you want me exposed?"
He tilted his head. "Relax. If you keep getting closer to people, they might start seeing me anyway."
I froze.
"…What?"
He shrugged. "Side effect."
I rolled my eyes. "Of course it is."
I sighed, dropping onto the bed. "Fine. Your wishes. Let's hear them."
He smirked.
"Oh?"
"Yes. Before you break something else."
"Sit properly first."
"I am sitting."
"Sit like you have sense."
I glared at him—then adjusted anyway.
He nodded, satisfied.
Then—
Did he sit?
No.
Of course not.
He floated above the bed, legs crossed, arms folded, like some ghostly king giving orders.
I stared at him. Up. Down.
"…You're doing that on purpose."
He ignored me.
"The first wish," he said, calm, "you know Lalita, right?"
I nodded. "The savage, cold-hearted—"
"Don't insult her."
I blinked.
"…You just died and you're still defending her?"
"Yes."
"Wow."
He continued like I didn't exist.
"I like her."
"I know. Everyone knows."
"So," he said smoothly, "I want you to make her like you."
I paused.
"…What."
"And then kiss you."
I stared at him.
"…WHAT?"
"Yes."
"You're saying she should kiss me?"
"Yes."
"Me? This face?"
He looked at me. "Unfortunately, yes."
I clutched my chest dramatically and fell back. "I'm fainting. I'm gone. Bury me."
"Get up."
"I refuse."
"I will possess you anyway."
I sat up immediately. "Excuse me?"
He smiled. Calm. Dangerous.
"I'll take over when you're with her. Make her fall for you—technically me. Then she kisses you."
I blinked slowly.
"You won't feel it," he added casually. "But I will."
I stared at him.
"…You're insane."
"You're welcome."
I dragged my hand down my face. "Next."
He lifted two fingers.
"She has to remember me."
I frowned.
"She knows you."
"No," he said quietly. "Not like that."
Something in his tone shifted.
"For us… we were something. Then we weren't."
I paused.
"…Okay. That's… less insane."
He nodded once.
"Third wish."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"Find the person who pushed me."
Silence.
"And make them regret it."
I looked at him.
"Why don't you remember who did it?"
He exhaled. "I told you. I only remember pieces. I'll remember fully when you get closer to the person."
Of course.
Convenient.
I nodded slowly. "Still think the second one is the easiest."
He snorted.
Then—
He finally dropped down and sat properly on the bed.
For once.
Then he leaned slightly, voice quieter.
"If you fulfill all my wishes…"
I looked at him.
"I'll rest."
A pause.
"I'll disappear."
Silence.
Oh.
That's…
That's what I want.
Right?
"…Good," I said quickly. "Hope I finish fast."
"Why?" he asked.
I looked at him, deadpan.
"So I can finally live in peace without a floating, annoying, dramatic, overconfident ghost ruining my life."
He blinked.
Slowly.
Then—
He kicked me off the bed.
I hit the floor.
Hard.
"My back—!"
"Sleep there," he said calmly, voice echoing slightly. "Since I'm so annoying."
"You are annoying!"
"And you're still alive. Be grateful."
I groaned, clutching my back. "You monster."
"Thank you."
I stood up immediately and shoved him.
Or tried to.
My hand went through him.
He smirked.
"Oh, that's unfair—"
He shoved me back this time.
I stumbled.
"Why can you touch me but I can't touch you properly?!"
"Skill issue."
"I hate you."
"No, you don't."
"I do."
"You don't."
"I really do."
"Liar."
I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
It passed through him.
He laughed.
Then flicked it back at me.
It hit my face.
Hard.
"Okay—that's cheating!"
We kept going—
Me trying to fight.
Him barely trying.
Me getting more annoyed.
Him getting more entertained.
Annoyed human.
Unbothered ghost.
Finally—
I dropped back onto the bed, exhausted.
He lay beside me like nothing happened.
I turned my head.
"…You're still annoying."
He smirked, eyes half-closed.
"And you're still stuck with me."
…Great.
-----
Morning.
I woke up.
First instinct—
Look at the bed.
Empty.
Of course.
Niran was already up.
Hovering somewhere. Causing problems. Breathing chaos.
I sat up—
"…Ow."
My back screamed.
I froze.
"…He hit me hard."
I rubbed it slowly, wincing.
"He said only I can touch him," I muttered, "yesterday he betrayed me."
Rude.
Very rude.
I stood up carefully—
Bad idea.
"Ow—okay—walking is cancelled."
I limped to the bathroom anyway.
Ten minutes later—
Ready.
Weekend.
My plans?
Sleep.
Sleep more.
Add extra sleep.
Then eat.
Then eat again.
Then… more sleep.
Perfect schedule.
I walked out—
No.
I limped out.
Gracefully.
Like a wounded soldier.
Straight to the kitchen.
Because routine.
Mrs. Hana = peace.
I stepped in—
Ara and Mrs. Hana were already there, cooking breakfast together.
Warm. Calm. Normal.
…Suspicious.
I leaned slightly and whispered, "Where is he…"
"Niran?"
Nothing.
Silence.
Of course.
Ara turned.
"Min-Jun? What happened to you?"
I straightened immediately.
Nothing happened.
Everything happened.
"I fell off the bed," I said calmly.
Pause.
Then—
Right on cue—
Niran appeared.
Floating. Smirking.
"Oh, you mean I won?"
I narrowed my eyes.
"Disappear."
"Make me."
Ara blinked.
"…There it is again."
I froze.
"…What?"
"The quiet… presence," she said softly.
Niran's smile dropped.
For once.
He turned slowly to me.
"You see what you're causing?"
I blinked.
"I'm causing?"
"She can feel me now," he said. "Next, she'll see me."
I swallowed.
"…That's bad."
"And your friend," he added. "Jea-Hyun? Two days."
I paused.
"…You're joking."
"I never joke about my existence."
Ara and Mrs. Hana were now both staring at me.
Right.
I was talking to air again.
"Min-Jun," Mrs. Hana said gently, "who are you talking to?"
I didn't even hesitate.
"Nina."
Pause.
"My imaginary friend," I added smoothly. "She's very kind. Very supportive."
Niran stared at me.
Offended.
Mrs. Hana rolled her eyes, smiling. "Kids."
Ara smiled too, but… she still looked unsure.
Great.
Perfect.
Love that for me.
Then Ara brightened slightly.
"Oh! Someone called the house," she said. "They were asking for you."
I blinked.
"…Me?"
"Yes. I told them to call again. I wrote the number—it's by the telephone."
I nodded slowly. "Okay…"
I reached for the tea Mrs. Hana handed me—
My favorite mug.
Big.
Round.
Covered in tiny fruit designs.
Comfort.
Peace.
Safety.
Niran leaned over, looked at it—
And immediately grinned.
"…Little princess."
I froze.
"…Say that again."
"Little. Princess."
I took a slow sip.
"…Disappear."
He laughed.
Of course he did.