The telephone sat on a small pillar near the wall.
Of course it did.
Rich house things.
I walked over—still limping like my life was falling apart—and picked up the paper.
Number.
Messy handwriting. Ara.
I dialed.
Ring.
Ring.
Click.
"Hello?"
I straightened slightly.
"…Hello."
Behind me—
"Who is it?" Niran asked.
"I'm trying to find out," I muttered.
Then—
He leaned closer.
Too close.
Like—
Unnecessarily close.
His presence pressed against me, warm—
Which made no sense.
He's a ghost.
Why is he warm.
Our shoulders almost touched.
"…Back up," I whispered.
"No."
Of course.
Then the voice spoke again—
"Min-Jun?"
I froze.
Seo-Yeon.
Of course it's Seo-Yeon.
Perfect.
Niran leaned even closer.
Our cheeks almost brushed.
I could literally feel him.
This is not normal.
"…Yes," I said carefully.
Her voice was urgent.
"I need to see you."
I blinked.
"…Why?"
"I have to tell you something," she said quickly. "It's… strange."
I glanced sideways at Niran.
He was listening.
Very interested.
"What kind of strange?" I asked.
She hesitated.
Then—
"…Things are moving."
Pause.
"Plates. Objects. It feels like… someone is there."
I went still.
Slowly turned my head—
Niran.
Right there.
Too close.
Watching me.
Smiling slightly.
I whispered, barely moving my lips—
"What did you do?"
He blinked.
"I didn't do anything."
"Then what is she talking about?"
He shrugged.
Helpful.
Very helpful.
"Min-Jun?" Seo-Yeon called again.
I snapped back.
"Yes—yes, I'm here."
"I need to see you," she said. "Please."
"…Now?"
"Yes. Now."
Of course.
I closed my eyes briefly.
Weekend.
My plans.
Ruined.
"I'm… sick," I said weakly.
Niran turned his head slowly to me.
Judging.
Hard.
"I fell," I added. "My back—"
"Min-Jun, please," she cut in softly. "I'm really scared."
…Great.
Guilt.
My weakness.
I sighed.
"…Fine."
Niran grinned immediately.
Of course he did.
"I'll come," I said.
"Thank you," she breathed.
The call ended.
I lowered the phone slowly.
Silence.
Then—
I turned to Niran.
"…If this is your fault—"
"It's not."
"You're smiling."
"I always smile."
"That's worse."
He shrugged.
"Get ready," he said. "We're going ghost hunting."
I stared at him.
"…I hate my life."
He smirked.
We went to the café Seo-Yeon recommended.
Of course we did.
Because my life?
No longer mine.
My back still hurt—less, but enough to remind me I got physically assaulted by a ghost.
I wore a coat.
It was cold.
Very cold.
My nose was pink.
My dignity? Gone.
"Why do you look like a sick Victorian child?" Niran asked, hovering beside me.
"I am sick," I muttered. "Emotionally."
"Tragic."
I ignored him.
Then I saw her.
Seo-Yeon.
Sitting by the window.
Waving.
Of course she looked calm.
Like she didn't just call me saying ghost activity.
I walked over and sat across from her.
Niran hovered.
Obviously.
Uninvited.
Always.
"Thanks for coming," she said softly.
"Yeah," I replied. "I was… dying to leave my house."
Niran snorted.
She didn't hear it.
She leaned in slightly.
"I've been experiencing things," she said. "Strange things."
"Like?"
"Things moving. Plates. Objects."
I glanced sideways.
Niran.
He raised his hands.
"I said I didn't do anything."
Sure.
Seo-Yeon continued—
"I think…" she hesitated, then lowered her voice, "I think Niran is haunting me."
I blinked.
"…Why?"
She looked down, fake guilt perfectly placed.
"Because I hurt him," she said. "I was his ex. I… didn't treat him well."
I stared at her.
"…I caught you smiling."
She froze.
Just for a second.
Then smiled again. Softer.
"I'm nervous," she said.
Sure.
"I still don't know why I got involved in this," I muttered.
"Because you're kind," she said quickly.
Niran gagged dramatically behind me.
"Disgusting," he whispered.
Seo-Yeon leaned closer.
"On the day he died… I was there."
That—
Made Niran move.
He drifted closer.
Silent now.
Serious.
"I was on the rooftop," she continued. "I saw everything."
My fingers tightened slightly on the table.
"…Everything?"
"Yes."
Her eyes flickered.
"I saw him fall."
Niran's jaw clenched.
"I saw… blood," she added quietly. "I was the one who called the police."
Silence.
Cold.
Something didn't sit right.
Niran said he was pushed.
She said she was there.
She saw it.
But—
She didn't say who.
Suspicious.
Very suspicious.
Then suddenly—
She reached across the table.
Grabbed my hand.
I flinched.
"Please," she said. "Let me stay at your place tonight."
I blinked.
"…What?"
"I don't feel safe," she added. "Please."
I slowly pulled my hand back.
"I… don't even know you like that," I said carefully. "And my house isn't just mine, there are people and—"
"Just say it's a sleepover," she said quickly, smiling.
Behind me—
Niran's voice.
Low.
Sharp.
If you can hear me, don't let her stay. I sense something.
I paused.
Then thought back—
If I let her stay… we might find something.
Silence.
Then—
I smiled.
Wide.
Too nice.
"Tomorrow," I said. "You can come tomorrow."
She blinked. Then smiled.
"Really?"
"I just need to tell my mom," I added. "She's been wondering why I never bring friends home."
That part?
Unfortunately true.
Seo-Yeon stood up.
"So we're friends now, right?"
I hesitated.
"…Yeah."
She smiled.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Then she left.
Just like that.
Silence.
Then—
Niran dropped into the chair she just left.
Like he paid rent.
He sighed.
"…Okay. Sir."
I looked at him.
"Tell me what that was."
He crossed his arms, leaned back, legs up on the table.
Zero manners.
I sighed.
"If I let her stay, I might find something," I explained. "Something about your death. One wish down."
He stared at me.
Then dropped his head onto the table.
"Do whatever you want, Missy."
I rolled my eyes.
Right on time—
A waiter approached.
"Um… sir?"
I looked up.
"Yes?"
"Customers are… uncomfortable," he said carefully. "You've been talking to yourself."
I paused.
"…Right."
I stood up immediately.
"Sorry."
Behind me—
Niran whispered, "Embarrassing."
I ignored him and walked out.
He followed. Floating. Obviously.
Outside—
Cold air hit my face.
I exhaled.
"…From now on," I said, "I'm calling you Nina."
He stopped.
"…What?"
"Nina."
"That's a girl's name."
I shrugged.
"So?"
"That's so girly."
"Says the boy covered in red."
He blinked.
Offended.
"I'm dead," he said. "Have some respect for the dead."
I kept walking.
"Nina."
"I hate you."
"Nina."
"…Stop."