By the time we get back—
everything feels heavier.
Not dramatic.
Just… tired.
The front door opens.
Warm light spills out.
And suddenly—
too many people.
Mrs. Lee.
Hyun-Woo.
Ji-Ah's friends still lingering in the living room.
Even the maids pretending not to stare.
All eyes land on us.
Me—
missing my bucket hat.
Hoodie slightly twisted.
Hair a mess.
Ji-Ah—
makeup still perfect.
Expression… unreadable.
"…what happened to you two?" Mrs. Lee asks immediately.
I blink.
"…we lived."
Ji-Ah doesn't miss a beat.
"We had fun."
Fun.
That's what we're calling it.
Sora snorts from behind us.
Minseo coughs to hide a laugh.
Mrs. Lee narrows her eyes slightly.
Not convinced.
But too tired to push.
Ji-Ah doesn't wait.
She turns.
Looks straight at Ara.
"Check on him," she says simply.
Ara blinks.
"…him?"
Ji-Ah jerks her chin toward me.
"Make sure he's okay."
The room goes quiet for a second.
Because that—
that's not something she usually says.
About anyone.
Ara nods slowly.
"…okay."
I open my mouth—
"—I'm fine—"
No one listens.
Of course.
Ji-Ah walks past me.
Like she's done.
Like the night is over.
It's not.
Because I follow her.
Immediately.
"…hey."
She doesn't stop.
"…Ji-Ah."
She sighs.
Stops halfway down the hallway.
Doesn't turn at first.
Then—
"…what."
I hesitate.
Then—
"…why didn't you tell me?"
She goes quiet.
For a second.
Then turns.
Leans lightly against the wall.
"Tell you what?"
"You know what."
A pause.
Then—
she exhales.
Tired.
"…because it wasn't your problem."
"It is now."
She looks at me.
Really looks.
Like she's deciding whether to shut me out—
or let something slip.
Then—
"…I hate him."
Simple.
Cold.
"I figured."
"Not just because he cheated," she adds.
My chest tightens slightly.
"…what do you mean."
She looks away.
Jaw tightening.
"…after that," she says quietly, "he didn't stop."
I don't interrupt.
"Calling. Showing up. Acting like I owed him something."
Her fingers curl slightly.
"Sometimes… he'd block my way. Grab my arm. Say things like—if I didn't come back, I'd regret it."
My stomach drops.
"…that's not okay."
"I know."
A pause.
Then softer—
"…there were times I thought he might actually hurt me."
That lands heavy.
Real.
I step closer without thinking.
"…I'm sorry."
She shrugs.
Like it doesn't matter.
Like it does.
Then—
I reach out.
Take her hand.
Gently.
She stills slightly.
Doesn't pull away.
"…if you ever need someone," I say quietly, "to talk to… or just… not be alone—"
I hesitate.
Then—
"…you can call me."
A small pause.
"…as your younger cousin sibling thing."
She blinks.
Then lets out a small breath.
Almost a laugh.
"…that's a terrible title."
"I tried."
She pats my head lightly.
"…thank you."
Soft.
Real.
Then she pulls her hand back.
"Go inside," she says.
I nod.
She walks off first.
Back into the light.
I stay there for a second.
Then turn.
Niran's already there.
Leaning against the wall.
Watching.
"…maybe my family isn't that bad," I mutter.
He tilts his head slightly.
"…they're just suffering."
He studies me for a second.
Then—
"…that sounds like something you'd say after almost dying twice."
"That's fair."
We both laugh.
Tired.
Quiet.
Real.
Then—
footsteps.
Hyun-Woo.
He walks up to me.
Doesn't say anything.
Just—
pulls me into a hug.
I freeze.
"—what—"
Then slowly—
I relax.
Just a little.
He pats my back once.
Firm.
Then pulls away.
"…thanks," he says.
I blink.
"…for what."
"For making her smile."
Ji-Ah.
My brain pauses.
"…oh."
He nods once.
Then his expression shifts.
Back to normal.
"That doesn't mean you're not annoying."
I nod immediately.
"…understood."
He walks off.
Just like that.
I stand there.
Processing.
Then exhale.
Smile slipping out without permission.
"…that was weird."
"…you're happy," Niran says.
I glance at him.
"…yeah."
A pause.
Then he steps closer.
"…share that with me."
I blink.
"…what."
Too late.
He pulls me into a hug.
Sudden.
Close.
Cold—
but not uncomfortable.
Just… him.
I hesitate for half a second.
Then hug him back.
Tightly.
"…you're clingy," I mutter.
"…you like it."
"…I tolerate it."
He pats my back once.
Light.
Then pulls away.
Smirks.
"Let's go to our room."
Somehow It became OUR room.
I nod.
"…yeah."
We walk back inside.
Side by side.
Tired.
Still laughing a little.
And for once—
nothing feels like it's about to fall apart.
The next morning at school feels… wrong.
Not loud wrong.
Quiet wrong.
The kind that sits behind your ribs and doesn't leave.
I'm barely through the hallway when I feel it—
someone watching me.
A presence.
Not Niran.
Someone else.
I don't need to turn to know.
My phone buzzes.
Once.
Then again.
A message.
Unknown number.
"Roof. Now."
That's it.
No name.
No emoji.
No explanation.
Just that.
My fingers go cold.
"…nope," I whisper immediately.
I stare at it.
Waiting for my brain to say "ignore it."
But it doesn't.
Instead—
my feet move.
Of course they do.
Bathroom.
I don't even remember walking here properly.
I lock the door.
Stare at myself in the mirror.
"…I am not going."
Silence.
"…I am not going."
A pause.
Then—
my reflection feels like it's staring back too long.
I grip the sink.
Breathing harder now.
"Okay. No. This is not—this is not—"
The air shifts behind me.
Cold.
Instant.
My body freezes.
"Relax," a voice says softly.
I turn.
Niran Wongchai is already there.
Leaning slightly against the wall like he's been there the whole time.
Watching me panic like it's entertainment.
"…how are you always here," I whisper.
He shrugs.
"Doors are optional."
"That's not an answer."
He steps closer.
Not threatening.
Just… present.
Too close.
"I can help you," he says calmly.
I immediately shake my head.
"No."
He tilts his head.
"I didn't finish."
"I don't care what you finish."
A small pause.
Then he sighs.
"…I will possess you."
I stare at him.
"…that's worse."
"It's efficient."
"IT'S ILLEGAL—WHATEVER YOU ARE—"
He looks offended.
"Ghost rights."
"You don't have rights!"
We stare at each other.
Tension.
Then—
he softens slightly.
"…I need to talk to her."
That shifts something.
"…Lalita?"
He nods.
I hesitate.
Because the roof… the message… everything feels wrong.
But also—
I don't think I have a choice.
"…no one is possessing me," I say firmly.
He raises a brow.
"Compromise?"
"…what kind."
"I use your body. You stay aware."
"THAT IS STILL POSSESSION."
He sighs like I'm difficult.
"I can't exactly sit at the table."
"…you're not supposed to sit at tables."
Another pause.
Then—
he leans back slightly.
"…how should we do this?"
I blink.
"…you're asking me?"
He nods.
Like it's obvious.
I rub my face.
"…this is insane."
He smirks slightly.
"Welcome back."
I point at him.
"Be serious."
He straightens instantly.
Like he got reset.
"…okay."
Then he steps forward again.
Closes his eyes.
"Permission."
I freeze.
"…what?"
He opens one eye.
"If I do this… I need you to allow it."
I hesitate.
Long.
Too long.
Then—
"…fine. But no messing around."
He smiles.
"Deal."
The air drops.
Cold.
Still.
Then—
he moves.
Not physically like walking.
Like sinking.
Into me.
The mirror flickers.
My vision blurs for half a second.
My heartbeat slows.
Then—
everything clicks.
Wrong.
Different.
I open my eyes.
And it's not just me anymore.
The reflection shifts.
My pupils darken slightly.
Then—
a faint red tint flashes across my eyes.
Gone in a second.
But it happened.
I tilt my head slightly.
"…interesting."
My voice—
but not fully mine.
Niran's tone underneath it.
I flex my fingers.
Slow.
Controlled.
"…you're heavy," I mutter internally.
"I told you," he replies in my head, amused. "You're small."
"Excuse me??"
He laughs softly.
Then—
we move.
Together.
Not fighting.
Not controlling.
Sharing.
Roof.
Wind hits immediately.
Cold.
Sharp.
Lalita is already there.
Lalita stands near the edge, arms crossed.
Waiting.
Like she knew I'd come.
She turns slightly.
Eyes narrowing.
"…you came."
I stop a few steps away.
Then—
something shifts in my posture.
Subtle.
But she notices instantly.
Her expression tightens.
"…no," she mutters.
I tilt my head.
"…you wanted to see me."
Her eyes sharpen.
"Who are you."
A pause.
Then—
Niran takes the front slightly.
Just enough.
Not fully separate.
But different.
"Someone who doesn't like being watched," I say.
Her gaze locks onto me.
Then—
something in her expression changes.
Recognition.
Not full.
But enough.
"…you're not him."
I smile faintly.
"Correct."
She straightens.
"…what are you."
A breeze passes.
I step forward once.
Controlled.
Calm.
"I just borrowed him."
Her eyes flick to my face.
Then my hands.
Then back.
"You shouldn't be inside him."
"I agree."
That makes her pause.
Just a fraction.
Then—
she narrows her eyes.
"…you came because of Kai?"
The air shifts instantly.
I don't answer directly.
Instead—
"I want to know what you know."
Silence.
Long.
Then she exhales.
"…so it's true."
A beat.
Then she looks at me harder.
"…you're connected to him."
I tilt my head.
"Maybe."
Her jaw tightens.
Wind gets stronger.
She steps closer.
"And if I refuse to talk?"
Something in my voice drops.
Not louder.
Just heavier.
"Then I'll find out anyway."
Silence.
Then—
she laughs once.
Short.
Cold.
"…you're dangerous."
I shrug slightly.
"Not my fault."
The red flicker returns for half a second in my eyes—
then fades again.
Lalita sees it.
And this time—
she doesn't miss it.
"…what are you hiding."
I stare at her.
And for a moment—
it's just wind.
Roof.
Two people.
And something far bigger sitting between us.
Then I answer quietly.
"…a lot."
Behind my eyes—
Niran whispers.
"Good."
And I realize—
this conversation is only the beginning.
The next morning at school feels… wrong.
Not loud wrong.
Quiet wrong.
The kind that sits behind your ribs and doesn't leave.
I'm barely through the hallway when I feel it—
someone watching me.
A presence.
Not Niran.
Someone else.
I don't need to turn to know.
My phone buzzes.
Once.
Then again.
A message.
Unknown number.
"Roof. Now."
That's it.
No name.
No emoji.
No explanation.
Just that.
My fingers go cold.
"…nope," I whisper immediately.
I stare at it.
Waiting for my brain to say "ignore it."
But it doesn't.
Instead—
my feet move.
Of course they do.
Bathroom.
I don't even remember walking here properly.
I lock the door.
Stare at myself in the mirror.
"…I am not going."
Silence.
"…I am not going."
A pause.
Then—
my reflection feels like it's staring back too long.
I grip the sink.
Breathing harder now.
"Okay. No. This is not—this is not—"
The air shifts behind me.
Cold.
Instant.
My body freezes.
"Relax," a voice says softly.
I turn.
Niran Wongchai is already there.
Leaning slightly against the wall like he's been there the whole time.
Watching me panic like it's entertainment.
"…how are you always here," I whisper.
He shrugs.
"Doors are optional."
"That's not an answer."
He steps closer.
Not threatening.
Just… present.
Too close.
"I can help you," he says calmly.
I immediately shake my head.
"No."
He tilts his head.
"I didn't finish."
"I don't care what you finish."
A small pause.
Then he sighs.
"…I will possess you."
I stare at him.
"…that's worse."
"It's efficient."
"IT'S ILLEGAL—WHATEVER YOU ARE—"
He looks offended.
"Ghost rights."
"You don't have rights!"
We stare at each other.
Tension.
Then—
he softens slightly.
"…I need to talk to her."
That shifts something.
"…Lalita?"
He nods.
I hesitate.
Because the roof… the message… everything feels wrong.
But also—
I don't think I have a choice.
"…no one is possessing me," I say firmly.
He raises a brow.
"Compromise?"
"…what kind."
"I use your body. You stay aware."
"THAT IS STILL POSSESSION."
He sighs like I'm difficult.
"I can't exactly sit at the table."
"…you're not supposed to sit at tables."
Another pause.
Then—
he leans back slightly.
"…how should we do this?"
I blink.
"…you're asking me?"
He nods.
Like it's obvious.
I rub my face.
"…this is insane."
He smirks slightly.
"Welcome back."
I point at him.
"Be serious."
He straightens instantly.
Like he got reset.
"…okay."
Then he steps forward again.
Closes his eyes.
"Permission."
I freeze.
"…what?"
He opens one eye.
"If I do this… I need you to allow it."
I hesitate.
Long.
Too long.
Then—
"…fine. But no messing around."
He smiles.
"Deal."
The air drops.
Cold.
Still.
Then—
he moves.
Not physically like walking.
Like sinking.
Into me.
The mirror flickers.
My vision blurs for half a second.
My heartbeat slows.
Then—
everything clicks.
Wrong.
Different.
I open my eyes.
And it's not just me anymore.
The reflection shifts.
My pupils darken slightly.
Then—
a faint red tint flashes across my eyes.
Gone in a second.
But it happened.
I tilt my head slightly.
"…interesting."
My voice—
but not fully mine.
Niran's tone underneath it.
I flex my fingers.
Slow.
Controlled.
"…you're heavy," I mutter internally.
"I told you," he replies in my head, amused. "You're small."
"Excuse me??"
He laughs softly.
Then—
we move.
Together.
Not fighting.
Not controlling.
Sharing.
Roof.
Wind hits immediately.
Cold.
Sharp.
Lalita is already there.
Lalita stands near the edge, arms crossed.
Waiting.
Like she knew I'd come.
She turns slightly.
Eyes narrowing.
"…you came."
I stop a few steps away.
Then—
something shifts in my posture.
Subtle.
But she notices instantly.
Her expression tightens.
"…no," she mutters.
I tilt my head.
"…you wanted to see me."
Her eyes sharpen.
"Who are you."
A pause.
Then—
Niran takes the front slightly.
Just enough.
Not fully separate.
But different.
"Someone who doesn't like being watched," I say.
Her gaze locks onto me.
Then—
something in her expression changes.
Recognition.
Not full.
But enough.
"…you're not him."
I smile faintly.
"Correct."
She straightens.
"…what are you."
A breeze passes.
I step forward once.
Controlled.
Calm.
"I just borrowed him."
Her eyes flick to my face.
Then my hands.
Then back.
"You shouldn't be inside him."
"I agree."
That makes her pause.
Just a fraction.
Then—
she narrows her eyes.
"…you came because of Kai?"
The air shifts instantly.
I don't answer directly.
Instead—
"I want to know what you know."
Silence.
Long.
Then she exhales.
"…so it's true."
A beat.
Then she looks at me harder.
"…you're connected to him."
I tilt my head.
"Maybe."
Her jaw tightens.
Wind gets stronger.
She steps closer.
"And if I refuse to talk?"
Something in my voice drops.
Not louder.
Just heavier.
"Then I'll find out anyway."
Silence.
Then—
she laughs once.
Short.
Cold.
"…you're dangerous."
I shrug slightly.
"Not my fault."
The red flicker returns for half a second in my eyes—
then fades again.
Lalita sees it.
And this time—
she doesn't miss it.
"…what are you hiding."
I stare at her.
And for a moment—
it's just wind.
Roof.
Two people.
And something far bigger sitting between us.
Then I answer quietly.
"…a lot."
Behind my eyes—
Niran whispers.
"Good."
And I realize—
this conversation is only the beginning.