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."
"Believe me 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.
The blanket was half-dragged off like something had definitely been there… and then decided peace was overrated.
Niran.
Already gone.
Hovering somewhere. Causing problems. Existing loudly.
I pushed myself up—
"…Ow."
My back protested immediately.
Sharp. Unfair. Personal.
I froze mid-movement, eyes narrowing.
"…He hit me hard."
I reached behind, rubbing the spot slowly, jaw tightening as the pain flared again.
"He said only I can touch him," I muttered under my breath, hair falling into my face as I tilted my head slightly. "Yesterday he betrayed me."
Rude.
Very rude.
I swung my legs off the bed—
Stood up—
Instant regret.
"Ow—okay—walking is cancelled."
Too late.
I was already committed.
So I limped.
Gracefully.
If "graceful" meant slightly hunched, one hand braced against the wall, hair a mess, dignity somewhere on the floor behind me.
Bathroom.
Ten minutes later—
Presentable.
Alive.
Barely.
Weekend.
My plans?
Sleep.
Sleep more.
Add bonus sleep.
Then eat.
Then eat again.
Then… more sleep.
Perfect.
Flawless.
Unmatched.
I stepped out—
No.
I limped out.
With determination.
And mild resentment.
Straight to the kitchen.
Because routine = survival.
Mrs. Hana = peace.
I stepped in—
Warm air.
Soft clatter of utensils.
The smell of breakfast.
Ara and Mrs. Hana were already there, moving around each other easily, talking, laughing.
Normal.
Calm.
…Suspicious.
I leaned slightly against the doorway, lowering my voice just enough—
"Where is he…"
"Niran?"
Nothing.
No response.
Just silence.
Of course.
Ara turned at the sound of my voice, her eyes immediately scanning me.
"Min-Jun? What happened to you?"
I straightened instantly, brushing my hair back like that would fix everything.
Nothing happened.
Everything happened.
"I fell off the bed," I said smoothly.
Beat.
Perfect delivery.
Then—
Right on cue—
A faint shift in the air.
And there he was.
Floating.
Arms loosely crossed.
Hair slightly swaying like there was a breeze only he could feel.
Smirking.
"Oh, you mean I won?"
I didn't even look at him.
Just narrowed my eyes slightly.
"Disappear."
"Make me."
Ara blinked.
Her expression shifted—subtle, but there.
"…There it is again."
I stilled.
Slowly turned.
"…What?"
She hesitated, glancing around like she didn't fully trust what she was feeling.
"The quiet… presence," she said softly.
Niran's smirk dropped.
Gone.
Just like that.
For once.
He turned his head toward me, slow, deliberate.
"You see what you're causing?"
I blinked.
Confused.
Annoyed.
"In what world am I causing—"
"She can feel me now," he cut in. "Next, she'll see me."
My stomach dropped slightly.
"…That's bad."
"And your friend," he added, eyes flicking toward me again. "Jea-Hyun? Two days."
I paused.
Actually paused.
"...You're joking."
"I never joke about my existence."
Great.
Love that.
Amazing.
Ara and Mrs. Hana were both staring at me now.
Right.
I was talking to air again.
Perfect timing.
"Min-Jun," Mrs. Hana said gently, clearly trying not to laugh, "who are you talking to?"
No hesitation.
Not even a second.
"Nina."
A beat.
"My imaginary friend," I added calmly, reaching up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "She's very kind. Very supportive."
Niran slowly turned his head toward me.
Offended.
Deeply.
Personally.
Mrs. Hana rolled her eyes with a smile. "Kids."
Ara smiled too—
But it didn't fully reach her eyes.
Still unsure.
Still watching.
Great.
Fantastic.
Everything is going exactly how it shouldn't.
Then Ara perked up suddenly, like she remembered something.
"Oh! Someone called the house," she said, turning back to me. "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…"
Weird.
I reached for the tea Mrs. Hana handed me—
My mug.
My favorite mug.
Big.
Round.
Covered in tiny fruit designs.
Comfort.
Peace.
Safety.
I wrapped my fingers around it, letting the warmth settle in—
And then—
Niran leaned in.
Too close.
Eyes dropping to the mug.
And then—
That grin.
Immediate.
Dangerous.
"…Little princess."
I froze mid-sip.
Slowly lowered the cup.
Turned my head.
"…Say that again."
He tilted his head slightly, hair shifting with the movement, smile widening just enough to be annoying.
"Little. Princess."
I took a slow sip.
Calm.
Controlled.
Unbothered.
"...Disappear."
He laughed.
Of course he did.