Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

01 – Genesis

Juntae woken up by the abrupt stop of the vehicle that he was currently sitting in. The boy almost tumbled forward, but luckily his chest bumped to the seat in front of him, it held his weight from falling over. The bus driver, who stepped on the brake abruptly, apologized to the passengers.

Right across the intersection that they were about to cross ahead, there was a traffic accident. A car crash between a black sedan and a white minivan. Murmur of the passengers could be heard. People started to turned their heads to the direction of the crash site, some even pulled out their phone to document the incident.

Like any others, Juntae also tried to take a better look by putting her hands at the side of his eyeglasses and pressed his face to the bus window beside him. It was around 9 PM at night, the lights inside the bus made it a bit hard for the people inside to look at the street outside. He vaguely saw it, because one, his sight wasn’t that good, and two, his line of sight was blocked by a neon sign. He could only sigh and sat back properly.

Since the bus was stopping and he hasn’t reached his destination, Juntae’s eyes wandered around inside the bus. He just turned his head to the back of the bus, then noticed a (somehow) familiar figure sat alone at the last row. Wearing his usual bright orange windbreaker was none other than the Ganghak High infamous delinquent, Baekjin’s guy, the wolf, Geum Seongje. The boy was busy, furiously tapping at the screen of his phone. Quickly, Juntae subtly turned back to the face his front. He tried to act nonchalant by putting his earbuds on and prayed hard that Seongje didn’t see him when he boarded the bus earlier.

Few minutes later, their bus was starting to move again. Seongje seemed to have paying no mind to his surroundings. Juntae also started to plan his escape – operation how to get off the bus without Geum Seongje noticing. Juntae was sitting at the front part of the bus, a few rows in front of the back side door of the bus. The only logical and possible thing to do was Juntae has to get off the bus using the front door. Yeah.

Two stops later, Juntae moved away to the direction of the front door. Beside him, there were two office workers in suits, who sat at the very front seats near the driver, also about to get off at the same stop. The door was finally opened, and swiftly, Juntae bowed to thank the driver before running off. He didn’t dare to look back in case Seongje recognized him.

As soon as he was about two blocks away from the bus stop, Juntae stopped to catch his breath. A brightly lit vending machine stood on his right, filled with cold soda drinks. His throat was dry as Sahara Desert, he gulped; very tempting. So Juntae pulled out some money from his pocket, fed the bills to the machine, and pushed the button for a cold fruity soda. Clank clank! The sound of a can being pushed down and rolled into the pick-up box.

Pop! The sound of the sizzling soda followed as the can was opened. Juntae was taking big gulps of the drink. It was refreshing; the taste of artificial strawberry flavour, soda, combined with the coldness. Ah!

Juntae continued his journey home with a can of soda in his hand. He was almost reached his apartment complex when he heard someone cursed loudly and followed with a bang. Even with the music played through his earbuds, he could hear it; imagine how loud it sounded it he didn’t put them on. Chill ran through Juntae’s spine, he didn’t feel right. He turned around, but no one was at the vicinity. Feeling scared, he decided to walk faster.

“Oh, hello, kid.” A man said. It was a harmless greeting, there’s no malice in the man’s words, but enough to make Juntae jolted in shock. The man added “Did I scare you?” upon seeing his reaction.

The boy turned his head in a quick motion, only to find that it’s the apartment security, Mr. Ahn, “Oh, Mr. Ahn, hello.” Juntae bowed sheepishly to the man and quickly scampered away because he was embarrassed.

Upon arriving at his floor, Juntae found out that the unit across his has their things put outside their door. The towers of boxes and some furniture crowded the hallway. It used to be the Choo’s family apartment before they moved away. It seems that a new tenant is moving in. He spied the boxes as he absently punched in his passcode. They were labelled and grouped neatly; very well-organized. His door opened with a beep and Juntae took one last look at his neighbour’s door, he clapped and put his hands together in front of his face – let me have a nice neighbour, let us get along well.

The next day, Juntae went to school as he usually was. The day went great. He attended his classes; ate lunch with his friends – Sieun, Gotak, and Baku; Baku graced them with his failed blind date story; more classes; Sieun was about to visit Suho that day; Baku and Gotak were about to play basketball together after school; Juntae was about to go to the nearest bookstore to buy a new comic that just got released. All is well until a news that shocked everyone broke: Baekjin is dead. It got them running full speed to the funeral home.

When a student died, the visitors were mostly students from the same school as the deceased. You might see a few from another school, if the kid is an active social butterfly, but not this many. However, Na Baekjin wasn’t an ordinary student. He was once an important figure in the Union. Thus, his mourning room in the funeral home were filled with people from many different backgrounds. It was an odd scene, really, almost like a high school sport (well, fighting each other is a form of sport for almost everyone in the room) tournament or Olympiad with the variation of uniforms that were used by the students inside. From his men, his allies, to his enemies – everyone came.

At the back corner, there was a single table with only one occupant. The boy that wore glasses and notable red Ganghak High uniform, Geum Seongje. He just sat there like with a stoic expression, no one was able to decipher whether he’s sad, mad, or happy with the death of his superior.

Juntae stared at Seongje’s lone figure then back to the photo of Na Baekjin. The boy wasn’t sure if it was his trauma and fear acting up or he was just tired; suddenly, Juntae felt like someone was chocking him, blocked his windpipe, his heart hurt like hell. It’s hard for him to breathe.

“Juntae-ya, are you okay?” He felt Sieun’s voice asked him and a hand on his shoulder.

Juntae blinked, the pain inducing sensations that tortured him earlier were gone. He turned to meet Sieun’s concerned eyes, and replied in a quietly, “I am okay.”

“Let’s go sit over there. Baku wants to stay for a bit.” Sieun informed him.

Juntae nodded and followed his friends. They sat on a half-occupied table. No one said anything, they just sat quietly for about an hour. Baku was different from his usual chatty self; he was just sitting there without saying anything, just continuously staring at Baekjin’s photo. His eyes showed the sadness and anguish that he felt, tears were pooling at the corner, making them looked glossy. Understandable, Baekjin was Baku’s friend before. Their story goes way back further than Baku and Gotak.

Chapter Text

02 – Feels Like Deja-vu

A hit on his head woke Juntae up. He held his hands up to the spot on side of his head and groaned. “What was that?” The boy muttered. He blinked, once, twice, and looked at his surroundings, blinked again.

How did he get into the bus?

He turned to look at the back of the bus and froze – not out of fear, but confusion. Seongje, sitting on the same seat as he was the day before, wearing his bright orange windbreaker, but this time he’s snoozing soundly. Then, he turned to the front and found the same set of passengers that were in the bus with him the previous day: the two office workers in the same set of suits near the driver; a high school student that brought a little plant with him near the front door;  the same old lady and her granddaughter that sat two rows away in front of him; a couple of nurses that just got off work at the left side seats, right across his seat; and there was a high school girl with a lot of charms on her red bag behind them.

Feels like deja-vu alright.

Juntae fished his phone and checked the date and clock. His brain went haywire.

It can’t be... Did he just fall asleep and dream on going through the whole next day? Everything feels so real, too real. Even Baekjin’s death… I don’t like him, but I’ve never wished him dead.

Screeee. He was about to tumble to the front, almost like a replay…

“Sorry, there’s an accident ahead.” The driver apologized.

Juntae felt goosebumps all over his body. The scene that he saw in his dream came true; The accident – the black sedan and white minivan, the passengers’ reaction, then the bright neon sign that he saw – SING A SONG KARAOKE. His heart thumped in a faster pace. As it wasn’t enough, the small boy felt someone was watching him. Like a prey that sensed that he was being preyed by some predator. He turned his head around and their eyes met, Geum Seongje was staring back at him. 

Argh, I shouldn’t have turned my head. Should I feign ignorance and pretend that I didn’t see him? That would be stupid. Juntae gulped and nodded to acknowledge their interaction before slowly turning back to face the front awkwardly.

Juntae was afraid to look back again for the third time. Like in his dream, he did the same thing, which was getting down the bus using the front door as quickly as possible, followed by the same two office workers, and running off without looking back.

The dream that haunted him, Geum Seongje’s death stare, and all the running as if he’s being chased by a feral dog made his legs finally gave out after two blocks. He wobbled and leaned onto a metal box nearby.

Hold on a second… Isn’t this the vending machine? He arched his eyebrow.

The vending machine was there, but instead of soda drinks, it filled with coffee and tea. Juntae stopped and eyed the machine for a bit. He tilted his head to the side. He sighed, obviously not the same one, Seo Juntae, he calmed a little. Maybe a hot green tea would be good for his nerve.

One bottle of green tea later, he finally arrived at his apartment complex. He immediately spotted Mr. Ahn inside the security booth.

“Hello, Mr. Ahn.” Juntae greeted the old man with a small smile on his face.

“Hello, kid.” The man greeted him back.

He passed the apartment lobby, entered the lift and pressed number 8 – his apartment unit floor. The door slowly closed and the metal box ascended.

Ding! The metal door opened and what he saw next made his heart almost dropped, again again again, he saw the same thing. A mountain of boxes and furniture filled the hallway, right across his unit. He walked closer slowly, pinched his cheek while at it – ah, it hurts! – to confirm that that was a real-life situation. The same boxes, same way of labelling and grouping, same furniture, same position. He punched in his passcode number in a hurry this time, didn’t even bother to spy on his neighbour belongings. Maybe the less I knew the better, Juntae tried to tell himself.

After taking a bath, he made himself a cup of hot chocolate. While steering the dark liquid in his cup, Juntae looked around his empty apartment unit and sighed heavily. His parents are never at home, both were busy with their own work – a pharmacist who prefers to stay at his pharmacy and an interpreter who globetrots all the time. They only come back home once in a while, for a day or two, giving Juntae more than enough money to pay for his daily necessities, before off again to God knows where. He really missed his grandparents who live on Jeju Island. If only he's allowed to attend a high school there. Why does he have to go back to Seoul again? Live is good in Jeju – well, for him, not his parents. At times like this, he really wished he has someone to talk to.

To fill the silence, Juntae turned on his television, greeted with a news flash about the accident that happened earlier. Immediately, he turned if off – am not going to watch that. The clock on the wall above the television showed that it was almost midnight. The boy decided that it was time for him to go to bed, or else he’ll wake up late for school tomorrow.

“Juntae-ya, are you okay?” Sieun asked during the lunch the next day. There were only the two of them on the table. Baku and Gotak were asked to help a female teacher to bring the students’ submitted assignments to the teachers’ room earlier, so they haven’t arrived yet.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Juntae asked back.

His friend replied, “Your complexion doesn’t look good, you look tired.”

“I ran out of melatonin last night, unable to take one before going to sleep.” He gave a reassuring smile to Sieun.

His sleep last night was brutal, he saw someone getting beaten up in his dream. No faces, only shadowy figures. Blood splattered everywhere, even formed a pool on the floor around the helpless figure. He felt that person died as his soul slowly left his body. Juntae woke up with a scream, cold sweats clung on his skin, his head pounded. No more sleep for him after that until the sun rose.

“By the way, what are you doing later after school?” Juntae asked Sieun. He was trying to distract himself from thinking about the bloody dream.

“I’ll go to visit Suho.” Sieun replied in between his bites of kimchi.

Juntae pursed his lips, contemplating at first, he didn’t feel like going home alone. So, he asked, “May I tag along?”

Sieun eyed him for a few second, before finally nodded, “Sure, if you want to.”

The Eunjang gang went out from their classroom together after the bell rang. Gotak and Baku were busy chit-chatting at the front while Sieun and Juntae were talking about the physics homework they need to submit the next week. They walked together until they can see the basketball court, Baku and Gotak bid them farewell, before running to the direction of the court.

The tone of incoming message could be heard simultaneously; one from Sieun’s phone, one from Juntae’s. Sieun fished his phone and saw a new message in the group chat. He opened them without any thought, probably it was one of Baku and Gotak shit talks or memes. But Juntae froze, he was too damn scared to even take a peek at his own phone – in case ‘that’ really happened.

“Baekjin is gone...?” He heard Sieun muttered. It snapped Juntae out of his wandering mind. He turned his head to search for Baku’s figure. There he saw Baku was holding his phone, Gotak on his side. The two boys exchanged silent glances, before Baku started to run, followed by Gotak.

He is really dead. Baekjin is dead. Those words played over and over like a broken record inside Juntae’s head. His head started to throb, he felt like throwing up. Is he, Seo Juntae, somehow have the ability to see the future now? What kind of cosmic joke is this? He stared at Na Baekjin’s funeral pic in a daze.

He whispered, “Sieun-ah, can do me a favor?” Sieun looked at him questioningly and nodded. It won’t be hurt to check one more time, Juntae decided, “Can you pinch me or slap me or elbow me? Your choice.”

Confusion slowly appeared on Sieun’s face. “What – Why? Juntae-ya, are you okay?”

“I know what I am asking, I am asking you, in full awareness. Do you mind to pinch or slap or elbow me? Please.” Juntae repeated his odd sounding request. “I swear I am not drunk or drugged or being weird.”

Gotak and Baku who sat across them slowly tuned in to their conversation. Bless Gotak, for showing a concerned face, and asked, “You know, I mean, you fully aware… who you are asking to, right?” His hand motioned at Sieun, eyes went back and forth from Juntae to Sieun then back to Juntae again. Baku who wasn’t in his right state of mind only quirked his eyebrow and rub his hand at the back of his neck but not commenting further.

“I’m trying to confirm something. Hurry up!” Juntae begged.

Sieun asked, “Where should I,” he motioned with his hand at Juntae’s direction, “hurt you?”

“Anywhere will do, as long as it won’t be giving me a lasting mental and physical damage,” Juntae blurted, “Come–,” the on was left unsaid as he felt a painful jab on his thigh. The boy in glasses could only let out a soundless scream since they were at Baekjin’s mourning room (so many people were in there with them), his eyes bulged, his head turned to look at Sieun. The way his friend elbowed him and the amount of pain the action inflicted were somehow made Juntae wondered if he ever pissed Sieun off before.

“It’s hurt, isn’t it?” Gotak asked with a scoff and a smile on his face that could be translated as something between sympathy and I knew it would be a very bad idea.

Juntae put his elbow on the table, palm on his forehead, arm propped his head. He nodded in pain.

“Now, would you tell us what was that about?” Baku questioned in concern.

“Later, let me explain later.” Juntae replied.

Chapter Text

03 – Third Time’s The Charm, Right?

“Ouch,” Juntae whined and grabbed the back of his head to check. He just got smacked – Wait? What… how? Huh? His eyes were closed earlier, but now that he already opened them, it’s a whole different story. He removed his eyeglasses, rubbed his eyes, blinked several times, and finally put them back on.

He was sitting inside a bus. I repeat, INSIDE A BUS.

Didn’t he just got hit by a thug? One second he was close to being beaten to death, then the next second he was sitting comfortably inside a bus. Can someone explain to him how he got transported over? How to make it make sense? After a clairvoyant, now he’s a teleporter? Is this the concerning side effect of me spending my time reading too many manga and watching too many anime? Am I being drugged with hallucinogens or what?

Then, his hand at the back of his hand found a little bump on his head.

Did I get hit for real OR did I bump my head to the seat behind? A logical explanation needed and Juntae’s brain started to wrack for plausible ideas. Was it a dream or was it a reality? Did he get hit so hard and started hallucinating? Is this what people see before they died? Live flashing before their eyes… Fragments of memories… WHAT THE HECK IS THIS?! Juntae suddenly felt that this was so ridiculous to the point that he started chuckling.

“I see you’ve finally lost your mind.” A familiar voice came from the back.

Juntae head turned to his left and found Geum Seongje in his orange windbreaker stood at the middle isle, right behind his seat. From his point of view, Juntae could see the taller boy wore his signature smirk, his eyes twinkled in amusement. Juntae was dumbfounded – what is this?!

“Ya, scoot over.” Juntae could hear Seongje’s instruction but his body froze. If his mind doesn’t betray him and this bus ride really happened twice, Seongje only sat on the last row and never tried to actively interact with him before. Why now?

A few seconds passed, and Juntae didn’t budge, stayed still like a statue, mouth gaping. His mind was still clouded with the fog of confusion. Seongje said, “Eunjang, is there something on my face? Did you not hear what I said?”

As if he’s out of his trance, Juntae blinked slowly, and responded with a short, “Huh?”

“I said scoot over.” Seongje repeated impatiently.

Juntae’s brain finally caught up on what’s happening, he moved himself and his bag to the right side of the seat, closer to the window. With the left side of the seat empty, Seongje plopped himself there. Both of his hands tucked inside the pocket of his windbreaker.

They sat in awkward silence. Juntae started to scratch his head.

“Where are you going? Home?” Seongje asked, his eyes weren’t looking at Juntae, but to the front. The way he asked them sounded really casual, less intimidating that his usual fashion.

To be honest, Juntae has a mixed feeling about the guy that sat beside him. Historically speaking, Seongje was the bane of Eunjang’s gang existence. He was like an onychocryptosis – the stubborn ingrown nail on your toe – that’s hard to extract. He’s always there all the time, but unpredictably resurfaced once in a while without warning to wreak havoc and caused pain. Except that one time he decided to help Juntae when he was being beaten into pulp by the Union underlings. The rest of Juntae’s group interaction with him? All ended with fist, bruises, blood, broken bones, a trip to the pharmacy, or worse, ER. You bleed, hurt, unable to walk because of him. Yeah, the description fits him; Geum Seongje’s like one damn stubborn ingrown nail.

“Yeaa…” Juntae reluctantly nodded.

“Me too.” Seongje said nonchalantly while pulling his right leg up and stuck his foot to the back of the front seat, his back was straight, stuck to the back of the seat.

The shorter boy tilted his head, eyebrow quirked. An information that Juntae didn’t feel like he needs to know but okay. Maybe someday that information will be useful.

As Juntae was about to say something, the bus motion suddenly halted, jerked him to the front. Juntae’s forehead was two inches away from hitting the front seat when a hand appeared to prevent the contact. Instead of hitting the edge of the plastic seat, Juntae’s forehead collided with Seongje’s palm. Juntae pulled his head back and turned his face to find the perfectly unaffected Seongje with the abrupt stop, smiling. The taller boy’s sitting position assured him to not tumbling despite the turbulence.

Juntae adjusted his sitting position.

“Did you ever hear that the more you get hit in the head, the dumber that you’ll become?” Seongje said to Juntae as he retracted his own hand from the edge of the seat and put it back inside the pocket of his windbreaker. The taller boy’s eyes were now on Juntae.

“Uh, yes? And thanks for that earlier, by the way.” Juntae replied.

“You’re welcome. I just don’t want you to end up like Baku and Gotak. You Magneton can’t afford to lose another brain cell.” The way he uttered Baku and Gotak’s name was full of distaste.

Juntae glanced at Seongje’s direction and chewed his lower lip. Did he just call Baku and Gotak stupid because they get hit in the head a lot? The way he said it as if he’s not the part of the cause. But he wasn’t about to comment on that. His weak self couldn’t afford to have a fight with someone like Seongje in a public bus.

So, he decided to comment on the Pokémon reference that Seongje used to address his group of friends, “Magneton consists of three Magnemites though, and there are four of us.”

“Exactly, you can count those two as one Magnemite. One red, one blue, together they make a single magnet.” Seongje didn’t need to name the two he was referring to. Juntae understood the reference immediately. And that comment was also a jab to their intelligence collectively. Magneton is a form of three Magnemites that linked together. However, three Magnemites doesn’t equal them being three times smarter since their brains also become one. Well…

Seongje leaned closer to Juntae, whispered, “By the way, why are you sitting calmly like nothing is happening?”

Juntae frowned and replied, “Why wouldn’t I? We are in a public transport.”

“Aren’t you a bleeding heart? There’s an accident right there. You didn’t even flinch or no concerned frown or displaying any fitting emotions. It’s… unlike you.” His words made Juntae stared at the guy. Their eyes met. Seongje’s eyes were watching him unblinking, searching for an answer.

It’s unlike you… Yes, if the regular Juntae would be feeling bad and anxious for the victims, but this Juntae who already saw the same accidents happened three times already steeled his heart, he already knew what’s coming. Or maybe his feelings grew numb? He’s not sure, hope not. And Juntae felt like Seongje was also asking: you already knew about it, didn’t you? The line he deliberately left unsaid. But what if he wasn’t? What if it’s just Juntae’s own mind playing tricks on him?

“Are you finally developing a stronger heart?” Seongje asked.

How to ask and explain the whole thing without sounding like a psychotic nutjob was quite a challenge. If it’s only Seo Juntae, he would have spoken plainly about it as if he’s talking about the weather, let the guy digest, and see his reaction. This Eunjang kid knew him, he’s already well-known as a unhinged psycho in the high school students’ circle anyway. However, the thing was that they were in a public transport with so many eyes and ears that could pick up their far from normal conversation. Seongje couldn’t risk the chance of someone calling the 911 for mental hospital to pick him up. He simply didn’t have the time to humour them. He has more pressing matters to deal with.

Juntae sighed, and fidgeted on his seat. One second he looked at Seongje, opened his mouth, only to close it again. He had done that on repeat for several times. Seongje knew he was hesitating.

“Spit it out, goldfish.” Seongje said.

“Listen, I might be sound crazy, but I… ugh, I don’t know how to address this without sounding like a complete lunatic.” Juntae whispered. The boy closed his eyes and leaned his head to the window glass on his right.

Seongje chuckled. Welcome to the club, he thought silently. “Then you’re welcome to join me in the mad house, I’ll make sure to tell the hospital director to let you occupy the room next to mine.”

Juntae scrunched his nose and frowned at Seongje, “And I swear I am not high.”

The taller boy nodded, and added, “Sure, although I would pay a good money to see that.”

Juntae lips pouted, “Does this amuse you?” Now, this shorty is getting annoyed. It made Seongje wanted to put hand under the boy’s chin and his squish his cheeks using his fingers.

“Kinda.” Seongje smiled wider, before he clicked his tongue and probe further, “Hold on, have you ever tried drugs, goldfish?”

“Nice to know that at least one of us is entertained. No, I never do drugs.” Juntae turned his head to look at the window. With a resigned sigh, he said, “Forget it, I’m not going to tell you anything. Just treat this conversation as gibberish. You hear nothing from me.” Seongje could hear Juntae mumbled to himself, “Seo Juntae you are crazy. Why of all people, why him? Whyyy?”

“Aw, goldfish, don’t be mad. I’ll listen and I won’t judge. Now, tell me.” Seongje bumped Juntae’s arm using his elbow softly.

Juntae shook his head, “Nope.”

Seongje leaned closer and whispered right beside Juntae’s ear, “Goldfish, do you realize I can follow you all the way home and do something to you until you tell me about it?”

If talking nicely didn’t work, then it’s time to employ some threats. Usually, threats straight of the bat was more of his style, but since he kind of like this Juntae as a person... he didn’t do it. But, enough playing nice.

Juntae sobered up at the threat and snapped his head to look at Seongje who was giving him a wolfish grin. In a moment of madness and desperation, he almost forgot that he was having a conversation with the Ganghak high’s Fenrir – a monstrous wolf in Norse Mythology.

From his observation, Seongje most likely will go after the orcas, sharks, and piranhas. A small anchovy like Juntae wasn’t worth his time – NO FUN AT ALL written on his forehead, all caps. To be honest, Juntae was more afraid of someone like Hyoman than Seongje because of that fact. That and added with the fact that Seongje once helped him.

He may be doesn’t go after someone like him on regular basis, but then, a sudden realization struck Juntae: if Seongje wanted to he would do it. Baku’s words about Seongje flashed on his mind – remember, that guy’s more unpredictable than hiccups. He will do something if he’s feeling like it; if he doesn’t want to, even if you manage to drag him by his hair, he won’t.

If it wasn’t an empty threat then Juntae was doomed. Goodbye world, thanks for the last 17 years of my life. Grandpa, grandma, I am sorry that I haven’t buy you two brand new diving suits with my own hard-earned money like I promised…

“Tick tock, time is ticking, goldfish. Isn’t your stop after this one?”

Juntae whisphered, “Okay, uh… I think, we are dead?” he leaned closer to Seongje, “I mean I assume… all of us in this bus are dead. Because I’ve been in this exact bus ride two times before, this is my third.”

Seongje replied, “Yeah, and I am the grim reaper.”

Juntae scratched his head, “I am serious though.”

“Me too.” Seongje clapped back without missing a beat.

Juntae peeked at the boy beside him, cursing him quietly in his head.

Seongje arched his brow, “Ya, did you just curse me out?”

Juntae quickly deflect, “no,” shaking his head.

“Your eyes said the otherwise though.” Seongje pointed at Juntae’s eyes.

Baffled, he gaped and blurted another insistent “no” desperately. The accusation made Juntae wanted to cry. Darn him! How did he know?

Seongje put his tongue in his cheek and said, “You definitely did. You did it again just now.”

“NO, I did not, Geum Seongje-nim. I, Seo Juntae, apologize if you feel like that.” Juntae even escorting to use the super respectful form to address someone in case Seongje started to blow a fuse.

Later, when Juntae were getting off the bus, Seongje followed behind him. This time, Juntae were using the side door at the back, the one behind his seat.

The shorter boy turned around, and asked sceptically, “Are you getting off in this stop too?”

Seongje replied with a smile, “Am I not allowed to?”

Juntae squeaked, “You said you’re going home…”

Seongje scoffed, before added with a disbelieving tone, “I also live in this neighbourhood.”

“Really?”

Seongje scowled, “Ya, are the buildings in this neighbourhood all yours? Are you the only one who's allowed to live here?”

“Sorry…” Juntae awkwardly bowed, “I’ll go first.”

Juntae started walking, and saw Seongje also taking the same direction as him, “You’re heading this way too?”

Seongje nodded.

They walked in silence side by side for two blocks and Seongje still showed no sign of splitting up and going on his own way. At this rate, Geum Seongje might know the name of apartment building where he lives, great! He thought miserably.

“Hey, catch!” Seongje said from behind.

Juntae turned around out of reflect, and an object was flying at the direction of Juntae’s face, which, luckily, he was able to catch it before it hit him. He examined the cylindrical object in his hand – a strawberry Milkis.

“Oooo, your reflex isn’t bad.” Seongje tilted his head to the side, he looked like he was contemplating something, and then added, “that’s for you.”

“Thanks, I guess?” Juntae replied. His eyes just registered their current location. The vending machine spot; the box stood tall beside Seongje. This time, it was filled with Milkis, a milk soda drink. Juntae didn’t realize it earlier because he kept on walking while looking at the ground.

Seongje nodded, opened his own strawberry Milkis, and drank it. Juntae distanced his own body from the can in his hand before pulling the tab. The drink inside fizzled, foam flooded out and drizzled from the hole at the top of the can. He took a few little sips carefully.

The taller boy started walking and passed Juntae who was still enjoying his drink.

“See you tomorrow, Eunjang.” Seongje said, waving his hand without looking back.

Juntae parroted, “tomorrow…?”

“We will meet again tomorrow, won’t we?” Seongje replied one last time.

Sitting in his desk inside his own bedroom, Juntae leaned back on his chair and folded his arms in front of his chest. His fingers drummed. He was thinking hard for a few minutes, before finally decided to take his pen and paper to take a note. He started writing everything that he remembered down. From the first time until now. He also browsed the web for answers. Articles after articles, case studies, journals, movies, podcasts – ten and a half hours later, he’s almost late for school.

Clap!

“Huh, what?” The sound of someone clapping loudly beside his ears shocked Juntae, immediately woke him up from his little nap and sitting straight.

Baku slapped his back and slung his arm on Juntae’s neck, “It’s lunch hour, let’s eat. Are you being infected by Sieun’s virus? Why are you starting to sleep during classes?”

“I spend my night reading through some journals and articles,” a big yawn, “I kind of regret it right now.” Juntae said, scratching his neck.

“You… ohh,” Gotak let out a yawn, “are you working on the essay assignment that Mr. Uhm gave us?”

At the same time, “Gotaaaak-aaah,” Baku also caught a yawn while calling for his friend’s name, complained, “This virus is contagious. Sieun-ah, look what you’ve done.” Only to find Sieun who quietly yawning himself behind his hand.

“It’s called sympathetic yawn, Baku-ya. And it’s a common occurrence. Like the one that happened just now; you see someone yawn, then you also yawn, it shows that you have an empathy.” Juntae explained.

Baku scratched his head, he looked lost, “Is it a good thing? I don’t even know what those words mean.”

Gotak translated it for Baku, “Yes, it’s a good thing. That means you are kind enough to care about the others.”

After school, Juntae braced himself. The news of Baekjin’s death will be on the group chat any minute. He asked Sieun to sit for a few minutes on the side of the basketball court.

Ding! It’s here.

At Baekjin’s mourning room, Juntae entered and spotted Seongje at his usual spot. It’s the third time he’s coming to this place. He noted that nothing seems different, except… the temperature. Was it this cold before? It was so cold to the point of freezing. Juntae turned to observe his friends and people inside the room who seemed to be unaware of the cold.

From the corner of his eyes, Juntae saw Seongje walked to the front and then passed him. He could hear the taller boy's teeth clacking. Seongje tilted his head to the direction of the hallway outside, subtly signalled Juntae to meet him outside. With the same amount of subtlety, Juntae signalled him to wait for a bit.

Fifteen minutes later, Juntae told his friends that he desperately needed to go to the restroom. He was looking for Seongje here and there, before finally spotted the taller boy sitting outside, smoking.

He approached Seongje while rubbing his own hands and blowing it to warm them up. Seongje raised his head and as soon as Juntae was close enough, he asked, “Do you notice the drop on the temperature inside?”

Juntae hummed, “It’s very cold.”

Seongje nodded, “Right?”

Needed to confirm his suspicion, Juntae said, “May I ask you something?”

“Sure.” Seongje answered lightly. He took a drag of his cigarette and blew the smoke out.

Juntae eyed him carefully, “I am not the only one who has gone through the whole thing three times, you’re too, right?”

Chapter Text

04 – Flashes & Vending Machine

That same night inside a convenience store, Seongje just got back from boiling his ramyeon at the hot water and heating station when he saw Juntae slumped figure on the table. His head was leaning on the top his folded arms, snoring peacefully.

"Well, fuck. I told him to wait for me and he'd gone ahead by himself." He muttered, checking the time on his phone; 08:38 PM. Guess it's time to hit the sack. He looked at the untouched ramyeon on his hand. Whatever, I am not going to waste a perfectly cooked ramyeon for a few minutes of early access; he will have to wait.

Seongje sat himself beside the shorter guy and started inhaling his food. He took a peek at the other boy's sleeping face in between chews. Seongje found him frowned and mumbled something inaudible, probably having a rough wake up on the other side.

•••

Juntae opened his eyes, still bleary from the remnants of sleep. He was leaning on to the window of the bus. He's back. Seongje wasn't beside him, indicating that he was probably still sitting at the back row of the vehicle. One turn to the back, Juntae found out that he was right on his money. Seongje's figure was still completely out, sleeping like the dead.

The boy decided to move and sat beside Seongje while waiting for the taller boy to wake up. Sitting at the last row definitely gave him a vantage point of the whole bus. His eyes wandered around. Oh? The nurses and the girl with red backpack aren't here yet; his eyes instinctively flew to the digital clock that displayed at the front above the driver – 08:40.

A ticking sensation on his left cheek, Juntae turned his head slightly and met with a mop of Seongje's hair. The taller boy's head lolled to the side and then to the front. Juntae used his left hand to prevent the other guy's head from sliding further, gently he lifted Seongje's head and leaned him to the back of the seat. That's the least he can do to prevent him from getting a crick on his neck, especially if the boy's s not going to wake up anytime soon.

On 08:43 PM, the bus stopped in front of Jongno Yulje Hospital. The girl with the red backpack along with the nurses got into the vehicle together. The vehicle continued to move forward.

It wasn't until ten minutes later when Juntae realized that Seongje's body started to show a sign of him slowly descending into consciousness. Juntae was about to open his mouth when suddenly Seongje's arm jerked, swung in front of him in one quick motion, a hand grabbed his uniform suit lapels and tie, and got pushed until he chocked. All happened within seconds, without warning. That made Juntae eyes widened, he trembled in horror and almost piss in his pants. He he was thiiiiiis close from having his neck chopped by the Geum Seongje.

Seongje, who was still in his half-awake state, turned his head to look at the person who dared to sit so closely by his side when he's asleep. His unaware ass was giving Juntae a blank stare before blinked twice. After his third blink, he finally registered that it was Eunjang's very terrified helpless newborn kitten, Seo Juntae.

"Oh, I am... I... sorry," Seongje retracted his arm faster than he swung it.

As soon as the grip on his lapels and tie loosened; poor Juntae, who was still shaking like a leaf, slumped in his seat. His heart beats so fast, it almost burst from his chest. His breathing was uneven.

Seeing Juntae's reaction, Seongje mumbled confusedly, "Why are you sitting beside me? Didn't you sit at the front?"

Juntae, who was still full of adrenaline rush, was too afraid to move. His eyes fleeted to Seongje's direction before ping ponged to random directions far from the boy in orange windbreaker. A few seconds later, Juntae shifted himself to sit a bit further from Seongje. He shuffled his bottom slowly to the right, distancing himself, leaving an empty seat between them.

"Are you okay?" Seongje asked, put a tongue in his cheek. His eyebrow twitched.

Even with his whole body tremoring, Juntae forced himself to let out a nod. He tried to regulate his breathing and calmed himself down. Is this how it feels to be the receiving end of Seongje's fist? Juntae felt half of his soul was leaving his body and refused to come back. Even after years of enduring all those bullying, none of the others' knee-jerk reaction that fills with murderous intent can come this close to Seongje's. He should be more careful when interacting with this fiend. Gotak, Baku, and Sieun's faces popped in his mind, telling him with a disappointed expression, 'we've told you so; dude, we've warned you; yet you didn't listen.'

An awkward silence between them was inevitable. Seongje didn't say anything, only looking at the other boy blankly. That was his way of giving Juntae some space and time to collect his missing psyche.

They arrived at their stop. Juntae and Seongje got off the bus together, but still manage to maintain some distance between them. The two started walking autopilot.

It was Seongje who broke the silence. "Ya, I need to do something first. What about if we split up and regroup in 30 minutes? Buy me something from the vending machine too on your way. How does that sound?"

"Su–sure." Juntae nodded, his voice still showed some nervousness.

"Alright, I'll go first." Seongje was about to run off, but then turned his back because he remembered something, "hold on, give me your phone!"

Juntae quickly fished his phone out of his pocket and handed it to Seongje. The taller boy punched his number in, made a quick miss call to his own device, before handed the phone back to its owner.

"K, see you in 30 minutes," Seongje said, before turned around and ran off, leaving Juntae alone in the middle of an empty street.

Juntae felt like he was crawling back to his apartment complex instead of walking. The walk felt so long and taxing. Maybe his body was protesting against all of the exploits (or the residual after effect from ‘unwittingly-poked-the-sleeping-bear; no, scratch that; wolf’ incident earlier) that he had done to himself for the past (idk) hours... days... cycles (?) (He honestly doesn't know how to label the unit of time that he currently goes through, for now.)

He stopped in front of the lift on the lobby, jabbed the going up button. At the panel, it showed that someone was also descending from the 8th floor, where his apartment unit located.

Ding! The metal door opened only for him to find Geum Seongje inside. Juntae blinked repeatedly as if he's possessed by a fucking ostrich, his heart dropped a little. If you asked, he might be looking like a shocked Pikachu meme at the time.

Seongje took a once over at Juntae worn out appearance. He smirked and commented, "Damn it, Flash. Are you a sloth? Why it took you so long just to get from the point where we split to your apartment?" His tone was light and teasing, then asked, "Were you making a detour?"

Juntae understood that reference, however, imagining Seongje watched an animation movie like Zootopia was quite an odd scene. But then again, that movie was released when they were like 11 or 12 years old. He, probably, like any other kids, watched them happily.

The smaller boy side eyed Seongje and decided to reply with a different Flash that fits him, "No, I prolly walked slowly, Hunter Zolomon," before joined him in the lift.

The light in Seongje's eyes dimmed, his expression turned sour. He went still, didn't immediately clap back like he usually does, his finger hovered on Juntae’s floor button. However, Juntae failed to notice it since he was turning around and got his back on Seongje’s. Only a few beats later, Seongje’s finger finally punched the button and his expression reverted back to normal, like the switch in him flipped back on, he said, "Touché. But, Flash, I thought we are on good terms. Why do you compare me to a villain? Your enemy? If this statement comes out from one of your friends's mouth, I can understand. But you? Oh, I'm wounded."

“Well...” Juntae sniffed the air in the lift, fresh fragrance was in the air, which he heavily suspected came from Seongje because the lift never smelled this good before and he himself hasn’t showered. “You took a shower, huh?”

Seongje grinned, nodded, as if he’s pleased with Juntae’s keen senses, “Don't I smell nice?”

“Ye...,” Juntae was about to agree with the boy, when a thought came across his mind, “Wait, how do you know I live here and my floor number?”

Seongje shrugged, “I have my ways,” he winked.

“So, we’ll discuss at my house?” Juntae asked groggily.

“If you’re cool with that, sure,” Seongje tilted his head, “Or should we go somewhere else?”

He wanted to suggest them going… maybe to a public bath house, or nearest convenience store, but Juntae felt his body was too tired for that. God, please don’t let me get killed in my own house.

The two were standing in front of Juntae’s apartment.

Juntae tried to open his door stealthily, he glanced at Seongje’s direction, “Can’t you go a bit further for a sec? I want to put in my passcode.”

Seongje chuckled, he took several steps back and turned around, “Sure.”

The door opened, and Juntae told him to wait, “Give me a second, don’t go it just yet,” followed by some grunts, the sound of things being moved around, a thunk of cabinet door being closed. “I’m done. You may come in.”

“Do I need to walk into the house backward? In case you need to hide something else…” Seongje asked.

“Nope, all good,” Juntae replied.

Juntae took two pairs of house slippers, one in dark green colour and one in beige. He used the beige one and motioned Seongje at the green one. When Seongje toed his shoes off, he spotted a neatly lined house slippers in various colours at the top of Juntae’s shoe racks. There were five of them; a pair of light grey slippers, a pair in cerulean blue, a pair in bright red, a pair in darker wine red, the smallest of them all were in dusty pink colour.

It made Seongje questioned, “Do you have siblings?”

Juntae shook his head, “No, I am an only son.”

Seongje motioned at the slippers with his foot, “Then, you must’ve had a lot of people frequently come into your house.”

“Ah, some of my comic club friends, and then lately Gotak, Sieun, Baku. But not as frequent as you might think.” Juntae shoved his own shoes into the bottom of the rack.

“Your parents aren’t home?” Seongje asked, he tailed Juntae who moved to the living room and threw his backpack at the foot of the sofa.

“They’re almost never at home.” Juntae answered, he motioned at the sofa, “You can sit anywhere,” before beelined to the kitchen.

“So, you live alone?” Seongje plopped himself on the sofa.

“Yeah,” Juntae opened his refrigerator, his hand hovered at the racks where he kept his drinks, “Juice, tea, coffee, milk, soda, or water? Any drink that you fancy?”

Seongje perked, “What? Are you running a convenience store here? Do you have some iced americano?”

“I like to keep my house, especially my kitchen, fully stocked since most times I don’t know what will happen to me. I live alone, my parents barely home, I need to survive on my own.” Juntae closed the door of the fridge with a light slam. Pouches of cold americano and milk tea in his hand. “Do you want to use glass?”

“Nah.” With that answer, Juntae handed Seongje the pouched americano and a straw, before joined him on the sofa. The smaller boy jabbed the hole at the corner of the pouch, and started to drink his milk tea.

“SO,” Seongje took a sip of his own americano, “if there’s a zombie apocalypse, do you mind if I take cover with you?”

“Sure…” Juntae quirked up his eyebrow, “if you’re not the one who started it or an already infected zombie.”

“Not afraid that I’ll kill you for the rations?”

Considering this as a nonsense talk, Juntae scratched his cheek and scoffed lightly, “Then, I guess I’ll haunt you if you dare. Maybe possess some strong zombies in order to have my revenge.”

Seongje turned his head to look at Juntae’s face, “Have you ever tried to do it before?”

Juntae’s eyes met his for a second, before eyeing the pouch of milk tea in his hand, “Which one? The haunting or the possessing?”

The tip of Seongje’s lips curved upwards, he smiled, “Revenge.”

“Sometimes, I feel like I want to… but I am not built for that. I can’t.” Juntae sighed, he put his milk tea on the table, opened his bag, grabbed a bunch of energy bars, and put them onto the table in front of them.

Seongje asked, “What is this?”

“From the vending machine. Instead of drinks, it’s filled with energy bars. I just buy one of everything.” Juntae stood up, “before we begin, do you mind if I take a shower and change my clothes?”

“Sure. We’ll be having a very long discussion, better be comfortable.” Seongje waved his hand.

“You, go ahead, and pick any of them.” Juntae pointed at the energy bars before leaving the boy alone in the living room.

“These are all we know, for now.” Juntae was standing in front of the white board, with both of his hands on his waist.

The board was slowly filled with Seongje and Juntae’s handwritings. Surprisingly, Seongje’s handwriting was unlike what Juntae imagined before. He expected a chicken scratch not this neat, readable, and swirly font, a stark contrast to Juntae’s cute, blocky, evenly spaced like a computer font.

(Author’s note: the notes below were written by Seongje and Juntae; Seongje – bold italic; Juntae – bold regular font)

1^st WHAT? 1^st HAPPENING? Idk…

“You know what since we don’t know what to call this thing, let’s call the first, the second, and so on.” Juntae suggested.

Seongje only nodded, “Fine by me.”

“So, can you share that hypothetical theory that think of which you mentioned earlier?” Juntae asked. Previously, after confirming the cold temperature at Baekjin’s funeral room, Seongje told him that he probably had some ideas in mind that could explain about this phenomenon.

“But, first, what did you get from the vending machine?” Seongje asked, he was flicking the board marker in his hands.

Juntae racked his brain for an answer, “A strawberry soda,” a pause, he then volleyed back the same question back to Seongje, “What about you?”

“I didn’t drink any.” Seongje replied. Then, he started to scrawl on the board.

• Juntae – strawberry soda from the vending machine
• Seongje (X)

“After that, what did you do?” Seongje turned his head to Juntae.

“I go home, go to sleep, go to school. After school, the news of Baekjin’s death arrived. We ran all the way to the mourning hall.” Juntae answered without so much thought.

Seongje turned his head and questioned, “You ran all the way to the mourning hall?” His eyebrow twitched as Juntae nodded to confirm that he heard it right.

“Okay, then, anything worth to be put down in here?” Seongje tapped the tip of the marker on the board repeatedly.

Juntae tried to relief his memory, “I… uh, I’m not sure but the first time I was in Baekjin’s mourning room, I felt unwell. I can’t breathe, my heart hurt a lot – like I can actually feel the pain, like I’m dying…”

Seongje tilted his head, skeptically asked, “Didn’t you get that because you ran too much?”

Juntae shook his head, “No, it’s not continuous. One second I feel it, then the next it’s gone – I was fine after that.”

“Not a heart attack?”

Juntae gasped, “Knock on the wood and spit three times. Are you cursing me?”

Seongje rolled his eyes but still obliged Juntae’s wish to avoid jinx. He knocked on the table three times and also spitted three times over his left shoulder. Then he still commented, “No, I mean, it’s plausible.”

Juntae whined, “Please.”

This time it’s Seongje’s turn.

“Now, you, what about you – what did you do?” Juntae asked.

“Let’s see.” Seongje drummed his fingers on the table. “I was playing game on my phone on the bus, got off the bus, went to pick up a parcel from a store nearby, went home, played LoL all night, slept for like an hour, went to school, won a fight, called by my informant – Baekjin is dead, he said. Went to the mourning hall…” he paused and smirked, “…by taxi. Busy glaring at everyone that came, cursing the dead man. Went home, chain-smoked, blacked out, probably because I was tired.”

His answer baffled Juntae, “That’s it?”

“Yeah.” Seongje replied without missing a beat. “Next, the second whatever it was.”

They were talking about the second phase, or whatever it was (like Seongje said.)

“Ah, for the second one. I have one thing that I could share and worth to be written down.” Unlike when he was talking about the first happening, Seongje seemed to be excited to share about the second. He jotted down a note on the board.

2^nd BUS RIDE

Seongje asked, “You, again, same question, tell me what did you buy from the vending machine?”

“A green tea.” Juntae face showed the question marks that popped in his mind.

“I bought a can of coffee from that machine.” He mentioned eagerly, snapping his fingers.

• JT – green tea
• SJ – coffee

“I tried to contact Baekjin that night. All my calls went straight to voice mail and my messages were unable to send. I drank that coffee and didn’t sleep a wink. The next thing I knew, I can hear people’s thought.” Seongje clapped.

Juntae’s eyes went wide, they were almost rolled off its socket – he imagined the horror at the thought of having someone like Seongje reading his mind like an open book. He must’ve been insufferable that day.

Seongje continued his tale, “As usual, I had fights. Those were the easiest fights I had because I can read their unfiltered minds like I was doom scrolling an SNS timeline or maybe reading a thousand of private chats. I had a blast reading other’s mind, but the fights were MEH. They were too easy to reel; the fights ended fast because it’s too predictable. AND that’s how I knew you’re also experiencing the same thing as I do.” The boy motioned his hand to point at Juntae’s direction.

Juntae was genuinely mortified, he didn’t know to process this information. He suddenly slapped the table, reminded of the time when Seongje asked if Juntae’s cursing him during the third bus ride. He’s so dead.

“Hold on. Can you read my mind during the third bus ride?” Juntae asked.

“Why? Did you think of something… ah,” Seongje pointed at Juntae, “I was right that time, wasn’t I? You definitely cursed at me.”

“No.” Juntae lied through his teeth once again.

Seongje eyed Juntae carefully, he squinted his eyes, “Then? Did you think of something inappropriate?”

Juntae hissed, “NO. I just thought of something, an info that you don’t need to know, but it was someone else’s secret. I just feel bad if I let others know about it.”

After hearing that, Seongje let Juntae off the hook, “The power disappears by the time we wake up on the bus.”

Juntae let out a relieved sigh.

“If I can read your mind, why do I bother playing 20 questions with you...” Seongje grumbled. Before he steered their convo back to the previous topic, “Back to that second time I saw you at Baekjin’s mourning room, I discovered that you dreamed how Baekjin got himself killed. I’m well acquainted with those silhouettes that appeared in your nightmare. I don’t even need faces to put names on those people.”

“How did you conclude that it was a nightmare of mine? Not something that I saw?” Juntae asked curiously.

Seongje blinked, he was quiet for a few second, before answered, “Because your mind at that time was filled with confusion and question marks at every corner. You’re not sure about what you saw either.”

“But,” Juntae lifted his right hand up, “What if I saw them, and then drugged, so my brain was confused…”

“Did you?” Seongje started to second guess his earlier conclusion.

Juntae shrugged and shook his head, “I was just asking.”

Seongje rolled his eyes, he scoffed.

Juntae summed it up, “So, you suspect those drinks from that vending machine give us some power?”

Seongje hummed as he erased the board and rewrote the infos in a neater way by putting it in a table, “That’s why I bought two cans of the same flavour of Milkis and give one of them to you. I wanted to test if my theory is correct.”

Vending Machine

1. Juntae – strawberry soda (how Baekjin felt when he died…?)

Seongje – (X)

2. Juntae – green tea (dream, how Baekjin got killed)

Seongje – coffee (read minds)

3. Seongje & Juntae – strawberry milkis (cold temp. at Baekjin’s mourning room)

“I’ll take the choco nuts granola bar.” Juntae grabbed the closest energy bar in front of him and teared the wrapper open.

“I’ve been thinking,” Seongje turned his head at Juntae, their eyes met, Juntae’s eyed him back with a questioning look while he took a bite of the energy bar. The taller boy continued, “What if we eat more than one thing this time? Will we get more than one power?”

Juntae chewed slowly and nodded. “We can do that and see what happened.”

“Why do you think this happened to us?” Juntae wondered as he was munching through his bar.

Seongje stopped his chewing, and replied, “I don’t know either. But the fact that I am in this together with you… I am glad, glad that it’s you instead of someone like Baku, Gotak, or Sieun.”

Juntae said, “Probably, you guys will be fighting all the time instead of discussing about it.”

Seongje snorted, “Right. Especially Gotak. We’ll be having a series of never-ending fight for sure.”

A frown appeared on Juntae’s face, “Gotak? Not Baku?”

Seongje hummed a yes.

“Why?” Juntae asked.

Seongje scrunched his nose and put his tongue in his cheek, “Let’s say both of us have an agree to disagree agreement with each other. Both of us hate each other to the bone.”

“Why all of them taste like peanut butter?” Seongje chewed his energy bar furiously, drunk some water, then took another bite. His hands were busy flipping each one of the wrappers to check its content – peanut butter protein bar; dark chocolate, almond & oat; berry, honey, oat bar; mintchoco cereal bar; white choco strawberry granola bar. “What the hell?!”

Juntae stopped mid chew in a daze. He also had been through two (and some bites from Seongje’s) energy bars himself; and each one of them tasted like choco nuts granola bar – the first energy bar that he ate. He concluded, “Maybe we can only have one power each time... one pick, that’s all.”

“Then, why bother putting in so many flavours?” Seongje irritatedly squeezed the empty wrappers in his hand, and threw the balled wrappers into the trash bin near his foot.

Chapter Text

05 – The Art of Wreaking Havoc

Juntae woke up alone in his living room. He scratched his head and a big yawn escaped his mouth. His blurry eyes darted around to look for his companion, but the boy was nowhere in sight - no silhouette nor sound that indicated Seongje was in the apartment.

His hand hovered over the table, located his eyeglasses that he put on it the night before. He grabbed it and wore them.

The next thing Juntae did was checking the clock on the wall, it's 06:45. He stood up and drag himself to the bathroom and did his usual morning routine - brushes his teeth, showers, answers the call of nature. By 06:02, Juntae already moved to the kitchen. He successfully scavenged some leftover meals from the fridge and reheated them - that's his breakfast.

Juntae decided to check his phone. A message popped on his screen. It's from Seongje.

[Geum Seongje]
I'm going home. Later, I'll ask around about Na Baekjin. You should go to school like usual. I'll update you if I get some info.

Juntae replied the message immediately.

[Seo Juntae]
Let me know immediately if you find anything. I'll do the same.

Juntae's mind went back to their conversation last night about Na Baekjin and his death.

"I should've known this would happen. Those people above weren't exactly excited to hear the news that Baekjin lost." Seongje told him. His eyes stared blankly at the wall. "Do you mind if I smoke?"

Juntae opened the one of the living room windows, slid them to the side. He motioned for him at the balcony, "You may do it at the balcony."

Seongje nodded. He stood from the sofa, went to the balcony, and lit his cigarette.

"Are you scared?" Juntae asked.

"Scared?" Seongje took a drag of his cigarette, "Never," he puffed the smoke out, "It's just... I need Baekjin alive. With him gone, everything will be much more complicated than it used to. More like having two functional kidneys is so much better than only left with one."

"Aren't you and Baekjin friends?" Juntae stared at the taller boy. He was quite curious about the relationship between Baekjin and Seongje.

"Friends? I don't think we are. We never were. Let's just say we're two people with interconnected goals." Seongje replied, there's a hint of bittersweetness in his tone.

Frankly speaking, at one point, Seongje almost considered Baekjin as his friend. Almost. However, the nature of their relation made it a bit hard for them to really get closer and warmed up to each other. There'll always be this line that they won't... can't... unwilling to cross, either it's Seongje or Baekjin himself.

In their world, being detached from each other was so much better, a safer option - less sappy, gets any works done, no complication if something goes sideways, less risky. Being vulnerable and having another person holding out your cards are dangerous. No one knows when and who will eventually backstab and betray you.

So, no, they weren't friends, they'll never will be one.

"JJUN!"

"Oh, Tak-ah!" The smile on his lips bloomed as soon as he spotted Gotak at the staircase.

The two walked up the stairs to their class. Gotak slung his arm around Juntae’s neck. The staircase and hallway were crowded with students that morning. Two students were running in a hurry, accidentally tumbled and hit Gotak’s leg – the same leg that got its knee shattered before – hard.

“Go Hyuntak, I am sorry.” The student apologized.

Gotak frowned, he didn’t immediately answer. He stared at the boy first, before finally answered with, “It’s okay. Are you okay?”

In Juntae’s ears, a small voice whispered, “Lie.” A voice that he recognized as his own. He turned his head to Gotak who was still busy stared at the boy that hit his leg blankly.

“Tak-ah, it’s hurt, isn’t it?” Juntae asked worriedly.

“Nope,” Gotak gave him a small smile.

“Lie,” that voice appeared again. Juntae realized that this time the energy bar from the vending machine gave him the ability to discern lies.

One of the kids from neighbouring class said, “I got some allowances from my parents, who wants some food? My treat.” A lie.

Then another student with a sleazy look, “Ya, that girl from Buil, the one I told you about last week, gave me her phone number. He said I’m handsome.” Lies.

“Aren’t we friends?”–Lie– “Why don’t you tell me about it?”

“Have you done your homework?” – “No. I haven’t.” Lie.

As expected, this society was built with people’s bullshits.

Juntae threw his bag on his desk and fished his phone out. He typed a message to Seongje.

[Seo Juntae ]

Apparently, I am a walking lie detector. What about you?

Seongje’s replied immediately.

[Geum Seongje]

Haven’t find out yet.

Juntae was on his third period, still taking notes diligently even though he had heard about this particular subject twice before. Clunk! His pen rolled down from his pencil case. He bended down to pick up his pen and then back straightened up.

He was about to take more notes when he heard a whisper of a familiar voice, “Ya, Eunjang.” There’s only one person who called him like that: Geum Seongje. Is he having an auditory hallucination right now or is he having another power that he’s unaware of?

Juntae frowned and looked around in confusion. The other kids were busy doing their things even when they weren’t listening to the teacher. Definitely that boy wasn’t in his class right now. So, Juntae continued to take some notes.

A kid that sat near the back door of the class was sleeping peacefully, before a loud clack sound could be heard and the kid shot up from his seat and started clapping, shocked and confused the whole class. Their teacher scolded that student, “Sit down! What are you clapping for?”

Suddenly, Juntae heard that voice again, louder, right beside his ears, “YA! SEO! JUN! TAE!” He felt goosebumps spread at his nape.

Juntae turned his head to the right – the direction where the voice he heard came from. His sense told him there was something there. But nothing, nothing was there, nothing seemed amiss. His eyes lingered for a few second, he tilted his head, before he continued to write his note.

The next thing he knew, with his own eyes, Juntae saw his eraser flew to Sieun’s direction. He blinked. His friend was busy taking notes himself when he got hit on the back of his head with the eraser. The disturbance made Sieun turned around and glared to the people behind him. The student behind Sieun, who looked scared, put two hands in front of himself defensively, trembling as he said, “It’s not me, I swear.”

Juntae turned again to his right side. He vaguely felt like someone was standing close to him, hovering on his back, and breathing too close to his face. Sniff, he smelled the cigarette that Seongje smoked at his balcony… “Seongje?” Juntae mouthed.

During the lunch break, Baku and Gotak bursted into the class. They were running briskly. At one point, when the two was about to reach Juntae, who was still putting his things into his desk drawer, Baku tripped and fall with a loud thud that sounded like an explosion. He crashed into some of the poor desks and chairs.

“Ouuughhh, I am okay, okay... aaw,” Baku held his hand up, and Gotak–who thankfully managed to stop himself from toppling over Baku–helped the boy to get up. Then he continued, “I swear a potterist is trying to murder me.”

“A potterist?” Gotak arched his eyebrow.

“A ghost.” Baku said as he cracked his neck, “I swear… a vengeful ghost tripped my foot and pushed me down just now.”

Sieun scoffed and corrected him, “A poltergeist you mean.”

At the cafeteria, another uncanny chaos happened. It was too suspicious to be called an accident. Gotak’s plate almost hit Baku on the head when he was trying to put it down, then it slid so far from its position after being put down. That metal plate, in any normal condition, couldn’t slide that far. Gotak, who at first wanted to sit beside Juntae, changed his position to sit beside Baku (who sat right across Juntae) since his plate slid that way. So, that left Sieun with the seat beside Juntae.

“Is this school haunted?” Baku asked mid chew, his head tilted to the side.

Gotak sighed. He jabbed a sausage with his chopstick and tried to put it into his mouth, only for the sausage to fall back onto his plate, “Aish shit, who knows?”

Sieun was only staring at the two jocks with a deadpanned expression, chewing his food, but said nothing.

Juntae had a bad feeling about this. He fished his phone and texted Seongje discreetly.

[Seo Juntae]

Perhaps, are you invisible right now? Or can you… move something without touching them from afar…?

Juntae chewed his lower lips. After putting his phone back to his pocket, he started eating. Bang! Juntae jolted in shock. He blinked and eyed the source of commotion. It was Gotak, who was losing his patience, slammed his chopstick and spoon to the table.

Gotak whined in frustration, “Ah, I’m not going to eat. I’m so irritated right now. What did I do wrong, did I ever piss the ghost in this place or what?! Why, every time I tried to eat my food, it always falls off? What I have done to deserve this?!”

“Aw, Gogo, here, aaaah, open your mouth, let me feed you.” Baku slapped his friend’s back and held a sausage in front of Gotak’s mouth.

After they finished eating, Juntae excused himself to the toilet.

He went inside the toilet cubicle, locked the door, and relieved himself. While he was doing his business, the boy heard a whistling tune outside the cubicle and the sound of a water faucet being turned on. Yet after he was finished and flushed his toilet, those background sounds disappeared. However, he didn’t hear anyone opened the door, which only meant one thing: that person who’s in the toilet with him hasn’t gone out yet. From his experience, this kind of situation is never a good thing. He had his share of being bullied before, this reminded him of those dark times – someone’s waiting to jump on him.

Juntae quietly and slowly opened the cubicle door. He took a peek first at the situation outside. No one. The boy then squatted and took a peek from the space under the partitions. Again, no one was there.

Is this school really haunted? He had never experienced something like this before, nor there’s an urban legend about their school being spooky. The spookiest things that can happened to the students in this very school are probably fighting and bullying, not ghost disturbances.

He finally let himself to bravely swung open his cubicle door. His eyes met someone else’s on the mirror reflection. It almost made Juntae screamed soprano. Thankfully, instead of that, a squeak came of his mouth, as he managed to held himself. His body jolted, hands flew to keep his mouth shut, and clutched his chest. His eyes went wide with shock, ping ponged from the mirror to the space where the figure should be standing. The figure reflected at the mirror grinned and then let out a mirthful laughter.

“Oh, Geum Seongje, you should be, oh, darn it.” Juntae muttered unhappily. His breathing was choppy, caused by the shock.

Still half laughing, Seongje’s reflection in the mirror replied, “Ya, we need to go somewhere, you have to skip your classes after this. Let’s smuggle you out before the lunch break is over. It’ll be more challenging to get out later.”

“Where…” Juntae’s question died when the door that connected the restroom to the corridor opened by Choi Hyoman.

Sleazily, Hyoman cooed, “Oooo, look who we have here. Isn’t it Seo Juntae…,” just as Juntae’s name left the bully’s mouth and Hyoman’s arm was close enough to reach Juntae; he suddenly got slammed by an invisible force. It was Seongje, of course, but Hyoman didn’t know that.

“SHIT! Son of a bitch! You can throw a punch now, huh?” Hyoman, who just spat out blood from his mouth, wiped his mouth using the back of his hand.

The bully was about to retaliate back by sending a punch to Juntae’s direction when his own jaw collided with (invisible) Seongje’s knee, his hair got grabbed to the back right after. He wasn’t granted any second of breather before his head got bashed to the nearest concrete wall. Juntae winced, he empathized with the pain Hyoman’s having. How Hyoman’s nose was definitely broken…

Juntae was standing still, sticking himself to the cubicle partition behind him like a gecko. He wasn’t suicidal enough to stand in the middle of a brawl zone, interfering an on-going fight. Especially with one wild Seongje in it, beating his opponent like a mere sandbag. Even when he was invisible…

Hyoman was slowly losing his consciousness, his body slid down to the floor, no longer responsive. Juntae, who realized this, called Seongje to stop him before it’s too late, “Stop. He’ll die at this rate.”

No response from Seongje.

“SEONGJE!” Juntae called the boy’s name. He had his eyes on Seongje’s reflection at the mirror.

Seongje finally stopped to react, “Huh?”

Their eyes met in the mirror. Juntae gulped and softly mentioned, “Stop. Don’t you say we need to go somewhere?”

“Right, we need to go. Let’s go.” Seongje let his hold on Hyoman’s loosened.

Juntae opened the door to the corridor and instinctively stepped back and dodged when a shoe fly at his direction. With the kind of rotten luck he was having, Juntae wondered if lady luck was that extremely busy? She didn’t even have the time to spare a glance at his direction. After one inside the toilet, he was greeted with another brawl zone outside. Great!

This time, it was between Gotak and Hyoman’s lackey plus some of the other bullies from the other class. Damn, where’s Baku? Usually with Baku (and these days, Sieun, too) around these kids don’t dare to mess with them. What’s in the water, no, lunch today that make everyone goes feral?

Seongje welcomed the situation with so much enthusiasm, he was in his element. After all, he’s the blood thirsty wolf who loves to fight. Instantly, he rammed his fist and elbows to the bullies who stood the closest from their position at the door. The clueless two bullies, like Hyoman, also didn’t get the chance to leisurely processed what was happening to themselves. A step on each of their foot, followed by a kick on the shin, a blow on the back of their knee, a punch to their gut, kneed on the groin. The last move of Seongje’s was bashing their skull together like a pair of cymbals. Pained groans and cries echoed on the hallway.

Baku and Sieun just ran from the other side, as he heard about the commotion. Just the time to see the two (that being squashed by Seongje’s invisible fists) down. They stopped and eyed each other. Baku even went as far as rubbing his eyes. Did we see it correctly? Did Gotak’s training on Juntae finally paid off?

The brawl resulted in all of them being called by the teacher. Juntae, whose position, was the furtest from their teacher who caught them brawling, managed to slip away. That’s because Seongje whispered to his ear, “Let’s go and not get caught,” and pulled Juntae to run away with him.

They escaped via the shortest fence, hidden behind the cafeteria building. Even with the short fence, Juntae still needed help to climb over. They found an abandoned desk nearby which probably frequently used by the other students to climb over in and out the school.

“How was it?” Juntae could hear Seongje’s teasing voice by his side.

A choppy breath, “How was what?” Juntae asked back, a smile threatened to spill from his lips. His cheeks were red from all the running and adrenaline.

“Won a fight, escaped from the teacher’s wrath, and climb over the wall to skip classes. Aren’t they new experiences for you?” Seongje said.

“It wasn’t even my fight from the beginning. I simply stood on the side and do nothing.” Juntae replied, chuckling.

“Maybe not the fight. But the rest of it… do you find it fun?” Juntae could imagine Seongje’s smirk as he asked this light hearted question.

“Not sure,” Juntae scrunched his nose, “but at least now I have something to tell my grandkids, about this little misadventure. How your grandfather skipped classes for the first time in high school.”

Chapter Text

06 – Decks of Cards

“Are you sure we are in the correct place?” Juntae squinted his eyes.

The mismatched duo was standing in front of an ancient looking public bath house. Let’s talk about something bizarre – if people were imagining Na Baekjin’s secret hide out, they certainly wouldn’t think of a fucking run-down public bath house. Something like the bowling alley or Daesung Motorcycles? Sure, that’s more his style. But absolutely not this kind of establishment that was regularly visited by the elderlies in the area.

“I found that picture and message inside a cigarette box in my locker. I know for sure it was Baekjin’s handwriting. And no one dared to open my locker at school unless they had a death wish; so, I am pretty damn sure that it was Baekjin who put that inside himself.” Seongje supplied.

Earlier that morning, Seongje went to school and find a new pack of cigarettes inside his locker. It wasn’t there the previous day, nor he’s the type to put his cigarette lying around in his school’s locker. It was brand new; the seal was unbroken and full of cigarette sticks. At first glance, no one could tell anything different. However, Seongje was a heavy smoker. He has gone through a lot of cigarettes before. Plus, he was quite perceptive and observant. He’s good at playing ‘Where’s Wally?’ you know… Thus, he pulled one stick that stuck out like a sore thumb in his eyes. Definitely not a cigarette; instead, it was a rolled pic that was cut from a leaflet in disguise. Behind it, there was Baekjin’s handwriting, his last order for Seongje.

Come to this place on Wednesday, around 1-2 PM afternoon.

Give the ahjumma on the front desk a box of fried chicken from a fried chicken store near that place – she likes it half-half. (t/n: half yangyeom – half original or soy garlic sauce chicken).

If it rains, tell her: the weather is perfect for napping, isn’t it? If not, tell her: I want one tray of eggs and one bottle of sikhye with the red bottle.

Seongje snorted, “A whole tray of eggs? What kind of passcode is this, can’t he make a better one…”

Juntae nodded absently, commented, “I don’t know if this ahjumma is really an ahjumma or just a person in ahjumma disguise. I didn’t take Na Baekjin as someone who spends his time socializing with some random ahjumma.”

“Let’s buy the chicken first.” Seongje told him.

They arrived at a fried chicken store with no name. It was basically only written FRIED CHICKEN STORE on the sign outside. What an oddly sus shop…

It didn’t take them long enough to understand the reason Na Baekjin chose this particular shop because as soon as they entered the shop, Juntae and (invisible) Seongje were greeted by two scary big burly men. Juntae wanted to just turn around and ran away. Because what the heck?

“Welcome, little student. What do you want to order?” The smaller in size but obviously older guy asked, he was the one who’s taking the customer’s orders.

“Uh, sorry, can we, I mean, can I have a half-half fried chicken for take-out, please?” Juntae stuttered.

“Okay, do you want to pay using cash or card?” The cashier asked.

“I’ll pay in cash. Thank you.” Juntae handed the money, trying not to tremble.

“Alright, please wait for a moment, your chicken will be finished shortly. You may sit over there.” The man gave him an honest to God intimidating smile.

“I think… this place is a money laundering shop.” Juntae whispered. He took a peek at the two men that manned the station – they looked like thugs alright. From their build to their intimidating presence to their mannerism. They scare everyone.

Thankfully, their service was quite fast. Not long after, their chicken was done. Juntae quickly jumped to his feet and thanked the men politely. He was eager to make his escape from the place.

At the same time, a nice-looking girl with a cap and university varsity jacket entered the shop. She was around Juntae’s height, maybe a few centimetres shorter, but with a stronger aura.

She greeted them cheerfully, “Dad, I’m home. Oh, uncle, you’re here too. I thought today is your day off? Didn’t you say you want to go to feed the stray animals around the neighbourhood?”

Juntae didn’t hear his little voice saying that it’s a lie. Then it must be true that this girl is that man’s daughter. He heard the men laughing (albeit still sounded scary), he could hear them talking fondly to the girl.

He guessed don’t judge the book by its cover was applicable in this case.

Juntae stood in front of the reception desk. An ahjumma (she’s really your regular neighbourhood ahjumma) was sitting behind it.

“For one person.” Juntae said timidly and paid the entrance fee to the bath house. “Ah, ahjumma, this is for you.” It’s not raining outside, so… “And I want one tray of eggs and one bottle of sikhye with the red bottle.”

The ahjumma took a once over look at his direction. “Thank you. But, you… look different. I thought you’ll be taller and your hair was different. You’re pretty cute, kid.”

“Eh?” Juntae’s eyes shifted, “Uh, I am here in behalf of my friend. He’s a tall boy, quite handsome, wearing glasses, his hair parts in the middle, a bit curly. He uses bright orange windbreaker a lot or red school uniform.”

The ahjumma stopped, and asked, “Do you have his photo?”

“Photo, uh, I don’t have one, but I can draw him for you.” Juntae replied with an innocent smile. A few minutes later, the boy handed the ahjumma a chibi drawing of Seongje. It was, maybe, a cuter version of the wolf, but anyone who saw him before could decipher that it was Seongje. Juntae nailed in drawing the taller boy’s appearances and characteristics.

The ahjumma arched her eyebrow and nodded. Without additional questions, she handed Juntae everything he asked for earlier, changing clothes, and a locker key.

“The locker is at the back corner. Go in, turn right, then when you reach the corner turn left. Number 79.” The ahjumma instructed.

Juntae thanked the ahjumma and entered the male locker room.

Inside, he found the said locker easily, thanks to the number and clear instruction. But the position of that locker was too suspicious. The locker was positioned at a cramped corner, obstructed by the other lockers. The space around it was limited, unlike the rest of the lined lockers. If someone wants to open them, it only fits one adult standing at the front. The opened locker door also effectively hiding the person and the contents of the locker from other’s prying eyes.

Seongje opened the door himself, while Juntae waited on the other side of the opened door to watch out their surroundings.

The tall boy was baffled. It was an empty locker. Either the contents had been removed or it’s originally like this. He was about to close the door when he noticed the shape of the inside keyhole for the metal door – this door meant to be opened from both sides with the key.

“…Juntae, come here.” Seongje closed the door.

From Juntae and other people’s perspective, the door seemed to close itself.

“Where are you, by the way?” Juntae asked. If he can’t locate Seongje, they’ll be bumping into each other in that cramped space.

“I’m in front of locker 80. You get in.” Seongje instructed.

“Get in…,” Juntae replied in confusion, “…the locker?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re not going to lock me inside the locker, are you?” The small boy asked anxiously.

Seongje clicked his tongue, “Hurry up, before people see you.”

Juntae reluctantly obliged. To be honest, he hated to get in there, because it reminded him about those times when he was often being shoved and locked inside the lockers by his bullies. One time, he didn’t even get to go home over a weekend. All because no one realized that he was being locked away inside his locker. Until a security guard finally heard his cries for help on the Monday morning, and then managed to open the door.

After Juntae got inside, the metal door slammed close. That triggered his panic. “No, no, no, don’t do this, don’t do it,” Juntae trembled, his breathing got choppy, his chest started to hurt, his eyes watered, at one point he choked on his own.  

Seongje didn’t know Juntae’s story. He was shocked to find the small boy having a panic attack. He held Juntae’s cheeks and was about to instruct the boy to look at him, but a realization hit him – He’s invisible right now. This won’t do.

He took a deep breath and said in the most patient tone he could muster, “Ya, Juntae, Seo Juntae, you are not alone in here. Breathe in, breathe out. Good, do that again.”

Juntae in the midst of panic, felt warm touches on his cheeks. At first it was an unregistered fleeting touch, but when it turned to rubs, he felt them. Then, he heard Seongje’s voice calling his name and instructed him to regulate his breath. He asked him to keep on doing that and counted to ten on his own. Seongje’s hands were moving to his shoulders, then the weight of his touch shifted to Juntae’s back.

A whisper on his left ear, “You are okay, Seo Juntae. I’m not locking you inside this locker alone. Look behind you, there’s a sliver of light, right?”

It made Juntae turned his head slightly to the left side.

Seongje’s continued to whisper on his left ear, “See?”

Juntae’s eyes caught the thin line of light his companion mentioned, he nodded.

“Okay, now, get your phone, turn on the flash light.”

Juntae followed Seongje’s instruction. A sudden flash of light from his phone caused a second blindness.

“Oh, found it.” Juntae heard him muttered.

A click sound came from behind his back. It seemed that Seongje found a lever. Slide. A wind breeze came from his behind, Juntae felt that his body was being maneuvered to turn around. Oh? There’s a secret passage?

The passage was a dimmed hallway. There wasn’t any light from above, but the light that shone through the lined glass vent blocks on the top sides along wall supplied enough light for the place, bright enough for them to see their surroundings.

“Go, I’ll be right behind you.” Seongje’s hands were on his shoulders, he pushed Juntae gently to go forward and follow the path. Juntae felt him hovered on his back.

They found a room.

A room with only a black small carry-on suitcase and a box of single use latex gloves on the top of it.

“Should we check the suitcase here? Or should we bring this home?” Juntae asked.

“Let’s check it here first.” Seongje handed Juntae a pair of latex gloves. Since the box was positioned at the top of the suitcase, obviously, they were meant to be used.

When Seongje used the latex gloves, those things also disappeared into thin air – for the viewers, it could be either fascinating or terrifying.

The suitcase was having a passcode lock, three numbers combination. What could it be?

Seongje racked his brain and tried number 889 – since the bath house address number was 8-89. Nope, wrong one.

Juntae then tried 079 – for locker number 79. Click! The zipper heads got unattached from the lock in their second try.

“That’s very un-Baekjin of him.” Seongje commented. “Either he’s slowly losing his touch, or he’s in a hurry. Isn’t this password too easy?”

“But you still got it wrong earlier.” Juntae commented.

Seongje scoffed but said nothing more.

The suitcase was filled with boxes of playing cards? What the hell, Na Baekjin? Their hands started to get busy. They opened the boxes of playing cards one by one and let the cards slid out to their hands. The first dozen? All of them were regular playing cards, there were nothing different with them.

Seongje sighed, “Is he toying me or what?”

“I don’t think he’s the type to spend his time on doing something useless.” Juntae commented.

A scoff came from Seongje, “Really? Then what do we call it when he spent his time playing tic-tac-toe with Baku?”

“Everyone plays tic-tac-toe at least once in their life, Seongje. They were kids back then.” Juntae retorted.

“I’m not talking when they were younger… I mean during senior high school.”

“Baekjin and Baku played tic-tac-toe together in recent years?” Juntae was confused. Since when the two were chill enough to play a silly tic-tac-toe together during senior high school.

“I mean all those back-and-forth aggressions. Let me tell you about that freak. He really spent his time calculate everything, all to piss off Baku and made sure Baku wants to retaliate back. All because he wanted to meet Baku face to face openly once in a while. Isn’t that a bit too intense and time consuming? Baku is an idiot anyway, why did he need that much planning?”

“That’s…” Juntae held his hand up. Calling Baku an idiot on broad daylight was too harsh. Sure, Baku’s a bit slow on the head, but at least he’s also talented in some other fields and has a good head on his shoulder when he needs to be.

But Juntae’s words were stopped by a stack of playing card sized photos that spilled out on his hands. A pair of middle-aged man and woman, from the pictures it could be assumed that they’re lovers. The two were seen kissing, holding hands, and being cozy in each candid snapshot.

“Gotak?” Juntae clutched a particular picture of the pair with a boy that seems to be the younger version of Go Hyuntak in his taekwondo outfit, wearing a red belt. As far as he knew, Gotak is an only son. Juntae knows Gotak’s dad, he saw his picture before, this middle-aged ahjusshi wasn’t him.

On his side, Juntae heard the sound of heavy sigh from Seongje followed by a string of profanities, but the most interesting one was Oscar-worthy-fake-ass-motherfuckers.

Chapter Text

07 – Alice in Wonderlust

[Seo Juntae]

It’s me – Seo Juntae.

I managed to memorize your number.

Where are you? You’re not in the bus.

Why didn’t you answer my call?

Juntae was having a severe headache. His partner in this whole time-travelling wonderloop jouney was gone. Seongje wasn’t even in the bus when he woke up. Where is he?

Back at the bath house, the taller boy spitted out some profanities angrily, dug more packs of cards and slid out the contents – more pictures of people Juntae didn’t recognize. After going through four packs of cards, Seongje barked an order to Juntae to bring the luggage home while he himself went on his own, doing his thing – Juntae didn’t know, Seongje didn’t tell. Juntae did as he was told. He was waiting for him at his apartment. But Seongje never came back.

Juntae simply fell asleep, crouching, waiting for Seongje in front of his doorstep. Now, even after waking up in the bus, he felt the cramps in his legs.

He thanked the bus driver and got off at his stop. Staring at the empty bus stop, Juntae pouted unhappily. Seongje wasn’t even at the bus stop waiting for him. He felt a pang of disappointment – why am I being dependent on him? Tsk.

No Seongje, no problem. He’ll have to figure this out alone. But a seconds later he was having a crisis in confidence. How can I do this?! The one that closely related to Na Baekjin is Seongje though.

While passing the vending machine, he noted that this time it’s filled with chocolate bars. He bought himself a plain milk chocolate bar at first. He sighed grumpily and his eyed lingered on a chocolate bar with bright orange wrapping behind the glass. Juntae groaned and fed the machine more bills to buy that particular sea salt caramel dark chocolate bar with bright neon orange wrapping.

The boy tore the orange wrapper annoyedly and took a big angry bite at the chocolate bar. To make him felt better, Juntae also cursing Seongje all the way home just because he can – using the polite and censored version, of course.

When Juntae was waiting for the lift, he was half hoping that Seongje was inside as the lift door opened. But alas, it was just a wistful thinking, he wasn’t there. Juntae stomped all the way to enter the lift.

The lift door was about to close when a woman asked, “wait, may I join?” She was still walking hurriedly to the direction of the lift. Her hands were holding a big box.

“Sure, Ma’am.” Juntae held the door open for her and waited.

“Thank you.” The woman said as she joined him inside the lift.

Juntae pressed the number of his own floor.

“Oh, you live at the 8^th floor too?” The woman asked him.

“Yes,” Juntae nodded.

The woman gave him a small smile.

The two arrived at the 8^th floor. Juntae stopped in front of his apartment unit and the woman stopped at the door of his new neighbour. Is this woman his new neighbour? She seems nice. But, instead of putting in the passcode, the woman rang his neighbour’s door bell. So, she’s not the neighbour.

Juntae punched in his own passcode and told the woman that he’ll be going in first. Like any other days, the boy toed off his shoes and changed to his house slippers. He was about to head to the kitchen when he heard his own doorbell rang. He looked through the monitor that connected to his door ringer and saw the woman from earlier stood in front of his unit.

“Do you need something, Ma’am?” He asked through the monitor.

“Uh, here’s the thing, this parcel is from Mrs. Choo, you know her, right? She’s your neighbour before.” The woman replied carefully.

Juntae opened the door for the woman, “It’s from Mrs. Choo?”

The woman looked at Juntae apologetically, “Yes. Sorry, but if you don’t mind, can you keep this parcel for a bit? The recipient of this parcel is your new neighbour, the unit owner’s son. He’s not at home right now. But the thing is that, this parcel is too valuable to be left outside.”

A voice came from the woman’s phone speaker, it was Mrs. Choo’s voice that he recognized, “Juntae-ya, I am really sorry to trouble you, but can you do me a favor? I’ll personally informs him to pick it up at your house.” Apparenly, the woman was on call with his previous neighbour.

The Choo family was nice to him. Often times before, they used to check on him time to time and even gave him some homemade foods. Thus, Juntae decided to help Mrs. Choo, he asked, “What is his name?”

“Oh, it’s Geum Seongje.” Mrs. Choo replied.

“Geum Seongje?” Juntae can’t even believe his own ears.

“Yes, do you know him?” Mrs. Choo asked.

“Do I know him?” Juntae held his snort, “I’m not sure.”

He mentally scoffed; Geum Seongje, Geum Seongje, even when he’s not around he’s still troubling me.

Later, Juntae was just finished showering when his doorbell rang for the second time that night. Ding dong!

“Who is it?” The camera in front of his door was blocked with a mop of hair.

The reply came in a sing-song tone, “Hello, it’s me.” Aha! That familiar voice that he hasn’t heard since he left the bath house.

“Sir, I think you’re at the wrong door.” Juntae replied in a light tone.

“Ya, it’s me.”

Juntae almost snarled in annoyance. Since Seongje can’t see him anyway – the boy rolled his eyes, gritted his teeth, curled up his palm and threw a fist at the direction of the door. But he still questioned him in (faux) gentle tone, “Who?”

Seongje replied, “Who else?”

Juntae firmly replied back, in false cheery voice, “Sorry, but I don’t have an acquaintance with anyone named Me.”

A few seconds of silence before Seongje fired a question back, annoyed, “Are you in the mood of being sarcastic?”

There!

Juntae maintained his playful tone, but he made sure to annoy the shit out of Seongje, “Me? I don’t know, should I be? What are we, anyway? Partner? Teammate? You were the one who didn’t come back as promised. I was waiting for you for hours. I thought we agreed to come to Baekjin’s wake on the evening. You didn’t even wait for me on the bus. You left first.” He complained, but his light hearted tonal made it looked like he’s talking about something as mundane as the latest episode of Doraemon. “You have my number; why can’t you at least inform me? I am not a natural clairvoyant. I need to know what’s going on too. So, at least, I can plan on what I can do in order to make everything works in our favour.”

Because Juntae had learned his lesson if life. Previously, he got in trouble because he failed to properly communicate with people, saw people got hurt because they failed to communicate with each other clearly. Gatekeeping information from another person that you are supposed to work with rarely ended up with something fruitful – in his experience.

If they wanted to work together well, they needed to communicate with each other better. Juntae has had enough of being instructed and told to wait blindly. Seongje might knew what were those pictures earlier about, but Juntae didn’t; that won’t be solving their current problem, a situation they are currently in – answering what, why, how they’re in this together and its link with Baekjin’s death.

It made Juntae felt like a complete deadweight, a good for nothing freeloader. He can’t look for information, even when he had an advantageous power. Juntae thought he could extract some information at Na Baekjin’s mourning room since he was able to discern lies. However, since he was told to wait for Seongje, he didn’t go to the mourning hall. A complete waste of time and chance.

“I have some info. Can you open the door?” Seongje asked, his tone was being toned down, unlike his previous ones.

At least he sounded a tad bit apologetic. Truly, what an extremely ground-level-low bar you’ve set for him, Juntae-ya. The boy sighed, “How about if we talk about this tomorrow? I don’t think I can talk to you right now. My brain needs some rest. I’m tired, sure you are too.”

“Then, can you give me my parcel? …Please? I’ll take my parcel and go.” A plea from Seongje.

Is this parcel that important for him? Juntae noticed that during the previous cycles, Seongje never failed to always picking up this parcel on his own. Always.

“Then, take your parcel. Hold on.” Juntae opened the door and met with battered up Seongje. There were a few bruises and cuts on his face, both knuckles hidden inside his windbreaker. He stopped himself from asking ‘what happened to you?’ because that would let Seongje to explain and Juntae had to listen. He knew that he’ll hear his explanation eventually, but not tonight. Maybe tomorrow.

Juntae was about to hand Seongje his parcel when their eyes met. As if being sucked into a whirlpool, Juntae vision started to get foggy.

Blink. The fog slowly disappeared…

Pitch black dark. He was floating between consciousness and blacking out. Cold, he was feeling so cold, his whole body trembled. But then, something warm touched his lips. The phantom of another person’s breath ghosted over his face. Warm hands cupped his cheeks gently.

A grunt, followed by a heavy sigh.

“Juntae-ya, please, please.”

“Juntae-ya, open your eyes.”

“Don’t!”

“Seo Juntae! I said, keep your eyes open!”

“Please!”

The alternating sounds between sighs, strings of pleases, grunts, desperate pleas of him – Juntae recognized his voice – calling out Juntae’s name, chanted over and over like a prayer, and the clacking of their teeth.

Blur.

He was feeling him everywhere around his body – their body melded together; tangled arms and legs, over and under each other like twinning vines. Juntae felt his arm on his own back, pillowed his head, and the other arm slung over Juntae’s body with a palm behind his head. Juntae’s head was resting on his chest, the rhythm of his steady heartbeat on Juntae’s ear lulled him into sense of security, he buried his head further. A hum. His body was so warm – like having a heat generator, a pillow with a warmer that was sticking close to you. Juntae’s put own his arms around his waist, his own fingertips traced the line of his spine. Wait, Juntae’s brain sent a halting screech order. Is he sleeping shirtless? Who…

Blur.

His eyes were brimming with tears. This time, their surrounding wasn’t as dark as the previous two. His eyes caught few shards of dim light here and there at the background despite his blurry vision. Wet, watery, and salty. Juntae smelled the sea, as if he was transported to his grandparents’ home, Jeju Island. He could sense his own nervousness and desperation from his croaked voice.

“Please, I don’t think I can do this alone.”

He could hear himself huff coughed.

His blurry vision made out the outline of a person in front of his face. One of his palms on the other person’s chest and another one positioned right beside the other person’s head. The other person was lying down, he noted. He leaned his face forward, a sigh, closed his eyes, then initiated a kiss between them. Not a chaste one, but rather an open-mouthed kiss.

A tapping sound and he was back – Juntae was on his apartment unit’s entrance, one hand opened the door and another was about to hand over Seongje’s parcel. He blinked twice and as soon as his brain caught up, Juntae retracted the parcel from Seongje’s grasp and slammed the door close.

He turned, leaned his back on the door, and slumped to the floor; his knees gave out. He felt warm. One look at the full-body mirror across his shoe cabinet – his face and neck were flushed in crimson, like one ripe cherry tomato. He lightly tapped the back of his head to the door behind him and put his hands to cover his cheeks. What on earth was that?

Juntae tried to process his vision. It’s like watching a series of jumbled cuts and choppy scenes from a movie with him having both first and third person POV. Incomplete and randomly jumped from one another without any clear context. Juntae almost scoffed to himself, what movie? Rated ones?

“YA! MY PARCEL! Are you going to give me my parcel or not?!” Juntae could heard Seongje’s voice from the other side, as the taller guy furiously banging on his door.

He wasn’t about to let Seongje know about this. So, Juntae tried to think fast and put an elaborate act, “Wait, hold on.” He scrambled to take a wound cream from the first aid kit box he stashed inside the shoe cabinet.

Juntae opened the door again and almost threw the parcel to its owner’s face because of his nerve. Belatedly realized his poor action, he muttered an apology, while Seongje received his parcel with a hump.

“Here, you can use it.” Juntae put the cream tube at the top of the parcel box. “Good night. Go to sleep. We’ll talk again tomorrow. See you.” Blam, Juntae closed the door haphazardly.

Did he just slam the door in my face? Seongje stood in a daze, arched his eyebrow. No one has been able to do that in years. This brat!

Having a horror slasher – Friday the 13^th, Chucky, Night on the Elm’s Street, Scream, Fear Street, you name it – genre nightmare with Geum Seongje staring in it might be the most common occurrence for people (and Juntae). But, having freaky horror erotic kind of dream about Geum Seongje wasn’t on Juntae’s bingo card. The earlier visions that flooded his mind seemed to be inspiring the Oneiroi (dream spirits in Greek Mythology) to launch a campaign in Juntae’s subconscious, making Seongje a nightmare that dressed (or in various states of undressed) like a daydream.

Juntae’s dream that night was filled with pure filth – the filthiest dream 17-year-old Seo Juntae could have – and as he mentioned before, horror. Those Oneiroi, those who were responsible for him that night, were playing fill-in-the-blanks; writing an extended essay with the goal of getting an A+ from Eros and, perhaps, Hermes themselves; deluging his mind with a series of what if scenarios stemmed from his earlier visions of Geum Seongje and him. It’s like he’s Alice currently taking a zoom trip to the wonderland…

They were sharing wet open-mouthed kisses; bodies were tangling in the sheets. The sounds of their grunts, moans, and wet smooches filled the air. Seongje on the top of him. A split-second time out, a grin appeared on his face – the one that resembled Chesire cat’s – before he dived his head to meet Juntae’s. And the next thing he knew they were sharing an underwater kiss.

Um, Is that even possible? He was not sure either, a dream is a dream, it doesn’t even have to make any damn sense. His mind seemed to be hell bent on having him making out with Geum Seongje in the strangest scenarios possible.

They were submerged in the dark water. Lips locked; they sucked each other out. Juntae’s nails clawed his back harder along with the moans that bubbled up from his throat. He felt something tightened under the belt region. This is insanity… the way both of them didn’t seem to run out of air – What are we? Mermen? – and keep on going until Seongje tipped Juntae’s head over to the side and started to...

Did I just see the… the… bloody ang… anglerfish…es? Look at those shiny sharp teeth… Their grossly grotesque surprise appearance behind Seongje made Juntae froze. One of them was blinking its light (or were they winking?) at Juntae’s direction.

And then there were a pair of cuddly cuttlefishes – one big and one small. They flapped and flicking their little arms at each other repeatedly. Gently rubbed the tip of their hand at the other’s face.

Followed by argonaut octopus and its detachable peen– what the actual hell?!

Behind them, a bloom of luminescent jellyfishes swam by. They seemed to be swirling around, dancing in synchronized motions fluently, almost like the aurora borealis on a night sky.

The whole scene was so beautifully (the jellyfishes) terrifying (the rest of the creatures).

“Focus on me,” Seongje turned Juntae’s face to meet his. He cupped Juntae’s cheeks. Seongje’s hands continued to roam to his back and stopped at Juntae’s waist.

“Look at you,” Seongje said fondly before hugging him. Juntae’s face smushed into Seongje’s chest. But their hug this time felt strange, they couldn’t get any closer, something scotched between them.

Juntae looked down. A shriek of terror escaped his lips as soon as he saw it – his belly was round.

“Seo Juntae!”

“JUNTAE!”

He flickered his eyes open and immediately wished he didn’t.

He was sucked into another whirlpool.

This time, he was in an apartment entrance – in a unit that mirrored his. A pair of strong hands grabbed him by his waist and pinned him to the door. Their lips crashed. Desperation and longing were poured into the kiss. A single tear drop was falling from his eye.

He needed a few blinks to come back…

Was that the continuation of his dream or…?

“Ya, Seo Juntae.” He heard Seongje called his name. The taller boy’s face was smack dab, so close in front of his.

Too close, Juntae instantly pulled his bedcover to hide his face.

“Are you sick?” Seongje asked, his voice was full of worry, unlike his usual setting.

“Uh, I am a bit unwell.” Juntae replied in a low voice groggily.

“I thought so. Your face is beet red, and you are sweaty.” Seongje said, he looked at the top part of Juntae’s head that wasn’t hidden by the bedcover. He then ruffled Juntae’s front bangs to feel the boy’s forehead temperature and compared it to his own. “A little warm,” he noted.

Oblivious to Juntae’s crisis, Seongje mentioned, “I brought you breakfast. I hope you’re okay with hangover soup. I bought it from a restaurant nearby.”

“Thank you…,” Juntae’s mind finally started to run and registered something, “How… how did you come in?”

He replied nonchalantly, “It’s almost time for school but you’re not up yet, so I let myself in to check if you’re okay.”

Juntae peeked from behind his bedcover, “How do you know my passcode?”

“Our door locks are the same type. I kinda figure it out by the sound.” He shrugged.

What a cool ability he had, Juntae thought absently.

“Do you still want to go to school today or not?” Seongje asked. “I don’t think coming to school today will make any difference. How about skipping school? You can sleep more if you want to. I’ll be right outside your room.”

“Don’t you have something else to do?” Juntae immediately responded out of panic. He didn’t want to stay with Seongje for the whole day when he’s currently bestowed with the power of wonderlust.

“I figured I’ll wait for you.” Seongje replied, "didn’t you say I need to fill you in? Let's talk over breakfast or do you want to do it later, after you feel better?"

“No, I... I...,” Juntae sat straight, but his eyes dodged Seongje’s. He couldn’t see him straight in the eyes or he’ll be sucked into a whirlpool of lust. “I just remember, I need to ask Sieun about something.”

Juntae prepared himself to go to school in record speed. Taking a shower in less than five minutes, changed to his uniform in less than two, downed his breakfast in less than three.

“Slow down, you’ll choke.” Seongje reminded the boy.

“I’m in a hurry.” Juntae replied with his face still buried on his bowl, unable to meet Seongje’s.

“Ah, by the way, do you have some spare food or drink from the vending machine?” Seongje asked.

“I have.” Juntae fished out the chocolate bars that he got the previous day from his refrigerator and put it his kitchen island top.

“Oh, it’s sea salt caramel, can I have that one?” Seongje enthusiastically pointed.

“NO!” Juntae shouted, he slammed his palm to cover the cursed half-eaten chocolate bar in orange wrapping.

“WHYYY?” Seongje retorted, returning the same energy to Juntae’s shout, matching the volume and tone.

“Why… Why… Why else? There’s no point…” Juntae stuttered.

Seongje’s eyebrow couldn’t possibly go more arched than this, he eyed the boy across him, “No point of?”

Juntae immediately thought of a believable reason, he’s a genius! “There’s no point of… the two of us having the same power.” He slid the milk chocolate bar to Seongje’s direction. “You can have this one.”

Later at school.

He was too afraid to look anyone in the eyes that day. His head was hung down. His eyes constantly on his feet, at one point he almost ran into the classroom door. Juntae was actually wanted to figure out more about his power but too afraid to test it on others. What if he sees them naked and kisses them too? He can’t risk that. But then again…

“Sieun-ah, do you mind to have a… staring contest with me?”

Sieun, who was still doing a few math problems, side eyed him in confusion, “Why?”

“Let’s have a staring contest,” Juntae whined.

Chapter Text

08 – When I Look Into Your Eyes

He saw them in his vision.

The other version of Sieun and Suho. Their whole world seems so much better over there. Heaven is favouring them, blessing them with a happy and carefree life. 

He saw them holding hands, walking in a park on a sunny day. Suho is trying to steal a bite from the ice cream on Sieun’s hand, while Sieun is trying his best maneuvering his ice cream as far as possible from Suho’s mouth.

“Ah! AHN SUHO, you’ve finished yours!” Sieun said, giggling.

Suho whined, “Sieun-ah, let me taste yours too.”

He saw them eating dinner with Suho’s grandmother, joined by two more people that Juntae didn’t recognize, but definitely close friends judging by their expressions. They are bantering back and forth – loudly. The situation is very lively, with all the laughter booming in the air.

Sieun smiles a lot, he looks extremely bright and livelier.

And Ahn Suho – Sieun’s friend – he’s definitely looking very much alive, well, and kicking. Not a single trace of that guy in a hospital gown, who was once in comatose condition, who was once sitting on the wheel chair, unable to stand on his own two feet.

They are having a night ride after Suho finished his shift at a barbecue restaurant. Suho is riding his motorcycle with Sieun glued to his back.

“What do you want to do tomorrow?” Suho asked as they’re zooming in the street.

Sieun leaned closer to Suho’s right ear. He shouted a reply, a smile on his lips, “Let’s go out somewhere, just the two of us.”

“How about going for a hike?” Suho suggested.

“Are you kidding me? Why should we go for a hike?!” Sieun seems to be offended with the idea.

Suho chuckled, “No, I mean, you need to go out. Some exercises will be good for your body.”

“Ah, I don’t want to.” Sieun starts pouting.

“Sieun-ah, you haven’t been exercising for the past three weeks. Keep your promise!”

The next thing he saw was Sieun and Suho on a hiking trail. Sieun keeps grumbling like a petulant child, while Suho pushing the smaller boy from behind.

“We are almost at the 1^st rest stop. Yeon Sieun, fighting!”

“Ah, shut up.” Sieun whined.

Suho is cackling in response.

The view at the top of the mountain is really nice, but tired Sieun is having no energy left to appreciate the nature’s beauty. The boy’s legs are giving up on him, he is plopping down on the nearest flat surface that he can find – on the top of a slab of rock. Suho squatted beside him, handling the boy a bottle of water with the cap already opened. Sieun took the bottle from Suho’s hand and starting to down the water in one go. After he emptied the bottle, Suho took it back and slapped something in Sieun’s hand, a short but sweet kiss followed.

“For you.” Suho grinned as he said, and winked.

Sieun snapped his hand in front of Juntae’s face, abruptly cutting the connection of their eyes. Juntae cleared his throat. 

“Do you want to win so bad?” Sieun asked.

“Huh?” Juntae snapped back to reality.

“Your eyes are filled with tears.” Sieun informed.

“Am I?” Juntae didn’t realize he was crying. His cheeks were wet. Big fat tears couldn’t stop leaking from his tear ducts, like a broken water faucet. He used the back of his hand to wipe them away.

It was definitely happy tears. With Sieun looking so content and enjoying his life fully, having Suho by his side – the visions made Juntae’s little heart touched. He sincerely wished what he saw were future visions, for Sieun’s sake.

But what if his power isn’t telling him about the future?

He’s freefaaaaaalliiiiing, WHAAAAA… WHAT THE F –, not in a metaphorical sense, but literally. Well, not him, to put it in words Park Humin is free-falling. He is floating in the sky, falling in a rapid speed. He can hear the swooshing sound of the wind right beside his ears, like he’s the one who does it in real time.

It’s honestly horrifying. Not because he’s acrophobic – he isn’t. But the gap between him and the ground is too far, even further than watching the ground from the top of Namsan Tower. Looking at the ground from this height is like seeing those miniature landscape model displayed at the real estate agencies.

He feels like his bladder is about to burst due to the temperature, the wind, and the height. Darn it!

The scene changed into a rural farmhouse. He could make the sound of ducks quacking away in the background. Inside an animal barn he stands.

“Time to feast, my children.” Baku’s voice boomed; a pail full of something akin to duck food in his hands.

A flurry of wings flapping away – quack quack quack. That when he saw a mob of ducks running into his direction, more like Baku’s, in full speed. The scene somehow, sadly, reminds Juntae of Eunjang vs Union fight.

As the fowls are flocking in front of Baku, the boy throws a fist of the pellets to the air. The heads of the ducks follow the motion of the food. As the pellets touch the ground, they bow their head to eat.

“Right, right, bow to your king!” The boy laughed boisterously – typical Baku.

The vision slowly dimmed; it wasn’t in 4K like the previous ones. This time it’s blurrier and darker with splotches of kaleidoscopic lights.

“Ya! Park Humin, you need to stop doing this!” It was Gotak’s voice, full of worry.

“If you keep on drinking like this every day, you’ll end up like your father.” A familiar voice of someone that Juntae must’ve heard before.

“How many bottles did he drink?” Sieun’s asked.

The sound of things being shuffled around. Clink, clink, clink.

“One, two, three,… ten, twelve.” Juntae could heard his own voice, counting, and then gasped, “Twelve bottles of soju! Will his liver be okay?”

“WHYYY?” Baku roared. “Why, why everybody that I…,”his voice was muffled, slurry, it was unclear what was the boy was saying. A heart-breaking sob, before finally he shouted out loud, with sorrow dripped as he poured out his heart content, “WHAT DID I DO WRONG?! WHEN DID THINGS START HEADING TO THE WRONG DIRECTION in this fucking disgusting world we are living… WHY I DIDN’T NOTICE… STUPID PARK HUMIN!”

Juntae felt like his body was being shaken forcefully. End of vision.

Baku questioned playfully, “Juntae-yaaaa, why are you looking at me like that?”

Juntae blinked and replied, “Like what?”

“In a daze.” Baku grinned; he rubbed his hair. “Why? Is there something in my handsome face?”

“Handsome…?” Gotak scoffed from the side.

Baku replied, “Many people said I am handsome, cool, nice personality, overall a good catch. Even the halmonis and ahjummas that sat beside me at the hair salon yesterday wants to introduce me to their dear grandchildren and daughters. That pretty cashier noona too, the one that works at the supermarket near my house – you remember her, right? She said she has a younger sister, and is about our age. She wants me to meet her sister.”

“Are you shitting me? What about those previous thousands of failed dates?” Gotak shook his head in disbelief. He was taking a jab at Baku’s delusion. “Whatever makes you sleep better at night.”

Baku wrestled Gotak and pinned his head using his arm. They started play-fighting like five-year-olds.

Now that they were busy, Juntae was left to process his thought on his power. What could it be? It’s still unclear. Wildest dreams? Parallel universe? To be honest, he was no longer wishing them to be future visions. Abort that wish!  The first two were okay, but the last one seems angsty. Witnessing Baku wasting away his life was too painful to watch.

Now that he had seen into Sieun’s and Baku’s eyes. Juntae started to feel braver looking into people’s eyes, utilizing his current power to its full potential. He turned to Gotak.

Huh? That’s strange. Why is his… BLANK WHITE. No sound, only static noise.

Juntae wasn’t able to see into Gotak’s eyes for too long because someone unintentionally pushed Juntae’s back when they passed through.

[Geum Seongje]

Meet me at the short fence behind cafeteria.

We have a homework to do.

Time to take the luggage.

Juntae managed to be sneaky this time. When they queued for the food during lunch a few minutes ago, he deliberately stood at the tail between the four of them. While the other three were busy picking out food and not looking at his direction, Juntae fled.

He was reaching the fence, alone. The space was quite deserted and his eyes haven’t spotted Seongje’s red Ganghak uniform between the gaps of the metal bars. The table that he used to help him climbed the fence was in the same spot as the last time. He pushed the table carefully.

“Oi, ya! Seo Juntae, are you going to ditch class?”

Choi freaking Hyoman. Why he seems to be everywhere?

Juntae turned around and found the bully with two of his friends. His grip on the edge of the table tightened. One of them grabed the other end of the table, and started pulled it away. Of course, Juntae, who wasn’t as strong, almost fell forward due to the sudden movement. He was about to bolt, but his escape route was blocked. With the table removed, there’s nothing that separated them. Juntae started to tremble. Those kids advanced forward, proceed to crowd over the small boy. Juntae had no other option than shrinking away, slowly backed to the fence behind him.

Hyoman clasped his hand on Juntae’s shoulder.

“Since you want to ditch class, why don’t you join us?”

Juntae didn’t dare to look at Hyoman’s eyes. He kept his head to look at the ground beneath him.

Hyoman seemed to take that as a sign for him to continue blabbering, “My friend over here just recently learned a new move.” The bully turned to his friend, “why don’t you demonstrate it for us.”

Juntae got bowled over and fell over to the ground. He put his arms to cover his face, curled his body as small as possible, braced the flying fists and kicks that collided with his body. It’s hurt. Ringing sound resonated in his ears.

Thud!

“Ya, you knobheaded fuckers! Why don’t you pick someone your own size, huh? Tsk tsk.” Someone interrupted them.

He’s saved.

Another series of loud sounds, alternating between punches, pained groans, kicks, and a string of curses. But they weren’t heading to Juntae’s way, the raining hits at him stopped. Which only meant one thing: his saviour was fighting the trio.

A kick, followed by a pained groan.

“Since I can see that you’re not okay… Can you stand up?” Juntae heard him asked.

Juntae kept his eyes shut. He knew who was saving him. He turned his head to the side and peeked. Seongje was hovering at him.

A groan escaped Juntae’s lips, he uncurled his body, “I think I can, can you move so I can sit down.”

Juntae felt a pair of arms slotted under his armpits, his body was hoisted to sitting position. He folded his legs, planted his feet to the ground, and pushed himself to stand up. Seongje’s arms were still safely guarding his movement.

Juntae looked around and found the trio slumped on the ground. Seongje kicked the one that closest to him – that one friend who was throwing punches and kicks at Juntae.

Seongje barked, “On your hands and knees.”

The guy scrambled to follow his instruction, didn’t dare to say anything.

Seongje barked another, “Closer to the fence.” Before he turned to ask Juntae, “Can you get up the fence this way?”

A few seconds of awkward silence, before Juntae nodded, “Uh, yes.”

Seongje meant to use that guy as a stool for Juntae, to help him jumped over the fence.

When the two of them were finally on the other side, Seongje barked a threat, “You, bastard one, bastard two, bastard three. If you dare to breathe anything about this, you guys are dead meat.”

Chapter Text

09 – The Cursed Lovers

“Entry for two people. We also want one tray of eggs and one sikhye in a bottle with red cap.” Seongje put a pack of fried chicken on the reception table, “and, this one is for you, Ahjumma.”

Once again, they entered the locker. Juntae was standing at the front, facing the hidden door and Seongje was about to squeeze himself on the remaining space behind Juntae. With Seongje no longer invisible, the space was feeling so much cramped than before.

Juntae started to breathe heavily. His chest started to tighten. He hunched his shoulder and made himself smaller.

Before getting himself into the locker fully, Seongje questioned the smaller boy, as he noticed the change of Juntae’s posture, “By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you this, are you nyctophobic or claustrophobic… or both?” Reminded him of Juntae’s reaction when they were inside the locker the first time.

Juntae replied with a small voice, “I am afraid of being locked in a locker.”

Seongje was trying to thread on this matter carefully, “So, not because of the dark and cramped space?”

“No.” Juntae shook his head.

“How did it happen? A game of hide and seek? Pranked? Bullied?”

“Shoved into one.” Juntae replied bitterly. “Bullied.”

Seongje’s hand hovered at the spot where he found the door lever previously, one that opened the door and connected them to the hidden passage.

“Juntae-ya, I don’t think we can open this door without closing the locker door first.” Seongje explained.

“Then, can I wait outside?” Juntae asked.

Seeing the boy’s uncomfortable expression, Seongje agreed, “Sure. Call me if you need anything, or if anything happens.”

“Yours or mine?” Seongje asked when they were standing at the hallway of their apartment unit floor. “Although I have to remind you my unit is still a mess.”

Juntae looked at the mountain of boxes and furniture outside Seongje’s unit. Then his mind flashed a fragment of that kiss in an apartment unit that mirrored his. He was still unable to get over that one yet. Also, afraid to find out the layout of Seongje’s apartment turns out to be the same one from his vision. “Mine,” he decided and started to punch in his passcode. In the middle of doing it, Juntae was reminded of the fact that Seongje managed to guess his passcode only by listening to the sound.

“You just recently move in here, right?” Juntae asked.

“Hmm,” Seongje nodded.

“Since when?”

“The day before we met on the bus.”

“How do you figure out the sound of the door lock so fast? I mean, it’s not an everyday occurrence you can find a person who can figure out your house passcode just by listening to it – like how many times? Once? Right, you heard me putting in my passcode once. Only one time. One time and you can open your neighbour’s apartment – that’s scary.”

Seongje smirked, looking very smug, “I just happen to have excellent ears and memory.”

Juntae eyebrow furrowed, “Is there a way to figure it out? I mean all I hear was a mix of beep beep beep in different tones.”

“That’s it,” Seongje nodded, “by figuring out the tone and length of the beep sound.”

“What? How?” Juntae arched his eyebrow, his expression was still full of confusions. He tilted his head, tried to listen to the two last beeps of his passcode and still had no idea how to differentiate them. He pushed the door open.

Seongje followed Juntae into his apartment, and supplied with an answer, “By having years of practice?”

Juntae turned his head to look at Seongje who toed his shoes off, “Practice of what – breaking into people’s property?”

Seongje barked out a full-blown laughter at that accusation, but decided to not commenting further regarding that matter. He didn’t agree nor deny it.

“Let me take a shower.” Juntae shook off the grimes and dirt from his uniform jacket on his balcony. With him being used as a punching bag earlier, his uniform became dirty. “Feel free if you want to watch the TV.”

Seongje hummed, he reached the remote on the table in front of the sofa, and turned on the TV. As soon as the screen was on, it showed a wildlife documentary – a documentary about creatures that live in the deep and darker part of the sea to be exact. Juntae could heard the narrator talking about cuttlefish mating. He stopped dead on his track to the bathroom.

‘In order to get closer and cozy with the females, some of the smaller male cuttlefish employ a tactic – they pretend to be females by changing their pattern and hiding their fourth arm, to trick the bigger male cuttlefish that guard the female. The trick does work, since female cuttlefish and the smaller male cuttlefish are mostly closer in size. Even, in some cases, because the mimicry is too damn good, the bigger male cuttlefish can mistake the masquerading smaller male cuttlefish as one of the females and court them.’

Juntae was slowly losing his mind. Cuttlefish this, cuttlefish that, cuttlefish, cuttlefish, cuttlefish – he has had enough mating cuttlefish imaginary that haunted him since he woke up at the morning. Why didn’t he change the show? Is he into wildlife documentaries?

“So, these pictures – mind to guide me go through them?” Juntae asked as they unpacked the cards once again, this time in Juntae’s living room.

Seongje took one deck of cards – the one with mini-me Gotak in them. “Let’s start with this one. Aren’t you curious?” Seeing that Juntae wasn’t responding with words, Seongje lined the pictures on the table.

He pointed out at the older man. “This fucking bastard right here is a hospital director.”

Then, his finger tapped the woman beside the man that he pointed earlier, “And this woman is his–,” he put out a disgusted expression, “–first love.”

He continued, “They dated for years, but his parents didn’t approve their relationship. So, the woman left him to marry someone else.” – “And this hospital director is not an ordinary person. He is having a sway with those people who are backing the Union. A symbiotic relationship. They cover each other’s asses.”

His finger moved to point at the young boy, mini Gotak. “Now, if you look at this kid. A familiar face for both of us, isn’t he?”

Juntae took a closer look at the picture of that kid who resembled Gotak in his taekwondo uniform walking with the woman and the hospital director. Smiles adorned their faces. They looked like a happy little family.

Seongje folded his arms and motioned at the picture with his chin, “Do you want to take a guess, who is he?”

Juntae tilted his head, questioned, “Am I allowed to make a wild guess?”

“Sure.” Seongje nodded.

Juntae sighed, he has a super bad feeling about this.

Seeing that Juntae wetting his lips repeatedly, Seongje asked, “Why? Are you nervous? Are you trying to convince yourself or gaslight yourself right now?” Then, Seongje mimicked Juntae’s tone and voice, “This isn’t what it seems, Juntae-ya. There’s a chance that this kid isn’t him.” An evil grin graced his face. Juntae hadn’t seen this expression addressed directly at him from Seongje for quite a while.

Juntae chewed his lips, worried at the facts that he’s about learn, “Should I be scared?”

Seongje arched his eyebrow, “Of what?”

Juntae blinked, he took a big gulp, “Of the whatever fact-bombs that you’re about to drop.” He tried to breathe, taking a few lungsful of air, “That boy is either related to Gotak OR,” he paused, a pained frown adorned his forehead, “or it’s Go Hyuntak himself.” He trained his eyes on Seongje who smiled widely.

Seongje responded slowly, nodded with approval at Juntae’s direction, “Look closer,” he tapped the background of that picture, “which year was this picture taken?”

Juntae squinted his eyes, he found the blurry banner that’s visible at the top of the background. The letters in the banner might be not completely clear, but he was able to make out the outline. His eyes widened, he blinked, and opened his mouth, only to snap it close again. With a low voice, he finally muttered, “This pic was taken when we were still in elementary school. TAEKWONDO COMPETITION…” His mind conjured an image of the medals in the corner of Go Hyuntak’s bedroom, stuffed away in a box. He sighed and scratched his head, he whined, “Aaaah, I can’t do this. Can you just tell me about it in one go instead? Tell me and let’s get over with it. I hate this suspense. Better to rip the band-aid in one go.”

Seongje clucked his tongue, “That little boy in the picture is your dear friend Go Hyuntak. This woman is his mother. This man, though, I am not sure... He is 100% his mother’s paramour and could be his biological father – a different man than the one that raises Go Hyuntak.”

Juntae groaned at the insinuation, he clenched and unclenched his fists, “Go… Go… Gotak’s mother cheated?! And… could be his biological father? Where does that assumption come from?”

“Cheats, present tense.” Seongje corrected. “That bastard seems to be very fond of your friend. He even has this particular picture saved inside his wallet.”

Juntae’s eyes googled, he fiddled with his fingers, “What?!”

“And that’s not the worst part.” Seongje rolled his eyes, “He killed someone before – the old fart, not Go Hyuntak.”

The way Seongje specified about it almost made Juntae snorted. As if Go Hyuntak has the heart to kill someone…? (But we’ll never know...)

These were a lot of information to unpack. Juntae was about to pull his hairs out because of the spiking stress level he felt. WOW, THIS BECOMES SO MUCH MORE COMPLICATED.

“Does Gotak know about this?” Juntae questioned.

“I don’t know. Not sure.” Seongje replied.

Juntae rubbed his forehead, “Should we, no, I ask him?”

Seongje eyed the other boy, his eyes twitched, “Are you stupid? If we ask him about it, and say, your dear friend already knows about it, is there any guarantee that he’ll be telling you the truth? And if he doesn’t, how would you explain to him? If he asked you: how did you get the info? What will you say?”

Juntae moaned in frustration, he folded himself forward, his head touched his knees, “THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD’VE EXPLAINED THIS TO ME EARLIER! I WAS ABLE TO TELL A LIE the last time! Ugh!”

Seongje sighed, pushed his glasses upward and rubbed his eyes, before replied in equally frustrated tone, “YA! I DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THIS EITHER UNTIL YESTERDAY – I mean, the last cycle and at the beginning of this cycle. And this morning I actually still wasn’t sure how to break this news to you, since it was half cooked, and you’re in a hurry. But now we have time to dissect these pictures one by one... my words will be making a lot more sense.”

“By the way, what did you do after you ditch me the last time?” Juntae asked curiously while still sat in slumped position.

“Spied on that hospital director closely and frightened him up a bit since I was invisible. Surprisingly he’s quite a superstitious person despite being a western medicine doctor.” Seongje scoffed.

“Why can’t you bring me along with you?”

“He was surrounded by his people – I’m talking about hardcore thugs and such. That’s why I told you to go back first.” Seongje answered.

“Did you get caught?” Juntae questioned. Afterall, Seongje was back with bruises and cuts.

“No.” The taller boy shook his head.

“Then why…”

Seongje continued the question for Juntae, “The bruises?”

“Hmm.” Juntae hummed.

“I’m feeling the itch to beat people up after playing detective and luckily found some assholes on my way back.” Seongje said.

A thought passed Juntae’s mind, he sat up, straightened his back, “But, do you think, does Baekjin’s death have anything to do with vengeance?”

Seongje’s eyes ping-ponged from side to side, before seemingly to understand where this conversation was going, “For… Gotak’s knee?” He chuckled, “If you think about it that way, the puzzle fits.”

Juntae started to bounce his legs, “It’s always a sore subject for Gotak and Baku. He never told me and Sieun the full detailed story… do you… mind to…”

“Do you want me to tell you?” Seongje questioned.

Juntae peeked at Seongje’s direction, “Afterall you’re there. You are in the group… the other party that…”

“That what?” Seongje asked snappily.

Juntae was unsure how to spat out his mind, “…that…” Should he say it, should he not? “…broke his knee.” Considering the facts that Go Hyuntak seems to spite Geum Seongje more than Na Baekjin, plus Hyuntak cries a bit during their visit to Baekjin’s wake, Juntae came up to this conclusion.

“Me?” Seongje asked menacingly, he leaned forward to get closer to Juntae. “Sure, I was there.”

“Doesn’t this mean you’ll be next? Since you’re the one that done it?” Juntae said, horrified.

Seongje smiled amusedly, “Ya, let me tell you something interesting, listen to it well.” He cleared his throat, “The one who shattered Go Hyuntak’s knee that fateful day was Na Baekjin.”

Chapter Text

10 – Family Picture

Seongje knew this hospital layout like the back of his hand. He went in and out from rooms to rooms undetected, avoided the mirrors carefully, looking for the man whose photos were being saved like a stack of cards by Baekjin – the hospital director.

Bastards, they really stationed a lot of thugs in the building. Fucking thugs roaming around inside the hospital, the irony. Seongje shook his head in disbelief as he passed several men that wore same certain tattoo that he recognized.

He finally reached the inner and uppermost level of the building, where the hospital director office was located. It seemed that his timing was really good. He saw a doctor was going out from the room, practically gave him the chance to slip easily.

The director was there, sitting on his throne – a ergonomic executive leather chair behind a pricey wooden desk with a fancy looking name plate that bore his name, Park Minguk. Papers and files were covering the expanse of his wooden table. He was obviously busy doing paper works.

Seongje circled around behind the man and peeked over the old man’s shoulder. The hospital performance and income reports. Judging by the man’s satisfied expression, everything was good or at least favourable for him.

He breathed beside the man’s neck. The wind that gusted from his nose tickled the bastard, Seongje could practically saw goosebumps broke on the hospital director’s flesh. The old man lifted his hand and closed his palm around the spot where Seongje breathed. He scoffed inwardly.

Seongje let his eyes wandered around the bookcase behind the man. It was full of books, files, and archives. A row of the old man’s merit and achievement certificates. How he wanted to burn all of them, Seongje eyed the man with hatred burning in his eyes. A familiar looking music cassette tapes were stacked neatly. He arched his eyebrow; the diabolical nature of this old bastard seems to have no bounds. A true psycho.

While this man might be a class A psycho, Seongje could compete with him. He went to the glass window on the side. What a view; the lines of Han River that stretched from one side to another. Seongje produced a bottle from the pocket his windbreaker jacket, unscrewed the cap, and dipped his latex glove covered finger into the red liquid. Using his fingers, he started writing on the glass.

The man didn’t notice him working. Bummer. It should’ve been fun if he could see the changing expression in the old man’s eyes when a sentence suddenly materialized on his office window. But alas, the bastard was too engrossed in his own work to take notice of the change.

Feeling a bit irritated, Seongje slammed his hand on the glass. A loud bang pierced through the silence. The old man only lifted his head, scanned around his office, only to get back to the papers in front of him. Seongje let out a low chuckle. Damn, he didn’t know that the old man’s vision was that bad. Or, maybe he was too blinded by the soon setting sun outside.

He decided to do better. Seongje moved to the shelf where the cassette tapes located, he reached to grab one of them and put it into the cassette player. Using his dirty index finger, he pushed the play button. Click. The sound of relaxing piano spilled into the air.

And finally, the man removed his eyes from those damned papers and turned to take a look at his cassette player. His breath hitched; the man started to breathe heavily. The old man’s pupils started to shake. He saw the red spot on his cassette player. Now, that was something Seongje aimed for.

With a trembling hand, the bastard offed the cassette player. He took a sniff on his own finger that contacted with the red liquid, “blood,” the man muttered.

Seongje, who was still standing beside the player, flicked the play button to let the sound on again. More blood stuck to the cassette player surface, more visible now.

“Aaargh, stop,” the old man said. Click, the old man immediately stopped the cassette player again.

Seongje played it on once again.

CLICK, the hospital director aggressively jabbed his finger on the stop button, teared the tape off from the player, and threw it across the room. “I SAID STOP IT!” He yelled.

Seongje swiftly moved to the glass window, the spot where he had done his masterpiece. A sentence written in a dripping red liquid, along with a hand print at the end of it. Seongje banged the glass once more. That got the old man’s attention.

He knew the bastard was reeling in fear. His body fell down clumsily to the ground, knocking over a few things on the side of his table while it happened. It was only a simple sentence which read, ‘Have you been well?’ But it was enough to make the old fart cowered frightenedly. The old man looked like he had seen a ghost.

Well, technically, Seongje was playing poltergeist at the time.

Seongje stepped closer to drip some of the liquid at the top of the man’s head. Drip drip drip, the red liquid flowed from the tip of the bottle. The old bastard felt the liquid dripped on the side of his face; he wiped his hand on it. It painted his hand in blood red. The old man let out a frightened roar and started to trash around; he grabbed any objects within his reach, started to threw them randomly whilst tried to escape the room.

At one point, he grabbed a handful of red beans and salt which he kept inside one of his desk drawers. If Seongje was a vengeful ghost that might have worked but lucky him, he’s not.

The old man tried to stand up, only to stumble backwards. He let himself crawling around to reach the door. A piercing scream of repeated ‘don’t come closer’ and ‘leave me alone’ rang throughout the office while he’s at it. He looked insane as hell.

Seeing the old man’s terrified expression, crawling gracelessly in terror like a dirty mutt trying to escape the room gave Seongje a bit of satisfaction. At the same time, the door opened from the hallway. The security (or you can say his thugs) swooped in with a high alertness.

“What is happening here, Director Park?” One of them kneeled down and helped the old bastard to stand up.

The director tremblingly pointed at the direction of the sentence on the window. They started to sweep around the room. Confusion was apparent on their faces. They found no other people inside the room other than the director himself.

“Sweep the area around the director’s office.” The head of the director’s security ordered. “I want everyone to keep an eye inside and outside the hospital building. Including the rooftop. Check everyone who goes in and out, anyone who looks suspicious.”

He had his fun, now his work in that place was done, Seongje left a pair of bloody hand print at the edge of the director’s desk. The one that meets his chair.

He slipped pass the securities easily, even taking his sweet time to wreak some more havocs by tripping some of them and making them blaming each other for some freak accidents caused by invisible Seongje. Like he slapped the back of their heads, elbowed their ribs, stomped on their feet, blew near their ears and necks, and even laughing out loudly in a sinister way, loud enough for them to hear. Causing a little mass of hysteria, something that looked like a collective hallucination.

In the midst of the chaos, Seongje was about to go through the door. His feet collided with something on the ground. The hospital director’s wallet. It was left in an opened position. A picture that he had seen just a few hours ago. The photo of the hospital director, a woman, and her certain son. Well, fuck. How romantic of him. Seongje sneered in disgust. He kicked the wallet to the side.

He was on his way out of the building, passing through the emergency staircase when he saw the exchange. Two mismatched looking men were standing in a corner of the staircase. A skinny, tall, neat looking guy in a suit – a doctor – and a burly man in jeans and grey hoodie, one of his eyes was cloudy.

“Pass this message to Choi Changhee. Quick.” The doctor mentioned.

Choi Changhee? Baekjin’s boss? – Seongje decided to follow the burly man.

They went to Choi Changhee’s office, located in a building nearby the bowling alley. Seongje stuck close behind the burly half-blind man to get an access inside.

“Boss, this from the hospital.” The burly guy produced a brown envelope from his own jacket.

Choi Changhee received the envelope and shooed the man out of his office with his hand. He opened the envelope.

Seongje, who now stood behind Choi Changhee, also took a peek, his eyebrow shot up. Something that looked similar like news article cuts but the words on the paper didn’t make sense at all. It was a jumbled mess. It took him a few seconds to understand that it was an anagram.

Oh, fuck.

Unless Choi Changhee deciphered that in front of him, it’ll take forever to figure out. Seongje didn’t exactly have the leisure of time, nor he can google it because his sorry of a phone died, no pen-paper to scrawl it out either. Seongje prayed that it wasn’t a relevant piece of information that would help his case because two hours went by, Choi Changhee didn’t do anything to it though. Instead, Choi Changhee was watching CCTV records of a certain warehouse. Seongje almost fell asleep standing at the corner of Choi Changhee’s office due to the lack of activity.

A knock came on Choi Changhee’s door at around 07:30 PM.

“Boss, it’s time to visit Na Baekjin.” One of his men mentioned from behind the door.

“Prepare the car, I’ll meet you at the basement.” Choi Changhee replied. He stood from his seat, stuffed those papers into his cabinet, and wore his suit jacket that was being hung on the hanger at the corner previously.

Seongje followed the man out as he went out and turned around, tried to lock his office. Shit, he ducked, and hid himself on the side, between the nook of ornamental crevice wall beside Choi Changhee’s office entrance. There’s a mirror on the hallway right across the door of his office.

Ding! The man went down using the lift and Seongje raced down as fast as he could via the emergency staircase. 5 floors later, he reached the ground level. Seongje saw the lift was still on a floor above him. He pushed the down button to join the man. Ding! The lift door was open and the man was still inside. Seongje froze. Fuck, fuck, fuck. The material of the lift was reflective, since the half-blind man didn’t use the lift earlier Seongje had no idea about it. And there was a mirror behind Choi Changhee. Abort mission.

Choi Changhee frowned; he took a peek outside, waiting if anyone was about to join him. No one. So, he pushed the button to close the door. Seongje immediately ran again to the basement using the staircase.

Seongje arrived at the basement and opened the door at the same time Choi Changhee was about to get out of the lift. He was close to being caught as a poltergeist. Choi Changhee looked around; he saw one of his minions came to greet him.

“Did someone just go upstairs?” Choi Changhee asked his minion.

The minion shook his head, “No one is going upstairs, Boss.”

“Really? I thought I saw the door closing.”

The minion asked their security guy via walkie talkie if he saw anyone going up and down using the staircase. “No one is currently going up and down the staircase, Sir.” The security guy replied.

“Maybe I saw it wrong.” Choi Changhee tilted his head.

“Boss, this is the file of the girl from yesterday.” The minion handed him another brown envelope.

Choi Changhee received the file, “Which one?”

“The 8 PM girl.”

“Okay, good job. Feed her. Don’t let her out until Baekjin is cremated.”

It seemed that Seongje was running out of luck and time, because he was unable to join Choi Changhee in his ride and after this he had to go to sleep and then woke up in the next bus ride. But he heard where Choi Changhee was heading, it’s the mourning hall where Baekjin’s wake was being held. It was enough information for now.

He went to the closest bus stop from that place. He sat himself down, sleepiness was finally caught up to him. Seongje tilted his head back to the glass behind him and closed his eyes.

[end of flashback]

Seongje held up Choi Changhee’s photo in front of Juntae.

“So, he’s basically Baekjin’s boss?” Juntae asked.

Seongje nodded, “Yeah,” and continued, “I woke up earlier than you did. At first, I want to snoop more about the 8 PM girl. But what I spotted was Choi Changhee and the hospital director were having a dinner together near Choi Changhee’s office building. As they were out of the restaurant, I heard Choi Changhee mentioned, ‘Hyungnim, you are really a romantic man to have your family photo inside your wallet.’ I didn’t get to see the hospital director’s reaction to the comment though.”

“Hyungnim? Does this mean Choi Changhee is below the hospital director in terms of seniority?” Juntae pointed.

“Seems like it.” Seongje drummed his fingers on the table.

Chapter Text

11 – The Men in Question

Seongje and Juntae were inside a taxi. They were on their way to Baekjin’s wake. Seongje’s eyes were on the street outside, while Juntae’s were busy biting his finger nails.

Seongje turned his head and said, “Juntae, stop biting your nails.”

“Can’t you just let me be?” Juntae begged, followed with a deep sigh.

“It’ll bleed.” Seongje replied. He eyed the boy beside him, “What are you so nervous for? – Go Hyuntak?”

Juntae licked his lips and started to chew his lower lip.

“Look at me.” Seongje asked.

Look at him? No, thanks, not today. “Can I not?” Juntae replied.

Seongje blinked several times, he scrunched his forehead, “Any reason you don’t want to look at me?”

Juntae sighed and gave Seongje the side eye. He didn’t look at his eyes, more like the lower region of his face.

“Your heart beats so fast, I can practically hear it in my ears.” Seongje teased.

Juntae eyes widened at the comment, “No, I–”

Seongje nudged Juntae’s arm with his elbow, “Worrying to much will stress you out.”

“Hold on,” Juntae scooted closer to Seongje, his heart rate spiked, he whispered, “What’s your ability this time around?”

Seongje leaned even closer, “To be honest, I don’t know either.”

“Huh?” Juntae arched his eyebrow. He almost looked at Seongje right in the eyes, but he managed to dodge his stare last minute.

Seongje eyed the taxi driver that took a peek at them via the rear-view mirror, before whispered back, “I swear I have no idea.”

Juntae straightened his sitting position and turned his head to the side. He felt more agitated than before.

“Can’t you, I don’t know, focus more? Don’t you feel like something is different?” Juntae whined, he sounded almost desperate.

“Trust me,” Seongje said in low tone, “I’ve tried. Nothing seems to be different.”

Juntae racked his brain for answer, “Is it because you consumed the chocolate bar in the morning? Is it a defect product?”

Seongje asked, “You, how about yours? What can you do?”

“Me?” Juntae paused, he licked his lips and gulped, before answered, “I see visions.”

“Like a clairvoyant?” Seongje questioned.

“I am not so sure either,” Juntae shrugged.

“Then? How does your power work?”

“I only see visions,” Juntae paused as he was reminded of his vision with Seongje, “but… some of them were so strange, I don’t know what to think of them.”

“Why?” Seongje cleared his throat, “Are they too… like sci-fi movie level strange? With aliens and dinosaur and stuffs like that?”

“I wish.” Juntae replied, he didn’t have the courage to tell Geum Seongje what he had seen when their eyes met. No, no, nope, not a chance. He’s not some kind of freak.

“What have you seen so far?” Seongje asked curiously.

“Baku with the ducks.” – This answer elicited a snort from Seongje.

“Sieun eats dinner with his friend.” – This earned, “Let me guess, that friend in the hospital?” from Seongje. Juntae nodded.

Seongje guessed, “Newbie’s vision is probably the most normal one?”

“Yeah.” Juntae nodded.

“Then, what about your dear friend, Go Hyuntak?”

Juntae paused, “I don’t have a vision about him.” Gotak’s vision was the strangest one, he wasn’t about to tell Seongje about it until he was sure what it was.

“Do you get any vision about me?”

Juntae’s breath hitched, but his brain managed to procure a diplomatic answer, “The sea. It was blurry and dark, but I smelled and tasted the sea in my vision with you.” It wasn’t the complete truth, but it wasn’t a lie either. What Seongje didn’t know won’t hurt him.

“Are we eating seafood?” Seongje asked.

“Maybe.”

“What if your vision is about someone’s desire?” Seongje seemed to be very interested in this topic, his tone brightened. “I like seafood.”

Damn, enough!

“Thank you, Sir.” Juntae paid the taxi driver and they got out of the vehicle.

“Juntae-ya!” – There’s a saying: you attract what you dread; which translated to meeting with Go Hyuntak for Juntae currently. Go Hyuntak was calling his name as soon as he arrived at the mourning hall.

Juntae turned around, only to find Baku, Gotak, and Sieun watched him with confusion in their eyes.

“Geum Seongje, what are you doing with our Juntae?” Baku questioned.

“Juntae-ya, are you okay?” Gotak asked.

“Did he bully you?” Sieun glared at Seongje. “Was he the reason you went missing earlier after lunch hour?”

Seongje started to laugh and replied with, “Ooooh, what do you think I did to him?”

Juntae stepped in front of Seongje in reflect, “No, guys. I ditched school after lunch.” Seongje’s eyebrow shot up at Juntae’s defensive gesture, but he didn’t comment on it. He wasn’t usually the one being protected.

“You’re ditching school after lunch, why?” Baku blinked as he thought he misheard Juntae.

“Something came up at home.” Juntae answered. He smiled at his friends, “I just happened to meet him when I was about to hail a taxi to come here,” he turned his head to Seongje, discreetly nudged him with his elbow, “Isn’t it right, Geum Seongje?”

Soengje whilst still smiling, gave a lazy nod, “Right.”

“Where did you meet him?” Sieun asked.

“Uh, here’s the thing, he lives at the same apartment building like I do.” Juntae answered.

“Geum Seongje lives in the same apartment as you?” Gotak questioned, “You don’t live with Director Park anymore?”

“Why do you care?” Seongje scoffed.

Baku and Sieun were puzzled. Their eyes went back and forth from Gotak to Seongje repeatedly.

“Go Hyuntak, since when you have the knowledge about his living arrangement?” Baku questioned; his expression turned dead serious. He eyed Gotak, “And why I wasn’t aware about this information before?” Something isn’t right.

Gotak didn’t answer though, he only stared flatly at Seongje.

Juntae’s head snapped to face Seongje. He was asking Seongje through his eyes, what does that mean? There were so many questions that flew through Juntae’s mind. One, how on earth Gotak knew that Seongje used to live with Director Park? Two, why didn’t Seongje tell him that he used to live with the hospital director? Three, (gasp) are they perhaps… half-brothers? Is that why Seongje and Gotak seem to hate each other to the bone?

Gotak sighed, “Director Park is treating you really well, isn’t he? Why–”

“Go Hyuntak,” Seongje’s voice went cold, “I suggest you to shut up.”

“You should live like a decent human for his sake at the very least.” Gotak clucked his tongue, “Ah, right, I forgot, you are a devil not a human.”

Seongje started to laugh bitterly and then lost it. He started to throw a fist at Gotak. A series of fist exchanges between them was inevitable.

Baku buffered for a few seconds before throwing himself in the middle of Gotak and Seongje. Being the only good fighter that was currently being left out of the conflict, he was trying his best to separate them without hurting anybody. Baekjin’s death was still fresh, Baku wasn’t about to let more blood spilled. He bounced from trying to block Seongje’s advancing punches at Gotak, to pushing Gotak away from Seongje’s attack range and didn’t let him retaliate.

“Shit!” Baku muttered as Seongje managed to land a punch on his face and blocked the next.

Seongje was quite lethal with his precise attacks, and Gotak with his kicks. Both sides didn’t hold back. It must have been hard on Baku, Juntae winced in sympathy.

In the middle of it, Sieun was about to pick a fist sized rock nearby his feet and was about to hit Seongje with it.

Oh, shoot, Juntae thought.

“Sieun-ah, don’t.” Juntae clung to Sieun’s hand and begged.

“He’s the one who initiated the first punch!” Sieun said, his finger pointed at Seongje.

“Sieun-ah, don’t.” Juntae wasn’t releasing his grasp on Sieun’s wrist, he turned to the three, and started to shout desperately, “Guys, STOP FIGHTING! Please!” – “STOOOP!”

Seongje surprisingly listened and stopped, he stumbled backwards as Baku pushed him. With a raging breath, he pointed his index finger at Gotak, he sounded dangerous, “Go Hyuntak, I’ve warned you, you should’ve shut the fuck up.”

But Gotak, oh, Juntae didn’t know what’s wrong with his friend that day, snapped back, “What I said wasn’t wrong anyway, Director Park is a nice man. You should–”

“YOU SHOULD FUCK OFF! YOU AREN’T THE ONE WHO LOST A MOTHER BECAUSE OF THAT FUCKING OLD FART!” Seongje yelled in rage, before he switched into more heart-breaking whisper, “What do you know?”

Wha… What?

Everyone froze.

At the split second, Juntae forgot that he shouldn’t be staring into Seongje’s eyes. He did out of shock.

They were at that apartment that mirrored Juntae’s.

Seongje’s voice was breaking sadly, “Juntae, meet my mom.” – “Mom, this is Seo Juntae, the neighbour that I’ve told you about.”

Oddly enough, Juntae felt like he was being suffocated. Like some heavy weight was sitting on his chest.

“Hello, Ma’am.” Juntae gave a 90-degree bow. His vision blurred; he knew that he was crying.

The vision changed fast, this time, Juntae was being piggybacked by Seongje. The smell of cigarette was thick in the air. They walked through the empty street with minimal lighting.

Juntae was crying again.

“I’ve told you to stay away,” Seongje murmured. “Yet you didn’t listen.”

Another one – they were embracing each other. So close. Seongje’s hands were on Juntae’s hips, dangerously close to his butts. Their faces were only an inch away from each other’s.

“Promise me one thing, Seo Juntae. Even though if the world burns, you won’t do anything stupid like trade your life for others.” – “I wish you’ll have a long and happy life.” Seongje stared at Juntae with resolution and a glint of softness in his eyes. His tone was bittersweet.

Juntae’s voice trembled, “Then, what about you?”

“Juntae-ya, are you okay?” Someone shook Juntae out of his vision. It’s Sieun, whose hand was still in Juntae’s grasp. “Are you… you are crying, did I hurt you?” His friend asked worriedly.

Juntae felt wet lines on his cheeks. He let go of Sieun’s wrist and tore his eyeglasses from his face. Using the back of his hand, he rubbed his tears off his cheeks and eyes. He let out a sniff, before turned to Sieun, “I am not hurt.”

Everyone was still, no one dared to say anything. The lingering tension was hanging thick in the air.

Trying to salvage the situation, Juntae voiced, “You guys want to go in with us to visit Baekjin?”

“We already went in.” Baku replied, “We thought you didn’t come, Juntae-ya. So, we went ahead.”

Juntae nodded. “Uh, I’ll go in with Seongje then.”

“We’ll go in with you again.” Gotak said.

Juntae’s eyes went from Gotak to Seongje, he offered his friends a small smile so they wouldn’t worry, “I’ll go with Seongje. It’s okay if you guys want to go home.” He licked his lips nervously.

“But…” Baku was cut short by Juntae, “I’ll be okay.”

“How we can be sure you’re okay with this psycho?” Sieun mentioned, his eyes were still full of distrust at Seongje.

“Funny that came from you,” Seongje laughed amusedly as he gave Sieun side eyes, “Aren’t you the one who stabbed my foot too?” He nodded absently, “It takes one to know one, isn’t it?”

Juntae sighed. He was about to say something when Seongje said, “Aw, fuck. I’ll go in first. If you guys want to guard your friend here, just feel free to do so. If you don’t want to just go home. Until when are you all going to stand there like a bunch of stupid statues?”

Juntae stood in front of Baekjin’s picture. He squinted his eyes in confusion. Seongje, who stood beside him asked, while holding his elbow, “Are you okay?”

Juntae blacked out earlier, but he finally came back to his senses. “I’m okay now.”

“You swayed a bit earlier. I think you need to sit down.” Seongje said.

Baku, Gotak, and Sieun saw the exchange between Juntae and Seongje. They already seated themselves at one of the available tables. They huddled closer.

“It’s strange,” Baku tilted his head while looking at the two.

“The fact that Juntae didn’t seem to mind having Seongje around him.” Gotak looked at the pair worriedly.

“He even kind of defended him earlier – you’re right, this is strange.” Sieun watched the two like a hawk. His eyes were on Seongje and Juntae, but his next question was addressed for the boy that sat beside Baku, “Gotak-ah, how did you know who lived with Seongje? Who’s Director Park?”

“He’s my mother’s friend and… Seongje’s uncle.” Gotak turned around before whispered right beside Sieun and Baku’s ear alternately, “The director of Geosan University Hospital.”

Baku turned his head in disbelief, whispered back, “You know Geum Seongje’s uncle and you are just telling us about it now?!”

And at the same time, Sieun almost chocked, also whispered in horror, “Seongje’s uncle is the director of Geosan University Hospital?” He recognized that hospital, known as one of the best in the country.

“This is insane.” Baku bit his fist dramatically. “Does his uncle know that Seongje runs around picking fight as a member of Union?”

“I don’t think he does. Everytime Director Park meets my mother, he often confides to her about Seongje. He still thinks that Seongje is just like any ordinary troubled teen, not a gang member in training. He thinks he is too busy and doesn’t give Seongje enough love. A nice man. He helps my family a lot. Too bad that he has Satan’s spawn as a nephew.” Gotak explained.

“About his mother, do you know anything?” Sieun probed.

“About that, I wasn’t sure either.” Gotak replied.

“Why you never tell us about this?” Baku asked again.

Gotak answered, “What’s the good of it? Director Park’s respectable reputation will be turning bad because of that rascal.”

Sieun asked, “Have you ever tried to tell the man about Seongje’s activity?”

Baku added, “Right, it could curb his crazy-ass, maybe.”

“And risks my mother’s fragile condition?” Gotak questioned.

“What does it have to do with your mother’s condition?” Baku replied.

“Say if I air his business out to his uncle, how do I explain about how I found out about it? My mom will be furious and getting too concerned about me if she ever catches the wind of it. I am constantly afraid she’ll get a heart attack one of these days.” Gotak explained. His mother has a serious heart disease.

“Then make sure your mother never finds out before talking to the director!” Baku said.

“The only way I can meet him is when he visits my mom. He’s a busy man, always in a hurry, comes and goes as fast as the wind.” Gotak replied.

“Is the gossip fun?” Seongje asked the trio. He caught the tail of their conversation; he can guess what they were talking about.

Chapter Text

12 – Late Night Desperations

Juntae fished out a ruler from his back pack, stretched the ruler and his arm to poke Seongje’s sleeping figure. No response. It seemed that Seongje hasn’t joined him at the current cycle yet. He sighed and sat himself to face the front, still two seats away from Seongje.

The last cycle ended with Seongje’s being in sombre mood. And to be honest, Juntae didn’t blame him. His mind went back to the time Sieun purposefully asked him if he wanted to go to the restroom when they were at Baekjin’s wake.

As soon as the two were far from the other three’s earshot. Sieun started to grill him at a corner of the hallway near the restroom. He had so many questions. It wasn’t weird, considering that Sieun had no idea about Seongje and Juntae’s current situation.

“Juntae-ya, what happened?” Sieun asked.

“I mean, I know this must be come as a shock to you guys.” Juntae gulped, “I am shocked too. Him being my neighbour is new. He just recently moved in. Like recently recent.”

“How recent?” Sieun pressed.

Juntae tilted his head, “Like a few days-ish?”

“How did you two ended up sharing a ride?”

“I was the one who offered. After all, we are heading to the same location. And Baekjin is his friend, sort of.” Juntae answered.

“Okay.” Sieun nodded, he was silently watched Juntae before asked, “Juntae-ya, do you know something about Seongje that we don’t?”

“Shouldn’t you…,” Juntae turned his head to Sieun, “…ask Gotak about that? He seems to have more tea about Seongje than I do.”

Sieun eyed Juntae, “It’s just… you seem unbothered with Geum Seongje around. Considering the history between us and him was quite messy… You went as far as having no problem being left alone with Geum Seongje. You even offered that option yourself.”

Juntae nodded and laughed ironically, “Right. I probably shouldn’t be too relaxed around someone like him, should I?” He sighed, and said something sage but perfectly understood by Sieun, “But, Sieun-ah, perhaps, there are a lot of things in this world that we thought we know, but in reality, we don’t.”

He licked his lips, before continued, “Did you know? While Geum Seongje has been a serious threat for you, Baku, and Gotak all these times, he saved me before. And what’s stranger is that while you guys repeatedly ended up fighting him, he never hurt me–,” a fleeting thought passed by Juntae’s mind, the only time Seongje ever harmed him was the night when he woke up on the bus with Juntae sitting too close to his side, “–never intentionally.”

Sieun turned his head to look at Juntae’s face. The boy didn’t say anything, but his mind slowly pieced out the information that he got from his friend.

Juntae’s mind went around from the visions to the way Seongje treated him during their time together. He continued, “Although, I feel like such a shitty friend for saying this in front of you – considering everything that he did to you, to Gotak – but, I think, Geum Seongje isn’t entirely rotten to the core. He also has his own story too. What made him the person he is now.”

“To be honest, when I heard him talking about his own mother, I thought – should I feel sorry for him? After all he made me went through…” Sieun sighed, he closed his eyes and tapped the back of his head to the wall behind him, “Still, a small part of me do feel sorry for him.” – “But, the fact that Gotak knows something about Geum Seongje that he kept to himself all along until today, also doesn’t sit right with me.” Sieun eyed at nothing in particular, probably his mind started to wander. As Juntae knew the boy had a history of being betrayed by his own friend.

“What did you guys talk about earlier? Geum Seongje sounded so pissed. What’s the tea?” Juntae questioned.

Sieun summed up everything that he heard from Gotak earlier for Juntae.

“He is the hospital director’s nephew?! Here I thought they are half-brothers.” Juntae said without so much thought. “I expected a real life ground breaking makjang drama to unfold.”

The corner of Sieun’s lips twitched. “Doesn’t it still count as makjang?”

Juntae shrugged, “Yes, but it’s not as atrocious as I predicted.” His mind went back and forth from Seongje’s briefs when they went through the photos to the showdown to the info Sieun heard from Gotak – which ones are the truth? – and suddenly felt a surge of outburst due to the pressure on his own situation, “But, what’s up with all of these complicated things?! I wish our life is simpler.”

“And the hardest thing that we have to worry about is just our study and university entrance examination.” Sieun added.

Juntae let out a sympathetic snort, “Right.” He groaned, absently rattled, “Baku and Baekjin had their own beef which we don’t exactly know the details of. Gotak and Seongje, apparently, have theirs too, unbeknownst to us. Baekjin, being the one who smashed Gotak’s knee–”

“Wait, Baekjin was the one who broke Gotak’s knee?” That’s also a news for Sieun who blinked several times, before his eyebrow suddenly shot up.

Oops. “That’s what I heard,” Juntae tried to play it cool.

A silence stretched between them.

The outburst seemed contagious, because after a long pause, Sieun voiced, “I am suddenly feeling annoyed,” his tone was almost sad and tired, he let out a bitter laugh, “Those four at least have businesses with each other. Us? – you and me. Why are we being pulled into this chaos? There are a lot of things that we don’t know about but ended up affecting our lives.”

A name came to Juntae’s mind, he answered simply, “Choi Hyoman.”

Well, their friendship began with Choi Hyoman and those stolen cellphones.

Sieun groaned and nodded solemnly, “Right.”

Seongje didn’t budge, even until they reached their stop. Juntae was having an emergency on his hands. Another cycle, another crisis. He closed his eyes as he tilted his head upwards and took a deep sigh.

He wore his backpack at the front and decided to give the other boy a piggyback. Well, not quite, since Seongje’s feet were still touching the ground, getting dragged. Their height and weight difference make it difficult for Juntae to do it. And the fact that Seongje being unconscious made it even harder because it meant Juntae had to withstand all their weight altogether. However, Juntae was still trying his best.

Juntae’s journey to get off the bus took longer than usual. He struggled to bring Seongje’s body, which he mounted on his back, all the way to the bus stop seat. He grunted and unload the boy from his back to the bench. Then, Juntae plopped himself on the empty spot beside Seongje’s unconscious body.

Juntae sat there in a daze for a few good minutes. He’s tired from all of the lifting and from the previous cycles of time loop journey. The exhaustion started to take a super serious toll on his own body. And Seongje…

“Seongje,” Juntae called the boy, kicked his foot gently.

The boy still passed out cold and didn’t even show any sign of waking up anytime soon. Worry started to creep inside Juntae’s brain.

What happened to him? Why he isn’t waking up?

How is he going to bring Seongje home?

He can’t leave his unconscious body on the side of the street in the middle of the night, can he?

Juntae groaned one more time before got up, bend his knees a little, and slung Seongje’s arms on his shoulder to put the boy back on his back. He continued his long way home to their apartment building. As he struggled, Juntae took notes on his own weak physical strength; definitely should be doing more exercises.

Their way home filled with a lot of grunts from Juntae. Sometimes Seongje slipped down his back, a few times Juntae almost stumbled forward. A few sways to the left and right because Seongje is one heavy guy for a Juntae sized guy.

His knees finally gave out when he reached the point where the vending machine located. Juntae gently lowered himself and put down Seongje to sit on the side, leaned on to the machine.

What’s for today? Apparently, they’re having energy drinks and choco pies for this time around.

Juntae secured a can of Monster, a Red Bull, and a whole box of choco pies. One can of Monster energy drink and a pack of choco pie later, Juntae’s energy was slowly recovering. And Seongje… God, when is he going to wake up?

He was about to hoist Seongje on his back again when his eyes caught Mr. Go, Midnight Restaurant owner, just opened up his shop. As the name suggested, his restaurant only opened at midnight. Juntae knew the man because the Go family also owned a corner store nearby his apartment.

Mr. Go came with a bike. Juntae had his eureka moment, he might have found a way to transport Seongje home. He ran to greet Mr. Go.

“Hello, Mr. Go!”

“Ooo, Seo Juntae. What are you doing out this late? Did you just go home from cram school?” The man replied.

“Yes,” Juntae eyed the bike, he asked, “Mr. Go, may I borrow your bike?”

Juntae was about to return the bike after he successfully transported Seongje to his apartment – Juntae own apartment. Because one, he didn’t know Seongje’s passcode and two, he doesn’t have the ability to break into someone else’s property like Seongje does.

He was riding on Mr. Go’s bicycle when he heard a commotion from one of the alleys.

“Help! Urrghm.” – a low female voice that cried for help, desperately. The voice wasn’t particularly audible, but somehow, he managed to hear them.

Juntae hit the brake to stop himself. He turned his head and tried to locate the source of the voice. What he’s about to do probably wasn’t wise, but Juntae wasn’t about to turn blind eyes to the cries.

He investigated further, followed the sound of the desperate pleas. His eyes finally locked on a slumped figure on the ground near someone’s dumpster in between two building.

“Please, help me!”

Chapter Text

13 – Ten Million Fireflies

Seongje opened his eyes slowly. He blinked a few times. The bright light on the ceiling luminated the room. Before his blurry eyes made out the line of a tall bookshelf across the bed. Filled with comic books, action figures, and cute plushies – neatly arranged. This isn’t his bedroom.

He sat up in a jolt and looked around. It took him a few seconds to realize that he was in Juntae’s bedroom. How did he end up here? Seongje’s hand reached his eyeglasses that was neatly put on the small table beside the bed, along with two packs of choco pie, a can of Red Bull, and a yellow post it notes.

Seongje,

In case you’re waking up when I am out…

I am currently returning a bike that I borrowed from Mr. Go (Midnight Restaurant). I’ll be back in a few minutes, 25 mins tops. The choco pies and Red Bull are from the vending machine. 

–Juntae

Seongje stared blankly at the drink and the snack. He was considering for a long minute before finally reaching for the red bull. He popped up the can and started drinking.

He fished his own mobile phone from the pocket of his windbreaker and started to put in Juntae’s number that he memorized.

[Geum Seongje]

Are you on your way back yet?

Thirty minutes has passed, but Juntae still wasn’t back. His chat was also left unread. Where is he?

Seongje was about to stand up from Juntae’s bed when he started to see a bunch of little twinkling lights appeared in his vision, floating around. Each time he blinked; the number seemed to double. They were growing so rapidly to the point the light was getting extremely bright for a small room like Juntae’s, even passing the comfortable level for his eyes. Too bright until his vision started getting spotty. The fuck? Is this the power I get from the red bull?

Then started to hear some buzzing sound. As the light was growing brighter, the sound was getting louder too. It started swarming around him and behaved like the bees. Oh no, he fucking hates bees and small bugs in general. Like a drunken man, he stumbled around to avoid them, doing countless of mad pirouette like a spinning top.

“Oh, fuck, leave me alone! FUCK!” Seongje swung his hands around to dispel the swarming bugs. But each time, they were back together with their formation and circling around him – like a wall of tornado.

He might have spun his body around too much, because the next thing that happened were his clothes got caught on Juntae’s door handle and his legs lost its footing, making him stumbled out of the room gracelessly. Thunk! He fell face down.

“FUCK! For fuck’s sake, what’s wrong with these bugs?! Why the hell I get such a weird power tonight? Am I Shino Aburame now?” Seongje screamed in frustration.

But, as he lifted up his head, he saw that the number of fireflies that hovered above him was lessened. Instead of being above him like previously, they swarmed to the direction of the front door. What are these bugs trying to do?

Seongje waited for about half an hour for Juntae before following the fireflies out. By that time, he finally figured out that the fireflies were trying to guide him somewhere. He sticked a note for the boy to find on the shoe’s cabinet near the apartment unit entrance, telling him that a bunch of lighting bugs want to show him something and asking Juntae to call him back when he found the note. He knew, he knew, Juntae previously asked him to inform and wait for him if he wants to do anything. But this time, he’s not exactly not telling him, he already did as Juntae instructed: he waited, left note and explanation, and even already tried to contact the boy, Juntae was the one who’s unreachable.

He was being herded to a sketchy building in the area.

The blinking lights around him couldn’t even lessened the overwhelming sense of fear that he felt when he found the scene. The way his whole body seemed to went through several waves of shocks before completely shut down, frozen to the point that he can’t feel the tips of his own fingers. His knees met the floor with a loud thud, but he felt no pain followed even when the sound indicated the otherwise.

“Ya! Ya, Juntae… Seo Juntae…” Seongje muttered quietly, his voice trembled, as panic started to take a root in his mind. He slowly extended his unsteady hand to touch Juntae who lied on the cold floor. A feathery touch on the boy’s arm, and then his cheeks. Seo Juntae’s body was very cold, as cold as the frozen ice cubes. The boy was unresponsive, too still and too stiff to be alive.

No, no, no.

Seongje reacted in autopilot. His mind was not there, but his body remembered what to do when facing such situation. He clasped his hands and rubbed them together, then cupped the smaller boy’s cheeks and ears, tried to warm him up with his hands.

He breathed close to Juntae’s lips, ones that already turned blue under the circumstances, whispered his name like a chant, “Juntae, come on, come on. Don’t die on me, Seo Juntae. You… FUCK!” Too close to a memory that he wasn’t thrilled on relieving.

Seongje put his left ear on Juntae’s left chest, where he supposedly could hear his heart beating. However, his pulse was too quiet. Then, he grabbed the smaller boy’s left wrist and checked his pulse – too faint, too feeble. He’s not breathing. FUCK!

Seongje immediately placed one of his hands on the centre of Juntae’s chest to start the compression. He’s going to give him a CPR. How to do it again? Been a while since the last time he had done this. 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths? Seongje tried his best to perform the compressions while took a few calming breaths for himself. Pulled Juntae’s chin to open his mouth, pinched his nose, took a deep breath, and sealed their mouth together.

In the midst of it, Seongje’s vision registered the dimming little lights around him – the fireflies were dropping down. The feeling of dread once again spiked on his nerves. Seongje thought of how he didn’t have much time and option to save the unconscious boy. He needed to act fast.

When Juntae finally showed the sign of breathing back to live. Seongje took off his windbreaker and donned it on Juntae.

“Hold on for a bit, yeah?” Seongje whispered to the boy softly, before lifted him off the ground, piggy-backed him, and get themselves out of that damned place. Staying in a cold storage with minimal oxygen wouldn’t be good for both of them.

Seongje knew there’s no use at bringing Juntae to the nearest hospital around. He can’t, he won’t. He’d bet on everything he has, even his life – if he brought Juntae to the hospital, he’ll 100% die at their hands. So, no. Hospital wasn’t an option. Bringing him home and done his best to bring down his temperature was a much saver option.

The door just closed with a soft click. Gently, Seongje laid down Juntae’s body on the floor of the boy’s bedroom. His hands hovered for a beat, a fleeting hesitation on his part about this. No, he can’t hesitate over something like this. He was sure Juntae would have done the same in his position. Modesty and propriety were the last thing he should be worried about; his life is much more important. Yeah.

Seongje turned on the heater in the room before he started stripping the smaller boy out of his wet frozen clothes. As more skin was revealed, he noted the blue and black spots all over Juntae’s body. And the boy’s body itself was also still completely icy-cold. Seongje tried to work as fast and efficiently as possible. Hypothermia could cost someone their life if not treated properly. He was also feeling an extreme outrage and ready to commit a killing spree because… (Seongje stopped himself from thinking about it further because he needed to focus on the poor boy’s condition first before dealing with his emotion.)

The boy was down to his underwear before Seongje moved him to lie on his bed. He bundled the boy in his own bedcover, before leaving him to fetch a towel, a hairdryer and a fresh boxer. No luck in finding a thermometer though, he knew Juntae must’ve it somewhere in the apartment.

When Seongje got back to the bedside, he changed Juntae’s underwear with the bedcover covering his private parts. He’s not a pervert. Though some accidental groping happened (Sorry, Juntae-ya), but Seongje swore it wasn’t intentional on his part. Then, Seongje sat himself down and moved Juntae’s head to his lap. Armed with the hairdryer and towel, Seongje tried his best to dry Juntae’s hair.

After making sure Juntae’s all dry, Seongje went to scavenge more blankets. He piled every blanket that he could found to keep Juntae’s body warm; even took the ones in Juntae’s parents’ bedroom and some from his own boxes outside until the boy resembled that pea from the Pea Princess tale but instead of twenty mattresses and twenty eiderdown beds, he got twenty layers of blankets and winter jackets over his body. And why the hell the Seos don’t have an electric blanket?! Fuck! Or maybe they use electric mattress pad? No? Fucking hell! If Juntae is getting through this, he’ll buy him one.

Despite his effort, Juntae’s still too icy, his temperature too low (Seongje checked when he finally found a thermogun inside Juntae’s beside table cabinet). He could hear Juntae’s teeth chattering due to the cold. Well, Seongje thought to himself, what else that I could possibly do?

Skin-to-skin heat transfer; he can definitely do that. Seongje started to take off his clothes. Yeah, he can absolutely hug Seo Juntae while both of them are half-naked. Yes. This won’t be weird; you’re doing this to save his life, Seongje kept on repeating that to himself.

Thump, thump, thump – Seongje’s heart was beating wildly when he joined Juntae in his bed. His breath stuttered. It seemed that his own nerve system was getting fried with everything that happened, that must be it. He rearranged their position so that he could hold the boy closely in his arms. He tried not to flinch as their body pressed closely together. He’s too damn cold.

The smaller boy’s face was right in front of his face, Seongje could practically count his eyelashes. He brought one of his hands to cup Juntae’s cheek, the lack of blush on his skin made him looked lifeless. At that moment he sincerely wished Juntae would open his doe eyes, he prefers to see the smaller boy alive. He’d better be springing back to life tomorrow or my efforts were in vain. As his eyes fell on Juntae’s pouty lips, suddenly his brain decided to conjure the image of him kissing – no, yes, it’s practically the kiss of life but…

Chapter Text

14 – Dying in One Way or Another

It’s warm, toasty, and obviously comfortable. Juntae hugged his pillow tighter and burrowed his head further. Thump, thump, thump – that’s all he heard before succumbed back into the void.

*

Seongje’s breath hitched when he realized that Juntae was starting to stir and the next thing he knew, the boy’s lips were pressed to the crook between his neck and collarbone, arms were circling his midriff, the hug on him was getting tighter. He froze, he blinked, stared blankly at the twinkling bugs above him. Juntae’s body was half sprawled on the top of his. His right palm hovered awkwardly above the back of Juntae’s head before he finally gave in and started to pat the smaller guy’s hair fondly.

*

Juntae was slowly drifting back into consciousness. And the first thing that he noticed was his pillow purred like a cat. He ran his fingers along absently and turned his head to the other side. He felt his body protested but the coziness made him didn’t want to move. Five more minutes, he thought to himself.

In the midst of the comfort, he felt something was poking him on the hip, somewhere close to his crotch area. He shifted away to dodge it, only to be pulled back instantly by the waist. He let out a dissatisfied grunt.

It took him a few more seconds before he his brain slowly booted up and started running, his eyes slowly fluttered open and met with Seongje’s sleepy ones – one, two, three. A kneejerk reaction that resulted in a pained howl that didn’t come from him.

“THE FUCK!” followed with another pained groan, litany of curses, and a choked murmur, “Ah, is this how you’re going to repay my kindness?! Fuck, that hurts. Are you trying to burst my balls?”

Juntae, already rolling to the side, turned his head and found Seongje bowed sideways, his veins popped out, very visible on his neck, eyes closed, furrowed eyebrows, while biting his lips hard enough to the point that it almost bleed – all signs that showed Juntae that he was clearly suffering an extreme pain.

“I I I–,” Juntae stuttered like a broken record. His mind shut down in split second and went into panic mode. He’s so going to lose his head (in literal sense). He, Seo Juntae, just kneed Geum Seongje at… at… down there. RIP some of Seongje’s little swimmers (maybe). “I am really SORRY! It was an accident…” He finally blurted, might have cried a little and about to piss his pants off.

Few minutes later, Seongje was finally be able to collect himself. No, Juntae hasn’t died yet. There’s no point of Seongje saving him last night if he’s going to unalive him the next day.

Seongje took a deep breath, “OK, Ballbuster. Wait here, I’ll get you warm water and some soup.” He grumbled in a low voice, “unbelieveable,” while removing layers of blanket from the top of his body.

Juntae replied in a low and remorseful tone, “I am sorry, I’ll compensate you.”

A snort came from Seongje, “Compensate me? With what?”

“I’ll pay for the medical check-up and the rest of it.” Juntae replied meekly.

Seongje put his tongue in his cheek, rolled his eyes in an annoyed manner. He turned his head to stare at Juntae dead in the eyes and asked, “If something happened to Seongje juniors what are you gonna do?”

“I don’t think…,” Juntae paused, he scratched his head, and sniffed, replied in a careful tone, “I think… you’ll be fine. We are still in a time loop, aren’t we? When we are in the next one, shouldn’t your… balls… also reverted back to their original… state?”

Seongje gave him a nasty look, “If you put it like that, should I kick you in the same spot to make us even? Since we are in a time loop anyway…”

Juntae put his best puppy eyes look, and whined, “Don’t… Please… It’s hurt.”

“Then, how are you going to compensate me for the emotional damage?”

“Do you want some money?”

“I want something other than money.”

“Then, do you want me to name my first born after you…? In tribute of, ehm, the fallen soldiers and just in case…” Juntae belatedly regretted his decision to mention the last part. Why did he say that?

“In case what?” Seongje snapped back.

“…you,” cough, “can’t…” Juntae lifted his little finger up to explain it with his hand motion only cancel it the last second and made it looked like he’s trying to scratch his not itchy head.

Seongje squinted his eyes, “Finish that sentence, I’ll make sure you won’t be able to walk until the next cycle, Seo Juntae.”

Awkward silence was hanging in the air for a few beats.

Seongje cleared his throat, before started moving out of the bed, “I’ll make you some soup from your instant food stash.” He’s not going to order Juntae a meal from the closest restaurant, not when he kneed him at the balls after everything that he had done to resurrect him from the almost flatlining state – yeah, he’s at least should be allowed to be this petty.

Juntae was about to ask Seongje if he knew where he put his stash of instant soup but nothing came out of his mouth, because Seongje just got out of the blanket – only in his underwear. Blush creeped up on Juntae’s face faster than a lightning speed. Somehow his dry throat got even dryer. Juntae’s eyes however, were unable to look away.

Seongje’s eyes zeroed on Juntae’s reaction, he arched his eyebrow, “Aren’t you a perv, Eunjang – where are you looking at?” That comment quickly sobered Juntae up, and made him dragged the blanket to hide his face. He let out a muffled mortified, “NOOoo.”

As he ducked his head inside the blanket, Juntae came to a realization that he himself was also in the same state as Seongje. The boy quickly flipped the blanket back, away from his face, only to see Seongje halfway trying to dress himself, wearing a baggy jogger pants that looks like Juntae’s.

“Let me borrow this, yeah?” Seongje said. This and the opened wardrobe door confirmed Juntae’s deduction.

And at the same time Juntae tried to ask, “Why…? Where’s… my clothes?” His heart raced as he stared back at Seongje.

“Your clothes are in your wardrobe.” Seongje motioned with his hands nonchalantly, he’s being obtuse on purpose.

Juntae clicked his tongue, “No, I mean,” he motioned at his body to make it clear that he was referring to his state of undress.

Calmly Seongje tilted his head, smirked as he elaborated, “You are basically an overchilled popsicle last night. I hope you appreciate my effort giving you a skin-to-skin heat transfer to keep your cute ass alive.” Winked as he finished.

*

After Seongje left Juntae alone in his room, Juntae let out a silent scream of mortification. He felt his brain was short circuiting, error404 not found.

What the hell was that? What the hell, Seo Juntae, what’s wrong with you?! What the hell am I doing, why the hell I am doing that, who the hell am I do–?! Wait, wrong question. No, you aren’t doing him. Argh…

He closed his eyes and blocked his muffled sobs with the cloth on his hand. Rolled his body along with the blanket, wiggled left and right like a caterpillar. His traitorous brain that keeps on reminding him of his previous dreams and visions with Seongje – also, not helping!

At the end, the small boy may be rolling around too much, too close to the edge, caused kimbab-Juntae fell on the floor with a thud. Thankfully not hurting himself further since the blanket cushioned him from the impact of the fall. He whined pitifully in a low voice, before wriggling again and trying to getting himself up to a sitting position with blanket still wrapped around his body.

Slowly, he peeled the blanket from his upper torso. He started to analyse every information that he had.

So, if his visions are something that will happen in the future…

Does that mean Seongje and him will eventually ended up in a relationship? He felt his face was getting warmer, he must be looking like a boiled crustacean. Feeling shy, he scrunched his nose, lips pouted, and covered both of his cheeks with his palms.

Sieun’s – his looks pretty great, which is good for him. Baku’s and Gotak’s however… – Juntae rubbed his temple, biting his lower lips – especially Gotak, what’s up with him? What do I do with him?

Accidentally, Juntae’s eyes met his reflection in the mirror. His eyes slowly widened in fear when he realized something else stared back at him.

*

In the kitchen, Seongje finally had his time alone. He went through several cabinets to find what he needed. His hands went autopilot preparing the instant food and drinks.

He chuckled to himself. Seeing the blush on Seo Juntae’s cheeks was definitely a whole lot better than seeing him in pale and lifeless state. He’s glad and in a great mood. He definitely could pick fights with everyone on the street out there right at this moment and still standing tall after beating them all. His chuckles turned into choppy laughter. If anyone saw him, he definitely be looking mad as hell. He laughed, laughed, and laughed until a stray tear started to roll down his cheek.

He’s seriously going through an emotional meltdown.

*

Seongje brought back a bed tray table with a thermos filled with instant seaweed soupy porridge with beef, two cups of hot chocolate, and a bowl of instant ramyeon on it into the bedroom. No trace of his tears and snot since he washed his face on the kitchen sink before went back to the bedroom.

He put the tray on the bed (on the place he previously occupied), handed Juntae a cup of hot chocolate and told him to drink it first before drinking his own.

Seongje kept his eyes trained on Juntae. The boy was wearing his own oversized dark green hoodie with soft yellow pattern, loose red pyjama pants, and a cream blanket wrapped around his body – he’s looking ridiculously cute sitting on the bed like a human burrito.

“What?” Juntae asked, his eyes groggily went back and forth from Seongje’s face to other random spots in his bedroom.

“Why are you looking so nervous?” Seongje asked back, holding back a grin.

Juntae licked his lips once, rolled his shoulder, and bravely fired back a question instead of answering – snippily, “Why are you not wearing any shirt?”

“It’s hot,” Seongje leaned his hips back to Juntae’s study table behind him, he put the cup on his hand, and folded his arms. He saw how Juntae’s eyes were following his movements, he put his tongue on the inside his cheek, teased the boy once again, “I was under those layers of blanket all night and day with you…”

Juntae rolled his eyes – looking thoroughly unamused; rose from his sitting position, blanket abandoned on the edge of the bed; half-drunk hot chocolate mug in hand, he inched closer to Seongje, swaying unsteadily like a kite, “Aren’t you one opportunistic bastard? You put your hands on places you aren’t supposed to, taking advantage of someone who’s in no condition to refuse,” he sighed dramatically, let out a sinister chuckle and continued, “You really can’t trust men,” before taking a sip of his hot chocolate.

Seongje felt something was off with Juntae; the way he spoke, his tone, his mannerism – were very off-character oh him, very un-Juntae-like. He (Juntae) sounded more like… him (Seongje) when he’s trying to scare people off. “Ya, wh–”

The smaller boy giggled hysterically like he had just reminded of a funny joke, cutting Seongje’s words, “It was funny seeing you try to be–,” he made a hand motion of quoting with his free hand, scrunched his face, “the good guy last night, trying to save someone else. I’ve never seen this side of you before.”

Juntae’s face was now only two centimetres away from Seongje, his eyes which usually emitted warm, naivety, and kindness were looking eerily dead, soulless, blank, kinda like Sieun’s but ten times scarier, he whispered, “But you are no better than those bastards back there. You are one of them, Geum Seongje. Be honest, you only help, because you need something in return.”

Seongje was no longer feeling flustered when Juntae’s face was getting too close to his. Instead, he felt chill ran down his spine, like the temperature just dropped, goosebumps spread all over his body – in a bad way. Before he had the chance to try to understand Juntae’s strange words; Slam – Juntae aimed to smash the ceramic mug at Seongje’s head, only to miss by a few centimetres. The mug (thankfully) collided with the metal pole of a shelf first before his head. The hot brown liquid sloshed everywhere, trickled down Juntae’s own hand, but the boy showed no reaction.

“AH, shit, it’s HOT!” Seongje dodged quickly only for his hand to get burned by the hot chocolate from his cup he put on the table behind him that tipped sideway because of his own sudden movement.

Missed swing. Hard shove – Seongje stumbled backward. A swift swipe on his feet and blam – Seongje fell down, pulling along Juntae with him. The thick wood actually broke into two, Juntae’s study table was a total wreck.

Too fucking close; Seongje held Juntae’s wrists tightly.

Both of them were on the floor, Seongje was lying on his back, while Juntae was sitting on the top of Seongje’s stomach, thighs bracketing his hips, pinned him down.

The little guy was abnormally strong and felt heavier than he was supposed to be to the point of inhumane. The usually flailing teen was turning into hulk. No matter how hard Seongje was trying – trashing, tugging, using his knees trying to knock Juntae from the back, using his full weight and strength to wrestle the boy – Juntae was not budging at all; something that regular Juntae 100% couldn’t do. Like there was a mystical force behind his strength.

One of Juntae’s hands was holding a metal chopstick, aimed to stab Seongje’s left chest – his heart; while the other pressed on his windpipe. The oxygen in his lungs slowly depleted and Seongje let out a desperate gurgled choke, his vision started to blur. His face went red, eyes bulged, veins popping. The pain that he felt from the breaking skin on his chest told him that the small boy was halfway there to unalive him.

Despite his blurry vision and everything, Seongje was still able to spot a lone firefly perched on the top of Juntae’s left earlobe. It stayed there despite the turbulence. Juntae also didn’t look bothered with the bug crawling on his skin. Seongje’s eyes strangely kept on wandering back to that bug – drawn to it. His gut feeling told him, Juntae’s peculiarly murderous behaviour had something to do with that pesky little thing. 

“Just give up and die, die, die,” Juntae’s hand was tightening at his neck along with each word, “Die, Geum Seongje – you and each one of the Union members.” Juntae said – a note of resentment in his voice. The hand in his neck tightened. “I’ll drag you all to hell with me, let's die together.”

Seongje had strange urge before he fell into a complete black out. Should I do it? Considering his situation, he was willing to risk it – a do or die moment for him. He let go of Juntae’s wrist on his neck – his windpipe automatically getting squeezed harder. Now that he is having a free hand, all he has to do is slapping that fucking bug, he needs to crush that bug, making it go, away from Juntae. Using his remaining strength, Seongje did it.

*

Juntae’s body fell sideways. His ears rang, his head throbbed, feeling extremely lightheaded. The left side of his face felt hurt like he just had been whacked so hard that he might have a concussion. His wrists ached so bad, like they were about to fall off. The digging nails on his own right palm. Moving his body felt like a challenging task; no energy left in his body, not even a spare to lift his finger – he was totally drained.

He lied down on the ground, body twisted in an uncomfortable position, but his face was facing upwards. His vision was so blurry, with splotchy black and white spots going in and out, forming a pattern like a kaleidoscope. He might have not worn his eyeglasses too.

I’m still in my room, am I not?

Why is my room looking very crowded?

Why there are a lot of people in here? – he thought when he saw the silhouettes.

What happened?

Someone was bending down to take a closer look at his face.

Uh, Na Baekjin?

Did I die?