HLFH | Chapter 22

Feeling embarrassed about crying alone, Ki Jaeeon eventually stumbled out of his room to wash his face in the morning.

Blink.

Sting.

Blink.

Sting.

“…Ah.”

Even blinking made his eyes sting quite a bit.

He rubbed his red, swollen eyes with the back of his hand as he descended the stairs.

He thought about heading straight to the bathroom but stopped by the kitchen first. He quickly opened the fridge, not to eat, but to see if there were any more letters. Just thinking about it made his ears and neck feel a bit warm.

Then, Ki Jaeeon noticed a piece of paper.

It was an A4-sized sheet placed on top of a black lunchbox.

It wasn’t a letter. It was more like a schedule.

What is this? Ki Jaeeon read the paper carefully.

As he read each word, his pale complexion became even more haggard.

The paper basically said, “We’ll vacate the dormitory from this time to this time,” a one-sided notice and a burdensome consideration. It even ended with, Ki Jaeeon was shocked and gripped the paper tightly. This was a burden like no other. He wanted to run outside and bring back the kids wandering the neighborhood for no reason.

‘Where, how do I contact…’

Just as he thought about pleading for them to stop this unnecessary gesture.

“Just enjoy it.”

A familiar voice suddenly spoke.

Ki Jaeeon flinched and turned his head toward the sound. There stood Ahn Seomyeong. As soon as their eyes met, he placed a finger on his lips and whispered, “I’m breaking the rules.”

“If they catch me, it’s bathroom cleaning duty, so please cooperate.”

“…Bathroom cleaning?”

Ki Jaeeon’s lips trembled in disbelief.

Was there even a penalty?

He hoped for denial, but Ahn Seomyeong nodded, confirming his suspicion.

“It’s only fair to have a penalty for breaking the rules.”

Ki Jaeeon felt his tongue stiffen with the weight of the burden. He could barely breathe.

“I, I don’t think this is right.”

“Isn’t it a bit shameless to say that now?”

“It’s not that…”

“Then let it be. Let them feel even more sorry.”

“…?”

Seeing Ki Jaeeon’s puzzled expression, Ahn Seomyeong shrugged with a face that wasn’t joking. Then he slowly reached out and gently hooked his pinky around Ki Jaeeon’s. The touch of dry skin sent a strange shiver through him.

Ah… Flinch. Ki Jaeeon took a slight step back at the unfamiliar sensation, and Ahn Seomyeong paused, making eye contact.

Dark, clear eyes.

His straightforward gaze made Ki Jaeeon’s heart flutter for some reason.

“Whatever you do, it’s your choice and your life…”

Ahn Seomyeong smiled slowly, his small head tilting to the side.

“But you keep making me interfere.”

Then, as if telling him not to run away, his pinky tightened around Ki Jaeeon’s.

“Presumptuous, right?”

Ahn Seomyeong wrinkled his nose as if troubled.

Before Ki Jaeeon could respond, Ahn Seomyeong’s fingers slipped away, and the paper in Ki Jaeeon’s hand was taken.

“I’ll go tell them to stop. If the person involved doesn’t want it, there’s nothing to be done.”

“Ah… Th-thank you.”

Ki Jaeeon mumbled, finally coming to his senses. The lingering warmth on his pinky felt awkward.

Hmm, Ahn Seomyeong watched Ki Jaeeon hesitate and then lightly tapped his shoulder with the rolled-up paper.

“Anyway, I hope your shoulders feel a bit lighter.”

Ki Jaeeon’s expression changed instantly.

– “I hope the exorcist’s shoulders feel lighter.”

A voice from the past, deeper now, echoed in his mind.

It was Ahn Seomyeong from the days when they fought together.

How could the same person… say the same words, in a different era, at a different time?

Is that even possible?

‘…Ah, maybe.’

Could it be possible?

Ki Jaeeon’s lips curled into a faint smile. It was a smile he didn’t even realize himself.

‘Yeah, you were always like this.’

A consistently kind person.

“Yeah…”

A joy he hadn’t felt in a long time.

No, it was a longing that wasn’t scary.

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

Ki Jaeeon smiled.

Ahn Seomyeong froze like a broken robot.

His gaze lowered slightly, lips curving into a smile.

His fingers twitched.

If he hadn’t held back, he might have reached out and touched Ki Jaeeon.

Thump. Thump.

Thump…?

Ahn Seomyeong realized his heart was racing. It was similar to when he downed three Americanos in a row.

‘That’s strange.’

Ki Jaeeon was somewhere in between. He hadn’t thought beyond that.

He didn’t expect his feelings to veer off in such an unexpected direction.

He recalled how his older sisters used to watch idol performances, claiming they had a “fan accident.”

Is this something like that? Hmm, after a brief consideration, he leaned towards no.

‘Then…’

Thump. Thump.

Thump.

Ahn Seomyeong sighed, “Ah.”

His sharp mind mercilessly recognized this unfamiliar emotion.

He blinked several times, looking slightly bewildered.

For someone with a dry personality, he was showing significant agitation.

But it was understandable.

Ahn Seomyeong, 20 years old.

His first love, and it’s a guy?

‘Is this right?’

His mind gently resisted, but his heart firmly said, ‘Yes, it is.’

‘I like him.’

Ahn Seomyeong let out a light breath at the sudden realization of his unrequited, first love.

‘Jaeeon is cute…’

When it comes to liking someone, there’s no need for formalities.

That’s the boldness only the younger ones can have.

Ah, but only in his heart.

“Hey, hyung, maybe this week—”

Just as he was about to act on his newfound feelings, the front door clattered open. Footsteps rushed in. The timing was unfortunate.

‘Not easy.’

Well, they say love is precious when it’s difficult.

“Hey!! Ahn Seomyeong, you!!”

The kids yelled, claiming he was caught for bathroom cleaning duty. Ahn Seomyeong shrugged. The rule would soon disappear anyway.

Even if it stayed, he wouldn’t mind.

If cleaning the bathroom meant having Ki Jaeeon to himself, he’d do it a hundred, a thousand times.

The younger man in love feared nothing.

“Why did you sneak in and bother Jaeeon hyung—huh…?”

“Yeah! We had an agreement… gasp!”

The kids, who had been complaining with frowns, suddenly fell silent.

Dozens of eyes turned to Ki Jaeeon.

The kids gaped in disbelief. Their eyes blinked several times before widening.

“!!!!”

The kids were shocked as if struck by lightning.

Smiling? Is he really smiling?

The great Ki Jaeeon… is smiling!!

This was a scoop.

Just as the kids were about to react with astonishment.

“Ex-excuse me, I-I’ll go first.”

Whether he instinctively sensed the incoming attention or felt burdened by the gazes, Ki Jaeeon slowly backed away and quickly fled. Even a frightened deer would be slower.

“…Da.”

Someone’s mouth opened and closed.

And then.

“Daaaang!”

“What happened?!”

“No way!!”

Exclamations of shock erupted from all sides.

“Ahn Seomyeong! What did you say to make the exorcist smile?!”

What did he do to make the exorcist, who didn’t eat snacks or reply to letters, smile like spring flowers?

“Explain now!”

“Why are you getting close alone?! That’s unfair!”

Left alone, Ahn Seomyeong had to endure the kids’ chaos.

But even when they pinched his cheeks and shook his shoulders, he didn’t say a word.

Of course not. The reason Ki Jaeeon smiled? Like he’d tell them.

That was solely…

‘Mine.’

A young obsession blossomed.

𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

A month later.

As expected, the news of summoning the Vermilion Bird spread widely, reaching Cheonjiharang’s ears. As anticipated, Cheonjiharang proceeded with a one-sided meeting without consulting Bonryeong.

But this time, Bonryeong didn’t lower its nose.

They were thoroughly prepared to give Cheonjiharang a hard time.

Kim Young adjusted his attire, waiting for the guests from Cheonjiharang to arrive. Behind his horn-rimmed glasses, his gentle eyes burned intensely.

“Master, the guests from Cheonjiharang have arrived!”

“Really? Got it. Thank you. I’ll handle the rest.”

Who could it be?

An exorcist from Cheonjiharang? Or someone from the Ki Family?

The head, Ki Taeho, was known for his heavy steps, so he wouldn’t come.

Maybe Ki Jaeha, who was currently standing in for Ki Jaeeon?

‘Doesn’t matter. They’re all abusers anyway.’

Neglect is also a crime. Kim Young firmly resolved as he opened the large pine door. Whoever came, he wouldn’t hand over Ki Jaeeon. No, he wouldn’t even show his face!

However, the person who visited Bonryeong was someone new, mocking all of Kim Young’s plans.

Why her?

A white dress reminiscent of a pure lily, spotless shoes, and a face veil partially covering her face.

It was Ki Jaeeon’s mother, Ryu Sunghee.

“It’s been a while, Master Kim Young.”

And she was also the country’s top fortune teller.

[Fortune Teller Ryu Sunghee]

The eldest daughter of a fortune-telling family with a long history, like the Ki Family.

Her words never lie.

Ryu Sunghee’s prophecies were renowned for never being wrong.

The line to get a reading from her stretched from Seoul to Busan… no, around the globe.

“I didn’t expect you, Master Ryu.”

“Of course, it’s a natural visit.”

She quietly lifted her gaze, smiling faintly.

“I’m a mother, after all.”

Her eyes, filled with yin energy and a hollow emptiness, were just like Ki Jaeeon’s.