The school was still relatively empty, with only a few students having arrived. The three of them walked together toward the main building. Mu-ryeong and Hwan-young were headed inside, while Ye-jun was going past them toward the annex.
“Hyung.”
Just as they were about to part ways, Mu-ryeong called out to Ye-jun. Ye-jun, who had been about to say goodbye, stopped with a puzzled expression. Mu-ryeong glanced around briefly before stepping closer.
“Give
your hand for a second.”
“...My hand?”
What is he up to now?
Hwan-young frowned slightly, already sensing what was about to happen. There was a high chance that Kim Mu-ryeong would once again show his characteristic kindness.
Sure enough, Mu-ryeong pulled sothing out of his pocket and, without hesitation, clasped Ye-jun’s hand between both of his own.
“If you keep this with you, you won’t get possessed.”
What he handed over was a ten-won coin, the sa kind he usually gave to goblins as offerings. It was imbued with pure spiritual energy, likely serving a similar purpose as the talisman he had once given Hwan-young.
As Hwan-young stared at their joined hands, a lump rose in his throat.
anwhile, Mu-ryeong smiled gently at Ye-jun.
“If it stops working, let
know. I’ll give you a new one.”
“Oh...”
Ye-jun blinked, staring blankly at Mu-ryeong’s face.
His wide eyes softened into crescent moons, and Ye-jun’s ears turned noticeably red.
At the sight of their awkward exchange, Hwan-young suddenly tugged at the hem of Mu-ryeong’s uniform shirt.
“Hm?”
Mu-ryeong turned around, his bright eyes eting Hwan-young’s directly.
The truth was, Hwan-young didn’t have a real reason—he had just acted on impulse. Realizing this, he slowly let go.
“...You had sothing on you.”
What a lie.
Mu-ryeong’s uniform was as spotless as ever. But instead of doubting him, Mu-ryeong simply checked his sleeve, murmuring, “Was it Danchu’s fur?”
Seeing this, Ye-jun awkwardly smiled before slipping his hand out of Mu-ryeong’s grasp.
“Thanks, Mu-ryeong.”
His usually composed face looked strangely somber. Even the way he put the coin into his pocket felt hesitant, like he was lingering on sothing.
But by the ti he lifted his head again, his smile was bright and relieved.
“You must’ve had a tough ti yesterday.”
“Ah, it wasn’t that bad.”
Mu-ryeong shook his head with a cheerful laugh, brushing it off. He even grinned and told Ye-jun to co to him anyti he needed help.
Ye-jun stared at him for a mont before letting out a quiet sigh.
“...You know, Mu-ryeong, you shouldn’t be too nice.”
“Huh?”
Mu-ryeong’s eyes widened in surprise.
Ye-jun smirked playfully.
“Your future boyfriend will get jealous.”
“......”
Hwan-young swallowed dryly and turned his head away.
He almost let out a cough.
He wasn’t Mu-ryeong’s boyfriend, but...
Well. He was definitely bothered by all of this.
Mu-ryeong still looked confused as Ye-jun chuckled and changed the subject.
“Co over again soti. Danchu would love to see you.”
“Of course!”
Mu-ryeong’s response was as enthusiastic as ever, promising he would visit.
Ye-jun then shifted his gaze to Hwan-young, who was watching with a slightly annoyed expression. He smiled knowingly.
“Hwan-young, you should co too.”
“...What?”
For a second, he thought he misheard.
Kim Mu-ryeong getting invited was one thing—but him?
Ye-jun shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“You two seem close.”
“......”
For the third ti now.
He had heard this comnt before.
The first ti, it had felt irritating.
The second ti, it had felt aningless.
But this ti... it sounded almost certain.
Hwan-young was still trying to co up with a response when a familiar voice called out from a distance.
“Kim Mu-ryeong!”
“Oh, it’s Seung-joo.”
Mu-ryeong grinned, pointing toward the approaching figure.
“Hyung, can I bring him next ti too? He likes cats.”
“Sure, why not?”
Ye-jun’s relaxed smile no longer felt forced.
Maybe it was because the dark energy that had clung to him was finally gone.
Or maybe... it was because the awkwardness between them had finally faded.
Whatever the reason, one thing was clear—he looked at peace.
“See you later.”
With that, Ye-jun walked toward the annex, slipping his hand into his pocket.
For a mont, he pulled out the coin and looked at it thoughtfully.
Sohow, he had a feeling that he wouldn’t be needing Mu-ryeong’s help again anyti soon.
***
Since the next day was the last day of the sester, the school had scheduled a shortened day.
Unlike their usual long school hours that stretched into the evening, today they were already getting ready to leave after lunch.
If it had been earlier in the sester, Hwan-young would have stayed seated until the very end.
But with half the class already gone, he grabbed his bag and stood up.
“Horoom is over?”
The mont he turned around, he saw Mu-ryeong waiting for him.
Seung-joo was with him, both of them standing near the back door.
As students passed by, they casually greeted Mu-ryeong.
“See you tomorrow, Mu-ryeong!”
“Take care!”
“Hey, I’m coming over to see Seolgi during break!”
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
It felt like just yesterday when Hwan-young had found it fascinating how Mu-ryeong seed to know every single student in school.
Now, two months had passed since they started spending ti together.
At first, other students had watched them curiously, but by now, they had gotten used to it. No one even reacted anymore when Hwan-young approached Mu-ryeong—it had beco normal.
“You’re taking the bus, right?”
As they walked toward the school gate, Mu-ryeong asked as if it were the most obvious thing.
Seung-joo glanced at them briefly before turning away, looking entirely uninterested in whether they took the bus or walked.
“...Huh?”
Mu-ryeong repeated his question, but Hwan-young hesitated to answer. He blinked slowly, and Mu-ryeong smiled softly at him.
“Let’s go to the bus stop together.”
After sending Seung-joo ho first, the two of them walked toward the bus stop.
The chrysanthemum Ye-jun had left at the intersection was still there. As they walked, Mu-ryeong talked about random things in his usual calm tone. He ntioned how Seung-joo had been delighted when he told him about Danchu and suggested they should visit again soon.
The bus stop was crowded with students in the sa school uniform.
Mu-ryeong, standing at the very back of the line, narrowed his eyes slightly as he carefully examined the bus routes. Hwan-young, noticing his confusion, kindly explained which bus he needed to take.
“Do you have a transit card?”
“...No. I never got one.”
There had never been a need for it.
Hwan-young rarely took public transportation—almost never, actually. If it weren’t for Mu-ryeong, he would have just walked ho like always.
“Then you’ll have to pay in cash.”
Mu-ryeong casually told him how much the fare was and then asked if he had any cash.
When Hwan-young hesitated, Mu-ryeong imdiately offered to lend him so. His bright eyes shimred like polished gemstones, reflecting the sa warmth that always surrounded him.
How is it possible for one person to be this harmless?
Hwan-young often wondered that whenever he looked at Kim Mu-ryeong.
Warm, soft, gentle—he had no rough edges, no sharp corners.
“...It’s fine. I have cash.”
Hwan-young ?? Nоvеlιght ?? (Read the full story) smiled faintly as he answered.
When he lowered his gaze and curled his lips slightly, a shallow dimple appeared on his left cheek.
Mu-ryeong’s eyes widened in surprise, his expression going montarily blank as he stared at him.
“......”
“......”
Their gazes remained locked midair, as if ti had slowed around them.
The world around them was loud and chaotic, yet in that mont, it felt like they were the only ones there.
Then—
A blue bus pulled up to the stop, snapping them both out of their daze.
“...Your bus is here.”
“Oh...”
Hwan-young exhaled softly, lowering his gaze.
His ears felt hot, burning with warmth he couldn’t quite explain.
He glanced at Mu-ryeong, who was scratching the back of his neck while watching the bus.
Students began boarding one by one.
Hwan-young pulled a crumpled bill from his bag’s front pocket and slowly made his way toward the bus.
In the short distance to the door, he overheard a conversation—soone had recognized Mu-ryeong and called out to him.
“Hey, do you take this bus too?”
“Nah, not . He does.”
“...Oh? Hwan-young, you live in this area?”
The guy looked vaguely familiar.
After a mont, Hwan-young rembered—last year, they had been in the sa class. They had even worked together on a group project once.
The boy seed a little awkward, hesitating for a mont before muttering, “Well, take care,” and walking off to join his friends.
Guess he’s uncomfortable around .
Hwan-young wasn’t surprised.
Most people were.
Indifferent, he turned his head—only to find Mu-ryeong watching him quietly.
“...What?”
“Nothing.”
Mu-ryeong grinned.
His expression was bright and unguarded, his features small and delicate.
On the day of their entrance ceremony, he had looked even younger than he did now.
And next year, he’d probably look a little more grown-up.
“Be safe.”
It was finally Hwan-young’s turn to board the bus.
Mu-ryeong stepped aside slightly, making space for him.
Hwan-young climbed the steps, pausing briefly to return the farewell.
“You too.”
Mu-ryeong blinked in surprise.
He had seen Hwan-young off plenty of tis before, but this was the first ti he had received such a warm response.
“...Yeah!”
Mu-ryeong’s cheerful reply was the last thing Hwan-young heard before stepping fully onto the bus.
The vehicle was packed with students, not a single seat available.
Careful not to brush against anyone, Hwan-young made his way toward the rear exit.
As he grabbed onto the overhead handle, his gaze drifted outside the window—
And there was Mu-ryeong.
Standing amidst the crowd, yet focused only on him.
When their eyes t, Mu-ryeong waved playfully, a bright grin spreading across his face.
For so reason, the sight of him had a calming effect.
It felt as if all the unease inside Hwan-young had lted away.
At least now, you won’t have to walk two hours ho every day.
The source of his fear had been exorcised, guided away by Kim Mu-ryeong’s efforts.
He no longer had to avoid people.
No longer had to worry about hurting soone.
It was such a simple, obvious thing.
Yet, it brought him an unexpected sense of peace.
Slowly, Hwan-young raised his free hand and waved back—
Not just as a goodbye.
But as a quiet thank you for waiting.
Mu-ryeong’s eyes widened slightly, then softened into a gentle smile.
A smile so warm, it looked like it might lt away entirely.
The bus pulled away from the stop, carrying Hwan-young into the city.
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