"Help me save him."
"I don't know if there's anything we can do."
"If you can't do anything, then what exactly sets you apart from humans?"
"We cannot interfere with human life. We cannot save anyone from the edge of death. We need to research if we can at least help with his illness."
"Talk to your brother JiHoo. If there's anything I can do, I can't just stand by and watch him die."
"Watch what exactly?"
JiHoo suddenly appeared in the room.
"Hyung? What are you doing here?"
"You've been quiet for a while. I came to check if there's any progress. But I see there's something else going on too."
It was good that he came, so she immediately started explaining.
"My father has cancer, and according to the doctors, it's already very advanced. I need your help."
JiHoo fell silent, deep in thought.
"We can't stop death. But we might be able to slow the progression of the disease. We can ask for help from Goddess Toyang. She brings plants from all over the universe to study, and if I'm not mistaken, she's particularly interested in medicinal herbs."
His words were a great relief.
"I'd be so grateful if you could help me, sir. Thank you very much."
"Alright. Now, let's talk about the real reason I came here. Any updates?"
They quickly explained Jackie's plan.
"It's very risky… but I think for now, it's our best option. I'll go now. Take care of yourselves."
She let out a deep breath of relief and threw herself onto the bed. Her body was so tense, her neck ached as if it were frozen.
"What's your plan for today?"
"Actually, I was going to practice for my performance, but today my dad is being hospitalized. I want to be with him."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"This time, I'd like to be alone."
"Whatever you prefer."
She quickly got changed and went to wait for her father outside the hospital. He hadn't wanted her to come, so she decided to surprise him by arriving early.
"Aera."
"Dad." It had been so long since she'd said "dad." She couldn't help the tremble in her voice, and of course, her eyes welled up with tears instantly—she was always emotional. She ran to hug him.
"Why did you come? You need to focus on your training right now."
"Don't worry about that, I'll manage. I didn't want to leave you alone. You're not alone."
Smiling, he held her arm and they completed the hospital admission process. After settling him into his room, she stepped out to speak with the doctor.
"Hello, doctor. I'd like to get some information about my father's condition."
"And you are?"
"I'm his daughter."
"I see. When Mr. Kang came to us, the illness had already progressed significantly. We tried to slow it down, but the cancer cells continued spreading rapidly. Surgery might offer a temporary solution, but for now, we'll try to reduce his pain with medication."
A lump formed in her throat.
"How much time does he have?"
"It's really hard to say. It could be a month... or a year."
She left the doctor's office and returned to her father's room.
"How are you feeling? Is the bed comfortable?"
He laughed. "Relax, I'm really fine. Don't be afraid. I was alone before, but now my daughter is with me. There's no one stronger or happier than I am. From now on, the illness should fear me. You shouldn't stay too late, go on now."
She didn't want to leave, but she stood up to go collect her things.
"Would you like me to fix your bed? Or bring another pillow?"
"Aera, I'm really fine, sweetie. Go on now."
"Okay then. If anything happens, please call me right away," she said as she left the room.
She looked at the time—it wasn't too late. If she hurried, she'd have 2–3 hours left to practice.
"Rookie?"
Why is he everywhere…
"Oh, Sunbae-nim! Hello."
"Are you sick? What's wrong?"
"I'm not sick."
"Then why are you at the hospital?"
She sighed.
"My dad's here. That's why I came. What about you?"
"I have a minor allergy. It's nothing serious. Your dad? What happened? I should say hello. Which room is he in?"
"There's really no need for that, Sunbae-nim."
"Nope. We're going. Come on."
He started dragging her along.
"Where are we going?"
"To see your dad."
"His room is that way, not this way."
"Right. Then lead the way."
"You're not going to give up, are you?"
"Absolutely not."
She let out such a loud sigh that probably everyone in the hospital heard it.
When they reached her father's room, she knocked and walked in.
"Aera, did you forget some—Mr. Chuwon?"
Her father tried to stand up when he saw Chuwon, and she rushed to stop him. Why was he trying to stand up when he was already so ill?
"Mr. Kang, is he your father? I just came to wish him well. Please don't get up, sir."
"Ah, yes. Thank you, Mr. Chuwon."
Her father looked at them both in surprise.
"You two…"
You two what?
"I just bumped into Sunbae-nim a moment ago. He's a very helpful senior of mine."
"Yes, of course, sir. Don't worry, you can trust me with the rookie—I mean, with Aera."
What does he mean by "trust me with her"?
"Haha, I can take care of myself. Thank you, sunbae. Anyway, we should go now and let my father rest. See you later, Dad. Take care."
She dragged Chuwon out of the room.
"Why would you say things to my father that he could easily misinterpret?"
"I didn't say anything bad. I was just trying to reassure him."
Seriously?
"Alright, sunbae. I'm leaving now."
"I'll come with you."
"Thanks, but I can go on my own."
"Why do you always do whatever you want?"
"Because I like you."
No. No way. She must have heard wrong.
"Haha… For a second there, it sounded like you said you liked me."
"You heard right. I did."
"That's not possible. You can't like me. You're probably just confused. You should think it over. I'm going back to the company."
Without waiting for a response, she hurried away. Talking to Chuwon was already hard enough, but now it was impossible. Why would he suddenly say something like that?
...
Back in the dorm, Aera sat down with her gayageum to practice, but her mind kept drifting back to what Chuwon had said. Why did it bother her so much? It wasn't like he had done anything wrong.
What if Jackie found out?
But I didn't respond to him. So why would I be afraid of him finding out?
"What are you afraid I'll find out?"
"Jackie?! You scared me! Was I thinking out loud again?"
"Yes. Now, tell me what's going on."
"You have to promise not to get mad."
"Why would I get mad? Just tell me, Aera."
She quickly explained everything that had happened with Chuwon. She was expecting him to be angry, but he just looked sad.
"Jackie? Are you mad?"
"Why would I be mad? You're both alive. I'm a ghost, and there's no guarantee I'll be saved. It's only natural for you to want someone who's alive. I get it."
"Don't talk like that and piss me off. I'm going to save you no matter what. But when I do, you're getting a solid punch from me. Why would I want anyone else? Whether you're dead or alive, there's only you for me."
Suddenly, her phone buzzed with notification after notification. Her attention shifted.
What now? Can I not have two minutes of peace?
A trainee had posted a video link in the group chat.
"Quick, watch this."
She tapped the link.
"Crazy trainee thinks she saw a ghost and freaks out at a market."
That was her.
Her phone slipped from her hand. Jackie rushed over in a panic.
"Aera? Are you okay? Say something."
She couldn't. Her body was frozen.
Jackie picked up the phone and saw the video. His fists clenched in fury.
"How long are they going to mess with you? These girls have gone too far."
Her voice finally returned.
"They didn't do this."
"Then who?"
She stood up in rage, grabbed her bag, and stormed out. Enough was enough. The more she stayed silent, the worse it got.
As she rushed through the halls, she ran into Bong Cha and Iseul.
"Aera, are you okay? We were worried. Ji Hye and Nabi wanted to come too, but we didn't want to overwhelm you."
They were probably the only two trainees who were ever kind to her. She genuinely wished they'd get selected. Their concern warmed her heart.
"Thanks, really. I'm not okay, but it's not you. I just need to be alone right now."
"Of course, we understand. But you can always call us. You're never alone. Take care."
She left the company quickly and hailed a taxi. Jackie followed, constantly asking where she was going.
"You'll see."
The taxi stopped in front of a luxurious house. Aera rang the bell, and a maid opened the door, visibly surprised.
"Miss Aera… We weren't expecting you. Please wait here, I'll fetch the lady of the house."
"No need. I'm not here for her. I'll find the little devil myself."
The maid tried to grab her arm, but Aera pulled away in fury. What did they think she was? A thief? A beggar?
"Ha Rin! Are you going to come out, or should I drag you from your little hiding hole? HA RIN!"
"What's all the noise? What's going on?"
"Ma'am, I'm sorry. Miss Aera barged in. I couldn't stop her."
The woman who was supposed to be her mother grabbed her arm and started yelling.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
She was gripping her arm tightly. Aera struggled, sure it would bruise.
"Your little devil of a daughter posted my video online. If she doesn't delete it, I'll tear her apart."
"Mom, what's all the noise? I can't sleep."
"Well, speak of the devil. The little demon's awake. You're going to delete that video now."
Ha Rin smirked upon seeing her.
"Even with your mental issues, trying to be famous? Wow, the video's trending. Thanks, sis. I gained followers thanks to you."
"I'll kill you, you little devil!"
Aera lunged, but her so-called mother shoved her to the ground.
"Ungrateful brat! We care for you, and this is how you repay us? Fighting in my house? Every day I wonder what I did to deserve a daughter like you!"
"What you did? How about what I did to deserve a 'mother' like you? Dad's in the hospital. He has cancer. He worked himself to the bone to pay off your debts. And why? Because of your greed. Are you even my mom? Have you ever once asked how I was doing? What I ate? If I was sick? You were a mom to your other daughter, and all you ever gave me was pain. If you never wanted me, you should've left completely. I thought the ghosts kept me trapped in that house—but now I know it was you. So sit down and shut up. You won't silence me anymore. From now on, just watch. But don't forget—Aera is no longer your daughter."
She hadn't expected Aera to stand up for herself. She was used to Aera shutting down and staying silent.
Aera stood, grabbed Ha Rin's phone. Ha Rin tried to get it back, but couldn't move.
"Jackie, hold them while I delete the video."
"You're insane. Are you talking to air? Just delete it—it's already everywhere online."
Aera ignored her, scrolling through Ha Rin's phone. Ha Rin panicked.
"What's happening?! Mom, help! I can't move!"
None of them could.
Aera deleted the video from the phone and the internet, then hurled the phone down the stairs.
"I told you I really see ghosts. One of them is here now. And if you ever mess with me again, I won't be this merciful."
She stormed out of the house and collapsed onto the sidewalk. Emotions overwhelmed her. Jackie's brother's words echoed in her mind.
"It's not the ghosts that trapped you."
Now she understood.
Jackie sat beside her.
"You did amazing."
"I think I just took a huge step for myself."
"Definitely."
"But why don't I feel any better?"
"Because your heart's broken."
"This won't fix my heart. But I think I know something that might help a little."
"What is it?"
...
"Is someone chasing you from behind?"
"Huh?"
"If you eat that fast, you're going to get sick."
"My mood is terrible. I need to eat to feel better."
"You'll end up sick."
The conversation sounded familiar. "Even if I get sick, this is the only thing I want to do right now." But as always, Jackie ended up being right. Her stomach started to churn, and she ran toward the bathroom. Jackie followed closely behind.
"Don't come closer," she warned, but he ignored her and gently rubbed her back.
"I told you you'd feel sick. Why didn't you listen?"
"If you're about to say 'I told you so,' just leave me alone."
"You need to stop this."
"Stop what?"
"You're being way too hard on yourself."
"I'm scared."
"Of what?"
"Everything. Everyone. Failing."
"Everyone has fears like that, Aera. Like what you did today — it's time to start facing them."
"I know but..."
"You'll get used to it."
…
It was evening, and she just wanted to sleep. She wished she could live like today never happened. As she approached the dorm, Chuwon was waiting by the door. The moment he saw her, he ran toward her.
"Are you okay? I was so worried when I couldn't reach you. You've been gone for hours!"
"Sunbaenim?"
He pulled her into a tight hug. The more she tried to push him away, the tighter he held.
"I thought something happened to you."
Aera glanced at Jackie, who looked visibly annoyed, though he said nothing.
"Sunbaenim, if people see us like this, they might get the wrong idea. And people already don't talk kindly about me."
At that, he stepped back.
"Sorry, I just... I thought something bad had happened."
"Sunbaenim, I think we need to talk and clear some things up."
He needed to understand that nothing could happen between them.
She didn't want anyone to see them, so they went up to the rooftop.
"Don't let that video or the rumors about ghosts bother you. I never believed any of that nonsense."
"They're all true."
"Don't joke around. I'm trying to be serious here."
"I'm not joking, Sunbaenim. I've been able to see ghosts for as long as I can remember."
"Wait... you're serious?"
"Yes."
He stared at her, clearly not convinced. Slowly, he began to glance around.
"Is there one of them here right now?"
Aera looked at Jackie.
"Yes."
"Who?" He was obviously terrified, but tried hard to act cool — which only made it funnier.
"Jackie."
Relieved, he burst into laughter. "Ah, for a second, I actually believed you. That was funny."
"I'm not joking."
"Jackie is alive. If you were going to make something up, you should've picked someone dead."
"There's a dark spirit inside Jackie's body. His real soul is right here, beside me."
"Not funny."
Jackie placed a hand on Chuwon's shoulder, and he screamed, pulling Aera in front of him as a shield.
"I thought you weren't scared," she said, trying not to laugh."Something touched me!"
"That was Jackie."
"If Jackie's here, that's even worse! He might want to kill me — I am his biggest rival, after all."
Jackie was laughing at Chuwon's antics, and Aera couldn't help but join him.
"Sunbaenim, please calm down."
Chuwon still kept glancing around nervously.
"So... is Jackie the reason you don't want me around?"
"It's partly Jackie, and partly the constant eyes watching me whenever I'm near you."
"What's going to happen to Jackie?"
"We're going to get him back into his body as soon as possible."
"I see… It's getting late, I should go. You should rest too. See you."
The moment she entered her room, she collapsed onto her bed without even changing her clothes. Nothing good seemed to be happening, but since time was running out, the only thing she could do was keep telling herself: just hold on a little longer.
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