The archery coach clapped his hands loudly, his face red with frustration.
"Enough! Everyone, gather here right now!" His voice thundered through the training hall.
The students huddled nervously in a circle as he glared at them.
"This isn't a playground! I don't care who started it, but violence like that will not be tolerated in my hall. From now on, anyone who disrupts training will be banned. Do you understand?"
The students muttered a shaky chorus of "Yes, Coach," though their eyes kept drifting toward the empty spot where Gyeonwoo had once stood.
---
Meanwhile, at home…
Yeomhwa sat cross-legged by the door, arms folded tightly. Her gaze was sharp, her lips twisted in irritation.
"Tsk." She clicked her tongue again, tapping her foot against the floor.
"Why do you want to die so desperately?" Mother Goddess finally snapped, narrowing her eyes. "Your bitterness is heavy enough to drown you."
Yeomhwa didn't respond. She only looked away, her face stiff with hidden pain.
Grandma, sensing the thickening tension, turned toward Do Ryeong with a sigh. "Come, play some music. The air has grown too heavy in this house."
But Do Ryeong crossed his arms, his expression sulky. "I'm not in the mood."
Grandma gave him a long look, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Not in the mood? Hah. That's the problem with children these days—always 'not in the mood.' Spirits don't wait for your mood."
Mother Goddess rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath.
---
Later…
Far away, in the dusty school storeroom, the dim light flickered as Gyeonwoo stepped inside. His footsteps echoed against the wooden floor.
There, in the darkest corner, a faint glow shimmered—the fire ghost, its shape barely formed, like flames trapped within a shadow. Its eyes flickered open, watching him.
Gyeonwoo tilted his head, smirking. "What? What are you staring at me for?" His laugh was sharp, mocking. "Don't you always live in these dark walls? Hiding like a rat?"
The fire ghost shifted, its ember-like eyes narrowing.
Just then—
"Stop!" A hand grabbed his arm.
It was Seong-ah. Her breathing was uneven, her face tense with frustration and worry. She stood between him and the ghost, her grip firm on his sleeve.
Her voice trembled, but her words were steady.
"No… you don't have any right to tease them. Ghosts, spirits—they suffer enough. Don't you dare add more cruelty to it."
The fire ghost's glow flickered gently, as if moved by her words.
Gyeonwoo, or rather the spirit inside him, raised a brow. His smirk faded into something darker, almost unreadable
The fire ghost's flickering glow reflected across the room, casting wavering shadows on the walls.
Gyeonwoo tilted his head, his lips curling into a slow smirk. His voice, dripping with mockery yet carrying a strange softness, slipped out:
"You are so sweet actually…"
Seong-ah froze. Her brows knitted as she searched his face—the face of Gyeonwoo, but the voice, the eyes, the energy… it wasn't truly him.
Her grip on his sleeve tightened. "Don't say things like that. You're not him… you don't have the right."
The spirit chuckled lowly, leaning slightly closer so his breath brushed her ear.
"Oh, but he feels everything I feel. His heart races when you're near. His hands ache to hold you. Tell me, Seong-ah… isn't that sweet?"
Seong-ah's cheeks heated, but her jaw clenched. She pushed him back firmly. "Stop it. You twist his feelings for your own game. That isn't sweetness—it's cruelty."
The fire ghost flickered brighter, almost like it was watching the argument with silent fascination, the flames on its body rippling at every word.
The evil spirit's smirk deepened as he licked his lips playfully. "Mmm… such fire in your eyes. No wonder he can't escape you."
Seong-ah's eyes softened for a moment at the mention of "he," but her voice steadied.
"Then I'll save him. Even if you try to make a fool of me… I'll pull him back."
The spirit inside Gyeonwoo's body tilted his head with mock innocence, but his eyes glimmered—half amusement, half warning.
The evil spirit suddenly jerked his hand free, his smirk widening.
"Catch me if you want Gyeonwoo back," he taunted, before darting out of the storeroom like a mischievous shadow.
"Yah! Stop running away!" Seong-ah shouted, sprinting after him.
They ran down the corridor, weaving past classrooms, her braid flying behind her as he looked over his shoulder, teasing. "Too slow, Seong-ah! Do you even want him, or are you just pretending?"
"The evil spirit suddenly jerked his hand free, his smirk widening.
"Catch me if you want Gyeonwoo back," he taunted, before darting out of the storeroom like a mischievous shadow.
"Yah! Stop running away!" Seong-ah shouted, sprinting after him.
They ran down the corridor, weaving past classrooms, her braid flying behind her as he looked over his shoulder, teasing. "Too slow, Seong-ah! Do you even want him, or are you just pretending?"
"Shut up and stop playing with me!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the empty hallway.
From one of the open classroom windows, Cha Yahyun leaned his arms on the sill, watching with wide eyes as the two chased each other around the courtyard.
"…Are they a couple?" he muttered, his expression caught between disbelief and awe. "They look like they're enjoying each other's company way too much…"
Just then, Hyerii walked up beside him, tilting her head as she spotted the scene. Seong-ah was panting as she tried to grab hold of Gyeonwoo, while he spun away from her grip with mocking laughter.
Hyerii blinked. "Wait—what in the world… is this a lover's quarrel?"
Cha Yahyun frowned. "No, more like… they're flirting while running around like kids. Look at her face—she's desperate, but also smiling."
Hyerii clasped her hands dramatically. "Aigoo, I knew it! I told you, there's something between them. Look how she's chasing him—like a heroine in a drama!"
Meanwhile, Seong-ah finally managed to grab his sleeve. "Got you!" she breathed out triumphantly.
The spirit chuckled, leaning closer, their faces just inches apart. "Careful, Seong-ah. If you really catch me… you might not be able to let go."
Inside the quiet lab room, Gyeonwoo leaned against one of the tables, his laugh still lingering in the air. Seong-ah caught her breath, crossing her arms and glaring at him with that mix of frustration and concern that only she could show.
"Ah, why are you so stubborn and childish?" she scolded, her voice half a sigh, half a plea.
The evil spirit through Gyeonwoo smirked, tilting his head playfully. "Whatever."
She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath before softening a little. "Hmm… but I can't just keep calling you 'evil spirit,' right? That's too much of a mouthful."
"Then what will you do?" he teased, arching an eyebrow.
"I'll give you a name," she declared, tapping her chin in thought. "Since you said you came from Bonsyeon place, how about… Bong-su?"
His smirk faltered for a second, replaced by a curious look. "Bong-su?"
"Yeah," she said with a little nod, almost shy but standing firm. "It feels… less scary. More like… you're part of us. Is it okay?"
The spirit chuckled through Gyeonwoo's lips, a laugh surprisingly softer than before. "No… Bong-su is okay. I like it."
Seong-ah blinked at him, slightly startled at his easy acceptance. "…Really?"
"Mm," he leaned forward a bit, eyes narrowing with mischief. "But since you named me, doesn't that make me yours now, Seong-ah?"
Her face heated, and she shoved his shoulder lightly. "Y-yah, don't twist my words! I only did it so it's easier to deal with you."
"Sure, sure," Bong-su grinned, clearly amused. "But remember… once you name a spirit, you can't escape them so easily."
Her heart gave a nervous thump, but she looked straight at him. "…Then I guess I'll just have to deal with you."
The air in the lab seemed to shift the moment Seong-ah fixed her gaze on him.
"What is your name?" she asked firmly.
Gyeonwoo—no, the spirit inside him—hesitated for a beat, then answered with that same sly smirk, "Bong-su."
Her lips curved slightly. "Again. What's your name?"
"...Bong-su."
She took a step closer, her eyes not wavering. "One more time. What's your name?"
"Bong-su," he replied, this time slower, almost cautious.
A stillness followed. The spirit blinked as if realizing too late what she had done. He tried to dart toward the door with his usual playful laugh. "Okay, first catch me—!" But the words stuck in his throat as his legs locked in place. His grin faltered.
He looked down at himself in disbelief. His body wouldn't move. Not a single step.
Seong-ah tilted her head, almost smug. "See? If you say a ghost's name three times… you can't move."
For the first time, Bong-su looked genuinely rattled. "Y-yah… what trick is this?"
Seong-ah smiled faintly, a mix of relief and triumph. "Not a trick. Just… a rule. You gave me your name, and I claimed it. Now you can't run away from me anymore."
His laugh came out shaky, trying to mask his unease. "You're dangerous, Seong-ah… more dangerous than any spirit."
Her voice softened, though her eyes stayed sharp. "Good. Then maybe you'll finally stay still and listen."
,Seong-ah didn't realize how tightly she was still holding his hands until her palms began to ache, yet she couldn't bring herself to let go. Gyeonwoo blinked at her slowly, as if coming back from a long, heavy dream. His gaze was clearer now, calmer, but there was still a faint trace of something restless behind his eyes.
When the phone call ended, the silence wrapped around them like a thread too delicate to break. She leaned forward, close enough to feel his breath brush her cheek. "We can't be apart, not today," she whispered again, this time softer, almost pleading.
Gyeonwoo's chest rose and fell unevenly. He had always kept a certain distance—whether through teasing words, deflection, or even anger—but now, with her holding him like this, he felt cornered in a way that wasn't suffocating but… strangely comforting.
"You're… serious, aren't you?" he murmured, searching her eyes.
Seong-ah gave the faintest nod, her lashes trembling. "Every time I look away, he comes back. Every time I relax, something pulls you from me. If I lose focus, I lose you, Gyeonwoo. Do you know how terrifying that is?" Her voice cracked at the end, carrying all the nights she had spent in fear for him.
For a moment, Gyeonwoo just stared at her—this stubborn, sharp-tongued shaman who was always scolding him, always fighting with him, yet was now trembling because of him. Slowly, his lips curved, not in mockery, but in something softer, rarer.
"…I didn't know I mattered that much," he admitted, almost shyly.
"You do," she whispered without hesitation, tightening her hold. "More than you think."
He let out a shaky laugh, pressing his forehead lightly against hers. His heart was pounding so fast it was almost painful, and yet… it felt right. "Then don't let go. Not today. Not ever, if you can help it."
Unseen by them, the faint flicker of the spirit lingered in the corner, watching with a sly smile—like a shadow waiting for its chance. The warmth between them was real, but the danger hadn't disappeared.
In the corridor, the morning light spilled in from the wide windows, painting soft golden lines on the floor as students bustled about. Seong-ah walked nervously beside Gyeonwoo, their hands brushing together until she finally whispered,
"But… what if others see us like this? They'll think we're dating," her brows knit, cheeks warming.
Gyeonwoo tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into that usual half-smirk. "Hm… people don't really notice me that much," he said casually, though his eyes flicked sideways at her. "But they do notice you. You're the shaman girl, remember?"
She pouted. "That's exactly why I'm worried."
He leaned in just enough for her to feel the weight of his presence and lowered his voice. "Then let's make it simple. Just act like I'm injured. You hold my hand over your shoulder, like you're helping me walk. That way, no one will question it."
Seong-ah blinked at him, lips parting. "…You thought of that pretty fast."
"Of course," he replied, a touch of pride in his tone. "I'm not letting you get away from me just because you're scared of rumors."
She huffed, pretending to roll her eyes, but the corner of her lips betrayed her with a small smile. "Fine. But if people tease me about this, I'll make you regret it."
"Deal," he chuckled, then gently lifted her hand to drape it over his shoulder. Their fingers intertwined naturally, and though it looked like support for a supposed injury, the warmth that passed between them was unmistakable.
As they walked, a few students glanced at them curiously, whispering in hushed tones. Seong-ah tried to keep her gaze straight ahead, but she could feel her ears burning. Gyeonwoo, on the other hand, looked annoyingly calm, even smug.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she muttered under her breath.
"Maybe," he teased, giving her hand the slightest squeeze.
The corridor buzzed with chatter, but everything seemed to quiet when Kim Jun-ung appeared from the other end. He stopped in his tracks the moment he saw Seong-ah and Gyeonwoo walking closely, her hand on his shoulder.
Seong-ah, flustered, immediately blurted, "Ah—wait, it's not what it looks like. We're not dating—"
But before she could finish, Jun-ung stepped forward, his expression oddly tense. His eyes lingered on her, sharp and searching.
"How do you know Bok-i?" he asked suddenly, his voice low, almost shaky.
Seong-ah froze. "Bok-i…?"
"You said the name just now," he pressed, his jaw tightening. "How do you know about him?"
She swallowed, then exhaled slowly, as if gathering courage. "Your phone wallpaper," she admitted softly. "It's him, right? A white dog, with a little scar under his left eye. Always wagging his tail when you come near… but he hates it when strangers get too close. Loyal. Protective. He doesn't leave your side, no matter where you are."
Jun-ung's eyes widened. He hadn't shown that wallpaper to anyone, let alone told them about the scar or Bok-i's habits. Hearing those details spilled from her lips felt like someone had ripped open a part of his heart he kept hidden.
Seong-ah continued, her voice gentler now. "He…he's been with you since middle school, hasn't he? Always waiting at the door when you come home. You don't say it, but I can tell… he means the world to you."
Jun-ung's throat tightened. His usual composed mask cracked as his eyes grew glassy. He turned away for a second, covering his mouth with his hand, but the emotion was too raw to hide.
"…He does," he finally whispered, his voice breaking. "Bok-i… he's my family."
The corridor seemed to shrink around them. For once, Jun-ung wasn't the aloof, intimidating figure—he was just a boy who deeply loved his dog.
Seong-ah's expression softened, and without realizing it, she stepped a little closer. "Don't worry," she said quietly. "He's safe. He's still protecting you."
Gyeonwoo, watching silently, glanced between the two. For the first time, he noticed how Seong-ah's words carried a strange, unshakable certainty—like she truly knew.
The tension snapped in an instant.
Gyeonwoo suddenly stepped forward, closing the space between him and Kim Jun-ung. Their eyes locked, sharp and challenging, like sparks threatening to ignite a fire. Seong-ah, panicked, rushed between them, holding her hands out.
"Stop—don't fight!" she pleaded, trying to push them apart. In the struggle, her hand slipped from Gyeonwoo's shoulder, breaking the fragile connection that had been holding him steady.
And in that split second—
Bongsu slipped free. His presence flared in Gyeonwoo's body, eyes darkening as a wicked grin spread across his face.
"Hey, you little piece of shit," Bongsu snarled, his voice dripping with venom.
Before anyone could react, his fist shot forward—punching Kim Jun-ung square in the jaw. The impact echoed down the corridor. Students gasped, some even stepping back.
"Gyeonwoo, stop!!" Seong-ah cried, but her words didn't reach him.
Bongsu's laughter spilled out instead. "What? Too weak to fight back?" He raised his leg and kicked Jun-ung hard, sending him stumbling backward.
At that moment, Jiho rushed in, throwing himself between them. "Enough! Gyeonwoo, what the hell are you doing?!"
But Bongsu only smirked cruelly, shoving Jiho aside. "Get out of my way." His foot lashed out, and Jiho crashed to the floor, clutching his side in pain.
Gasps filled the hall, some students shouting for a teacher, others too scared to move.
Seong-ah's heart pounded. She could see it wasn't Gyeonwoo anymore—those twisted eyes, that mocking laugh… it was Bongsu.
"Please, don't hurt them!" she shouted, grabbing his wrist.
For a flicker of a moment, his expression softened—but then Gyeonwoo suddenly tore himself away, sprinting down the hall like a shadow escaping the light.
"Gyeonwoo!" Seong-ah yelled, immediately running after him.
Her footsteps echoed as she chased him out of the building, leaving Jiho groaning on the floor and Kim Jun-ung wiping blood from his lip, his eyes burning with fury.
In the quiet of the training hall, Gyeonwoo stood before the coach, still catching his breath from the chaos earlier. The coach looked at him with a sharp but approving eye.
"Gyeonwoo, the school's archery competition is in just a few days. I've decided—I want you to participate," the coach said firmly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Before Gyeonwoo could answer, the doors slid open. Seong-ah stormed in, her voice echoing through the hall.
"What? He's participating in the competition? Actually?" Her brows furrowed as she folded her arms, glaring at Gyeonwoo.
She let out a sharp "tss" and shook her head. "You? Ah, you're going to do archery? Are you serious?" Her tone was mocking, almost teasing, though worry flickered in her eyes.
Bongsu stirred inside him, smirking through Gyeonwoo's lips. "Don't underestimate me, little girl. Gyeonwoo asked me himself to take part in this competition—so I did. Archery is in my blood."
Seong-ah stepped closer, frowning, and placed her hand on his arm as if to ground him back into reality. "Don't play games with me. I need to hear it from him."
For a moment, Bongsu's presence wavered—and then Gyeonwoo's true voice broke through, softer, steadier.
"I want to participate, Seong-ah," he admitted, his eyes meeting hers with determination.
Her teasing smile softened into something gentler. "Huh… you actually mean it. Fine then." She exhaled, almost relieved, before giving him a small grin. "Then don't lose, okay?"
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, her long hair swaying as she left the room.
The coach chuckled at the scene, scratching his chin. "Wow… what a young couple. You two remind me of something straight out of a drama."
Gyeonwoo blinked, heat rising to his cheeks, but he said nothing.
The late afternoon sun painted the school terrace in shades of orange and gold, the breeze brushing softly past them. Seong-ah leaned against the railing, her eyes gazing at the distant horizon, while Gyeonwoo stood just a step behind, his fingers twitching nervously before he finally reached out and caught her wrist gently.
"Seong-ah," he said, his voice carrying both hesitation and urgency.
She turned her head, eyes narrowing slightly. "Yeah? What is it?"
For a moment, Gyeonwoo's throat tightened. His heart pounded so hard he thought it might give him away. Slowly, he let out a breath and said, not too directly, yet not vaguely either—
"I… I feel like when you're around, everything gets quieter. The voices… even the chaos inside me, it fades. Being near you… it feels like home."
Seong-ah blinked at him, a little caught off guard. "H-home? What are you—" she stopped mid-sentence, her lips parting as the realization settled. Her face softened, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks.
Gyeonwoo chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "I guess what I'm trying to say is… I don't just want you here because of some goddess's order, or because of ghosts, or because you're always running after me. I want you here because… I like it when it's you. Only you."
Gyeonwoo's arms slowly wrapped around Seong-ah's shoulders, pulling her close against his chest. For a moment, the mischievous glint in his eyes disappeared—no trace of Bongsu, no playful teasing—just the warmth of Gyeonwoo himself.
Seong-ah blinked, a little stunned at how tight yet gentle his embrace felt. Her heart skipped, beating faster in rhythm with his. She hesitated but then let her hands rise, resting lightly on his back.
"Gyeonwoo…" she whispered, her voice caught between confusion and a fluttering warmth.
He leaned his forehead against hers, his breath trembling as though this one gesture carried the weight of everything he couldn't yet say out loud. "I don't know why, but when you're near, I feel like myself again… safe, not empty."
Seong-ah's chest tightened at his words, her cheeks warming as she murmured back, "Then don't ever try to run away again. Stay where I can hold you like this."
The rooftop breeze swirled around them, carrying the faint scent of blossoms, but neither of them noticed. In that moment, it was just the two of them—her whimpering heart softening, and his spirit, fragile but genuine, clinging to the first warmth he had truly felt in a long time.