Page 50 of Wicked Fox

“I doubt it,” Miyoung said, but she took in the view. “How did you find this place?”

“My father brought me here once.” One of Jihoon’s only good memories of the man.

“Jaegil said he was a criminal.”

The words weren’t said with judgment but they still made Jihoon tense.

“He’s one to talk. His father isn’t a gem either. Everyone knows he works as muscle for one of the local gangs.”

“Explains why Jaegil’s such a bully.” Miyoung sighed at the vicious cycle of violence passed down from parent to child. “When did your father leave?”

The question surprised him. Usually people skirted the topic of his parents’ abandonment.

“When I was four. My mother didn’t want to raise a kid alone, so she decided the best thing to do was leave, too. They were actually perfect for each other. Always thinking of themselves no matter the consequences.” He let out a sigh, rubbing at the knots in his stomach.

“Parents can be selfish,” Miyoung mused.

“Are you talking about your father?”

“Why do you ask that?”

“Because you said he left you. I wondered if it bothers you.” He hesitated, then added, “Like it bothers me.”

She looked out toward the city; her silence seemed to indicatethe topic upset her. But then she spoke. “I never met my father. My mother said he left before I was born. So I guess I never had an image of him. I don’t even know who I’d be mad at. Like trying to throw darts without a target.”

Jihoon frowned. It was strange to imagine. Would it have been easier if he’d never met his parents before they abandoned him? If he could, would he want to give up the few memories they’d left him with?

Miyoung walked to the ledge, her toes peeking precariously over.

“Careful,” Jihoon said.

She shot him a dismissive look. “I don’t need a boy to keep me safe.”

“I don’t think you’re going to fall because you’re a girl,” Jihoon said, equal parts chastised and defensive. “I think you could fall because as far as I know, gumiho can’t fly.”

“It’s hard for me to take you seriously when you make a joke out of everything.”

“Looking at life with humor doesn’t mean I don’t take it seriously. You need to be able to laugh at things, even the sad scary stuff sometimes.”

“I don’t get you.”

“You say that like it’s a problem for you.” Jihoon joined her at the edge, staring out toward the lights that marked the city.

“It’s not,” she said, so forcefully he thought she was mad at him. “Or it wouldn’t be if you left me alone.”

“Does it really bother you that much? That I want to be friends?”

“I don’t need friends. I belong alone.”

“I don’t believe you. No one belongs alone.”

“Since I’m not really human, I don’t care about human concerns. Like being wanted or having friends.”

“For a non-human you have very human reactions. You must be a good liar.”

She shoved her hands into her pockets. “Lying is how I survive.”

“Well, good thing we’re up here all alone. So no one can hear if you accidentally tell the truth.” His words were light, but even as he spoke he realized how much he wanted to know the real Miyoung. She had so many secrets. Jihoon wondered if that was all that held her together.

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