Page 45 of Vicious Spirits

“You know how stubborn Jihoon can be.”

“And I know he almost died because of me once already. I’m not risking him like that again.”

“He’s not going to die. Junu will take care of him.”

Miyoung eyed Somin, looking for a mocking tone, but didn’t find it. “You seem to have changed your tune when it comes to Junu. Why’s that?”

“Because I have to trust him. It’s the only option I can see right now.”

“Well, right now, I need to be alone,” Miyoung said. “And then I think I should go back to Junu’s to wait for them.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Miyoung wanted to say no, but she knew none of this was really Somin’s fault. “Fine, just give me a little time to get ready.”

“Okay,” Somin said, worry clear in her voice, even as she abided by Miyoung’s request.

Alone now, Miyoung listened to the quiet room. There was nothing. Just the sound of her ragged breathing.

How could Yena have known? What were these dreams? Junu had said Miyoung was connected to the ghost realm. Could that mean that Yena was truly visiting her?

“Mother?” Miyoung said aloud. “Are you here?”

She waited, not sure whether she wanted a reply or not.

But none came.

20

JUNU HAD SATthrough tense silence before. He was good at compartmentalizing, so it didn’t usually bother him. But Jihoon’s presence weighed on him and wouldn’t let him ignore it. So instead, he leaned into it.

“I like driving, feeling the power of the car in your hands,” Junu mused as he pressed on the gas to pass an SUV. “Cars are a magnificent invention. Sometimes I wonder if people take them for granted.”

“What are you talking about?” Jihoon asked.

“Figured it would be nice to get to know each other. You know, since we have so many friends in common.”

Jihoon scoffed. “Friends? Who is your friend?”

Junu placed his hand over his heart in mock injury, though there was a real throb under his palm. “That’s cruel. You know how I care for our Changwanie. And I think of Miyoung as a little sister of sorts. And Somin.” He paused, unsure how to label that relationship.

“You and Somin are what?” Jihoon asked.

“Exploring things,” Junu said with a shrug.

“Why are you so interested in Somin? You don’t have a chance with her.”

Usually, in a situation like this, Junu would feel smug.Knowing he’d done something a person told him would never happen. But instead he tensed at Jihoon’s words.

“You really think so?” Junu asked, maybe too seriously, because Jihoon gave him a confused look.

“I mean, you’re just not her type,” Jihoon said, the sharpness of his voice toned down.

“What’s her type?” Junu asked, trying to keep the question casual-sounding. Staring at the road instead of at Jihoon.

“Why do you care? You’re only hitting on her to annoy her. It’s just one of your strange dokkaebi games.”

“You think that’s all I do? Mess with people for entertainment?”

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