Page 8 of Vicious Spirits

“That’s such a relief,” Somin’s mother said, giving a small laugh. “I really was worried when Somin said she had no idea where Miyoung was going to live. And with our place so cramped already with Jihoon now, I didn’t know how we’d cram another teenager in there.” It was almost cute, how Ms. Moon babbled to cover her obvious discomfort with the idea. She really wasn’t one to filter her thoughts.

“Thank you for the thought. And I appreciate the offer... ,cuz.” Miyoung bit out the last word like it was a vile curse. “But I don’t want to be a burden.”

“Oh, it wouldn’t be a burden at all. I’d be happy to have you.” Junu added one of his charming smiles.

There was a minute of silence. Even Somin seemed frozen. But Ms. Moon, either completely unaware or willfully ignorant in the face of an easy solution to her guilt, spoke up. “I think it’s best if you stay with Junu,” she said. “Wouldn’t you be happier to be with family?”

The look in Miyoung’s eyes seemed to transmit a message clear as if she’d spoken the words.You’re going to regret this.

So, because Junu couldn’t help himself, he gave the hornet’s nest one more poke. “That’s right. Trust your oppa.”

“Sure,” Miyoung bit out.

5

AFTER MIYOUNG ANDJunu had gotten into their non-fight, there was a palpable tension between them. Everyone felt it. Well, everyone except Somin’s mother and Changwan, who was so oblivious to life that Somin sometimes wondered how he functioned.

But Changwan had to leave to meet a private tutor. Without his mindless chatter, Somin could feel the tension between Miyoung and Junu no matter where she went in the small apartment. And after two hours of it, she felt suffocated. She was debating the best way to escape when there was a knock on the door.

“Eomma,” she called. “I think lunch is here.”

Somin opened the door and blinked in confusion as she stared at the men with matching T-shirts. They carried reusable moving boxes she’d seen in nicer neighborhoods and padded furniture covers.

“This the Ahn household?” the first man asked.

“Yes, but I don’t understand. We didn’t hire movers.”

“I did,” Junu said, standing up from his packing. He let out a groan and bent to stretch his cramped legs. “Come on in. We’ve still got a lot to do in the living area.” He turned to Somin. “Figured since we lost Changwan, this would be easier all around.”

“You hired them?” Somin asked as the men brushed past her into the apartment. “Wait, no, don’t touch that.” She yankeda photo frame away from one of the movers. “We don’t need movers.”

“It’s not a case of need. But why not take the help?” Junu asked.

“These aren’t justthings. They hold sentimental value.” She shook the frame she still held at him.

“I hired movers, not circus jugglers. They’ll take care of the stuff,” Junu said, laughter in his voice.

Somin’s anger drove her forward. “This is so typical.” She jabbed a finger into Junu’s chest. “You come in and create a scene and then throw your money around to get what you want. Why did you even come here in the first place if you didn’t want to work?”

“Lee Somin!” Her mother’s voice echoed through the apartment, effectively freezing Somin as she was about to drive her finger into Junu’s chest again. Miyoung and Jihoon stood in the hallway behind her mother, watching the scene with curiosity. “I will not have my daughter speaking that way in front of guests.”

“Guests?” Somin asked incredulously, but she let her hand drop.

“Well, we weren’t expecting help, but it’s appreciated. Why don’t I show one of you what needs to be packed in the back room?” Somin’s mother said to the movers. “Jihoon-ah, show the other gentleman what to do in the kitchen.”

Somin waited for Jihoon to back her up, to say they didn’t need help, but he just shrugged and walked into the kitchen to help the mover.

The other man followed Somin’s mother. With a final look that clearly saidbehave, her mother disappeared down the hall.

“Miyoung-ah,” Somin said, futilely searching for an ally.

But Miyoung just shrugged.

With a grunt of disgust, Somin turned back but spotted Junu watching her with his arms crossed. Instead of saying something she’d catch heat from her mother for, she grabbed a trash bag and stomped out the front door.

The air outside was thick and humid, almost unbearably so, but she had to get away for her own sanity.

She took her sweet time separating out the recycling from the trash and putting them all in the correct receptacles, stopping every so often to wipe sweat off her brow. There were no clouds in the summer sky to block the intense rays of the sun. It was as if the weather knew that today would be hard and just wanted to add more suffering on top of the pain.

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