Chapter 6

　　I guess Deongchi, the big hulking one, doesn’t show up as often. So, the ghost from her family’s veranda was this little one, and for some unknown reason, it insisted on protecting her. What, then, was the purpose of the hulking ghost who drove her car and stood outside her door every morning? Muhee frowned as she put on her shoes. She remembered it muttering something about her being pitiful and needing protection. She hadn’t thought much of it then, but now… the ghosts that had been lurking around for a week wanted to protect her?

　　Fucking bullshit. Hadn’t she already lost a family member by naively trusting a ghost? Don’t believe them, Muhee. It’s all nonsense. She vowed to uncover their true intentions as she walked briskly toward the restaurant.

　　When she arrived, her expression soured. She had been looking forward to a quiet meal with her brother. So why was he here?

　　As she stepped inside, Muhyeok waved a long arm in the air. Sitting next to him, looking tense and nervous, was a familiar face. He looked cute, lacking any of the dark menace of the murderer from her dreams. Reading the shock on her face, the man—whose name she didn’t even know—seemed to shrink in on himself. Muhyeok gestured for her to sit.

　　"Just sit. Heebeom felt bad about earlier and wanted to buy you dinner."

　　"…He’s buying?"

　　"Yeah. You met at the apartment, right? This is Heebeom Kang. He’s a coworker and a friend from college."

　　"…That’s a cute name," she muttered, unable to think of anything else to say as she stared blankly at the man who was frozen with anxiety. As she sat down facing them, Heebeom ran a hand through the back of his hair. Every one of his movements was so stiff and awkward that it gave her second-hand embarrassment.

　　"Would you like some water?" Heebeom offered, pushing a glass toward her. His hand trembled so badly that he knocked the cup over, sending a cascade of cold water into her lap.

　　"I’m so sorry! It was an accident…!" His face went white.

　　Muhyeok looked on, more dumbfounded than surprised. "Why are you acting like you’ve seen a ghost? Just relax."

　　I’m the one who sees ghosts, Muhee thought. Why is he the one freaking out? Muhyeok handed her a wad of napkins in a futile effort, but her clothes were already soaked.

　　She gave up and tossed the wet napkins in the trash. Heebeom looked like he was on the verge of tears. "I’m really sorry, Muhee."

　　Hearing him use her name so casually felt odd coming from a stranger. Muhyeok must have told him. She was about to give a noncommittal nod but stopped herself. As tired as she was, she knew it was rude to be so dismissive of her brother’s friend, especially since this was their first real meeting. Swallowing a sigh, she forced a smile.

　　"It’s okay. You didn’t mean it. Don’t worry about it. And I’m sorry about before. I was out of it and didn’t greet you properly."

　　"It’s fine! I heard you weren’t feeling well. I just thought you should eat something, so I asked him to invite you… I hope that’s okay?"

　　"Yes. But you really don’t have to get this."

　　She had her wallet and fully intended to pay on her way out. But when she said it, Heebeom’s face lit up.

　　"It’s an apology for startling you, so please, enjoy it. I wish I could have treated you to something nicer, though."

　　"…I like rice soup. Thank you."

　　They must have ordered ahead, because a steaming bowl of bean sprout soup appeared in front of her. She stared at it, seriously reconsidering. She’d planned to pay, embarrassed to accept a meal from her brother’s friend, but seeing his proud expression, she wondered if she should let him. Fiddling with the credit card in her pocket, she decided to eat first and think later.

　　"Are you staying home for a while?" Muhyeok asked, breaking the awkward silence. By home, he meant his apartment. Was this his roundabout way of saying she was overstaying her welcome? Muhee contemplated for a moment, then nodded once, before shaking her head.

　　"Is that a yes or a no?" Muhyeok asked, bewildered.

　　"You’re uncomfortable, so I should leave."

　　"I’m asking for your opinion, Muhee. Don’t put it on me. I don’t like that."

　　Heebeom’s eyes widened as he glanced between the two chilly siblings. Muhyeok watched Muhee eat in silence for a moment before sighing. "Just stay for now. I don’t know what the problem is, but you don’t want to be alone, right?"

　　"Yeah."

　　"Do you need to get more of your things?"

　　"It’s fine…" she started, then frowned. She’d forgotten her phone charger. Their phones weren’t compatible. She’d have to go back for it. With another sigh, she told him she’d just grab the charger, and he nodded.

　　"You can go after we eat. Want me to come with you?"

　　"No. I’ll go alone." It was dark out, but not so dark that she needed to drag her clearly reluctant brother with her. Muhyeok accepted her refusal and went back to his food.

　　Heebeom piped up. "Where do you live?"

　　"Near the station."

　　"That’s on my way. I’ll walk with you."

　　Did he not see the look of utter disbelief on Muhyeok’s face? Heebeom’s offer, delivered with a sweet smile, felt deeply suspicious. Now she had to be wary of people, not just ghosts. He met her gaze, oblivious to her thoughts, and just kept smiling.

* * *

　　Judging by Muhyeok’s reaction, the claim that they lived in the same direction was an obvious lie.

　　"I was going to pay," Heebeom muttered dejectedly as they walked. Muhee glanced up at him. He had naturally matched her slower pace and seemed genuinely disappointed about the dinner. The garish lights of the city at night painted his face in shifting colors.

　　Sensing her gaze, he turned to look down at her. "Please let me buy you dinner next time."

　　"It’s not a big deal. Besides, I don’t think your home is this way. I can go by myself, so you should head back."

　　"No, I couldn’t even buy you dinner, the least I can do is walk you home! It’s dangerous at night. Oh, and you don’t have to act so formal with me!"

　　He didn’t seem completely clueless. She suspected he knew she was uncomfortable and was just pretending not to. She ignored his suggestion to drop the formalities. They wouldn’t be seeing each other much, so she would maintain some distance.

　　Her apartment wasn’t far from the station. As they turned into an alley, Heebeom followed, his chatter finally ceasing. The only audible sounds in the silence were their footsteps and those of a man following behind them. Heebeom kept glancing back, a suspicious look on his face.

　　Muhee sighed. "He probably lives around here."

　　"Still…" Heebeom leaned in close, whispering in her ear. "You should always be most wary of people who seem normal. It never hurts to be careful."

　　The irony was staggering. That was exactly what she wanted to say to him. Heebeom Kang, the murderer from her dreams, was the one person she should be most wary of. That innocent face, a killer? Or was it the opposite? Did the dream mean he was actually a good person?

　　"Muhee?"

　　"My building is right there. You can go back now. Thanks for walking me."

　　"Ah, wait—!"

　　Good guy or not, this was where they parted ways. If Muhyeok had been there, he would have sighed and muttered about her damned introversion. Yeondo would have whispered her catchphrase, "Is this for real?" at the sheer awkwardness.

　　Thankfully, the footsteps behind her didn’t follow. She walked through the main entrance and stood before the elevator. A shadow fell over her. Thinking it was Heebeom, she turned, but it was the man who had been following them.

　　A resident? She didn’t recognize him, but she rarely paid heed to her neighbors. She just needed her charger. She pulled out her phone, the battery nearly dead. It’s about to die, she thought, debating whether to pop into her brother’s place for a quick charge first.

　　"Excuse me."

　　The voice was so quiet she had to strain to hear it, even in the silent lobby. It was strangely soft for a grown man. Muhee turned to him without a word. His eyes were fixed on her, and had been for who knows how long. Her grip on her phone tightened.

　　"What floor are you going to?"

　　Why would he ask that? Seeing her suspicious look, he added, his voice still a conspiratorial whisper, "It’s just… I’ve never seen you before. I know almost everyone who lives here."

　　"I don’t go out much." Especially not in the last week, as she’d holed up in her apartment, too afraid to even go grocery shopping.

　　"I see," he said, then asked again. "So, what floor do you live on?"

　　"Why do you ask?"

　　"I just think it’s nice for neighbors to be friendly."

　　"…I’m fine, thanks."

　　The elevator arrived. The man stepped inside first, holding the ‘open’ button for her. Muhee eyed him with deep suspicion.

　　"You go ahead," she said. "I’m waiting for someone."

　　"…Alright then. See you around." His voice was even fainter from a distance; she barely caught the last words. The doors slid shut, leaving her alone in the dim lobby. She watched the floor numbers change. Five… six… ten… fourteen… Her heart seized when it paused at fifteen, but thankfully, it continued up, stopping at twenty. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and waited for the elevator to return. Her phone was now dead.

　　He’s probably just a friendly, nosy guy. He might even be offended that she was so suspicious. Maybe she should apologize next time.

　　When the elevator arrived, she stepped inside and pressed fifteen. The car, which had seemed so slow before, now shot upward. Muhee held her breath, her hand trembling as she jabbed the button for ten. Then twelve. After another moment of hesitation, seventeen.

　　The doors opened at ten. It was empty. The silence was absolute as the doors slowly drifted shut on their own.

　　The doors opened at twelve. The sound of frantic footsteps echoed from the stairwell. It sounded like someone was sprinting down, and the lights on the floors above were flickering on, one by one. The elevator doors began to close. The footsteps were closer now, on the thirteenth floor. Just as the light for the twelfth floor flickered on, the doors slid shut.