Shatter space

***

“Why? Because of me… they know who you are”, he whispers. “So, it had to happen.” Rumi smiles with frozen tears in her eyes. She’s holding his hand. Jinu lacks the strength to get up from the floor, his head splitting with pain, only hoarse gasps escaping his lips. The bruises hurt, and a strange feeling appears in his chest. It’s like after this battle there’s nothing you want more than to sleep forever. This is not the ending that Gwi-ma demanded. Jinu remembers everything, and there’s no stopping these streams of memories. He was supposed to die. This is the punishment for failure to fulfill obligations. Gwi-ma is already furious, so right now it’s best to fall asleep and never wake up. But he still feels the warmth of someone else’s palm, and a woman’s voice disrupts his plans. Rumi sighs, and Jiny feels disgusted. “Disgusted with myself”, quietly answers himself, turning away from the girl. “What?” “Kill me. You saved me, but I’m a demon. Nothing’s changed. I’m destined to die.” “Stop it,” she hisses, wrinkling her nose. She hates hearing others despair, and he hates feeling his own life at that moment. “You’re no longer Gwi-ma’s minion. Just now we were fighting against you, but you, Jinu, at the last moment saved me at the cost of your own life. What kind of demon are you, when there’s more humanity in you than in my desire to work on Saturdays? It was your choice. All of our meetings may not have mattered to you. But we’re here now because you have feelings.” Jinu looks around, hoping to see Rumi’s friends. Have them get her out of here. Communicating with demons can be harmful. He can’t stand the excessive sweetness anymore. She’s too kind, just wasting her time. Demons deserve worse treatment. “Stop thinking you’re bad.” “Can you read minds?”, Jinu tries to tell a joke but starts coughing right away. A unpleasant lump in his throat kept him from talking. For a second, he felt his heartbeat slow down. There’s probably an open wound somewhere. Can he die if he stays here? Gradually, strength and mind will fade, and the body will stop moving. Not a good option because he doesn’t like a painful death. But Rumi won’t kill him either. Just wait. Talk to her until his eyes close on their own. Jinu can do it. “We have to go, Jinu. If you’re hurt…” “Rumi.” She flinches. “Do you want to talk?” “Not here. You need help!” “Please, Rumi.” And she has to agree. The guy’s pitiful state is weighing on her. And he’s not even ashamed. Because he’ll die after a while. “No more than ten minutes.” That’s more than enough. Jinu smirks and scrapes together the last of her wits to come up with conversation topics. “When did you start singing?”

***

Attempt №1. A concert and flowers. Performing on stage is a cherished dream of hers that has only recently come true. It turned out harder than Rumi thought. But now she’s in the waiting room with her friends getting ready for the concert. Right here, because she did it. So it’s okay that there are obstacles along the way. Huntrix weren’t scared, didn’t give up halfway through. Their strength and perseverance helped Rumi achieve her dream. She’s not alone anymore. She loved saving the world and singing for people’s safety. Dancing on stage, smiling at fans, and secretly meeting them backstage to give autographs. Going to the baths at weekends and then coming back to the workplace for someone else’s pleasure. just to feel that people are happy to see Huntrix. The soul responded, feeling free to act. Rumi knew they were meant to be here. But the good side also hides an especially difficult time. The last few days had been full of tension. The battle between demons and huntresses was behind us. No threats anytime soon. Everyone’s safe. This news meant that the world tour would happen. The girls aren’t used to being this popular. Their patience barely lasted the first week. Nonstop travel between countries and cities at night, rehearsals, and recording new songs. It’s exhausting way faster than before. Rumi worried they wouldn’t be able to keep the group going like this. But later, she’d just grab her headphones, shut herself in her room, and forget the doubts. Huntrix would manage. This thought kept spinning in her head almost every minute. Rumi had to understand that there was no other way. At some point, certain difficulties stopped getting in the way of moving forward. They worked hard, forgetting their fatigue, just to see hundreds of thousands of fans smiling. Everything was great. Rumi admired their work. Later, one “but” appeared. Then another, and another, and… it seemed there were more. She had a nightmare. In it, Jinu dies in her arms. He had to get rid of the huntresses, to ruin their reputation. After all, he needed to gather and send as many souls as possible to the realm of Gwi-ma. Jinu faithfully followed all parts of the plan, then broke them in seconds. The demon protected Rumi, even knowing it would cost his own life. When she woke up, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. He’d had a choice. Had Rumi turned out to be… more important? To Jinu? And he’d chosen to die so she could live? This nightmare was the first “but”. Now Jinu is alive. Even against his will. This guy sure knows how to get things done. Rumi had guessed this might happen. Jinu wanted to talk to her just to buy time. To let himself die a painful death. To just lie there on that disgusting dirty floor, waiting for his body to finish the job. Rumi almost messed up by letting him ask questions. But she reacted in time, and it seemed like the demon himself helped her. She just made a weird joke. Jinu raised his head in surprise to look at her. Rumi laughed, and he sank back down, hitting the back of his head. Then the wound on his head made itself felt, and the huntress sprang into action. She practically forced him, though it’s not like there was an unharmed spot left on his body. Jinu came to the hospital disguised as a member of Saja Boys to avoid unnecessary questions. Where did he even find the strength for this? Rumi sighed loudly, scolding him for trying to act strong when he was clearly vulnerable. In a hospital gown, with tired puppy-dog eyes, he looked adorable. Rumi wasn’t sure if demons needed sleep like Jinu did, but he dozed off the second his head hit the creaky cot. It was hard, but she got through it, right? Another “but” showed up soon enough. “Wait, did I hear that right? Did he just…” “That’s right, it caused memory loss. After a while, we’ll be able to determine if it’s short-term or not. To speed up the recovery process, you can try prompting his memories yourself. It’s not too hard if you’ve interacted at least a little before this happened.” Rumi watched him, a weight settling in her chest. No, she’d rescued him too — this wasn’t remorse. The huntress just knew: Jinu would become her responsibility. As though fate had decided it. “Yes, we knew each other. Thank you, Doctor,” she smiled and bowed to him. “No problem, Rumi. He’ll wake up in a week.” By the way, now she is tormented not only by the choice of Jinu, but also by his health problems. But the difficulties don’t end there. The thing that affected the huntresses the most was the new Jinu’s behavior. And of course, it was all directed at Rumi. He had managed to stress her out so badly that it even affected Mira and Zoey. Once again, we’re back to the fact that the past few days had been nothing but constant tension. Because on top of work, there was Jinu with all three of his “buts”. Rumi was trying to figure out how to approach him. After all, he was different! Too kind and sweet, always ready to help and sort things out. He babbles nonstop, lights up when he sees Rumi, and clings to her in every way possible. Literally. He begged to join their world tour just to stay close. He wanted to have fun and kept inviting her to explore the city together. Yet Huntrix’s work didn’t stop him from making plans for the huntress at all. Jinu considers her his close friend. It reminded her of the Saja Boys image, cute and handsome guys who took other people’s souls. Rumi feels slightly disappointed in herself. Taking such a person under her wing was a big mistake. They had to do something to calm Jinu down. But every time she saw that laughing demon — so completely harmless — they came back to the same conclusion: Rumi just couldn’t bring herself to push him away. And that’s when she got the idea. The doctor had a reason for saying that memory could be restored with the help of people he knows. If he remembered their feud, he wouldn’t enjoy socializing with her much. She won’t force him. It’s all up to Jinu. As mentioned earlier, the huntresses were sitting in the waiting room. Soon, the long-awaited Seattle concert would begin. After this, Rumi was going to meet him. It would be late, but she couldn’t wait to try. Restoring someone’s memories sounds really difficult, but it’s worth a try. Neutral relations with Jinu — like a new cherished dream. She didn’t like being at war with him. And now staying this close to him feels unusual too. She wants the golden mean to give herself to the world tour and help the girls. They really liked today’s outfits. Rumi was happy too, but made a few changes to hers. The top’s sleeves hugged her arms tightly. She still layers something over it to hide the marks, even though she doesn’t have to. Everyone knows, but no one dares call her a demon after she saved the world. She just needs a little more time, and then she’ll show them all. Nothing else mattered to her. They were preparing hard. They fixed their hair and makeup, warmed up their voices, and did some stretching. About ten minutes until the start. It was a bit exciting. Girls admit that, but it’s time to level up. To try something new. Huntrix is together, and that’s what counts. Every move will be 100% precise. Their positive energy will make their voices shine brighter. Every fan will hear an echo of their own feelings in the new song. This confidence should stay with them until the very end. “All right, you ready?” “I could burst into tears right here seeing something this huge! Have you even seen how many people are there?”, Zoey exclaims. Her excitement radiates enough energy to make anyone jealous. Mira smirks and silently gives a thumbs up. Rumi nods and quickly hugs the girls. Should she believe in fate, the one that brought their team together? She would thank it. Because without them, Rumi would never have found herself. At this thought, her hands instinctively reach out to ruffle each of their heads, a proud smile on her face. “Hair, Rumi!” “What’s wrong with you?” “Thank you, huntresses,” Rumi whispers and leaves to find the manager to announce the group’s exit. Mira and Zoey remain standing in place, completely confused. But the smiles on their faces speak for themselves. A few minutes later, Rumi returns and announces the start of the concert. The girls fist-bump each other and walk out on stage to loud cheers from the fans. They talk about their travels to two countries where they’ve already performed their new album. They tease Zoe’s solo song, which is coming out next month. The Huntresses play with the fans for a while, entertaining the crowd. And finally, they get to the main part of the concert. Huntrix had never performed this song before now. Rumi felt something deeply familiar in the lyrics that would soon reach millions of listeners. That’s why the girls couldn’t wait to hear the melody of this track. Today’s concert was definitely special. Standing alone, my light is so bright Success around, but is it free? Look in the mirror, now I understand That is more than what I had Fear held me tight, I took a seat Yearning deep, I want it back My spirit won’t break, I’ll conquer fear Honestly, not ready yet Rumi took this batch because she knew how to sing it. How to feel it. While working on the song, she ruined her favorite notebook, but in the end she achieved the perfect result. The girls found out about it and bought her about five notebooks for new projects. They inspired the huntress again. They just knew what she needed at that moment. For this, she’s ready to beg her way onto a live news broadcast just to talk about her amazing friends. Now the new song reminds her of those notebooks, Mira, and Zoey. A weird association, don’t you think? Rumi likes it. I want it, stay here, don’t sway, seek dreams I wanna make my passion last forever Stay here, where my hopes play With every heartbeat, my resolve is bright, yeah Turn up, but wait, maybe, you’ll be surprised Runaway, step back, my future’s mine Stay here, don’t sway, seek dreams I wanna make my passion last forever Rumi gave this batch to Zoey because she knew how Zoey would feel about its meaning. When a friend is tormented by doubts, thinking she’s not good enough… Zoey shouldn’t have to endure that feeling, she can overcome it. Weakness isn’t a flaw — it’s the key to freedom. You just have to find the right keyhole and open the door. Once you step through, there’ll be no more hiding, no more lying to yourself or others. To gain something, you have to fight for it. That’s why the path to the door isn’t easy. But Rumi believed Zoey could do it. These words are a reminder of that. Ay, 기다린 삶, wanna be high, yeah 일분일초가 내겐 make up, break up, step up, every day, keep my head up Is that true? Really? don’t be silly No matter what, 난 나를 믿어, yeah, just feelin' my vibe I want it, ah, ah, I’ll take it away My touch, my view, it’s all mine I want it, ah, ah, I’ll take it away Shaping a future uniquely mine Rumi gave this batch to Mira because she knew how much proving herself meant to her. The Katadsky family didn’t know how to handle their own daughter. They should’ve realized she was rebelling for a reason. Mira stood against her family’s traditions. And her stubborn spirit only softened around her closest friends. She was a troubled child nobody ever listened to. That’s why she had to find her place here. And it was the right choice. Rumi is grateful for her trust. Maybe the lyrics don’t quite fit her, but the meaning should stay the same. Oddly enough, this song took so long to make. Rumi would cry at night while humming the melody. Because it reminded her so much of the past that it made her want to fight harder and fiercer. She ruined her notebook with tear stains, smudged pencil marks, and meaningless lyrics about mistakes. But after that came a surge of strength. Rumi kept writing without feeling tired. It seemed like all those nighttime tears were shed for nothing. But now it’s clear. That time wasn’t wasted. Because figuring yourself out matters too. Rumi, Zoey, and Mira stood on stage, confidently finishing the concert. The music tasted like sweet victory. Nobody wanted to say goodbye. The fans kept the girls entertained, and they laughed loudly at the support signs. They called Mira a little potato sack, referencing her Met Gala look. The girls kept teasing her right until they left the stage. Huntrix fans begged for an a cappella song, but Zoey blanked on the last line four times in a row. Rumi accidentally smacked herself in the face with her own braid… All in all, it was an unforgettable night with fans. The huntresses didn’t even feel tired after saying goodbye. But honestly, they wouldn’t mind hitting the sauna and just chilling with movies and snacks. “Girls, this is awesome!” Manager Bobby is in his usual form. They’re ready to hear admiration and joy. Rumi, Zoey, and Mira rush to hug him tightly, drowning out his enthusiastic speech. The girls laugh, enjoying the manager’s silence. As if they needed to waste time on this when they had a whole night of partying ahead. But of course, they’re grateful for his support. “Thanks, Bobby, but we’re in a hurry,” she says mysteriously. “Knew you’d try to sneak off! Fine, I’ll tell you next time. But I’m insanely proud of you.” “Thank you so much. You’re the best manager in the world!” “Oh, come on, the best? I don’t have fans as persistent as yours, Rumi.” “What?” “Not sure you’ll get to leave with the girls. There’s a guest waiting for you.” Rumi didn’t want to meet him here. And besides, there’s a set time and place! They’d agreed on that. She asks the girls for permission to leave, though they’re clearly unhappy about 'losing' their friend. To them, it feels like an actual betrayal. Guilt instantly starts weighing on her. But she can’t refuse meeting Jinu — that would make everything worse for everyone. Rumi realizes that getting closer to him will cause tension within Huntrix. And during a world tour, letting the girls down is simply unthinkable. “Sorry, I’ll explain everything, just not right now!” “Don’t worry, we get it,” Mira replies sincerely. “Tomorrow you’re buying us lunch at the restaurant! No excuses!” Zoey says, trying to sound angry. “I promise! And a spa day too.” Rumi says goodbye and, collecting herself, steps out of the room. The moment she crosses the threshold, she nearly collides with him. He’s standing right outside the door. Jinu would’ve gotten hurt if he’d been any closer. He clearly isn’t paying attention — too obsessed with seeing her. She doesn’t want a fan who stalks her like this. It sounds awful. For some reason, the hallway smells like Rumi’s favorite flowers. Is Jinu wearing perfume? Not that he was scentless before, but this is different. Is that enough to suspect him? She subtly steps back, studying the guy. “Hey! How’s your mood? Your concert was different from the others. The Huntresses literally bloomed right before our eyes.” “Yeah, hey. Mood’s great. The concert did feel different, you’re right,” she replies awkwardly. Still feels strange talking to an overly-nice Jinu. She turns toward the exit, motioning for him to follow. “Wait, you forgot something.” Rumi can’t even imagine what she might’ve forgotten, but she stops anyway. Her light bag hangs on her shoulder. Everything else gets handled by staff and sent to the hotel. How would he even know she left something? Did Jinu rummage through her things? He’s not that kind of guy! At least, not recently, to be exact. Bad thoughts start swarming her mind at breakneck speed. But faster than they come, Jinu calms her by holding out a lavish bouquet. Red hydrangeas, right? So that’s why the hallway smelled like her favorite flowers. Was this scent a demon’s gift all along? “Oh wow… Jinu, thank you! I really thought I’d forgotten something, but you were giving me flowers. How can I repay you?” “Don’t worry about it. Just getting to see you once is enough to make me happy.” Saccharine sweet talk? Rumi suddenly remembers that Jinu hates this kind of cliché. The contradiction feels… off. “Thanks, Jinu. I’m… pleasantly surprised.” “I know. Want me to tell you what they symbolize?” That was a sweet gesture on his part. Rumi is truly grateful to him. It’s nice to talk to kind people, but unfortunately, this is Jinu. She would never say she finds him disgusting. The truth is just that he’s hard to talk to, and his behavior could affect the huntresses. His desire to be close to her goes beyond what’s acceptable. Seeing Rumi as his friend, he starts keeping her by his side like she’s his property. Whether his inner demon has influence or not doesn’t matter because the good Jinu already feels free to act. And this needs to be stopped. Rumi doesn’t like the idea of gaining his trust, helping him recover his memories, only to later take advantage of the situation and abandon him using those very memories. Even if he were one of Gwi-ma’s followers, she would never do something like that. But do the huntresses really deserve this kind of treatment? Forced to choose between them and Jinu, she wants to save the girls. “So?” “Red and pink hydrangeas symbolize love, (Rumi, you’re so screwed) heartfelt emotions, (thanks, just what I needed) and gratitude.” (You’ll regret being grateful to me later.) “Nice combo. The flowers too.” “What about me?” “What about you?” “Am I… beautiful?” “Obviously, Jinu. You’re literally the beauty standard…” Her cheeks flush slightly with embarrassment. Rumi awkwardly lowers her gaze to the bouquet, catching the honeyed sweetness and fruity notes of the flowers. Perfectly chosen just for her. “Rumi, you know what? You’re a real idol. You’re the definition of beauty! My friend is the absolute best at everything.” “What’s gotten into you, showering me with compliments like that? Speaking of idols… Thanks for saying that, by the way. Let’s talk about it.” “Are you having trouble at work?” “Didn’t I tell you why we met? We’re supposed to be remembering something.” “Was I some obsessed fan before I lost my memory? Guess nothing’s changed. Did you know I dream about your concerts? Do you even like performing? What’s it like being on stage?” Rumi doesn’t grace him with a reply, smirking at his desperate attempt to hear her voice. They step outside. A cool wind blows against their faces, soothing the lingering flush. She rolls her shoulders and exhales, savoring a fleeting taste of freedom. Fatigue seeps into her limbs, leaving them heavy and sore; her mouth feels parched. Rumi wants to retreat somewhere quiet and open. Maybe the park. Once, before his memories were lost, the demon had invited her there for a walk. Back then, she never found the time to meet him. Now, she’s the one inviting him. The park is nearly empty. Lonely crickets chirp in the bushes. The cloudless sky darkened quickly, and now, only silence remains. Jinu and Rumi sit on a bench. She carefully weighs her words, while he watches her eagerly, waiting in patient silence. “I’m not joking. I really do dream about Huntrix’s performances.” “Shhh. You’re distracting me.” He quiets down, for a whole minute. Exactly that. “When do we start?”, Jinu asks quietly. “I’ll tell you about Saja Boys.” “What kind of stupid name is that? Are they idols?” “You were the leader of that group. I don’t want to explain why it was formed, but there was a reason, just know that. We’re trying to restore your memory, so you might remember on your own. There were five of you. You appeared out of nowhere and left the stage just as suddenly, forever. You could say Saja Boys became our rivals. Your group stole the spotlight in just a couple of days. Can you believe we even had a joint fansign with you? It was awful, honestly. After that, fans shipped us… hard. “Wait, what? Are you serious?”, he exclaims joyfully. Rumi quickly shushes him: “Keep your voice down! It happened, I’m not lying. And I’m never bringing it up again.” “Why not? We’d make a cute couple, don’t you think?”, he whispers mischievously, winking. “I’ll keep talking, and you’d better start using that brain of yours. Try to remember. Long story short, Saja Boys tried to ruin our reputation. Your goal was to take down the huntresses. But I guess we were stronger in the end. Justice won.” “Then where’s the rest of the group? Why did we disband?” “Can’t tell you that.” “Of course I’ll remember on my own,” he mutters, crossing his arms. “Jinu, listen. I’m not forcing you, okay? Saja Boys were tied to… something evil. You understand. It controlled you. That’s why we fought against you.” “We fought? So I saved you, right?” Rumi’s eyes snap up in surprise. He remembered! The corner of her mouth lifts in a faint smile as she gives a firm nod. “Good job. You saved me… and I saved you. That was the very end of it.” “Fragments of terrifying memories flicker through my mind, just glimpses, but the gears are starting to turn.” “Try to remember one of your group members. Maybe you had a special connection with someone?” Jinu genuinely considers the question. Rumi studies the flowers, breathing in their scent. When he finally nods, she frowns, startled by how quickly his memories seem to be returning. Could this really be so easy? “I remember Abby. He kept demanding we stop something.” “Stop what?” “Seeing each other. He was the only one who knew. Abby even caught us meeting once.” “I almost wish I didn’t know that.” “Do you understand why he did it?” “I have my suspicions. You’ll find out soon enough. We’ll take it step by step.” “My head doesn’t explode from information overload,” he jokes darkly. “I believe you. What about the feelings? Do you remember how it felt on stage?” “Oh! I clearly remember our first performance with the song… mmm, Soda Pop? It was outdoors, and fans packed the area in minutes. People were ready to climb walls just to see us. In that moment, I felt this… power. Stared at the crowd and smiled because they knew Saja Boys.” “Did you enjoy that attention?” “Probably.” Rumi realizes Saja Boys would never have walked away from power. They craved attention, needed it. They pulled vile stunts to steal fans away. Demons love to possess things, and this was no exception. She imagines how Jinu truly felt back then. That addictive rush of crowd adoration burned in his chest because it meant total domination. The “good” Jinu pictures himself as some sweet-hearted guy who just wanted to sing and dance. But the truth? Far uglier. “Did Saja Boys only ever act in their own interest?”, Jinu asks quietly, his voice tinged with disappointment. He’s in for many more disappointments soon. Rumi’s plan will leave a bitter aftertaste, not just for him, but the world tour will proceed without a hitch. The girls, like her, will finally be left in peace. She’ll regret it, but there’s no other way. “Yes, that’s how it was. Huntrix hated Saja Boys. I tried to understand all of you… No, just you. We made a plan together to free your group from his control. But at the last moment, you broke it. That’s when the battle between demons and huntresses began.” “Obviously, you won. You’re so strong.” “I couldn’t have done it without the girls.” Jinu nods in agreement, his hand brushing her shoulder, a quiet reminder he’s there. Rumi acknowledges it with a slight tilt of her head before continuing. “You sacrificed yourself for me. I wanted to ask you about that. When the doctor told me you’d lost your memory, I was… upset. Is there even any point in asking you now?” “Well, maybe you did something for me first? I’ve got zero memories of that part, so I’m guessing it wasn’t much.” “Maybe. Expected answer, but thanks”, Rumi murmurs, lost in thought. “The bad Jinu wouldn’t answer that even at gunpoint.” “Bad me? What’s that supposed to mean?” “Alright, let’s end it here.” “Rumi, seriously? We literally did nothing. Be a good friend and help me out! What’s with the bad Jinu act? Don’t you like me? But the fans even tried to ship us… I don’t get it.” “If I buy you ice cream, will you calm down?” She spent her own money on him. Jinu smiled like a cat that got the cream. Rumi walked him home and said goodbye with a hug, though just so you know, he was the one who initiated it. She wasn’t ready to get closer to him on her own. But the plan was working. Jinu’s memory was coming back insanely fast. It almost seemed like the serious injury had never happened, just a minor bruise that briefly clouded his mind, making him forget recent events. Rumi had suspected she’d have to sacrifice every free moment to help him. But that wasn’t the case. A single meeting was enough for her to explain the beginning of their story. Next time, she’d tell him about Gwi-ma. With his ability to absorb information so quickly, new possibilities opened up. For the first time, she felt hope. A drop of guilt still lingered inside her. Rumi felt that subtle prickling sensation hinting at her own actions. Was she deceiving Jinu? Probably not, but it felt dangerously close. Yet when she remembered the old Jinu, the one who’d been nothing but trouble at work, who’d nearly ruined the girls' good mood, she just wanted to be done with this whole mess. She’d only recently patched things up with the huntresses after their misunderstanding about her symbols. Why would she want to burn this newly built bridge of friendship? She had to help them. For now though, Rumi was heading home. Her headphones and notebook were waiting.

***

Attempt №2. Coffee and a magazine. Today’s fansign was different from the others. The crowd had doubled in size, thanks to their newly released Japanese album, which had won over so many hearts that the girls nearly fainted from the sheer number of fans. For the first time, Zoey’s cheeks ached from smiling. Mira scrambled to strike new poses for selfies, somehow always a step behind the fans’ relentless energy. Even their leader struggled to keep up. Yet Rumi couldn’t feel the joy. So far, fansigns had brought her no pleasure. Her mind was too full of thoughts of him. Rumi was waiting to see him again. Well, to make sure the plan would work without delay. That’s why these fan meetings felt so dull and repetitive now. She wasn’t sure if this was right, but she refused to let herself back down. Holding fansigns this early in the morning had been a terrible idea. And so it went with every fan. To be honest, it was exhausting work. At some point, her eyes began closing on their own. Rumi had only slept about four hours. The first break during the fansign felt like a gasp of fresh air. The next group of fans hadn’t been let in yet, so she remained at the table. A few minutes of quiet soothed her. For once, she could actually close her eyes without having to watch the crowd. She had fifteen minutes to herself, right? Real freedom. “Rumi, are you okay?” She’d recognize that voice anywhere. “Jinu?” In her surprise, she jumps up from her seat, immediately banging her knee against the table and clumsily tripping over her own feet. She crashes to the floor, the whole scene looking ridiculous from the outside. Rumi groans in pain but throws her hand up in front of him, signaling that she’s fine. Though, honestly, that’s going to leave a bruise. Now she was wide awake. Jinu chuckled at her but offered help anyway. She sat back down while he lingered beside her. He’d probably come to ask her out for a walk after work. “Want an autograph, fanboy?” “Absolutely. What’s wrong with that?” “I never said there was. And that’s not why you’re here.” “I want to work with you.” Wait, does he actually enjoy this kind of thing? “Well, as you can see, I’m a little busy right now. You’ll have to wait.” “For you, I’d do anyth…” “Look, it’s really him! The real Jinu!”, the crowd of fans erupted in unison. Rumi instantly regretted that he’d shown up here. Of all the terrible timing! Did they really have to let the fans in before her well-earned break was even over? “As you can see, I don’t have time for this. Leave, Jinu. My fans still love you even after your disbandment.” “What a shame, my little klutz. We’ll meet again later”, he waves goodbye casually, as if nothing happened. Of course he doesn’t care, he’s not an idol anymore. Damn him! Rumi had to put on a sweet smile and politely explain to everyone that they must have imagined it. Mira, who was sitting nearby for some reason, gave her a suspicious look. But she didn’t comment. That meant she would bring it up at the worst possible time. Mira did love teasing people. Now it was time to stop… What had he called her? Rumi was ready to kill him. “Hi, Rumi! I’m so happy to meet you in person, not just on screens! You know, when I first heard about the huntresses, I immediately started saving up to leave. I flew in last night, bought my fansign tickets and rushed here in excitement. As a kid, my favorite thing was singing. I had to give it up, but recently, you helped me return to that hobby. I want to thank every member. You’re all true inspirations to the world! I know time is short, so I rushed through my story. But now I have time for one question. May I?” “Yes, of course!” “Is it really Jinu? The group’s breakup devastated us. None of the members even appeared online as solo artists. Seeing him now is a real sensation.” Did he deliberately make her life harder? Despite the fans unnecessary questions, she got back to work. It became easier to listen to people, and Rumi calmly talked to them but answered cautiously when asked about Jinu. All she needed was to earn the title of his girlfriend. Then the rumors would spread, and denying everything on camera wouldn’t be fun. Fansign finally caught her interest. The girls exchanged their impressions among themselves, then returned to the fans with laughter and smiles. Rumi momentarily forgot about meeting Gina. The huntresses were together, and that was enough. The world tour was wonderful because the exciting moments never stopped. Work turned into thrilling entertainment. Rumi couldn’t believe that just an hour ago, she had been bored. With such sweet fans, boredom was impossible! “Thank you, Huntrix!” “No, thank you for choosing us. You have no idea how grateful we are,” Rumi assured her. She really enjoyed interacting with fans in such an informal setting. It made expressing feelings so much easier. This girl won Rumi’s heart. She gave her a painting and silently began to cry. Usually, fans try to fit everything they want to say into the allotted time. When the girl started crying, Rumi froze in shock. But she quickly snapped out of it, asking for tissues to comfort the child. The fan quietly slipped away while Rumi was still looking at her portrait. It was impossible not to think about her afterward. In the end, they successfully wrapped up another fan sign. Mira and Zoey invited Rumi to grab a snack in the cafeteria, but she refused. Jinu was still waiting in the break room. She should probably apologize for that. Rumi hurriedly climbed the stairs to the second floor. She stumbled on five steps but made it up unharmed. She stood at the door for a whole minute, even though she had already waited long enough. In the end, she had to go in, completely turning off her mind and not overthinking it. Jinu was sitting on the sofa, flipping through a celebrity magazine. A cup of coffee cooled on the table, the aroma of the beans lingering in the air. The cozy atmosphere eased some of the tension. “Hey.” “Finished? Or just a break?”, he set the magazine aside and looked up. “Oh, we’re done. Sorry about that. Did you have to wait long?” “An hour and a half or so, I guess.” Rumi chokes on air in surprise and bursts into loud coughing. Tears well up in her eyes. She winces from the pain in her lungs. Nothing is heard but ragged gasps. The silence in the room lingers, making her feel embarrassed. Wiping away the moisture with her palm, Rumi gives him a guilty look, or maybe just past him, at the wall. That makes it a little easier. “I didn’t mean to! You must’ve seen that crowd yourself. It’s just your appearance was so sudden, and I wasn’t allowed to leave early. I’m sorry, okay? I can pay for lunch.” “You know, I thought about asking you to sign my lips with your autograph. But I wasn’t sure how people would react. Probably half the fans would’ve melted from cuteness, and the other half — from envy. What do you think?” Is she thinking? She hesitates. “W-what were you trying to do?”, Rumi whispers, squinting. “On your lips… I don’t get it,” she totally gets it, just hasn’t processed it yet. “Wait, are you saying a k-kiss… Jinu! You’re messing with me!” “Guilty as charged. You’re adorable when you’re flustered.” What does he think he’s doing? Rumi clenches her fists and plops down across from him. Not this again! Sweet, innocent Jinu is toying with her, playing the harmless lamb. She won’t let him get away with this. Especially around other girls. His jokes might just leave her speechless. How did she even survive that first week after Jinu’s diagnosis? She needs to change the subject fast. This friendly flirting is driving her crazy. “I want to talk about your boss. The one who ran Saja Boys.” “So the session has started? How would you like to pay?” “Jinu.” “I’m here.” “Of course you’re here. Listen to me carefully. These are important memories. Though they’re not exactly kind or pleasant. Nod if you understand?” Jin obediently nodded. Switched from one mode to another. He was a real puzzle. “I might be wrong, but I’m going by your words. His name was Gwi-ma. He was a Demon King who ruthlessly stole people’s souls. He had no real enemies, except for every generation of huntresses. We fought against his kingdom by creating the Golden Honmun. Most of the time, defeating demons is simple enough. But this year… Gwi-ma fought to the bitter end. You became his servant, but only helped him when it served your interests. Serving Gwi-ma was just a means to an end. You were obsessed with destroying our reputation. If I remember correctly, memories of the past tormented you. That’s why you made a deal. If you eliminated the huntresses, Gwi-ma would erase them. You craved our blood. But I’m not blaming you for that, alright? Jinu, please look at me.” “I get it. You wouldn’t have.” His reply is distant, eyes fixed on a scratch on the table. “Um… want me to sit next to you?” Jinu agrees, shifting to make space. Rumi settles onto the couch and self-consciously tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. She’s not even sure why she offered. To comfort him? She gives a slight shake of her head. “We found something in common, you and I. Started meeting in secret from the others. I tried to help you, wanted you to change your mind. You told me about your past, but mixed lies with the truth. I believed you, and suggested we fight Gwi-ma together. Because I couldn’t look at you without pity. But you hate that kind of sympathy, it makes you feel weak. I know why you lied to me, and why you ended up attacking us in the end. You couldn’t bear to show your vulnerabilities.” “I’m gonna be sick just thinking about myself,” he laughs nervously. “Jinu, don’t you dare blame yourself.” “Keep talking.” “Weaknesses. My markings — they were what I hid from everyone. When you exposed me to the world, the girls turned their backs on me. I wanted revenge. To kill you, understand? Don’t you dare wallow in self-pity, because I’m right here. I couldn’t control those vile emotions. The demon inside me didn’t wake on its own, I roused it myself.” “Do you even realize how this began? I wanted you dead first!” “Compare the version of you who acted under Gwi-ma’s influence. He ruined your life. Lured you with luxury, then forbade you from bringing your family. Gwi-ma separated you forever. Of course you’d do anything to forget that. Now compare me, hiding in shadows, terrified of becoming a joke. The girls could’ve suffered because of me. The whole world, to be exact. I, a true hypocrite, only thought of myself. I had a choice. You didn’t. And let’s be clear, there’s no angel living in me now either.” “I abandoned them!” “No. You didn’t know what would happen next. But I did.” “If you think I’m some ‘other Jinu’ just because I lost my damn memories, shove that idea straight to hell! I am him. I know what he felt, not you!” For the first time, Rumi can’t find a good argument. “Did you notice I remembered?” “What? Oh, of course, good job. You catch on quick…” Rumi felt uneasy. The emotional outburst left an unpleasant aftertaste. She had tried to make herself look bad, not realizing how difficult it would be. Yet Jinu was defending her. How can he even stand to talk to someone like she? A pathetic girl who couldn’t believe in herself. If he didn’t understand the truth, her plan would fail. Jinu thought he was the bad one. She genuinely regretted pushing him this far. But she was too close to her goal to stop now. Time to end this. She needed to open a window, it was getting hard to breathe. “Jinu, if we meet again, don’t you dare bring those self-loathing thoughts with you. I won’t allow it.” She acknowledges he might end things here. “Just for you, got it?” “As if it’d be any other way. Understood.” Rumi forces something resembling a smile and reaches to ruffle his hair. But claws of guilt tear at her chest, contradicting her actions. Not a trace of victory lingers on her tongue. “Sorry I snapped. I think it’s time for me to go.” “But what about your memories? We haven’t accomplished anything.” “I told you about this the first time, but you didn’t listen. Put it off for later, so to speak. We’ll meet again.” He gets up from the couch and leaves, leaving his half-finished cup of coffee on the table. By the way, he smelled like hydrangeas. She’d never mistake that perfume. And all for whom? Rumi wants to discuss this with someone, even if it’s just the girls. Maybe they should know. “Can I come in?” Mira appeared. Had fate sent her? “Sure, why not?” Mira stays by the door, leaning back against the wall. She crosses her arms, clearly bracing for a conversation. Rumi had learned to read the girls by their movements. But Mira could understand them even in silence. That was a whole different level. “People are hard to work with, huh?” “Yeah, they are. I feel useless.” “Maybe you should think about whether you’re doing the right thing.” “I just want to help you.” “We’re willing to be patient. Have you ever heard even one complaint from us? Maybe the only one complaining here is you.” Rumi doesn’t raise her eyes. Time has frozen, and so has she. The stream of thoughts has stopped. There simply are no words. Nothing to say, because her mind has shut down. She had been hearing herself for a whole month. But for the others to speak up and say anything against Jinu? Not once. So why doesn’t she want to push him away inside? Jinu really is a good guy, it’s not just a nickname. What has Rumi done? “You knew…” “Knew what?” Mira played dumb. Of course she wouldn’t answer directly. “Thanks.” “You’re always thanking us! What’s going on, girls?” Zoey chimed in, right on cue. “Never mind. Did you eat? Ready for round two?” Rumi slowly got up from her seat, feeling numb. She needed to clear her head. “You doubting us? That hurts!” The coffee and magazine were left behind.

***

Attempt №3. Drinking and a night walk. Demonic magic. The kind she was forbidden to use. Not because of some established law, but because she refused to touch such powerful forces. And it’s unlikely Rumi even remembers how to wield them anymore. But in desperate times, a hunter could break her own rules. That was the promise she made to herself, and she had kept it skillfully so far. She could have held out longer, but now… had the moment finally come? Quite possibly. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t nervous. Because Jinu would never act this way. A month later, she saw the blue tiger’s face on her balcony. She’d thought it had vanished into thin air when the hunters claimed victory. Rumi had missed that reckless beast. The tiger appeared with its usual goofy grin, tongue lolling and dripping with drool and holding a card in its mouth. Normally, those cards were blank. But today was clearly different, if a demonic beast had come to visit her. Jinu’s messy handwriting made her tense up. His writing was full of mistakes, the words spilling outside the lines meant to guide them. The short message looked terrible, with no trace of proper grammar. Jinu was supposed to write neatly and flawlessly. Rumi frowned, struggling to make out even a single word. She’d been given a task with an asterisk: distinguishing words from scribbles was impossible. It took far longer than she’d wanted to spend on it. After a painful struggle, Rumi finally deciphered the ridiculous code. He’d asked to meet up, with an address scribbled below. She could’ve been by the demon’s side already if the message had ended there. But since when did Jin ever stick to the point? She had to slog through his usual awful pickup lines, stuff like, “Are your parents bakers? Cause you’re a sweet roll.” Seriously, was this what memory loss did to people? Rumi used teleportation to reach the meeting spot as fast as possible. A strange tingling sensation crept over her skin as the magical runes flared to life. She squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to look at them. She needed to focus on Jinu. What if something had happened to him? It was just a small convenience store in a deserted alley, the kind of place people went for booze and snacks before a wild night. At first, Rumi thought she’d messed up the teleportation spell. But then she spotted a lone figure sitting on the dirty curb across from the store. “How the hell did he even get here?”, she rubbed her tired eyes. “Hey… Jinu? Is that you?” “Rumi-i-i! Y-you came for… me. Mmm, I’m surprised.” “Are you drunk? No, wait. Seriously? Jinu, what the hell are you doing?!” “Remember how you told me to… to get disappointed in you? I tried, buh-hut it’s impossible. So then I wanted to see you,” he slurred, grinning drunkenly as he fought to enunciate. Every attempt came out disastrous. “Why’re you so pretty? Glowin’ like a lil’ angel…” She glanced back suspiciously, and then spotted the neon store sign blazing behind her. “Dunno. Just born this way, I guess. Now help me solve a problem.” “Are we under attack?” “Did you hit your head? Jinu, what am I gonna do with you?” “You could carry me home! Like, princess-style!” No way. Rumi couldn’t handle him. Honestly, she should just leave Jinu here. Let him figure it out himself. No need to drag others into it. “Why not? I’m not that heavy. You’ve got this!” Rumi turned away. “Rumi, pleeease! I’ll be good. Silent as a rock. C’mon!” “Goddammit, Jinu.” Until now, she’d never tested her strength. Demons were unquestionably stronger than humans. Rumi honestly couldn’t imagine being able to lift Jinu. He held on well, impressively even. But it only lasted about fifteen minutes. They were almost there, but his ridiculous drunken singing made the journey harder. Rumi couldn’t cover her ears, her hands were full. Medieval torture, plain and simple. When he switched tactics and started telling jokes, she sighed heavily but played along. Some laughs were forced, but most of the jokes actually landed. Against all odds, he kept himself awake, lightening the mood every way he could. At some point, he buried his face in her neck and went quiet. Rumi subtly tried to pull away, but Jinu tightened his grip around her. An awkward silence settled between them. She didn’t understand why she felt no urge to shove him onto the ground. The streetlights illuminated their path in an almost magical glow. Against her better judgment, she relaxed and listened to her own thoughts. Mira’s words weren’t just empty noise. Truthfully, there was no real threat to the team. The demon already knows enough to leave Rumi alone. Yet they’re still standing in the same spot. The plan failed. Jinu remembers the worst of it all and still clings to her like nothing happened. As if this is completely normal. Fine, let’s say she suspected this all along. Then how do you explain that weird feeling gnawing at her? She knows she should cut him out of her life, but part of her realizes it’s already too late. That damn plan of theirs only brought the demon and the hunter closer. The girls never complained about him. Maybe he was just as difficult for them as he was for Rumi. But they could see, separating them wasn’t an option. So they put up with it. And Rumi let it happen, because deep down, she didn’t want to let him go. How did things end up like this? Silence was her only answer. Perhaps Rumi will take the final step. She’ll test how real these feelings truly are. They’ll meet soon, when Jinu is sober enough to think straight. That’s when they’ll settle things. “Rumi?” “I’m here, Jinu. We’re almost at your place.” “Tell me something. Help me remember.” “Once, you told me: Listen to yourself. You’re a demon, just like me. All we can do is live with our pain. With our suffering. It’s all we deserve. After those words, the marks on my body began to ache. I wanted to hurt myself, just to focus on something else. But eventually, I found meaning hidden beneath it all. It sounded like surrender like giving up the fight. Yet there’s a bitter strength in that acceptance: if suffering is inevitable, then maybe it’s woven into our very nature. I chose to fight anyway, regardless of what fate assigned us.” “The essence, you say?” “You called me a demon, but I don’t see myself that way. They’re cold, callous, and heartless. I’m not like that.” “Then what am I in your eyes?” “Right now? You’re too kind, even for me. Everyone will want to break you. I did too, if only a little. But everything changed in an instant. Now I just want to protect you, Jinu.” “Wooow, Rumi, I’m thrilled! Hope I’ll remember this tomorrow. Mmm, yeah.” She silently prayed to every god that he’d forget. “Can I ask you something?” “At your service! Always!” “Would you… date me? Like, for money. What’s your price?”, why was she even asking this? “For free.” “Knew it. You never know how to answer properly.” “You know me so well! Aww, Rumi, don’t ask things like that. You’ll make me sad.” Jinu gives her a pitiful look, reaching out to touch her face and she doesn’t pull away. His finger traces her cheek with unbearable gentleness, sending shivers down her spine. She looks away, focusing on the road. His touch was too distracting. How humiliating would it be to fall flat on her face just because of some pleasure she desperately wanted to hide? “Why would you be upset?” “What am I supposed to do with these feelings then? You started this quiz just to make me sad.” “Feelings?”, she whispers the word, testing its weight. The alcohol had clearly hit him hard. “Jinu, just… don’t confess anything to me while you’re drunk. Okay? Hey? Why aren’t you answering?” He fell asleep just as they reached his place. His soft snores blended into the quiet night, completing the picture. Rumi smiled at the sight of Jinu’s peaceful face, utterly adorable, like a giant fluffy cat curled up in her arms. And honestly? She wasn’t even winded. The weight felt like nothing. Demon strength really is something else. She let him sleep for a few minutes before waking him with tickles, laughing at her own mischief. Jinu yelped loud enough to startle the entire street, then buried his face against the curve of her neck for refuge. Turns out he isn’t ticklish after all. But Rumi could’ve sworn he was. She clamped a hand over his mouth and set him down, unwilling to risk injury. He clung to her sweater with such force the fabric gave an ominous rip. The huntress winced, yet couldn’t suppress a grin. Jinu swayed dangerously, barely staying upright even when she steadied him with a fleeting grip on his waist. “You good on your own?” “O-of c-course! I’m f-f-fine!”, he boomed, taking an exaggerated step toward her… and of course planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek. “Thanks, bestie. You’re the coolest.” The spot his lips brushed burned like a brand. Rumi stood frozen, watching Jinu weave drunkenly toward the apartment door.

***

She had allowed Jinu to come to the concert with them again. Time flew by quickly. Huntrix performed perfectly. Rumi forgot about herself for a few hours. She felt good. Now it was night, and they were in the hotel. The girls didn’t stay together and chose the comfort of their soft beds instead. But she couldn’t sleep. She needed to talk to him. Jinu was in the next room. So close, yet still so far. Rumi wanted to go to him, but her body wouldn’t move. A strange weakness took over her. The minutes dragged on endlessly. She was dozing off at the table when she heard a knock at the door through her headphones. Rumi had to let him in. She wondered why she was so sure it was him. Jinu had appeared in her dreams, sinking deep into her mind. He surfaced in thoughts that had nothing to do with him. He invited her to meet up, never expecting a refusal. Too perfect. Everyone gets along with people like him. Everyone loves people like him. A month ago, it annoyed her. Now, she had accepted him without even realizing it. The knocking came again, and her hands began to tremble. It was Jinu. She stood up and opened the door. “Rumi, hey. I don’t know if this is important or not. I didn’t want to bother you, but…” “Just tell me.” “You already guessed? Fine, you are a sharp hunter. Can I come in?” Rumi silently lets him into the room and closes the door. Jinu sits down on the bed. “You remembered everything, didn’t you?” “Rumi, sit down, please.” “Just tell me! This is important!” “Sit.” His voice grew firmer, and his gaze… darkened? Did he just practically order her to sit? The atmosphere shifted in an instant. Rumi sat down beside him. “How much time has passed since I lost my memory? A month? I don’t know. You tried to help me. Thank you. I admit, it must’ve been difficult. And I should confess, I didn’t even try to reach for my memories. Just… don’t snap at me, okay?” Rumi had just opened her mouth to reply, no doubt with some kind words. “To be honest, your wariness is obvious from a mile away. You’re used to dealing with a real demon, aren’t you? But now you’re faced with Jinu who remembers nothing and plays the pathetic puppy. It frustrates you. You were ready to get rid of me. Easy to understand. The hunter saved me, but part of you wanted to abandon me. Why is that, Rumi?” Rumi’s shoulders slumped as she sighed. A wretched fear slowly wrapped around her. Their roles had reversed. She had nothing to say. Jinu knew this, so he kept speaking for her. “Just recently, the memories hit me in my sleep. Like an icy tsunami. At first, I thought it was just a nightmare. Then I had to think about you. You told me that terrifying story about some Jinu, and it came to me in my dream. But my heart ached. I realized my memories had returned, can you believe it? You don’t have to fuss over me anymore.” “Jinu, no!” “Am I wrong?” “I was trying to help you. We’re friends,” she denies, struggling. After all, speaking the truth out loud was much harder. “I think your plan is working perfectly. You wanted those memories to destroy us.” “After that battle… and your pathetic suicide attempt right before my eyes… Everything changed. Forgive me.” “You don’t believe the memories are real?” “It doesn’t matter where they are!”, she exclaims, grabbing his hand. “I can’t believe I could do that to you.” Rumi never wanted to say it out loud. She refused to admit how she’d truly treated him. The problem was hers, why had her emotions controlled the hunter, instead of the other way around? Jinu kept staring into her eyes, knowing everything. “Jinu, I… Please, forgive me. What was I thinking?” “I understand how you feel. You’re struggling to make sense of your own actions. You tried to protect those girls from me, but somehow you can’t let me go.” “I thought I could handle it. But you kept talking to me anyway. Not a single terrible truth about me scared you away. Please, forgive me. This is the worst feeling I’ve ever had… God, why did it turn out like this?” “We’re here right now because you still feel something. I don’t know how much you hated the good Jinu. But you let me in. Somewhere deep down, you can’t bring yourself to abandon me, can you? I wanted to die, but you said there was humanity in me. You went and embraced a demon who could ruin your life. It doesn’t matter what kind of monster I become in your eyes. Hate me, spit in my face, but you won’t leave.” “I was ready to abandon the good you. But everything kept changing right before my eyes. Lately, I’ve wanted to force you to stay, just to make the pain stop.” “I’m right here, Rumi. The memories are with me now. And they can’t hurt me, just like you can’t. Let’s ditch these pathetic conversations already. After all, you can’t really abandon me… can you?” Rumi nods, swallowing all her words. She doesn’t believe this is really happening. Just another nightmare that won’t let her go. The cruelest part? She feels his presence with unbearable clarity. Her mind scrambles for excuses but finds none. She almost calms down, yet something lingers in her chest. And it demands resolution. “I want to ask you something. I don’t know if you’ve ever considered it. Because the answer won’t be easy.” “Then stop stalling,” she manages to say, forcing the words out. Her heart races as if bracing for some crucial revelation. Was this what had been eating at her all along? “Rumi, what are we feeling?” “We?” “What do you mean?” “Just so you know, the good Jinu is gone. I had to buy some time, but now we’re completely exposed.” Rumi still doesn’t understand. Or perhaps she understood too quickly — too quickly to admit out loud. A torrent of strange thoughts churns in her mind. Could it really happen in just over a month? Rumi doesn’t know how to confess this. “Say it, huntress.” “Jinu… do you like me?”, she whispers, squeezing his cold hand. “Yes. What about you?”, he fires back, suddenly too close. His eyes gleam with golden sparks, the demon within surfacing. His hot breath raises goosebumps as he lifts their joined hands to brush his lips against her skin. A simple gesture that makes her heart race. Rumi instinctively leans closer. “I guess, yes.” Jinu accepts this answer, but for now. She couldn’t give him anything more certain. He’d dreamed of kissing her. His head even spun from the kiss. After all, she smelled so sweetly of perfume, and her lips were so soft and tender. She grew flustered but didn’t pull away. With her, he had to be gentle and slow, savoring her quiet sighs and clumsy movements. Rumi tried to keep up with him, but then they would pause. Jinu would whisper for her to stay still before touching her beloved lips again. She kept responding to him, kissing him endlessly, drunk on this fire and tenderness herself. That girlish desire to be closer drew a smirk from him and made him pull her tight. Only the heavy thuds of his own heartbeat drowned out his thoughts. They kissed until they lost their pulse and their last breath. Their touches burned against their skin, heat spreading through their veins. Rumi climbed onto Jinu’s lap, letting him wrap his arms around her waist. His hands wandered over her body, caressing her back before sliding lower, drawing out her shaky breaths. Responding to his touch, she slowly ran her palms over his torso, kissed his collarbone, pressing her warm lips against it. Then she left another kiss at the base of his neck. He let out a quiet moan, tilting his head back. Rumi paused, confused, but quickly realized what had just happened. “I’m glad fate brought us together somehow.” “Oh? Is it because you’re getting your neck kissed now?” She smirked. The huntress presses her bitten lips to his carotid artery, feeling his racing pulse. Jinu’s hand finds hers, squeezing after every kiss. Rumi delights in his erogenous zone, leaving her first hickey, biting, then gently licking the reddened spot. A wrecked, pleading Jinu is a feast for the eyes. “The demon wanted to play,” she’s sure of it. Another hoarse moan from him sends shivers down her spine. “Rumi, what are you doing?” “Lucky for me, you’re not the good Jinu. I’d have cried seeing him beneath me like this.” “Two minutes ago, you were begging for forgiveness.” “Who knew I’d fall for you? I’d have kept up the act, but I can’t stop these feelings now.” Jinu squirms beneath her, trying to stop her, but she grinds her hips down impatiently, turning it into torture. Rumi straddles his zipper, rubbing against the hard outline of his cock through his jeans. She kisses his neck, trails her fingers down his chest, then lower, teasing the buttons of his shirt. Her hands squeeze and press against his groin, palms sliding over his tense thighs. He’s losing control. Rumi unzips his jeans, sliding her hand beneath the fabric. Her heart hammers in her ears, fingers trembling with the need to feel him against her palm. She brushes the flushed tip lightly, eyes locked on his, studying every reaction. Jinu wants to look away. Powerlessness isn’t what he expected. When he sought her out, he never imagined melting for Rumi would come this easily. The huntress squeezes him at the base, then strokes slowly downward, retracting the foreskin. Precum beads thickly at the tip, dripping down his veined length. At the slick glide of her palm, his hips jerk up, but her weight pins him back down. He arches, eyes fluttering shut, as Rumi drags her hand along his shaft, spreading the wetness. The air grows heavy, each breath turning ragged in the heat. Her hand moves faster, the rhythm growing uneven. The demon shudders, Rumi pushes him firmly toward the edge. With her free hand, she tangles her fingers in his hair, soothingly threading through the strands. Jinu kisses her, muffling his moans against her soft lips. His chest heaves, breath turning ragged, yet he’d gladly suffocate like this, kissing her, letting his beloved girl touch him everywhere she pleases. She trails lower again, leaving fresh hickeys in her wake. By tomorrow, they’ll bloom like roses. Jinu won’t regret a thing. Rumi releases his unruly hair and slips her hand under his shirt. Her fingers trace the lines of his abdomen, nails scraping lightly over his solar plexus, then accidentally brush a nipple. His cock twitches at the touch, and she deliberately slows down. Jinu lets out a frustrated groan, bowing his head to press his forehead against her collarbone. He bites his lower lip nervously, begging for more without words. Because he can feel it already — he’s close. “Rumi, I…” “Go ahead, don’t hold back.” And that’s all it takes to see stars. She twists her palm at just the right angle, and a pleasant knot tightens in his stomach. Rumi keeps stroking his limp cock and biting his neck. When Jinu comes, she smears the cum over his sensitive tip and kisses his temple, a reminder of where they are. Jinu barely manages to lift his gaze to meet Rumi’s satisfied expression. “And what about you?” “Sort of, yeah”, she says with an embarrassed smile, getting up from her knees. “You’re incredible and unbearable at the same time.” “I kinda figured that on my own.” Rumi lies down on the bed, closing her eyes. Jinu follows her lead. Blindly, he finds her stained palm and pulls it toward him. “Jinu, no. You can’t. Ugh, stop it!”, she props herself up on her elbows to laugh right in his face, bright and loud. Jinu takes two fingers into his mouth and licks them thoroughly, not leaving a single drop behind, as if completing a perfect task. A grin spreads across his lips on its own. He laughs too, rolling onto his side. They gaze at each other. “What happens next?” “What do you want?” “If you don’t get in the way like that good boy Jinu, then I want you.” “Why the rush? I meant Huntrix.” “The girls won’t accept you right away. But you’ve got a shot, don’t worry. Let me finish the world tour, and then we’ll see.” “So we’re keeping it a secret?” “I’ve got a feeling we’ll get caught within a week.” “Agreed. I hate playing the role of good boy Jinu.” She just kisses him and closes her eyes again. Ahead of them lies a whole game of hide-and-seek with the girls and fans. It’s going to be fun. Rumi would think about all that later, right now, all she wanted was to stay with Jinu, curled up together, drifting off to the sound of his quiet breathing. The girl begins to fall asleep. Jinu grabs a blanket and pulls it over them in bed. Who would dare ruin a moment like this? She hopes no one. Well… okay, that was predictable. Someone knocks on the wall, a request to keep it down. Rumi blushes under the covers. “If they do it again, I’m going over there.” “Jinu, what? Don’t!” “Who even stays awake at this hour?”, he grumbles indignantly. “Well… we do. And– Oh my god. Jinu, our plan just crashed and burned in ten minutes.” “What?” “Zoey’s next door, that’s what!” Oops. Big, fat oops. Rumi isn’t ready to deal with this. Let Jinu handle the fallout.