The Love That Remains

"This is marvelous." Bae Jaemin pokes the guy lying flat on the ground in an isolated alley. "This country is wonderful."

Sung Jun glances at him awkwardly bent hand. He notices that the sword is gone. "Did he meet a tier-three demon here?"

"I don't think so," Bae Jaemin replies cheerfully. He clicks pictures of Han Soo from different angles using his phone. "See, there are no residues of negative energy here."

Sung Jun looks around to see the signs of demons. He can't tell much. He regrets somewhat that he didn't focus on learning the art of shamanism. He glances at two boys. Bae Jaemin is taking a selfie with unconscious Han Soo. He reads Wang Mei's text again.

[ Aisa in trouble...Alley, coffee shop, H high school.]

There has been no other text or call from her.

He has some idea what may have happened in this alley.

"Han Soo, the first ranked ghost hunter of our academy, is reduced to this state. He even lost his family heirloom." Someone is happy at other's misfortune. "What goes around, comes around."

Han Soo wants to gain the highest points in the council by hunting the ghosts and demons. While Han Soo is hardworking and upright, Jaemin is easy going and humorous. Jaemin doesn't want status or fame. He works in the IT department of the council and he is happy and content with the desk job. Their personalities are like oil and water.

"Jae, take him home." He has some questions. He leaves the grinning Bae Jaemin with unconscious Han Soo.

"Hey, where are you going?" Jaemin stands up quickly. "It's not safe. If something can harm Kyubok, it can also hurt you. What if this thing is targeting you?"

***

When they cease running, Wang Mei realizes that they have come to H high school. Because it's off today, the gates are locked. The atmosphere around the school is quiet and heavy. Fang Aisa let go of Wang Mei's hand and walks away.

"Aisa, I am sorry." She runs to Fang Aisa. Without any delay, she tells her everything. Fang Aisa's face is impassive. There is a strange light in her eyes. Wang Mei is stunned to see her like that.

"Wang Mei, thank you for proving me wrong." Fang Aisa breaks her silence after a long moment and laughs loudly.

"What do you mean?" Wang Mei is truly afraid. This is not how she imagined it. She can take her beating, but she has no idea what to do now. Fang Aisa is laughing, but her eyes are full of anger and loathing.

"I should have known. That old man is good at manipulation. He will go to any extent to get what he wants."

"Do you forgive me?" Wang Mei asks shakily.

"It's not your fault." Fang Aisa holds Wang Mei's hands and smiles brightly. "You were just a fool like me."

"No, you are not a fool."

In Wang Mei's eyes, Fang Aisa is the smartest person on earth.

Fang Aisa grins at Wang Mei. "You are really naive. You should have come to me first. If you get easily manipulated like this, how will you become the next head of the Wang family?"

Wang Mei shrugs. "You are there, aren't you? I don't have to use my brain. I am stronger than you are. Plus, my fists can break any bone."

"What would you have done if Sung Jun didn't talk to you?" Fang Aisa is smiling, but her smile isn't meeting her eyes. Wang Mei sees darkness shrouding her figure. It is barely a glimpse. Wang Mei gapes at her. Is she seeing things?

"I..." She scratches her head and ignores it. "Aisa, your life is important. I want you to live a long and happy life. What if the evil thing finds you? Grandmother told me that your life is in danger because you can see ghosts now."

"If the evil comes, let it come." Fang Aisa gazes the sky. "Wang Mei, I will find that evil thing before it finds me."

Wang Mei quietly observes Fang Aisa. Fang Aisa is not the same person. She can't understand the swirling emotions in her eyes.

Wang Mei ignores the soggy feeling in her heart and declares, "If you want to do that, you have me with you."

Fang Aisa shrugs and glances at the locked gate of H high school. Wang Mei's phone starts ringing. She picks up the call.

"We are near the H high school."

"We are okay. Aisa and I took care of the weirdo with a sword... Yes, he was wearing a black coat. I took his sword... We will wait for you here."

Wang Mei ends the call and looks up. She discovers that Fang Aisa is already gone.