Jekyll or Hyde

"That looks painfully swollen," Yizhuo winced as I slowly removed the ice pack on my forehead, revealing an ugly red lump from where Soyeon kept hitting me during last night's training. I have bruises all over my body, apparently too many for my assimilated healing factor to heal after four hours of sleep.

"Damn it, my head's still ringing," I groaned as I sat up straight. It's our Archives shift again — and I'd rather nest in my bed than sit at this reception desk within this wide and empty halls while counting imaginary clients for hours.

Yizhuo took the pack from my hand and gingerly dabbed it on my swollen forehead. "Ow —" I hissed immediately at the contact.

"Oh, sorry," Yizhuo apologized meekly as her hand retreated.

"It's fine," I said. She handed me the pack back and I placed it back on my forehead, "It's just — ow — I didn't expect it to still be here after I wake up."

"Were the Death Dealers that harsh?" Yizhuo asked, small and soft.

I chuckled in response, "No, I was just that bad."

"At least you learned something. You did learn something right?"

"I surely hope so with injuries like this," I replied, making the chinese girl chuckle hesitantly.

"You should have called in sick," she suggested, "Minjeong could have covered for you, she's coming here today anyway."

I lifted the pack to look curiously at Ning Yizhuo, "She's coming here today? Why?"

Yizhuo shrugged, "Apparently some members of the band wanted to see the Archives so, she's giving them a... tour of sorts."

That seems strange. "Are they sophomores too?"

Yizhuo nodded.

My eyes narrowed, "And they haven't been to the Archives? Like, ever?"

Yizhuo shrugged, "That's what they say."

The hair on my nape stood on edge, and the sensation of Wild Instinct seemed to kick in, reinforcing my doubts. It's definitely strange, every student would have visited the Archives at least once in their freshman year, unless...

No, no, do not jump to conclusions — they could be human. But then again, this was the same thought process I had before we discovered that Yuna was fae — the benefit of the doubt, so to speak.

"Seren?" Yizhuo whispered cautiously, "are you okay? You look like you're deep in thought."

"It's nothing," I lied, "just... thinking about how I could have beaten Soyeon's ass last night."

Yizhuo gave a hesitant giggle. She looked at me, concern etched on her face. She placed a hand on my thigh — too high, I thought. Please don't start anything, not here, not now — then Saerom's words hit me again — "you never mentioned wrong person."

Shit — how am I supposed to talk to Jimin later when I'm still having these thoughts.

Saerom's words echoed again in my throbbing head, that I should start accepting the fact that I'm not entirely human. This was then followed by one of Sakura's remarks that stuck in me — "Guilt is fatal in this world."

Perhaps it is, because it's trying to kill my humanity — and if I'm not careful, probably even Jimin's.

Yizhuo squeezed my thigh gently, pulling me out of my thoughts and sending conflicting signals to my head, "You're definitely thinking about something."

Before I could respond, the Archives doors swing open, bringing in Minjeong's melodic laughter. With her are three silhouettes, and Wild Instinct kicked into overdrive. I sense no danger — yet, but something's definitely amiss, and I can only start to hope that my suspicions are incorrect.

Yizhuo rose, her eyes shifting concern to more of a cheerful and welcoming spark. "Kim Minjeong!" She greeted enthusiastically.

Minjeong led her posse towards the reception desk — three girls. Why does it always have to be girls? And why do they all have to be so pretty?

"Yizhuo!" Minjeong greeted back, then lowered her head to look at me, ice pack pressed on my forehead. "You okay back there, Seren?"

"Yeah, still alive, don't worry," I quipped with a heavy sigh.

"What happened to you anyway?"

"Slipped in the bathroom," I replied, rehearsed, but still a little bit awkward — which I hoped could pass as embarrassment. I'm not going to reveal I'm training with Night Folk in the presence of people I do not know.

I raised the ice pack, giving them a glimpse of the swollen lump on my forehead. All four girls winced.

"Ooh, that looks painfully swollen," one of the girls, with wavy black hair, elegant features, and a sharp gaze, commented.

"Yep, not the first time I heard that today," I replied, making Yizhuo snicker.

"So you slipped, then fell face first?" Another girl commented, also dark haired, with a more playful glint in her eyes, and was trying hard not to snicker.

"Yeah, judge me," I replied, shrugging my shoulders indifferently. I pressed the pack back to my forehead, wincing at the cold sting upon the lump.

"Well, it is kinda funny," the third girl, with short blonde hair, giggled with a heavy Australian accent.

I tilted my head, "Australian?"

And the girl's eyes lit up.

"Oh dear," the first girl muttered, dipping her head and covering her face with a hand.

"Here we go," the second one murmured, more amused than annoyed.

Minjeong mouthed behind the third girl, "You shouldn't have said that!"

My brows furrowed in confusion, then the third girl leaned across the desk and started yapping, "Yeah! Is it that obvious? You know Australia gets a bad rep in this world we live in. You know, the world's capital for cryptids and overgrown beasts. Giant tarantulas, giant scorpions, giant everything, kick boxing kangaroos, bunyips, yowies, an ocean surrounded by sharks the size of cargo planes..." and the girl droned on, oblivious or she just doesn't care.

I shrugged towards Minjeong, a non verbal "How am I supposed to know?"

Minjeong threw her arms in the air in resignation. She then sighed and moved closer towards the reception desk, "before we go through your home country, how about some introductions first," she said, thankfully making the Australian girl stop — well, more like pause, because she opted to introduce her companions herself.

"That's a great idea!" She then pointed to the first girl whose hand still covered her face, "This is Kim Jiwon!"

Kim Jiwon raised the hand covering her face, "Sup. I prefer Liz but, call me whatever you want."

"And this," the Aussie continued without missing a beat, gesturing towards the second girl, "is Oh Haewon."

Haewon grinned and raised her eyebrow in greeting.

"And I," the Aussie gave a performative bow in front of us. "I am Lily Morrow," she said with a theatrical flair that was utterly unnecessary.

I then lifted my free hand almost lazily, "Seren Vale, nice to meet you."

Colorful – I thought. And normal — almost too normal. When Yuna first approached us there was this underlying suspicion that she may not be human — her mannerisms, the way she carried herself, even the way she talked, everything seemed so calculated in hindsight.

But these girls — they seem like students, which if I did not have that previous experience with Yuna, I would have just dismissed them as just that. Their shoulders were relaxed, their laughter was carried naturally by the wind, their gestures do not seem performative, and they seem to be genuinely trying to be friends with Minjeong and Yizhuo.

Which is why their "normalcy" was suspicious more than anything. It does not help that Wild Instinct was firing subtle alarm bells in my head — if only it came with a freaking translator.

"So, uhm. First time in the Archives?" I asked.

"Lily's..." Kim Jiwon replied.

"She's an exchange student," Haewon followed, "from..." then hesitated.

I nodded, understanding what she means as Minjeong and Yizhuo distracts Lily with how the Archives' aisles are arranged.

Well, there's that suspicion out of the way. It makes sense — and I don't like that it makes sense — it was too convenient. There's still something I'm not seeing.

"Uhm," Minjeong cleared her throat, "Yizhuo and I are giving Lily a tour, are you coming with?" She asked the other two girls while Ning Yizhuo was leading Lily towards the closest aisle.

"No, we're fine," Jiwon replied.

"Besides, it's you girls' turn to keep up with her yapping," Haewon followed with a snicker.

"I'm already exhausted," Minjeong sighed wearily, her shoulders drooping. "Hopefully Yizhuo can keep up with her."

"If anyone can, it's probably her," I smirked.

Minjeong shrugged, "Well then, I'll leave you three right here." She then looked at me pointedly but with a playful grin, "behave, Seren."

"What the —" my protest died as Minjeong skipped to catch up with the Chinese and Australian girls.

Jiwon leaned her forearm over the counter, "So," she started, "you're the Seren Vale."

I release a soft huff of amusement, "You make it sound like I'm kind of celebrity or something."

"You sort of are," Haewon replied, walking around the desk to sit on Yizhuo's seat. "The whole campus knows you, well... knows of you," she said, spinning the chair leisurely. "You and Yu Jimin were the survivors of the first ever Night Folk attack in the Archives, like it or not, you'll both be ending in history books."

"Great, more attention," I grumbled.

Jiwon chuckled, "It's not all that bad, you weren't mobbed at campus yet, right?"

"Yeah, so far."

"The werebeasts helped," Haewon commented as she started fidgeting with the camera controls until she found Minjeong's party at the cryptids aisle — Lily was excitedly showing them a book and Yizhuo was the only one showing a hint of interest.

"The huntresses?" I asked.

"Mhmm," Jiwon hummed in reply. "They... intimidate most of the student body who wants to talk to you, understandable I'd say."

I narrowed an eye towards the girl, "Does that include you?" I asked.

"Of course they do, especially Ms Yeji and Ms Ryujin," Jiwon replied. "They have this air that says, 'Come close or we'll bite your heads off'. Good thing the other one looks a lot more approachable."

"Chaeryoung," I offered.

"Yeah, her," Jiwon said, snapping her fingers.

"You're too cautious, Liz," Haewon commented, still tracking the movement of Minjeong's party through the cameras. "Why don't you just say hi like how Ms Shin Yuna did."

They know too much — I thought. Are they trapping me like how I'm trying to find ways to trap them? Or am I just plainly unaware of what goes around in the campus? Or was I just paranoid?

"If Ms Yuna can be described with one word — it's confidence," Jiwon responded.

"I second that," I chimed. Although that remains to be truly tested after we rescued her from the Wild Hunt.

"Say, Seren," Haewon spun around in her chair and faced me. "Would the huntresses respond to us if we say hi?"

"Uhm," I recoiled at Haewon's sudden proximity. She's too close, but not intimately close, just "I just met you and you're already moving this close" close.

"They probably would," I replied, slowly backing my chair away from Haewon and earning an amused scoff from Jiwon. "Just, probably make Lily avoid Ryujin at all cost. Lily yaps and Ryujin's a chaos gremlin so..." I shrugged, then shivered as ideas of whatever chaos Lily and Ryujin can conjure if they merge heads floated in my mind.

"Noted," Jiwon chuckled. Haewon pursed her lips and nodded, then returned to track the other girls in the monitor.

"So, um," I began, trying to go on the offensive now. "Were you members of the band since your freshman year?"

"Mhmm. Both of us," Jiwon replied, motioning at Haewon.

"Lily joined in the middle of this year," Haewon added, "she auditioned immediately, claiming that it was the second thing she did after landing from Australia."

"And the first thing?"

Haewon shrugged, "She wouldn't tell."

I looked at Jiwon, hoping for answers, instead, I received another shrug from the girl.

"So she's always a yapper?"

That got a laugh out of both girls. "Yeah, took Liz a while to get used to her," Haewon said. "Although Yizhuo seemed to be doing fine," she pointed at the monitor where Lily and Yizhuo are laughing at a book entitled "Dragons and their less famous cousins." Minjeong on the other hand, leaned across the shelves, her social battery clearly at a critical level.

"But she's a beast when she sings," Jiwon said, smiling with pride.

"Ditto," Haewon echoed.

"I'm guessing both of you are as well?" I asked.

Haewon spun again in her seat, her eyes narrowing at me, "Flattery won't get you anywhere, Mr Vale."

"What?" The response was so unexpected it scattered my thoughts.

Jiwon stifled a laughter as I struggled to wrap my head in a coherent reply.

"I don't particularly like older men," Haewon doubled down, her flat delivery felt like a dagger straight to my heart.

"I'm only a year older than you, Ms Oh Haewon!" I protested.

Jiwon was now openly laughing. "Still technically older," Haewon bit back.

"I'm not that old!" I turned to Jiwon who immediately stopped laughing while wearing a guilty look on her face.

"Don't look at me, I'm not going to tell you my preferences in men," Jiwon snickered.

"I wasn't hitting on you, any of you," I said indignantly, looking at both girls who were now laughing loudly.

"Yeah, that's really good. Bully the older guy," I sarcastically quipped in resignation.

The hell — these girls are so freaking normal. Perhaps I should just go with the flow for now. I could also ask Ryujin later why my Wild Instinct was tingling the whole time. For the time being, I'll act as they do — normal, but also be alert for any indications that they may not be human at all.

"Uhm.. Seren," Jiwon starts hesitantly.

I placed the ice pack at the desk, the ice has now melted and the cold was slowly subsiding. Then I turned towards her, "Yeah? What is it?"

"Can I, uh, ask something?"

I nodded, "Sure."

"Are you going to ask him if he's dating someone?" Haewon chimed.

"No," Jiwon replied quickly, making me release a quick chuckle. "And if I did, I won't be asking anyone in your presence," she added.

Haewon replied with a snicker, "Good decision, my friend."

"Not asking if I'm dating someone or not asking in your presence?" I asked.

"Both," Haewon answered.

"I shouldn't have asked that."

"Yep, you shouldn't have."

"Anyway," Jiwon said softly. "Can I ask my question now?"

"Fire away."

"Remember when Princess Jang Wonyoung made that announcement at school?" Jiwon began.

"Yeah," I replied slowly. Depending on her question and how she asks it, it may expose her — or just confuse me a lot more.

"Were you that student who she said had an engagement with the Wild Hunt?" Jiwon asked, her tone seemed genuinely curious, yet I heard something else underneath. Not another emotion, but like another voice, small, soft, probing, almost compelling. Then a ringing in my ears, like it was filtering something, letting the words go in but keeping something else out.

A wave of deja vu hit me. The moments Yuna tried to influence me with her faerie dust rushed to my mind. But that same feeling is tugging in my gut right now. And just like back then, if this was an attempt to influence my mind — I resisted.

"Why do you ask?" I answered.

Jiwon huffed, like she... expected that I would answer with a question? Or she expected that whatever she did had no effect on me?

Still, it was just a feeling, nothing concrete. It just fueled my suspicions that at least one of these girls is a siren — and that person right now, is most likely Kim Jiwon.

"It just... makes sense, I think," Jiwon began answering me. "You were attacked at the Archives by the Wild Hunt, then a few weeks later an anonymous student goes into an engagement with them. The princess was pretty clear that the student was human, so that rules out the werebeasts. That leaves —"

"Only Jimin and me," I finished for Jiwon who nodded once.

"Well, as much as I would love the action and adventure," I began, "do you really think a guy who slips in his own bathroom stands a chance at surviving if he enters a grove full of Riders of the Wild Hunt?" I then pointed to the lump on my forehead to prove my point.

"Good point," Haewon commented. Jiwon on the other hand, gave a faint smile, and I can't tell whether she was satisfied or not with my reply.

"Why did you ask though?"

"Just... curious. That's all," Jiwon replied softly, her smile widening a little bit.

"It constituted a good chunk of campus gossip since that announcement," Haewon added.

"What do they say about..." I caught myself as I nearly said "me." "About that student."

Jiwon stared at me cautiously as Haewon replied, "They say that student was either brave or stupid."

Huh, the same observation Sakura had on Sullyoon, I thought. Was it just a coincidence? Or am I still paranoid.

"Did that student live?" I asked.

"I certainly hope so," Jiwon replied softly, admiration hidden within the recesses of her tone. Then she fixed her eyes on mine, "I would love to meet him," she said with a knowing smile.

This girl knows something, and she's a siren — and I am about 80% certain. And it's frustrating because I just can't prove it with just a feeling. I'm sure my friends would believe me, but the higher authorities they answer to usually want more concrete proof before they act.

"So do I, Jiwon. So do I."

An exchange happens between our eyes, recognition, acknowledgment. Either way, we both know that we both clocked each other.

My question right now is — are Haewon and Lily also non humans? Because if Haewon is, she may have already clocked me too, yet I still have no proof she and Jiwon are the same.

I decided it is dangerous to probe Haewon right now — considering Yizhuo and Minjeong are also somewhere in the Archives with Lily and that I am essentially outnumbered. My first day of training was only yesterday and if Jiwon is truly a siren, I still don't know how I'd fare against someone like her. So I contented myself with the fact that Wild instinct has not led me astray.

Laughter breaks our deadlock — if one can call it that. Minjeong's posse emerges from the back of the aisles, the girl drags behind a still energetic Yizhuo and Lily, clearly drained of energy.

"Hey. How's the tour of the east wing?" I asked.

"Great!" Lily and Yizhuo replied immediately. Minjeong only raised one thumb up.

"This Archives is a lot more intensive than Sydney's Grand Library," Lily began.

"Ookay, she's starting again," Haewon remarked, rising from her seat to meet the three girls. "How about we get a tour of the," Haewon turns to look at me then points at the opposite direction the girls came from, "West wing?"

"Yeah, west wing," Yizhuo and I replied at the same time.

"You go," Minjeong said as she took a seat on the chair Haewon vacated, shoulders dropped lower than when she entered.

"Tired already?" Jiwon chuckled.

I turned to Jiwon casually, "Her social battery's dead," I replied, gesturing a cutting motion with my hand to my neck.

Jiwon chuckled, she pushed herself against the counter and joined Yizhuo, Haewon, and Lily, "then we'll join Yizhuo in giving Lily a tour of the West wing. You can rest for awhile, Minjeong."

Minjeong gave them a salute of thanks before Yizhuo led them to the opposite side of the Archives.

We watched them disappear along the aisles before I turned to Kim Minjeong. "You look like you've been raised by a necromancer," I chuckled. I pulled a pen and a post it note and began writing.

"Yeah," Minjeong replied, "Lily's an introvert's bane."

"Remind me to avoid her," I said jokingly then discreetly showed her the note I wrote. "Liz maybe siren, unsure about others, don't tell Yizhuo."

Minjeong's eyes widened then snapped towards the aisles, "Are you sure?"

I started writing again before answering, "Yeah, we're both introverted." I tried to keep my voice steady, "I don't want to end up like you after a conversation with the Aussie."

Minjeong released a nervous huff. She's clearly rattled, but it impressed me how hard she's trying to keep her composure.

I then showed her my next note, "Just a hunch. Wild Instinct. Be careful."

Minjeong nodded. "Anyway, there's a showcase this Friday, for us. A kind of initiation for new members, do you want to come?"

"Will you be singing?" I asked, crumpling the two notes and placing them inside my pocket.

"All five of us will," Minjeong replied.

"They're not new members."

"They're also sophomores. It is a 'chance to develop chemistry between members and artists,' as Madam Son says it."

I nodded. "I'll find time —"

"I also..." Minjeong hesitated — and she hesitated for a second too long.

"Also what?"

"I also invited Chaewon..." she replied and I closed my eyes and released a heavy sigh, "...and she's going."

"That's not all, is it?" I asked, sensing the heaviness in Minjeong's gaze though my eyes are closed.

"I... uh... also want to invite Jimin," Minjeong replied meekly, trying to gauge my reaction.

I forced out an airy chuckle, "So you're going to converge my past and my present in one place. Is your existence really meant to torment me, Kim Minjeong?" I opened my eyes, she was pursing her lips, clearly unsure whether it was right to broach this topic to me.

"It just felt... wrong, not to invite you and Jimin. And it feels more wrong not to invite my sister," the smallness in Minjeong's voice melted the momentary contempt that formed in my chest. I should be ashamed of myself, the showcase was for Minjeong and Yizhuo and not about me. I have no right to question who she invites and she asked me anyway as consideration — who was I to say no?

"And it feels a lot more wrong if I influence you in your choice of guests," I replied softly.

Minjeong smiled wearily, "Thank you, Seren."

"Don't mention it."

"So, I'll, er, take a quick nap," Minjeong yawned. "Can you wake me up once they come back?"

"Yeah, sure," I replied monotonously because my mind was elsewhere.

Minjeong laid her arms and head on the reception desk and closed her eyes.

Now I'm doubting whether my talk with Jimin tonight would be a good thing or a bad thing with the recent developments. But I reminded myself, that talk won't be just about Chaewon, it would also be about what Saerom advised me last night — about keeping humanity or becoming a monster.

Just when Wild Instinct was slowly subsiding, the lump in my head began to throb again as I thought deeply. Beside me, Minjeong was now snoring softly. I took back the now warm ice pack and placed it back on my forehead just to feel a different sensation. I leaned on my seat and closed my eyes, exhaustion from yesterday's training and the events of this morning pulled my eye lids down. I drifted off to sleep, vaguely hearing the laughter of Yizhuo, Lily, and Haewon in the distance.

407

I've been staring at Jimin's room number for half an hour, unable to even knock at the door. The sun was setting when I arrived at her apartment gates, I'm sure it's already dark outside, probably reflecting the internal turmoil I'm feeling.

What do I say? A simple hi doesn't seem appropriate for everything we're probably going to talk about.

No. We're going to talk about everything. But how do I start?

I've tried to contact Jimin, but my hand seems unable to even reach for my pocket where my phone is. My backpack was slowly feeling heavy on my back and yet my eyes remained fixated on those three numbers on her door.

Then the door opened, violently pulling me from my trance. Jimin emerged, her phone pressed to her ear and her eyes grew wide when she saw me.

"Seren, what are you —?"

"How —?" I asked, puzzled.

"I tried calling you because it's getting darker and you still haven't arrived. Then I heard your phone ringing outside my door so..." she showed her phone which was still dialing my number.

It was only then that I heard my ringtone and felt the vibration in my pocket. "Oh shit," I exclaimed as I fished my phone out and ended the call. "I'm sorry, I must have spaced out."

A faint smile crossed Jimin's lips. She was wearing a simple hoodie that reached to her thighs, "Are you sure you're okay?"

I nodded.

"No, you're not."

"No, I'm not."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"That's why I'm here, right?"

Another smile passed Jimin's lips, this time softer and full of understanding. But in her eyes hid nervousness and anxiety.

"Then come in," Jimin beckoned me inside her apartment.

I closed my eyes and sighed to steel myself — and I stepped across the threshold of Jimin's apartment.

The apartment was cozy and warm that it was disarming. It's like a false blanket of comfort — like feathers slowly turning to steel.

"Have you had dinner yet?" Jimin asked.

"Mhmm. Had a light meal before getting here, you?"

"Same," she replied. We reached her living room and she motioned for me to sit on the couch while she walks around her kitchen counter towards her fridge.

"Drinks? Hot chocolate?" Jimin offered.

"You know me too well," I chuckled softly.

Jimin began preparing it by the sink, "I developed a liking for it shortly after your first visit here. I find that it calms me down."

"Finally, something I pass on to you," I quipped, making Jimin chuckle louder.

"You've got really low standards if that makes you proud," Jimin quipped back. She padded towards me, a steaming cup of chocolate held in her hand.

"I do have high standards for hot chocolate," I said, receiving the cup from a smiling Yu Jimin.

"Oooh, I really hope I live up to your expectations, sir," she replied playfully.

I watched Jimin move towards the stack of vinyl records beside her phonograph before taking a tentative sip.

"You certainly did," I replied. Jimin's chocolate was good, not too heavy, not too sweet, just right — just like her.

"Aww, thank you." She placed a record, an rnb jazz track that made the ambiance just a little bit lighter.

"I aim to please," she smiled as she turned, taking a seat beside me — and I swear that smile melted me, not the hot chocolate.

"So, how was yesterday?" She asked.

I took a deeper sip before placing the cup on the glass desk. "Exhausting," I replied, "but fun... in its own way. Even had a souvenir," I brushed off some of the hair covering my forehead to show the still significant lump.

Jimin was on me in a half second, "Oh dear. What happened? That looks painfully swollen." She places a hand gently on my forehead, her eyes filled with concern. Yet I smiled at how close her face was to me, I could just lean in to kiss her — and by the gods I missed her lips — but I chose to restrain myself.

"Yeah," I chuckled, "that's the third time I heard that today. As for what happened, got my ass beat by the Death Dealers over and over again."

"They hit you?!" She asked in alarm. "I'm telling Joohyun —"

"No you're not," I said, snatching her hand that was about to reach for her phone. "It was training, it was necessary."

"But —"

"It's fine, Jimin," I said softly. "I won't die from this."

Jimin seemed to relax. Her face still looking at me with concern. Then her gaze slowly dropped from my forehead to my lips. She stared at it for a good half a minute before — to my surprise — she pulled the jacket over her head to reveal a black crop tank top and just panties. She lunged to my lips, looping her arms around my head, the initial shock and surprise made me respond in kind.

My hands instinctively held her waist and she melted in my arms. She pushed deeper, pressing her body flush against mine. She kissed like it's the first and the last time we'll ever kiss.

"Jimin, wait," I said, pulling her off by her waist. "We were here to talk."

Jimin's eyes were glazed and half lidded, her breathing heavy and unsteady. "I know. But can't we do it first? Taste the sweet before we move to the bitter?" She asked, and the desparate pleading tone in her voice made my chest tighten.

"I want to, Jimin, more than anything. I want you," I replied in a whisper. I raised my hands to cup her face, "but I'd rather us get past the bitter, then decide if we still want to proceed with the sweet afterwards."

Jimin pressed her forehead against mine as she considered my words. Then she smiled, releasing an airy chuckle. "Fine, you win. I hate it when you get all mature on me." She pressed a quick and soft kiss to my lips, "but I'm not complaining. It's... endearing."

I raised my outer leg, allowing Jimin to lean her back against it. I laced my fingers on one of her hands, snaking it around her smooth waist while her free hand caresses my forearm. Meanwhile, my other hand wraps around her shoulder.

"Keep talking about yesterday first, then today," she whispered. "I want to delay what we need to talk about as long as I can," there was a hint of playfulness and maybe sarcasm in her voice, yet I smiled, recognizing the truth in them because frankly, I feel the same way.

A gentle sigh escapes through my nose, "Well, morning was as you know, Yuna and YoonAh, I mean Sullyoon..."

Jimin chuckled, "Faerie dust and nature magic," she nodded. "So can you make yourself more handsome now? Or conjure some flowers for me out of nothing?" Her voice was teasing, yet every word carried the weight of the words we are delaying — and they're just getting heavier every time.

"Well, no and no," I replied, making Jimin look at me funny. "I just learned how to release faerie dust from my body," I released my grip on her hand and held my palm out. I willed dust to be released from my palm and proceeded to have it swirl on its surface.

"Woah," Jimin exclaimed softly as she tried to reach for my palm, stopping only when she was about half an inch close. "That's... amazing, Seren," she whispered in genuine awe.

I smiled and willed the dust to return inside my palm. I lowered my hand towards her thigh, giving the smooth and soft skin a squeeze. Jimin places one hand over it, but otherwise didn't object at the contact.

"I wanted to try more but I got a nosebleed. Sullyoon says my body still needs to get accustomed to it. Yuna said to keep practicing if I have time."

"That makes sense," Jimin nodded. "You're not fae, it's probably incompatible to your physiology."

Not fae — and also not human — I thought.

I smiled, slowly moving my hand over Jimin's thigh just to feel a different sensation rather than the weight of what was coming.

"How about nature magic?" Jimin asked.

"Well, would you believe it if I said I'm now friends with our planet?" I replied with a smug smile.

Jimin straightened, her eyebrows raised as she stared at me in curiosity. I told her how Sullyoon taught me to commune with the earth and how the earth nearly enveloped my consciousness. I recounted how I entered Sullyoon's consciousness, and how the dryad taught me that nature operates on two rules: respect and reciprocation.

"Your nerd eyes are sparkling, Yu Jimin," I teased after recounting everything.

"Can you blame me? This is information that is not on any book. Communing with the earth, and it having a, a, a consciousness or, or, awareness. This is ground breaking, Seren."

"Sullyoon said shamans and druids can also do it."

"If they can then they're keeping that secret closely to themselves — and I could understand why."

"You should write a book about it," I offered.

"Maybe I could, maybe I would," then she paused. "But I think I need to talk to Sullyoon first, get her consent."

I chuckled, "You look cute when you're in nerd mode."

Jimin turned to me playfully, "Shut up and keep talking."

"Well, it was the werebeasts on the afternoon. Chaeryoung and I played tag."

"Tag?" Jimin leaned back against my leg.

I told her how Chaeryoung said she'll teach me how not to act like a hero — by running. This earned a skeptical giggle from Jimin until I explained the werebeasts' logic.

"Fight or flight," she murmured.

"More like, we choose our battles," I responded.

"You didn't choose this fight," she retorted softly.

"Not everybody gets to choose to fight in a war. We fight anyway, and it is there where we choose our battles."

"You're speaking like a warrior, Seren. It frightens me," Jimin whispered.

"Yeah? Me too," I admitted.

"Can you not be?"

"The Wild Hunt won't allow me that luxury."

"Hmm," Jimin hummed almost inaudibly. She rested her forehead on my chin and pulled my hand from her thigh back to her waist. She laced her fingers above mine, while her other hand caressed my forearm. The record looped once before she spoke again.

"Tell me of the night, of the Death Dealers and how you got that lump in your head."

Her voice was lower, almost like she didn't want to speak — like she just wanted to fall asleep right then and there in my arms.

I told her of how Soyeon made me choose a weapon — and I selected a staff. I told her of the lessons she gave; sometimes it's not about strength, sometimes it is, and to observe your opponent. I didn't tell her of my conversation with Saerom though, that could come up later, and bringing it up now might bring in the "bitter" prematurely — so I settled for telling her how Soyeon beat her lessons into my body for the rest of the night, with my forehead as her favorite target.

"For what it's worth, you look cute with the lump," Jimin teased.

"I'm not making it a routine if that's what you're implying. I don't intend to get hit for your amusement."

"Shame. I thought you love me."

My grip on her hand tightened. The comment should have been innocent, a teasing remark, but the weight of everything unsaid dropped with just one word — love. And Jimin knows this, I felt her tense her shoulders after saying it. Her breath hitched, and I could wager that she closed her eyes when she realized the impact of the words she said so recklessly in the moment.

Another silence falls — heavier but not uncomfortable — yet. The record loops again, like a sign for us to reset our conversation.

"How was the Archives shift today?" Jimin finally asked.

"Eventful. Minjeong brought her bandmates — and I'm pretty sure at least one of them is a siren."

The Jimin I knew would have reacted strongly to that, asking if the girls would be okay, whether they should continue the infiltration, and who these bandmates are. But instead, she sighed heavily and rested her head on my shoulder. "Tell me of them," she said, her voice growing softer every time.

I kissed her forehead before I continued. I told her of Jiwon, or Liz, of Haewon, and of Lily. She chuckles weakly when I described the Australian girl. Then I described the moment Jiwon tried to influence me, the question, the sensation, and the fact that we may have clocked each other.

"Compulsion," Jimin remarked, "the sirens have an ability to influence through spoken words. Much like the fae's glamour and vampiric charm."

"Why don't humans have one?" I quipped, and Jimin hit my chest lightly.

"Keep going, Seren."

I told her of my conversation with Minjeong when the other girls explored the west wing. She gave a faint smile when I describe how drained Minjeong looked. Then I told her that she invited us to watch their showcase this Friday.

"Yeah. She called me this afternoon," Jimin said. "I accepted."

"You did?"

"Of course I did," Jimin looked at me incredulously, "Minjeong's my little sister in this school in all but blood."

I closed my eyes and gave a weak scoff, "She never told you, did she?"

"Told me what?"

"She..." I hesitated in the same way Minjeong hesitated when she told me this morning, "... she invited Chaewon too, and she's going."

The record stopped at the mention of her name. Jimin blinked, once, then twice. She sighed heavily and returned to lean against my leg.

"So we're talking about her now huh. Finally," Jimin remarked with reluctant heaviness. She dipped her head, eyes avoiding me, her hand tightened on mine, and so did the one stroking my arm.

Yeah, finally, I thought. We've jumped into the abyss, with only silence, the dim darkness of her living room, and two hearts who are trying hard not to break.

"Do you..." Jimin hesitated, there's going to be a lot of hesitation during this conversation — I thought. "Do you still love her?"

I raised my head to look at the ceiling, white, dark, empty — like how I wish my mind and heart were right now.

"I don't know," I replied honestly.

"Have you talked to her?"

"No. I haven't seen her since their first day here."

"So that showcase may be the next time you meet her."

"And your first time meeting her."

Jimin scoffed lightly, "Things are going to get awkward."

"Unfortunately," I agreed in resignation.

I searched for something, a sound, a sensation, anything just to ground myself. But all I had in the moment was Jimin in my arms — and all she had was me.

"How about... the others?" She broke the silence.

"Others?" I asked in confusion.

"Chaeryoung... Yeji... Yuna... Sullyoon... others I may not know... do you... have feelings for them as well?" Jimin asked, each name whispered with reluctance, like she's naming every needle piercing her heart.

"Do you think I have feelings for them?"

"They certainly do, as far as I can tell. Especially Chaeryoung."

"Chaeryoung is..." I hesitated. Chaeryoung's a friend, but is she more than that? We were intimate, even had sex — twice. But what is she to me? Do I need to define every girl in my life to satisfy Jimin?

"Chaeryoung is… the closest thing to you I have among the Night Folk," I replied.

"Because she chose to, and because she likes you." A pause, and the record played in my head.

"Do you like her?" She asked, small, like she didn't want me to hear.

And came the question I was expecting. Normally I would have teased her that she's jealous, but this does not seem like the right time.

"Yes," I admitted. "I like all of them, to be honest. Yeji, Ryujin, Yuna, Sullyoon..."

"But—?" Jimin said, her voice nearly breaking at my admission.

One heartbeat, two heartbeats. I released my hold on her hand and placed my fingers on her chin, raising her head so I can look her in the eyes.

Three heartbeats — four, then five. I held her eyes, seeing nothing in them but the urgent request for honesty, before I finally spoke.

"But I love you, Yu Jimin."

A faint smile touched my thumb that was on her cheek.

"I believe you," she whispered.

"But?"

"I know you know."

"Tell me," I whispered, pressing my forehead against her temple.

"Seren," she shook her head and something wet brushed my thumb that was still on her cheek.

"I need to hear it from you," another whisper, directly into her ear.

"But you keep getting intimate with them, and... and..."

"I know, Jimin. And I'm sorry."

Jimin sighed, she rested her head on the crook of my neck. I wiped the tears in her cheek before moving them back to her waist. My grip on her shoulder tightened while she held my arm on her waist.

"... and I hate how I can't even fault you."

"That incubus theory —"

" — makes more sense every time you have sex with another Night Folk. Your training was proof of that. Yuna's faerie dust, Sullyoon's nature magic, even the huntresses'. And with every power you assimilate, you become stronger, and you drift even farther."

Saerom's words echoed in my head — "Choose to be human, or turn those around you into monsters."

"That's a depressing thought," Jimin commented weakly.

I scoffed softly, "I said that aloud, huh."

Jimin chuckled dryly while nodding her head, "Unfortunately."

"So what was that about?"

I adjusted my hold on Jimin's body, pulling her closer — and she didn't object, shuffling herself closer instead.

"Something Saerom — one of the Death Dealers, Joohyun's second-in-command, told me last night."

"Mhmm," she nodded on my neck.

"She said," I started drawing small circles on her soft waist, making her breath hitch slightly. "She said I could choose to be human, to be with you, but endanger our lives from those who are after me."

"Or?"

"Or stay down this path, of battles, of promiscuity, of being unhuman. Which means probably losing you — and my humanity in the process."

"I don't want to lose you," Jimin whispered.

"Neither do I. But this world..." my voice finally breaks for the first time. "The Night keeps pulling me in, and there seems to be no way of pushing back."

"We're against forces that were here long before we were born, Seren. The only way to push back is to fight back."

"I don't want to lose you," I rested my head on hers. "Nor do I want you to lose your humanity."

"And how about yours?" Jimin retorted. "What about what I think? You always think about others before yourself."

That shut me up. Do I think of others before myself?

"Stop thinking of the contrary," Jimin admonishes as if reading what I'm thinking. "You protected me in the Archives despite having all the reasons to panic and leave. You fought for Yuna despite what she did to you. And I know you're not training for yourself, Seren Vale. You're doing it to protect others, right? Does that make you a monster? No, it makes you more human than anyone else."

"But —"

"You've gained power and strength," Jimin places a hand on my cheek, pulling it so she's looking directly at my eyes.

"Your heart remains human, Seren Vale. Despite all the changes."

"But.. the sex —"

"I don't mind —"

"Stop lying, Yu Jimin. You do mind," I said softly but sternly, making her recoil and avert her gaze.

"I'm human, Seren. There's something in us that wants to be the only one to be loved," Jimin retorted weakly.

"The Night Folk operate on a different level of morality," I replied.

"Then perhaps I should think like a Night Folk does," Jimin replied.

I closed my eyes. I was shocked, yes, but I was also exhausted to react as I usually would. "I just told you I don't want you to lose your humanity, Jimin."

"You're already losing yours, and that's because of your love, not just for me, but for others as well. Which is frankly ironic because that's so human," she chuckled dryly. "Why shouldn't I change when you already are?"

"But —"

Then she pulled me in, kissing me as I've never been kissed before. Soft, slow, gentle, loved like I'm the only one worth loving in the world.

"I love you too, Seren," Jimin confessed, her eyes reflecting unshed tears. "And if you're sacrificing yourself, your values, your morality, for me, isn't it also right for me to do the same for you? After all, one sacrifice does not erase the humanity within us, I'd argue it even strengthens it."

"What you're suggesting," I argued. "That does not feel fair to you."

"Me allowing your promiscuity? Of course it's not," Jimin bites back. "But the fact that you acknowledge that is enough for me," she adds, softer as she caresses my cheek. "I know you see what's wrong, and I know that if you could do something to correct it, you will. But for now, I'll be content for a part of your heart and you'll have all of mine."

"Jimin —"

"I've made my decision," Jimin said firmly. She straightens up then hold both of my cheeks with her soft hands. "Despite everything, the other girls, the upcoming battles — I still don't want to lose you. I want to be there embracing you before and after every battle. As long as you're holding my hand in this tunnel, I won't mind how many others are holding your other hand. Now make yours, let me go and leave my apartment, or kiss me and let's be monsters together?"

I wrapped her tighter against me, one arm around her waist while the other caresses her cheek. "Are you saying that if one of us becomes a monster, then both of us will?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying," she whispered, pressing her forehead against mine. "You fall, I'll hold your hand. You rise, I'm behind you, pushing you higher."

What should I say? What should I do? Everything was pulled down by Jimin with that argument. I certainly did not expect this perspective from her.

"Damn you, Yu Jimin," I exclaimed with a light huff.

Jimin had the nerve to chuckle. "So, are you leaving and be Dr Henry Jekyll—?"

"No, I'm kissing you. And we'll both be Edward Hyde after this," I pulled her in with my hand, and kissed her like it's the last thing I'll ever do in this world.

Jimin's hands stroked my face. She kissed needily, deeply, but slowly — and I responded in kind.

We both sank on her couch. My hands wrapped around the soft flesh of her waist, trapping her flush atop of me. I palmed her bare waist, squeezing them softly, feeling the warmth she's exuding, and eliciting soft moans from Jimin.

Jimin pulls away, breathless, cheeks flushed, and eyes glazed. "You still remember the way to my room?" She asked like her throat was parched.

"Couldn't forget it even if I wanted to," I replied, voice as hoarse as hers.

Without another word, I lifted her up as I rose. Jimin crashed her lips back on mine. Her kisses were rougher this time, but no less loving or passionate.

I took my time walking towards her room, partly because I lowered a hand to grope the exposed parts of her ass cheeks. Jimin pressed deeper, wrapping her legs around my waist.

I pinned her against her door — but I did not open it yet. We kept kissing for what seemed like hours until Jimin bit my lip and I hissed.

"Lay me down on my bed already," she whispered with urgency while unbuttoning my shirt. "I want to fall asleep right after you fill me up."

I gave an airy chuckle as I made my way down her jawline towards her neck. She pulled me in with her arms while my hand slowly reaches for the knob of her bedroom door.

Once again, I took my time walking towards her bed while I plant my lips and my tongue all over her deck. Jimin whined, her hips slowly grinding back and forth while I held her.

Jimin whispered my name, then moved her head, finding her way and forcing her lips back into mine as the familiar and cozy fragrance of her room wafted along my nose — together with the faint and arousing scent of Jimin's toothpaste.

Gingerly, I laid her down while she pulled my shirt off of my shoulders. "Take it off, all of it" Jimin whispered with uncharacteristic urgency.

I obliged, removing my shirt off of me while I watch her pull her top off of her body, allowing her mouth-watering breasts to drop. I unbuttoned my pants, pulling them down along with my boxers, exposing my hardness to the warmth of her room.

Jimin's chest was rising and falling rapidly. She hooked her fingers on her panties and swiftly removed it, revealing her wet pussy

I made to kneel between her legs, ready to feast at the delicious meal her spread legs were offering me. Then she caught my head in her hands and fixed me with a desparate look.

"Put it in now, Seren. Please. I can't take it anymore," Jimin moaned needily.

I smirked — this night is hers. As gratitude for accepting everything I am, and as a small reward for the great personal sacrifice she intended to do — I won't deny her what she wants, or what she claims she needs.

I positioned myself on top of Jimin while she scooched to the middle of her bed. The tip of my cock gently probed her entrance, making her whine and whimper, pushing her hips and attempting to force my cock inside her.

"Put it in, babe. I need — hnnngh..."

Jimin pulled me down by the neck, her body tensing as I slowly thrust inside her. Inch by slow inch, I felt every ridge of her warmth. Her legs wrapped around my hips even before I fully sheathed inside of her.

I felt Jimin's chest heave beneath me while she adjusts to having my cock inside of her. My head rested on the crook of her neck while I adjust at how tight her pussy was gripping my cock.

"Jimin," I whispered. Then I felt the soles of her feet dig at my butt. A slight nudge and I understood what she meant.

I started moving in a slow rhythm. Jimin's breathy sighs on every thrust sounded like music to my ears.

"Just like that?" I whispered in her ear.

"Yes," she replied, wrapping her aems around my head and pressing me down flush against her. "Just like that. Make me... feel everything... feel all of you."

Deep and slow thrusts was what I gave her, all guided by how her feet presses against my ass.

"Fuck, that's good. Right there... I'm close... I'm so close..." Jimin's gasps turn into urgent moans. Her hips met mine while she controls the pace of our movements.

Our movements slowly became more erratic but I kept my thrusts slower and deeper. Jimin's body was writhing below me, until she tensed with a strangled gasp. Her pussy contracts, squeezing my cock, then pulses rhythmically, releasing her slick juices on my cock.

I was about to stop when Jimin nudged me again with her feet, "Keep going. Don't stop until you fill me up." Her nails dug on my back, she bucked her hips and arched her back, pressing herself more against my body, urging to fuck her while she's still in the throes of her orgasm.

I sped up my rhythm, groaning audibly in her ear as I struggled moving my hips while her inner walls are still convulsing. But Jimin wouldn't let go, and she wouldn't stop moving. It's like a new kind of hunger emerges from both of us every time we have sex.

"I'm cumming again... make me — fuck — make me... make me cum again..." Jimin's whispered become more frantic as she moves her entire body below me.

I took one of her tits in my hand, groping it just to push her closer to the edge while I strive to feel another sensation other than the now rhythmically erratic pulsing of Jimin's pussy on my cock.

Turns out — touching her tits only helped escalate my own orgasm. Jimin froze, her eyes rolling to the back of her head. Then she covered her mouth with one hand while the other pulled on my hair — and she screamed.

She screamed as she writhed beneath my body. Her pussy milking me, urging me to fill her up as I shot my seed inside of her womb.

For more than a minute, only the sound of our bodies moving against each other and our breathless moans can be heard inside her room.

Finally, her legs loosen and fall limply on the bed. I collapsed beside her and Jimin immediately wrapped her arm around me.

"Say it again, Seren," Jimin whispered. "I want it to be the last thing I hear before I sleep.

I gave a soft sigh as I stared at her ceiling. I can hear her breathing softly against my shoulder, I can feel her warm breath on my skin, and I reduced aero sense to cover just the bed — just the two of us.

Then I turned, Jimin's eyes were closed. I smiled and leaned in to give her lips a soft kiss. Then I said the words she wanted to hear — and the hint of a faint smile was everything I need to know whether she heard it or not.