chapter 4

As they walked away from the burning mansion, the sky began to lighten, signaling the arrival of a new day. The sun slowly rose, casting a warm glow over the landscape. The world seemed to be awakening from its slumber, and with it, a sense of possibility.

But for Min-soo, the beauty of the dawn was overshadowed by the weight of his thoughts. His wish had been fulfilled, and now he couldn't shake the feeling that this marked a turning point. He wondered if this was where he and Jin-ha would part ways, each going their separate paths.

Min-soo wanted to ask Jin-ha what lay ahead, but the words caught in his throat. He couldn't bring himself to voice the question, unsure if he was ready for the answer.

As they reached a crosswalk, Jin-ha turned to him, his eyes inquiring. "Now, where shall we go, young one?" he asked, his voice gentle, yet laced with a hint of curiosity.

The question hung in the air, and Min-soo felt a flutter in his chest. He looked up at Jin-ha, searching for a clue, but the other man's expression was unreadable. Min-soo's heart pounded as he hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

Min-soo gathered his thoughts and, with a hint of hesitation, said, "I thought we were going to go our separate ways after my wish was fulfilled." The words slipped out before he could consider their impact.

Unbeknownst to Min-soo, his words struck a chord with Jin-ha, who had grown accustomed to the young man's presence. Jin-ha's eyes sparkled mischievously as he replied, "Ah, so now that the young one's wish is fulfilled, you want to get rid of this old man?"

Min-soo's face flushed as he stuttered, trying to deny Jin-ha's words. "N-no, that's not what I meant! I just thought...I didn't mean to imply..."

Jin-ha chuckled, clearly amused by Min-soo's flustered state. He took a step closer, his eyes glinting with mirth. "Oh, I think you did, young one. You think you can just discard me like a used item now that your wish is fulfilled?"

Min-soo's protests grew more fervent, but Jin-ha just laughed, enjoying the younger man's discomfort. It was clear that Jin-ha had no intention of letting Min-soo go just yet. The air was filled with Jin-ha's teasing laughter, and Min-soo's embarrassed denials, as they stood there, the tension between them palpable.

As the teasing subsided, Min-soo suggested, "Let's go to my home." But as he said it, a faint unease settled in his chest, though he couldn't quite pinpoint why.

Jin-ha, oblivious to Min-soo's reservations, smiled and said, "Lead the way, young one."

As they walked towards Min-soo's home, his mind began to swirl with thoughts. He lived in a humble abode with his elderly grandmother, who had raised him after his parents passed away at his birth. The villagers often whispered behind his back, labeling him a jinx due to the circumstances of his birth. Min-soo's life had been marked by hardship and solitude, and he wondered how Jin-ha would react to his simple, impoverished life.

With each step, Min-soo's trepidation grew, unsure of how Jin-ha would fit into his world. Would the older man see him differently once he witnessed the stark reality of his life? Min-soo's thoughts churned with anxiety as they approached his home, the weight of his secrets and fears lingering just beneath the surface.

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