With nothing much to do until Hae-hyun returned, Jae-ha decided to look around the training hall, which was far larger than his tiny studio apartment. Just as Hae-hyun had said, the place was spotless and well-kept. The aged wooden pillars and walls radiated a quiet dignity, almost like the home of an immortal. Curious, Jae-ha brushed his hand against the wall; the hard surface was cool to the touch.
Along the walls stood low cabinets adorned with ornaments and several small sliding doors. Compared to the door Hae-hyun had just used, these were smaller—probably storage rooms. Maybe they kept training gear in there? Jae-ha thought little of it and was about to walk past when he froze.
Through the finger-width crack of one door, someone was staring straight at him.
“……”
Click. Acting on instinct, Jae-ha slid the door shut. As the panels closed perfectly, the gaze vanished.
What the hell was that? A ghost? But the sun wasn’t even down yet. And this was the Haetae family’s ancestral house, wasn’t it? If even bugs couldn’t get in, how could a ghost? Dozens of thoughts rushed through his head—then stopped.
No, it could just be a person.
That was a lot more likely. Chastising himself for being narrow-minded, Jae-ha pulled the door wide open.
Inside crouched a small girl, hugging her knees. Startled, her wide, round eyes fixed on him. Her short bob, cut neatly to her face, gave her an innocent, cute appearance.
“You’re… human, right?”
She didn’t answer, frozen like a statue. Jae-ha tried again.
“Wait—number 4?”
He’d already met number 1, Hae-ryeong, and number 2 was the older brother. That left only Hae-hyun’s younger sister. Realizing how awkward that sounded, Jae-ha quickly corrected himself with a sheepish grin.
“Hae-hyun’s little sister?”
At last, the girl gave a tiny nod—so small he wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t been watching closely. Jae-ha smiled.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Seo Jae-ha, Hae-hyun’s Sunbae.”
Her name was Ju Hae-hee. She was twenty this year. The storage room, she explained, was her personal hideout. She’d slipped in for a nap, only for her brother and Jae-ha to show up. From the way she emphasized it, she clearly wanted to make sure he knew she hadn’t been spying on purpose.
“Wow, oppa, you’re seriously so handsome. How does Ju Hae-hyun even know someone like you?”
It turned out the quiet, reserved impression she’d given was only because he’d startled her. In reality, she was lively and talkative.
“Hae-hyun’s handsome too.”
“Him? Oppa, your standards are way too low.”
Hae-hee pulled a face and gave a dramatic thumbs-down with a loud boo. Jae-ha thought she’d blend in perfectly with his own juniors in the department. Her playful manner even reminded him a little of Ah-young.
“Ju Hae-hee?”
Just then, Hae-hyun returned, a cup in hand. He stopped short at the sight of his sister and Jae-ha sitting together so naturally. His wide eyes demanded an explanation. Jae-ha spoke up.
“We just ran into each other.”
That was all it took. Hae-hyun understood immediately.
“You failed ticketing again and were sulking in the storage room, weren’t you?”
“Hey!”
Hae-hee’s cheeks flushed as she shouted, sneaking embarrassed glances at Jae-ha. To ease her embarrassment, Jae-ha offered kindly:
“It’s fine. My sister does that too. She says getting concert tickets is brutal.”
Shoving his sister aside with his foot, Hae-hyun plopped down next to Jae-ha and smirked.
“Don’t be fooled. That’s nothing—she’s a total otaku. You should see her room. It’s a disaster zone.”
“Shut up!”
Failing to silence her brother, Hae-hee practically hopped in frustration. Hae-hyun dismissed her flatly.
“Go on, then. Should I tell him what exactly you collect?”
“Ugh, Ju Hae-hyun! You’re the worst!”
Huffing, Hae-hee bolted out of the training hall. What’s she so embarrassed about? Jae-ha just blinked after her retreating back.
“So… what does she collect? Something illegal?”
“No. Just figures that strip when you take their clothes off. Total pervert. Don’t get too close.”
So much for the secret she’d tried so hard to protect—Hae-hyun gave it away instantly, handing Jae-ha the cup. The fragrant green tea had cooled to the perfect temperature.
“You two seem close for siblings.”
“Don’t say that. It’s awful.”
Hae-hyun’s face hardened at once. Jae-ha wisely swallowed the remark that they actually looked close.
The two of them left the training hall and wandered the estate. The place was so vast it felt endless—they hadn’t even reached Hae-hyun’s own room yet. At this point, it felt less like a house and more like a palace.
“Oh, my mom’s back. She says she’s in the reception room.”
Checking his buzzing phone, Hae-hyun muttered. Finally. The tension Jae-ha had briefly forgotten while touring the house crept back into his chest. He rolled his stiff neck and nodded.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
Since he’d already been shown the reception room earlier, all they had to do was retrace their steps. The second time around, the grandeur felt a little less overwhelming.
Still, even in this enormous house, the reception room stood out. Its sheer size commanded attention. The lofty ceiling with its ornate chandelier, the walls lined with elegant display cabinets—all of it radiated antique splendor.
And in the center, on a long sofa, sat a middle-aged couple.
“I’m back.”
Hae-hyun entered with a casual greeting. The couple, mid-conversation, turned their heads. Following behind, Jae-ha bowed politely.
“Hello.”
They were unmistakably Hae-hyun and Hae-ryeong’s parents—tall and striking, with youthful looks that made them seem more like older siblings than parents.
So Hae-hyun takes after his mother. Careful not to stare, Jae-ha only gave a discreet glance as that thought crossed his mind.
“Where were you?”
Hae-hyun asked as he walked over, then sat on the sofa opposite them. Jae-ha followed his lead and sat beside him. His father answered.
“The Guardian Agency called us to Seo-cheon. Sorry—did you wait long?”
“Again?”
“Exactly. There’s only so much you can do to keep flowers from wilting with spells. These days I feel more like a gardener than an exorcist. Anyway—this must be your friend?”
His father’s gaze shifted to Jae-ha, who bowed his head.
“I’m Seo Jae-ha. I owe Hae-hyun a lot.”
“No, it’s the other way around. He’s had so much fun with you that he barely ever comes home.”
The father laughed heartily, his demeanor gentle. Thankfully, there was no trace of hostility toward the so-called bad influence who’d led his son astray.
“Mom and Dad never believe me when I say they don’t care about me. Dad, tell them.”
“Oh, but I’ve always loved you, son.”
“No, not that—”
Jae-ha was just wondering if he should stop Hae-hyun from talking when his eyes met those of Hae-hyun’s mother. She hadn’t spoken once until now.
Her sharp gaze froze him in place. Her cold, unsmiling face radiated an authority he hadn’t felt in a long time.
“You.”
The moment her low voice rang out, the father and son’s chatter died instantly. Jae-ha immediately understood who truly held power in this household.
“You said your name was Seo Jae-ha?”
“Yes.”
He answered promptly. Her frigid eyes swept over him again. Already dislike me? Maybe I’ve already made a bad impression. Forcing a faint smile, Jae-ha tried to hide his discomfort. Then her question came, sudden and cutting.
“Do you have any thoughts of marriage?”
Silence. Not even a breath stirred the air.
“…Excuse me?”
“What about someone older? Our Hae-ryeong’s never been said to lack in looks.”
“Mom! What are you talking about?!”
This time it was Hae-hyun who shouted, throwing an arm out as if to shield Jae-ha. But his mother’s face remained calm, unbothered.
“Why? She has a good personality, doesn’t she? I think Hae-ryeong would like him too.”
“Sunbae already said he’s not interested in dating noona!”
“Oh, really? Then how about Hae-hee?”
The situation was spiraling completely out of control.
