GRR 57

After being caught by Kwon Chasa and taken to his house, Jion had to drink a larger amount of banana milk than usual. Since it contained spring water, it felt more like pouring an entire jar of bitter powder with a slight banana scent into his mouth than drinking banana milk.

After finishing the spring water, Kwon Chasa took Jion home. He then told him to rest so that the water’s energy could fully circulate, so he stayed obediently cooped up at home. Rolling around in bed the whole time, thinking only of Kwon Chasa, he didn’t even realize how the day had passed. In the end, Jion could not grant Baek Kitae’s request.

Instead, the next day, Jion left home early. First, he planned to stop by Choi Heechan’s house to pick up the gift he had mentioned, and then go to Jeongdam Apartments, which he couldn’t visit yesterday, to leave the flowers before returning.

He really needed to study tonight. Having momentarily forgotten his reality and been helping ghosts instead, he realized the CSAT was now right around the corner. They said he just needed to meet the minimum requirements, but since he didn’t know if the exam would be easy or hard, he shouldn’t neglect his preparation. Although he had been a bit negligent lately…

Jion, who had been reflecting all along, finally arrived in front of Choi Heechan’s house. The bouquet he had left there last week was still there, exactly as it was. Since even Choi Heechan’s mother wasn’t home right now, it was only natural that it had been left neglected.

He held the wilted bouquet and knocked on the door, but as expected, there was no sign of anyone inside. He carefully entered the door lock password and stepped inside. He saw the interior of a house that was uninhabited for a considerable amount of time.

Jion nervously opened closed doors one by one to check. He finally entered Choi Heechan’s room. When he opened the top drawer of the desk, a small velvet box sat there all alone. It was the gift for his mother that Choi Heechan had mentioned.

Jion put the box in his bag and hurriedly left the house. He pondered what to do with the flowers but decided to just throw them away himself. After all, the house would likely be empty for a while, and the flowers had already withered.

“Haa….”

He had barely managed to finish one thing, but the overwhelming fatigue made him sigh. Jion hurried his steps, aiming to make the round to Gangdong-gu before lunchtime. After some hesitation, he threw the withered flower into the trash can at the station.

After getting off at Gildong Station following a journey of about 30 minutes, he headed to Jeongdam Apartments holding a bouquet he had bought in advance from a flower shop, a mix of a single white chrysanthemum and colorful flowers. As he walked along, he thought of Baek Kitae, who had suddenly disappeared yesterday. And also of Kwon Chasa, who had appeared before him.

‘What do you mean you’re fine? The ghost’s stench is embedded in your body. Go home first ​unauthorized copy​so you can drink some spring water.’

Kwon Chasa had said something like that. The way he leaned in was actually just an attempt to sniff out the scent of a ghost. As the heart pounding he felt back then came to mind, Jion felt the back of his neck burn.

Why was he sniffing out like that… Is it okay for a grim reaper to toy with people’s minds?

Jion ran the tip of his index finger across his lips and let out a long sigh. Yesterday, he really thought they were going to kiss. He had just admitted that he liked Kwon Chasa, so he was flustered because things were moving too fast.

In the end, it was all his delusion, but…

Jion adjusted the bouquet and hurried his steps while lamenting his feelings. Thanks to this, he was able to reach his destination quickly.

Jeongdam Apartments Building 305. After confirming the unit number, 403, one more time, Jion considered taking the elevator but decided to take the stairs instead. This was because there was no telling when the elevator, which had just gone up and had passed the second floor and gone past the fifth floor in an instant, would come down.

“Haa….”

He didn’t know why his heart was beating so fast as he climbed the stairs, one step at a time. It wasn’t like he was trying to do anything bad.

Jion, who had been pressing his hand tightly against his chest as he took a step, came to a sudden halt on the stairs leading from the third to the fourth floor. It was because he heard the sound of a door opening somewhere. He crouched down and cautiously looked toward the source of the sound. He spotted a familiar face.

“…….”

The person who opened the door and came out was none other than Lee Yeju’s mother, whom he saw yesterday.

Startled to the point of exhaustion, Jion slumped right there. Fortunately, she did not notice Jion and got on the elevator to go down to the first floor.

Jion clutched his pounding heart and went up the stairs a little further to check the door. The number ‘403’ was written on the door that Lee Yeju’s mother had opened.

The the house where he was supposed to leave these flowers and the note was really Lee Yeju’s house.

Jion put strength into his legs as they felt like giving out. He staggered down the stairs and hurriedly left the place. There was no reason. He just felt like he had to escape from there as quickly as possible.

He walked aimlessly, following wherever his feet took him. By the time a quiet children’s park came into view, Jion came to his senses and sat on an empty bench.

…What is going on?

Jion, having barely managed to calm his startled nerves, took out his phone. Perhaps because he had turned off the screen immediately after checking the address, as soon as he unlocked it, a memo containing Baek Kitae’s written words appeared.

Unit 807, Sillim Green Town, 68-1, Nambu-sunhwan-ro 7-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul

Unit 303, 170 Sungindong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Unit 403, Building 305, Jeongdam Apartment, Gangdongseo-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul

Unit 1106, Building 210, Daeseon 2nd Apartment, Jagokjungang-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Jion’s expression turned serious as he looked at all four addresses. Excluding Sillim, where he had gone first, and Gangnam, which he had not yet visited, the other two places were connected to the ghosts he had met. And they were all murdered.

Perhaps the remaining two locations were also connected to the serial murders where the culprit had not yet been identified. If so, what kind of connection did Baek Kitae have with them? Why did he say he wanted to give white chrysanthemums as a gift? Read on Jion could not stop the fragments of his thoughts from entangling in a negative direction.

Was it right to grant this request? He had already promised and couldn’t turn back. What should he do?

He sighed, feeling stifled by the hopeless situation. Suddenly, a bone-chilling chill made him turn to the side, where he saw Baek Kitae. Seeing Jion startled, Baek Kitae tilted his head and smiled.

“Why are you so surprised?”

It was only natural to be surprised, as he had been thinking that Baek Kitae was suspicious. Jion smiled awkwardly and tried hard to suppress his negative thoughts. Nothing was certain yet. He shouldn’t start suspecting him for no reason. Baek Kitae glanced at the bouquet of flowers placed on Jion’s thigh.

“What are these flowers? Hmm… did you buy this many just because of my request?”

“Ah….”

Jion reflexively clutched the bouquet. He should tell that he couldn’t bear to leave just a single white chrysanthemum, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

Baek Kitae stared at Jion and smiled.

“It’s pretty. They must have liked it even more when they received it.”

Jion swallowed hard at his cold voice that contrasted with his expression. His attitude was inscrutable. Jion simply raised the corners of his mouth to force an awkward smile.

“Jion.”

“…Yes?”

Baek Kitae suddenly called out to Jion in a low voice. Due to the strong grip, the wrapping paper around the stem rustled. Before he realized it, Baek Kitae had changed his expression and was wearing a kind smile.

“Can you give me your hand for a moment?”

“My hand?”

“Yes.”

Jion tilted his head. He had absolutely no idea what Baek Kitae was trying to do.

After a moment of hesitation, Jion reached out his hand, and Baek Kitae grabbed it. To be precise, the hand just passed straight through Jion’s rather than him “grabbing” it. A sudden chill ran through his entire body, and he immediately started feeling weary.

“Jion, I think you’re really special.”

Jion rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and stared at Baek Kitae. He couldn’t understand his actions and words.

“It’s fascinating that you can see me and that we can even talk. I’ve been everywhere, but you’re the only person who can see me, Jion.”

“…….”

“And whenever I meet you… I like it because I feel like I gain energy. It makes me feel very peaceful.”

He did not look like he harbored any ill intentions no matter how Jion looked at him.

Then all of this was a simple coincidence, and Baek Kitae had no connection to what happened to them? Was it right to nip in the bud the sprouts of suspicion that kept trying to bloom? Jion was slightly dazed, then shook his head. He felt as if he would fall asleep if he didn’t move.

“Jion, you don’t have to push yourself too hard just to grant my request.”

Baek Kitae placed his hand on Jion’s shoulder. There was no tangible sensation, but the spot where he placed his hand instantly lost its heat and turned cold. Jion strained his eyes to look at Baek Kitae.