Jeigan and Jinha walked quietly along the dim street.
"Is your house far from here?" Jeigan asked. "If it's too far, I can call a taxi."
Jinha shook her head.
"No, it's very close."
"Just five minutes from here."
"Oh… I see," Jeigan replied.
After a few moments, Jinha glanced at him.
"By the way, how far is your house from here?"
Jeigan thought for a moment.
"About three kilometers."
Jinha's eyes widened.
"That's really far."
She hesitated before speaking again.
"Then… why don't you stay at my house tonight?"
Jeigan stopped walking.
"No, no… I can't do that."
"Don't worry," Jinha said quickly. "I live alone."
"I can give you a separate room."
"Tomorrow morning we can have breakfast together and go to university. After that, you can go back home."
Jeigan looked at her seriously.
"You're not afraid?"
"What if I do something strange after entering your house?"
Jinha smiled calmly.
"I know you're not that kind of person."
"I trust you."
"That's why I asked you to stay."
Jeigan smiled slightly.
"Thank you for trusting me."
"Please always keep trusting me like this."
Jinha nodded.
"Of course."
"So… you'll stay tonight, right?"
Jeigan shook his head gently.
"No, Jinha."
"I'll stay another time."
"But tonight I can't."
"My parents must be waiting for me."
"And I never stay somewhere else without their permission."
"Sorry."
Jinha pointed ahead.
"That's my house right there."
She sighed lightly.
"Alright then."
"But at least stay for dinner."
Jeigan smiled.
"…Okay."
Jinha swiped her card at the gate.
The large gate slowly opened.
"Come in," she said.
Jeigan stepped inside and immediately froze.
"Whoa…"
"Jinha… your house is huge."
"Do you really live here alone?"
"Yes," she replied calmly.
"Where are your parents?" he asked.
"They don't live here."
"They work in Centrophia, in the Cursed Soul Department."
"They're officers there, so they can't stay here most of the time."
Jeigan nodded.
"I've heard about that department."
"The people who work there are usually Deal Masters."
Jinha smiled slightly.
"You're right."
"My mom is DM+++, and my dad is DM★."
Jeigan looked impressed.
"That explains why you're so powerful."
"You could say that," she replied.
Jeigan looked around the house again.
"Seriously… your house is beautiful."
"Both outside and inside."
Jinha smiled.
"You can come here anytime you want."
"Okay," Jeigan said.
"Alright," Jinha continued. "Go wash your hands and face first."
"Sit at the table after that."
"I'll prepare dinner."
Jeigan scratched his head awkwardly.
"Okay… but where's the washroom?"
"Go straight past the stairs," Jinha replied.
"You'll see it on the left."
"Alright."
Jeigan walked down the hallway.
Man… I'm really embarrassed.
Having dinner alone in a girl's house…
He reached the door.
"This must be it."
He opened it slowly.
"…Wow."
"Even the washroom looks like a palace."
Then suddenly—
He froze.
"AAAAAH!"
His scream echoed through the house.
Jinha immediately ran toward him.
"What happened?!"
"Why are you shouting like that?"
Jeigan pointed inside the washroom with a trembling hand.
"T-There!"
"There was someone there!"
"I saw someone with blood on their hand!"
Jinha looked confused.
"…Are you sure?"
"There's no one here."
"No," Jeigan insisted. "I definitely saw someone."
But after a moment he sighed.
"…Maybe I'm mistaken."
"Forget it."
Jinha nodded slowly.
"Alright."
"Just wash your hands quickly."
"Dinner is almost ready."
"Okay."
Jeigan stepped inside again.
Meanwhile, Jinha walked back toward the hallway.
But then—
She suddenly stopped.
Her eyes narrowed.
She turned toward another door.
Knock. Knock.
"Are you inside?"
A calm voice answered from inside.
"Yes."
Jinha opened the door.
"Don't lie to me."
"You were in the washroom earlier, weren't you?"
Inside the room stood a girl with a mischievous smile.
Walinsiya shrugged casually.
"…No."
Jinha crossed her arms.
"Stop lying."
"I know it was you."
"And what exactly were you doing in the washroom?"