Mu-ryeong’s Spirit

“…Your name tag?”

At Mu-ryeong’s words, Hwan-young furrowed his brow slightly. It was the same expression he had worn when Mu-ryeong had handed him a talisman after school. Of all things, he was asking for a name tag with his name on it. That wasn’t suspicious at all.

“You don’t use it anyway, right?”

But Mu-ryeong simply grinned, his usual carefree expression in place. He was certain Hwan-young wouldn’t refuse. After all, he had an extra one, so giving it away wouldn’t be a big deal.

“…What do you need my name tag for?”

“I just want to keep it with me.”

“…”

“Why?”

Mu-ryeong looked at him blankly. Hwan-young met his gaze in silence, his lips slightly parting as if he wanted to say something. But instead of speaking, he shook his head.

“…Fine, I’ll give it to you.”

With that, one major hurdle was cleared. The request was back on track, and Mu-ryeong had openly secured the right to interfere with Hwan-young. That made him so pleased that he scooped up a large bite of rice with his chopsticks and stuffed it into his mouth.

Since their walk home had taken longer than expected, by the time they finished dinner, it was already quite late. After brushing his teeth with the new toothbrush Hwan-young had given him, Mu-ryeong sat down on the bedding that had been laid out for him. As Hwan-young climbed onto his bed, Mu-ryeong spoke up casually.

“Don’t throw the toothbrush away. It’d be a waste if you keep getting a new one every time.”

“…”

Hwan-young paused and turned to look at him, his expression full of suspicion.

“…Are you planning to come again?”

“Probably?”

There weren’t many places where they could talk comfortably. The school closed at night, and it wasn’t like they could just go to a café together.

“Oh, my place would work too.”

“…”