Ha-Joon opened the wardrobe in his room, the soft creak echoing in the quiet space.
Inside, amidst familiar clothes, his eyes landed on a small, silver flute—an object he had been wondering about since his memory started to return.
Carefully, he reached out and picked it up, holding it gently in his hands.
A faint smile touched his lips as he looked at the flute.
"I miss playing with you," he whispered softly, clutching the instrument closer to his chest.
His fingers traced the smooth surface, feeling the memories flood back—playing melodies that once brought him peace, the sound of the wind through the notes.
He carefully placed the flute back in its spot, a sigh escaping his lips as he closed the wardrobe with a soft click.
Then, he moved toward his mirror, hesitating for a moment before gazing at his reflection.
His silver hair was a little tousled, his black shirt fitting him perfectly, and his jeans casual yet comfortable.
His grey eyes shimmered with a mixture of nostalgia and newfound recognition.
For the first time, he truly looked at himself and saw someone he recognized—someone he was beginning to remember.
A small, heartfelt smile formed on his lips.
"Ha-Joon... how I've missed my true self," he whispered, placing a hand on the mirror as if trying to connect with the person staring back.
----
Meanwhile, inside In-Su's small, dark room, the atmosphere was tense.
In-Su sat silently, his gaze fixed on the glowing orb that Vespera had given him—an artifact meant to hunt Ha-Joon, but also a window into the world beyond.
He sighed deeply, his eyes softening as he watched Ha-Joon's reflection through the orb.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"I'm glad you're happy, Ha-Joon," he murmured quietly. "It's nice to see you smile so genuinely, to see you being yourself."
He tilted his head slightly, a mixture of longing and hope in his expression.
"I wish Joy… Joy… yeah, where is she?" he asked himself thoughtfully, concern flickering in his eyes.
He reached out, whispering softly, "Orb… show me Glimmer… Mysta…"
The orb shimmered and flashed, revealing a horrifying scene. Joy was on the floor, fragile and trembling—her small frame battered and bruised.
Her delicate form seemed to have been hurt badly; she was curled up, clutching her side or arm, her face pale and streaked with tears.
In-Su's eyes widened in shock.
"Joy!!!" he shouted, his voice filled with anguish as he threw the orb aside. It shattered with a faint crack, the light flickering and dying.
His heart pounded as he stared at the broken orb, then back at the image of Joy.
"What happened to her?" he asked himself, voice trembling with worry. "I have to check on her… I need to find her''.
-----
The room was filled with the steady beeping of medical machines, their sounds rhythmic yet tense—like a heartbeat echoing the fragile state of Joy's condition.
The soft hum of the monitors and the occasional whir of machinery created a sterile, yet painfully quiet environment.
Suddenly, a calm voice broke through the silence.
"It's nothing. She will be fine in some time," said Dr. Quin, stepping into the room. His tone was reassuring, but his eyes betrayed a hint of concern.
He approached In-Su, who was waiting anxiously, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
The rhythmic beeping of the machines continued, punctuating the tense atmosphere.
In-Su exhaled slowly, relief washing over him.
"Thank you, doctor," he said softly. Dr. Quin nodded in acknowledgment before turning to leave the room, his footsteps echoing quietly as he went.
Once alone, In-Su stepped inside Joy's room.
The sight of her sitting on the bed, her hands crossed in her lap, made his heart ache.
Her face was sad, a pout on her lips, and her short brown hair fell messily beside her face, slightly covering her eyes.
"In-Su," she began softly, turning her head as he sat down on the side chair nearby. His presence seemed to comfort her, even in her vulnerable state.
"Why did you do this to yourself?" he asked gently, his voice filled with concern. Joy snifflled, a tear slipping down her cheek.
"I don't know," she whispered, voice rough and trembling. "I couldn't control myself. My powers... they joined with my emotions, and they overtook me."
In-Su nodded understandingly, his eyes softening. "I know how that feels... it's not a new thing for me either," he admitted quietly.
Joy glanced at him, her eyes searching. "Do you also act like that sometimes?" she asked, a hint of curiosity and vulnerability in her tone.
In-Su chuckled softly, a bittersweet smile on his face.
"Worse than that," he replied. "I'm a vampire. It's pretty disturbing when I have desires... urges I can't always control."
Joy nodded in understanding, her expression softening. "Do you get them when you are with someone?" she asked cautiously.
"With whom?" he countered, raising an eyebrow with a teasing smile.
She hesitated, then giggled shyly. "Let's just say, yours... the person is really a grandpa," she teased, a playful sparkle returning to her eyes.
In-Su chuckled, a faint blush creeping into his cheeks. "How about you? Yours?"
Joy smiled shyly, her cheeks tinged with pink.
"I'm missing Ji-Hoo now. I wish I had the chance to tell him how I felt." Her voice was soft, filled with longing and regret.
In-Su gently placed a hand on her shoulder, offering comfort.
"And me... even if I had a chance, I don't think it would work out," he said quietly, almost to himself.
Joy nodded, understanding and acceptance in her gaze.
Suddenly, the door burst open. Joy's mother hurried in, her short hair tied back casually, dressed in simple jeans and a loose sweater—comfortable and unpretentious.
Without hesitation, she rushed over and quickly hugged Joy, holding her close for a moment before turning to In-Su.
Her eyes were grateful yet tinged with worry.
"Thank you so much," she said softly, voice trembling with emotion.
In-Su nodded politely. " It's okay I will go now. Take care of her," he said gently, rising from the chair.
He quietly left the room, leaving the mother and daughter alone.
As In-Su stepped out of the hospital, he took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the cool, crisp air.
The weight of everything that had happened pressed heavily on his chest, but for a moment, he allowed himself to pause and gather his thoughts.
He turned slowly, his eyes drifting upwards as if seeking answers from the sky. That's when he saw it—a swirling, black portal shimmering ominously in the distance. Its dark edges flickered like a shadow alive, pulsating with an unnatural energy.
His heart sank. He already knew what it was. That portal belonged to Night—an ominous gateway connected to the unknown, and a sign that something significant was happening.
His eyes widened with alarm as realization dawned on him.
"Oh no..." he whispered softly, his voice trembling with dread and concern.
The portal was a stark reminder that the situation was escalating. Ha-Joon had regained his memory, and with that memory came unknown dangers.
In-Su clenched his fists, determination flickering in his eyes.