Night wrapped Seongjii's room in silence.
Moonlight slipped through the window, landing softly on the desk where the golden lamp rested—quiet, glowing faintly, as if it were alive.
Seongjii lay on his bed, hands behind his head, staring at it.
Tomorrow… it's time, he thought.
A small smile curved his lips.
Whatever he had planned, even the lamp didn't seem ready for it.
Soon, sleep claimed him.
⸻
Morning sunlight burst into the room.
Seongjii groaned, stretching his arms wide as he sat up. His eyes immediately landed on the lamp.
"Wake up, Jennie," he said casually. "It's morning already."
The lamp suddenly rattled violently.
With a sharp flash, Jennie burst out mid-yawn, hair messy, eyes half-open.
"WHO dares summon me at this ungodly hour?!" she shouted.
Seongjii laughed. "It's 8 AM, not midnight, sleepy genie."
Jennie rubbed her eyes, floating lazily. "Still too early for miracles…"
She shot him an annoyed glare.
"You humans really enjoy tormenting magical beings, huh?"
Seongjii grinned. "Pretty much."
⸻
But then… his expression changed.
The playful smile faded, replaced by calm seriousness.
"Jennie," he said, looking straight at her. "My next wish."
She crossed her arms, instantly switching to her teasing tone.
"Oh? Finally ready to ask for a girlfriend?"
Seongjii rolled his eyes. "No. Not that."
"Boring already," she muttered.
He took a deep breath.
"My wish is…"
"I want you to become human."
⸻
Silence.
Jennie's eyes widened in pure shock.
"H-Human?!" she stammered. "ME?!"
Seongjii nodded, calm but confident.
"Yes. But only until my second-last wish."
Jennie blinked. "Wait—why that condition?"
A mysterious smirk appeared on Seongjii's face.
"Because I've got something special planned… I'll tell you when the time comes."
Jennie narrowed her eyes, curiosity flickering behind her sarcasm.
"Don't make me curious, mortal. I hate being curious."
"You'll just have to wait," he replied lightly.
She turned away, cheeks faintly pink.
"You really are such a troublesome mortal…"
⸻
A blinding flash filled the room.
Magic surged.
When the light faded—
Jennie stood there.
Human.
Long hair, vibrant eyes, casual clothes—no glow, no floating, no magic aura.
Just… human.
Seongjii stared.
"Whoa… you actually look… normal?"
She smirked. "Normal? I'll take that as an insult."
Grabbing his bag, Seongjii headed for the door.
"Come on. I want you to meet my friends today."
Her eyes widened.
"WAIT—meet humans?! No one told me this job included socializing!"
⸻
At school, whispers exploded the moment they walked in.
"Who's that new girl?"
"She's walking with Seongjii?!"
Minho nearly choked when he saw them.
"No freaking way… he brought a GIRL!"
"Is she his girlfriend?" Satoshi whispered.
"Man's finally leveled up," Hyunwoo muttered.
Jennie leaned closer to Seongjii, smirking.
"Ohhh… your fans are quite lively."
"Please don't start," he begged.
Too late.
Zoe Kim appeared in front of them, surprise clear on her face.
"Hey… Seongjii? Who's this girl?"
Jennie instantly crossed her arms, mock jealousy dripping from her voice.
"Ohhh… is this the famous crush you keep pretending you don't think about?"
"JENNIE—!" Seongjii panicked.
Zoe blushed. "O-Oh… I didn't mean to interrupt, I was just curious."
"Oh no interruption at all," Jennie said sweetly.
"We were just talking about her, right Seongjii?"
Kill me now, Seongjii thought.
⸻
Later, he stood before his friends.
"Guys… this is… uh—"
He froze.
Minho tilted his head. "What's her name?"
Jennie leaned closer, eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Yes, Seongjii… what's my name?"
A bead of sweat rolled down his cheek.
And that's where things… got complicated.
⸻
End of Chapter 9