The school gates buzzed the moment Seongjii stepped through.
Whispers followed him like persistent shadows.
"Is that really him…?"
"The guy who wrecked those bullies yesterday?"
"Wait, look! Who's the girl with him?!"
Students slowed their pace, eyes glued to the duo. Some stared with open-mouthed curiosity, others leaned in to whisper behind their hands. Seongjii tightened his grip on his bag, trying his best to act natural despite the sudden spotlight.
Walking—not floating—beside him, Jennie (now in her human form) had a smirk plastered on her face. She was clearly feeding off the chaos.
"So this is your little kingdom, mortal?" she whispered, her voice laced with mischief. "Not bad. A bit noisy for my taste, though."
Seongjii let out a sharp exhale. "Please, just try to blend in. No magic, no provoking anyone."
Before Jennie could retort, a familiar shout cut through the chatter.
"Seongjii!"
Minho, Satoshi, and Hyunwoo came rushing toward the gate. Their momentum died the instant they saw the girl standing next to him.
Minho squinted, his brain visibly processing. "Okay… first question. Who. Is. She?"
Satoshi leaned in, his face looking like a detective's. "You can't just walk in with a mystery girl and expect us to stay silent, man. Give us the tea!"
Hyunwoo crossed his arms, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah. Don't keep us waiting. Introductions?"
Seongjii froze.
A cold bead of sweat slid down his temple.
Don't mess this up. Think of a name. Anything!
He glanced at Jennie. She tilted her head, her lips curling into a challenge. She was enjoying his panic, waiting to see how he'd handle the pressure.
"Well?" she teased softly. "Are you going to introduce me, or should I do it myself?"
Seongjii swallowed hard.
"This is… Araya."
For a heartbeat, there was total silence.
Then—
"Ohhh!" Minho's face lit up. "That's a cool name!"
Satoshi nodded vigorously. "Yeah! Welcome to the madhouse, Araya!"
Hyunwoo studied her for a moment before grinning. "You've got guts, Araya. Hanging around a guy like this isn't easy."
Araya placed a hand on her hip, clearly amused by the attention. "Oh? I like you guys already. You're much more lively than this boring mortal."
Seongjii let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding.
⸻
The rest of the day passed in a blur of stares and hushed conversations. Wherever Seongjii went, Araya was there, observing the world like a curious child seeing color for the first time.
"So this is school," she muttered, leaning against a locker. "Humans really trap themselves in these boxes all day just to learn? How strange."
During lunch, the cafeteria was a battlefield of attention. Classmates who had never spoken to Seongjii before were suddenly offering seats and snacks.
Seongjii smiled politely, but his mind felt heavy.
I know why they're here, he thought. I remember the silence. The being invisible. I was the same person back then, but no one cared.
He looked at the crowd. I don't want to be like the people who ignored me.
Araya noticed the shift in his energy and leaned closer.
"You're overthinking again," she said, her voice dropping to a softer register. "Careful, mortal. Too much thinking gives you wrinkles."
Seongjii chuckled softly. "Maybe. But… being noticed doesn't mean you have to lose who you are."
Araya looked at him, surprised. For a split second, the sarcasm vanished from her eyes, replaced by a flicker of genuine respect.
⸻
After school, the group gathered near the exit.
"So," Minho said, stretching his arms, "mall or café? My treat! (Mostly because I stole my brother's allowance)."
"Café!" Satoshi shouted.
Hyunwoo nodded. "Café sounds good."
Zoe Kim joined them, her smile bright as she approached. "Finally, the whole gang is together."
Araya's eyes sparkled. "Oh… human hangouts. Count me in. I want to see what this 'café' magic is about."
The group laughed and began their walk, bathed in the golden hue of the evening sun. At the café, the chaos was natural—Minho trying to steal everyone's whipped cream, Satoshi failing to take a perfect group selfie, and Zoe laughing at Hyunwoo's photobombs.
Seongjii sat back for a moment, just watching.
Araya leaned toward him. "Having fun, mortal?"
He smiled, a real, tired but happy smile. "Yeah… moments like these. This is what makes it all worth it."
Inside his bag, the golden lamp rested quietly, glowing with a faint, warm light.
Araya watched him with a thoughtful expression. Away from her teasing persona, her gaze softened.
This mortal… she thought. He really is different from the others.
⸻
— END OF CHAPTER 10