The days pass. To everyone's surprise, Jay remains silent throughout this time. Just as he had previously yearned to acquire the sword and gold dust, to have the chance to die and be reborn as a human, now that it is acquired, he does not make himself known.
Sullyoon has been absent from classes this week. She's been given the freedom and time by her sisters, and friends to recover and think things through. Only Niki seems to be upset with her behavior. He doesn't like the fact that she's been avoiding him for so long, even though he's done nothing wrong.
However, after Jake's last conversation with Somi, the boy realized that it was better that everything went back to normal. It was true. She and Wonyoung would never come to an understanding, and they certainly wouldn't save their friendship.
This chapter is closed.
It's Friday night. A group of friends is standing outside a club, planning to party that night. Recent events have made it so that, they need to have some fun, and forget about all the bad things that have happened.
- It's a shame Sullyoon didn't come. We should all be there, like always - Jake says in a sad voice.
The rest nod their heads in agreement. Only Niki doesn't react to this in any way, looking furious. He puts his arm around his younger brother, who hasn't been able to get enough of him lately.
- Today we celebrate finding my little brother. I'm so happy, especially since we did a DNA test, and it turns out we're 99.9% related - he says, looking proud.
"There's always that bit of uncertainty, because seriously, it's difficult to believe. Sunghoon is a very mature and wonderful guy, and you..." Yuna stops at that point, glaring at him. "You're a failure. The parents will be happy about the found child. You just... did you mention that to them? After all, he's their son, who they thought had been dead for years."
Niki glances at Sunghoon, then replies:
- I arranged with him to come over for dinner on Sunday. My parents think I'm bringing a new friend. We'll tell them together. I want Sunghoon to prepare. It might be a tough experience for him.
Yuna crosses her arms over her chest and her lips curve into a smile.
- It's lucky it's your brother, because your parents might think you brought your lover to introduce him to them.
Wonyoung hits her sister in the back of the head.
- Get a grip. You watch too much BL.
Jake bursts into laughter, clearly delighted by Yuna's words.
- I wonder how his parents would react. I can already see his father's face. He would hit him on the head with the Lord's cross, taken from the wall, to expel the demon.
"That's not funny, you idiot. Bite your tongue, or I'll rip it out with unwashed hands," she warns him, pointing a finger at him.
Sunghoon is confused, but he has grown accustomed to this dim witted group that includes his brother and the girl he likes.
The line to get into the club is so long that it feels like they are standing still, not moving forward.
- Let me drink with you one last time to the official end of our acquaintance. You will be free from me, I will be free from the curse. It is a wonderful thought that I will be reborn without remembering you. I am tired of dealing with you for so many years.
Jay appears next to them. In a gray coat and with his hair combed, he looks incredible. He makes the previously most handsome guys feel too ordinary in his company.
- Is this a joke? I want to punch you in the face for what you did to Sullyoon. - Niki looks like a tiger ready to attack. This amuses Jay, though, putting his hands in his coat pockets.
- Little Sullyoon is just very sensitive. It's a pity she's not here.
- Calm down. - Sunghoon holds Niki tightly, fearing that the hothead will make a mistake that will cause more problems. After all, they are dealing with an original vampire who has them in the palm of his hand.
"Join us. It's a good chance to bury the hatchet, since everything is prepared for you. Although I won't hide the fact that I feel like punching you for what you did to Sunghoon and Sullyoon," Wonyoung says, glaring at Jay. "The day you die will be the happiest day of my life."
"I love you, Wonyoung . You're adorable with your directness," Jay says.
- Are you crazy? Do you want to drink with a long-time enemy? A bloody vampire who can eat everyone in the club? - Niki glares at her friend.
The man standing behind them looks confused. He's sure he didn't mishear when they said vampire. He ignores it, figuring the guy must be high.
- The moment you get drunk, his company won't bother you anymore. - Jake pats Niki on the shoulder, even though he himself is not happy with Jay's company. He doesn't hide the fact that this man makes him panic.
***
It's quite a funny and almost unrealistic situation. Sitting at a table with a long-time enemy who caused a lot of trouble in this and the previous life of the heroes, now they drink alcohol with him in a club, as if he was part of their group.
Niki and Sunghoon sit next to each other, toasting the entire time, while Wonyoung, across from them, accompanies Jay, who takes the seat next to her. Yuna and Jake have fun on the dance floor, forgetting about the original vampire's presence.
Wonyoung seems to be the only one with common sense.
"You're the one who invited me to your table. Why are you giving me hate looks now?" Jay sips his whiskey, narrowing his eyes as he looks at her.
- You imposed yourself, and I wanted to be nice, just to bury the hatchet. You've hurt us enough in the name of a sick revenge for which we are not responsible in this life.
"You really are adorable, Wonnie. It's a shame I'm going to die soon, because I'd love to tease you longer," he says, reaching to grab her chin, but she pulls away. This doesn't go unnoticed by Sunghoon, who stares at him intensely. "Oh, my old friend must be getting jealous. Maybe he'll finally get away from his newfound brother and focus on you?"
Wonyoung can't handle it sober. Too much has happened lately, she wants to forget about everything, even for a while. Even though she promised herself after that accident that she would never touch alcohol again, now she has to break that rule and finally have some real fun, knowing no limits. Maybe this will finally unleash the beast inside her, and she will dare to take another step towards Sunghoon, since he doesn't have the courage to do so.
Let this night be hers.
She tips back a glass of whiskey that is hers to older sister's, then fills it up and takes another drink.
- Wow, this is what we needed - Jay says, amused. - I wonder if I'll live to see you and Sunghoon officially become a couple.
Sullyoon appears next to him, and punches him in the face without thinking. She looks at him with hatred in her eyes, rubbing her sore hand that suffered from that bitter slap.
The youngest sister looks like an entirely different person this evening. Wearing a short, tight dress and heavier makeup, she looks stunning.
Wonyoung looks at her sister with a surprised look, thinking she's hallucinating after drinking, but the real shock is when Niki looks at her from top to bottom, mouth open.
She can't believe this is their sweet dumpling.
- Ouch, little Sullyoon. How nice of you to come back. I've missed you - Jay says, smiling mischievously. - Have you recovered from those memories of pain?
"I hate you so much, I hope you choke!" the girl screams, then shoves the garlic, she had in her purse, into his mouth.
The eighteen-year-old girl looks at him with hysterical eyes, while he chokes on laughter, spitting garlic out of his mouth.
The looks on the other people's faces are priceless.
- Doesn't this look like a lovers' quarrel, little Sullyoon? I can't deny... no one has ever had that idea. I'm really going to miss you - Jay says in a slurred voice, sticking out his tongue, which has paralyzed him.
- Why are you sitting at the same table with this beast?!
The angry, screaming Sullyoon is the VIP version only. Her sisters always said she was a little devil, waiting for a chance to turn on her and show her true colors. No one believed them, until the moment finally came.
" Sullyoon? Are you okay?" Niki is clearly shocked and concerned by her behavior, his eyes widening in shock as she runs a hand through her hair before yelling at him.
- Fine, as long as I don't see you! You and that idiot with the long teeth!
Jay rubs his tongue with his fingers, laughing with his eyes. This is the best night of his life. He's glad he's a part of it, since it could be his last treat before he dies.
Wonyoung is impressed. She drinks another glass of whiskey, doubting that this night will be hers. Undoubtedly, her younger sister will steal the show.
"I'm going to the dance floor, and you... don't even think about joining me!" Sullyoon warns them, heading towards Yuna and Jake, who look surprised by her presence.
They are unlucky because they missed the best performance.
"Is your sister under the influence?" Sunghoon asks Wonyoung, as she sets her empty glass down.
- It's just that the time has come for innocent Sullyoon to nurse a broken heart. She'll show you the horns. You better keep an eye on her - she replies, paying special attention to Niki, as if she was addressing these words to him.
***
At this point, neither of them are sober. The party at the club is in full swing. Even Jay is having a great time, unable to keep the women away from him. He feels like a fish in water, enjoying his last moments in the company of human enemies.
A drunk Wonyoung wants to take Sunghoon to the dance, but Niki won't let her, as he keeps his brother by his side.
- Don't you dare! Don't you lay your hands on him!
- If you don't let me, I won't let you take care of Sullyoon, and I see she's separated from Yuna and Jake. She's dancing by herself!
Niki lets go of her brother, her gaze finding her youngest sister, who is very drunk and has no control over what is happening around her.
- Take it then. Just take good care of it.
The 19-year-old girl smiles broadly, forcibly pulling Sunghoon towards her, who makes worse contact than a fish on land.
She hugs him tightly around the waist, pressing her face against his chest.
"You know... it's a nice feeling to be in love with someone," she says, knowing no limits to her words at this point.
- It's a pleasant feeling to be hugged by the most beautiful girl in the club. I can't see clearly, but everyone envies me - Sunghoon replies in a slurred voice.
Wonyoung feels so good hugging him that, she would rather not let go. They gently sway to the music, their dancing completely out of sync with the heavy rhythms that are now playing on the dance floor.
People are going crazy, jumping and tossing their hair, so these two definitely stand out.
Sullyoon is going wild on the dance floor, not caring that someone is behind her, his hands on her hips. As much as she hated it before, she now ignores it, wanting to let all her emotions out.
Niki, appears like a crouching tiger, catching her prey. She pulls it towards her, giving the man a menacing look. The man lets go, and Sullyoon breaks free from his friend's embrace, glaring at him.
- Get away from me! I'm just playing! I don't want you here! - she shouts at him, pushing him away with her hands. She wants to leave, but he won't let her. He pulls the girl back to him and, hugging her from behind, leads her towards the bathrooms.
Sullyoon yells at her to let go, and when they're in a quieter place where there aren't many people, he turns her around and pins her against the wall. She tries to run away from him, but he won't let her, blocking her with his hands.
- I'm sick of the way you're behaving! - he shouts at her, his eyes expressing rage at this point. The eighteen-year-old girl frowns, and when she looks away from him, he grabs her chin and forces her to look him in the eye. - What kind of tricks are these? You're not yourself at all, at this point!
- What? Does it hurt you that I'm no longer a gray, docile mouse who keeps everything to herself?
- You're just not yourself. You act like you've lost your mind!
- So what? Are you going to kill me for this? Are you going to tear my throat out like you did in your previous life?! - she attacks him, looking at him with tears in her eyes. - I've suffered because of you long enough, Niki! Just leave me alone!
- And you think I don't hate it when you treat me like this? It breaks my heart to think that I'm no longer your safe haven! I was the one who protected you the most! I was the one who always took care of you, and this is how you repay me? Because what? Because I did something cruel in my past life, when I was someone entirely different than I am now? Wake up, Sullyoon. It's me, Niki!
- Yes, it's you, Niki. The man I hate the most in the world! - the girl replies through her teeth. At that moment, all emotions are swirling inside her. Starting with the sight of her death in her previous life, and ending with unrequited love, filled with fear and pain.
- Why did you hate me? Because I killed you in my previous life?
She looks into his eyes for a long time, then replies:
- Mostly because you don't love me the same way I've loved you for a long time.
He leans down and, grabbing the back of her head, pulls her to him, placing the first, unexpected kiss on her lips, one that neither of them were expecting.
This is just the beginning of this crazy night.