Letting out a quiet sigh, Sihyun lowered the TV volume. He then cast a subtle glance toward the crouched figure below the sofa.
"How do you even know what age I am? I might be a lot older than you think."
"I know," Jaeha replied, tilting his head and leaning back against the soft cushion. "I saw posters wishing you a happy 26th birthday this morning while I was wandering outside."
"Oh."
Sihyun didn't say anything in particular after that and instead turned his attention back to the movie.
Jaeha only stared at him a beat longer, sensing the sudden shift in mood.
The rest of their time passed without much of an issue.
Late in the afternoon, the front door opened and Mr. Kim stepped in, arms full of shopping bags.
"What's all that?" Sihyun asked from the kitchen, noticing the manager who had finally come back home.
"It's the gifts your fans sent to the office," Mr. Kim explained. "There's still plenty in the car and more at the company. I couldn't carry everything back—there were just too many."
Sihyun scoffed dryly, opening the fridge to take out a bottle of water.
"I guess the rumours have died down a bit, since I'm getting all this stuff, huh?"
Jaeha followed closely behind, watching the interaction unfold.
"Now, don't be like that." Mr. Kim offered a small, tired smile. "There are many loyal fans who always believe in you."
"Yes! I saw it myself," Jaeha added brightly, though only Sihyun could hear. "There were sooo many photos of you outside!"
The man took a sip of water, muttering under his breath, "Amazing, putting that much faith in a trashy human. What dedication," he rasped with a sarcastic undertone.
"Now, now. Let's not bring the mood down on such a heartwarming occasion," Mr. Kim chided gently. "Should I order all of your favourite food? Or anything new you want to try?"
"Do whatever."
With that, Sihyun headed to his room and slammed the door shut behind him.
"Ahh… he has such a terrible temper," Jaeha gasped, flabbergasted.
He watched as Mr. Kim anxiously wiped his damp forehead with a handkerchief, exhaling a deep sigh.
Tsk, tsk.
The poor manager looked way too pitiful, having to take care of someone like Sihyun.
"You've got yourself one tough job, but it's okay. Hang in there."
Jaeha pumped up his fist, encouraging the man–even though the latter couldn't even see him.
With one final look at the now-closed door of the master bedroom, Jaeha turned and floated out of the house.
He had somewhere else to be at the moment.
- - -
Sihyun lay in bed, shrouded in darkness.
The only light came from the glow of his phone screen, bathing his face in a soft radiance.
Fortunately, the manager hadn't taken his phone that night.
He must've forgotten or decided to just let it be.
Sihyun glanced around the dark room, eyes narrowed in subtle intrigue.
He hadn't seen the ghost all evening. He'd even gone out of his way to search around the house a couple of times.
"Like I care," he muttered under his breath.
It was a good thing that the ghost was finally gone. Just as he'd wanted.
His phone suddenly buzzed in his hand, drawing his attention.
It was his sister, Haeun.
She had called to wish him a happy birthday.
The siblings caught up on their lives, but they didn't get to talk for long.
Once again, the familiar cries of a baby came through the other end of the line.
It was something inevitable every time they talked.
"Goodnight. Go to my nephew now."
Their call ended as quickly as it had come, and the emptiness returned to the room with a suffocating silence.
That's when he heard a melodic humming sound in the previously still air.
He sat up, straining to listen more carefully.
The sound seemed distant but persistent.
He climbed down from the bed, silently making his way out the door, fully prepared to investigate.
In the spacious living area, Jaeha was leisurely floating through the air, doing playful stunts like a fish gliding through a glassy pond.
He didn't even notice the man walking in with narrowed eyes.
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
Sihyun commented flatly, disapproval leaking through his tone, immediately startling the ghostly figure.