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“Where’s Somin?” Junu asked.

“Her mother just came home. She’s helping with the groceries.”

“Well, why don’t we invite both of them in here? Since we’re having a party now,” Miyoung said sarcastically.

“Tell me about the reaper,” Jihoon said, turning to Junu.

“There’s nothing much to tell. They’re here because of the tear between the worlds. But we’ll fix it before they have a reason to go after Miyoung.”

“That’s why you said we didn’t have much time,” Jihoon said.

“We don’t, but wewillfix this,” Junu said. “I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”

“Then I’m coming with you to find the bangmangi,” Jihoon said.

“What? No,” Miyoung said, standing again.

“Please, let me do this,” Jihoon said, taking her hand in his. “After everything you did for me last spring.”

“Our relationship isn’t a scorecard,” Miyoung said with a scowl. “You don’t owe me anything.”

“No, but I want to do this,” Jihoon said. “There are still people in this world who love you.”

“You can’t use that against me,” Miyoung said.

“What? Me use something against you?” Jihoon said with an easy grin. “That doesn’t sound like me. I’m too charming and easygoing to resort to those games.”

“This isn’t a joke,” Miyoung said.

“Of course it’s not; it’s your life. I take that very seriously.”

“And I’m serious when I tell you that you’renotgoing. And Iwon’t forgive you if you do,” Miyoung said, adding a hard finality to her voice.

“But—”

“Give it up,” Junu said, laying a hand on Jihoon’s shoulder. “I don’t think you’re going to win this one.”

Jihoon shrugged off Junu’s hand, but he didn’t try to argue again.

“I’ll leave in the morning,” Junu said. “Just rest, Miyoung, and don’t worry.”

She looked up at him, and if she didn’t know better, she’d have said she saw sincere concern on his handsome face.

“I’ll stop worrying when we find my bead.”

17

USUALLY IF JUNUwanted to take a trip, he’d just book some luxury tickets on the mode of transportation he wished. Maybe a five-star hotel. A reservation at a nice restaurant if he had the time.

But today he wanted to move quickly, which meant he was traveling light.

He was already annoyed that he had to wake up at such an ungodly hour on a Tuesday. But he supposed this was what he’d signed up for.

He’d already taken his car out of storage—a bright yellow Porsche 911—it begged for speeding tickets, but he loved it. And if he had to travel hours across the country, then at least he’d do it in style.

At the knock on his front door, he opened it to find Somin. Déjà vu struck him from the other night, and suddenly he was remembering what had gone down the last time she’d shown up unexpectedly. He was grateful he didn’t blush or else his pale complexion would have given him away.

“What are you doing here?” he asked. “Want to come along?”