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“You know I can’t let you go there.”

“If my mother doesn’t find a solution, I don’t have much time left. Think of it as my dying wish.” She wouldn’t tell Junu the real reason. That if there was no way to save Miyoung, then maybe she could save another. Maybe this was the best choice. She already felt like a restless ghost. And Jihoon and Halmeoni were her unfinished business.

“Gumiho don’t get dying wishes.”

“This one does. I don’t want to be here or in Hong Kong or wherever else she thinks she can find answers. I just want to go home.” Miyoung let her voice lower in a plea, let herself look desperate. What was pride to a dying gumiho?

“There’s a flaw in your plan,” Junu pointed out. “Your mother would never approve of this.”

“That’s where you come in,” Miyoung said with a sly grin.

Junu laughed, shaking his head. “It’ll cost you.”

“I assumed.” Miyoung lifted a brow, waiting for Junu to debate his loyalties.

The dokkaebi shoved the rest of the bread in his mouth and dusted off his hands. “I’ll start packing.”

43

THE DOCTORS KEPTJihoon in the hospital for a few days. They ran tests, took blood, poked, and prodded. No new diagnosis. No new solution. So they discharged him.

Somin rushed around the room, making sure nothing was left behind as Jihoon took his time pulling on his sneakers. It hurt to bend down, but it felt good to be wearing his own clothes.

“He wasn’t here that long. There’s nothing for him to leave,” Somin’s mother said.

“What if he forgets his phone?”

“It’s right here.” Jihoon lifted his cell in the air, sharing a look of mutual exasperation with Ms. Moon.

“What about your charger?”

“Here.” Ms. Moon held it up.

This was his friend’s coping mechanism. If she could fuss over Jihoon, she would worry less. As Somin checked under the bed for the third time, for what, Jihoon didn’t know, Detective Hae walked in.

Ms. Moon straightened in her chair, lifting her hands to smooth her hair. “Hello, Detective Hae,” she said sweetly.

“Soohyun-ssi.” He greeted her with a nod, and she blushed at his use of her name. It had taken him almost a month to stop calling her Somin’s eomeoni. “Jihoon-ah, you look ready to go.”

“Ready for a while.” Jihoon gave a pointed look at Somin, who opened the bathroom door to check inside.

“Somin-ah.” Detective Hae took her shoulders. “The nurses have the instructions for Jihoon’s medication, why don’t you go get those?”

She nodded, grateful for the task.

“Detective, you’re always able to get things in order. It’s a remarkable skill,” Ms. Moon said. “I would love to have you over for dinner, to thank you. How about tomorrow night?”

Jihoon was grateful Somin had stepped out. Seeing her mother flirt would be awkward; of course, it wasn’t fun for Jihoon either.

“I’d be honored, but I have a church event.”

“Your faith is admirable,” Ms. Moon said. Jihoon let out a snort and received a flick from her.

“I’m free now,” Detective Hae offered.

“Free for what?” Somin asked, returning with a packet of instructions.

“Just coffee,” Ms. Moon said. “Why don’t we go to the café on the corner while we wait for Somin to scour the room one last time.”