It all began with a ringtone that sounded just like a cheerful bubble tea commercial—full of fun and energy.
Haru winced a little as he answered the video call, feeling a mix of excitement and dread.
"Haruuu~!" his mom sang from the screen, waving her hands wildly. "You haven't called in a whole week! Are you eating enough? Are you sleeping well? And—wait—are you famous yet?"
Just then, his dad popped into the frame holding a giant bowl filled with all kinds of snacks. "Oh, and tell your coach that I once played in a band called The Spicy Dumplings. We were very underground, you know! They'll respect that!"
Minju, floating behind Haru, peeked over his shoulder with wide eyes. "Okay, I only saw them for like two seconds last time, but wow… they're really like this?"
"Don't be fooled," Haru whispered back, trying to keep his tone light but serious.
His mom squinted at the screen. "Are you talking to someone?"
Haru froze. "Uh—no. Just stretching my neck."
"Anyway," he said quickly, clearing his throat and trying to shift the focus back. "Things are… okay. Training is really intense, and I'm still alive, so that's a plus."
"Not dead yet!" Minju chimed in with a laugh, clearly enjoying the moment.
"What? What do you mean?" his dad asked, looking a bit confused.
"Nothing! Just a joke!" Haru replied quickly, feeling a bit embarrassed.
He could see his parents exchanging glances, their faces full of concern but also pride. Haru knew they cared a lot about him, even if their questions felt a little overwhelming at times. He took a deep breath and decided to share a little more about his life away from home.
"Training is tough but exciting. I'm meeting new people, and I'm learning a lot. I promise I'm taking care of myself!"
"Good! We want you to be safe and happy," his mom said, her voice filled with warmth.
"Yeah, and remember—we're always cheering for you, buddy!" his dad added, munching on a snack as he spoke.
Haru smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. Even with the distance between them, their love and support made everything seem a little brighter.
After a few more updates and some fussing from his parents, Haru found himself hesitating. He took a deep breath and then blurted out, "Also, I may or may not be haunted."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
His mom tilted her head, clearly confused. "By… ghosts?"
Minju threw her hands up in disbelief. "That's your opening line? You didn't even give it a proper build-up!"
Haru's dad scratched his head, trying to process what he just heard. "Well… at least it's not drugs," he muttered, trying to lighten the mood.
Haru sighed, feeling the weight of the moment. "Look, I got into an accident before all this weirdness started. And ever since then, I can see a ghost. She's… not scary at all. Actually, she's kind of pushy. She really wants me to become an idol."
Minju, clearly excited by the idea, waved at the camera. "Hi!" she shouted, even though no one else could see or hear her but Haru.
"I know it sounds insane," he added quickly, trying to explain. "But she's actually helped me a lot. And somehow, she's stuck to me. Like she can't leave."
His mom stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable.
Then surprisingly she smiled.
"Oh. That makes sense " she said her voice cheerful.
"…Sorry what? " Haru replied bewildered by her reaction.
She turned to his dad her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Should we tell him? "
His dad shrugged looking amused. "Eh he's old enough to handle it. "
"Tell me what? " Haru asked feeling a mix of curiosity and concern.
His parents exchanged glances and Haru could tell they were about to share something important. He felt a knot of tension in his stomach wondering if it was more about the ghost or something else entirely. The air was thick with anticipation as he waited for their answer eager to understand what they were keeping from him.
His mom leaned in resting her elbows on the table. "Haru remember when we lived in Japan? Your grandmother used to run a little shrine. You know that old creaky place near the mountains? "
"Yeah I remember that " Haru replied a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
"Well your grandmother helped people there. She connected with spirits and sometimes even ghosts. She would assist lost souls who were confused or stuck. She always said that this special ability ran in our family — the ability to feel things that most people can't. "
"Like ghost Wi-Fi? " his dad chimed in trying to lighten the mood with a grin.
Minju's jaw dropped in surprise. "Wait. So you come from a ghost-wrangling bloodline? Like a family of ghost hunters? "
Haru blinked in disbelief. "Are you really saying this is… inherited? Like a family trait? "
His mom nodded earnestly. "Yes exactly! You're probably the first one in a few generations to attract a spirit. It seems like this ability has skipped some of us but now it's come back to you. "
"I'm not attracted! I mean—she's not—I mean it's not like that! " Haru stammered feeling his cheeks heat up.
Minju couldn't help but cackle with laughter at his reaction clearly enjoying the moment.
His dad munching on chips looked curious. "So is she cute? The ghost I mean? "
"DAD! " Haru exclaimed feeling even more embarrassed.
"Just checking buddy " his dad replied with a teasing smile clearly enjoying his son's discomfort.
The room was filled with laughter and playful banter making Haru wonder about this newfound family connection to the supernatural.
After the call ended Haru leaned back against his bunk feeling the weight of the conversation settle in his mind.
Minju floated beside him looking completely stunned and surprised.
"Your family has a ghost history? And here I thought I was the only special one! " she exclaimed her eyes wide with disbelief.
"You are special " Haru replied with a small smile. "Just… not because you're dead. "
She puffed her cheeks out in a playful pout. "Still I really liked thinking I was the only ghost with a VIP pass to the other side. "
Haru glanced over at her and chuckled softly.
"You still are. You annoy me more than any spirit ever could " he teased trying to lighten the mood.
"Aw. That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me! " she said grinning from ear to ear.
That night as Haru drifted off to sleep he felt strangely… okay.
Maybe this whole ghost thing wasn't such a terrible curse after all.
Perhaps it was just one more strange piece of who he was.
And maybe just maybe Minju was a part of that new reality for him now.
Even if she had a habit of snoring the lyrics to her favorite Korean pop songs which was pretty funny and a little annoying at the same time.
As he closed his eyes he couldn't help but smile at the thought of having a ghostly friend like her. It made the darkness feel a little less lonely.