/Rumi's POV/
Five months have passed since we finally defeated the Demon King, Gwi-Ma. We sealed off the demon realm from the human world once and for all. But just before the barrier—known as the Honmoon—was completed, a few demons managed to slip through.
The Honmoon, powered by the love of our fans—the people who believe in us and our music—still holds strong. But even with our mission seemingly over, a new question lingers:
What happens now?
Simple.
We keep fighting. We hunt down the ones who escaped.
Slash!
"Whoo! I guess that's it for today," Mira said, twirling her weapon before sheathing it.
"I still don't get it," Zoey muttered. "Why are these demons still trying to harvest souls? There's no Demon King left to feed them to."
I wiped my blade clean and replied, "We're not sure yet. But hey, at least this is easier than before. Let's just hope these are the last stragglers. If not…" I smirked, "…we'll just have to keep kicking demon butt."
"YEAH!" Zoey and Mira cheered in unison, fists raised.
This has been our life for the past five months. Demon hunting by day, healing by night. But I know what you're thinking...
Aren't we supposed to be back on stage by now?Didn't we promise a comeback after just three months?
Yeah. We did.
But then... something happened.
I lost my singing voice—again.
"How's that voice of yours, Rumi?" Zoey asked gently.
"I'll be shining, like I'm born to b— Ehm..." I cleared my throat, then winced, placing my hand over it. I shook my head with a soft, bitter smile.
Mira frowned. "I don't get it. We beat Gwi-Ma. You embraced your scars. So why…?"
"Yeah!" Zoey huffed. "This isn't fair!"
I laughed lightly. "Guys, relax. I'm okay. Really."
Zoey crossed her arms. "You say that, but it's been three months."
"Hey, what if we try tonics again?" she suggested suddenly.
"Please don't tell me it's from that grape juice scammer again," I groaned.
"Umm…" Zoey averted her eyes.
I rolled mine. "Unbelievable."
"At least our company's debuting that new boy group soon," Mira said, changing the subject. "They'll take over while you recover."
After I lost my voice, the three of us—along with Bobby—decided to start our own idol agency: Free. We've been building it from the ground up, and our first group is almost ready. Fans are hyped. It's helped take the pressure off.
"You sure you two are okay with this?" I asked. "You could go solo while I try to fix this. I mean it—I wouldn't be mad."
"Solo?!" Zoey shrieked. "Are you kidding me? We started together. We end together. That's what friends do."
Mira nodded firmly. "We promised we'd always be by your side. That hasn't changed."
Their words hit me right in the heart. I really am lucky to have them.
"Oh! I've got an idea!" Zoey suddenly lit up.
Mira and I turned to her.
"Let's visit Celine! Didn't she say there's a place that keeps ancient records about demons and hunters? Maybe there's something in there about your voice… or your past."
"No. No way," I said quickly, the words flying out before I could stop them.
"Huh? Why not?" Zoey asked, blinking.
Mira frowned. "Is it because of your last fight with her?"
I sat down on a nearby bench and let out a deep sigh. "Yeah… that's part of it. But honestly? I just can't face her yet. I've accepted my scars, but when I saw her… the way she looked at me…"
"…Like you were a monster?" Mira finished softly.
I didn't answer. But the silence said enough.
That fight with Celine... I'll never forget it. I saw disappointment in her eyes. And worse—fear.
Mira and Zoey sat beside me, gently patting my back.
Mira spoke first, voice filled with guilt. "When I first saw your scars, Rumi, I panicked. I actually thought... 'Could I kill her?' And I raised my weapon. But the moment I saw your face… I knew I couldn't. I hated myself for even thinking it. I felt like I betrayed you—threw away years of friendship. But then… you risked everything to protect the Honmoon. You stood tall, even when we doubted you. I was so proud. But I still regret it every day."
"Mira…" I whispered.
Zoey added, "Same here. You wanted to tell us. It wasn't you who betrayed us—it was us who betrayed you. And you didn't even get mad. You just smiled. That hurt more. I'm sorry, Rumi."
"We both are."
Tears welled in my eyes. I pulled them into a tight hug. "Thank you… and I'm sorry too."
They hugged me back, even tighter.
"Guys! Can't breathe!" I laughed through the tears.
Mira smiled. "You know… maybe Celine feels guilty too."
Celine… guilty?
"Thanks, guys. But… not yet. I'll meet her when I'm ready."
"If that's what you want," Zoey said. "Mira and I can go this Friday instead."
"Yeah. I've got questions that need answering," Mira added.
"Like what?"
"Well... why did the past protectors keep demons a secret from the world?"
"Ohhh! That too!" Zoey agreed. "And Rumi… aren't you even a little curious about your parents?"
"Even if I am, Celine always says the same thing: 'Your father is a demon, your mother was a great hunter.' That's it. She never tells me more."
"Then we'll get more out of her," Mira said, giving me a playful thumbs up.
"Thanks, you two."
Zoey raised her hand. "Let's get Rumi's voice back!"
"Yeah!" Mira cheered.
"YEAH!!!" Zoey echoed.
Then, with dramatic flair, they both shouted, "RUMIIIIII!"
I burst into laughter. "YEAHHHH!!!"
We laughed together, and in that moment, everything felt right.
Whatever comes next… I'll be okay.
Because I have them.
We are Huntrix, after all.
____________________
/Friday/
"Makeup?" Mira asked.
"Check!" Zoey replied.
"Clothes?"
"Check!"
"Heels?"
"Check!"
"The famous fashion designer Hewtan's grape, pineapple, and avocado perfume?"
"Umm… check?"
I laughed. "Looks like you two are all set."
Mira turned to me. "Don't forget, you've got to prep for tomorrow too—you'll be judging which guy moves on to possibly join the new group."
Zoey grinned. "Aaaaand for the date I booked for you today!"
I sighed. "Didn't I tell you to cancel that, Zoey?"
"You did? Oops—"
Mira crossed her arms. "Rumi, you've rejected over thirty dates. We're all twenty-six now. It's time you got a taste of real life too, you know?"
"Didn't you two reject a bunch as well?"
"Umm…" They both hesitated.
"Well, none of them had good abs," Mira said with a smirk.
"Yeah, and they weren't my type," Zoey added.
I couldn't help smirking.
Zoey scrolled through her phone. "But you were brutal, Rumi. You gave them like one minute each before rejecting them! Lucky the internet didn't roast you for it."
I sighed, looking down at the patterned marks on my hands. "The first thing they always say is about me being this 'famous idol.' They only see me as K-pop royalty. But him…"
A memory flashed through my mind—his voice saying, "I don't think you're a mistake."
"He saw me… for me."
Zoey and Mira glanced at each other, cheeky smiles growing.
"Umm… who?" they said in perfect unison.
Panicked, I blurted, "Ahh! No one!" I quickly picked up their bags and shoved them toward the door. "Now go! Shoo!"
Zoey turned with a sly grin. "Is it who I think it is?"
"W-What do you mean?!"
"Yep," Zoey said confidently. "Definitely him."
"I agree," Mira nodded.
"You two!" I groaned, then sighed softly. "Besides… he's not here anymore."
I glanced out the window, a wistful look in my eyes.
I wish I could see you just once more. Just to say thank you...
"He was the first person to say I wasn't a mistake…"
Zoey noticed my expression and gently said, "He was a good guy."
I smiled.
Mira nudged Zoey with a laugh. "You mean a good demon?"
"Oh, right! Haha!" Zoey turned back to me. "Don't worry about the date, Rumi. I already canceled it. But you do have to make sure those new boys have pretty faces!"
"And good abs! Eight-pack minimum," Mira added.
I laughed. "Alright, alright. Now get going—I'll be fine."
"See you, Rumi! Stay safe!" Zoey waved.
"Make sure to eat well!" Mira added.
"I will!" I waved them off and shut the door.
The house fell quiet.
I looked around, then flopped onto the couch.
"Now then… what should I do?"
Cue couch dive, blanket over head.
Movie time. Then video games.
"Pew pew pew!" I said, mashing buttons.
Eventually, I picked up a book.
"This one Mira recommended… hmm…"
A few chapters in, my face flushed red. "W-What?! How could they start dating when they're enemies? This makes no sense!"
But even I had to admit… something about it felt oddly familiar.
I glanced at the clock. Only two hours had passed.
"Ughhh… I already miss them."
Just then, my hoodie caught my eye.
I stood up.
"Let's go outside."
Marketplace – Late Afternoon
"Ahh… fresh air," I sighed, walking past stalls filled with colorful foods and bright decorations.
Then, something caught my nose.
"…Wait. That smell…"
I whipped my head around.
"Teokbokki!"
I rushed toward the vendor and ordered without hesitation.
As I prepared to eat, I reached for my hood.
"…Wait, there are a lot of fans here."
I spotted a nearby tree and hid behind it, blowing on the hot food before scarfing it down.
Burp.
"That was delicious!" I whispered, pulling my hood back on.
I watched the fans—some waving our lightsticks, others dancing to our old songs—and a bittersweet ache rose in my chest. Their joy, their energy… it all felt so close, yet painfully out of reach.
"I wish I could sing in front of them again…" I whispered, my voice trembling as it faded into the noise of the crowd.
I began to hum softly, letting the melody carry my heartache. Each note felt like a memory, floating into the evening air like a silent prayer.
Then—
A flicker of movement caught my eye. A familiar silhouette. A heartbeat. A presence that shook me to my core.
My breath caught in my throat.
No.
It couldn't be.
"…Jinu?"
The name escaped my lips before I could stop it.
I froze in place.
There—just a few meters ahead—he was walking through the crowd. Same build. Same walk. That same quiet gravity that drew me in like a tide I couldn't resist.
My world narrowed.
Time slowed.
And then—I ran.
I ran, weaving through the crowd—until I accidentally bumped into a man and fell. My hood fell back.
He bent to help me. "Wait… aren't you Rumi from Huntrix?"
People started turning.
"Is that really her?"
"Rumi! Can we get a photo?"
"When's your comeback?!"
I backed up. "I-I don't know…"
"Will there be a new song?!"
"I… uh…"
I tried to look for Jinu, but he was gone.
I have to get out of here.
Then I heard it—a loud HONK.
I turned and saw a young girl in the middle of the street. Her cane had fallen. A huge truck was speeding toward her.
"Oh no!"
I pushed past the crowd. "Please move! Let me through!"
With the truck closing in, I jumped off a nearby light post, grabbed another for momentum, and launched forward.
I ran straight toward the girl, wrapping my arms around her.
Bang!
I gasped for air.
The girl was safe in my arms.
Around us, dust clouded everything.
And then I saw it—
A man, holding the front of the truck with just his bare hands.
He turned, and I froze.
"…J-Ji—?"
He looked panicked. "Pretend you didn't see any of this!"
He ran off before I could reply.
"W-Wait!"
But the dust was too thick. He was gone.
People rushed in to help.
"Did you see that?! Rumi saved her!"
"She's amazing!"
"She's a goddess!"
The little girl tugged at my pants. "Th-Thank you… for helping me."
I smiled, kneeling to wipe the dust from her face. "You're welcome. I'm just glad you're safe."
The crowd erupted into cheers, chanting my name.
But I barely noticed.
My heart was elsewhere.
All I could think about was him.
Night Time — Rooftop of the Huntrix Tower
The city lights sparkled below, casting a soft glow over the skyline.
I took a sip of the soda in my hand, then looked at it with a smile.
"My little Soda Pop" I sang quietly, laughing to myself. "Haha, it really is catchy."
I sat down at the edge of the rooftop, my feet dangling as the cool breeze brushed past me.
My thoughts drifted back to what I saw earlier today.
How are you here? How are you alive?
Why didn't I see your scars? And why…
Why did you look at me like that? Like you were afraid… of me?
My chest tightened.
There were so many questions, but I couldn't stop the way my heart pounded.
Tears began to fall.
"I'm so happy… hic," I said, trying to wipe them away, but more kept coming.
"I'm so happy you're alive, Jinu. I'm so happy…"
"WAHHHHHHH!"
I cried openly, letting it all out under the night sky.
As my sobs faded, I began to hum the melody of the song we once shared. Let the past be the past til its weightless...
And slowly, the tears stopped.
With a small, soft smile, I whispered, "I missed you, Jinu."
Purrrr…
Behind me, Jinu's tiger, Derpy, padded gently across the rooftop, followed by the bird, Sussie.
Derpy lay down beside me, his warm, soft fur brushing against my back.
"Purrr?"
I laughed gently and ran my fingers through his fur.
"I saw him, Derpy… Do you feel him too?"
Derpy lifted his head, gazing out over the city as if trying to search for something.
But after a few seconds, he lowered his head again and closed his eyes.
Fast asleep.
"…Nothing, huh?" I murmured. "I guess I'll have to find him tomorrow. After the selection."
Caw-caw?
Sussie tilted her head at me.
"You'll help too, okay?" I asked.
Caw!
I chuckled.
Lying back gently against Derpy's side, I closed my eyes.
"I know it was you, Jinu… I know it is."
The city below buzzed quietly, unaware of the emotions stirring above.
And as the night embraced me in its silence, I pushed the questions away—for now.
Tomorrow, I would begin my search.
But in that quiet moment, under the stars and neon, as I clung to the warmth of hope—
Something stirred in the shadows.