Ava and Kira sat cross legged on the bed, the glow from Kira's small desk lamp making everything look softer than their day actually was.
Kira was typing something on her phone and suddenly said,
"I think we should tell our moms so we can find more clues. Like properly. Not just sneaking around every time something happens."
Ava nodded, picking at the blanket a little.
"That might actually help us. Wait, your uncle Kie, when is he even coming back?"
Kira paused.
"True. I don't know. Are we even sure he traveled? Because his door was open a few days ago"
Ava's eyes widened.
"Are you serious. I do not like that"
Right at that second, a small noise came from the hallway. Something like a drawer closing but too loud for that time of night.
Kira sat up straighter.
"That came from Uncle Jun Seo's room"
Ava grabbed Kira's wrist without even thinking.
"Kira no, no no, I cannot sleep here tonight."
Kira stood up, pretending to be brave but her voice betrayed her.
"Same. Let's go to our moms room right now"
They rushed out, tiptoeing but actually making way more noise than they thought. When they peeked into Jun Seo's door, the whole room looked disturbed, clothes pulled out, papers everywhere like someone had searched through things only moments ago.
Ava quietly whispered,
"Oh no, that is it for me, this house is haunted, I am moving"
Kira grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hallway.
"Come on before you wake ghosts"
They opened Miyeong and Yuri's door at the same time. The moms were already awake, sitting up like they were having late night tea gossip.
"You girls okay" Miyeong asked in Korean accent, sounding more amused than worried.
Kira and Ava answered at the same moment,
"Ne eomma"
Ava added very quickly,
"We just wanna sleep with you guys tonight please"
Yuri looked absolutely thrilled and patted the bed between them like she had been waiting for this moment.
"Come, come, baby girls, climb in"
Ava literally darted into the blanket like she was escaping demons.
Kira went slower but once she lay between both moms, she felt instantly safer, almost like she was seven again.
Miyeong whispered dramatically,
"Girls, do not worry, eomma is here"
Yuri added,
"Monsters do not come when Korean moms are awake"
Ava finally exhaled.
And for tonight, that was enough.
Breakfast Scene
Sunlight warmed the kitchen and both girls pretended they weren't still clinging to their moms emotionally from last night.
Miyeong placed pancakes on the table and smiled too sweetly.
"So how were you girls last night"
Ava stabbed her pancake.
"We slept perfectly fine"
Yuri smirked.
"Of course, because two grown girls ran into our room screaming that there was a monster"
Kira gasped.
"We never said monster"
Yuri nodded like she had proof.
"You said ahhh eomma save us. That definitely sounded like monster"
Ava covered her face.
"That was Kira"
Miyeong leaned in dramatically.
"I heard Ava first. Jinja"
Kira burst into sudden laughter.
"Wah eomma please"
A soft knock came from the front door. Miyeong peeked out the window and her eyebrows flew up.
"Oh, handsome boy is here. Jack ah"
Kira nearly choked on orange juice.
"Wait what"
Miyeong looked directly at Kira like she was announcing national news.
"Kira ya, Jack is so hot rii"
Kira's eyes tripled in size.
"Wah eomma jinja. I cannot believe you will say something like that"
She said it half in Korean because embarrassment took over.
Ava lowered her fork a little harder than necessary.
"Oh, he is here early"
Miyeong opened the door all cheerful.
"Jack ah, breakfast"
Jack gave his shy smile and waved.
"Good morning everyone"
Ava watched how automatically Kira smiled back… maybe a bit too bright. Not flirting, just gentle, but it made something pinch inside her chest anyway.
After eating, Kira automatically followed Jack outside like she suddenly remembered something exciting she needed to say.
They sat on the porch, sunlight on both of them, talking low and steady.
From the window, Ava watched how Kira leaned in slightly, like she only leaned like that for someone she trusted.
And just for one second, Ava felt that weird tension again.
Something she didn't want to think about.
Kira and Jack stepped outside, enjoying the cold air. Jack laughed at something she said and tilted his head—revealing that tiny mark on his neck again.
Kira's eyes widened a little.
That birthmark…
She remembered that same shape.
Something from a memory so old, it almost felt like a dream.
When she was five…
Back in Korea…
There was this boy who visited his aunt every summer.
She used to follow him around the neighborhood like a little puppy (she cringed internally remembering).
She once traced that exact mark with her tiny finger and said,
"When I grow up, I'm going to marry you."
The embarrassing memory hit her like a truck and she swallowed hard.
She whispered under her breath,
"Andwae… could it be…?"
Jack blinked, confused.
"Kira? What's wrong?"
She quickly shook her head.
"Aniya… nothing. Just… old memories."