Junu smiled. “I think I know what you mean. That’s not so selfish. It seems like a good wish.”
She shook her head and put her mug on the counter. She was suddenly feeling too wired for coffee. “That’s all it is. A wish. It’ll never become reality. I could never leave my mother and Jihoon all alone.”
“I don’t think you give them enough credit. You can all survive without each other for a little while.”
“You wouldn’t understand,” Somin said, shaking her head.
That seemed to darken Junu’s mood. He lowered his eyes. “Perhaps not.”
Had she hurt him? It was so strange, this feeling that he had . . . well, feelings. But it was ridiculous to think her words had any power over him. Still, a guilt rooted deep within her, and Somin hated to feel like she’d somehow hurt someone unless she’d deliberately meant to.
“You’re brave for helping Miyoung,” Somin said, hoping it turned Junu’s mood.
“Where’s that coming from?” Junu asked.
Somin shrugged. “Even though you annoy me, it doesn’t mean I can’t acknowledge when you do something good.”
Junu laughed. “Oh, don’t worry, I don’t need your compliments. I know I never do anything good. I’m much better at being bad.” He winked, and it made her insides squeeze.
“You say that like it’s a good thing.”
“Well, I’ve never heard anyone complain,” he said with a sly grin.
“You know, there are only three kinds of people who are so self-absorbed: assholes, people who are genuinely oblivious, and people trying to hide some kind of pain.”
Junu’s eyes went dark and flat for a moment before he pasted on that megawatt smile again, a hint of mocking to add flavor. “And let me guess. You’ve convinced yourself that I’m the third and that you’re going to save me from my demons.”
“Well, you’re half right,” Somin said, not letting him get to her. “I do think you’re the third. But I’m still trying to decide if you deserve to be saved. Maybe it’s all your fault.”
The flash of indignation was the reward she’d been looking for, but it was followed so closely by a hint of something raw that ate into her fleeting victory.
“What if I asked you?” His voice was smooth as velvet, but there was a strange, serious undertone.
“What?” Somin asked, unsure if she’d heard right.
“What if I asked you to save me?” he said, his eyes so intense they seemed to bore into hers. “Would you consider it then?”
“You can’t be serious,” she breathed, uncertain of where to tread here.
Then the tension broke as Junu gave a wide, reckless grin. “You know me too well.”
Before Somin could reply, the doorbell chimed. Junu started for the foyer, but Somin stopped him. “He can’t know I was here.”
“Stay back here and wait until we leave,” Junu said.
“You won’t tell him what we talked about?” Somin asked, worry creasing her brow.
“I gave you my word,” Junu said. “No matter how foolish I think the request is.”
The doorbell chimed again and again with impatience.
“I’m trusting you,” Somin said, trying to search out any seeds of doubt on his face. But it was placid, unreadable.
“And I’m sure that it’s killing you to do so. Now, if you don’t want Jihoon to know about your little visit, then wait here and stay quiet.”
Somin nodded as Junu walked to the front door.
“Ah, Ahn Jihoon, why am I not surprised to see you?” Junu said as he opened the door, and for a moment Somin thought the dokkaebi was going to give her up.
“I’m coming with you,” Jihoon said.
“I figured as much,” Junu replied. “Well, come on, we’re wasting time just standing here.”
“You’re not going to argue with me?” Jihoon asked.
Somin almost cursed. Junu was being too obvious.
“Well, I could argue, and then we’d waste about twenty minutes going back and forth about the pros and cons of you coming along. Like this is Miyoung’s life and she told you explicitly not to get involved. Or how it would be easier for me to move quickly if I were alone. Or how you have no idea how dangerous this place can be.”
“Those all sound like cons,” Jihoon said.
“Well, I guess you are smarter than I gave you credit for. Come on, then. We’ve already wasted three minutes with this non-argument.”
Somin heard the shuffling of feet, and then the door closed with a chime of notes. And she was left alone, worrying whether she’d made a mistake letting Jihoon go with Junu.