Meanwhile, Liana and Dewin at Hope Mart were counting storage and checking on what to restock. Dewin was struggling to pull something out of a box and requested the help of Liana. She grasped his hand and gave it a firm pull, but it would not come. With one final pull, it finally came out at last, leaving a small heart shape formed by Dewin’s fingers. Smiling playfully with a glint in his eye, Dewin said, “This is my heart, Liana. It’s yours if you want it, and if you will, I promise to give you the world.” Liana’s face was a mixture of amusement and exasperation, her face clearly saying, not this again. “Dewin, you never learn, do you? I’ve already told you I don’t feel that way. You’re seeking heartbreak.” Dewin’s smile faltered for a moment, but his determination returned immediately. “I know, Liana, but I’ll continue to try not to change you but to let you see how much you mean to me. Even if all I ever have is your special friendship, it’ll be enough for me.” Liana breathed a sigh and shook her head as she strolled away toward the counter. “Dream on, Dewin. Just do not let these dreams hurt you.”
As she left, Dewin whispered to himself, “Dreams don’t hurt; they give me hope.”
They worked, with Dewin’s determination ablaze greater than ever before. Each rejection from Liana only fueled him further, as if a flame that could not be extinguished. He did not see each rejection as the end, but as a chance to try more, to show her the depth of what he felt. Dewin went on dreaming, his heart full of hope, his mind set on the hope of persuading her one day, though that day may never come. For him, the journey of loving her was everything.
The day flashed by Dewin in pursuit of winning over Liana. He tried it all: sweet words, sweeping arm gestures, and the occasional puppy-eyed look, but she wouldn’t move, her heart seeming to be placed in a vault with no key. Night fell over the empty streets as Dewin locked up the mart and made one final attempt for the night: asking her home for a ride. Liana sighed. “I can go by myself.” But Dewin, ever persistent, smiled and said, “If I’m not your boyfriend, at least be your bodyguard. Boyfriend or bodyguard, you get to choose. I can do both, you know.”
Liana slowly shook her head, a smile spreading across her face. “You never learn, do you? Okay. You can accompany me to my home.”
Triumphant, Dewin reached for his keys, but they were stopped by a weird noise, an unnerving, militant chewing, as though something famished fed just beyond the shadows.
Dewin instinctively positioned himself in the shadows behind Liana, grasping her arm. Liana raised an eyebrow. “A moment ago, you were looking forward to being my bodyguard. Now you’re hiding behind me due to a noise?” Uff!
Dewin smiled coyly and put a finger to his lips…shhh…and gestured her forward.
The thin alley before them yawned like a throat, the jagged streetlights casting all around an atmosphere of just a mite eviler. As they edged closer, the tension hung in the air, thick as smoke. Then BAM! The streetlight nearest to them exploded.
Dewin shrieked a sound that was far too high-pitched for a supposed bodyguard and latched onto Liana like a koala in distress. Liana gasped, startled, before giving him a look that screamed, seriously?
She pulled out her phone, its flashlight cutting through the darkness. As the light continued to flow, it focused on the instigator: a dog chewing on a bone with savage frenzy as if its life depended upon it.
They exhaled their relief, yet as Liana shook off the instant, Dewin froze to a stop. Something…something unseen had passed through him.
His skin crawled, and a shiver dug deep into his bones. He looked around, feeling like he was being watched, but there was nothing. “Let’s go,” he said, too freaked out to stay. Liana, catching his unease, nodded, and they made their way quickly back to his motorcycle. The ride to her home was quiet, but by the time they arrived, Dewin’s face had not returned to normal. He still looked… haunted. Liana tilted her head to one side. “You’re really this scared? It was just a dog.”
Dewin shook his head. “No, something happened.”
She smiled, soft and calming. “You’re probably just thinking things. Go home, sleep, and stop watching nighttime horror movies.” She squeezed his arm lightly before going inside, leaving Dewin to his own thoughts and a lingering suspicion that the night had been far darker than it seemed. He went home and soon went straight to bed, burrowing under his blankets.
Time flies fast. A week had passed since Devilin, Kai, and Elara started living under the same roof, their bond evolving into an undeniable friendship. However, beneath the surface, emotions began twisting in directions none of them expected. Devilin had always been the teasing, mischievous thorn in Kai’s side. But somehow, through all the constant pestering, Devilin found himself falling hard. The discovery unsettled him; this wasn’t him, not by any means. Still, in spite of all his efforts to refuse it, his heart continued to whisper the truth: he was completely head over heels in love with Kai. That awkward realization made things unbearable. Avoidance seemed the best option, so Devilin stayed away. Kai, bewildered by this new turn of events, thought Devilin had finally gotten tired of bothering him. Relieved, he turned his attention to Elara, deciding it was time to see if his usual friendly-flirty charm could win him over. But little did he know Elara had already given his heart to someone else. Despite Kai’s attempts, Elara remained indifferent, offering him kindness but never romance. Then came the weekend. Devilin casually said, “I’m heading out for a bit.” Elara, brows furrowing, asked anxiously, “Where to? It’s the weekend.” Devilin shrugged. “Just hanging out at the park.” Something in his tone something in those bright eyes made Elara’s heart jump. This was his chance. One-on-one time with Devilin. He had to go with him. Devilin glanced over at Kai, who sat reading in the corner, then nodded to Elara once, like he was giving permission. Without hesitation, he followed him out the door. Kai barely acknowledged their departure at first. But a strange feeling began creeping in. Why hadn’t they invited him? Why did they leave so suddenly? The restlessness plagued him, pulling him up. His curiosity won, so he followed them behind.
Devilin and Elara, when they reached the park, seemed to enter a different world. Nature surrounded them, flowers blooming as they emerged. A soft breeze carried the scent of spring, intertwining magic with the air. Elara could not have asked for a better moment with Devilin by himself in such a beautiful place. His presence surrounded him, his stunning body, his sharp face, and the gentle way he breathed. He wished time would freeze forever. He had not realized until this moment that he loved him.
Kai, watching from a distance, felt his chest tighten. His breath caught in his throat as he saw Elara look at Devilin like that the way he had wanted Elara to look at him. His fists curled. His heart ached. He had worked so hard to chase Elara, thinking that winning him over would complete him. But now, seeing the way he looked at Devilin, he felt something shatter inside him. He never wanted him. He never looked at him the way he looked at Elara. The discovery pained him more than he anticipated. Kai walked away, not able to endure another moment. His eyes blurred as tears filled them. He walked away from the park in silence, allowing heartbreak to overwhelm him.
Elara and Devilin went back from the park, but they could not see Kai around. Night had set in already, so they are worried about him. Elara called him, but he did not respond. Kai showed up after some time looking sad, and his eyes were swollen. Devilin was anxiously waiting for Kai. Upon seeing him, he just ran towards him and asked him where he was and why he had not picked up the call; they were so worried about him. Upon seeing Devilin worry about Kai, Elara figured out that Devilin was being overly caring to Kai. He just thought the fact that they become friends, so he must be worried, it’s a friendly way, not a romantic way.
Kai: “Why do you worry so much about me? Leave me alone. I want to be alone.” He went directly to his room. Devilin was still looking for Kai until he went into his room. Elara requested Devilin to rest. “I will ask Kai what is happening.” Do not worry.” They went to their room. When Elara knocked on the room door, Kai did not answer. Elara thought he was falling asleep, so he didn’t want to wake him and went to the sofa in the sitting room to sleep, wishing to leave Kai alone.
Devilin went to his room but couldn’t sleep as he kept thinking about Kai. What had happened to him today? Why is he acting so weird? He feels like he is carrying a burden. His teary eyes tell him that he is struggling. But what? Because of this kind of thinking, Devilin was going crazy. His mind was caught up in a storm of ideas about Kai. His teary eyes and his distant attitude—something was troubling him, something he wasn’t saying. And yet, Devilin couldn’t shake the feeling that this concern he had for Kai was more than just friendship; it was something deeper, something undeniable.
Devilin could no longer hold himself back till morning. His heart had guided him before his mind could process. His feet moved instinctively toward Kai’s room. He didn’t bother knocking. “Kai! I’m coming,” he called out as he stepped inside. There he was, lying peacefully in bed, his chest rising and falling in a rhythmic, steady breath. The tension that had gripped Devilin’s heart softened for a moment as he took in Kai’s sleeping form. The way his hair fell over his face was mesmerizing. Devilin knelt beside him, his fingers trembling slightly as they brushed away the strands of hair shielding Kai’s serene expression. His heart stuttered. How had he fought this truth all these times? The realization crashed over him suddenly like a tide against the sand. This wasn’t just worried. This wasn’t just concern. This was love. A love so powerful it terrified him. A love so encompassing that the mere possibility of losing Kai had collapsed utterly.
He breathed softly, a shaking breath; the confession slid out of his mouth in a near-whisper. “What is it about you that does this to me? You are some kinds of prince in a storybook, but more than that you’ve moved into my heart without even meaning to. I kept telling myself, I didn’t love you.” I fought against it, struggled against it, and reminded myself it was just friendship, just concern. But last night, when I thought I’d lost you… I couldn’t breathe.
He stopped, allowing his words’ vulnerability to catch in the quiet air between them. I can’t fight it anymore, Kai. I love you. To the moon and back, beyond reason, beyond restraint. His fingers lingered in Kai’s hair before he leaned against the bedside, his heart finally surrendering to the truth. As exhaustion overtook him, Devilin let himself drift into sleep right there beside the one he now knew he could never stop loving.
The sun streamed in through the windows, flooding Kai’s face with the warm light, rousing him. He was light, unweighted by the burden that had kept him upright the night before. The aroma of food drifted on the air, waking him from his bed. He showered hastily and dashed to the kitchen. There, preparing breakfast, stood Devilin, moving effortless as he stirred and turned things in the pan. Elara sat nearby, his eyes filled with subdued admiration, drinking in the view of him. The air was calm, even cozy, but the moment Devilin turned and noticed Kai, his face lightened in a way that made something within Elara flutter.
“Join us,” Devilin welcomed, smiling softly.
Kai raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “Did you hit your head? Why are you being so sweet all of a sudden? Or.” He leaned in, teasing him. “Have you found your beloved finally?”
Devilin wasted no time. “Yes.”.
Elara’s breath was caught. His heart was racing. Was Devilin talking about him? Hope ran through his veins, lifting him in ways he did not expect. But then Devilin leaned in close to Kai, closing the distance between them. His warm breath on Kai’s ear as he whispered, “Do you want to know who that lucky person is, the one I love most in my life? The ticklish sensation of Devilin’s breath made a shiver run down the length of Kai’s spine without him being able to help it. He took a step back, bumping his head into Devilin’s in the process.
“Ouch!” Kai hissed, rubbing his forehead. “Who told you to stand that close?”
Devilin extended a hand, fingers wrapping around Kai’s hair as worry fogged his eyes. “Hurts? I’m sorry.”
Elara watched it all unfold in front of his, the way the concern of Devilin grew, the way Kai grousing to himself fell so easily under Devilin’s wing. His chest tightened. A dull burn started to grow. He was losing him. He saw it the look that passed between them, the way Devilin stepped around Kai without a second glance. And then Elara understood. He had not said the words, had not even dared to say, and yet, there, in that moment, it was clear that he had waited too long.
Elara swallowed down his emotions, forcing himself to smile as he picked up his fork. If Devilin had already given his heart away, then maybe it was time for Elara to bury his own feelings.
Elara’s world collapsed in that instant. The air turned heavy, suffocating. His vision blurred, not just from the relentless stream of tears but from the sheer weight of reality crushing his chest. His breath came in short, ragged gasps, as though his own body rejected the truth it had just been forced to swallow. Kai’s hands on his arms did nothing to steady him how could they? When the ground beneath his feet no longer felt like his own. “No,” Elara breathed, his voice hardly audible on the thin air as he fought to speak, captive of the quiet that followed on the heels of the unbearable news. He shook his head desperately, as if denial could rewind back the time, turn fate around, and blot out what he had heard. Every beat of his heart was agony, thudding against his ribcage like it was trying to break free. He was drowning in the pain of grief, gasping for the bitter reality that Devilin, his Devilin, was fighting for his life in a hospital. Elara staggered, his body faltering under the weight of despair. His knees buckled, and Kai had to hold him up. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t breathe. He could not be in a world where Devilin wasn’t there. And then he ran out for the hospital.
Kai was about to follow Elara, but he just stopped, seeing that the phone rang and the name in the contact. Who’s calling? It is written as Kai’s father. Kai’s trembling hand reached for the phone and picked it up without saying anything. His father’s voice…a voice he had not heard in so long. “Hello, Elara, son. How are you? I just learned of the accident of your parents. Sorry about that, but I called to tell you that Kai is dead.” It’s his 2-week death anniversary.”
The phone slipped from his hand, hitting the floor with an empty clang, but he barely remembers it. His mind whipped back to that night, drawing him into the accident: the tires’ shrieking, the lights’ blinding glare, and the stomach-churning crunch of metal on metal. He had died. Two weeks ago. But then. How was he here? How had he walked through the streets, felt wind and touch, spoken, breathed, and lived? A horrific realization crept in. He wasn’t alive. He never was. He was just a fragment of longing, a whisper of desperation given shape. A dense, oppressive terror surrounded him as he reached for the phone again, needing to confirm, needing something solid to hold onto. His trembling hand stretched out to it but passed through it. Like smoke. Like nothing. He reeled back, his heart, or what remained of it, beating wildly inside his vacant chest. His shape. His presence. An illusion. His knees gave way, a strangled sound tearing from his mouth as he whirled toward the door, in the direction Elara had left just seconds before. Would Elara notice? Would he feel my absence? Or would I simply vanish? Considering this kind of thing, he turns to the window mirror. His reflection in the dark window stared back, except the more he looked, the less human it seemed. Its face contorted, flickering like a candle flame on the verge of extinction. “No. No. No, I can’t fade away like this.” Kai screams.
Devilin had dug too deeply. The truth he had uncovered was darker than he might have imagined. Elara’s parents had not died in some terrible accident. They had been murdered, arranged to the final detail, like pieces moved from the game board. And Devilin had the key to the puppet masters behind the scenes. His heart pounded against his chest as he held the proof in his hand, a little flash drive containing damning proof. Enough to tear the entire operation in half. Enough to see justice served. They were aware, though. He could feel it in the quiet hanging over his ears, in the way shadows twisted across the other side of the alleyway. The moment his own foot slid on the loose stone; he knew his time was up. Strongly, he flew from his lips as he fell forward, flash drive in place within behind the heel of his boot. The sound of hasty footsteps echoed closer in his ears. Faster. A harsh, unyielding hand closed around his collar and yanked him back. Cold metal against his temple. “Should’ve stayed your nose out of it, officer,” a voice snarled, venom dripping from the words. Devilin gulped hard, forcing himself to meet the dark eyes blazing up at him. Fear clawed at his chest, but he hid it behind steel resolve. He takes his course and sprints down the road. They’re behind him when he hits the road. His vision was blinded by the car light, and it hit him. He did not see anything and hit the road. He only realized who was following him. They step back and then all went black.
Elara was so desperate to see Devilin he did not know how his legs carried him, only that he had to get there, to see him, to make sure it wasn’t so. But fear gnawed at his belly, whispering worst-case scenarios: “What if he never opens his eyes again? What if I never hear his voice say my name”? Pondering over such things, he has been running along the road like mad.” When he was about to cross the road, it was a red light, so he got in an accident. He was taken to the hospital.
Devilin stayed in the endless space, peering into the void of darkness, when one spotlight abruptly broke through, casting down on a familiar figure with his back turned to him. His heart clutched in anticipation.
“Kai?” Devilin’s voice shook as he took a step forward. “Is it you? Where are we”? Slowly, Kai turned, and his face was still impassive. Devilin’s breath caught. Bewildered by relief and a spate of long-held emotions, he pushed on, wrapping his arms around Kai in a close hug. He buried his face against Kai’s shoulder, holding on as if he would disappear again. “I missed you so much,” Devilin whispered. “I love you. I’ve always loved you.”
Kai remained stiff, unresponsive. Devilin stepped back, confused, searching his face for even the hint of warmth. Kai let out a sigh, folding his arms. “Do you even know what happened to you?”
Devilin shook his head. “Yes, I do! I…” And then his mind stuttered, memories fluttering like broken movie film. The chase. The gang. The car was speeding him away. His hand traced his body instinctively, feeling for hurt. There were none. His stomach dropped. His breathing stilled. Kai’s lips stretched into something close to sympathy and laughter. “You’re dead.” Nothing. Then Devilin’s eyes expanded. “YAYYYY! I can finally be with you! This is the best. Wait… Why do you look like you’re ready to slap me?” Kai rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Are you sure you still have a brain? How is it that you’re happy to be dead?” Devilin shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe because I’m now with you? That sort of makes everything else pale into insignificance.”
He paused. “Wait. Does that mean you’re dead too?”
Kai rolled his eyes. “Oh, wow, congratulations, you solved the mystery.”
Devilin’s smile slightly faltered. “I… I knew. I don’t know when I fell head over heels for you. But I got your information a week ago and learned that you are dead. I tried to brush it aside. Do you recall that time when I avoided you? I avoided you not because I was frightened of the truth, but because I had no idea how I could love someone who wasn’t even alive. His voice softened. “But my heart does not hear boundaries, rules, or logic. It wants what it wants.”
Kai glared at him for a moment before shaking his head in frustration. “Elara loves you, doesn’t he?” Devilin’s expression softened, a warm smile slipping into his eyes. “Yes. We settled that thing when we went to the park. He knows my heart belongs to you.” His smile crumpled, his mind adrift. Then, his face turns grim. He recalled all about the investigation, the danger looming over Elara.
“Elara’s in danger. I have to go back to protect him.” Kai raised an eyebrow. “Not to break it to you, but you are kind of… a ghost now?”
Devilin barely heard him. He turned, his gaze locking onto the image before him: his own body, pale and motionless on a hospital bed. Determined, he lunged forward, pushing with every fiber of his being. But his hands passed right through.
Kai clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Yeah, that’s not going to work.” Devilin glared at him. “Thanks, super helpful.” Kai smirked. “Well, at least we’re in the same mess.”
Kai stumbled backward, gasping as the world warped about him. He had been goading Devilin, pushing and shoving, but when Devilin pushed with force, Kai staggered, and before he could even process what was happening, he was inside Devilin’s body. “What the…” Kai gasped, looking at his hands, his body, and his image in the mirror. Devilin’s soul stood beside him, arms crossed, smirking. “Okay, so apparently God just doesn’t want us to be together or something.”
Kai blinked, then scowled. “You think? Is that a cosmic joke?” Devilin shrugged. “No time for wasting. Protect Elara! The evidence is in my boot heels.” Kai shook off his confusion in an instant. He grabbed Devilin’s entire equipment, threw on Devilin’s jacket, and rushed toward the police station. Once the flash drive was retrieved, the police wasted no time. A mission was launched to storm the criminals’ hideout. Kai fought alongside them, his instincts sharp, his movements undeniably Devilin. It was strange; he felt like an imposter, but at the same time, the body responded to him like it had always been his. The majority of the gang had already been caught when it was all over. The boss, however, had fled overseas. But the remaining members cracked under interrogation.
“Elara’s parents accidentally saw our dirty business,” they confessed. “So, we killed them. We tried to kill their son too many times, but we failed. When he was returning from the funeral and tried to kill when he was home alone, we thought, He made our plan fail.” Pointing to Devilin.
Kai swallowed hard, the weight of the confession settling deep into Devilin’s chest, his chest. The victory was a bitter one. After all, he rushed home, seeking, waiting. “I did it… Did you see? Kai breathed softly, searching around. Silence. No sign of Devilin. His chest hurt with a hollowness. He shifted awkwardly, gazing at the window, praying and hoping that Devilin Soul would show, teasing him once again. But all he got was the eerie hum of the night. Kai sighed, sitting onto the couch, clutching one of Devilin’s soft toy (Lion). “You better not be ditching me for the afterlife party, dummy.”
Meanwhile, in the hospital, Elara’s heart rate increased, the machines shouting into wild beeps as Liana desperately attempted to call the doctor. Chaos consumed the room as the medical team fought desperately, but in the end, the inevitable caught up with them. The doctor took a mournful breath, turned to Liana and Dewin, and uttered the words they never wished to hear. “He’s gone.” The air shattered. Liana tumbled into tears, clutched Dewin, who trembled, his throat too tight to scream. The heavy weight of grief squeezed them, pressing down on their chests like a clamp. Liana, in broken sobs, called Kai. “Elara… he didn’t make it.”
Kai (Devilin) did not hesitate. He rushed down the corridors of the hospital, panting, desperate, not that he minded he almost pushed a nurse aside as he ran with urgency. Rushing into the room, he found Elara pale and motionless body. A sobbing cry escaped his lips as he rushed toward Elara, holding him like he could stop him somehow.
“Wake up! Came back! You can’t leave me please!
Dewin and Liana stiffened at the unfamiliar figure hunched over their friend. Suspicion flickered in their eyes, mouths parting to demand answers but some sound stoppered them.
“Leave me. I’m choking.” Elara’s voice.
The three of them froze, gaping as Elara squirmed in Kai’s crushing hold, attempting to breathe.
Liana pointed at Devilin with trembling fingers. “Who… who are you?!” Kai, still in shock, loosened his hold as Elara coughed, rubbing his sore neck.
“Elara, do you know him?” Liana asked hesitantly, pointing toward Devilin. Elara blinked, then responded blank, “Obviously, it’s Devilin.”
Silence.
Dewin exaggerated a face. “Oh, you know him, but not us?! We are the ones who run your mart. Huh? We should be sulking. We won’t talk to you.” Elara smiled. “Joking! How could I forget you two? You’re my friends. My family.”
Relief thawed frozen tension, laughter dispersing the fragments of terror. Even the doctor, now just as perplexed, checked Elara for the last time before nodding reluctantly. “He’s stable. He can go home.”
Eventually, Devilin and Elara limped home together, each supporting the other’s battered frame. When at last they reached home, Devilin took a deep breath, turned to Elara, and spoke. “Kai… he died two weeks ago.” Elara froze. The effect of those words struck deep, tearing a sob from his eyes. His childhood friend was dead. It wasn’t true. It couldn’t be. He shook, holding on to the fabric of his sleeve as if it could stem the tide of sorrow. Devilin moved forward, eyes subdued, and embraced Elara tightly. “I love you.” Elara came to a standstill. His head spun. Devilin… loved him?
“But…” he swallowed, searching for Devilin’s eyes. “You told me you love Kai. Not me. Are you Teasing me? Any kind of trick?” Devilin’s laughter was strained, his voice shaking. “At the park, I was teasing you. Trying to make you fall for me more.” Elara gasped. His cheeks blushed like tomato. He did not expect that.
Dewin: “Wow, what a lovely view. Devilin, you are so bold. Would Elara accept your proposal? Did you win him?
Liana laughed. “I think he’s won anyway. See, Elara! Blushing hard like a tomato!” Elara pouted, shielding his blushing cheeks with his hands. “I hate all of you for teasing me.” Devilin smiled, drawing him in. “Nah. You love me.” And he kissed his forehead softly.
Dewin grinned, leaning in close enough to cause Liana’s pulse to falter. “So,” he breathed, his eyes glinting with good-natured teasing, “when will you finally accept my proposal? Or shall I wait for you in another life?
Liana scoffed, crossing her arms. “Maybe if you stop making everything a dramatic confession.”
Dewin grinned, tapping his chin. “That’s noted. Though, if being extra gets me closer to winning your heart, I’m afraid I have to keep going.”
Liana rolled her eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
And yet, you haven’t told me to stop.” He smiled, moving closer. “Interesting,” Dewin said. Elara requests them to settle down tonight here, and from the bottom of his heart, thanks them (Dewin and Liana).
Meanwhile, in the hospital corridor, in the flowing light, stood a figure in cluelessness. He was Elara’s spirit. Elara’s spirit glided smoothly through the golden haze, warmth from the figures ahead, his parents, arms outstretched. Their eyes shone with love, unchanging with years, unfaded by sorrow. He let a sigh of relief escape him as he reached out his hand, his fingertips grazing theirs. The embrace was light, weightless, but heavier than anything he’d ever known. They were together again. Hand in hand, slowly, they melted into the light and faded away.
The End
Don’t waste time on the meaningless things; get to the point of what really matters. Life is full of surprises, so live each moment with passion and purpose.
