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Three months after Taehyung and his family moved into the apartment, a ghost appeared outside of its door.
Taehyung, who just got home after hanging out with his classmates, froze in his tracks. The ghost was a boy his own age, with a tumble of thick hair and a short blade of a nose. He was walking toward Taehyung's apartment with a grace that was both innate and learned. A dancer, just like Taehyung.
Having noticed Taehyung, the boy also paused. For a moment they stared at each other across the length of the corridor. Taehyung held his breath. Would the boy fade away like smoke? Or would he morph into a clawed, saw-toothed thing that pounced?
Instead of doing either, the boy spoke in a muffled but perfectly audible voice, "You like lemon soda?"
It was obvious what prompted this question: the can of lemon soda jutting out from the side pocket of Taehyung's backpack. He had bought it at the convenience store next door. The promise of drinking cold sweet beverage had seemed like the brightest point in his evening - until the boy showed up.
Taehyung dug into his memory, trying to recall the positions of the corridor's security cameras. If he wasn't mistaken, the spot he was standing on fell outside of the cameras' coverage area. At least he wouldn't attract attention for talking to thin air.
"Strawberry soda's tastier, but they've run out of it," he confided.
"Huh," the boy said. "That sucks. Hope you'll get it next time." With an apologetic half-bow, he took a step back. "I'll be gone now. Sorry for bothering you." And with that, his outline blurred, and he vanished.
***
By Sunday afternoon standards, the public park wasn't crowded, allowing Taehyung to skateboard freely around it. The air was crisp with the promise of winter, and the wind blew his hair back from his forehead. On reaching the walkway by the Han River, he slowed down, going without hurrying past tourists and other skateboarders.
This was his fourth month living in Seoul. After the initial disorientation of moving to the country's biggest city, he adapted fast enough so that his grades didn't have time to suffer. His school's dance club never got enough funding, but neither was it ever in danger of being shut down, so it was all good.
From the opposite direction, several bikers cruised along toward him. Two of them chatted with each other, while the rest rode their bikes in silence. Taehyung was beginning to look past them when he recognized the boy from the corridor.
He skidded to a halt, nearly spraining an ankle in his haste. The boy, too, braked and stopped. In the flesh, he was both startlingly ordinary in his pullover and black jeans, and strikingly beautiful. To see such a good-looking person in the flesh was more unsettling than when Taehyung thought he was a ghost.
"Hey," the boy said.
Taehyung tried not to swallow. "You, uh... you're not dead?"
"Dead? What gave you the impress - Oh." The boy laughed. "No, I'm pretty much alive. See, my feet are on the ground."
"How did you do - what you did the other night? What kind of ability is that? How could you hear and talk to me? Why my apartment?"
At his rising voice, two women who were strolling past glanced at him. The boy pressed a finger to his full lips, and Taehyung clamped his own mouth shut. As if on cue, they moved aside and away from the foot traffic. As the boy adjusted his bike's handlebars, Taehyung found his eyes drawn to his movements, eager for more glimpses of a fellow dancer.
"I'm Park Jimin," the boy said. "Seventeen this year. My family used to live in that apartment when I was younger. I was feeling nostalgic, so I dropped by. Usually no one was around in the corridor at that hour."
"Kim Taehyung, seventeen. Just moved to Seoul from Geochang - my dad got transferred to his office's main branch."
"Nice to meet you again, Kim Taehyung."
Now that they were past the obligatory intros, Taehyung's excitement grew. "Where do you go to school? Are you in the dance club? So am I! How do you transport yourself to the apartment? Is it hard?"
Jimin waved toward the benches by the walkway. "Talk over there?"
Clouds spread like gray brush strokes across the sky as they sat down. From his backpack, Taehyung took out a fruit bar. He offered half of it to Jimin, happy that he could share a snack with this intriguing boy. For a full minute they munched contentedly, enjoying this moment of apple-flavored peace.
"All right," Taehyung said. "I still have so many questions. First off, what is that ability you have?"
"It's called projection. My family inherits it at random. In this generation, that random person happens to be me."
Using the ability, Jimin projected an image of himself onto a certain location that he'd visited before. He never used it to harass others; it was mostly a way to stave off boredom or satisfy his curiosity. His projection's five senses functioned half as well as his physical body's did, which was why he'd been able to converse with Taehyung.
"I asked about the lemon soda to distract you," he admitted. "To prevent you from freaking out. Even if you didn't look like you were going to scream."
"Because." Taehyung's eyes sparkled. "A ghost who's also a dancer, like me? Too awesome! How long have you been dancing?"
A radiant smile illuminated Jimin's entire face. It was easily one of the most uplifting things Taehyung had ever seen. "Since elementary school," Jimin said. "That makes it seven years - I'm in an arts school now. You?"
"Public school. Been dancing for four years. It started out as a way to fill the time, but now it's become my main hobby."
It was Jimin's turn to share a snack - a bar of nougat - as they exchanged further personal details. Jimin's parents owned a thriving construction company. Taehyung's mother ran an online shop for preloved items, mostly clothes. Dancing had been Jimin's passion for years, to the point that he wouldn't mind making a living from it.
More people came and flowed around the park. To Taehyung's ears, their voices were a pleasant background to Jimin's soothing tones. He was thinking that he could listen to all these sounds forever when Jimin got up.
"Gotta go home now," he said. "I promised my mom to help her prepare dinner. See you around?"
"Tonight!" Taehyung shot to his feet. "Um, I'll text you tonight. If that's okay?"
"Sure," Jimin said, looking faintly alarmed at the outburst. Then he smiled, a sight which Taehyung was already starting to miss. "I've finished all my homework for tomorrow, so call me anytime."
***
After two weeks of LINE convos about dancing, regional pride, mobile games, and a lunch together, one night Taehyung flew up to Jimin's bedroom window and knocked.
Jimin slid the glass panel open, his eyes wide with astonishment. Taehyung was floating three meters above the ground. kicking his feet lightly back and forth. At Jimin's expression, Taehyung stopped kicking, and beamed with the glee of someone who'd brought a gift and enjoyed the reaction.
"When you said you'd come over..." Jimin murmured.
With a chuckle, Taehyung pointed at a camellia bush on Jimin's front yard. "My shoes are stored right there - wouldn't want to track mud all over your floor."
Ducking his head, he glided across the windowsill. Jimin shut the window, his gaze following Taehyung closely. "That's why you were unbothered that I have an ability," he said. "Because you've got one yourself."
"Projection's cooler than flying, though," Taehyung declared. "You get to go anywhere without physically crossing the distance."
"But it gives me a headache, so I don't do it much."
"Same here! Flying for more than ten minutes tires me out, like I've run laps around the field track. Just now, I started flying only after I reached your gate so no one would see me."
The early twentieth century had seen the first wave of humans being born with extra abilities. No one knew exactly what had caused this; the most popular theory was that the parents had been unwittingly exposed to secret government experiments. These abilities were mostly non-lethal, and so far hadn't ignited any large-scale revolution or influenced the tides of wars by themselves; to Taehyung, a tiny, blessed miracle. Ability owners tended to keep the secret to themselves, since a lot of people disliked being reminded of these vaguely ominous genetical differences.
"By the way," Taehyung said, "if you can fly like me, would you want to?"
Jimin pondered on the question. "I guess? I'm not afraid of heights or anything, and the view from up there must be amazing."
His room was large and sparsely decorated. Clothes and a white board scrawled over with reminders hung on the pale blue walls. Books, stationery, earphones, and action figures were strewn across the desk. Amidst all this, the vintage-style poster of a local dance troupe stood out like a time capsule object.
Noticing Taehyung's interest in the poster, Jimin cleared his throat. "They're having an audition next Saturday," he said. "And I'm going. The club advisor supports me, but he also warns me there are only a couple of spots available."
"Oh. Good luck, though!"
For an instant, Jimin's face darkened. "I... really want to pass that audition. But I also need to be realistic about it, since the most talented dancers in Seoul will be there."
"I'm, er, sure things will work out for you," Taehyung offered. Then he felt a little embarrassed; platitudes are such an inadequate, almost impolite, response when someone opens up about their dreams.
However, Jimin seemed to find nothing wrong with the response. "Thanks," he said. "Hey, my parents won't be back until ten, and my brother's staying over at a friend's place. Want to do a little practice?"
Downstairs, they pushed chairs and table to the walls, creating a bigger space in the middle of the living room. They began by comparing their schools' club programs and their own interests. Being in an arts school, Jimin had learned a wide range of dance styles. In his spare time, he liked doing freestyles on his own.
"Me too!" Taehyung exclaimed. "Usually with another club member - she's great at freestyles. And now there's you!"
As he'd hoped, his enthusiasm made Jimin smile. "There's you for me now too. I'm so happy you're here," he said, and - somewhat to his alarm - Taehyung felt a blush warm up his cheeks.
Following the beats of a popular song playing on Jimin's phone, they skipped, leaped, and did lowkey popping and locking around the living room. Exhilaration coursed through Taehyung's body with every passing second, faster than when he danced with anyone else. He also noted the powerful swings of Jimin's arms and legs, and how he tried to match Taehyung's more spontaneous moves. He considered matching Jimin's moves as well, then an idea occurred to him.
At one point, Jimin stepped close to Taehyung, one arm outstretched. Taehyung reached out his own arm, fingers splayed open and directly in front of Jimin's palm. Jimin looked bewildered, and Taehyung was worried - that Jimin either didn't understand or considered this a breach of personal space.
The next second, Jimin grasped Taehyung's fingers. In reflex, he grasped Jimin's fingers back, and they stopped dancing. The song came to an end and the next one started; but instead of dancing along, they grinned at each other, feeling both silly and fulfilled.
Then Jimin let go of Taehyung's hand - almost snatched his away. His expression was tight with doubt, sending a twinge through Taehyung's heart. On impulse, he took both Jimin's hands in his.
"Thanks, Jimin!" he said. "That was a lot of fun!"
"Really?" Jimin looked taken aback. Not because, Taehyung thought, he hadn't believed it was fun; more like he hadn't expected the fact to be blasted out at him like a fire alarm.
"Definitely!" Beaming, he released Jimin's hands. "We should do it again soon. At my apartment? Anytime you're free!"
The doubt vanished, replaced by delight so open, so unbridled, that Taehyung was struck with wonder. When was the last time he'd brought so much joy to someone who wasn't his family? And this was Jimin, whom Taehyung was beginning to think of as a very special person. Why? Because he was a terrific dancer, and he also had an ability - and more.
Taehyung couldn't tell yet what that more meant. Neither did he care, since he could figure it out later. What mattered now was that he had given Jimin joy, and it flooded him with so many emotions that his chest ached.
"How about we meet next Sunday?" Jimin asked. "Who knows, I might have good news from the audition, so we can celebrate. I still have some money left from my birthday - I can take you on a cafe date!"
Taehyung's heart skipped a beat. "A cafe... date?"
"Uh-huh. All you gotta do is pick a place with lots of good food."
Unlike Taehyung, Jimin didn't seem fazed in the slightest. As though going on a date was a matter of course for them. Or was it? A swarm of butterflies flitted around inside Taehyung's stomach; the entire week stretching out before him suddenly felt three times as long.
Then Jimin laughed, breaking the tension. "But that's getting ahead of myself, isn't it? First I have to pass the audition. Now, how about another round of freestyle?"
***
According to the schedule, the audition ended at five p.m. It was almost six and still no word from Jimin. A mixture of dread and sorrow was growing inside Taehyung, and with it the despair of certainty. He checked the dance troupe's social media accounts, but there were no announcements about today's audition results.
He opened LINE and typed: Hey. You okay? I'm here if you need to talk. Just want you to know that.
His message was marked as read, then nothing. Feeling hemmed in by the apartment walls, Taehyung put on his jacket and went to the convenience store next door. On the way there, his phone vibrated a couple of times, but the messages were from his classmates.
While Taehyung was scanning various brands of potato chips, Jimin's reply arrived. Didn't make the cut, it said. He didn't elaborate, and Taehyung didn't need him to, either. Simply delivering the news might have already been painful enough for Jimin.
If you're free now, can you come over? Taehyung asked.
He braced himself for rejection, but Jimin wrote back immediately: Give me half an hour. You got something in mind?
Yeah. You'll see!
Satisfied, Taehyung returned to his apartment. Half an hour later, Jimin's message came: In the corridor. Taehyung ushered him in and introduced Jimin to his parents, who were glad that Taehyung was making friends outside of school. Then Taehyung took Jimin to his room.
"How do you do projection?" he asked. "Do you need a few minutes first, or can you project yourself just like that?"
"No, it doesn't take long. All I need to do is focus on the location, and that's it."
"Then can you check if the rooftop is empty?"
Jimin closed his eyes. Taehyung watched as Jimin's breathing slowed and his shoulders relaxed. For an instant, his outline shimmered, then solidified again. Slowly Jimin's eyes fluttered open, then grew sharp.
"Empty," he said.
"Great! Now we go up there."
Upon reaching the building's top floor, they climbed the stairs leading to the rooftop. Taehyung took out the key he'd borrowed from his parents and opened the rooftop door. The two of them stepped out into an expanse of weather-worn tiles surrounded by wire fences two meters high.
Jimin cast a glance around them, fascinated. "My family lived here for five years, but I've never been to the rooftop," he admitted. "My parents were afraid my brother and I would do something on a dare, like climb the fences. They'd probably give us permission if we'd been older."
Taehyung went to stand in front of Jimin. When Jimin looked at him, Taehyung pointed at his phone, then clicked rapidly on the screen. From the speaker, Andy Williams began to sing "Moon River".
A tiny frown of confusion crossed Jimin's forehead. Taehyung put the phone back in his pocket, then held out his hand with a smile.
"Park Jimin, may I have this waltz with you?"
Jimin blinked, looking hesitant, during which brief second Taehyung's world hung in the balance. Then the moment passed, and Jimin took Taehyung's hand. His own smile bloomed, like a flower opening petal by petal.
"Don't tell anyone," he whispered, "but waltz is one of my favorite dances ever."
"Mine too," Taehyung replied. "Maybe that's why we'd met in the corridor that day."
Under the gentle moonlight, they danced across the rooftop. Swaying in rhythm together, swirling, arms on and around each other, their shoes quietly tapping on the tiles. No one came to the rooftop to disturb them; not even a car horn blared from the streets below. They were in a world of their own, the way Taehyung had dreamed of this dance earlier.
The dance that was by far the best one of his life, that he would never, ever forget - and he fervently hoped Jimin felt the same.
When Andy Williams sang his final moon river and me, Taehyung's arm tightened around Jimin's waist. "Get ready."
"Huh? For what?"
"Well, you said you're not afraid of heights. And you want to see the view from up there?"
Understanding dawned on Jimin's eyes. He gave a thumbs-up, and Taehyung inhaled deeply, concentrating. There was a small, familiar tug inside his head, followed by the sensation that his bones were growing translucent.
Then they were up and floating above the tiles. Jimin gasped, pressing himself against Taehyung, and Taehyung was stunned at how comfortable - how right - it felt. As if they were meant to be like this, their curves and contours fitting into one another. When Jimin turned his head, he didn't bump his face into Taehyung's shoulder; instead, their gazes met right away.
Taehyung gave him a elated grin. "So? Any comment about your first flight?"
"I'm... still adjusting. Not having anything support my weight is really unsettling. But so far it's awesome!" Jimin let out a shaky laugh. Tightening his own arm around Taehyung's waist, he surveyed the half-meter distance between his shoes and the tiles. "You enjoy doing this, don't you? Springing surprises on people?"
"Only on those I like."
Now that the words were out, Taehyung tensed. Jimin, however, grinned back at him, a sign that Taehyung's reply was the most natural thing in the world. And perhaps it was, only Taehyung was too slow to realize it.
"This is awesome," Jimin repeated, "but go back down if you're dizzy or tired, okay?"
"Don't worry about me! I know my limits." Taehyung gathered his courage, then muttered, "Jimin - I'm sorry about the audition."
Jimin went still. His gaze shifted away from Taehyung's, and he had the look of someone who was trying not to wince. Taehyung was about to apologize, but Jimin spoke first.
"Next year," he said, half to himself. "Next year I'll audition again - maybe for a different troupe - and pass. Plenty of time for me to hone my skills and grow."
His voice was low and underlaid with steely determination. Rather than intimidated Taehyung, it thrilled him, made him proud to know Jimin. A few seconds ticked past in silence. Then Jimin looked back at Taehyung and shrugged.
"Anyway," he said dismissively, "that's for later. Let's just talk about here and now."
"Wait, one more thing. If you do pass an audition, what kind of present would you like from me?"
Jimin raised an eyebrow. "Anything you can give me? I'm not very picky."
"Great. Noted."
The corners of Jimin's eyes crinkled as he broke into a huge smile. "Whatever it is, I'll definitely love it. Because it's from you, Tae. And you're very sweet for wanting to give me a present."
"Bah, not at all. Least I can do."
"Mind if I give you a present first? Like, right now?"
Hiding his surprise - he hadn't expected a return gift, certainly not so soon - Taehyung made himself sound casual. "No, I don't mind. Go ahead."
"Anything?"
"Anything."
Swift and sure, Jimin kissed Taehyung's on the cheek. For a moment everything stopped, including Taehyung's heart. Then the shock hit; heat exploded from his cheek toward his entire body. His concentration shattered, and they both came crashing down on the rooftop floor, feet tangled with one another.
"Ouch!" they yelled in unison. Then they turned to each other and asked, "You okay?"
Their voices blended together so flawlessly than it almost took Taehyung's breath away. Before he could say anything else, however, Jimin burst into laughter. The sound of it rang across the rooftop, as incredible to Taehyung as the harmony of their voices just now; hearing Jimin laugh made him content, almost enchanted. He sat back, smiling, as Jimin doubled over, shaking with amusement.
Gradually the laughter tapered away into sniffles. When it died down, Jimin sat up straight. Wiping at his tears, he said to Taehyung, "For the record, I wasn't laughing at you. I don't know what came over me. Sorry."
"Nah, it's all right. That was funny for me too."
"Was it?" Jimin asked. He sounded timid, as though he suspected Taehyung was just humoring him.
"Absolutely!" Taehyung nodded. "And thank you for the present. In fact," he raised a hand, fingertip brushing against his lower lip, "I already know what my present to you will be, and I might give it before your next audition."