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The girl group, Huntr/x took a 3 month hiatus, a break from everything that has happened up til now. The honmoon that sealed the demons from the human world, protected every living soul, cascaded through the vast cityscapes, Gwi-ma’s presence was no longer a threat to human kind. Now, the girls could relax, on their couch all day, and, or the bathhouse.
Rumi looked out the glass of the tall of a penthouse high in the sky they lived in. Everything was at peace, just people harmonized, and the relaxing drips of rain.
The night was a symphony of neon and rain, a fitting backdrop for the ache that throbbed in Rumi’s chest. It’s been a few days since Jinu’s absence. Vaporized by a particular demonic power that had saved Rumi’s life. He had given his soul to Rumi. Gone were his sly smiles, his grounding presence, his awkwardness yet charming nature. Their forbidden love, a fragile bloom in the harsh landscape of this world. Hunters and Demons—was now a withered memory.
The pain was unbearing, Jinu could’ve lived, if only he had not protected Rumi from that cruel burn. Yet, the thought—the feeling that Jinu was now etched into Rumi’s memory, soul, bound as one was a symbol of freedom. Jinu was no longer suffering and Rumi… couldn’t ever be ever more happy. This was Jinu’s dream, his goal, his mission. He succeeded.
Rumi excused herself, she went out. Back to her tranquility. The place where she and Jinu used to meet up at, the secret setting on top of house roofs, secluded alleyways, and places of solitude where it was just them. Accompanied by the familiar demonic tiger and bird, Jinu’s pets. She sat on top of one of the tile roofings.
Her gaze trailed to the breathtaking view of the city. She exhaled, smiling to herself. Petting the tiger who’s ever so fluffy, a reminder of Jinu’s spirit. She misses him, more than words could ever understand.
She only hoped Jinu could hear her, could listen to her, she knows he’s still here. In her heart. And even if he couldn’t speak up, she knew he would always be listening.
She opened her mouth to speak, “Jinu, I…” She paused, words caught in her throat, she looked over to the bosom tiger, purring amidst her pets. Before she looked back at the scenery.
She smiled, the familiar bracelet dangling on her wrist. “I hope you’re doing well, Jinu.” She mumbled, “I’m doing quite well if you’re wondering. All thanks to you, I’m… I’m free.“
Unconsciously, tears started forming, her eyes watering. “I miss you a lot. Just so you know, I’m not scared anymore. I’m who I am. My voice, it’s healed. It’s completely healed. I’ll always sing to you, Jinu. You’re open to listening anytime if you want to.” She sniffled, wiping her tears away with her sleeve.
She clutched the bracelet on her wrist—the bird resting itself on her shoulder, the tiger snuggling closer. She laughed softly, her lips curving up to a grin. “I’m heading back now, good night, Jinu.”
With that she stood up, heading back to her humble abode. Her mind still lingering back to the thought of Jinu. If only there was some way that she could properly say goodbye to him. To set him free—naturally and with a final touch. She wishes fate wasn’t as cruel, she wishes to see him again, one last time…
The city pulsed beneath her feet, but Rumi felt miles above it. As if grief had elevated her to another plan of existence—one where sound was muffled, color dimmed, and time felt slow.
Back at the penthouse, the warmth of home and the idle chatter of the girls of the other girls, Zoey and Mira, felt distant. The murmurs, the laughter were all a blur to her—none of it could quite reach her conscience. Her heart remained tethered to Jinu.
She closed her bedroom door gently behind her and laid in her bed. Nestled on her back, joined once again by her familiar companions, tiger and bird.
Back in the living room or lounge area, Zoey and Mira continued their ‘relaxing’ couch day. “Rumi looks really exhausted, you think she’s okay?” Zoey asked Mira in the middle of snacking their treats. Mira hummed in response, nodding, “She needs rest, she’ll be fine. It’s Rumi we’re talking about.” Zoey nodded in agreement, “Yeah, you’re right!”
The rain persisted into the night, a lullaby of soft droplets against glass. Rumi closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep, fingers curled loosely around the edge of Jinu’s old bracelet. Her breath was steady, the rise and fall of her chest matching the rhythm of the sleeping tiger curdled at her feet. The bird tucked itself gently near her pillows, eyes wide awake yet seemed to be asleep..?
The moment she shut her eyes, sleep came faster than ever. She was relaxed…
Then… the world shifted.
It was not darkness that greeted her, but a silver haze. A soft place where stars hung like lanterns, suspended over a city that resembled hers, but was not hers. The buildings shimmered, half-forgotten memories shaping their edges. The rain here sparkled instead of fell. The air felt warm, kissed with echoes.
Rumi stood at the center of it. Barefoot. Light as mist.
Draped in a dress made of threads that looked like constellations.
In that fragile place where dreams are born, she felt welcomed.
A voice, soft as the rustling of leaves, drifted through the silver air. "Rumi..."
She whirled around, heart leaping against her ribs. There, standing beneath a luminous archway woven from starlight, was Jinu. He was different, somehow. The shadows that had clung to him in life were gone, replaced by a radiant peace. His eyes, once filled with a cautious watchfulness, now sparkled with pure joy.
He didn’t look demonic, he looked human… like an angel even. It was… new.
"Jinu?" she breathed, the name a prayer on her lips.
He smiled, a smile that reached the depths of her soul. "Missed me?” Well he still had that smug attitude…but that proved him to be real.
He took a step forward, and she mirrored his movement, the silver ground soft beneath her feet. The distance between them seemed to shimmer, a barrier of time and space dissolving with each breath.
Rumi smiled, she couldn’t believe it. “Yes, I missed you a lot… Idiot.” She mumbled out, stepping closer to him. Jinu laughed, opening up his arms for a hug. Rumi didn’t hesitate, she moved forward, then… she punched him in the gut.
“Yowch!” Jinu yelped in surprise, “That hurt!” He pouted his lips.
Rumi laughed, “You really thought I’d hug you?” Jinu rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling nervously. “Well that’s my mistake for thinking you’re nice enough to even think of hugging me after everything.”
Rumi raised an eyebrow, “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? I was just joking.” Rumi quickly pulled Jinu into a hug, “I did miss you, Idiot.” She said with such a fierce voice as Jinu chuckled, pulling her closer to tighten the hug.
Rumi seemed fine on the outside, happy to see Jinu. But really, deep inside—her whole mind went blank. All she could think of was Jinu the past few days. Hugging Jinu felt like a miracle, even in a dream and it felt real. Rumi could cry right now, but she didn’t.
“Jinu…” she muttered, raising her head from their hug. "Where... where are we?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"A place between worlds," he replied, his gaze never leaving hers. "A reflection of what was, and a promise of what could be."
“What does that even mean?” Rumi’s brows furrowed. They pulled away from the hug. Facing each other.
Jinu smiled, looking at her with tender and gentle loving eyes. “What your feeling right now is real, true, we’re in a place where dream and reality transcend. I guess fate heard your wish and decided to invite me to your dream.”
Rumi was speechless, was it really? This is truly, Jinu? But he looked different… and he was… weightless, healed, and….
"And... you're..."
"Free," he finished, his voice laced with contentment. "Thanks to you, Rumi. Thanks to what we did."
Rumi's eyes welled with tears, tears of relief, of sorrow, of love. "I miss you so much," she choked out, the words torn from her heart. She meant it more than ever now, no jokes, pure feelings. From her heart and what felt real.
Jinu reached out, his hand hovering over her cheek before gently cupping it. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through her, a familiar warmth that banished the cold that had settled within her.
"I know," he said softly. "But I'm not truly gone, Rumi. I'm a part of you now. A part of this world we saved."
He gestured to the shimmering city around them. "This place... it's a reminder that even in the darkest of times, love and sacrifice can create something beautiful. Something eternal."
Rumi looked around, seeing the city with new eyes. It wasn't just a dreamscape—it was a testament to their fight, to their love, to their victory.
"I wished I could have said goodbye properly," she whispered, the regret a heavy weight in her chest.
Jinu shook his head, his smile unwavering. "You didn't need to. You said everything with your actions, with your strength, with your heart. You carry my goodbye with you, Rumi, every single day."
He stepped closer, his presence filling her senses. "But since you wish to say it properly, then let's."
He pulled her into a gentle embrace, his arms wrapping securely around her. It was a hug that transcended the physical, a merging of souls that affirmed their unbreakable bond.
"Goodbye, Rumi," he whispered into her ear, his voice filled with love and gratitude. "Live your life to the fullest. Be happy. Be strong. And know that I'll always be watching over you."
Rumi clung to him, tears streaming down her face. "Goodbye, Jinu," she managed to say, her voice thick with emotion. "I'll never forget you. Never."
As she spoke, the embrace began to fade, the silver city blurring around them. Jinu's form shimmered, becoming less distinct with each passing moment.
"Remember me, Rumi," he said, his voice fading into the silver air. "Remember us."
And in a blink of reality, of time… he was gone.
The silver city dissolved, replaced by the familiar darkness of her bedroom. Rumi gasped, bolting upright. Her heart hammered in her chest, and tears still streamed down her face, yet her soul felt lighter.
She reached for her wrist, her fingers tracing the contours of Jinu's bracelet. It felt warmer now, pulsing with a faint energy.
The rain outside had stopped, and the first rays of dawn peeked through the curtains. A new day was beginning.
Rumi looked out the window, at the world waking below. It was the same city, yet it was different. It was a world bathed in hope, a world where demons no longer lurked, a world where love had triumphed.
She knew, with a certainty that resonated deep within her, that Jinu was right. He wasn't truly gone. He lived on in her heart, in the world they had saved, in every beat of her drum, in every lyric she would sing.
Rumi took a deep breath, wiped away the last of her tears, and smiled. It was a genuine smile, a smile filled with love, gratitude, and a newfound sense of peace.
She was ready. Ready to face the world, ready to sing her song, ready to live her life to the fullest, knowing that Jinu would always be there, watching over her, guiding her, and loving her, from the other side of forever.