SVT NEXT DOOR | ꜱᴇᴠᴇɴᴛᴇᴇɴ

SVT NEXT DOOR | 31

Dino's revelation hung in the air like an unanswered question, leaving a sense of unease in its wake. I exchanged a concerned look with Joshua, both of us trying to grasp the sudden change in Dino's ability.

"But... how can that be?" I asked, my voice tinged with confusion.

Dino's expression mirrored his own bewilderment. "I've been trying to sense Chanyoung like I always do, but I can't find him. It's like he's not around anymore."

My heart sank as I tried to process his words. Chanyoung, the spirit that had been a constant presence, was now seemingly unreachable.

"Have you tried reaching out to any other spirits?" Joshua inquired, his eyes searching Dino's face for answers.

Dino nodded, his brow furrowed. "I did, but it's the same. I can't sense any spirits around."

As we stood there on the rooftop, a sense of unease settled over us. It was as if a door that had always been open to Dino had suddenly slammed shut, cutting him off from the world he had come to know.

"Did anything change recently in your life?" I asked, my mind racing to find a clue.

Dino shook his head, frustration evident in his features. "Nothing at all. Everything has been the same, except for this sudden inability to sense spirits."

Joshua's eyes settled on the pendant that adorned my neck, the sunflower pendant catching the sunlight with a glint. "Areum-ah, that necklace... where did you get it from?"

My fingers brushed against the pendant's surface, a faint unease stirring within me. "Seokwoo gave it to me just now," I responded, the words tinged with uncertainty. My voice trailed off as a memory resurfaced, intertwining with our current dilemma.

I paused, my thoughts racing as realization dawned on me. "Wait... could it be because of this pendant?"

Joshua's brow furrowed, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

I leaned in, my voice hushed with a growing sense of realization. "Me and Seokwoo came across each other yesterday. He could see Chanyoung, just like I could. And now Dino can't see spirits anymore."

Understanding flickered in Joshua's eyes as my words sank in. "You think... it's because of the pendant Seokwoo gave you?"

I nodded, the pieces of the puzzle starting to align. "I think Seokwoo has some connection to spirits, just like us. And this pendant... it might be the reason behind the sudden change."

Dino's voice joined our conversation, his confusion evident. "Seokwoo? The trainee from the vocal team?"

I affirmed with a nod, a mixture of intrigue and apprehension filling the air around us. The pendant, Seokwoo's ability to see spirits, and Dino's sudden inability—all seemed to converge into a web of mysteries that demanded unraveling. And as the sunlight danced on the pendant's surface, I knew that the answers we sought might lie within its enigmatic design.

"Wait, wait, just a moment," Joshua interjected, his fingers moving to massage his temples. The complexity of the situation seemed to be settling in, demanding a pause for contemplation.

"I'm not quite grasping the connection between Dino losing his ability to see spirits and you wearing that necklace," Joshua admitted, his expression a mixture of puzzlement and curiosity.

"I'm with you on that," Dino chimed in, a bemused expression on his face.

A sudden voice broke the silence, causing all three of us to startle. The source of the voice became apparent as Seokwoo stepped onto the rooftop, his presence unexpected yet strangely fitting given the topic of conversation.

"It's because I've contained Dino's ability to see spirits within that pendant," Seokwoo's words hung in the air, a mix of assertion and revelation that left us speechless.

"Seokwoo!" I exclaimed, taken aback by his sudden appearance. "What do you mean you've contained Dino's ability within this pendant?" My gaze shifted to the sunflower pendant resting against my chest, its innocent appearance now holding a weight of uncertainty.

Joshua's protective instinct kicked in, his posture subtly shifting to stand slightly in front of me. "And just who are you, exactly?" His voice held a note of caution as he confronted Seokwoo.

"I'm a grim reaper," Seokwoo responded nonchalantly, tilting his head slightly as if expecting our reaction.

The three of us exchanged incredulous glances, our expressions a mix of surprise and disbelief. Then, almost in unison, we burst into laughter, the idea of Seokwoo being a grim reaper seeming utterly ridiculous.

"A grim reaper? Seriously?" Dino managed between fits of laughter. "Oh man, Seokwoo, you've got to be kidding!"

Seokwoo's expression remained impassive, his annoyance showing through. "I'm centuries older than you, you know. Show some respect, kid."

Joshua joined in the laughter, trying to stifle his giggles. "Seokwoo, I've heard some wild excuses in my time, but this one takes the cake."

Seokwoo's irritation deepened, but there was a glimmer of seriousness in his eyes. "As outrageous as it sounds, spirits do exist, and you guys didn't flinch at that. So, it's a bit hypocritical to find my role unbelievable."

My laughter subsided as I studied Seokwoo's face, sensing a genuine conviction in his words. "You're... you're serious, aren't you?"

Seokwoo's grin widened, an eerie playfulness overtaking his features. "I did say I'm a grim reaper."

"If you're truly a grim reaper, does that mean one of us is going to... die?" Dino's voice quivered, his face draining of color as the gravity of Seokwoo's revelation hit him.

My own heart raced as I looked at Seokwoo, the concept of a grim reaper suddenly sending shivers down my spine. "Is it me?" I managed to choke out, my voice wavering with fear. "Is my time coming to an end?"

As panic surged through the air, Joshua's protectiveness kicked into overdrive. He pulled me closer, his arms wrapping around me as if shielding me from Seokwoo's presence. "No, Areum is mine! Stay away from her! It's not her time!" His voice wavered between desperation and determination, as if his mere declaration could fend off any otherworldly forces.

Seokwoo's expression transformed from calm to incredulous, his face a portrait of exasperation. He stared at the three of us, his expression silently screaming, 'I definitely did not get paid enough to deal with this shit.'

Seokwoo's strained smile persisted as he addressed our collective panic. "Would you all calm down? Your lifespans are annoyingly still quite long, so no, I'm not here to claim anyone just yet."

Exhaling in shared relief, the tension seemed to momentarily lift from the air, leaving us all feeling rather foolish.

"Then, why are you here?" I questioned, my eyes narrowing as I studied Seokwoo's demeanor. "And what's the connection with this pendant?"

Seokwoo's gaze held a weight of significance as he chose his words carefully. After a moment, he finally spoke, "I'm here to escort Lee Chanyoung back to the afterlife."

*****