Whispers of Destiny

Chapter 18: Shifting Hearts and Growing Shadows

Dahyun had been spending more and more time with Sullin lately. Her easy laughter and the way she scrunched her nose when trying to find the right Korean words made him smile. 

It wasn't long before he realized that his heart beat faster around her. He was falling for her, and faster than he ever had with Kaede. Sullin's presence was like a refreshing breeze, and for the first time, Dahyun felt like he could move on.

Kaede noticed the change. She watched Dahyun from afar, seeing the way he lit up when he was around Sullin. A bittersweet sense of relief washed over her—Dahyun was happy, and that was what mattered. But even so, a small twinge of jealousy lingered in her chest. Still, Kaede pushed those feelings aside; Dahyun's joy was more important than her own.

Dahyun still hung out with their group but made sure he was never alone with Kaede. He didn't want to give Sullin any reason to feel uneasy or jealous. Kaede picked up on this, and while it stung, she accepted it with a resigned smile.

Kaede had shifted her focus. She spent more time with Kotone, watching over him closely. They went to the movies together, had picnics, and shared lunch and dinner, activities that felt almost like dates. But deep down, Kaede couldn't shake the feeling that Kotone only saw her as a friend.

"I need advice," she admitted one afternoon to Mayu as they sat on a bench near the college. The wind rustled the leaves above them, casting dappled shadows on their faces.

Mayu raised an eyebrow and took a sip of her drink. 

"About Kotone? You know we can't date humans, right?"

Kaede scoffed and rolled her eyes. 

"Look who's talking. You like Yooyeon, don't you? The two of you already look like a couple."

A flush rose on Mayu's cheeks, and she tried to hide her smile. Kaede knew she was right, and seeing Mayu's reaction made her grin.

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Chunhwa walked along a quiet street that night, the city lights glowing softly around him. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the crisp night air. 

"Ahhh, night air," he muttered, a grin stretching across his face.

But then, a shiver ran down his spine. He stopped, his senses immediately on high alert. A dark, oppressive energy filled the air, and out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a shadowy form lurking near an alley. Without hesitation, Chunhwa's eyes sharpened, and in one swift movement, he faced the spirit.

The dark spirit lunged, its eyes burning with malice. Chunhwa countered with a burst of radiant energy, dispersing the shadow into nothingness. But his victory brought no comfort. The energy of that spirit was different—darker, more menacing. It wasn't just any stray entity; it was from the Dark World.

A deep frown settled on Chunhwa's face. He knew what this meant. The Dark World was stirring again, and trouble was brewing on the horizon.