disfunctionality | HwanHee ✅

Sixteenth Toll

I grabbed necessities then looked around my room once more. "Won't be back until I'm normal." I closed the door behind me then wondered if having such an ability was really that bad. It's not like I can hurt anyone with it, right? "Hwanwoong." I looked ahead and saw Keonhee waiting by the steps. "I'm coming. Sorry." I walked downstairs behind him then saw my mom emerge from the kitchen. "Leaving already?" "Yeah. We have something important to do that we forgot. Has to be taken care of." He pushed me out the door then hurried down the block while dragging me.

"Now I see why you were hesitant to come back..." "Huh? Oh." "I saw what happened yesterday...You didn't deserve to be hit like that." I looked down at the ground as I could feel shame and embarrassment rising to my face. "Do you think...Him could make me what's considered normal now?" "I don't see why not. Him is the reason we have this power after all." I looked up at him in confusion. "Explain?" "Guess someone didn't pay attention in class. So, eons ago, Him visited a few people and gave them a fruit to eat. They are it and boosh. Here we are." "So, can it take it away?" "Nah. It only grants it. No one's seen the fruit in ages. Rumor has it that Him took the fruit with him when he went into hiding."

I secretly wished I had paid more attention in class as I would've known already. "Anyway, I heard there's a spell that can remove it if you can't provide Him with the right offering." "There's an offering needed too?" "How else do you plan to wake Him?" I never thought about that. I assumed that you walk in and it's waiting there for you. "So, where can I get an offering?" He handed me a golden leaf and told me to keep it safe. "It doesn't look like much...Is this really it?" "Yep." I had only then noticed we were at my favorite store and suddenly got the notion to go in. I didn't wait to ask Keonhee and went inside. "Hwanwoong! It's been so long! Where have you been?" I smiled at the older woman as she stepped from behind the counter to give me a hug.

"I've been around...finding myself." "Take whatever you want. I'll pay for it." "I couldn't." "I insist." I sighed and took her up on her offer. I've known her for as long as I could remember. She was a friend of my father's and one of the few who don't blame me for his disappearance. "How's your mom...?" "Still the same." I plucked a few bags of chips and an energy drink. "Do you plan to move out soon?" "Ms-" "I said call me Manda." "Manda, I've technically run from home. I've been staying with him. He...took me in and cared for me even though he didn't have to." I looked out the window at Keonhee who looked like he was talking to thin air in the eyes of a human. "Does he talk to himself a lot?" "Yeah, let's go with that." "He's pretty cute though." She nudged my side then handed me a bag to carry my items. "Manda, if you're insinuating what I think you are, I don't swing that way." "Your dad said the same thing yet he dated a man once."

I found myself up in her face at her last sentence. "He did what?" "It's was literally right before he met your mom. They were dating for at least 2 years then...He never did talk about what happened between them." I had never heard this information before and only created more questions. "Anyway, your buddy looks bored. Now get going." She ushered me out then closed the door behind her. "Got what you needed?" "Yeah. Here. I hope you like popcorn." "I love it. And it's white cheddar." We walked in silence as we ate. "What were you talking to Nisse about?" "Oh. Not much." "It seemed heated though." He remained silent and made me even more curious as to what could've been said.