Ren’s expression softened, his tone with curiosity. “Can you show your face? There’s no one here for you to worry about.”

  “Huh? Hey, idiot! I came just for help. Why would I show you my face?”

  Ren shifted awkwardly, scratching his head. “Um… I mean, you’re acting like a child, so I kind of want to see the face beneath the mask.”

  Her cheeks flushed red, and she snapped, “Child?! Me, acting like a child?!”

  Ren calmed her down, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay, you’re not acting like a child, but can I still see your face? Please?”

  She crossed her arms, glaring at him. “No.”

  Ren grinned mischievously. “Then I won’t help you. I won’t take you outside either. You’ll have to stay here forever.”

  Her eyes widened in shock. “Hey, why are you blackmailing me?!”

  Her voice cracked slightly, both sulky and scared. “Please, open it! I don’t need your help either.”

  Ren laughed at her childishness, his amusement evident.

  She scowled, “Why are you laughing, idiot?” she said, her voice tinged with sadness. “Hey, are you really saying that? I know you think I’m dumb… But my mom will definitely find out, after that I will say to her about your threat”

  Ren’s demeanor shifted, growing serious once more. “Hey, I’m just kidding. Why would I block you here? If you don’t want to show your face, I can’t force you. Wait here for a bit, I’ll be back, don’t move.”

  He turned to leave. But before he could take a step, she grabbed his hand tightly.

  She hesitated for a moment, her fingers trembling slightly as they reached for her mask. “Umm… I’ll show you my face. You already know anyway… and You’ll see it in the third round anyway… so I’ll show you now.”

  As she slowly removed her mask, Ren’s eyes widened. His breath stilled.

  ‘…Am I really seeing this? Or is it just my imagination…?

  she… slightly resembles her.

  No, no, that’s not possible. I’m just thinking too much.

  But… when I look closer—there’s definitely a lot of change.’

  From behind, she tilted her head slightly, her voice sharp. “Oi, why are you staring so close?”

  She had her back turned to him, her face hidden from view.

  Ren blinked out of his thoughts, then smiled gently, stepping forward and reaching a hand toward her head. “Nothing. Do you know? You look beautiful… and really cute.”

  With a pout, she swatted his hand away in a childish tone. “I know. You don’t have to say it.”

  She quickly put her mask back on, only her expressive eyes visible. They looked up at him, filled with hesitation—half trusting, half wary.

  “Hey,” she said softly, “can I ask you one thing? You’ll answer, right?”

  Ren gave a small nod. “If I can tell you, I’ll definitely answer.”

  She tilted her head. “How did you know? You didn’t even see my face when I used it…”

  Ren raised an eyebrow. “You’re understanding it wrong. I asked before you even used it, right? … Honestly, even if I told you, you probably wouldn’t understand. But first—tell me. Your mother... Wait, is it your aunty or your mother? Or anyone in your family—is one of them a healer, right?”

  Her eyes widened. “How do you know?”

  “Are you mental?” Ren sighed. “It’s obvious. If you were ever injured or sick, a healer would’ve known something was different. Of course, even if someone else knew, it wouldn’t be a big deal… but you said your Aunty would kill me right? So I just imagined it from there.”

  She lowered her gaze, murmuring, “Well… my aunty is a healer…”

  In her thoughts ‘Did I tell him that? No one knows that except my family… Can I really trust him?’

  “…Umm… Hey, I want to ask one more thing,” she added, this time quieter, almost whispering. “I never asked my mom or aunty… Actually, I was abandoned. They told me everything once I reached a certain age—they didn’t hide it.”

  She paused for a breath, then continued, “They also said… maybe it was because I’m a cursed child. But they weren’t sure. They just… guessed. And even when they adopted me, they didn’t tell anyone. They kept it a secret from everyone.”

  She continued with her gaze lower “I always thought… Maybe my real mother abandoned me because I’m a cursed child. Is that true? What do you think?”

  Ren froze. ‘Abandoned…?’

  He looked at her, a soft sadness in his eyes, and gently patted her head. “I don’t know the real reason… but why do you think like that? Maybe your birth parents didn’t even know you were a cursed child. There could be other reasons… Don’t think too negatively. And anyway, your adopted family… they’re treating you well, right?”

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  She lifted her eyes, shining brightly now. “My mom treats me really well! I’ll introduce you to her after the round is complete”

  Then, she tilted her head. “Still… you didn’t answer. How did you know? Is there another way to find out?”

  Ren scratched his head and let out a defeated sigh. “I… how do I even explain that? I don’t have the words. But I promise you—I won’t tell anyone. Umm… well… maybe except one person. But seriously, nothing bad will happen even if someone finds out. You said you can control it, right?”

  He smiled faintly. “Just wait here a bit. I’ll be back.”

  “Huh? Where are you going? Take me too!” she said, her voice turning childlike again.

  Ren gave a small smile. "If I could, I would definitely take you. But there's a problem... Umm, well, I will take you to another place. It's boring though. It's... how do I say it—it's the same, but different."

  He paused and thought ‘If they talk… then I can show her for real. But…’

  “…Anyway,” he said aloud, “just wait here. Don’t follow me, okay?”

  As he stepped forward, he suddenly crossed an invisible boundary wall. Like cutting through air, he vanished entirely before her eyes.

  “Huh?! What happened?” She gasped, taking a step back. ‘Did he… go outside? Did he block me in here…?! Did he really do it?....well he is not bad guy’

  *******

  Beyond the wall, the scenery shifted entirely. The chill of the void was gone, replaced by a soft warmth and a calm breeze.

  A vast grassy land stretched far in all directions. A calm endless blue sky stretched overhead, peaceful and quiet.

  Near the center of this peaceful expanse sat a wooden boundary fence, enclosing a wide flower garden. The garden bloomed with flowers of vibrant colors—lavender, deep red, orange, soft white lilies, sky-blue poppies, soft-petaled whites and reds—stretching across the field in gentle waves.

  A few trees stood tall inside the garden, offering shade and presence. From the strongest branch of one, a simple wooden swing hung.

  A spacious, pleasant-looking house nestled at the heart of the garden, designed with elegance and warmth. Its exterior was painted in soft pastels—The structure was modern in shape but carried a calm, inviting aura, like a place meant for quiet moments and peaceful living. A wide wooden porch stretched across the front, clean and polished, The house blended naturally with the surrounding garden, as if it belonged to the land itself.

  Ren sighed and closed his ears with both hands.

  A loud voice he heard.

  > ‘BAKAA NII-CHAN!!’

  Another voice followed, colder and annoyed. > “Dumb nii-chan. You came here just for your own needs.”

  A huffed voice > ‘I don't talk with you, Go away! You didn’t come when we gave the signal! Come when we give signal’

  Ren groaned. "Saku, you too? Don’t say it like that ra, How can I know if it’s serious or just casual?"

  (*Ra is affection word called between close)

  Saku’s voice softened. > ‘Umm... well…’

  Another voice interrupted sharply. > "Hey! Don’t melt just because he’s talking sweetly. That idiot just used his words! We already said we’ll only send signals if it’s serious!”

  Ren sulked. "You’re the one who called first even after agreeing! Amaya, you’re the one who broke the rule—you called randomly just to tease me!"

  Amaya sounded awkward. > “That’s... that's different, idiot nii-chan….. Still, your side has the mistake too..."

  Ren smirked. "See? You’re denying and blaming me even though it’s your fault.”

  Saku chimed in, hesitant. > ‘Nii-chan, why did you say you’d bring that girl here? If it were your friend, reasonable. But why her?’

  Ren exhaled deeply, glancing around the dreamlike garden. "What's the use? Even when Kazuma came, you didn’t talk. You will erase everything right? I will just show her the locker room"

  Amaya with scolded voice. > "Idiot nii-chan, that’s not what she asked! Saku, see? He dodged instead of saying the answer."

  > ‘Umm… Nii-chan, that’s right. You didn’t really answer. I asked—why her? You just met her, didn’t you?’

  Ren looked down, his expression thoughtful and a little sad. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "You don’t know everything about me yet, right? .....Well she’s your age. Pure, inside and out. You saw it too, didn’t you? And you’re still asking? Tell me, Amaya, can’t I have a right to make that choice?"

  Amaya huffed. > ".....No, idiot! Who said you have that right? We didn’t!"

  Saku interrupted softly. > ‘Hey, don’t say that to Nii-chan. Nii-chan, you have the right. But… you know us, right?’

  Ren’s shoulders slumped. "Even after all these years, I still don’t understand you two. I didn't force you. That room only—my room. You heard her words. That girl… she’s just like you.”

  His tone dropped.

  “…Anyway, just tell me about the clue.”

  *******

  A few minutes later, Ren returned through an invisible wall.

  She turned, arms crossed.

  “Hey, where did you go? I thought you blocked me here so I couldn’t go out.”

  Ren gave a tired smile. "Didn’t I already say? Well... can we go outside now?"

  She tilted her head, curiosity brimming. "You said you’d take me, right?"

  Ren shrugged. “It’s boring, you know. Are you sure you still want to go? First say—do you think I blocked you? Tell me honestly. Do you trust me or not? I’ve only taken one person there before… You’d be the second."

  ‘If they agree, I might show her the real place too.’

  She pouted. “You disappeared suddenly, so I got worried… But yes, I trust you. You know the answer to the clue, right? I left my partner in a safe place, but I don’t know the clue’s answer. That’s why I was rushing. Can you take me now?”

  Ren gave a faint smile. “Come with me.”

  ********

  He held her hand and led her through the invisible wall. The vibrant garden dissolved instantly—replaced by empty space and a single, large room.

  She blinked. “Huh? Just this?”

  Ren nodded. "I told you it was boring. You insisted, so I brought you.”

  She slowly went forward and pushed the door. A soft creak echoed in the still air.

  Behind it… another door stood directly in front of her.

  Just as she reached out—fingertips barely brushing the second door’s surface—

  “Stop.”

  Ren quickly caught her wrist.

  “That room is boring. Come this way.”

  He gestured toward a narrow path between the outer wall and the room wall. Inside, rows of shelves lined the corridor, and Each shelf was neatly stocked—with rice balls, dumplings, fruit, sandwiches and snacks….

  She wandered between the shelves, eyes wide and sparkling.

  She rushed to a shelf and touched a rice ball, eyes wide with excitement. "Can I eat these? I haven’t eaten anything since morning……umm…I’m not hungry, but... can I?"

  Ren chuckled. “Eat as much as you want.”

  She giggled and munched the rice ball, cheeks puffing as she chewed like a content squirrel. Then, dumplings. Then a small tart.

  Suddenly, on another shelf, a steaming bowl of ramen appeared without anyone noticing.

  She slowly moved forward one by one. Suddenly stopped. Her eyes sparkled. "Ramen! Do you even have this?!"

  She reached for it—but before her hand could touch, the bowl slid away on its own.

  She jumped back. "Hey! It moved!"

  Ren narrowed his eyes. ‘I didn’t put that… Are they playing with her? Because she’s the same age? I’ll talk to them tonight…. Until now, Sakura doesn’t know, I have to force them’

  Ren watched, unsure whether to intervene or laugh.

  She chased after the bowl again, but it moved again. "What’s happening?!”

  She stepped forward again with mock determination. “Ugh, who needs it? I’ll eat something else."

  Suddenly, another shelf shimmered—this time with a freshly grilled chicken leg appearing without a sound.

  She turned to another shelf with a plate of chicken. "Chicken!... I want to eat that but can I eat in this situation? Well… even now, I’ll eat!"

  She darted to grab the plate, but again, just before her hand reached it—the plate slid away.

  She froze, eye twitching. Then, with a small growl, she said, “That’s it.”

  She bolted after it. “I will definitely catch you today!”

  She made a final leap and caught the edge of the plate. it—just as Ren gently stopped her hand.

  "Hey, stop. I didn’t store those. They’re illusions—look real, but you can’t eat them."

  She blinked in disbelief. "Huh?! How?"

  Ren tapped his fingers awkwardly. "Umm... you don't get mad, right?"

  She tilted her head. "Huh? Why would I get mad?"

  Ren breathed out a small sigh.

  Then, almost hesitating, he gently held over her mask, covering her mouth gently. "This whole conversation... someone’s listening."

  "Huh?!" she gasped.

  "Don’t worry," he reassured her. "They’re my sisters. Same age as you. They won’t tell anyone. I promise. Now that you’ve seen this place, let’s go back outside and search."

  He slowly removed his hand.

  She exhaled deeply. "You idiot…” Then she looked around curiously.

  “Wait… your sisters? Then… where are they?”

  Ren gave her a faint smile, stepping back.

  “You wouldn’t understand even if I explained. I’ll explain later… but for now, let’s go outside. By the way, you know there are ghost moths outside, right? Of course they don't come quickly because we are not going to the same place.”

  Yuna crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “Do you think I’m a child? I know. My mom told me about them too. But—how did you even manage those? They just… left before. I didn’t get to ask in that rush, and Since no one else was watching… I spoke, fight with you.”

  Ren chuckled softly, patting her head without hesitation. “You really call that a fight?” he teased, not moving his hand away. “Anyway, I’m curious… who’s your mom? I want to meet her. After this round, you’ll show me, right? And for your question—how did I manage? Just think of it like how I sensed you earlier.”

  Yuna pouted and slapped his hand away. “Hey! Stop treating me like a kid. I’m a contestant too, okay? You’re just older than me, that’s all.”

  He laughed again and lifted his hand, trying to pat her once more.

  She slapped it away a second time with a glare.

  Ren tilted his head, a nostalgic look in his eyes. “Your behavior really reminds

  me of someone… and your face…”

  His voice trailed off, and with a soft exhale, he added, “Well, let’s go outside.”

  He opened a portal, and together, they stepped outside—a pond in front of them.

  Author Note : Can you guess what will happen next?