* * *

They ignored the other dolls and focused on the blonde ones.

Just as Jihoon expected, a number was written on the back of the doll that matched the one on the screen.

“Seven.”

“Alright, let’s get out of here.”

Armed with the final password, they exited the room and headed downstairs, following instructions to come to the third floor, now bright with light.

After getting used to the dark, Jihoon squinted as the brightness hit his eyes, struggling to see clearly.

“Took you ten minutes. Did you find the password?”

“1347.”

The woman congratulated them, handing Jihoon a slip of paper that read “Voucher” in a bloody red font.

“What can I use this for?”

Jihoon thought it might be for a free meal or a drink at the cafe.

“At the end of the festival, you’ll be able to choose one of the dolls from the doll room as a prize.”

Ugh, no thanks. Jihoon shoved the voucher at Yeongdeok.

“…You take it.”

Yeongdeok glanced at the voucher and thought.

Imagine, a grown man obsessed with collecting creepy dolls—it might actually suit him.

Just as he considered keeping it near his bedside, Jihoon snatched the voucher back and tore it into pieces.

“What’s that for?”

“You were actually thinking of using it, weren’t you? Those dolls could be cursed. Just drop it.”

“Taking it back after giving it. Unbelievable.”

The shredded voucher ended up as scraps in the trash bin by the third-floor restroom.

“Anyway, it’s time to settle our bet,” Jihoon said, brushing his hands clean of the paper bits and smirking with confidence.

“If I recall, you flinched a few times,” Yeongdeok said, recalling each moment—once when a zombie grabbed Jihoon’s ankle, another when a ghost sprang out of a cabinet, and a final time in the doll room.

“It was surprise, not fear. Didn’t scream, did I?”

“Quite the technicality.”

But Jihoon wasn’t wrong—the bet was specifically that he had to get scared or scream.

Yeongdeok frowned, irritated at himself for not clarifying the terms better.

“So, as agreed, you owe me a favor.”

Yeongdeok tried to guess what Jihoon might ask for.

Knowing him, it wouldn’t be anything outrageous.

“Do you want me to clear your debt?”

Yeongdeok assumed that would be Jihoon’s most logical choice.

But Jihoon shook his head firmly.

“If I asked for that, would you really grant it?”

“Of course. We agreed on it.”

Yeongdeok was willing to grant whatever Jihoon wanted, even if it was impossible, like going to the stars.

He’d try.

Realizing how serious Yeongdeok was, Jihoon sighed softly.

“Then…what if I asked you to date me? Would you?”

“Date? Like…a relationship?”

“Yes.”

“With you?”

“Yeah.”

Yeongdeok tilted his head, genuinely puzzled.

“Why would you ask for that?”

He knew Jihoon liked Eungyeol, so this request made no sense to him.

The furrow between his brows was enough for Jihoon to mistake it for annoyance.

“I’m just saying, be careful with what you promise. You don’t know what I’ll ask for.”

“……”

“Of course, I wouldn’t make a wish that’d actually trouble you.”

Jihoon grabbed Yeongdeok’s arm, urging him forward.

While following, Yeongdeok blinked in confusion.

Trouble him?

Really?

If Jihoon had made that request to date, Yeongdeok would’ve accepted.

It would’ve been a perfect way to mess with this whole ridiculous situation and spite PetitRolang even more.

Jihoon led him out of the Humanities building, still holding onto his arm, until they stopped in front of the large zelkova tree, the school’s landmark.

It was quiet, free from the festival crowd.

“My wish is to have a record of today that I can look back on tomorrow.”

“A record?”

“Let’s take a picture together.”

How could he make something as simple as taking a photo sound so elaborate?

Yeongdeok’s face scrunched, his distaste barely concealed.

“Your wish is…remarkably small.”

“Small? This is excessive, if you ask me!”

Jihoon grinned, knowing this might be his only chance to get Yeongdeok to take a picture with him.

Begrudgingly, Yeongdeok gave in.

“If I must.”

“Sit over there.”

Jihoon sat down beside him on the circular bench around the tree, pressing up close.

“You’ve never taken a selfie, have you?”

“Do I look like I would?”

“Didn’t think so.”

Raising his phone, Jihoon wrapped an arm around Yeongdeok’s shoulder, flashing a “V” with his fingers.

“Look here.”

Yeongdeok considered telling him to get off but sighed in resignation, obliging Jihoon.

The shutter clicked, capturing a stone-faced Yeongdeok and a grinning Jihoon.

“What next?”

“Why does it matter? It’s just a photo.”

“No fun at all. How about a finger heart?”

“Finger…heart?”

“Like this.” Jihoon demonstrated, overlapping his thumb and index finger to make a tiny heart.

Yeongdeok followed along, still puzzled.

“Like this?”

“Pfft…”

Jihoon burst into laughter.

Even though he didn’t like it, Yeongdeok was taking the request seriously, which made him look endearing.

“Stop laughing.”

“But you look so funny, doing it with that stiff expression…”

As Jihoon continued to chuckle, the temperature in Yeongdeok’s eyes dropped.

Sensing he might really storm off, Jihoon wisely shifted focus back to the phone.

Raising it once more, he urged,

“Come on, try smiling a little.”

“You sure have a lot of requests.”

“It’s a wish, remember?”

Yeongdeok eventually made a forced hand-heart gesture for the next photo, trying to smile despite his face twitching with discomfort.

The result was an awkward grin caught perfectly on camera.

After snapping a few more pictures, Jihoon began flipping through the album, admiring each shot.

“Not a single good picture of Cha Yeongdeok here. Every photo looks stiff, and the smile’s awkward.”

“If you’re so dissatisfied, just delete them all.”

“How could I? These are treasures I’ll cherish forever.”

Jihoon, in a bright mood, chuckled as he scrolled enthusiastically through the photos.

Feeling he had indulged Jihoon enough, Yeongdeok turned his head, only to hear the camera shutter snap once again.

“This one came out nice. It has a certain vibe.”

“What do you plan to do with my photos?”

“I just took it because you looked good. I’ll delete it if you want.”

Yeongdeok simply let Jihoon do as he pleased, without telling him to keep or delete them.

He’d already allowed the photos; a few more wouldn’t make much difference.

“Oh, right. I’ll send you the photos I took, too.”

“I don’t need them.”

Despite Yeongdeok’s protest, Jihoon sent every photo he’d taken.

Looking at the flood of pictures in their chat, Yeongdeok thought to himself, ‘This guy really doesn’t listen.’

“Hey, can I use the ones we took as my profile pic?”

“Profile pic?”

It took him a second to realize the slang.

Imagining his face on Jihoon’s profile gave him a sense of slight embarrassment, but he nodded in agreement—it was unlike his usual self, though he knew a possessive love interest would never allow it.

“…Thanks.”

Jihoon was busy fiddling with his phone, changing his profile picture, when suddenly his screen switched to an incoming call.

“Lee Sangchul? Why the hell is he calling me? This doesn’t feel right…”

“You should probably answer it.”

“Alright, give me a sec.”

Jihoon stepped aside to answer, and soon returned, looking visibly annoyed.

“What’s up?”

“I think I need to check out our department’s booth…”

Yeongdeok checked the time.

It was a bit early, but heading over to prepare wouldn’t hurt.

“Go ahead.”

“Nah, I’d rather stay with you…”

“It’s fine. I think I’ve seen enough, so I’ll head back to the shop.”

“Then let me walk you there.”

Jihoon, acting like an overly attached puppy, seemed unwilling to part, so Yeongdeok shooed him away with a wave of his hand.

“Sorry about dragging you to the festival, though. I had a lot of fun thanks to you.”

Jihoon smiled, looking like he didn’t want to leave.

As he watched him, Yeongdeok felt a strange reluctance tugging at his heart.

“Get home safe, and call if you need anything!”

With a wave, Jihoon turned and ran off.

Watching him disappear, Yeongdeok got up to make his way to the shop.

As he strolled across the campus, he checked the photos Jihoon had sent.

In each one, Jihoon was grinning so brightly he looked like a fool.

After a while, even Yeongdeok’s lips curved into a faint smile.

* * *