Chapter 1.13 - A Reality Check: Conversation with Jiho. Part 1

Ariha had thoroughly spooked the man—after all, he still couldn't wrap his head around the idea of a ghost from the past standing in his living room.

Ohari: "Sweetheart, stop scaring your father. He's already struggling to believe there's a living person here he can't see or hear."

Jiho: "Yeah, sis. You went too far."

Senko watched from the sidelines, baffled by how quickly the girl's emotions shifted. He glanced at her brother and whispered:

Senko: "What's wrong with Ariha? Her mood changes like the wind."

Jiho studied the prince, then looked outside. With a nod, he made up his mind.

Jiho: "I'll walk her to Uncle's before it gets too dark."

The siblings' mother peered out the window alongside her husband.

Ohari: "It is getting late. Go ahead and escort them."

Taketa sighed in relief. Jiho and Senko both turned to stare pointedly at Ariha.

Ariha: "Already? I—I need to change and grab my things!" She bolted for the stairs. "Wait for me outside!"

Once the boys stepped out, Jiho leaned against the railing and faced Senko.

Jiho: "You're worried about my sister, aren't you? You're right. Rapid mood swings… aren't healthy."

Senko: "Then… is she seriously ill?"

Jiho shook his head.

Jiho: "No. It's not an illness. These days, sudden mood shifts usually mean someone's bottling up too many worries—and not talking about them."

Senko: "If something troubles you, shouldn't you address it immediately?"

Jiho: "Ideally, yes. But not everyone realizes what's eating at them. Sometimes, they don't even know they're stressed. That's when it spills out… like this."

Senko's chest tightened as he recalled Ariha teasing her father moments after crying. The dissonance unsettled him.

Senko: "Then… what's troubling her so much?"

Jiho: "My guess? You've fascinated her. She's probably overthinking how to solve your problem—maybe even how to send you back. All those thoughts are jumbled up inside her. The only way to help is to ask her directly. She'll feel lighter once she talks."

Senko exhaled deeply.

Senko: "Then I'll make sure she does."

Just then, the door swung open, and Ariha bounded out.

Ariha: "Huh? Oppa, were you two talking about something?"

Jiho smirked.

Jiho: "Of course! I had to warn the Crown Prince about your prankster streak. He needs to be on guard. I even told him a few 'highlight reel' stories—like the time you glued my textbooks shut."

Senko: (Internally) "We… definitely weren't discussing that."

Ariha's cheeks puffed out in protest as she weakly punched Jiho's arm.

Ariha: "Oppa, why?!"

She stomped ahead, grumbling.

Ariha: "I hate you…"

Jiho chuckled, then turned to Senko.

Jiho: "What I just demonstrated is called sarcasm. It's when you pretend to misunderstand to lighten the mood. If I wanted to upset her, I'd have been brutally honest instead."

The prince's eyes widened. So that's what people have been doing to me all along?!

Jiho: "Anyway, crisis averted. Now let's catch up to my sister before she 'accidentally' leaves us behind."