As Daehyun stood on the balcony with his phone held up to his ear, Euijin, Mina, Young Jae, and Sowon remained in the living room. Daehyun nodded, though to no one specifically, as he listened to the voice on the phone.

"Okay. Thank you very much. I'll see you tomorrow then," Daehyun said.

After a few seconds had passed, Daehyun ended the phone call. With a sigh, he placed his phone away before he leaned against the railing. His gaze remained downwards, lost in thought.

He couldn't help but frown as his hand tightened on the railing. Emotions ran through his being, but none of them were happy. He doubted his own abilities. He worried that he wouldn't be of any use to anyone. He was scared of being left alone. He worried that he wouldn't be able to live up to everyone's expectations. Above all? He didn't want anything to happen to the ones he held close, not again.

He shook his head as he fought back the emotions that threatened to take over. He had promised himself that he would never let these emotions resurface, but isn't that exactly what he's been doing all of these years? Ever since that day, he let these emotions eat away at him. Isn't that why he tried to kill himself that day? Because he couldn't take it anymore?

His gaze turned towards the ground. It would be easy. He could just jump over the railing before they could save him again, but is that what he really wanted? A permanent solution to a temporary problem? But how long was he supposed to suffer? How long before he could finally feel like he could be happy once more?

Inside, Euijin glanced over at Daehyun before he stood up and smiled to the other three.

"I will be right back," Euijin said.

Without another second, Euijin made his way over to the balcony door and slid it open. As he attempted to step out, he couldn't help but shiver the second the cold wind bit at his exposed skin. He wrapped the blanket he held tighter around his being as he pulled the door closed. As he made his way over to Daehyun, he took note of the snowflakes that drifted downwards.

"You're gonna get sick if you stay out here. You should come inside and have some hot chocolate," Euijin said.

Despite Euijin's attempt to pull Daehyun back inside, Daehyun remained silent. Euijin sighed as he moved up next to Daehyun and leaned against the railing as well. He stared out at the busy city, cars and people alike going about their business, more so than usual as the holidays approached.

"So, what's on your mind, Daehyun?" Euijin asked.

"I'd rather not speak about it," Daehyun said.

"Aw, come on. It might make you feel better if you let it out," Euijin said as he turned to Daehyun.

Daehyun had started to speak, but he quickly stopped himself. He let out a sigh as he shook his head and closed his eyes as he hung his head low. Euijin couldn't help but frown as he turned his gaze back out to the city. He reached out his hand and pat Daehyun's shoulder a few times before he withdrew it.

"Don't force yourself if you don't want to," Euijin said.

"Yeah, I know," Daehyun said.

___________________________

"In terms of the shard stuck on Daehyun, he really does have to help spirits, right?" Young Jae asked.

"Yes, that appears to be the case. However, it'll also depend on Daehyun," Sowon said.

Confusion wrote itself on Young Jae's face as he asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Sowon glanced over at Daehyun, whom stood out on the balcony with Euijin. She turned back to Young Jae and gave a small smile as she folded her hands and laid them gently across her lap.

"What I mean is that unless Daehyun learns to accept who he is and what his life has become, I'm afraid the shard could possibly never reveal itself," Sowon said.

Young Jae frowned as he crossed his arms and took a moment to think about this bit of information. The possibility of that happening, at least at the moment, was very slim. Who knows how long it would take before Daehyun could accept his life? He wanted to help, he really did, but since Daehyun didn't ever really open up about what was troubling him, it was difficult.

"Do not worry, my child. Just believe in him. Do you not recall how he was able to clean his home?" Sowon said.

He nodded, but he couldn't help but worry. Meanwhile, Mina stood behind them, both confused and uncertain as to what was going on.

___________________________

The sun rose once again as the city of New York sprung back to life. Daehyun stared at himself in the mirror as his face constantly displayed his discontent. On his bed, white button-up shirts laid sprawled out. While some remained a plain white, other shirts had various patterns upon them. He adjusted the shirt that he currently wore before he sighed and switched it with another one. Young Jae had entered Daehyun's room a few minutes ago, but his curiosity had caused him to remain quiet and watch.

When Daehyun changed his shirt yet again, Young Jae finally said, "What are you doing?"

"I'm cooking bacon. What the hell does it look like I'm doing?" Daehyun said as he adjusted his collar.

"Why are you changing your shirt so often?" Young Jae asked.

"Because I- Wait. How the hell do you know I've been changing it?" Daehyun asked as he turned to Young Jae.

"I was watching you," Young Jae replied.

"What the fu- You know what, I don't care. Does this shirt look okay?" Daehyun asked as he held his arms out.

Young Jae blinked a few times before he nodded. Daehyun sighed as he turned back to the mirror and examined his person yet again.

"This is unbearable. I hate dress codes," Daehyun said.

"Why don't you just wear the same clothes everyday?" Young Jae asked.

"That's not hygienic. You also don't seem to understand the difficulties of keeping up appearances just so you don't have to deal with annoying people who judge you based off your damn looks," Daehyun said.

Young Jae merely nodded as he continued to watch Daehyun adjust here and there. His shirt appeared to have been ironed, his hair had been styled to where his forehead showed, and the little facial hair that had been growing had been shaved away. The rest of his outfit was clean too, especially his dress shoes which appeared to have been polished at one point. When did he even get those shoes?

"You look nice," Young Jae said.

"Yeah yeah," Daehyun mumbled as he finally pulled away from the mirror, unsatisfied.

He walked out of the room and checked his watch before he nodded and made his way to the front door. He slipped on his shoes and took a coat out from the closet by the door before he left his apartment. With the door closed and locked behind him, he let out a sigh as he made his way down the hallway.

"Are you nervous?" Young Jae asked.

"Nervous? Tch, no. Why would I be nervous?" Daehyun asked.

"I don't know. Humans seem to be nervous a lot," Young Jae said.

Daehyun simply shrugged his shoulders as he slipped his coat on. The elevator doors opened and he stepped inside.

___________________________

"Here are the papers to get you caught up with everything. For now, you'll simply get caught up with the research that we're doing and then we'll see how much of the information you were able to retain," Seohyun said.

"Alright. Sounds simple enough," Daehyun said as he took the files from Seohyun.

Seohyun pointed over to a table and a set of chairs off to the side as she said, "Go ahead and sit over there."

While Seohyun stepped out of the room, Daehyun made his way over to the table and set the files on top. He examined the area, but the usual white clothed figures didn't appear anywhere near him. Confusion ran its course, but he immediately pushed it out of his thoughts as he focused on his files.

Meanwhile, Sowon moved about here and there as she scouted the area out. Every now and then, much to her dismay, she would pass a person with a dark aura that surrounded their entire being. She couldn't help but frown as she came to a stop at the main area where many staff members either passed by or spoke with one another. While there were people whom conversed normally, the majority of the people held dark auras.

"What's going on? A demon with this much power went unnoticed?" Sowon said quietly to herself.

She reached up and took hold of her halo before she threw it to her left. Immediately, a figure jumped out of the way before the halo circled around and made its way back to her. She caught the halo and held it in her hand as she focused on the figure whom now stood before her.

"So, you're the one behind all of this," Sowon said.

"Ah, someone actually capable. Sorry, but I don't have time for you today," the figure said.

Sowon threw her halo once again, but the figure jumped out of the way once more before they disappeared into a pool of darkness. She flew over to where the figure disappeared, but the pool had evaporated the second the figure disappeared. She slowly placed her halo above her head as she turned around.

"This won't do at all. Daehyun's in trouble if he stays here," Sowon said to herself as she began walking.

___________________________

"Where have you been?" Young Jae asked.

"Oh, you know. Here and there," Jaebum replied.

At the top of the M. Research Medical Corporation main building, Young Jae and Jaebum stood at the top once more. While Young Jae didn't exactly look pleased with Jaebum's response, Jaebum stood with his hands in his pockets and a smirk on his face.

"My superior is here. I can't let them find out about you," Young Jae said.

Jaebum faked a surprised look on his face as he moved over to Young Jae and pinched his cheek, "Why, Young Jae! You almost make it sound like we're hiding our relationship."

Young Jae pulled Jaebum's hand off of him as he said, "That's because I am! This isn't good. I can't keep secrets."

While Young Jae paced back and forth, lost in his own thoughts, Jaebum merely shrugged as he moved over to the nearest wall and leaned against it.

"Then just tell her about us," Jaebum said.

"And risk getting you killed? I can't let that happen," Young Jae said.

Jaebum couldn't help but grin as he moved over to Young Jae and pulled him into a large embrace. He ruffled Young Jae's hair as he made certain to keep a strong hold on him.

"I didn't think you cared about me so deeply already! I'm touched," Jaebum said.

"I'm, gah! Let go of me!" Young Jae said as he finally managed to pull himself free from Jaebum's grasp.

As he made attempts to fix his appearance, Young Jae said, "If you die, I die and I can't let that happen."

The happiness on Jaebum's face immediately disappeared as he merely shrugged and turned away. Once Young Jae finished cleaning up, Jaebum let out a sigh.

"Just come clean. Then I'll be safe and I can show up whenever I want. What's the problem?" Jaebum asked.

"Working with demons is against our rules. I can't be seen with you like this," Young Jae said.

"Oh, really? When we're out in the open and your almighty one can see everything?" Jaebum said as he leaned against the wall once more.

Young Jae was about to say something, but he stopped himself. He knew that going around in secret like this was also bad, so he couldn't help but feel guilty for what he was doing. Plus, if he did come clean with Sowon, at least she could be understanding and potentially keep from attacking Jaebum. The consequences would also lessen in intensity as opposed to if Sowon ended up finding out on her own. At least, that's what he hoped.

"Alright, I'll tell her," Young Jae said.

"Ah! Now that's a good little angel," Jaebum said as he pulled away from the wall and continued, "But there is something that I feel like you'd like to know."

"What is it?" Young Jae asked.

Jaebum made his way around Young Jae as he said, "The demon here is much stronger than we had anticipated. You sure you want to go up against them?"

Young Jae's eyebrows furrowed as he said, "Of course. It's my duty, but why are you telling me this?"

Jaebum smirked and turned to face Young Jae as he said, "Because if you die, I die. You said it earlier."

Young Jae nodded. Jaebum shook his head as he moved up to Young Jae and took hold of his chin.

"It would also be a shame to see such a beautiful creature hurt," Jaebum said.

Despite his best attempts to get Young Jae to feel any sort of embarrassment, Young Jae merely stared at him in confusion. Jaebum sighed as he pulled his hand away and made his way over to the edge.

"Look, just keep an eye out, okay? I don't want that other demon taking away the medium either. Got it?" Jaebum said.

"Oh, sure?" Young Jae responded.

"Ah, you're no fun," Jaebum said as he disappeared into his usual pool of darkness.