A few days after the kidnapping incident, it began to rain. Hyunjoong paid a visit to the Headmaster, worried about the weather. When he got to the office, he saw the man at the window with a concerned expression, his right hand pressed against the window, the other in his jacket pocket. Hyunjoong knocked.

"Yes, come in," was the answer.

Hyunjoong slowly opened the door. "Annyeonghaseyo."

"Hyunjoong-ah," the Headmaster started, immediately getting onto topic. "I'm going to be leaving for a week or so."

"Is it because of the rain?"

The older man nodded. "Yes, the barrier we put around the school is getting weaker. The rain's falling through. It's a bad sign. That means the spirit magic is getting stronger."

"Even the barrier is getting affected by spirit magic?" Hyunjoong asked in astonishment. "But the barrier's made of magic."

"Spirit magic can easily cut through magic," the Headmaster told him. "Why do you think the vampires are so powerless against the nine-tailed fox?"

The boy nodded. "So you're leaving soon?"

"I'm leaving now. I have to get to the Council of Night as soon as possible to get them to strengthen the barrier. If this goes on, we won't be protected anymore."

Hyunjoong nodded. "I'll look after the Night class then. Good luck on your trip and come back safely."

The Headmaster turned from the window and smiled. "Take care of your fellow classmates and make sure they don't get into any sort of trouble, arasseo?"

"Neh~"

After that, Hyunjoong left the room and headed back to the Night class dorms. Youngsaeng rushed to him once he entered their room.

"Did something happen?" the boy asked quickly, his red glasses on.

"The barrier around our school is weakening," Hyunjoong replied and patted the latter softly on the head with a light smile. "Don't worry, he's going to the Council to get it strong again."

"Why is it weakening? Is it because they haven't strengthened it in a long time?" Youngsaeng questioned curiously as he plopped down onto a chair, clutching onto a book about the nine-tailed fox again.

Hyunjoong shook his head with a sigh. "No... The Headmaster said that the spirit magic is becoming stronger."

"Spirit magic... affects the barrier?"

"Believe it or not. It does.The spirit magic is still growing somehow. We don't know how or why."

Youngsaeng was silent as he looked down at the book he was holding. Maybe I should tell them... But if Hyunjoong knows, then he'll hate me... I don't want him to hate me. I don't want any of my friends to turn against me...

"Saengie? Saengie," Hyunjoong repeated, trying to get the boy's attention.

Youngsaeng snapped out of his daze and saw Hyunjoong kneeling down and gazing up at him. The older boy reached up and gently caressed the boy's cheek. "Are you okay? You seem pale... Is there something bothering you?"

"N-no, of course not," Youngsaeng replied quickly with a bright smile. "I'm fine."

"I think you're tired. You need some more sleep," Hyunjoong concluded, beginning to drag Youngsaeng to the bed.

"No, I'm wide awake right now. I'm fine, I don't need sleep," Youngsaeng told him but he threw the boy onto the blanket and covered him with a blanket.

"Sleep," the boy ordered as he took the book out of Youngsaeng's hands. "I'll wake you up in a few hours when it's time for class."

"But I'm not sleepy..." the latter whined with a cute pout.

Hyunjoong smiled and pecked the younger boy on the forehead. "I love you."

Youngsaeng grinned. "I love you, too."

What will my life be like if Hyunjoong hates me? I can't... I don't want him to hate me... I don't want that to happen. I don't want him to leave me. Ever. I want him to stay by my side. I can't tell him. I can't tell him. At least, not yet.