Dara’s POV

     I stepped into the house, and turned to lock the front door. Fast footsteps neared me. “Noona!” a familiar voice gasped in relief.

     I turned to see Sanghyun before me. He was panting, his eyes widened, and his uniform untucked. I blinked, “You’re home early.”

     He stared at me with wide eyes. Then, he cleared his throat uneasily and raked his hair. “Be careful.” He muttered, “I heard from the neighbours that they spotted him on the streets.”

     Silence came. My heart began to thump faster. My palms turned sweaty as I gripped the strap of my bag. I swallowed, “Him?”

     Sanghyun’s eyes flickered up to me from the floor. He nodded. “Yeah. Him.” He muttered, “He was smoking while being drunk as usual.” I blinked rapidly as I looked down at the wooden boards of the floor.

     I swallowed again and my dry lips. “I don’t think it’ll be long before he comes here.” Sanghyun added softly. I looked up at him, wide-eyed in horror. Sanghyun stared at me helplessly. Then, his expression changed into something cold and hard.

     “Don’t worry about him. I’ll try and come home early from school for the next few weeks. You try and come home a little later.” He muttered as he loosened his tie. “Sanghyun…” I furrowed my brows.

     With one frustrated tug, his tie was off. He clutched it tight in his hand. “Take your medicine, noona.” He muttered. “It’s not time yet.” I whispered. Sanghyun looked up at the clock.

     “Taking your medicine at regular time intervals works better. From tomorrow onwards, bring your medicine to school and have it after lunch. This way, you won’t have to wake yourself up at midnight to take it.” He said and turned towards the stairs.

     “But why?” I cried out. He stopped, his back facing me. “I know I don’t take it at regular timings but-” I began. “He’s back, noona!” he burst in frustration, “You need to maintain your condition.”

     I bit my lip and lowered my gaze. “You’re probably going to feel more unsafe and terrified when out right?” he muttered, “Taking your medicine at regular timings would be more helpful then.” He headed up the stairs.

     My bag strap slid down my shoulder. With a thud, my bag fell onto the floor. I sighed.

    Please, don’t come back.

***

Jiyong’s POV

     I stepped out the shower, the warm steam pooling around my feet. All I had on was a towel wrapped around my lower body. A smaller towel was in my hand, and I was using it to dry my hair.

     “It’s freezing.” I muttered as I headed to the heater and turned it up. As I used to towel to dry my hair, I headed to the huge glass panes.

     My apartment was a pretty high-class apartment, and the windows were huge full-length windows from the floor to the ceiling. My apartment was at the highest level of the building, and it pleased my eyes with a beautiful night view of the city.

     I noticed my reflection in the glass, and I cocked my head as I stared at my pale, near-white hair. “Old man…” I mumbled, “But it’s not pure white!” I clicked my tongue and huffed.

     “Is it time to change my hair colour?” I mumbled. I thought for a while, then shook my head with a tight-lipped smile.

     “Ani. This serves as a reminder.”

***

Third Person’s POV

     “Yah! Sandara Park!”

     The blonde stopped in her tracks as the he hurried up to her. “You only came to school now? It’s already lunch time!” Jiyong furrowed his brows, “Chaerin was panicking in the morning and making a huge drama like someone had kidnapped you or something.”

     Dara turned to look at him. She stared at him, thoughts whirling around in her head, a question lying on the tip of her tongue.

     Jiyong raised a brow, “You look like you want to ask me something.” She blinked. “No.” she muttered, lying, “I don’t.”

     Dara lowered her gaze. Why would I want to ask him t