Cold nights like these were nothing new to Kihyun. Every night was the same. Drunkards staggering through the narrow alleyways to their next destination, couples sitting hand in hand as they occupied shops and cafes while workers burning the late night oil race home to their families. All of them not the least bit concerned about the thing called life. Each of them go about their daily routines, some even repetitive, not worried if this day could be their last. Each one taking life for granted. 

 

But that didn’t go for everyone.

 

Kihyun would occasionally run into, sometimes literally, someone who lives each and every day as their last, and for some, that day is their last. Those people live good lives and for that, are granted a good afterlife. Nevertheless, however, those that live such lives can be tempted into living different lives - coerced into abandoning sound morals and logic. 

 

That’s where Kihyun comes in. 

 

He’s not your typical man - hell, he’s not even a human being. Though his physical appearance is that of a delicately masucline one, Yoo Kihyun is actually a demon whose sole purpose is to tempt people into doing his own dirty deeds - occasionally carrying them out himself - to ensure that not everyone has the coveted afterlife. He deems it as a sort of balance - like nations who utilize population control, or the serpent in the Garden of Eden. 

 

There are the rare few that are not to be touched and those that cannot be tempted no matter his efforts. Such persons are those who are usually reborn so demons like him can get another chance at trying their hands at temptation, but those happenings are slim. Likewise, only those acquired by near death experiences are able to garner a second chance at redemption. 

 

Entering the familiar location, Kihyun made his way to the back of the dimly lit restaurant’s bar. A lone table in the farthest and darkest corner of the area became his favorite spot. It gave him the perfect view of the entire building making it easier for him to spot unsuspecting targets. Also to his pleasure, he found joy in the speedy process of doing so - after all, Kihyun was the best at what he did. 

 

As expected, Kihyun noticed a slightly intoxicated male near the bar. It should be stated that Kihyun didn’t exactly have any special powers of sorts, he was just a master at the art of persuasion. Many would attribute such professionalism to his appearance because despite his human skin, his physical features were a bit outworldly - some might even deem him supernaturally perfect. 

 

Midnight black hair that shone deeply - almost as if the thick strands were breathing, and perhaps they were. Piercing, yet mesmerizing eyes like a dark abyss capable of disappearing into at a mere glance. Tall and thin - ethereal, really. Every human who encountered him described him as though he were some heavenly being instead of a demon, but to humans, demons were grotesque beings - not someone who looks like a strikingly alluring man. 

 

In addition, each of his targets claimed they didn’t remember anything after encountering Kihyun. With blank memories and only their hands and bodies at crime scenes, the targets would ultimately get blamed for the crime, thus becoming tainted - their chance at a good afterlife lost. 

 

Approaching the rowdy male, Kihyun steadied his hands before he had the chance to spill his drink on Kihyun or anyone else. Leaning closer he whispered into the now still male’s ear before pulling back and looking deep into the stranger’s eyes before watching the man pay his tab and make his way out of the building and into autumn’s chilly night air. A devious smile slowly curved Kihyun’s lips at another deed done that he’ll surely hear about on the news the following morning. 

 

Turning around, Kihyun noticed a woman in the typical short, skin tight black dress eyeing him as if he were a gazelle and she was a lioness. Little did she know it was the opposite - him the predator and she the prey. 

 

Might as well have some fun, he thought to himself before approaching her with long, confident strides.

 

Daylight poured through the cracks in the curtains. Kihyun picked his coat off of the floor before slipping through the door without uttering even the slightest farewell. Not that he deemed it important - it was a one night stand, after all.

 

 Making his way to his apartment, Kihyun thought of trying a new location tonight. He was starting to gain too much popularity at his usual spots, so he really had no choice but to pioneer onto somewhere new. With a mild sigh, he unlocked the door before slipping into his apartment - shoes immediately kicked off at the door before he moved forward to enter the kitchen for a quick bite. 

 

The apartment was small, but comfortable. Shockingly cozy and cheerful with light colored walls and furniture - definitely not the type of place anyone would think someone like him would live, but Kihyun was different. He enjoyed daylight and living life as a normal human, or what could be perceived as such. When he was alive, he didn’t get to enjoy much of the one he was given, so now he makes up for it the best he can in this life while also carrying out the orders of a demon. 

 

Call it a balance.

 

Cleaning up after breakfast, he takes a quick shower before laying down upon his bed to run through a mental list of what he could tempt someone to do tonight. There were so many possibilities that he found himself slightly stressed with the realization of just how little time there was in each day. With a sigh, Kihyun closed his eyes before drifting off into a deep sleep. He might be a demon, but he, too, needs his rest. 

 

Waking up to the sound of his alarm, Kihyun sits up and rubs his eyes bore looking out the window to see a veil of darkness from the sunless sky. A small pang constricted his heart upon the sight - he’s becoming more familiar with the sights and sounds of night than he is with daylight. He missed the feeling of the warm sun on his skin, the warm breeze, the sight and sound of an afternoon rain showers and the scent thereafter. He missed all of it, but there wasn’t much that he could do other than release his hand’s grip upon his chest before getting up and readying himself for the long night ahead. 

 

The air was colder than usual. Pulling his jacket tighter around his frame, Kihyun made his way down the opposite end of the street he usually walked. Naturally, he wasn’t too familiar with this area, but he didn’t have anything to worry about - nothing can happen to demons. He had been attacked once by a drunk man that resulted in him being stabbed, but he felt no pain, nor could he die. His attacker, however, could and did at Kihyun’s hand, no less. After all, he couldn’t risk the exposure. 

 

Kihyun had been aimlessly wandering about, zig-zagging through the streets without paying attention to where he was going. Stopping at a corner, he noticed a small convenience store across the street from where he stood - almost ironically as his stomach growled. Caressing his tummy, Kihyun made his way into the building. 

 

The store was vacant except for girl working the register and a younger man browsing through the assortment of alcoholic beverages while stealing glances at the employee every now and then, not even bothered by Kihyun’s presence or the fact that Kihyun was aware of his actions. It disgusted the demon, but he didn’t do anything. Instead, he grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler and a bag of honey chips before making his way to the counter, but as he did so, the other man pushed his way past Kihyun as he slammed his selection upon the counter before leaning in with a haughty smile. 

 

The girl at the register looked calm, but Kihyun could sense that she was nervous. Silently, the demon watched her and the guy in front of him closely as a perfectly shaped brow raised. 

 

Kihyun presumed she was around the same age he was - shoulder length black hair framing her face in a cute and chic way. A baggy hoodie and a pair of black skinny jeans covered her figure as a tired expression seemingly permanently etched itself across her face. Noticing the books beside her, Kihyun realized she was a college student before nodding - this must be one of the ways she’s paying for her schooling. 

 

He had to give it to her, she seemed like a good person, or responsible at least, and for once in his life, he felt conflicted. Despite her good nature, she wasn’t off limits to him, but there was something in the way she acted and carried herself that struck fear into him; almost conscious-like like when he was a human, himself. She seemed like she was living the best life she could for herself and he didn’t want to jeopardize that. He could always easily find a new target, like the guy in front of him. 

 

As he was observing her, the young man before him had become quite bold. It was obvious that he was hitting on her, but his fingers and palms were getting touchy and too close for the female’s comfort. She tried backing up as best as she could, but the small confines of the counter didn’t allow her to escape his reach. Reaching his hand out he went to run his fingers across the side of her cheek, only to be stopped before he could lay a finger on her. Kihyun whipped his hand up and grabbed his wrist. The man spun around shooting daggers at Kihyun as he looked to his wrist and back to Kihyun. 

 

“What the hell, man? Let me go!”  The young man was slurring every word that left his lips.

 

“I would strongly suggest you not touch her.” 

 

Staring intensely at the man, Kihyun slowly pulled the drunk’s arm back down to his side as he leaned forward to whisper a task into the man’s ear before releasing him. Watching closely, the man took the alcohol back to the shelf and walked out of the store. Turning back to the slightly shaken woman, Kihyun gave her a gentle smile before placing his items on the counter. Returning his hands back down to his side, Kihyun noticed her sigh in relief as tensed shoulders relaxed. Carrying out the transaction, Kihyun smiled at her as he grabbed the bag from the counter before bidding her a goodnight and to stay safe.

 

“Thank you.” 

 

Her small, soft voice echoed through the now quiet store. Kihyun turned around to glance at the girl once more. The sound of her voice resonating deep within him. He felt frozen. He knew he should open the door and leave, but his body would not respond. Locking gazes with the girl before him, he could see the appreciation in her eyes and almost instantaneously, he felt his body frost over completely.

 

Is this how people felt when they looked at him? Who was this girl? Why did she have such an effect on him?

 

Snapping himself out of his daze he blinked rapidly and looked away from her. Clearing his throat, he opened the door as his voice cracked, “Take care of yourself, okay?” 

 

That’s all that Kihyun asked before leaving without waiting for her response. Quickly walking outside and back to the opposite end of the street, his head cleared almost instantly. Briefly halting, he dipped into the shadows before turning back to face the store. He could see the girl staring in his direction, but he knew she could no longer see him. Kihyun watched as she played with the small blue gem dangling on the necklace that hung just below her collarbones, her eyes shifting away from his direction to fall upon two females that walked into the store. Taking the opportunity, he snuck back down the street, but only to turn back once more to peer at her with ever-burning confusion.

 

An hour later, Kihyun found himself perched up on top of a roof of a nearby building. He couldn’t bring himself to leave the vicinity of the store. He couldn’t leave her. Snacking on his chips and water, the demon watched as the girl hastefully made her way around the store before doing one final check to make sure everything had been completed and the store was vacant. Grabbing her belongings, she switched off some of the lights before making her way out into the night. After locking up, she spun on her heels before heading down the same street Kihyun came from. 

 

Making his way off the roof, Kihyun kept to the shadows as he followed her back to her place. Once he knew she was safe inside her apartment, he made his way back to his place. Gnawing on his lip, Kihyun was deep in thought. He had heard stories about demons being affected by humans, but he always thought they were myths, but now? Now, he was starting to question everything. 

 

Why couldn’t he bring himself to leave that store? It’s like she was gravity and he was being pulled to wherever she was by an unseenable force. 

 

With a sigh, he flopped down onto his bed and rolled onto his back. Staring up at the ceiling his thoughts consumed his brain.

 

“Humans can’t have an affect on demons, can they?