Jimin couldn't count how many times her mother nagged about her packing her things so slowly, yet she still didn't bother to speed up even just a little. Her not-so-awaited day of moving to her late great grandparents' old mansion had finally arrived, and it was clearly obvious that she wasn't so hyped up about it. As soon as she graduated from college and got her degree, the key to the said estate was her parents' special gift; said she would be the one to take care of it now that the perfect timing has come. 

The place was known to be operated by many of their generations, making Jimin feel even more uncomfortable moving in and staying there. The only convenient thing for her was the fact that the mansion was a bit closer to where she got her first job, and she wouldn't want to travel very far every single day just to get there and head home right after her shift. Besides, her parents promised her that they would find a trusted housekeeper just to make sure she wouldn't be alone.

“Jimin, are you done? The moving truck is here already. We really have to go!” 

“Coming, mom!” 

Jimin stared at her bedroom for the last time, a sad smile creeping up on her lips. It still looked the same, and it only had undergone a few renovations as she grew older. She slept in the same room for twenty-two years, and had great memories in the city she stayed in as well. But of course, not everything is permanent, and she knew she already had to move away for better opportunities.

As soon as she headed downstairs, she saw two men putting the bigger boxes inside the truck. Jimin let out a soft sigh and walked out of the house with an average sized box in her hands. It was full of the clothes that she would be wearing when she stayed there. It wasn't a lot since her mother informed her that the closet in her new bedroom wasn't very spacious. Jimin just thought that it'd be better to shop for new clothes once she gets there and checks the mall out. 

“You ready?” Her dad asked, smiling at her as he stared at the young girl through the mirror. Jimin just nodded before placing the box beside her and staring out of the window again. Her mother noticed the slight change in her facial expressions, so she reached for Jimin's hand and gave it a gentle rub. 

“Honey, I know it would be hard for you to adjust since this would be your first time living alone and away from your friends and family too. But look at the bright side, you'll have an even bigger house and you can do whatever you want with it since it's all yours now,” her mother said. “You can visit us here anytime you like, since your father already bought you a car to use for work.”

“Yeah, thanks mom.” 

It was a two hour drive and Jimin had already fallen asleep along the way. When she opened her eyes, the sky was already getting a bit dark and all she could see were huge trees that kind of made the atmosphere a bit gloomy. There weren't many cars in the street, and the streetlights also had a huge gap, which was why it was quite difficult for her to see the place clearly. As soon as her father turned the car gently, they entered a huge metal gate and were also warmly welcomed by an old man. Jimin already saw his face before, and she knew it was the gardener.

“Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Yoo! And lovely evening to you, Lady Jimin.” 

Jimin stared at the man weirdly, and then at her parents, who were just smiling from ear to ear.

“Why is he calling me that?” She whispered to her mom, but the woman just told her to not mind it.

The old man lead them towards the front door, unlocking it with the main key and spreading it widely. There, Jimin realized how incredibly big the mansion was. The floors were carpeted, and there was a golden chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The staircase looked exactly like those that are in a royal castle, and everything inside was also polished. One thing that Jimin noticed was the grand piano that was beside the fireplace, and it made her feel excited to play some tunes.

“Have you already found a housekeeper that would be accompanying Lady Jimin during her stay here?” The gardener asked. 

“Oh, we called someone last week and had a short interview with her. She will be coming here tomorrow along with a few of her important things. Do you have any place here for her to sleep in? Preferably a room that's close to Jimin's,” her mother replied. 

“Ah, yes! There is a room next to Lady Jimin's bedroom. It was the old study room, and it's basically empty as of now since nobody from the past family renovated it. You can just get a bed and a few bedroom furniture for the housekeeper, then she can do the rest. She can also paint the walls if that would make her feel at home.”

After a few more conversations and reminders, Jimin's parents left and told her they would just come visit tomorrow to introduce the housekeeper. Their gardener had already left as well, and she was already alone in the mansion. It was already nine in the evening and the weather felt a bit warm, so Jimin decided to take a cold bath. When she entered the bathroom, she was amazed by how big the bathtub was and she basically didn't need to shop for bathroom needs anymore because almost everything was already there.

As soon as the water felt okay enough for her to dip into, Jimin carefully hopped into the bathtub and released a sigh of relief as the cold water hugged her body. She slowly reached for her phone and scrolled through her inbox, softly giggling at how clingy her friends were since they all left so many messages. 

But of course, there was one special person that she wanted to talk to the most. 

Jimin dialed the number on FaceTime, and after a few minutes, the person on the other line answered.

“Hey, Yooji— my gosh, get dressed!” The person said, quite flustered with the sight of Jimin's exposed neck and collarbones. Jimin just chuckled at the girl's reactions.

“Don't act as if we haven't seen each other's bodies back in tenth grade, Aeri. How have you been?” Jimin asked as she lightly moved her legs to make waves on the water. 

“I should be the one asking you that. I know how tough it is to move to a place where you're clearly not used to staying, so I'm hoping you'd be able to survive there without any problems.” Aeri stated, worried that her best friend would have a hard time adjusting.

“Honestly, this mansion isn't as bad as what I expected. I feel like a princess every time I walk around because of how old-fashioned yet ravishing everything here is. The staircase looks like something you'd see on a royal castle back in the 70s,” Jimin explained. “I guess what only irks me is the gloomy and eerie atmosphere both inside and outside. This estate is literally surrounded by huge trees and I don't even have a single neighbor, just the small house of that old gardener here. It's just right across the place.”

“You know, it would be understandable for you to be irked by that most especially because that estate has been owned by the older generations of your family. Who knows what had happened there years back.”

Jimin raised her eyebrow.

“And your point is?” 

“My point is, I want you to always be alert and to keep yourself safe and sound all the time since you basically live alone. Don't forget to lock the doors and that huge gate before you leave and after you get home.” 

“Okay, sure mom.” 

“Also, maybe you should consider having the place blessed or something. You know, just in case...”

“Just in case what..?” Jimin asked, her tone changing into a threatening one. She knew what her best friend was about to say, and she didn't want to hear any of them.

“Nothing, nevermind! Anyway, I'll end the call now. My parents are calling me downstairs to eat and I don't want my mom yelling at me again. Let's just call later tonight before you sleep, if ever the deafening silence makes you feel uneasy. Love you, Yooji!”

When the video call ended, Jimin hopped out of the tub and dried herself using a clean towel. She then tightly wrapped it around her body and walked out of the bathroom. Her forehead immediately creased when darkness welcomed her. The last time she checked, she left the hallway lights open just to make sure she wouldn't trip or bump into something on her way to her room. 

Jimin didn't mind it anymore since traveling from her old house to the estate was really tiring and all she ever wanted was to get a long, peaceful sleep. She sauntered her way towards her bedroom and locked the door, quickly slipping into comfortable sleeping clothes and wrapping the bath towel around her head to help dry up her hair.

She checked the clock on her bedside table; it was already half past ten. Jimin was about to lie down when she felt her stomach growling. Remembering that her mother left homemade lasagna and kimbap inside the fridge, she happily skipped downstairs and headed towards the kitchen. 

“Gosh, this is so cool,” Jimin uttered when she saw a new microwave on the kitchen counter. She also planned to save up to buy one, but she guessed her parents had already planned ahead of her. 

Jimin grabbed the tray of lasagna and sliced a proportion large enough to satisfy her tummy. She placed the tray back in the fridge, and put the saucer inside the microwave, heating up the food for a few more minutes.

She was about to grab the wooden fork from the cupboard when she heard heavy footsteps coming from the living room. Jimin turned around, moving her head to check if the old gardener was there to talk to her or remind her about something. To her surprise, the living room was empty. She just shrugged and thought it was just her head messing with her, so she proceeded to get her food and eat.

“I'm seriously gonna miss mom's homemade food,” Jimin said, talking to herself as she chewed on the pasta. “I just hope she still brings me food as often as possible.” 

She was about to take another bite when she heard faint music playing. Jimin stared at her phone in confusion. There were no notifications from her social media accounts, no text messages, and no calls from any of the people in her contact list. She stopped her chewing and listened carefully, realizing that the sound was coming from the living room again. A cold breeze suddenly went past her, and it made her feel goosebumps all over her body.

She suddenly remembered what her best friend, Aeri, told her during their video chat. 

“Also, maybe you should consider having the place blessed or something. You know, just in case...”

Jimin's hands started to shake in nervousness as she slowly walked towards the living room to check whatever was making that sound. She was never the type to believe in such things, but when her eyes landed on the grand piano...

“AHHHHHHH!” 

Jimin fell to the ground, her scream catching the attention of the spirit who was playing the piano. It was clearly obvious that the girl was a supernatural entity, judging by how pale she looked and how her feet didn't touch the solid floor. Jimin couldn't believe what she was seeing, and she kept slapping her cheeks aggressively, hoping that she was just hallucinating. Much to her dismay, it was real, and there was indeed a ghost inside the mansion.

“Wait, you can see me?” The ghost surprisingly asked when she made eye-to-eye contact with Jimin, making the human scream even louder. 

“Hey! Stop screaming,” she uttered, leaving the grand piano and floating her way towards the girl that was hugging her knees in the corner of the living room. “Listen, I'm not sure if this is your first time seeing a ghost in a scary, white dress, but I really don't have plans on hurting you. Chill!”

“Oh my god, this isn't really happening. I just know this is a bad dream. Wake up Jimin, wake up!” She said, continuing to slap her cheeks even if it was already hurting. The ghost just stared at her weirdly, crossing her arms.

“You should seriously stop that. Your cheeks are redder than blood! Don't they hurt?” 

“Stop talking to me!” Jimin threatened, quickly standing up and reaching for the wooden cross that was hanging on the wall. She then lifted her arms up, gripping tightly on the cross. “Go away evil spirit! I have protection!” 

The ghost couldn't help but chuckle, and it was the creepiest laugh Jimin had ever heard. It just made her hands shake more. 

“Look, I've been in this mansion for seven whole years already. The past families that lived here already called shamans and priests to bless the place, yet I'm still here. And please, I'm way far from being an evil spirit, so those protections or whatever you call them won't work on me. I'm just a random girl who finds happiness in playing that grand piano over there, except I'm already dead.”

Jimin let out a heavy sigh, throwing the cross on the couch and walking back and forth. She wasn't informed about this entity, and she wondered if the gardener knew something about this. 

“Oh come on, what's cooler than having a ghost companion in this huge place? Besides, I was a pianist and you can ask me to play some tunes for you to make the atmosphere brighter!” 

“Look, I have no plans on making you my companion. You're a ghost and you should be in heaven or whatever place souls stay, not here in my house,” Jimin said, making the ghost pout. 

“You know, you're the first person to see me and that made me feel at ease. I've always felt so alone all these years. Many families lived here already and they're only creeped out at random things that are moving by itself, which I've been responsible for. But none of them ever saw me! I don't look scary, right?” 

“You're dead, pale, and literally floating in mid air. You call that 'not scary'?” Jimin asked in a sarcastic tone. 

“Well, isn't that what ghosts are supposed to look like? Anyway, let me formally introduce myself to you since you're gonna be seeing me oftentimes now. My name's Minjeong, short for Kim Minjeong. I don't know how old I am right now; all I remember is that I died when I was a teenager because of a bad accident. Maybe I'm in my twenties already? Basically a college student, only if I weren't dead.”

Jimin just rolled her eyes and walked out of the living room. She headed back to the kitchen, frowning when she realized that her lasagna had already gone cold. She was about to reheat it when Minjeong suddenly appeared in front of her, making her almost drop the plate.

“Jesus, can you stop?!” She exclaimed, walking past the girl. She then felt really cold when Minjeong's body just passed right through her. 

“I was just trying to be friendly! It's a rare occurrence for me to meet a human who could actually see me, so I should work my hardest to become your friend!” Minjeong said, gently pulling one of the dining chairs and sitting comfortably on it. 

Jimin sighed for the nth time, sitting across the ghost that was giving her a warm smile. She'd be living in the mansion for the heavens knew how long, and she had no other choices but to deal with whatever was bugging her right now. 

“How long did you say you were staying here?” Jimin asked before taking a sip of her orange juice.

“Seven years! I have always celebrated my birthdays alone, and sometimes it's funny whenever the members of the family get creeped out seeing a random balloon floating around the house every year. That's just me saying hi to them and hoping they would greet me, but none were successful.” Minjeong answered, a hint of sadness evident in her voice.

Jimin couldn't help but feel bad. When she was in elementary, she was always alone and was never a part of any friendship circles. No one wanted to play with her, nor even befriend her because she was different. 

And by being different, she could see things that no normal people could see.

That's why when she saw Minjeong playing the piano, she tried to convince herself that she was only hallucinating because of the childhood trauma she had years back. But the ghost seemed okay, and she understood how hard it was to be alone, so Jimin just decided to embrace whatever was happening to her at that very moment.

“Well, we can celebrate your birthday this year if you want to.” 

Minjeong sighed.

“My birthday's every first of January, the start of the new year. There's still a few months left before the end of this year though, and you probably won't be around anymore.” 

“Who told you that? I'll be staying here for good since I'll be the one to take care of this place. We'll celebrate it, alright? Quit frowning, you look even scary with it.”

Minjeong watched as Jimin tiredly went upstairs as soon as she was finished with washing the dishes. She looked at the old clock, realizing that it was already late, and Jimin probably needed to rest, so she didn't bug her anymore. 

That day was the best she had ever had in seven years, and Minjeong wishes that she could get to spend the remaining days she had with Jimin before her soul completely disappears.

-

Jimin opened her eyes gently, looking around the room she was in despite the blurry vision. After it had adjusted, a soft sigh escaped her lips. She was still inside the mansion, and whatever happened to her last night wasn't clearly a dream. Jimin was just thankful the ghost she had met respected her privacy and she didn't wake up with her face right in front of her because that would certainly freak her out. 

“Minjeong..?” Jimin called out, looking around the living room to check if the ghost was there. To her surprise, there were no signs of her. 

“Jimin, you're finally awake!” 

It was her mother, and she was holding a spatula. 

“Oh, mom. Since when did you get here?” She asked, gently rubbing her eyes as she walked towards the kitchen with the woman. 

“An hour ago. You were sleeping so deeply and I thought you weren't able to sleep well last night because of the new environment, so I chose not to bother you. Anyway, your new housekeeper's here and she'll be your companion during your stay in this place! Don't worry, your father and I did background checks and she came from a very nice family. She's also very polite and very sweet. I'm sure you'll like her,” her mother informed. 

On cue, a tall girl, probably the same age as Jimin's, entered the kitchen with a laundry basket in her hands. 

“Greetings, Lady Jimin. My name's Yeji and I'm very pleased to meet you.” 

“Please, just call me Jimin. I'm not royalty or some sort, just a normal person,” she suggested. 

“Oh, honey, who is that person you were calling earlier?” Jimin's mother asked. She was already done cooking breakfast, so she put the dishes she had prepared on the table. There were bacon and fried rice, eggs, spicy noodle soup, and sautéed vegetables. 

“What person?” She asked, confused. 

“You were calling someone earlier when you went downstairs. I think it was Minjeong? Did a college friend come here and visit you last night?”

Jimin's throat suddenly went dry. She didn't know why her first thought in the morning was to look for the ghost, and she couldn't deny that she was also worried that she left the place because she talked to her rudely.

“Jimin, dear?” Her mother called, snapping her out of her deep thoughts. 

“Huh? Oh, it's nothing, mom. I probably thought I was still dreaming. Nobody visited me last night; don't think about it too much.”

The three of them sat down to eat. Yeji had just finished doing the laundry and Jimin's mother ordered her to fix the room where she would be staying after breakfast. 

Jimin's mind was still a bit cloudy, probably because of the overwhelming things that happened to her first night inside the mansion. She couldn't really stop thinking about Minjeong, and she was also curious about her, most specifically where she came from and why, out of all places, did she decide to haunt her great grandparents' estate. She was about to grab a bowl of sautéed vegetables when a white figure suddenly passed behind their housekeeper, Yeji. The girl suddenly felt tingly, and Jimin wasn't able to miss how Yeji looked around to check.

Obviously, she can't really see anything.

Because Jimin can clearly witness how Minjeong happily played with the cat-eyed girl's hair. 

“So, when will your shift start?” Jimin's mother asked in the middle of the peaceful silence, making Jimin jump a little in surprise. 

“Oh, I have to be at the hospital before 12, so I'll be getting ready after breakfast,” she replied.

Jimin will be working as a neurosurgeon, and she was able to successfully get the job on one of the biggest hospitals in Korea. What excites her the most is the chance to perform surgeries for certain patients, but since she was still new, she's gonna be needing the guidance of the other surgeons there. Jimin is no doubt, a hardworking and determined person, so she's confident that she'll be able to do well and eventually receive her first successful surgery.

“Drive safely, okay? It rained a lot earlier when you were asleep and the road's very slippery. I know you're a reckless driver,” her mother reminded. Jimin just gave the woman a nod and quickly finished her meal. 

When she was sure that Yeji and her mother were already focused on the food on their plate, Jimin looked at Minjeong, who was still busy playing around, and signaled her to follow her upstairs. It wasn't too hard to convince her because she immediately followed Jimin until they both reached the bedroom.

“You really need to be careful about moving around in this house,” Jimin said. “I know none of them could see you, but they could still feel when something's not right.” 

Minjeong pouted.

“You were too busy talking to them and I got bored. Anyway, I heard you're leaving today?” 

“Yes, I have to go to work. Yeji will be around the whole day so make sure you won't do anything stupid like making things float to catch her attention. Just roam around the house or head outside and stare at the trees if you like.” 

“What time are you gonna be home? I won't have anyone to talk to again,” Minjeong whined, making Jimin sigh in disbelief.

“You've been alone for years and didn't have anyone to talk to in those times. What makes my disappearance any different?” 

“I don't know,” she replied. “I just like talking to you. You're rude, but also fun to converse with. I want to talk to you all day if that's possible!” 

The raven-haired girl sighed once more.

“Whatever, just behave and don't do anything that would cause trouble. I'll try to be home as early as I can.” 

After driving for half an hour, Jimin reached the hospital safely. The place wasn't too crowded with visitors, and she was also welcomed by one of the head nurses, whom she introduced herself to the surgeon as Taeyeon. She also led Jimin to her office and instructed her that she would mostly be staying there to thoroughly check the