The leader of the infamous, upcoming banger of a band, the Saja Boys. A boy band that broke records worldwide in the shortest period of time, as if their songs had been enhanced with some kind of otherworldly power meant to attract the people.

Well, they were, but not many knew – apart from the demon hunters of the country who still fell for their cheap tricks.

And you've just made the worst mistake, walking right into a trap and blindly ignoring every piece of advice kindly offered to you. Call it stupidity or attraction, either way, like a moth to a flame, you started spending more and more time hanging around Jinu, getting to know the rival idol.

Inevitably, you grew closer. He treated you differently, and it made you feel special. You had memorized his behavior with others, how sharp-tongued and indifferent he acted, deceiving people around him to his advantage, harmlessly.

Still, he'd turn fifty different shades of pink when your eyes met, his usual confidence melting at your feet. He spent his nights restlessly rolling on his bedsheets and overthinking about accidental bumps between you two from like a month ago instead of catching a wink of sleep. You'd notice. You'd try to confront him about the way he struggled to remain awake during fan meetings, but he'd rather vanish than admit to his feelings.

At first, he could avoid all emotion that would betray his former human nature. Not anymore, though. "You did well today." You'd compliment him in the friendliest manner right after a performance. He swears he knew how to open his mouth to speak just a second ago.

Who could've thought that an almost 400-year-old demon constantly tormented by Gwi-Ma rotting in his mind alongside his guilt would be this deeply in touch with his feelings? Well, certainly not your group, huntrix.

It was a foolish trait coded into human nature to judge books by their cover and summary.

"Since when are you quiet?" You murmured, hoping to engrave the pleasant sensation of the breeze gently hitting your skin as you sat atop a rooftop. In all honesty, he had never been the obnoxiously loud type, chaotic? Sure, but never this quiet.

In your presence, everything was... strange, in a way he couldn't quite place; his mind finally felt like his own, and he understood what it meant to be seen and heard. "... I talk." Jinu replied simply, voice soft and calculated while he busied himself dusting his shoulders. It had been part of his deal, after all.

You couldn't help the subtle scoff that escaped your lips, "I'm not doubting your ability to speak, Jinu." Your hands cupped his face almost instantly as he tried to look away, avoiding your gaze like it was holy water on his skin. "What has happened to you?"

His breath hitched, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed thickly. "Please don't do that..." He began, flinching at first before he gave in, pressing himself closer to your warmth, hoping to be enveloped in it. However, the determined look on your face told him that he wouldn't be able to escape your question that easily.

"You happened." Jinu finally voiced the thoughts he had tried so hard to push to the back of his mind. "And I stopped talking, so I could listen to you." His gaze dropped, filled with an uncharacteristic amount of vulnerability shielded from everyone's view, yet it couldn't escape yours. He didn't sign up for this when creating the Saja boys.

And all of a sudden, Jinu looked so reserved, an ironic image of a nationally loved idol whose fame precedes him. Even more ironic for a demon drenched in melancholy and misery to be head over heels for a mere human.

Cheeks flushed, dark eyes stealing a few shy glances as his brows furrowed, head lowered, like a lost puppy desperate to hear any kind of sentence, word even, roll off your tongue.

Your heart ached at the pathetic sight before you, and he tugged at your heartstrings. How could you respond straight away to something so emotionally impacted?