The Doll's Secret Whisper
Did you think hiding would keep me from finding you? "Hello?"
A voice echoed, as if forged from endless void.
"Who...?"
Luna glanced around at the sound of someone calling her name, but aside from Si-hyun beside her, there was no one else. Could it have been Si-hyun making that sound?
"No way..."
His voice was always gentle and warm. Nothing like the eerie, chilling tone from moments ago.
"Who is it...?"
"L-Lulu...?"
The rabbit doll cradled in her arms lifted its head slightly and looked at Luna.
"L-Lulu... isn't you...?"
The doll moved as naturally as a person, continuing the conversation. Under normal circumstances, a child might see it as a magical dream come true. But in a world where ghost stories had become reality, a moving doll was an omen of dread in itself.
"C-Can you... keep talking now...?"
The doll raised its stuffed arm in a farewell wave to Luna.
Thud.
The arm flopped limply downward, and the rabbit doll moved no more.
"Lulu..."
It was a wondrous experience. The doll Si-hyun had picked out for her because it looked like her had moved and spoken. Luna wanted to tell him all about it.
"Si-..."
But the girl opened her lips only to close them again.
What if he doesn't believe me...?
A doll moving? And talking, no less? Would Si-hyun believe that? Normally, she'd have blurted it all out without a second thought. But the doll's final words had suddenly filled her with unease.
—"Keep it a secret from Si-hyun. He wouldn't believe it anyway."
What if Si-hyun really didn't believe her...? If the one precious person in her world didn't trust her...?
"No way..."
That couldn't happen. Si-hyun would believe her.
"Right...?"
Clutching a tiny speck of anxiety in her chest, Luna approached Si-hyun.
"Si-hyun... Lulu talked."
"Lulu talked?"
"Yeah... Said 'hello.'"
Would he believe her? If he laughed... what then...?
Her hand gripping his clothes trembled faintly. But Si-hyun blew away her worries in an instant.
"Haha, really? Lulu must've been thrilled to meet the real Luna."
"Ah...?"
Si-hyun smiled brightly and squeezed her hand tight. Not a trace of doubt in his eyes—just pure trust in the girl's words.
"Si-hyun... you believe me...?"
"Of course."
"Why...?"
"Hmm... If I had to pick a reason—"
Si-hyun crouched down to meet her gaze directly, then gently stroked her cheek.
"Luna, golden eyes have been said since ancient times to see the truths of the world clearly. And your eyes shine the most beautiful gold."
Si-hyun booped her nose lightly.
"How could I not believe what someone with eyes like yours saw? And I told you—I like you, Luna. You gotta believe what the girl you like says. Even if she doubts herself, I'll believe for her."
"......"
Luna was speechless. He trusted her so naturally, like water flowing downhill. To think someone in this world believed in her like that. She felt foolish for even hesitating after the doll's words.
"Si-hyun... h-hug me... tight... please hug me tight."
She couldn't hold back. She wanted to melt into his arms.
"Like this?"
—Squeeze.
Enfolded in his ever-comforting embrace, the girl's anxiety vanished in a heartbeat.
"My arms are Luna-exclusive, so just say the word anytime."
"Yeah... Si-hyun."
No sly doll's words could ever come between them, not even a speck.
'Asking for a tight hug—Luna's just too damn cute!'
Si-hyun felt his efforts bearing fruit.
'She knows how to act spoiled now too—Luna's grown so much!'
Luna had seemed anxious for a moment, but now she looked settled. That's when his eyes fell on the little rabbit doll.
'The doll talked, huh...'
A typical adult might dismiss it as an imaginary friend and brush it off. But not Si-hyun.
'Luna wouldn't lie. This was definitely the doll Lulu talking for real.'
His absolute faith in Luna. And knowing ghost stories better than anyone, he didn't take her words lightly.
"Luna, I'd love to chat with Lulu too—mind lending her for a sec?"
"Yeah... here..."
"Perfect timing—I got some fish-shaped buns. Wait here munching on this, okay?"
Luna nodded as she took the bun.
'Best lil' smiling beauty sis who listens so well.'
Si-hyun gave her head a gentle pat, then stepped aside.
"Alright, this should be far enough that Luna won't hear me."
Si-hyun stared at the rabbit doll.
"Notification Window. You sensing anything off about the doll I picked?"
You really believe what Luna said, Si-hyun?
"Duh. Our Luna doesn't lie. And how could I not believe her? Gotta trust her, obviously."
He might deny it himself, but that's the kind of guy Si-hyun was. Deeply affectionate and kindhearted. Once someone entered his circle, he trusted them more than anyone.
Si-hyun, you're... as steadfast as ever, past and present.
"Sheesh. How long you been watching me? So, anything or not?"
The Notification Window flickered and began to glow.
Yeah, something's there... but it feels really tucked away. How'd you know?
"I just trusted Luna, that's all. Anyway, something's there, right?"
Yes. But it's just a faint trace left behind. Feels like the main body's somewhere else.
"If it was something good, no need to hide. Daring to whisper secretly to our innocent princess?"
—Shake shake!
Si-hyun grabbed the doll with both hands and shook it vigorously up and down.
"Part of it's in here, right? Come out nicely while I'm asking. Or I'll shake till you do."
Si-hyun, you think that'll work?
"Tell it not to come out if it doesn't want to. I'll shake it forever."
Whoosh whoosh.
About five minutes of that, and—
—Hiss.
A hazy gray mist seeped from the rabbit doll and floated into the air. Si-hyun wasn't about to let it escape.
Snatch!
"Hey, no you don't. Think I'd just let you go?"
It's out? But so weak, no reaction possible.
The gray mist wriggled in his grip, then went limp, strength spent.
"Can't be helped. Main body's elsewhere, huh. Let's at least erase this bit. You can do it, right?"
Piece of cake!
—Flash!
The Notification Window pulsed with light, and the gray mist shattered into fragments, vanishing completely.
"Got it out of the doll at least—lucky break. But still feels off. Time to head back."
Si-hyun picked up the rabbit doll and hurried to Luna, who sat patiently waiting. But in his rush from the bad vibe, he missed a small stone underfoot.
—Trip!
"Ack?!"
Si-hyun tumbled to the ground. No major injury, but his knee scraped the pavement and started bleeding a bit.
"Ow, why's there a damn rock here."
He checked the wound—not too bad.
"Si-hyun... does it hurt?"
"Yeah, but it'll heal quick. Don't worry, Luna."
"......"
Then—
—Thud.
Suddenly, Luna threw herself forward. Before Si-hyun could stop her, she fell too.
"L-Luna! You okay?!"
"Yeah..."
Luna brushed off her clothes casually and stood.
"No way you're okay! Anywhere hurt? That was a hard fall."
Si-hyun checked her knees, hands, and feet meticulously—no injuries, not even a scratch. A mengmang-grade ghost story Collector. Luna looked fragile, but no ordinary means could harm her.
"Luna, why'd you do that? Why fall on purpose?"
"Si-hyun... was hurting..."
"Huh?"
"But... I don't know what pain feels like..."
Luna reached out her small hand and placed it on his wound.
"Wanted to feel it... together..."
Such pure golden eyes. Just curiosity, just a desire to understand. Si-hyun couldn't scold her.
"Luna, even knowing you can't get hurt, I still worry."
"Why...?"
"'Cause you're precious. That's why I hope you never learn what pain feels like."
Si-hyun pulled the wide-eyed girl into his arms.
"Pain's an important feeling, sure. But it leads to sadness too. I don't want you sad, Luna."
"Can't... feel it?"
"If possible. But someday, if you do feel pain and it makes you sad, remember what I'm telling you now."
"What...?"
Si-hyun taught her the words "help me."
"H-Help... me...?"
"Remember it, Luna. Say those words, and no matter how far I am, I'll come running. Got it?"
The girl stared at him silently. That fluffy feeling welled up in her chest again. But now she knew what it was.
'Happiness...'
The emotion Si-hyun had taught her at the amusement park. Happiness was filling her heart.
"Got it..."
"Then let's head home? Snack time for Luna anyway."
Ignoring his knee, Si-hyun hoisted her onto his back and walked.
'Even if she didn't get hurt... what if she trips again?'
"...Si-hyun."
"Yeah?"
"If I ever got hurt... you'd worry?"
"Obviously. I'd freak out, so no more of that, Princess. Got it?"
"...Yeah."
Luna was glad he couldn't see her face right now. Her heart was pounding, cheeks heating up. He'd figure out the emotion if he saw.
'Warmer than happiness...'
The new feeling overflowing whenever she thought of Si-hyun. Luna would learn its name soon enough.