Phantom Fever Ignites and Luna's Eternal Obsession
Days had already passed since I accidentally saved those people at the department store amid our ever-deepening love. It was just a stroke of bad luck—I'd only gone there on a date with Luna after hearing about a cosplay pop-up event, only to get dragged into a ghost story incident. I figured it was just another day with a minor hiccup...
"How the hell did things end up like this?!"
I scrolled through the latest news, communities, and YouTube, searching for the keyword "Phantom" on my smartphone.
"What a total shitstorm. How did public opinion spiral like this?"
I sat on the sofa, sipping my coffee, pondering how things had escalated to this point.
Sure, I'd saved people as Phantom on accident before. But back then, I didn't fully understand my transformation, and it only happened about four or five times. People just saw me as a scary ghost story.
"And once I fully grasped the night-transformation mechanic, I only got involved in big ones like 'Forgotten One' and 'Eclipse'... So why's the reaction all over the place this time?"
Phantom was supposed to be a powerful but terrifying ghost story—nothing more, nothing less, according to most opinions.
This time was different. People started seeing him as a savior, building trust... and now extreme worship groups had formed.
This trend is dangerous...! Not good at all!!
If my identity ever got exposed...
Chills.
Just imagining it made goosebumps rise automatically on my back.
"All I can picture is a super annoying, nightmarish future..."
Best to clear my head and refresh. Mental care is essential for modern life!
I glanced at Luna from the sofa, munching on pain au chocolat and other pastries at the table.
—Nom nom.
The sight of this beauty in the sailor uniform I'd asked her to wear, quietly eating her bread, was a feast for the eyes!
All my pointless worries vanished the moment I saw Luna.
Luna, you're so pretty... That tiny bread's covering your whole face.
Just watching my princess nibble with her little mouth healed my heart.
"Nom... Hot, Si-hyun...!"
I'd always thought "watching someone eat makes you full" was nonsense, but now I got it.
Aah, is this what love feels like?
—Thump thump.
Sensing my stare, Luna grabbed a salt bread and ran over, plopping naturally onto my lap.
The soft feel of her skin and sweet scent on my lap instantly refreshed my mood.
"Here... Si-hyun wanted some bread too... Hn?!"
"Sniiiiff—!! Sniff sniff, Luna's scent is always so good."
"U-um, Si-hyun... Sniffing that close makes me all e-embarrassed— Hyah...!"
Without thinking, I buried my nose in her neck to savor her fragrance, and Luna froze stiff like ice.
"Hyaaaah...! I-it tickles yooo... S-Si-hyun...!"
"Oh, sorry sorry. Your skin's too soft, got carried away! Haha!"
"Si-hyun's... a pervert..."
"Hmm~ Don't like pervy guys?"
"Kinda worried you'll do it to other girls too... Mom said playboys always chase other women...!!"
Queen of Selenum, you again?
I'd recently realized Luna's mom was the one who'd drilled all these weird guy knowledge into her.
She seemed so pure and elegant in the memories... Who knew Her Majesty had such vast(?) knowledge...
No wonder Luna's dad looked drained on days when the queen's face was extra rosy and fresh.
Her Majesty's massive chest was a pouch of lewdness all along...
Luna was fretting I'd cheat because of the naughty stuff she learned from her mom.
Sure, no guy hates sexy stuff... But Luna's anxious, so I gotta reassure her.
I gently hugged the Luna on my lap.
"Luna, I won't do this to other girls, so don't worry."
"B-but Si-hyun's tall and handsome, so girls flock to you... If you go to another girl instead of me... I-I...! Sniff...!"
Luna suddenly trembled and started sobbing.
I calmly held her tighter and stroked her.
Handsome? That's an NG from the start. Ga-eun's known me since we were kids and always called my face average.
— "Oppa has an average face, so don't play with other girls! I-I'll play with you! If you play with other girls, I'll k-kill you...!!"
Where'd a 10-year-old learn "kill" from...? After that, she stuck to my side like glue, blocking other girls. I'm not radioactive or anything.
Thanks to Ga-eun, I had solid metacognition about my looks since childhood. Tall and fit? Sure. Face? Average guy.
Luna thinking I'm handsome is probably just love goggles.
"Would a plain guy like me cheat with a super-duper-ultra beauty like Luna by his side? You're all I need, so no tears."
"Hic...! R-really...? C-can I trust Si-hyun...?"
"Of course!! I swear on that moon in the sky—I won't betray Luna!"
"Sniff...! Uuung... I'll trust Si-hyun...!"
—Squeeze!
Luna wiped her tears roughly with her small hands and dove into my arms.
Her tear-glistened smiling face looked much more at ease.
One more nail here, and she'll be fully reassured.
I gently pulled back the Luna in my arms and met her eyes.
"Si-hyun...?"
"Excuse me for a sec, Princess."
"Huh...?"
I placed my hand on her cheek and softly kissed it.
Mwah.
"HyaAAAAAH...? S-Si-hyun???"
"Hey Luna, I'm 27, and you're my first girl I've held while sleeping—and first cheek kiss too?"
"R-really...?"
Sure, pre-puberty I slept squished between Ga-eun and her mom... but that was before I noticed girls!! Counts as exception!!
"Yeah, really. And you're the first girl to kiss my neck."
"M-me too... First time in a guy's arms or kissing is with Si-hyun f-for me toooo..."
I chuckled and stroked the wriggling, embarrassed Luna's head.
"Guys never forget their first love. And they never betray it. So no worries, Luna. Got it?"
"Hauuuu... Y-yes, yeees... I believe yooou..."
—Smooch.
Luna collapsed into my arms, her face beet red like a ripe tomato, rubbing it happily now that her anxiety was gone.
Mission accomplished: Protected household peace and princess's affection today!
"S-Si-hyun-nim... What if other girls like you later...?"
Psh~ Luna's the only one who likes me specially. Others won't. Haha!
"Fweeee... My condolences in advance to future Si-hyun-nim..."
(╯•﹏•╰)
* * *
I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you. I love you so much, Si-hyun.
Luna rubbed her face against Si-hyun's chest, overflowing with love.
I worry a lot, it must get annoying... But Si-hyun never acts bothered...
Always smiling calmly, hugging me warmly. Always looking only at me.
"Si-hyun..."
I want to hurry through the coming-of-age rite and become an adult. Then you'll hold me all night, right?
In the quiet night with the moon risen and birds asleep, take all my firsts.
Show me your eyes filled with desire for me.
Hug me tight in your broad embrace that always envelops me.
Touch me freely with your big, handsome hands.
"Haa... Hnngh..."
Just imagining that moment made her body heat up and flush.
Thinking about it makes me this happy already... When that day comes, maybe I'll die from joy.
Breath stopping in his arms from sheer bliss. Maybe that's what love is?
Si-hyun... You've cursed me with an unbreakable curse called love...
Only you come to mind. Wherever I go, whatever I eat... From waking to sleeping, only you... Only you inside me.
You won't vanish from my heart. Like a curse.
This curse can never be lifted...
You can't go anywhere now. You made me like this, Si-hyun... Right?
Take responsibility.
I definitely pushed away... Locked in an emotional storm, trying to atone forever. But... Si-hyun broke through it all to reach me...
So now it's irreversible. You can't escape me. Forever.
I hope the same curse I bear etches into your heart, for betraying the reprieve I gave.
Even through thousands, tens of thousands of rebirths, we'll be together forever... right?
—Stroke.
As if reading the girl's heart, Si-hyun began gently petting Luna.
Happy... Si-hyun feels the same... Heh.
"Forever... I love you... Si-hyun."
At that moment, neither Si-hyun nor Luna herself noticed the unusually dark crimson glint in her sparkling golden eyes, more radiant than any treasure in the world.