<What’s going on, ghost man?! Why is Heejae here?! Like this?! I thought I’d never see him with a runny nose ever again!!>
“With a runny nose”—wasn’t that a bit harsh?
Thinking that, I looked down at the young Min Heejae.
Sniff…
He was nestled in my arms, having finally calmed down. He was nibbling on a banana now.
“…Is it good, Heejae-hyung?”
I asked.
“Mm… It’s yummy…”
“I’m really glad to hear that.”
I gently patted his head.
<Start explaining! Unless you want to die twice! Now! Hurry!>
The King of the Underworld was flying frantically around Yoo Gwangcheol, shouting.
But Yoo Gwangcheol only laughed, covering his ears.
“It’s nothing special, really.”
Jeong Noeul spoke up.
“Heejae-hyung is probably asleep right now. We just brought his unconscious mind into this world. In his perception, he’s probably just dreaming.”
“Oho! Sharp one, aren’t you?”
Yoo Gwangcheol exclaimed.
“Just like the lad said. The world of the living and the dead are as separate as reality and dreams. Sometimes, a living person’s consciousness can slip into the realm of the dead.”
<…So.>
The King of the Underworld looked at the child version of Min Heejae in my arms.
<…That is the real Heejae? Then why does he look like a little kid?>
“That, I don’t know. I only brought over his unconscious self…”
Yoo Gwangcheol scratched his head awkwardly.
But somehow, I felt like I understood.
“…Maybe it means his unconscious mind never grew up. Even though his body did.”
Everyone fell silent at my words.
From my experience constantly being around Min Heejae during the first round of the finals, I could tell—he was someone who never lost his childlike heart.
That wasn’t to say he was childish.
When he played music, it seemed like he was genuinely having fun…
‘And wanting to fulfill his childhood friend’s wish…’
That showed a pure, innocent side.
‘Even being willing to give up his dream for it…’
That kind of decision could only be made with a childlike sincerity at its core.
“I think you’re right, hyung.”
Jeong Noeul nodded.
“It’s the only thing that makes sense. But was Heejae-hyung really like this when he was little…?”
I shrugged.
<Well…>
The King of the Underworld gave a sheepish look.
<Yeah. Heejae was just like this when he was little. Totally different from how he is now, right?>
“He’s not just different—he’s like a whole other person.”
I said, gently patting young Heejae’s back.
“Anyway…”
Yoo Gwangcheol continued.
“The reason we brought this lad here is simple—we thought it’d be better for you to see for yourself. What it means to let go of your regrets.”
He looked at the King of the Underworld.
“Your regrets about the living world. This young man—he wishes for your happiness, doesn’t he? He wants you to be free, to be forgotten.”
<…Yeah.>
“That’s why he’s here. So you can make him happy. Let go of your own regrets with your own hands.”
The King of the Underworld wasn’t a vengeful spirit.
If she had been, Jeong Noeul would’ve exorcised her without hesitation.
He had brought her here for a reason.
‘He wants her to understand.’
To truly feel the weight of letting go.
<…Alright.>
The King of the Underworld flew over to me.
She looked down at the child in my arms.
<Hi…?>
“Your clothes are weird. You’re scary. You look like a ghost. I don’t like you.”
…Harsh.
Heejae was clearly scared of her.
<…Yeah. I get it.>
She smiled gently.
<I am a ghost, after all…>
“Waaah!! A ghost!!”
“Y-you made him cry again!”
I shouted, holding Heejae tightly.
<B-but I couldn’t lie and say I wasn’t a ghost!>
“Well, you could’ve said it a bit softer!”
I frantically tried to calm him down.
“There, there! Don’t cry, now. That big sister was just joking. Good boy. Heejae-hyung, how old are you?”
“…Hic… um… eight…”
No way! I could’ve sworn he was a six-year-old struggling to adjust to kindergarten!
“R-right. Okay. No more tears, now. Let’s pat that bottom—pat pat.”
“Pat-pat is nice…”
<You’re surprisingly good with kids, aren’t you.>
The Star finally spoke up.
‘I never knew I had a talent for this either…’
I looked around.
Was there anything nearby that might help calm Heejae down?
…Ah!
If not, I could make something!
“Mr. Yoo Gwangcheol.”
I turned to him.
“Can you make a piano?”
“…A piano?”
“You can do that much, right?”
“It’s doable, sure…”
Looking puzzled, he gestured toward a corner of the room.
Flash!
With a burst of light, a piano appeared where he pointed.
“Alright, my adorable Heejae-hyung…”
I lifted him in my arms and walked toward the piano.
“Do you know what this is?”
I tapped the keys gently.
“Yeah. It’s a piano… I like it…”
“Oho, I see! Want to try playing it?”
His face brightened immediately.
“Yeah! I’m good at piano!”
Min Heejae’s childhood piano recital began.
Yoo Gwangcheol and the ghostly Hunters gathered around the piano.
Jeong Noeul stood beside him, still a bit lost in the situation.
The King of the Underworld floated sulkily above the piano.
‘…She’s pouting because Heejae was scared of her. Big body or not, she’s still a kid.’
Well, she had died very young, after all.
I sat beside Heejae.
“Alright, Heejae-hyung.”
I smiled warmly.
“Shall we begin?”
Suddenly, Heejae’s eyes sharpened.
“I play when I want to. Don’t push me.”
…Okay, what the hell? Who flipped the switch?
<Heejae’s always been like this about music…>
The King of the Underworld smiled awkwardly.
“Tough nut to crack, huh.”
<Yeah. I had to work hard to get close to him. My dad insisted I had to. Said Heejae was his prized student…>
“Oh—was your dad Heejae-hyung’s piano teacher?”
<Yup. Both Dad and Heejae really loved piano. If I’d lived longer… Heejae would’ve been a world-class pianist by now.>
“Quiet, everyone.”
Heejae spoke.
“I’m starting.”
He placed his tiny hands on the keys.
“…Listen to my music.”
Dooong—
The sound of the piano filled the room.
A beautiful melody followed.
The King of the Underworld instantly recognized the piece.
<Chopin’s Etude… “Tristesse.”>
It was a familiar melody, often used in commercials.
But the sound—far too refined for a child of eight.
‘No sheet music… and his hands haven’t even fully grown yet…’
His small fingers danced flawlessly across the keyboard.
‘He really was a prodigy…’
I was stunned.
In some ways, he played even better than adult Heejae.
‘Why? Could it be because of his status ailment…?’
That thought crossed my mind. I had no other explanation.
“…He really is a monster, huh.”
Jeong Noeul muttered.
“He was like this as a kid? Is he secretly already a pro?”
“W-who knows? Maybe?”
I gave a strained laugh.
When the mesmerizing performance came to an end, Heejae let out a long breath.
Clap clap clap!
The ghosts erupted into applause.
“What a fine young man!”
“Play one more!”
Amid the cheers, the King of the Underworld asked softly:
<Did you have fun?>
Heejae nodded, then stammered shyly.
“V-very… very, very fun…”
Now that it was over, he’d returned to his shy self.
<I’m glad. But I’ve always wondered—why does piano make you so happy?>
“Don’t you like piano, ghost noona?”
<I don’t hate it. But I don’t love it either. I always heard it at home. It was like air to me. So I never understood—what’s so special about it?>
“Being able to play it.”
He smiled.
“Being able to play for a friend… That’s why. I only have one friend. When I go to their house, I can play piano. That’s why I love it.”
<…I see.>
“Piano is amazing. It can heal people.”
<No, it can’t. It doesn’t work like that.>
“It can! My friend said so! When I play, it makes all their pain go away!”
<…That’s…>
She couldn’t bring herself to say it was a lie.
“What do you think?”
Yoo Gwangcheol said quietly.
“Can you tell that boy the truth?”
<Are you messing with me right now? How could I say that to a kid?>
“That isn’t a child. It’s Heejae-hyung’s subconscious.”
Jeong Noeul said.
“Deep down, he still believes it. That piano can heal you. Can you tell him the truth? If you can’t, then you haven’t let go yet. If you want him to forget you and be happy… you need to be cruel.”
<But if I stay near him…>
“Sigh…”
I let out a long breath.
“I really wish you’d stop thinking that way.”
I said.
“This is what Heejae-hyung wants. To carry the burden. All of it. So let’s respect that, okay?”
<…You really think that’s okay?>
“Of course. You don’t have to carry guilt.”
“He’s right.”
Yoo Gwangcheol added.
“Looks like we’re wrapping up here.”
Snap!
He snapped his fingers.
Min Heejae’s form vanished in an instant.
<Heejae?!>
The King of the Underworld looked around, alarmed.
But Yoo Gwangcheol chuckled.
“No need to panic. You’ll see him again in the world of the living. Remember this—your regrets are still part of your life. Cherish them. Spirits can linger in the world of the living, but even they fade in time.”
He looked around at the gathered spirits of his fellow Hunters.
“Don’t you agree, comrades? We’ve been dead too long. Isn’t it time we finally rest?”
“Please, let us go already…”
“…Fifty years without clocking out—come on.”
As laughter echoed again, Yoo Gwangcheol beamed.
“Understood now, noona?”
Jeong Noeul asked.
“Heejae-hyung is really glad to be with you in CYB.”
<Yeah…>
“Noeul, it’s your turn now.”
I said, gesturing to Yoo Gwangcheol.
“Help him move on. And all the souls still here.”
“Ah, right…”
Jeong Noeul adjusted Abrilah’s Crown.
“Um…”
He stood beside Yoo Gwangcheol.
“I was… born this way. So all I wanted was to help.”
“I know. And you’ve done well.”
“…Thank you for saying that.”
Jeong Noeul placed a hand on Yoo Gwangcheol’s chest.
Fshhh—
A soft light began to pour from his palm.
“It’s time to go to a better place. Okay?”
Yoo Gwangcheol nodded without hesitation.
“Of course. Don’t worry about us anymore.”
His body began to dissolve into light.
So did the spirits around him.
“We’ll go to where we belong.”
His voice faded.
“Don’t forget where you belong, either. You are not some prince of the underworld who opened a Gate from Hell—you are a human child, born into the world of humans. Don’t ever forget that.”
“…I won’t.”
Jeong Noeul gave a faint smile.
“I’ll never forget.”
With those words, the entire space bloomed with light—
And finally, we purified the world of the dead.
Little Pink Starfish 
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