(Didn’t they? What if…Oh, no. She grimaces. Kisa knows herself to be a terrifying overthinker, and she mustn’t overthink this. Just because she was, well…somewhat occupied…during the last hours of its investigation doesn’t mean that her brain can slide off and question if the conclusion is right. Stop it, she tells her overactive mind. It is over. Stop searching for what-ifs when there aren’t any.)

“We did,” says Seokga, somehow managing to look and sound solemn while holding on to a flying baby’s chubby foot.

“And I get to reincarnate,” Kisa adds, trying to sound as cheerful as she knows she should feel. But after all of this…the spa, the banmal, the baby, the bed…

She’s not cheerful. Oh, she’s not cheerful at all.

“Yes,” the god replies, averting his eyes. “You do.”

A moment of silence falls between them. Behind them, Somi and Hajun are laughing. Seokga’s eyes slide over Kisa’s shoulder and soften. Hajun is laughing hard as Somi reads him a passage from the book, wiggling her eyebrows salaciously.

“I didn’t realize it before, but Hajun reminds me a bit of Hyun-tae,” he murmurs. “Before we knew that Hyun-tae was really Eodum.” When his gaze drifts back to her, as if to see if she’ll agree, Kisa’s heart breaks a bit.

“I don’t remember,” she reminds him gently.

Seokga swallows, eyes falling. “Yes. I know that.” Above him, Hwanin giggles in delight as he touches one of the tiny lights. Kisa watches as Seokga gently tugs him back down to rest in his arms.

“Seokga…” Suddenly, Kisa’s throat is tight. “Seokga, I…I’ve had a really wonderful time with you this trip, and…and I’m glad that—that we met, even here…” It’s felt as if she’s lived more with him than she ever did while she was alive. So much laughter. Nude swims in a cold cavern. The way he looks at her makes her feel like she’s still living.

It’s not a research project anymore.

It hasn’t been for a very, very long time.

Kisa’s voice trails off as Seokga’s expression hardens, rather than softens. He’s still not meeting her eyes. “You’re a great friend,” she says desperately, wanting him to look up at her, and perhaps wanting so much more than she is determined to allow herself.

He laughs, but it’s not an amused laugh. It’s something hoarse and tired. “Yes,” says Seokga. “A great friend.”

The bitterness in his voice stabs at something deep within her. “I…”

“I’m tired, Kisa.” Seokga hasn’t looked at her again. “I’m so—tired.”

—she’ll leave—just like—Hani—won’t—find—again—so—alone—so—tired—