What the Heart Wants

by StarFirefly_22

Summary:

Rumi knows that she can't keep meeting with Jinu so she buys him a phone so that he can use to communicate with her.

Chapter 1

Jinu looked down at the rectangular device Rumi shoved in his hand just now, he's seen Baby use one all the time but he didn’t know what it's for. His eyes look over to Rumi who was in the middle of giving Derpy some ear scratches. "I really appreciate the gesture but you didn't have to waste your money on getting me a phone." He attempted to hand it back to her but she didn't take it. Rumi didn't consider gifting a phone would be a waste of her money.

She originally bought the phone for Zoey because her GPS would take the to the most random and very sketchy places, but she decided to give it to Jinu because Mira and Zoey are starting to get suspicious on why she's coming home so late and she didn't want to explain or for the girls to follow her and they see that she's with Jinu. Mira would definitely kill him before she kills her. "Mira’s getting suspicious of our meetings and I don't want to make one wrong move and we get caught being together." Rumi takes his phone and saves her phone number for Jinu to keep. "So we can text, face time, call each other whenever we want without worrying about anyone being suspicious of our disappearances." Jinu stared at her a bit disappointed which made her worry, he takes Rumi’s hand while makes her heartbeat feel out of control.

She doesn't understand why he's been making her feel this way but she never wants this feeling to ever go away. "Rumi, I like seeing you real close." Jinu whispers quietly even though no one was around them but Derpy and Sussie who were now rolling in the grass fields together. "I do too, so how about we make a compromise." Jinu looks at her with curiosity. "We can meet up normally in person one week and then the next week we can text and call each other. How does that sound?" Rumi asked, patiently waiting for Jinu’s opinion. He gives her a gentle smile which she couldn’t help but find very cute. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea." Jinu chuckles as Rumi let out a sigh of relief. "But do you think that you can teach me how to work a phone?" The 400-year-old demon asked and Rumi playfully rolled her eyes. "You're so old" she joked as she pulled out the camera on his phone.

She spent half an hour teaching him how to take pictures, learn how to call, and how to text until he was able to understand. Jinu looked at the time to see it was 2:30 in the morning. They've been hanging out at the parks since 10:00 and lost track of time. Jinu reached for Rumi’s hand so he can help her off her feet. "You have to go home now." Jinu says gently. "I guess I dooooo!" Rumi lets out a startled yelp as Derpy pushed her to sit on his back. The Half Demon glares at Jinu as he tried to hide his laugh. "Get home safe."

Before Rumi could say anything Jinu gave Derpy his commands to make sure she gets home. For Rumi, it was the quickest transportation of her life because the next thing she new, Derpy landed safely on her balcony while Sussie landed on the railing. The Half Demon slid of the spirit tiger and gave him a quick pat as a thank you. "Good night." Rumi whispered as she opened up her balcony door knowing Derpy and Sussie were about to fall asleep. Rumi tiptoes over to her bed getting comfortable and ready to fall asleep herself. She turns on her phone and taps message. Rumi scrolls until she finds Jinu’s name and writes a quick text.

Rumi: We're home safe. Have a goodnight.💜

The next thing she sees is three bubbles and she knows Jinu is in the process of getting back to her. She doesn't know how long that will take but Jinu’s a very quick learner. And finally he responds after five minutes.

Jinu: May your evening be tranquil and your sleep rejuvenating

Rumi stared at the message before typing her response.

Rumi: You can just say goodnight.

Jinu: Isn't this what modern people say nowadays?

Rumi: Not even close

Jinu: I'm glad to be learning new things from you.

Jinu: You make it seem so easy.

Rumi: Glad I can help👍

Jinu: Maybe you can teach me what those stickers are.

Rumi: Emojis, and maybe tomorrow.

Jinu: Sweet Dreams, Rumi

Rumi: Sweet Dreams, Jinu

Chapter 2: Between Spotlight and Shadows

Summary:

Rumi wakes up the next morning learning so life changing news.

The morning sun crept through the sheer white curtains of Rumi’s room, painting faint golden streaks across her face. She blinked awake reluctantly, her lashes brushing the pillow as she squinted at the brightness. Despite the promise of a new day, a heaviness clung to her body, the kind of exhaustion that didn’t come from late-night choreography or endless vocal practices—but from secrets.

Her mind replayed the memory of the night before, the stolen moments in the alleyway behind the rehearsal studio where Jinu waited for her to head off to a secluded park where no one could see or recognize them. His smile had been boyish, slightly crooked, and disarming in ways she didn’t expect. Rumi had pressed a small box into his hands, a brand-new phone, whispering hurriedly that he should use it for them—just them—so Zoey and Mira wouldn’t catch on. It was reckless. It was thrilling. And now, lying in her bed with tangled sheets and tired eyes, it weighed on her chest like a sweet but dangerous dream.

Rumi yawned and sat up, smoothing her disheveled hair. Her tiger plushie, Derpy, sat propped against the headboard, staring at her with that permanently dopey stitched grin. On the windowsill, Sussie the Magpie—Jinu’s odd little pet and occasional spy which wears a tiny hat—fluttered her wings and gave a sharp, judgmental squawk as if she knew exactly what Rumi had been up to.

“Don’t give me that look,” Rumi muttered, throwing the blanket off and stretching her arms overhead. “It’s just… friendship. Totally normal, secret, suspicious friendship.”

Sussie tilted her head, unimpressed.

By the time Rumi padded down to the kitchen, Mira and Zoey were already there. The kitchen was modern, bright, with white counters and colorful fruit bowls that looked more like props than actual food. Mira stood by the stove, stirring eggs in a pan, her dark hair tied up into a neat bun, ever the composed one. Zoey sat at the counter, rhythmically tapping her spoon against a cereal bowl, her energy vibrating even though it was barely morning.

“Morning, Rumi,” Mira greeted, her voice warm but sharp enough to notice the slight shadows under Rumi’s eyes. “You look tired. Were you up late again?”

“Practicing,” Rumi lied smoothly, sliding onto a stool. “Couldn’t get the chorus right in my head.”

Zoey snorted, flipping her pink-streaked bangs dramatically. “Or you were binging dramas again. I swear, you’re secretly a grandma with your taste.”

Rumi forced a laugh, though her heart skipped at the accusation, however misplaced. Mira shook her head, sighing in mock disapproval.

The three girls settled into breakfast, the conversation quickly turning from teasing to business. Between bites, Zoey leaned forward, eyes sparkling. “Okay, so… we still have two weeks, right? Two weeks to wrap up this takedown mission before the Idol Awards. We cannot, absolutely cannot, fight demons while in sequins. I draw the line there.”

Mira nodded firmly. “Agreed. If we’re efficient, we can finish the job before rehearsals get too intense. We’ve balanced both before.”

Rumi chewed her toast slowly, the weight of their double lives hanging between their words. They weren’t just idols. They were demon hunters—guardians hidden behind the glitter of the K-pop world. Their fans saw perfection, flawless choreography, radiant smiles. None of them saw the late-night hunts, the bruises carefully concealed under stage makeup, or the way their bodies ached for reasons entirely unrelated to dance.

Before Rumi could reply, the kitchen door swung open with dramatic flair. In stepped Bobby, their ever-flustered but well-meaning manager, holding a clipboard and his phone like both were glued to his hands.

“Girls!” he announced, practically out of breath as though he’d run up the stairs. “Big news. HUGE news.”

Zoey perked up immediately. “What is it? New endorsement deal? Limited-edition sneakers named after me?”

Bobby shook his head, adjusting his glasses. “The Idol Awards. The venue’s under renovation, so the event has been postponed until next month.”

For a moment, the kitchen was silent. Then Mira exhaled, visibly relieved. “That gives us so much more time.”

Zoey cheered, nearly knocking over her cereal bowl. “Yes! I was worried we’d have to fight demons in platform heels. Do you know how hard that is?”

Rumi smiled softly, the tension easing from her shoulders. More time meant less rushing, less pressure. Maybe… more moments with Jinu, too.

Bobby continued rambling about schedule adjustments and new rehearsal times, but the girls were already buzzing with their own thoughts, their laughter and chatter filling the room like sunlight.

Later, back in her room, Rumi closed the door with a quiet click. Derpy the Tiger sat waiting on her bed, floppy and loyal. Sussie fluttered from the windowsill to perch on her shoulder, nipping her hair as if reminding her she was being watched.

“Don’t worry, Sussie,” Rumi whispered, sitting cross-legged on the bed. “I’m not doing anything wrong.”

Her phone buzzed. Her heart skipped.

Jinu: Did you hear the news?

She grinned, thumbs flying across the screen.

Rumi: Yeah. Looks like Idol Awards are next month instead. You and the Saja Boys must be celebrating.

A moment later, his reply popped up.

Jinu: You know it. Extra time means less stress… and more chances to maybe run into certain people 😉

Rumi’s cheeks flushed. She hugged Derpy close to her chest, biting her lip.

Rumi: Oh? And who might those people be?

Jinu: I think you know. She has the prettiest smile I’ve ever seen. And she gave me a phone, remember?

Her heart raced at his boldness. The thrill of it, the danger of secrets, filled her chest like fire. She typed back quickly, fingers trembling slightly.

Rumi: Well, whoever she is… she sounds reckless. Giving gifts like that. What if someone finds out?

Jinu: Then it’ll be worth it. Some risks are worth taking.

Sussie squawked again, as if scandalized. Rumi tossed a pillow at the magpie playfully.

Her phone buzzed again.

Jinu: By the way… are you free tonight? Just for a quick chat?

Rumi hesitated. Her gaze flicked to Derpy’s stitched eyes, to Sussie’s feathers glinting in the light. Secrets weren’t just fun; they were dangerous. She had a team, a family, a mission. But her heart tugged her in a different direction.

Rumi: I’ll see what I can do.

She pressed send, then tossed her phone aside, falling back onto the bed. Above her, the ceiling fan spun lazily, as though mocking the storm swirling inside her.

Because Rumi knew something she hadn’t admitted to anyone—not Zoey, not Mira, not even to herself fully. Being an idol was one mask. Being a demon hunter was another. But when she was with Jinu, for just a fleeting moment, she felt like she could take both masks off. And that scared her more than any demon ever could.

The rest of the day stretched on with rehearsals, laughter, and casual normalcy that almost convinced Rumi nothing had changed. But deep down, she knew everything had.

Chapter 3: Huntrix x Saja Boys: Bingo Night

Summary:

Since the Idol Awards have been pushed back for another month. Bobby signed Huntrix for a bingo game night with Fans in order to get their attention away from the Saja Boys. Their plan is working at first until Jinu, Abby, Baby, Mystery, and Romance show up foiling the girls plans.

The practice studio had never looked so different. Gone were the heavy equipment cases and mirrored walls filled with echoes of choreography. In their place stood rows of tables draped in pastel tablecloths, each one dotted with bowls of chips, trays of rice cakes, and stacks of brightly colored bingo cards. Fairy lights twinkled above, their warm glow softening the usually intense, high-energy space.

“This is either the cutest thing we’ve ever done,” Mira muttered as she unfolded a chair, “or the dumbest.”

“It’s genius,” Bobby said, bustling around with a clipboard. “Fans want connection. Fans want cozy. Fans want… this!” He gestured broadly at the glittery banner:

✨ Huntrix Bingo Night ✨

Zoey leaned against the wall with her arms crossed. “Or fans want actual music and stages. You sure about this, Bobby?”

“Trust me,” Bobby said, not missing a beat. “You’ll charm them, they’ll post about it, and bam—Huntrix keeps the spotlight. It’ll pull attention away from the Saja Boys.”

The name made the room tighten. The Saja Boys—smooth, cocky, mysterious—had been a thorn in their side for months. They weren’t just rivals; they were demons in disguise, and that made them dangerous.

But Huntrix didn’t have time to dwell. Fans began to pour in, their excitement filling the room like music.

The first half-hour was exactly what Bobby had promised. Fans laughed, numbers were called, winners shouted, “Bingo!” with triumphant glee.

Rumi held the microphone, her voice soft but cheerful. “Next number is… O-73!”

Groans and cheers echoed. A girl in the back jumped up, waving her card. “Bingo!”

Fans clapped. Huntrix clapped. Bobby looked smug.

It was working.

And then the doors opened.

Jinu stepped through first, confident as always, followed by Abby, Baby, Mystery, and Romance. The room erupted. Fans screamed, phones shot up, hashtags already forming in their minds.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” Mira hissed under her breath.

“Hey,” Jinu said casually, flashing a grin. “Hope we’re not late to the party.”

Romance swept his hair back dramatically. “We heard there was bingo. Couldn’t resist.”

Bobby’s smile wavered. Zoey muttered, “More like you couldn’t resist stealing our thunder.”

But before Huntrix could object, Rumi—always the peacekeeper—lifted her mic. “Why not? Let’s have the Saja Boys join us! The more players, the more fun.”

The fans exploded with cheers. There was no turning back.

Seats shuffled, and somehow—by chance or fate—pairs were made:

Rumi & Jinu. Fans gasped at the pairing, whispers flying like sparks.

Mira with Romance and Abby. Her scowl promised chaos.

Zoey with Baby and Mystery. She looked like she’d been sentenced to babysitting twins.

The game began anew.

“N-42,” Rumi called out, scanning her card.

“Got it,” Jinu said at the exact same moment she circled the square.

They froze, then chuckled awkwardly, earning a wave of squeals from fans.

Another number came. G-52. Both of their markers hit the page at once.

“Are you copying me?” Jinu teased, leaning closer. His cologne, warm and faintly spiced, curled around her.

Rumi’s cheeks flushed. “I could ask you the same.”

They tried to focus, but the universe—or fate—kept pulling them into sync. Their hands reached for the snack bowl at the same time. Their heads tilted together as they compared cards. Their laughter overlapped, soft and unplanned.

Fans whispered loudly. “They’re so in tune!” “Look at them—soulmates.” “#RumiJinu is real!”

Rumi’s heart raced, but she forced herself to keep her composure. Don’t look suspicious. Don’t look suspicious.

When Jinu leaned close enough for only her to hear, his whisper sent shivers down her spine. “Feels like we’ve done this a hundred times before, doesn’t it?”

Rumi bit her lip, pretending to study the card. “Maybe we just… work well together.”

Across the table, Mira was in hell.

“So, Mira,” Romance drawled, his chin propped in his palm. “Do you believe in destiny? Because I feel like fate put us at the same table.”

Mira snorted. “Fate put me here to punish me.”

Abby laughed, swooping in smoothly. “Ignore him. Mira, you and I should team up. I bet we’d dominate this board together.”

“Dream on,” Mira muttered, aggressively circling a square.

Romance leaned closer, his voice dropping. “She’s just playing hard to get. Don’t worry, Abby, I’ll win her over first.”

“Not if I get there first,” Abby shot back, winking at Mira.

Fans nearby giggled, whispering about the love triangle unfolding. To them, it was playful banter. To Mira, it was unbearable.

“Focus on the game, not on me,” she snapped.

Romance smirked. “Can’t help it. You’re more interesting than these numbers.”

Meanwhile, Zoey’s table was a comedy show.

Baby waved her card dramatically. “We’re so close! Just one more number!”

Mystery squinted at the board. “Uh… Baby, that’s the wrong column. You circled B-7 under G.”

Baby gasped. “Oh. Oops.”

Zoey groaned. “Can we please take this seriously?!”

The next number was called—O-61. Mystery slapped his card triumphantly. “Bingo!”

Fans clapped, but when the card was checked…

“Um,” Bobby said, holding it up, “you don’t actually have a bingo.”

Zoey buried her face in her hands. “This is embarrassing.”

Baby leaned over to Mystery. “I told you to go diagonal!”

“You said zigzag!” Mystery protested.

Fans howled with laughter, recording the whole disaster. Zoey slumped lower and lower in her seat.

Back at Rumi and Jinu’s table, the tension thickened.

Every time Rumi’s hand moved, Jinu’s followed. When their fingers brushed over the same chip, both pulled back with nervous smiles.

“You’re doing this on purpose,” Rumi whispered, trying not to let her lips tremble.

“Maybe,” Jinu said softly, his eyes locking on hers.

The room faded for a moment, the chatter of fans and the teasing of other players falling into the background. It was just them—sitting side by side, pretending this was coincidence when it was anything but.

Then the number was called: I-24.

Together, they circled their squares, their markers clicking in perfect unison.

“Bingo!” they shouted together.

The room erupted. Fans screamed. Phones flashed.

“Couple bingo!” someone shouted. “They said it together!”

When Bobby handed them the prize—matching plush fox keychains—Rumi’s cheeks turned crimson. Jinu smirked, holding his up. “Guess we’re official now.”

Meanwhile, Mira’s patience snapped.

Romance leaned so close his hair brushed her shoulder. “You smell like strawberries. Is that your shampoo?”

Abby immediately countered, “Ignore him. Tell me, Mira, if you had to pick one of us as your bingo partner forever, who would it be?”

“Neither!” Mira barked, slamming her marker on the table. Fans laughed, thinking it was part of the act, but Mira was seconds away from storming out.

Abby just grinned. “I’ll take that as a challenge.”

Romance winked. “Me too.”

Zoey, on the other hand, was ready to combust.

“How—HOW—are we the only ones with zero bingos?!” she cried, staring at their ruined card.

Baby shrugged, munching on chips. “We’re just unlucky.”

Mystery twirled his marker. “Or maybe the numbers hate us.”

Zoey groaned. “No, it’s because you two keep circling random stuff!”

Fans cackled as Baby circled a number that hadn’t even been called yet. “See? I’m manifesting it.”

“Manifesting doesn’t work in bingo!” Zoey shouted.

As the games wound down, the energy in the studio was electric. Fans left chattering about Rumi and Jinu’s “perfect sync,” Mira’s love triangle chaos, and Zoey’s total disaster team. Social media blew up instantly, #RumiJinu trending worldwide within minutes.

Huntrix tried to smile through it, but in their hearts, they knew the Saja Boys had stolen the spotlight yet again.

Hours later, Rumi sat in her dorm room, hair damp from a shower, her plush fox keychain sitting on her nightstand. Her phone buzzed.

Jinu: Glad we won tonight. 🦊

She smiled despite herself.

Rumi: You made it suspicious. Everyone noticed.

Jinu: Good. Maybe I want them to notice.

Her breath caught.

Rumi: …Don’t joke.

Jinu: Who said I’m joking? Anyway, you free tomorrow?

Rumi glanced toward the bedroom door where Zoey and Mira were asleep in their own rooms. She typed carefully.

Rumi: Maybe. Why?

Jinu: Because I want to see you. No Huntrix. No Saja Boys. Just us.

Her heart thudded painfully.

Rumi: Okay. Where?

Jinu: I’ll send you the spot. Be ready.

Rumi hugged her pillow, staring at the ceiling. Dangerous, reckless… but she couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips.

“What are we doing, Jinu?” she whispered.

But deep down, she already knew.