Chapter Text
Any day of yours
I hope you can lean on me and take a rest
Where you are, whenever, wherever
I will be with you
No matter what moment comes
By my side
You'll always be able to smile
I promise you this
-
Jimin still remembers the first time she met Minjeong.
It was an unusually quiet afternoon in the neighborhood, the kind of day where the air felt still, as if the world had paused to take a breath.
Jimin had been running an errand for her family, her usual route taking her through the outskirts of the village where the countryside opened up into wide fields and small, winding paths that led into the hills. It was her favorite part of the village—the solitude and the beauty of the open land.
As she made her way down one of the dirt paths, basket in hand, she caught sight of someone sitting on the grass by the edge of the trail. At first, she almost didn’t notice. The figure was so still, so perfectly placed in the serene landscape that it seemed to blend in with the scenery.
But then Jimin’s eyes focused, and her breath caught in her throat.
Sitting there with her back to Jimin, her figure was outlined by the soft golden sunlight as she gazed out at the view. The stranger was wearing a soft pale yellow and ivory hanbok, the delicate fabric catching the light in a way that made her look almost ethereal. Her long dark hair was pulled back loosely, some strands swaying gently against her neck.
Jimin’s feet slowed to a halt. She couldn’t help but stare.
The girl looked so serene, so lost in her own thoughts, that Jimin felt like she was intruding just by being there. But more than that, something about the sight of her made Jimin’s heart skip.
She’s the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.
The thought drifted through Jimin’s mind before she could stop it, and she felt a flush creep up her neck. She shook her head slightly, forcing herself to look away, but her eyes betrayed her, constantly flicking back to the girl, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
What was she doing here alone?
Does she live around here?
Jimin had always been a composed person, confident and unflappable. But something about this girl unsettled her in the best possible way.
After a moment, Jimin realized that she couldn’t just stand there staring like a fool. She needed to move. To do something. But before she could take a step, the girl turned her head slightly, as if sensing Jimin’s presence.
Their eyes met, and the world seemed to stop.
The girl looked directly at her, her wide, curious eyes locking onto Jimin’s with a mixture of surprise and something else Jimin couldn’t quite place.
Her face, now fully visible, was even more striking up close—soft, delicate features framed by her loose hair, her lips parted slightly as though she was about to say something but didn’t know what.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Then, realizing she had been caught staring, Jimin quickly cleared her throat, trying to compose herself. She took a tentative step forward and bowed, her heart pounding embarrassingly loud in her chest.
“Sorry. I… I didn’t mean to disturb you,” Jimin said, her voice lower than usual as she tried to find the right words. “I was just passing by.”
The younger girl blinked, and for a moment, Jimin worried she had frightened her. But then the girl smiled, a small, shy smile that made Jimin’s heart skip all over again.
“You didn’t disturb me,” She replied softly, her voice as gentle as the breeze that blew through the field. “I was just… admiring the view.”
Jimin nodded, though she wasn’t sure if they were still talking about the same thing. Her feet carried her closer, almost without her realizing it, until she was standing just a few steps away.
“Yeah, it is,” Jimin said quietly, her eyes flickering from the hills in the distance to the girl in front of her. “So beautiful.”
The girl's smile widened a little, a soft laugh escaping her lips as she looked down at her lap, clearly flustered by the unexpected compliment. Jimin bit her lip, mentally kicking herself for being so forward.
“You can sit here, if you’d like,” She said after a moment, glancing back up at Jimin nervously. “There’s plenty of room.”
Jimin hesitated for only a moment before nodding and settling down beside her, careful to keep a respectful distance. The silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable; instead, it felt strangely peaceful.
For a while, they sat together, watching the sun dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the fields. Jimin could feel her heart gradually calming, though the occasional glance at the girl still sent little flutters through her chest.
Finally, after what felt like hours but was probably only minutes, Jimin spoke again, her voice quieter this time.
“Do you come here often?”
The girl nodded, her gaze still on the horizon. “It’s the only place where I can escape from reality.” She glanced at Jimin, her eyes soft and open. “What about you? Do you live nearby?”
Jimin nodded. “Not too far. I’ve passed by this spot a hundred times, but… I’ve never seen it quite like this before.”
Minjeong’s lips curved into a small smile, and Jimin noticed a cute dimple on her cheek. “Maybe you weren’t looking hard enough.”
Jimin chuckled, shaking her head. “I suppose so.”
Another pause, this one filled with the quiet hum of nature around them. Jimin couldn’t stop stealing glances at Minjeong, her heart still racing from the girl’s presence.
“I’m Jimin, by the way,” She finally said, breaking the quiet. “Yu Jimin.”
The girl turned to her, that same shy smile still on her lips. “I’m Kim Minjeong.”
Jimin repeated the name in her head, committing it to memory.
Kim Minjeong...
It suited her—so soft and beautiful, just like everything else about her.
“I’m glad we met, Minjeong,” Jimin said, “Even if it was by accident.”
Minjeong looked at her, and for a moment, Jimin saw something flicker in her eyes—something that made her believe that maybe, just maybe, Minjeong felt the same pull between them.
“Me too,” Minjeong replied softly.
And in that quiet moment, as the sun began to set, Jimin knew she would never forget this day. She had seen many beautiful things in her life, but nothing—nothing—compared to the girl sitting beside her.
The girl who had, without saying much at all, completely and utterly captivated her heart.
-
Despite the deep hollowness she constantly felt in her heart ever since she watched Minjeong cross over the bridge, Jimin spent her years keeping herself busy with her grim reaper duties.
It was tough—not just physically but emotionally and mentally—especially now that she was working alone. But Jimin had always been a responsible girl, even back when she was alive as the daughter of the Yu family.
No matter how much she didn't want to do something, she never ever talked back, never did anything that defied her parents' wishes— until Minjeong came into her life, that is.
Occasionally while working, when Jimin meets a girl who looks a few years younger than her, her mind instinctively drifts back to Minjeong.
This time, it's another teenager that she was fetching. The girl looked around Minjeong's age, had big round dark innocent eyes, and her hair tied neatly into pleats. Jimin doesn't know what resulted in the girl's death but she thinks it's better not to know. The excessive amount of blood splatter stains on the girl's hanbok explained enough.
Even after years of being the grim reaper, the sight of blood still makes her shiver. Jimin simply looks away and takes a deep breath, muttering a soft 'Follow me', before leading the girl's soul deeper into the swirls of fog.
Why does everything remind me of you?
Where are you now, Jeong?
I hope you're alright, wherever you are.
And as usual, she was responded with silence.
-
The first time Jimin saw Minjeong again, it was only twenty two years later.
She had passed away due to an illness. But Jimin was relieved that at least she had lived a decent life this time around. Minjeong's parents loved her and she had two older sisters that doted on her.
Her family wasn't exactly rich but they always made sure to set aside a sum of money for Minjeong's medical bills and medicine. Most importantly, Minjeong was happy.
Jimin came to pick Minjeong alone. The former grim reaper had already left with the love of his life two decades ago, so now it was only Jimin who went around guiding souls to their respective destinations.
“You must be the grim reaper?” Minjeong asks, but her voice is hesitant.
Something about the woman standing in front of her felt familiar, like a melody she couldn’t quite remember. Minjeong's heart ached, and she didn’t know why.
Jimin had come to the girl’s humble home to guide her, since Minjeong had passed away in her sleep after succumbing to her illness. She had to clench her fists behind her back to refrain from breaking down in front of the girl. It took everything in Jimin not to just pull Minjeong into a hug and just hold her for as long as she could.
It’s been a while since she last saw her, and Jimin thinks Minjeong still looks as beautiful as ever (though she admittedly looked paler than usual). But there was something that made Jimin's heart burn.
Minjeong had forgotten her, just like what God warned her about.
“Yes.” Is all that Jimin can say, as she leads Minjeong into the fog.
I’m more than that. I'm your girlfriend.
Jimin felt something wrap around her hand. She looked down in surprise, only to see Minjeong holding onto her while flashing her a shy tentative smile.
"I'm a bit.. scared. Is it okay if I hold your hand?"
She smiled back weakly, her answer coming in the form of a nod, letting the younger girl intertwine their fingers together. Minjeong's hand was still smaller compared to hers.
Cute.
“You’re really pretty, have we met before?” Minjeong tilted her head innocently.
“Why, are you trying to flirt with me?”
“N- No! Of course not... It's just that it's my first time seeing a girl wearing something other than a traditional hanbok.” The pinkish hue growing on Minjeong's cheeks told Jimin otherwise.
"Do you like it?"
"What?"
"I asked if you like my outfit."
Minjeong nodded shyly, "Yeah.. I like it a lot."
And for the first time in years, Jimin let out a genuine chuckle.
If you’re happy, I’m happy.
-
The second time Jimin came to fetch Minjeong, was after the girl drowned in the river near their village. Minjeong was only eight years old.
A few children in the neighborhood were messing around with Minjeong and had pushed her into the river as a joke, not knowing that she couldn't swim.
The younger girl had been sobbing nonstop since Jimin found her lost soul loitering around the place alone, desperately calling out and searching for her mother. She was soaked from head to toe, shivering and crying, clearly traumatized from the accident.
Jimin carried Minjeong's small body in her arms as they made their way back through the fog. She had her face buried deep within the crook of Jimin's neck as she hiccupped and sniffled.
"Am I in t- trouble?"
Jimin shook her head, "Not at all, sweetheart."
"Where is m- my mama? Are we going to find her?" The little girl asked as fresh hot tears fell down her face, lower lip trembling.
“Hey, shh, it’s alright..” Jimin used the sleeves of her black uniform to dab the tears off Minjeong's cheeks, then gave her a comforting smile to calm the girl down.
“Unfortunately, unnie doesn't know where your mama is right now, but I can bring you to another place where it's much safer, okay?"
Minjeong nodded sadly.
"Do you know those kids that pushed you? Were they your neighborhood friends?"
Another nod.
Jimin continued, "They were bullying you, weren’t they?”
Minjeong looked back at her with red teary eyes, tiny fingers gripping onto the front of Jimin's black coat. She nodded once more before leaning forward and snuggling closer to Jimin, letting another soft whine escape from her lips.
"Water.. c- can't swim.. scared."
At that moment, Jimin made a mental note to give those kids a taste of their own medicine in future when their time came.
No one bullies her Minjeong.
A few slow pats to her back and gentle rocks later, Minjeong fell asleep in Jimin's arms, mumbling a soft ‘unnie’ as she did. The grim reaper smiled, wrapping her big black coat over the both of them to keep Minjeong's water drenched body warm.
“You’re safe with unnie now.” Jimin continued to pat Minjeong's back lightly, walking through the mist until they reached heaven.
-
When Jimin saw Minjeong's name on the list again just twenty years later, she didn't understand why. Why Minjeong couldn't seem to live past twenty two years for all three of her reincarnated lives.
It wasn't until later that Jimin learnt, Minjeong's soul was weak and fragile due to her traumatic first life. It only further weakened due to the fact that Minjeong and Jimin were soulmates. Without Jimin on earth, Minjeong's immune system just wasn’t as strong compared to others.
Jimin spent weeks on end blaming herself for being selfish, for wanting to keep her memories of Minjeong. Perhaps if she didn't accept this arrangement as the grim reaper, things would've turned out better for her girlfriend. They wouldn't remember each other, but she felt guilty whenever she thought if Minjeong could have lived a longer and happier life.
When Minjeong's time in her third life was almost up, Jimin had been there, standing silently by her bedside.
“I’m sorry,” Jimin whispered to the gods, guilt gnawing at her heart. “I’m sorry for being selfish.”
Jimin watched as Minjeong's parents kissed their precious daughter goodbye in the infirmary, holding onto her pale hand until she took her last breath. An autoimmune illness was what took Minjeong’s life this time.
"Is that... me?" Came a familiar soft voice from beside Jimin.
Jimin hastily wiped at her watery eyes to get rid of any evidence of tears.
She turned, seeing Minjeong's soul standing right beside her. She looked so sick and tired, but at the same time a small relieved smile was etched on her face. She was still dressed in the hospital clothes, her dark hair falling loose over her bony shoulders.
"Am I dead?"
The younger girl took a glance at her trembling hands and forearms, eyeing the bruises she had gotten from being poked at multiple areas with needles during her treatment. For the first time in months Minjeong was free from the pain she had been enduring at the infirmary.
Jimin nodded. "Yes. I'm here to guide you to the afterlife."
The girl didn't seem too shocked by the confirmation of her death, which Jimin found herself being relieved by. She's seen many instances where some souls fall into a state of extreme distress and panic, unable to accept that they were no longer alive.
Jimin thinks she would not be able to handle seeing Minjeong go through that kind of grief again.
"You probably are unaware, but this..." Jimin turns to look at Minjeong's parents who were now crying over her cold body, "This was your third and final life here on earth."
Minjeong stares at her parents as the scene unfolded in front of her glossy eyes. Both her and Jimin watching in silence as the nurses came over and covered her body with a white cloth, her mother desperately calling out for Minjeong to come back before her knees buckled and she fell to the ground in tears.
"Mother-" Minjeong quickly took a step forward, her hand wanting to reach out to help her mother up, but she abruptly stopped herself. She knew it'd be useless.
Minjeong was already dead, and there was no way she would be able to see, touch, or speak to her family again. She choked on a sob, tears finally spilling over cheeks freely.
“Don’t worry, they will be okay. Your parents are good people, they’ll live a long and healthy life.” Jimin’s hand reaches out to pat her on the back, and her touch makes Minjeong cry harder.
“Thank you.” Minjeong whispers.
“Shall we go?” Jimin extends her palm to the girl, and Minjeong took one last longing glance at her parents before reaching to hold Jimin’s hand.
“Okay.” She mumbles after a sniffle.
-
As Jimin and Minjeong began their walk through the misty path toward heaven, the quiet stillness between them felt almost comforting. Minjeong clung to Jimin’s hand, feeling an inexplicable sense of peace. It was odd—this person, this grim reaper, was a stranger to her, and yet her touch was so familiar, so warm.
There was something about her presence that felt like home, making her heart feel both heavy and light, though Minjeong couldn’t quite put her finger on why.
A strange sense of dejavu washed over Minjeong. She glanced over at Jimin, who was walking silently, her expression calm but her eyes full of something deeper.
“Unnie,” Minjeong called softly, the word slipping from her lips before she could stop it. She didn’t know why she called her that— it just felt right.
Jimin turned, smiling gently. “Yes?”
“Have we… met before?” Minjeong asked, tilting her head in curiosity. “I don’t know why, but it feels like I’ve known you for a long time.”
Jimin’s heart clenched, but she kept her composure. “Perhaps we have,” She said, her voice steady, though her chest ached.
“Sometimes, souls are drawn to one another.”
Minjeong hummed thoughtfully, fidgeting with her fingers as they walked. “It’s strange… I feel safe with you. Like, I can trust you.”
“You can,” Jimin replied, her voice almost a whisper. “You’ve always been safe with me.”
What did that mean?
Minjeong stole glances at Jimin as they walked. The way she moved, the subtle softness in her expression—it all stirred something deep and warm within Minjeong’s heart, like a forgotten melody she was trying to remember. The fog undulates around her, swirling deep and opaque, and as they walked further, images began to flash in her mind.
At first, they were just flickers—fragments of scenes that didn’t quite make sense. But the more Minjeong tried to focus, the more the image began to form a clearer picture.
The scent of flowers hit her before the memory did—sunshine, laughter, and a girl in a hanbok by the stream.
Minjeong was wearing a vibrant hanbok, its soft pink and white fabric flowing around her as she sat by a quiet stream, secluded away from the commotion of people. The spring air was fresh, filled with the scent of blooming flowers, and the gentle rustling of leaves which created a serene backdrop.
She was laughing—no, they were laughing.
"You're going to get my clothes wet!" The other girl squealed, holding her hands up in a feigned attempt to shield herself as Minjeong playfully splashed water in her direction.
She too, was dressed in a navy blue hanbok, her dark long hair tied into a half-up hairdo, secured with a flower pin, and even though her face was a blur, Minjeong thinks she looks absolutely beautiful.
"Come on, unnie!" Minjeong grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's just water. Don’t tell me you’re scared of this?"
She couldn’t clearly see the girl’s features due to the sunlight that shone on the both of their faces, but she heard a gentle laugh come from the other girl.
Even her laugh was like music to Minjeong’s ears.
"Am not! But If I fall in, you're coming with me." The girl said.
Minjeong's giggle rang out again, clear and bright. "That’s if you can get me!"
For a moment, everything was simple, pure. There was just the two of them, the stream, and their shared joy. The memory lingered, wrapping her in a warmth that time hadn’t touched.
The girl’s features still appearing as a blur in her mind, but Minjeong remembers seeing the girl’s smile, so wide and carefree, a reflection of Minjeong’s own happiness.
But just as quickly as the memory had come, it began to fade. Minjeong blinked again, and the present rushed back in. The sound of the stream, the soft fabric of her hanbok—all of it slipped away, leaving only the echo of their laughter.
“Are you alright?” A low voice made her jump in surprise.
Minjeong looked up only to lock eyes with the grim reaper. The girl in the black uniform had a look of concern plastered on her face, and somehow it made the pounding against Minjeong’s heart worse.
Why did her eyes look so familiar?
She nodded, “Just feeling a little dizzy.”
But before she could even take another step forward, another image flashed over Minjeong’s vision like a relentless tide, pulling her deeper into the past.
She felt like she was falling and falling.
The night sky above her vast and full of stars, a pale moon casting silver light across the fields. The cool breeze whispered through the tall grass, and Minjeong could hear the soft sound of her own breath, quickened by excitement.
She was running, with the same girl from before right beside her, their fingers tightly intertwined as they sprinted through the fields, their laughter filling the air like music.
"Faster!" The other girl urged, her grin wide as she glanced back at Minjeong.
"I'm trying!" She laughed breathlessly, but there was no urgency in their escape, only the thrill of being together, of sneaking away from the watchful eyes of society that would never understand their love.
They stopped under a large oak tree, its branches swaying gently in the night breeze. Minjeong leaned against the trunk, catching her breath, and the girl stood in front of her, still holding her hand. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the world falling away as their smiles softened into something deeper, more intimate. Her face was still a blur, but Minjeong could now make out a small mole that was situated on the left side of the girl’s chin.
"Jeong?"
"Hm?"
“I could run like this forever, as long as you’re with me,” The girl whispered, her voice barely more than a breath.
Minjeong felt her heart swell at the words, her chest tightening with a joy so fierce it almost hurt. “Then I'll run with you forever,” She replied, her hand reaching up to brush a stray lock of dark hair from the girl’s face, making her smile.
They stole kisses in the hidden shadows of the night, their lips meeting in sweet, unspoken promises. Under the shelter of darkness, away from the judging eyes of the world, they were free. There, in the quiet corners of the fields, where the moonlight bathed them in its gentle glow, they could be who they truly were.
Minjeong leaned her forehead against the girl’s, closing her eyes, savoring the moment. "I just wish that every day could be like this, I hate having to sneak out in the middle of the night to spend time with you.."
"Maybe one day, but this is the only way for me to see you.. for now." The other girl sighed softly, a bittersweet smile plastered on her face. “I love you, Minjeong-ah.”
“I love you too, unnie.”
But even as she said it, a flicker of doubt crossed Minjeong's heart, knowing the world they lived in wouldn’t let them be this happy for long.
The memory flickered, fading once again, but this time Minjeong wasn’t returned back to the present. She was getting so overwhelmingly dizzy that she felt like the whole room was spinning, her heart tightening so hard it constricted her breathing and she wanted to cry. Then another image flashed before her eyes, this time much darker.
“Stop right there!”
A voice commanded, cold and authoritative. Several guards appeared from the shadows outside Minjeong’s house, their armor clinking as they moved in swiftly, blocking their path and surrounding them. Minjeong’s breath caught in her throat as she watched her parents step out from the doorway, their faces stricken with shock and anger.
How did they find out?
Her mother’s hands trembled, but it was her father’s voice that cut through the air like a blade. “What is the meaning of this, Minjeong? You didn’t think I’d notice you constantly disappearing from the household at odd hours of the night? Treating your father like a fool now, are we?”
“You dare shame us with this—” Minjeong's father drew his sword from its scabbard and levelled it directly at the girl beside her, the sharp silver tip gleaming in the dim light. “This… sinful.. forbidden behavior?” He growled.
No... How did they find out?
The girl tightened her grip on Minjeong’s hand, her pulse racing under her skin. Despite the fear that flooded her veins, she nudged Minjeong behind her, shielding her from harm as she spoke shakily.
“T- This isn’t her fault, I was the one wh—”
“Did I give you the permission to speak?” He shouted, making the girl bite down on her tongue, head tilting down in fear.
“Take her!” Her father ordered, his face hard with disgust as he pointed at Minjeong who was already silently crying. “And lock her up. I will deal with her disobedience later.”
The guards immediately grabbed Minjeong’s arms, roughly pulling her away from the other girl as she screamed and cried but to no avail. Minjeong thrashed in their grip, refusing to let go of the other girl's hands.
“And you—” He turned his furious gaze toward the girl. “You will never see my daughter ever again. Do you understand?”
“No, Father!” Minjeong screamed, struggling against the guards as they dragged her toward the house. “Please, let me go! I’m begging you!”
The other girl fought just as fiercely against the hold of the guards, her tears falling down her cheeks as she reached out for Minjeong’s hand, their fingers slipping against each other, trying desperately to hold on.
"Unnie!"
“Minjeong!” The girl cried, her voice breaking with pain.
Minjeong was in hysterics now, vision so blurry from the waterfall of tears cascading down her cheeks, "Unnie, please.. I don’t want to go, I don’t want to go!" She sobbed, squeezing onto whatever grip she had left on the other girl’s hand—
But they were too strong.
With one final tug, their hands slipped apart, and the distance between them grew as the guards hit the other girl so hard in the gut that she fell to the ground with a groan, curling up into herself. Still, despite the pain, she forced her head up to look into Minjeong’s direction.
Their eyes met. Then Minjeong finally saw it.
She saw the girl’s face, no longer a blur in front of her wide bloodshot eyes. The blood staining her teeth, the tears in her dark brown eyes, the distinct mole on her chin.
Jimin unnie.
“No!" Minjeong wailed, "Don’t hurt her– Please!—” A stinging pain struck her across the cheek before she could even register it, throwing her head harshly to the side. Her ears were ringing from the impact.
Her father’s harsh voice rang in her ears, “Shut up! Another word from you, and I will kill her myself.”
Minjeong’s helpless sobs were choked by the grip of the guards as they dragged her inside the house, the heavy wooden door slamming shut behind her, sealing the world between them. Through the door, she could still hear Jimin’s cries, faint and heart-wrenching as she endured hit after hit from her father’s guards.
And then Minjeong was dragged and thrown onto the cold hard floors of the basement. This couldn't be real. This must've been a nightmare.
Minjeong could feel herself dissociating rapidly as she laid there. Her body unconsciously began to curl up and start to hyperventilate. It made her heave and hurl onto the ground, before everything faded to darkness.
Jimin unnie.
Jimin unnie.
Jimin unnie—
Minjeong gasped, her body jerking violently as the memories yanked her back to the present. Her chest heaved, and her lungs burned as if she had just run through those same fields again, fleeing something unseen.
She stumbled forward, clutching at her heart, her fingers digging into the fabric of her shirt as if she could somehow stop the ache from consuming her. Each breath was a desperate struggle, shallow and broken, as her mind swirled with the intensity of it all.
Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. The emotions from the past—Jimin’s laughter, their love, the heartbreak—crashed over her like waves, drowning her in a sea of overwhelming grief and longing. Her knees buckled, and she fell to the floor, curling into herself as the panic set in.
She couldn’t breathe.
She tried to calm herself, tried to breathe, but each gasp only tightened the vise around her heart. Her hands shook as she clutched at the ground, as if searching for something—someone—to hold onto, but all she felt was emptiness.
“Jimin unnie…” The name escaped her lips in a choked whisper, barely audible through her sobs.
“I.. I remember,” She whispered, her voice trembling.
Her vision blurred further as the tears finally spilled over, hot and stinging as they streamed down her cheeks. The pain of that long-ago separation, the helplessness of watching Jimin be torn from her, came rushing back with a vengeance.
It was all too much.
Jimin stopped and knelt beside her, watching as Minjeong’s eyes filled with tears. “Minjeong…” She called her name tearfully, slowly reaching out to pull the shaking girl into a firm hug.
“I remember everything,” Minjeong sobbed, her hands covering her mouth as hot tears streamed down her face. She turned to look at the grim reaper in front of her, gently cupping Jimin’s face as she admired her face.
Jimin looked the just the same as how Minjeong remembered.
She traced her thumb over her cheek, “We— We were together.. In Joseon. We were so happy. But then…” A whimper came from the back of her throat.
Jimin’s eyes softened, her own tears threatening to spill. “We were,” She said quietly, holding Minjeong closer to her.
“I’ve been with you in every life, watching over you, waiting for the time when we could finally be together again.”
Minjeong looked up at her, her face streaked with tears, but her eyes so full of love and recognition. “You’ve always been there for me,” She whispered, her voice shaking. “Even when I didn’t know it, you were always there.”
Jimin nodded, unable to hold back her own tears any longer. Years of being the grim reaper has taught her to supress her emotions, but now that she finally got to hold Minjeong in her arms again after years of watching her from afar, she couldn’t help but let the walls she built around herself crumble.
“I promised I would never leave you, and I meant it.”
With a sob, Minjeong threw herself back into Jimin’s arms, wrapping her tightly in a hug that felt like it could mend all the broken pieces of their hearts.
“I’m so sorry,” She exasperated, her voice muffled against Jimin’s shoulder. “I didn’t remember you, I didn’t—”
Jimin held her just as tightly, pressing her face into Minjeong’s hair, tears streaming down her cheeks as well.
“Shh, it’s okay,” Jimin whispered, holding her close, her hand gently stroking Minjeong’s hair. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
“I missed you so much,” She hiccupped, “I didn’t even know why I felt so lost.. like my life had no meaning, but now I know that it was because you weren’t here.”
Jimin kissed the top of Minjeong’s head, letting her tears fall into her dark hair. “I missed you too, every day, every lifetime,” She whispered.
As they stood there, Minjeong and Jimin found themselves in the quiet comfort of each other’s presence. They sat close, knees touching, the world around them fading into a gentle hum.
Minjeong's eyes lingered on Jimin's face, taking in every detail, from the curve of her lips, to the softness in her gaze and the way her hair framed her delicate features. She hadn't seen her like this in so long, and now that she was here, it felt unreal, as if time itself had brought them back together.
For a moment, Minjeong simply admired her, her heart swelling with tenderness. Then, her voice, barely more than a whisper, broke the silence.
“Kiss me?”
Jimin’s lips curved into a soft smile, her eyes filled with warmth as she leaned closer, her breath warm against Minjeong’s skin. Slowly, with so much tenderness, Jimin kissed her.
First, a gentle press of her lips against Minjeong's tear stained cheek, lingering for a heartbeat as if savoring the contact. Then a feather-light kiss on her nose, making Minjeong’s heart flutter.
Jimin’s lips brushed softly over her eyelids, one at a time, and Minjeong closed her eyes, feeling the love in every touch. Then she moved to cup Minjeong’s head in her hands, leaning up to press a kiss on her forehead, making the younger girl smile.
Finally, Jimin’s lips found Minjeong’s, the kiss filling them with everything they hadn’t been able to say—for all the longing and ache of time they had spent apart. It was slow, unhurried, like they had all the time in the world. Minjeong sighed into the kiss, deepening it though still gentle.
She clutched the fabric of Jimin’s black coat as if she were afraid that Jimin would disappear if she were to let go. Her heart bursting with the overwhelming realization that this—Jimin—was her home.
She had always been her home.
“I love you,” Minjeong whispered between kisses, her voice shaky but full of certainty. “I’ve never stopped loving you.”
“I love you too, Jeong,” Jimin replied, her voice slightly hoarse from crying. “More than you could ever know.”
When the tears finally slowed, Jimin gently pulled back, though she kept her hand firmly intertwined with Minjeong’s. She brought her thumb up to wipe away the remaining tears on Minjeong’s cheeks, smiling through her own. Even with bloodshot eyes, Jimin still thought Minjeong looked like an adorable puppy.
Minjeong hid her face back into Jimin’s neck, hugging her tight, “I don’t want to be separated from you again, unnie..”
Jimin chuckled lightly, patting the younger girl’s back. Three lifetimes later, and the girl was still clingy as ever. Some things never change, Jimin thought.
“You won’t be, I promise. This time I’ll never let go.” She stroked Minjeong’s hair lightly.
Minjeong pulled back slightly from the hug, looking up at Jimin’s tear-streaked face. A part of her was relieved to be in Jimin’s arms again, but a part of her was still anxious at what was to come. She had a look of distress, "What.. what if something happens again? What if we’re separated in another life?"
Jimin smiled softly, brushing a stray tear from Minjeong's cheek. "We’ve already been through so much, Jeong. Three lives. Every time I see your name on the list, I wonder… am I the reason your lives are cut short? Maybe if I hadn’t taken this job—if I let go—we could have had different fates.” She whispered, her voice heavy with guilt.
“This time, though, it’s different. We don’t have to go through that again. Once I finish my duties as the grim reaper, we can be together for good. We’ll find our own home, somewhere peaceful.”
Minjeong's eyes widened slightly, her voice quiet but hopeful. "For good?"
"Yeah,” Jimin nodded at the sight of Minjeong’s shy smile, her heart swelling as she spoke, “No more waiting. Just us, in the afterlife, together. Forever."
Minjeong’s lips curved into a small, tearful smile. "Forever… I’d like that."
Jimin chuckled softly, her fingers trailing gently along Minjeong’s face. "Me too."
They sat in silence for a while, the weight of their shared history hanging in the air. Minjeong rested her head on Jimin’s shoulder, finally at peace for the first time in what felt like centuries. For a moment they remained quiet, so much so that Jimin thought Minjeong must’ve fallen asleep, until the girl spoke again, her voice soft but steady.
"So what’s going to happen now, Jimin unnie?"
Jimin tilted her head slightly, contemplating. "Now? I need to guide you safely to heaven. Once we’re there, I’ll hand over my role to the next reaper, and then we’ll be free to go wherever we want."
Minjeong nodded, her fingers still gripping Jimin’s coat in her small hands. "And we’ll be together?"
Jimin smiled warmly. "Mhm."
Minjeong closed her eyes, her body relaxing against Jimin’s in a soft sigh. For the first time in a long while, she felt safe. Safe in Jimin’s arms, knowing that no matter what happened, she wouldn’t have to face it alone anymore.
"Let’s go then," Minjeong whispered, her voice filled with a quiet determination. "I’m ready."
Jimin stood, pulling Minjeong gently to her feet. Their hands remained intertwined as they began to walk, with Jimin caressing her knuckles gently, the never ending swirls of fog parting around them as they moved toward their final destination.
Then she took a glance at Minjeong, who wore a big, precious smile on her face, and Jimin thought; she would do it all over again—every lifetime, every heartache—just to find Minjeong once more.