Chapter 4 | Love at First Sight
- 2021 -
There was an unspoken tension between the two men. Neither knew how to start the conversation. Both men knew the other remembered the events of their first life. Both felt love towards the same person, albeit in different ways.
"When did you remember?" Seokjin finally cut through the silence.
"When you were holding her," Yoongi spoke with a hint of sadness in his voice. "Just like the day she died."
Another moment of silence fell between the two of them. The food in front of them was untouched. Neither having the appetite.
"Is that the only life you remember?" Seokjin asked again, hoping that Yoongi would answer yes.
Yoongi nodded. "Were there more?"
"Yes," Seokjin breathed.
"Was she able to have a happy life in any of them?" Yoongi asked. He knew not to be hopeful but he couldn't help it.
"No," Seokjin said quietly. "I'm sorry, Yoongi. I couldn't do anything."
"It must have been hard for you, hyungnim," Yoongi said after a moment of silence.
Seokjin didn't... no he couldn't comment on Yoongi's statement. And Yoongi didn't need confirmation. He already knew.
Yoongi knew Seokjin. There was a reason he preferred Seokjin over the crown prince for his sister. Seokjin was deeply in love with her. Seeing Y/N in pain and dying in multiple lives would have been difficult for the past swordsman.
As the two were in their own minds, the door to the private room opened. Yoongi looked up in confusion. His confusion only increased when he saw Bang Sihyuk and his assistant, Jung Hoseok walking into the private room of the Chinese Restaurant.
"What a surprise see you both here," Sihyuk said in a rather happy tone.
"Sir, you already knew they were here," Hoseok pointed out. To which Sihyuk only chuckled.
Yoongi looked to Seokjin, hoping that the elder will have answers.
"Yoongi-ah, this is Sihyuk, he is a passage guardian," Seokjin informed Yoongi.
"A passage guardian?" Yoongi repeated, his confusion only multiplying. "What's a passage guardian?"
"A passage guardian is basically a god," Hoseok said almost in a rehearsed way. "He's the head of the grim reapers. When the grim reapers bring souls to the afterlife, he judges them and sees that they have a safe passage to either reincarnation or heaven or hell or gives them their punishment."
"So, you're a passage guardian, then what the hell are you?" Yoongi asked Hoseok.
"I am a passage guardian in training," Hoseok said with a nod. Proud of his position.
"Okay, so how do you know a passage guardian hyungnim?" Yoongi asked Seokjin.
"I can answer that question for you Yoongi," Sihyuk said with a smile, sitting down at the table. "Seokjin is currently serving a 1000 year sentence that started the moment he died. One year for each life he killed."
Yoongi's eyes grew wide. Then he remembered. As soon as Y/N died, he and Seokjin went on a near rampage killing many, many men. Seeking revenge for the death of Y/N. Yoongi also died before Seokjin did.
"Then, why?" Yoongi couldn't help but ask. "Why not me?"
"You did," Sihyuk said matter-of-factly.
"I did?"
Seokjin nodded. "You were serving with me for about 300 years then you finished your sentence and was able to reincarnate with Y/N since."
"You've been alone for 700 years," Yoongi breathed.
"Which is why I've come to speak to the both of you," Sihyuk went straight to the point. "The other gods have decided that this life will be your final life. After this life, you and your sister will no longer be reincarnated. You will pass onto heaven or hell, depending on how you live this life." Sihyuk focused his attention on Yoongi. "Which means, if you kill a human in this life, you will go to hell. No more punishments."
"Now, because of your punishment, Seokjin, Min Y/N had lived a cursed life in every single one of her reincarnations. Never living past the age of 30 and always dying a terrible and painful death. The gods have agreed that she was an innocent victim in this whole thing," Sihyuk explained. Yoongi couldn't help but clench his jaw when he heard the news about his sister's past lives. "So the gods have allowed you to interfere in this life since this will be her last life before she is given a free pass, if you will, to heaven. And you can choose to follow her into the afterlife or stay and be reincarnated to live a more normal life. And remember, while history may not repeat itself, it always rhymes."
Without another word, Sihyuk got up from the table and walked towards the door.
"I do hope, all of you will find your happiness in this life," Sihyuk wished them all luck before leaving the private room with Hoseok following closely behind.
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Junmyeon was jogging along the path next to the Han River. It was something that he often did when he was getting stressed with his work. Also, just to let off some steam.
As he was running down the familiar path, there was something...or rather someone that caught his eye. He didn't know why but a young woman sitting on the grass grabbed his attention. He couldn't help but stop in his tracks as he observed the young woman.
She was sitting on the grass, her feet to her chest as her head was tilted slightly back. Almost as if she was feeling the sun on her face. Junmyeon could also see that she had her eyes closed, feeling the gentle breeze of the day.
He was absolutely entranced by the young woman. There was something about her that drew him in. Something that felt so familiar. Something that gave him pain in his chest, almost like a feeling of guilt. Perhaps it was because of that pain in his chest, but he couldn't stop the single tear that escaped from his eyes.
Quickly wiping it away, he decided to go and talk to her.
Plucking up his courage, he went and sat down next to the woman. She didn't seem to realize that she had company. She kept her eyes closed.
He cleared his throat, wanting to get her attention. Just to take a look at her eyes.
Her eyes fluttered open and turned her attention to the strange man sitting next to her.
"Hello," she said with a soft smile.
Junmyeon could feel his heartbeat pick up.
"Hello," he responded.
"Can I help you?" She asked.
"Yes, I was wondering if I could get your name," Junmyeon said as politely as possible. He already knew the entire situation was creepy and he didn't want to scare her away.
"My name?" She asked with an amused smile.
"Yes," he breathed. Her smile was breathtaking. It was beautiful.
"My name is Min Y/N."
For the first time in a while, Junmyeon smiled a genuine smile.
★
- 1021 -
Junmyeon sighed as he was out in the palace garden. He had a lot on his mind.
He was to be wed in a moon's time. Most likely it was going to be with some girl whose father was power-hungry. The girl would most likely be spoiled, no doubt. He knew that his parents were thinking of Minister Min's daughter as his wife.
Although he was the crown prince, Junmyeon always dreamed of finding love. He dreamed of falling in love and marrying the person he loved.
Jiyeon. He did like her. There was no questioning that. She was the only person who knew him the most. They had been together since they were babes. He told her everything and he trusted her. In turn, she told him everything and she trusted him.
He wasn't lying when he told Jiyeon that he would choose her over any lady his mother would pick. He wasn't lying when he told Jiyeon that she would have his heart. But it was because she was his best friend and he would much rather marry someone he was familiar with than someone he didn't know.
He let out a big sigh. There was a giggle from behind him.
"That's a big sigh," a very sweet voice said. "What's wrong?"
Surprised, Junmyeon whipped around. He saw a young girl who looked to be only a few years younger than him. Maybe even the same age as Jiyeon.
Then it was like the world stopped. She was the most beautiful lady he had ever seen. She had a youthful, innocent look to her. She had soft facial features making her look kind. The complete opposite of Jiyeon, who had sharper features making her look beautiful but harsh.
"N-Nothing," Junmyeon cursed himself for stuttering. It was unfitting for a future king.
She giggled again. "Are you sure?"
Junmyeon was entranced by her giggle. It was like soft bells. He just mindlessly nodded.
"Well, if you insist," she said with a smile. "Well, I'd better get going. My father will be wondering where I wandered off to."
She gave him a small bow and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Junmyeon called out after her.
The young girl turned around and tilted her head. "Yes?"
"Why are you here?" Junmyeon asked.
"I'm not sure, my father was invited to come to the palace by the king. And my father just brought me along," the young girl answered honestly. "I kind of snuck away, although I wasn't supposed to."
Junmyeon chuckled. "I guess, we're the same in that sense," he noted.
"Really?" she asked with an amused smile.
"Yes," Junmyeon nodded. "What's your name?"
"My name is Min Y/N," she responded with a smile. "What's yours?"
Junmyeon opened his mouth to respond but he was cut off by a man's voice. "Y/N-ah!"
Y/N gasped as she turned around. "That's my father, I'd best get going," she said quickly. "It was nice meeting you!"
Then without waiting for his response, Y/N lifted her dress and ran towards her father's voice.
"Y/N," Junmyeon repeated her name with a big smile on his face.
Maybe he would be able to marry for love.
★