Until I recognized you
00. Until I leave you
I'm Kim Yeo-ju, a 25-year-old college graduate. I have a photographer boyfriend who's a year older than me, and today, I started getting ready early to go on a date with him. Since I occasionally model for his photos, I pay a lot of attention to my clothes.
I received a text from him saying he was going to a flower festival today. So I pulled out my floral one-piece and put it on. Actually... I bought it but never wore it, so I just tried it on once, but it looked good on me and I felt good.
I'm someone who values punctuality, so I arrived ten minutes early. The scent of flowers wafted from the entrance. And then, in the distance, I could see my boyfriend.
김민규
You were here first? You look so pretty today. Should I go in?
김여주
Yeah, let's go! But why are you already holding a camera? You're really unstoppable, Kim Min-gyu.
I didn't completely dislike Min-gyu, who held a camera in one hand and gently held my hand in the other. The cool breeze felt nice, and I felt like only good things would happen today.
김민규
Lady, stand there.
김여주
...Here? What about the pose... I'll try anything!
Click
김민규
Who would say no, it came out really well.
김여주
Yeah. Seriously, Kim Min-gyu, what if you get famous and get busy? But I'll still call you out every day...
김민규
Well, when I become famous...? Then I won't have to ask you to come out every day, right?
김여주
...What? Why?
김민규
I'm going to get married before then. To Kim Yeo-joo.
김여주
Ah... what, what are you talking about! I'm hungry. Let's go get some lunch quickly...
김민규
Yeah? You'll do it with me?
김여주
Oh, I don't know...um...there are a lot of restaurants here?
Perhaps because so many people were visiting, the area was teeming with food. Min-gyu and I were wondering what to eat when we stopped by a nearby pasta place. "I'm paying today!" I said, flashily pulling out my card and ordering.
It was pasta plated with flowers. The taste was exquisite, and both Min-gyu and I were very satisfied with the meal.
After that, Min-gyu and I continued walking through the flower garden, taking pictures and playing. I was happier than I'd ever been in a moment.
Up until now, I thought I would be really happy.
김여주
I don't want to break up... When will we see each other again...
김민규
Okay... the light's green. Go quickly. Be sure to call me when you get there, and we'll meet again after your interview.
김여주
Yeah, yeah, I'll go in and call you! You too, go in safely, love!
I waved at Min-gyu and crossed the street at a flashing green light. Perhaps it was God's punishment for daring to play around like a job seeker. A loud horn blared from the left, and Min-gyu suddenly came running towards me in a hurry.
I feel so stupid. When I was watching a drama or movie, I used to get angry and ask why I was just sitting there, not getting out of the way. Now I think I know why. For a moment, I was stunned and couldn't hear anything else.
Min-gyu ran towards me, and the moment he got closer, I felt my body lift. And then I just kept flying. When I hit the ground, I felt no pain, no sound. I didn't even realize I was dying. The last thing I saw was Min-gyu, crying.
And then I don't know what happened either. When I first opened my eyes, I saw people in scrubs rushing towards me. Min-gyu ran with me, holding my hand tightly as tears streamed down his face.
I unconsciously tried to grab Min-gyu's hand, but I couldn't because I had to go into the operating room. I gasped for breath and closed my eyes again.
When I opened my eyes again, I wasn't in a hospital, but on a beach. I wasn't in any pain, just waking up on a beach. I was still trying to figure out what was happening when I heard a voice behind me.
JH
I feel so sad...
김여주
Yes...? Oh, do you happen to know where this is...? No, I was definitely at the hospital...
I looked up and saw a handsome man playing in the ocean, playing alone. Honestly, he just seemed like a tourist. It's embarrassing to ask this, but I was just... out of my mind.
JH
This is heaven. Strictly speaking, somewhere between heaven and hell? Hmm... I wonder if you'll understand if I say "the afterlife," as humans often say.
김여주
......
JH
Crying? Well, dying is a very sad thing. Coming this far means there's no turning back.
Of course, it wasn't the kind of heaven I'd imagined. And I had kind of expected it. When he got hit by the truck, I knew he was definitely going to die. Even when I saw Min-gyu in the operating room, half-conscious and crying, all I could think about was regret.
They say people have a premonition of their own mortality before they die, and that was exactly the feeling I had. Even if I had the surgery, I'd still die. When this person reminded me of that again, I was overcome with a sadness so profound it was indescribable.
I have no family or friends. But I had Min-gyu, who became more precious to me than family and friends. For some reason, I felt lucky this morning. The weather was beautiful. It was a mistake for me, someone who had never experienced happiness due to abuse and bullying since childhood, to have been blessed with this happiness.
I literally cried for minutes, hours. The man just watched me quietly. It seemed like he was waiting.
JH
Did you cry all the time? Are you okay? You look completely powerless.
김여주
......
JH
I won't ask. I know there are other sorrows besides the simple fact that someone died. Of course, the fact that someone died is the biggest one...
김여주
...What should I do...I can't die yet...Can't I just see Min-gyu one last time...Please...
I spoke with a trembling voice. If this is truly the last time, I just want to see Min-gyu's face once. Forget me as quickly as possible, but don't forget me too much. Don't cry or be sad every day... but please be sad sometimes. I want to say this, but I still have so much left to say.
JH
Stop crying. If he really wants to see you, there's a way.
김여주
Uh...? Is there any way to meet Min-gyu again?
JH
You could even reincarnate. But you have to remember him.
김여주
Me... Min-gyu...? Of course I will,
JH
Instead, all your memories will be erased. All memories related to that... Min-gyu. Oh, and of course, mine will be erased too.
김여주
No, what is that...
JH
Six months. Exactly six months. Until then, if you don't remember, you'll live as if you've lost it forever. Then, exactly six months later, for the same reason, you'll come back here and meet me.
JH
But what if you remember? You'll be with that man for the rest of your life. Oh, I can't guarantee a lifetime, but...you could break up, or something along the way...anyway, your arrival here might be delayed a bit, right? It could be due to aging...or illness...
김여주
6 months...?
JH
How about it? It's a pretty good deal, isn't it? Want to try it?
김여주
...I'll try. Please send it back to Min-gyu.
Honestly, I wasn't confident. Memorization was the thing I was worst at in school, and I absolutely hated mystery novels, so I absolutely hated this kind of thing. But I didn't want to miss the chance to see Min-gyu again without even trying.
JH
Oh, by the way, I'm just a fixed angel. I hope we don't see each other again in 12 months. Goodbye.
Suddenly, my body felt heavy and I fell, deeper into the sea. My head started to feel very dizzy.
And I slowly opened my eyes to the loud noise.