Third Person

Pacing back and forth with anticipation and agitation, Seonghwa prayed to heavens that Yeosang will be okay. It's been exactly three hours since he brought Yeosang to the emergency room. It's scaring him at this moment. He feels so scared for Yeosang, especially when the younger has not woken up yet.

Mr. and Mrs. Park had been watching Seonghwa walking and checking the room from time to time. It worried the parents, but can't deny that they are scared too on what is going to happen to Yeosang.

Joohee stood up and caressed her son's shoulder, "Seonghwa darling, please get some rest. You've been waiting since seven in the morning."

"I'm fine, Mom. I need to know that Yeosang will be alright."

"He will be okay, Hwa. You have to be positive--"

"I'm trying to be, Mom. B-but I'm so scared losing him. I don't want him to end up like Lia. I-I don't think I'll be able survive if Yeosang's not around." Seonghwa stammered as he feels pressured with the time. The fact that Yeosang is not breathing, and the doctors are until now handling the blonde, is enough for Seonghwa to panic and fear for the worse.

Hwaseong sighed in distress, he stood up and patted the boy's shoulder, "Son, I should be the one who is sorry. I am the cause of all these."

Seonghwa proceeded to eye his father in confusion, "What do you mean, dad?"

"Seonghwa," He called out his son's name, "If I could've stopped Minji from that day of her suicide, then this would not have happened to you and Yeosang."

"W-What...?"

"Long ago before you were even born, I used to date your aunt. She was madly in love with me, but I lost feelings." The elder started off, "After that, I fell in love with your mother and soon to realize that I was truly happy with her. Yet, things take a complete turn...

One day, an apprentice of a fortune-teller approached me and asked if I was the soulmate of Minji. I was confused but intrigued. That's when she told me that Minji was cursed by that fortune-teller who happened to be a witch. That witch brainwashed her and told her that I am her soulmate, and since our bond is broken, Minji believed that she had no hope. 

When I arrived to the balcony, it was too late. She already jumped off the building. The apprentice told me that Minji did it to save me. The bond is broken, and since I am the soulmate, it was me who should have died, but in the end...Minji sacrificed herself. She died because of love and hatred for your mother."

Seonghwa had his mouth open, he did not know what to feel about the story his father had told him. To Seonghwa's dismay, it was absolutely disturbing for him. The look on his mother's face did not look good at all.

"You...have never told me." Joohee softly uttered, trying to comprehend the new information said. All she felt was guilt now, knowing that she is the reason why Minji's hatred for her had gone wild to the point she killed herself. In all her life, she believed it was Minji's pride and jealousy that caused every downfall of their lives. But little did she know, she is the cause of it.

"I do not want to scare you, love." Hwaseong comforted his wife.

"Still...you could have told me. She's my sister. No matter how cruel the things she did to us, she is still my sister."

Hwaseong nodded, "I know that, honey. I'm sorry for keeping it from you."

One thing Seonghwa could never understand. If Minji killed herself for his father, then why is he the one cursed instead? Why is Yeosang suffering right now when he is not related to the problems his family was troubling for so long? Why did Lia have to die when all she wanted was to...love?

Is this really part of the curse?

Or is this part of life?

And all of this...

The reason everything is happening is all because of one thing...

Love.

----

"Blondie, you do not understand. You cannot break the spell. You have no power to break it because you are just the 'mate'."

Yeosang silently scoffed in frustration. 

"Why can't you break it instead? Since you are so almighty and powerful, why can't you do it for us?"

"Yeosang dear, that's not how it works. I don't like abusing my powers--"

"Abusing your powers?" The blonde repeated in disbelief, "You cursed Seonghwa. Isn't that abusing your powers? Do you only like using them all because of your hatred?" Yeosang unintentionally fired back, and soon to realize that he disrespected a Goddess.

Instead of balling a fist and get angry, Minji sadly smiled. "Am I really a wicked goddess?"

Yeosang frowned as he never intended to offend the woman. All he wanted was to know if there is a way to break the curse because at this point -- he is tired and drained from the events happening. At this point, he just wanted everything to be normal and peaceful. But the question is, will he ever get the peace he's asking for?

Minji knew how terrible it was. All these years, she felt guilty. But in the end, no one could ever understand her story.

"I am not the key to your answer, Yeosang." Minji said monotonously. 

"Then who is? If it's not you, if it's not me, then who..." Yeosang trailed off when he finally realized it, "...It's Seonghwa, isn't it?"

Minji nodded. "I told you, you two are soulmates. You are each other's healer. If Seonghwa is in pain, he needs you. If you are in danger, you need him." She explained thoroughly but it still confuses Yeosang.

"But he is always with me. I am always with him. Isn't that enough? Aren't I capable to break the curse? Am I the one lacking? Am I not enough?" Yeosang's voice cracked, he couldn't take it anymore. The emotional pain he's feeling was getting out of hand. "I only want one thing, Miss Minji. I want the answer."

Minji heaved a sigh.

"Seonghwa is lacking one value. I cannot tell you what that value is because both of you need to figure it out yourselves."

Yeosang pursed his lips upon the answer. "Can't you give me a hint?"

Minji flashed a smile, "Do you remember the book you found in the library a few weeks ago?" 

"I read a lot of books. Which one is it?"

"The one published on your birthday." 

As if Minji's words sent chills down to the younger's spine. "T-The one published on my birthday? The one that the main character has the same fate as I am?"

"Yes, precisely. That main character is actually you. The events, your decisions, your actions, your past --- everything you do is written in that book."

Yeosang did not know how to respond to that, he was speechless. 

"The values are written in the last page of the book," She continued, averting her gaze away from Yeosang to the sky. "You still have nine days to go. I have hope for you and Seonghwa. I know you can do it."

The blonde

"Why are you so kind to me?"

"Because I can connect with you. I felt that attachment with you, even though you were still in your mother's womb. And here we are, we relate each other. We have gone through a lot. I've fought for the person I love; while you stayed quiet and witness how terrible that feeling was. The feeling of jealousy."

Yeosang did realized. They do relate to each other in way. But one thing in mind, Yeosang asked, "Why didn't you let Seonghwa...love the person he truly wants?"

Minji laughed at the ridiculous question, almost crying her tears out of joy.

"Oh, how funny. If only you knew."

Yeosang inclined his head to the side, "What?"

Minji continued to laugh, "Actually, never mind. It's ridiculous for you to think of it that way."

His face was blank, but very perplexed. Yet Yeosang decided to let it go.

"Anyway, you'll have to go. You don't want to waste any time, do you?" Minji mumbled as she stood up from the swings.

Yeosang stood up as well, "Go? To the real world?" 

"Mhmm," The grey-haired hummed, "By the time you'll wake up into the real world, I want you to have some rest...and favor, never tell anything to Seonghwa. The consequences will be bad."

Yeosang wanted to ask why, but understood either way. He wouldn't want to risk it.

"Is that clear?" Minji maintained eye contact. Yeosang nodded as he understood the assignment. "Good. By the way, you better thank my son for helping you. He is the reason why Seonghwa values his feelings for you."

Yeosang had his eyes widen, "Son? You have a son?"

Minji smirked.

"Surprising, isn't it?"

----

"You know, I have big dreams for myself. I want to travel the whole world with my future partner. It may be exhausting. But if it's with someone I love, everything would be so worth it." Wooyoung dreamily said, telling everything to the pink-haired boy while looking up to the sky. 

San listened carefully with a small yet noticeable smile. 

"How about you? Don't you have dreams?" Wooyoung beamed a grin when asking a question.

The pink-haired slowly laid his back on the chair then sighed out. Come to think of it, dreams are something that seems impossible to San. 

"I used to."

Wooyoung furrowed his brows, scooting closer to San, "You used to?"

"Yeah." San nonchalantly replied.

"How come? Have you changed your perspective in life?"

San bit his inner cheek as he did not know how to answer the question. To him, it is just complicated, and in simpler terms; he has no perspective in life.

"I guess." San could only reply and was quick to change the subject, "You mentioned you want to travel with the person you love."

Wooyoung nodded, "Mmhm! I honestly can't wait to travel with you." 

San was taken aback while Wooyoung deliberately covered his mouth for blurting it out loud.

"Me?"

Wooyoung avoided eye contact with sheepish smile and a cute giggle, "Sorry if it's weird but I daydream about us going to Paris, London, the States, or even anywhere as long as I'm with you." He grinned, feeling embarrassed at the confession.

San never took his eyes away from Wooyoung. He found the younger so adorable, and he never knew he would view him this way. Now that he said it, San began to picture it in his mind and it made his heart skipped a beat.

"You really wanted to be with me?" San looked away, "Am I really special?" He added.

Wooyoung reluctantly placed his chin on the elder's shoulder, "Everything about you is special. That is why I am courting you is because I want to be with you." The black-haired wrapped his arms around San's body, placing his head on San's shoulder this time.

San smiled, placing his to ruffle Wooyoung's hair. 

Wooyoung loved the feeling of San's touch, it felt too good to be true. He closed his eyes, "I'll wait for you. No matter how long it will take." 

San slowly faced the younger, cupping both of his cheeks and gave a sweet and soft peck on the lips.

"I'll promise you, Jung Wooyoung. We will travel the world in the future. Just you and I."

...and I'll give you an answer after my mission.

Wooyoung loved hearing it. It gave him hope that he will have a chance on San.

Despite the sweet words, fret took over Wooyoung when he saw the glitch on San's hands. It freaked the younger out. San abruptly stood up from the bench and examined his hands. It is the same glitch as a while ago.

"S-San...? Are you okay? Why is your hand like that? Why is it suddenly flickering?" Wooyoung was appalled and terrified at the same time.

The said male tried to hide his hands behind him, "It's nothing."

Wooyoung doesn't seem to be convinced, "Sannie, I ain't stupid. I saw that." He said in disbelief and a bit disappointed that San doesn't seem to trust him. "Sannie...what are you?"

San wanted to tell the truth, but he knew it would be so hard for Wooyoung to understand.

"San, don't you trust me?"

It made San's heart ache. 

He wanted to, so bad.

But can't.

The silence coming from San worried Wooyoung. So Wooyoung grabbed San's hand which was still glitching and analyzed how did it managed to flicker on its own. 

Wooyoung placed his lips on the elder's hand...and the glitch stopped.

Both of them sighed in relief when the glitching stopped. It still confuses Wooyoung. What on earth was that?

So many weird things Wooyoung had discovered and it is something that seemed to be beyond the bounds of possibility. First, was Yeosang's mark. Then Seonghwa's curse. Now, San's sudden glitch.

Wait a second...

"Sannie," Wooyoung tried to make an assumption, "Are you perhaps related to Yeosang or Seonghwa? Do you know anything about the curse?"

San had his eyes widen. His heart's pace fastened but sighed in despair and defeat.

"Yes."

"The person who cursed Seonghwa is my mother."

----

oh my fucking god ⁱ ʰᵃᵗᵉ ˢᶜʰᵒᵒˡ

i'm so sorry if this chapter wasn't any good. i still tried my best to make it interesting ;>

and most of you got it right! san is minji's son, but what is he?