Third Person

Seonghwa woke up with a smile on his face. The sun shining and the heat warming his body up due to the thick blankets. He looked to his right to see Yeosang peacefully sleeping...and pale.

Seonghwa softly patted the blonde's head, trying to wake him up, "Sangie, wake up. We are going to be late for school."

There's no answer from Yeosang and this made Seonghwa's heart raced in fear. Slowly, he placed his hand over Yeosang's forehead. His temperature was alright but when the elder checked his pulse, it was pacing rapidly.

"Yeosang?" He shake the blonde's body but still no response. "Sangie, wake up. You're scaring me."

Seonghwa abruptly stood up and watched Yeosang's body fall to the couch.

The blond did not wake up at all. His body was motionless, pale, and frail.

The elder slowly checked Yeosang's nose to know if the latter was breathing.

That's when Seonghwa realized...

Yeosang is not breathing.

"S-Sangie..." Seonghwa began to panic, he did not know what to do. The thought of Yeosang dying was the least thing he expected today.

Seonghwa tried to perform CPR but no use. His tears had already fallen out due to the shock and fear of his husband's unconsciousness.

Seonghwa quickly grabbed his car keys and rushed to the car that was parked outside the house. He turned on the engine and went back inside to carry Yeosang from the couch to the car.

After that, Seonghwa immediately drove away from the sidewalk. He called his parents to informed what happened to Yeosang.

"M-Mom...Yeosang is not breathing." Seonghwa stammered out, trying to focus the road on his way to the hospital.

"What?! What happened? Take him to the hospital!"

"I am, Mom! I don't know what happened to him...but I'll send you the address."

"Okay, darling. Please be safe."

"I will."

Seonghwa ended the phone call and checked his husband for a brief moment.

He was so scared and he's getting deja vu again.

He does not want to lose him like he did with Lia.

----

"W-Who are you?"

Yeosang moved back, startled to see a woman with long grey hair, standing in front of him with a light smile on her face. Yeosang maintained eye contact with her as he was trying figure out who she was.

"Follow me."

"W-Wait! I don't even know who you are. Why should I follow you?" The blonde stammered.

The woman smiled and repeated, "Follow me."

Yeosang took a deep breath while his arms wrapped around his own body and eyes closed. He tried pinching himself to see if he was dreaming. Oh he wished he was, but as soon as he opened his eyes, he is still in the same place. It terrifies him more.

"Pinching yourself won't do anything, darling. If you want answers then you should follow me." The same woman uttered out before walking away.

Answers? Yeosang seemed skeptical but the woman's words is drawing him forward. What is strange is that the woman looks oddly familiar to Yeosang. It seemed like...he saw her before but could not pinpoint where.

Yeosang decided to follow the woman.

They arrived at one place, the swings.

The grey-haired sat on the left swing, making herself comfortable before setting his gaze to the blonde.

"Kang Yeosang."

"W-Who are you? How do you know my name? What is this place? Where am I?" He began bombarding the woman with questions.

She chuckled and tap the swing beside her. "Sit here, blondie."

Yeosang was a little hesitant but complied anyway. He went to sit on the swing beside the woman. After that, it was awfully silent. All Yeosang could hear were the birds churping and the wind breeze.

Until the woman spoke.

"My name is Kim Minji. I am the founder and origin of the curse."

Yeosang inaudibly gasped, his head moving to lock eyes with the older woman.

"Does that mean...you're Seonghwa's aunt?"...and I am talking to a dead person?

Minji nodded, "You are right, blondie."

The said blonde's chest went up as he inhaled strongly. It's scary to know that he is seeing and meeting Seonghwa's aunt...dead aunt rather. But how is this possible?

"B-But why am I here? Where is Seonghwa?"

Minji smiled, "I brought your soul here in my territory. Seonghwa is in the real world"

"S-Soul?! Real world?!" Yeosang was extremely confused, and also felt his heart pacing fast.

"Yes, your soul. That means you are unconscious in the real world."

Yeosang's jaw dropped as he could not believe what the woman was saying, "Oh no. Seonghwa must be worried."

"Let him worry."

Yeosang lift an eyebrow, he did not understand why. Actually, he never understood the concept and her motive of the curse. Why did she do it? Why did it have to be Seonghwa? Why did she want to make her nephew's life miserable? For so long, Yeosang wanted to ask these questions.

"Yeosang dear, let me tell you a story."

The younger relaxed himself for a bit, all ears and anticipating on what will Minji say.

Minji started, "On 1998, I remember the day I met your mother. She was pregnant with you..."

[Flashback]
— April 4, 1998 in Minji's point of view.

The day after Minji had placed her spell on Joohee and Hwaseong's son, the grey-haired began searching for the "mate".

So, Minji disguised herself as a service lady in the grocery store and stayed to manage at the baby's needs section. She was hoping to find a kid wandering around the store. This went on for hours and it's tiring for her.

She had not found the potential mate yet. She had seen random kids but never felt any connection with them. They are either spoiled brats, or boring, or very chaotic.

Minji was getting a bit impatient.

Not until a beautiful lady came along with her husband.

"Honey, should we get this for our baby boy?" The lady asked with a brilliant smile, placing her hand on her bump while her other hand is pointing at the box of baby mobiles.

"Aren't we spending a little too much?" Her husband was hesitant to ask, but obviously worried on how his wife might spoil their soon baby boy in extent.

The lady pouted, "But this is going to be our first child. Our baby boy would be so happy when he sees these stars." She muttered, tracing her hand on the box as she was pertaining to the baby mobile.

Minji could not control her smile. Something waved over her. Indescribable emotions.

The grey-haired lady walked up to the couple and strike up a conversation.

"Hello. The baby mobile is pretty, isn't it?" Minji tried to persuade the couple upon buying the product, since that's her job.

The brunette lady nodded, "Yes. It is indeed."

"But it is expensive." The man retorted.

Minji hummed, "If I were you two, I would buy it right away. It's your first child, and don't you want to make your first child happy by buying a pretty baby mobile?"

The pair shared a quick glance before back to the latter as they do not know what was Minji trying to point out.

She shrugged instead, "It's still up to you. Babies love spinning mobiles and I suggest you should get one for your son." Minji smiled as her eyes dropped down to the belly bump of the lady. "When is he due?"

The lady grinned, "Around June."

Her husband giggled. "And we can't wait to meet him."

Minji cooed at their adorableness.

"Is it okay if I touch your bump?" Minji asked first as she does not want to make the lady uncomfortable.

The lady hummed, "Sure you may. I'm guessing you like babies so much, don't you?" She added with a soft laugh.

"I actually do." Minji replied softly.

It's such a shame that she can't have children anymore. Minji loved babies, especially the gentle ones.

"What will you name your son?"

The couple were silent for a moment. The man rubbed his nape, "We actually haven't thought of a name yet."

"That's true. I'm due in about two months and we haven't thought of a single name." The lady agreed with her husband, "I remember...our baby boy was the reason why we felt so much independence."

Minji tilted her head, "What do you mean?"

"Well, we are struggling financially because we just came off from school and recently just graduated and married at the same month. It felt so new and dependent since our parents weren't able to support us now." The lady opened up.

The man nodded, "When I learned that Dahee is pregnant, we knew we had to look after ourselves and our new baby. That is why we are so careful with money. Adulthood is hard and scary at the same time."

Despite the couple's story, Minji admired their bravery. They are willing enough to be there for their son. Minji's heart softened as she felt a strong connection between her, the couple and the lovely baby boy inside the tummy.

"If he is the reason for your independence, why don't you name your son Yeosang?" Minji suggested, hoping that they will take her suggestion.

"Yeosang?"

"It means "free-spirited". Also means "everything". Your son means everything to you two and the reason why you're independent. It's a suggestion, but it will fit well." Minji elaborated, and at the same time—she felt a soft kick on the lady's bump.

Dahee giggled. "He kicked! He must love the name."

"Really?" Her husband exclaimed, "Alright then, we will name him Yeosang."

Minji smiled from ear to ear. She closed her eyes as she casted a spell on the unborn baby.

Minji knew Yeosang will be the perfect mate for her nephew.

[End of Flashback]

"Y-you named me," Yeosang stuttered, so surprised with the story that Minji had told him. "And cursed me."

Minji shook her head with an eye roll, "I chose you, not cursed you."

"But why me? Why does it have to be me? Why not Lia? I'm sure it'll be much more easier." Yeosang started to doubt himself, and it made him more confused than ever.

"I grew attached to you and I care for you. I don't connect with Lia at all." Minji heaved a sigh, "Remember the day of the truck accident?"

"Yeah...?"

"You were dead."

"W-What?"

"You were supposed to be dead, but I saved your life. I gave you a second chance to fix your relationship with Seonghwa. You are the main key of the curse. Without you, Seonghwa would be dead." Minji explained thoroughly.

Yeosang understood what she was trying to say yet it bothers him that Minji only saved him. "You saved my life, but you didn't even try to save Lia's?" He uttered out softy.

Minji drilled her gaze on the younger boy, "She's the reason why it went downhill in the first place. How could I know she died? Her heart was still beating when I checked her pulse. Yours isn't."

Yeosang fell silent as he could not argue with that anymore. 

"The curse is broken. I already married Seonghwa but why am I still here?" The blonde asked curiously. The place is already creeping him out, and him talking to a dead person feels like he is going crazy.

"I brought you here to tell you that you only have limited time." Minji replied with a hint of a warning, "The curse is still not broken. Yes, your marriage did affect it but not entirely. Seonghwa is still lacking one more value."

Yeosang was speechless and mouth gaped, "I don't understand."

Minji smiled and pulled out a small mirror from her pocket and she handed it to the blonde.

"A mirror?"

The woman nodded and asked, "Do you know the story of Beauty and the Beast?"

Yeosang looked up upon the random question but replied anyway, "Yes."

"Very well. Let's just say in your situation right now, you are the Beauty and Seonghwa is the Beast. Now, look into the mirror," Minji commanded and Yeosang complied quickly.

The younger took a deep breath and deeply stared into the mirror. It was his face at first, but a few seconds later, it transformed into a rose which only has one petal left.

"A rose?"

Minji hummed, "You are right. That rose indicates the curse. If the last petal falls down before your birthday then the spell is truly broken."

"My birthday?"

"Yes. Your life is in the line. If the last petal will not fall on your birthday, something bad will happen to you."

Yeosang gasped, unintentionally dropping the mirror from his hand due to shock.

"W-What kind of bad?"

Minji bit her lip. She was not suppose to say anything or even tell Yeosang that the consequence is death. She did not want to scare Yeosang, and the motive of the curse would be meaningless.

"It is something really bad. You wouldn't want to know." It was all Minji could say.

Yeosang was distraught with the new information. He twitched at the thought of it, and what scares him the most is his birthday is in nine days.

The blonde knew he had to do something.

"What do I have to do to break the curse?"

----

In the school's bathroom, San tried to regulate his breathing. He felt some unknown and indescribable emotions that waved over him an hour ago and until now.

He fixed his gaze on his own hands, and for the first time in his life...it's glitching.

"Sannie!" Wooyoung called as he knocked on the cubicle door. "Are you in there?"

The pink-haired gasped inaudibly as he was not expecting Wooyoung outside knocking on his door. At the same time, he was anxious. His hands were glitching. He certainly don't want Wooyoung to see that.

San closed his eyes and chanted in his head, "Please, Mother. Stop the glitch."

After a few seconds, the glitching stopped. San sighed in relief and internally thanked his mother for the request.

"San?" Wooyoung called again, extremely worried for the elder.

"Yes, Wooyoungie. I'll be out in a sec."

----

HI OMG IM SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY

i got sick, my phone broke again, and the school workloads omfg i wanna cry :((

how's the story so far? 6-7 chapters left and we are almost at the end!!