The Ninth Life of Min Yoon Gi

14.

Yoon Gi felt like he couldn't catch his breath. The feelings from the last vision were so intense, his heart felt like it was exploding in his chest and tears began to fall without warning.

The rain had let up, despite the dark clouds still blocking the sun, leaving the ground soaked and spotted with puddles. He blindly bumped into passersby as he roamed the streets, searching for a direction. At last, his mind settled on what he wanted—no, what he needed. He needed to see Ji Min. The desire became so strong that he didn't realize until he arrived at the temple, out of breath, that he had been running.

Once more, there was no sign of the spirit as Yoon Gi dashed up the steps, darting around the small shrine as though expecting to find Ji Min hiding. A low hiss of frustration passed over his lips as he turned and ran towards the place he had found him before. Except the garden was also deserted. He called Ji Min's name, repeatedly, but heard no chime of an answering voice; no rustle of a bush; no faint hum of content in Ji Min's happy place.

"Where the fuck are you?" Yoon Gi's heart still ached from his earlier vision and only seeing Ji Min would make him feel better. He wasn't sure why, but he knew it would.

He trudged back into town, his legs feeling heavy as exhaustion creeped in. He shouldn't have exerted so much energy in his search, but he had felt desperate. His mind was starting to cloud and he was struggling to keep his eyes open. He needed coffee.

Entering his now customary coffee shop, Yoon Gi was relieved that there wasn't a crowd, as was common in the morning. He only had to wait for one customer in front of him before he could order his usual drink, but with an extra shot of espresso.

"This is just a temporary job for me," the barista was trying to make conversation with Yoon Gi as his coffee was being made. "What I really want to do is be a model. Everyone says I have a handsome face, so shouldn't I make money off of it?"

The young man took a breath and Yoon Gi took his chance to cut him off before he could say more.

"Look," he glanced down at the barista's name tag. "SeokJin—I really don't care." He grabbed his cup and stalked out.

The clouds had begun to break, showing the beginnings of what looked like a beautiful sunset. Yoon Gi didn't take notice. He had already finished his coffee before he reached his apartment and was beginning to feel the effects of the caffeine as his mind began to function clearer. He punched in the lock code on his door and entered, hoping to finally find Ji Min there.

"Fuck," Yoon Gi exhaled after he had quickly checked the rooms. "Ji Min... where are you?" He whispered to himself.

His phone buzzed, startling him before he pulled it from his pocket.

Jimin:
You ok?

Yoon Gi:
Yes. Sorry.

Jimin:
Are we still on for tonight? Closing up soon...

Yoon Gi:
(...)

He thought for a moment. He was feeling sick with worry for Ji Min—a dead man that clearly couldn't be worse off than that—but he very much wanted to be with Jimin. Especially after he had bailed on her so suddenly that afternoon.

Yoon Gi:
Of course. I'll meet you at your place at 8.

Jimin:
😊 see u then

He put the phone down on the table after checking the time. He had a little less than two hours before their date. He needed to wash up and change out of his rain splattered clothes.