THE RELUCTANT TOUCH [tomorrow]

on the threshold

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓:

"being scared to death will be the least of your problems when I'm going to be done with you"

"You once told me about your troubles with sleep."

Park Joong-Gil and Kim Chae-Yeong were sitting in the woman's office. Since that night when Joong-Gil decided to visit Chae-Yeong unexpectedly, it has become a daily routine for the two reapers.

They both sat down together with a glass of whiskey and engaged in conversations rather than attempting to sleep and sinking into their worst nightmares.

Chae-Yeong quickly came to the conclusion that having a companion is preferable to being alone with your own thoughts, which can occasionally lead to being mad depressed about life.

Kim Chae-Yeong had had her moments.

This night was no different. Sitting on the opposite couches, both reapers indulged in conversations about their terrible sleep schedule.

Chae-Yeong took a sip of the drink before answering.

"Mmm, yes. My past seems to cling to me like a thistle you can't shake off. No matter how much I try." She then looked up at Joong-Gil. A small smile on her lips. "Though recently I've been comparing it to Mr. Choi Jun-Woong."

The man mirrored Chae-Yeong's smile, catching up on what she meant by that.

"I can only guess that you might be able to relate to me." Joong-Gil dropped his haze to his hand that was holding the glass before nodding.

"Yes."

"Care to tell me about it?"

Truth be told, Chae-Yeong already suspected what might be bothering Joong-Gil. After all, she knows everything about his choice to make him forget his past life that made him suffer so much. Again, Chae-Yeong could understand why he did that, but on the other hand...

"When I sleep there is one specific moment that keeps repeating itself. Sadness and rage. Distrust and despair. And... lethargy." Chae-Yeong was watching the man before her. She could imagine the nightmare replying in his mind right this very moment as he speaks about it. Making it unbearable to think about. Chae-Yeong knows very well how it is.

"The person looks exactly like me but that's not me. I hate seeing that nightmare every time I fall asleep." He then looked up and gazed into the brunette's eyes with his dark ones.

"I'm afraid to fall asleep."

Chae-Yeong experienced regret at some point during Joong-Gil's story. She felt bad for knowing the truth and not being able to tell him what exactly happened. But then again, it was his own wish, to forget what happened.