|Winter 2025|
It was a Sunday, the day when people flocked outdoors to welcome the first snow of the season.
In a small apartment, a couple sat side by side on a soft couch, wrapped in a warm blanket. Outside the window, snowflakes gently fell, but they didn’t need to step outside to feel the cold. They chose to stay within the warmth, sharing a fragrant cup of coffee, hand in hand, savoring a movie they both loved.
Jungeun rested her head on Jiyoon’s shoulder, holding a half-empty bowl of popcorn.
“Jungeun ah, what would you do if you only had three days left to live?” Jiyoon tilted her head and asked the girl beside her.
Jungeun turned to look at her, still resting her head on Jiyoon’s shoulder.
“Me? Why ask something like that out of the blue? Is it because of this movie?” Jungeun pointed at the yellow creatures on the TV screen.
“Nah, I just want to hear your answer.” Jiyoon teased, poking Jungeun’s cheek, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Jungeun looked at her, a wave of unease swelling inside her. “Wait... don’t tell me…”
“What?”
“Are you concealing something from me? Are you okay? Why only three days? Yoon Jiyoon, tell me!” Feeling fearful, Jungeun suddenly sat up, shaking Jiyoon’s shoulders frantically. Jiyoon was shocked to hear Jungeun say that.
After some time, Jiyoon managed to explain that it was just an essay prompt for her class. Even though Jiyoon showed her the professor's assignment website, Jungeun still felt half-convinced, half-skeptical.
“Come here~” Jiyoon pulled Jungeun into her arms, who was now on the verge of tears. “You care about me that much, huh?”
Jungeun, now snuggled up against the softness of her girlfriend, and complained about how Jiyoon never confided in her whenever she was going through hard times. She took this opportunity to lovingly scold Jiyoon for all her little flaws.
Unable to contain herself, Jiyoon leaned down and kissed Jungeun on the lips, silencing her.
"I wasn’t finished yet..." Jungeun began, but she was swiftly cut off by a deeper kiss.
When it was over, Jungeun’s face was flushed bright red, her breath a little uneven. She glared at Jiyoon with playful annoyance, but deep down, butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Jiyoon smiled with satisfaction, pulling her even closer.
They held each other for a long time, their bodies warmed by each other’s presence. Jiyoon gently stroked Jungeun’s soft hair. It was in that moment that Jungeun realized Jiyoon had the power to freeze time.
Because in each other’s arms, the world outside seemed to stop. There was only the soft whisper of falling snow outside the window and the rhythm of their hearts beating together.
“We’ll stay like this forever, right?” Jungeun whispered softly into Jiyoon’s ear, her voice gentle and endearing.
“Of course. I promise.”
-----
“What did I write in that essay back then?”
“Don’t worry about it! If you agree to my deal, you won’t have to think about that at all,” Koko’s voice cut through Jiyoon’s thoughts.
Jiyoon looked startled and glanced at Koko, who was floating around her apartment.
“Reading other people’s thoughts is one of my powers, you know.”
“Incredible! So, what’s this deal?”
She noticed Koko jotting something down in a small notebook after scanning the apartment. Jiyoon wondered where it had gotten such a tiny pen and notebook.
“Alright, here’s the deal regarding extending your life. Tell me, how much longer do you want to live? Three months? Six months? A few years?” Koko smiled eerily at Jiyoon. “Oh, no need to answer. I already know what you’re thinking. With the assets you currently have, I doubt you’ll live to a ripe old age.”
Before Jiyoon could respond, Koko continued, “I’ll give you more time. But, you know, nothing comes for free.” Koko turned to face her, as if Jiyoon had expected this all along.
“Exactly. You’ll need to trade something with me in exchange for more time.” Koko’s eyes gleamed with a strange light. “Like your soul, for instance.”
Jiyoon swallowed hard, feeling as if she were making a deal with the devil.
“Or, you could trade something you own—like those books over there, or your clothes and makeup. The amount of time you get will depend on the quantity and quality of the items. There’s no limit to how many times you can trade. But even with all that, including your apartment in Incheon, it still won’t be enough for you to live into old age.” Koko shrugged.
Jiyoon’s eyes widened. This creature even knew about her other apartment in Incheon. She wondered just what kind of being Koko really was.
“I know your past, too, including the names of your friends and lover.” Koko said this matter-of-factly. “Now, make your choice.”
Jiyoon pondered in silence. Yes, her death was already set in stone. She needed to accept that this deal was only a way to buy more time, to complete her last wishes. Eventually, she would die, just not as peacefully as others. She couldn’t be greedy, nor could she expect too much.
In her mind, Jungeun’s smile appeared.
Koko observed her closely before speaking again. “There is actually another way to give you more time. But I bet you won’t choose it. In fact, very few of our clients ever do.”
“What way?” Jiyoon asked, though there was no trace of hope in her voice. Koko could sense she had given up on everything.
“You could sell the soul of someone deeply connected to you. In exchange, I’ll grant you more time.” Koko paused for a moment before adding “And that person will die in your stead."
---
The next morning, Jiyoon attended the funeral of an old middle school friend she had once been close to.
•°•°•°•
