(NBin) unWRITTEN

[CHAPTER 5]

" Writing Fate "

Rewind.

No matter how many times Hongbin have read Hakyeon's story, he was at a lost as to what made the other's story so unique. Hongbin, who used to have zero interest in anyone's life, became fascinated by the book's outer appearance. The cover seems to be alive somehow. The black ink that was smeared all over the cover, felt as if it was going to overflow day by day. Even the texts from each page seems to be morphing on its own as if Hakyeon's past was all mixed together. Sometimes, the story flowed smoothly in its chronological order but at times, it was like a piece of the puzzle that was out of place.

Hongbin spent nights and nights in the library in order to read upon other people's lives as well. Especially those who were also connected to Hakyeon's story.

The fates of encounter.

But he was left with no clue at all as to why only Hakyeon's book appeared that way.

"How is it that only you don't have an ending?" Hongbin wondered as he stared at the pages on Hakyeon's story. He flipped back and forth between the blank pages as if he was hoping that words would suddenly form on their own.

Hongbin has never been so focused on finding an answer to anything and this was the first time he's felt the need to even go into the academy's reference rooms to study upon human fate.

"Fancy seeing you here," Jaehwan was passing by the reference room to get something and saw Hongbin diligently looking into a pile of old case studies. "Are you actually studying?"

Hongbin glared at Jaehwan, knowing exactly where the older's sarcastic tone was coming from.

"Just a bit," Hongbin said.

"You're kidding right?" Jaehwan was in disbelief.

"I'm not you, hyung," Hongbin threw a bold remark at the older.

"Well, what are you studying about? Maybe I can help you? After all, look at my shiny gold stars." Jaehwan exaggerated with all five fingers held in front of Hongbin's face.

"Hmm," Hongbin thought for a second, "maybe you can help me."

"Oh?"

Jaehwan may have an aloof appearance and playful personality, but he was still one of the top students of the facility. There were even rumors that Jaehwan might become nominated as the next supervisor in the Coordinator's unit. That was how much he's achieved in the short span of time while being in the facility.

"Hyung." Hongbin initiated carefully. "I know that each fate we store in this facility is from those of real people down on Earth. That means they're alive and real right?"

"Yeah?" Jaehwan asked back in confusion at such an oblivious question.

"And our job here at the facility is just to monitor their fate and make sure that it goes according to the Goddesses' wishes right? But what if, just what if, there was a fate that even the Goddesses cannot control or predict? What happens to that fate, or to that person?"

Jaehwan's expression suddenly turned more serious. He was quietly debating on Hongbin's question and looked at the younger a few times to make sure it was really Lee Hongbin who was asking such a deep question.

"Though it's rare and almost unheard of, it's definitely possible," Jaehwan finally said.

"Really?!" Hongbin got excited by accident and covered his mouth immediately after realizing he was too loud in the public reference room.