Unexpectedly becoming a Grim Reaper

In the photograph, the two young people were both smiling widely at the camera. Their heads were leaning close towards each other, touching slightly. From what Ji-Won could observe, the atmosphere between them was both sweet and intimate, with no trace of awkwardness. Just from that picture alone, they looked like a loving young couple who'd been together for a long time.

'Perhaps they've been together for a long time? But just how long? She isn't older than twenty-four and he appears to be even slightly younger than her.'

As he was thinking about this, Ji-Won suddenly felt very guilty for no particular reason. After taking one last glance at the picture, he locked the phone, placing it down on the table.

The sound unexpectedly made Su-Jin stir in her sleep, startling Ji-Won out of his thoughts.

While he had been lost inside his mind, he had almost forgotten that she was also there. He looked down, staring at her profile in a daze.

A moment later, he brushed a hand through his black hair, letting out a deep breath.

"This has truly been one hell of a night." Ji-Won murmured to himself.

As though his low voice had triggered some kind of reaction inside Su-Jin's mind, the moment he finished speaking, her body sprung up.

"That rude jerk!" she shouted all of a sudden.

This unexpected movement, combined with her loud voice, were enough to make Ji-Won almost jump out of his seat in fright.

"Who is she talking about?" he wondered aloud.

Emboldened by his voice, yet again, Su-Jin continued her ramble. Her head was raised, as though she was awake, but her eyes were still tightly shut. Clearly, she was sleep talking.

"Horrible man! Director Kang… You… You truly are a…a... 'Sasin'." she threw the last word viciously.

Ji-Won visibly flinched.

Having been addressed in such a manner came as quite a shock to him. In his stupor, he continued to gape at her with an apparent calm. Inside, though, his feelings were torn between astonishment and irritation, causing his expression to become complicated.

'Since when have I become a Grim Reaper? What have I done, so horrible, to be given the name of the God of Death himself?! He wondered speechlessly.

Having finished her repertoire, and being completely unaware of the waves that her words had caused inside Ji-Won's poor mind, Su-Jin yawned. Afterwards, she lazily leaned her head back onto the table.

At that moment, Ji-Won's eyes caught the sight of a glitter around her neck. Due to Su-Jin's earlier sudden movements, something had slipped out from her blouse and was now in clear sight. Under the warm light of the restaurant, Ji-Won could see a thin silver chain going around her neck, with a delicate silver ring dangling from it. The pattern of both chain and pendant was simple and feminine.

Gazing at the ring, Ji-Won wondered why she would wear something like that on a necklace instead of having it on her finger. It was clearly a ring that couples would wear. Seeing how she was in a relationship, he thought it was more logical to wear the silver band as a normal ring, rather than a pendant.

A second later, though, Ji-Won realized that what he was thinking wasn't right. After all, it wasn't really his business what Su-Jin did with her possessions. She could wear them however she liked. As a consequence, he hastily shifted his gaze away from the necklace.

After a little while, Ji-Won decided it might be a good idea to wait outside. Since they had already paid for the food and drinks, there was really no reason to remain inside. Well, other than the fact that Su-Jin was asleep that is. But precisely for that reason he thought that going outside was better. Let the cool air sober her up a little, before that person came to pick her up.

Ji-Won tried to wake her up again, but to no avail. Neither his nudges, nor his loud voice could make Su-Jin react.

Just when he was beginning to wonder what had happened to the man from the phone, the door of the restaurant suddenly opened, and a young man appeared in the doorway. As he slowly scanned the room, he immediately saw Su-Jin's sleeping form. His eyes flashed and, as they shifted to the side, they met with Ji-Won's startled gaze.

The two men exchanged a long, silent stare.

Ji-Won recognized the young man from the photograph right away. His hair looked ruffled and slightly longer, but it was just as coffee-colored as in the picture. He was wearing sweatpants and a simple white t-shirt. Based on his appearance, it was evident that he had come straight from home.

Under Ji-Won's attentive stare, the young man finally moved. He reached Su-Jin in a few long strides and, without wasting another second, he leaned over her protectively.

"Su-Jin, wake up. It's me, Min-Jun." he whispered above her face.

Hearing his voice, Su-Jin stirred slightly. Then, she slowly opened her eyes. For a moment, she glanced around hazily, looking like she had been woken up from a deep sleep. Yet, despite her vision being blurred by sleep and alcohol, she still recognized him. Her face instantaneously broke into a wide smile and she reached her arms out to him.

"Min-Jun, you're here. My little man…." she cooed softly, her speech sounding slurred and lazy.

Witnessing her genuine happiness and pure relief at seeing Min-Jun, Ji-Won felt a strange sensation all over his body. His stomach churned uncomfortably, and he felt as though he was walking in on an intimate moment. Wishing he could get away from there as soon as possible, he quickly got to his feet. At the same time, he cleared his throat, thinking whether he should speak first.

This movement attracted Min-Jun's attention. He pried himself out of Su-Jin's arms, straightening his body. Then, he turned around to stare openly at Ji-Won, taking in the man's appearance with his intense, brown eyes.