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Cale Henituse is already used to seeing strange things in his life, truly. It happened so many times until a new motto was embroidered in his mind.
Accept things beyond reasons with ease, and feign ignorance if needed.
Although it seems contradictory, this young man self proclaimed that he was keen on keeping his motto. Yup , he definitely did not help the two assassins on the run who were working as a butler and chef, and he kept on saying that he did not make any acquaintances with a literal neighboring crown princess after helping her disguised herself in the Rowoon Monarch's capital.
It was a coincidence, he said. It was also because of their own luck and he did nothing, he said.
He was confident that nothing could shake his poor little heart again at this point. Even when he was diagnosed with a literal stage two leukemia last month, he was just staring at the doctor for a whole twenty minutes then proceeded to say 'wow' with his usual stoic expression.
Sadly, all of his tough acts and years of acting was crumbling right in front of his own eyes today, when he saw a scary looking man with a huge scythe standing beside his bed. At first, he thought he was a lost cosplayer or maybe someone who was assigned by his enemies to scare the shit out of him, until the stranger released some kind of black smoke from his hand and tried to strangle him.
Keep in mind, Cale is just a human being. He was scared shitless.
He was so ready to throw anything–yes, including his breathing apparatus– to this scary looking man. He was crawling away until his back touched the top of his bed, then grabbed an empty class and prepared himself to throw it. Fortunately–or unfortunately, a very deep voice stopped him and his malicious behavior.
"Relax, Cale Henituse. I'm not going to hurt you in any way"
The stranger's pair of onix stared at his amber, which oddly gave him a little sense of security. Before he could muster any words, the stranger continued his words with his stoic face.
"My name is Choi Han, I'm the grim reaper who is assigned to take your life"
There was a long deafening silence at first.
Then followed by a loud sound of someone hitting the bed roughly.
In his twenty three years old life, this was the first time Cale Henituse fainted.
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"So, you are saying that I'm going to die right now?"
"Yes, Cale Henituse. My biggest apology, but I'm just a mere grim reaper doing my job."
"Haha…. Is this a prank? Aigoo , cameramen-nim, you can come out now"
"..... Cale Henituse"
" Sigh…. "
It is not like Cale feared death, it's quite the opposite. He admits that death is part of nature as well. It is just, he can't die yet, at the very least not now.
Not before finding his soulmate.
Desperate? Not a bit. Cale is not a hopeless romantic. He doesn't have any kind of romantic fantasy about a charming prince saving him from his dark, lonely life. It was a promise with his hyungs, Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo.
More precisely, it was their death wish.
Most people always glorify their soulmate bond, treating those random tattoo on their wrist like it was a prophecy from God. They said if a tattoo appears on your hand, your happiness would be guaranteed, since you've already met your soulmate.
In Cale's perspective, it was pathetic.
To think that your happiness is tied and depended on someone else, it was a very stupid concept for him. Even without a soulmate, Cale believed that one could be happy. He doesn't care about destiny, if this world destined that he couldn't be happy, he will make his own happiness.
Cale Henituse is someone who doesn't have the luxury to live a peaceful life. Having both of his parents and his siblings died in a plane accident made him dwelled in despair. Sure, he has money, his family treasures fell right into his hand. But what is the point of living in a big mansion alone? Nothing else was new for him. It was all the same, burying yourself with tons of work every single day just to forget the deep-aching wound in his heart. The cold gazes and the sickening fake smiles from all of his relatives who wanted nothing but power and money just made his situation worse. No matter how smart and tactful he was, Cale was barely seventeen years old.
During that very moment, Cale didn't believe the concept of happiness, or maybe, he didn't understand the concept of happiness yet. His vision of happiness revolved around his family, having them gone in a blink of an eye pretty much destroyed him. It was bleak, scary, and sickening.
It was all dark until he met them.
Choi Jung Soo and Lee Soo Hyuk. One was an airhead and the other was a blockhead. Added with the dense Cale, It was a disastrous combination. Strangely, it was working. They met due to a small accident during the campus bazaar, successfully making them acquainted right after.
Cale remembered everything, how his life drastically changed because of them. It was noisy, not to mention that those hyperactive rascals were tiring to deal with. But strangely, he felt another form of happiness, a different one. It won't replace his family, but they are more than enough for him.
During their graduation, they took a photo together. Cale was smiling, maybe that was his first genuine smile after his family's death. He could still hear Jung Soo's cheerful voice and Soo Hyuk's warm voice after seeing the photo.
"Ho! So this punk is capable of smiling after all. Soo Hyuk hyung, maybe we don't need to secretly register him on a dating app to get his soulmate!"
"Shut up Jung Soo! You're ruining my grand plan! Ahem, anyway Cale, keep smiling. Happiness look good on you"
"Promise us that you will always be happy. It is a promise! You have to do anything that makes you happy!"
Day by day, it was all getting better with them. Cale would never admit it, but he considered those two punks as his family.
Of course, the cliche did happen. As if telling that Cale was never meant for happiness.
A year ago, they both passed away due to work accident.
During their funeral, Cale could recall how rainy it was. The sky was crying, as if it was mourning for him. He didn't shed tears, at least not until everyone was leaving one by one. Then he remembered Soo Hyuk's voice.
"Cale, happiness look good on you"
Those words echoed in his mind, over and over again.
"Promise us that you will always be happy. It is a promise! You have to do anything that makes you happy!"
The dam finally broke. He was kneeling and sobbing, hugging their tomb as if they were still with him. The dirt was tainting his black shirt, but he didn't care. His newfound family was gone, forever.
He was alone again.
It was after the funeral, Cale felt something on his wrist, a burning yet numbing pain. It wasn't long, just several seconds. When he pulled his sleeve, he could see it.
A sword tattoo, colored in black, gleaming with purplish hue.
Many would say he was blessed, but for him, it was a curse. A mockery that he would not experience happiness without it.
He scoffed in disbelief. Maybe the universe was playing with him, or maybe it was his Hyungs' last attempt to make him happy.
He finally had his soulmate, but he didn't even know who he was.
Even so, he had to find them. He had no other choice, It would be his salvation.
Breaking from his thoughts, he finally gazed at the stranger, his eyes were full of disbelief but firm with determination. He opened and closed his mouth for multiple times, before finally spoke,
"No, why should I listen to you?"
"..... Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Why should I listen to you, Mr. Grim Reaper?"
The Grim Reaper pouted, he freaking pouted , before finally answered,
"Don't call me that, my name is Choi Han. Don't you remember?"
Cale was dumbfounded. Really? Is he a new worker or something? Shouldn't he be mad?
"..... Why are you like this?"
"This is simply my personality, Cale Henituse. Similar to humans, each of us has emotions and different personalities."
" Sigh… Just call me Cale" Cale sighed, drowned in disbelief after arguing with a freaking grim reaper.
"Alright, Cale-nim"
He was too tired to retort back. But still, he had to make his point clear.
"You can't take my life yet"
"Hm? Why can't I?" Choi Han tilted his head, staring at Cale with a pair of eyes deeper than onix. His slightly messy black hair fell over his forehead, casting a faint shadow on his handsome face.
"Grim Reaper Han, I'm Cale Henituse"
"..... Of course?"
"Do you know what will happen If I die now?"
"..... Uh, your soul will ascend into the afterlife?"
"Grim Reaper Han, Henituse Corporation is the one providing donations for the largest orphanage in Korea. We are basically their backbone. Without us, all those poor children would be starving and crying, having no roof to stay. Do you want that? Those children had experienced misery from the start, do you want to make them suffer more?" Cale took a breath, before making his expression as sad as he could.
"Not to mention The Henituse scholarship, what do you think will happen if I suddenly die? I'm the last heir of the Henituse Family, so there will be no funds anymore, those poor students will have to quit school, Grim Reaper Han! Sob"
Cale was faking his sobbing at this point. He was a magnificent actor, after all. He rubbed his face with both hands to hide his smile after seeing Choi Han's conflicted state.
".... You clearly have subordinates who would take care of everything"
" Sob .. I don't have… sob .. I don't trust anyone to do my job, Grim Reaper Han. You don't know how corrupt and greedy those people are! At the very least… sob … give me some time to take care of everything"
That was actually true. Cale had never assigned anyone to help him with these matters. He is always good at reading people, with years of experience, he instantly knew no one was unworthy of his trust.
Cale wiped his fake tears, glancing at Choi Han with a sad expression.
He almost barked.
Choi Han's eyes were teary, but it seemed like he tried his best to hold it by biting his lower lip. The more Cale looks at him, the more he reminds him of a puppy.
With a nod, Choi Han finally spoke, "Yes, Cale-nim. I would try to convince his excellency"
Cale finally smiled genuinely, as if he didn't scam the shit out of this poor Grim Reaper a few minutes ago. With a nod, he answered.
"Sure, thank you, Grim Reaper Han"
"Yes, Cale-nim, please wait for me. I will come back tomorrow"
In a flash, Choi Han was gone.
" Haaaaa " Cale plopped down, he felt like he was losing 12 years of his non-existent lifespan. His gaze moved to his wrist, staring at the black sword tattoo which seemingly gleamed brighter.
He couldn't believe that he had met a literal grim reaper, moreover, he was making a deal with him! He never thought this kind of day would come. He knew he had to start doing the paperwork, but well, he wanted to leave all the affairs for tomorrow's him to deal with.
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Cale was practically vibrating because of regret–or maybe because of his mutating blood cell. His yesterday self was a selfish bastard.
"..... Why are you here?"
"I told you yesterday that i will be back, Cale-nim"
" Haaaa … I can't run from you, right?"
"That's true Cale-nim. But fret not, His Excellency gave you another 30 days to live, and told me to accompany you everyday."
"What?"
"Yes, Cale-nim. You will have another 30 days to live, and I'm going to accompany you the whole time"
Cale was literally gaping like a fish.
"How.... How did you do that?"
Choi Han smiled with his innocent smile, "It was nothing much, Cale-nim. His Excellency was getting way too cheeky for his age, after all. So i decided to remind him"
Cale shivered. He didn't want to know what kind of reminder Choi Han meant.
"So, Cale-nim, what do you want to do?"
Great, now he has a literal grim reaper as his companion.
Later that day, Choi Han accompanied Cale finishing his paperwork. Cale had divided his inheritance into all of the orphanages and school under his care, also saved a little for himself. Of course, he wanted to spend his own earned money before he died.
"Grim Reaper Han, have you eaten?"
"Grim Reaper doesn't need to eat, Cale-nim"
"But you are able to eat right?"
"..... Yes, Cale-nim"
"Wait a minute, then."
Cale stood up after organizing his scattered paperworks. He shut his laptop down and moved to the kitchen. He began preparing the ingredients for Tteok-bboki and Budae jiggae.
He cut all the ingredients neatly and started cooking.
The delicious smell was spreading, making Choi Han salivated a bit. He then followed Cale and entered the kitchen.
"Didn't I tell you to wait?"
"Sorry, Cale-nim. It smells really good"
Cale deadpanned. "I thought grim reaper doesn't need food"
Choi Han just sheepishly smiled.
"Help me bring everything to the table"
Cale started to walk out with the utensils while the newfound household assistant Choi Han brought all the food. They sat in silence for a while. Choi Han was the first one to try the food, he took a bite of the spicy rice cake. His eyes widened after savoring the flavor.
"I don't know you can cook very well, Cale-nim!" He took another bite.
"Well, perks of living alone i guess" Cale just answered nonchalantly.
At this point, Choi Han didn't even listen to Cale and kept on stuffing his already full mouth with more food, which earned a giggle from Cale. He took a handkerchief and started to rub Choi Han's mouth.
"Grim Reaper Han, i won't take your food, don't worry"
Choi Han just smiled sheepishly.
On their first day together, Cale learned that Choi Han loves Korean cuisine.
During their fifth day, Cale and Choi Han were planning to visit some of the orphanages. But there was a problem, Choi Han was literally a ghost, or mystical being, or yokai . It wouldn't be the most pleasant thing to experience when people saw him talking to a freaking air. So, he asked Choi Han.
"Hey, Grim Reaper Han, can't you at least be visible? What if a new rumor about me finally lost my shit and talk to thin air appeared?"
"Oh, alright Cale-nim"
Black smoke was starting to surround Choi Han's body, changing his form into more human-like. He smiled sheepishly, while his eyes gleaming with hope, asking to be praised by his new companion.
He wouldn't lie, his deep, sharp black eyes combined with his handsome oriental face just looks so ethereal.
"Yes, yes. Uri Grim Reaper Han is looking so fine"
The latter just smiled in satisfaction.
So, on their fifth day, Cale learned that Choi Han is so fucking hot.
Finally, during their twelfth day, they decided to have fun by visiting a summer festival.
Cale's condition was getting worse each day, his complexion was totally pale, and his body was getting weaker.
They stood in the entrance of the festival, then proceeded to walk alongside each other. Their hands accidentally brushed for many times, sending an electrifying shiver down their spine.
Cale moved his gaze to the beaming Choi Han, while the latter was busy eyeing the giant dragon shaped cotton candy. Shaking his head, Cale bought him the biggest one, which made him almost squeal in joy.
"Is this your first time coming to a festival?"
"Yes, Cale-nim! Everything is so interesting!"
"Glad to hear that, now, let's watch the fireworks!"
Excited, Choi Han subconsciously intertwined their hands together. He was grinning ear to ear, making Cale giggled from his unexpectedly childish side.
While watching the fireworks together, Cale couldn't help but steal a glance towards Choi Han's handsome face often. Truly, happiness looks good on him. Before he could move his eyes, Choi Han stared deeply with his onyx pair, before finally saying,
"The fireworks are beautiful, Cale-nim. But not as beautiful as you"
On the twelfth day, Cale realized that he had grown attached to Choi Han.
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It was his twentieth day with Choi Han. They decided to go to Cale's hyungs grave. Choi Han pushed Cale's wheelchair further into the cemetery, until they stopped in front of their grave. Choi Han took the white carnations from Cale's hand carefully, then placed those beautiful flowers beside the tomb.
Cale was looking so weak and frail, which made Choi Han bite his lip in concern. Seeing Choi Han's gaze, Cale couldn't help but tease him a bit.
"What's with your gaze, Grim Reaper Han? Eager to take my soul and eat my body like a wild hyena?" He snickered.
"... Why would you think something like that, Cale-nim"
Cale giggled, he glanced towards the grave. "It's been a year since both of those punks left me alone"
He took a heavy breath, "I was so angry that time. Losing your family for the second time wasn't the most pleasant thing to experience."
Choi Han just stood in silence. His hand was caressing Cale's red hair.
"I always thought that I was cursed. Losing everything I cared about and not getting the so-said soulmark was a strong indicator for me. But to think that my soulmark appeared after I lost everything was a whole new level of mockery" He laughed bitterly.
"Hyung, this punk right here is a grim reaper. Crazy right? I was so afraid of him at first, i even thought of hitting his head with a fucking vase when he was sleeping"
Choi Han subconsciously took a step away from Cale.
"But to think that this guy gave me a new kind of happiness in a short amount of time was… unexpected, hyung. I was grown attached to him. Maybe I was touch starved, but spending my time with him is not the worst idea" He smiled, while Choi Han patted his back.
Cale had never felt this kind of happiness before. With his family, he felt safe and content. With his hyungs, he felt affection and familiarity. But with Choi Han, he felt…
Warm.
It felt like a thousand butterflies danced and fluttered inside of him. He couldn't help it, every single thought of Choi Han could make his cheeks reddening. Not because of embarrassment nor anger, but because it became the color of the love he longingly felt. It felt magical.
He glanced at Choi Han, feeling the familiar warmth spreading from his chest. Choi Han put his warm hand on Cale's cheek, while the latter leaned to his touch.
"Cale-nim, do you know that grim reaper followed their respective target a year before they took their soul?"
"Hoo? Really?"
"Yes, Cale-nim. I remember this was the first place when I met you. Of course, you couldn't see me yet" He giggled a bit.
Choi Han was here when both of his hyungs died.
Choi Han was here when his soulmark appeared.
Is it possible?
Cale immediately dropped his ridiculous thought. There is no way Choi Han is his soulmate.
There is no way...
His last thought made his heart sink.
Well, at least, he was here. Sharing his warmth with Cale.
So in his twentieth day, Cale realized that Choi Han gave him a new kind of happiness.
During their twenty-fifth day, they both stood in Cale's apartment balcony, leaning toward each other, while gazing at the sparkling night sky.
"Cale-nim"
Choi Han patted his hair softly.
"Hmm" Cale just hummed.
"I think I love you"
"Pfft.." Cale was unable to hide his laughter. To think that this soul taking punk had also grown attached to him.
"Why would you love someone who's about to die? Gasp , Grim Reaper Han, don't tell me you're a necrophiliac!?" Cale pretended to be shocked while gaping his mouth dramatically.
".....You always know how to ruin the mood, aren't you?"
"That's my talent, Grim Reaper Han"
Choi Han just sighed fondly, then pulled Cale into an embrace. He could feel Cale's body was getting drastically thinner. His usual pale complexion was now getting worse. Cale leaned to his chest, inhaling deeply. His breathing seemed rough and ragged.
Choi Han just hugged him tighter.
He knew they couldn't be together. It was impossible. Human and a grim reaper itself was simply unheard of. Moreover, they will be separated soon, there will be no Cale anymore. No one will cook for him, no one will hug him, and no one will give him warmth anymore. The fact alone was crushing his heart, he couldn't bear the thought of taking Cale's soul with his own scythe.
"Cale-nim, I'm so sorry. I can't save you.."
"Wow, do you plan to change your career path Grim Reaper….Han?" He felt something wet dripping on his hair. He looked up, only to see a heartbreaking sight.
Choi Han was crying.
Choi Han was biting his lower lip so hard just to stop his sobs. Tears were rolling down like a loose dam from his onix eyes. He kept on hugging Cale tighter, while his shaking hands rubbed Cale's back.
Fuck, Cale felt a burning sensation in the back of his eyes.
"I love you…. Cale…" fuck it, Cale started to sob on Choi Han's chest. He let all of his feelings fly out, shaking and screaming Choi Han's name, yelling about how unfair the world is. After years living in misery, he just wanted a single company. Now that he got it, they will be separated forever.
Choi Han bit his lip harder until it bled, his sobbing was now uncontrollable. This might be the last time he could hug Cale. His sly, yet kind Cale.
The world is unfair, and maybe will never be fair for them.
So, during the twenty-fifth day, Cale decided to be honest with his feelings before it was too late.
He learned that he loved Choi Han.
On their thirties day, Cale couldn't even wake up from his bed. Choi Han was with him the whole time, patting his head and messaged his body lightly.
"Hey… Choi Han…" Cale called him with his weak voice.
"Yes, Cale-nim?" Choi Han smiled softly while caressing his hair, his eyes were glistening with unshed tears.
"Let's go… to… the beach…" Cale took a deep breath, "I want… to see the sunset… for the last time…"
"No, Cale-nim. Your condition is getting worse. Just rest, I'll be here"
"Please…. I want to see the sunset… with you…"
Choi Han just couldn't say no to Cale's glossy eyes.
So here they are, walking on an empty beach together in silence. Cale was smiling comfortably on Choi Han's back, his hands circling around Choi Han's shoulder. Choi Han was also smiling, but he looked like he was about to cry.
His Cale-nim was going to die today.
"Hmm.. this is nice…I could die like this…." Cale spoke nonchalantly.
"Cale-nim….." Choi Han warned.
"Haha…. You're really… cute… Choi Han…"
"Stop talking Cale-nim, you need to save your energy"
Cale just hummed comfortably while snuggled into Choi Han's neck. It was at that moment
"Cale-nim, i have a confession"
Cale's eyes perked up in curiosity. "What.. is it? Are you secretly… came from another world..?" He joked.
"..... No, it's about my soulmark, Cale-nim"
".... ah, you have.. a soulmate then, good for you... Move on quickly, Han"
"My soulmate is you, Cale-nim"
There was a deafening silence at first.
"Ha….. I knew it…. No wonder my tattoo was gleaming…. Brighter.. lately" he scoffed.
Choi han took his life glove off, revealing a white shield tattoo, gleaming with bright silver hue. He took Cale's tattooed hand closer to his. A white and black light were starting to form around their tattoo, dancing together in an erupt yet beautiful harmony. It was a sign that their tattoos were resonating, meaning that they are soulmates.
Cale Henituse's soulmate is Choi Han.
"Pfft…." Cale started to laugh in disbelief. "Why… did you get… the beautiful shield? Mine was the ugly… sword"
"It's not an ugly sword, Cale-nim. It is cool!" Choi han retorted back.
"Yes, yes… it suits.. your… homicidal nature…" Cale laughed weakly, which invited Choi Han's laughter as well.
Both of their laughter rang on the empty beach.
"I'm glad… i thought my soulmate… would be ugly" He took a deep breath, "I'm glad… it's you, Choi Han"
A stray tear fell from his eyes.
"Thank you… for giving me… happiness…"
"Thank you…. for loving… the pathetic me…"
"Thank you for being my soulmate…. Choi Han…"
Cale coughed, but still continued his words with his weak smile.
"I don't think… about… what ifs… but.. I hope… we could be together… in… my next life…"
Choi Han was a crying mess right now, he kept on walking while carrying the now limp Cale.
With his shaking voice, he answered, "Thank you for cooking for me Cale-nim" he sobbed,
"T-Thank you, for loving m-me" He panted, unable to hold his loud cry anymore.
Cale sheepishly smiled, "I… love you.. Choi Han…"
"Yes, Cale-nim, i really love you too"
They both continued to walk, but now, Choi Han was only one breathing. Cale was now laying lifeless on his back.
"Cale-nim, the sunset looks beautiful right?"
Silence
"But not as beautiful as you, of course"
Another silence
"I'm tired Cale-nim, will you cook bulgogi for me tonight?" His voice was a shaking mess, he knew Cale was not here anymore. But he was reluctant to let go.
Just a little bit, just for the last time, he wanted to enjoy the sunset with his Cale-nim.
He also hated thinking about what ifs, but if Cale could see him during their first meeting, they would have a full happy year together.
If they met during his childhood, they would have a beautiful childhood together.
If they met later, maybe they would be an old happy couple, living a peaceful life together.
But it was all just a what ifs that will never happen.
New batch of tears were rolling down his cheek when he summoned his scythe, taking his lover's soul.
Then, in a glimpse, he saw a younger Cale running towards his family. Hugging each other with happy tears. Their happy yet heart crushing laughter sounded further, until it completely went away.
The Sun had set, yet Choi Han stood in the same place.
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" Grim Reaper Han, what are you doing here? Did that motherfucking God of a fucking death annoyed you?"
"No Cale-nim, today is my day off!"
Maybe, they get to finish their happy ending in another life.