episode_0004

If he could go back to the past, he wouldn’t have to die like he did now. Yunyoung was still in the prime of his youth, in his mid-twenties, and the world would surely allow him to experience and enjoy various things.

Mira, his lover’s death, would certainly be sad and painful, but it would gradually fade with time. Humans aren’t called creatures of forgetfulness for nothing. No matter how painful or difficult a memory is, it heals and slowly fades away with time.

Of course, the scars might not be completely erased, as Mira’s presence in Yunyoung’s life was intense, her faint trace would remain no matter how much time passed.

Even so, giving up the rest of his life to save Mira was utterly foolish. No matter how rich a person is, they return empty-handed upon death. Even if Yunyoung wished for Mira’s happiness, if Yunyoung himself died, that happiness would lose its value and fade.

However, Mira’s smiling face surfaced in Yunyoung’s mind. If given a chance to choose again in the past, how could he simply watch Mira get hit by a truck? He couldn’t bring himself to look away, even in his current state. Even if faced with the same situation again, he would undoubtedly throw himself to save Mira.

“Are you sure you won’t regret it? Yunyoung-ssi, you’re dead. If you went back to the past, you might be able to live again. Such a precious opportunity, wasted on the same mistake…”

“It wasn’t a mistake!”

Yunyoung, who had been sitting at the table, interrupted and stood up.

“No matter how many times I go back to the past, my answer will always be the same. I will save Mira.”

Then he sat back down in the chair and spoke. “Anyway, it’s impossible to go back to the past. This meaningless talk is unnecessary. Let’s stop.”

“That’s truly fascinating.”

“Fascinating?”

Yunyoung found the Grim Reaper’s words irritating. The Grim Reaper quickly noticed Yunyoung’s mood and apologized.

“I apologize if I offended you. I had no intention of teasing or mocking you. It’s just that, having dealt with countless souls, your type, Yunyoung-ssi, is new to me.”

The Grim Reaper looked at Yunyoung and spoke. “It’s truly remarkable that you consistently say you would sacrifice your life to save the one you love.”

And looking intently into Yunyoung’s eyes, he said, “I’ve never seen anyone like you, Yunyoung-ssi. Do you know what people who lost their lives for someone else are usually like?”

The Grim Reaper seemed to be expecting an answer, but Yunyoung remained silent. Soon, the Grim Reaper curved his lips upward, speaking as if recalling something enjoyable.

“They regret their foolish actions. They shed tears, blaming and resenting themselves for losing their lives to such a pointless sacrifice. It’s only after death that they realize their true feelings.”

The Grim Reaper’s eyes narrowed. “But Yunyoung-ssi, even after death, you’re still only concerned about your lover. That’s truly fascinating.”

Yunyoung felt no inclination to condemn those the Grim Reaper spoke of. Even if their attitudes differed before and after death, it was clear that they had sacrificed their lives for others. In fact, thinking normally, their actions might even be the more correct path. What’s wrong with believing nothing is more precious than one’s own life? Perhaps Yunyoung himself was a twisted individual, warped by his love for Mira.

“Yunyoung-ssi, you’re truly different. To sacrifice your life for another and still say you’d do the same again. It seems you’re the person I’ve been looking for.”

“The person you’ve been looking for…?”

Yunyoung didn’t understand what he was talking about. He was about to ask for clarification, but the Grim Reaper continued speaking before he could. It was a surprising story.

“Reuniting you with Mira-ssi is impossible. However, if you wish, I can show you Mira-ssi’s future.”

“Show Mira’s future, what does that mean? Please explain properly.”

“It means I’ll show you how Mira-ssi lives after your death, Yunyoung-ssi.”

The Grim Reaper’s continued explanation was as follows: Since Yunyoung was dead, reuniting with Mira was impossible as it defied the laws of the world. However, if it was merely unilateral observation, there would be no problem since he couldn’t interfere with the situation.

It was a tempting offer, but Yunyoung couldn’t accept it rashly. He wanted to see how Mira was living. She was the person he liked, his beloved lover. There was no way he wouldn’t be interested. However, he hesitated, wondering if he could bear to see Mira in distress. Frankly, he wasn’t very courageous.

‘She must be suffering, living a difficult life, blaming herself for my death…’

If only observing was allowed, it would be impossible to offer Mira a single word of comfort. His heart ached at the thought of resenting his own powerlessness, unable to do anything.

Furthermore, if he only cherished Mira as she existed in his memories, it might be better not to see her. But at the same Ttime, his desire to see her shook Yunyoung even more profoundly.

If he weren’t curious about how Mira would live after his death, it wouldn’t be true love. Mira was truly his beloved girlfriend, and even if they hadn’t married, she was someone he could call family.

If Yunyoung had one wish for Mira’s life, it was this: That Mira would overcome Yunyoung’s death and reclaim her old life. This also meant that Yunyoung’s presence would slowly fade from her life, but he was prepared for that.

Wishing for Mira to suffer and wither away while only looking at him was a selfish and ugly desire. If he truly wanted her happiness, Yunyoung realized that his dead self should no longer cling to Mira. It was sad and depressing that another man would be by Mira’s side instead of him. But if Mira was happy with that, it didn’t matter. He hoped she would have children and live a happy life.

However, it’s not always positive things that await. If the story Yunyoung had just wished for was a happy ending, there might also be a bad ending, its opposite. To speak extremely, he might even see Mira commit suicide. If he saw the person he cherished and loved more than his own life do such a thing, Yunyoung might lose his mind.

There’s a saying, ‘Ignorance is bliss’ [lit. ‘not knowing is medicine’]. It might be a wise choice to only hold onto the happy and good memories of Mira.

Yunyoung was deeply conflicted about whether to watch or not. The Grim Reaper drove a wedge into his dilemma.

“What will you do? This is a special opportunity I’m giving only this once, and I won’t offer it again later.”

This meant it was the first and last time.

Yunyoung’s desire to see Mira grew stronger and stronger. He was afraid Mira’s life might end in the worst possible way, but he still wanted to see her. Even if he couldn’t speak to her, hold her hand, or exchange glances, if he could just see her face, even from afar…

Having made up his mind, Yunyoung opened his mouth in a solemn voice. “I want to see her. Please show me.”

“Very well. Then I will show you.”

The Grim Reaper lightly flicked his finger, and a monitor appeared in the air. It seemed such things were possible in the afterlife, transcending physical laws.

“On this screen, Mira-ssi’s daily life will be displayed from now on. You’re not disappointed, are you? If you were expecting to return to Earth as a spirit and watch over her…”

“No, that’s not it. I’m grateful just for this opportunity to see her.”

“Then, let’s begin.”

─Playback─

(Note: Dialogue within the screen will be indicated with instead of “”)

The screen began by showing Mira, dressed in black mourning clothes, crouched at a funeral hall. Yunyoung realized it was his own funeral being held.

Tears streamed incessantly from Mira’s large eyes. She had cried so much that her complexion was haggard and she looked emaciated, as if all her strength had drained away.

She hadn’t slept a wink, evidenced by the dark shadows under her eyes. Mira muttered to herself in a hoarse voice.

Mira continued to sob, her frail body trembling.

The traffic accident that caused Yunyoung’s death occurred in a busy area, so there were many witnesses. Vivid testimonies about the circumstances of the incident were given, and the cause was quickly determined.

Everything was known: that a truck was speeding towards Mira as she crossed the road, and Yunyoung had jumped in to save his girlfriend, pushing her out of the way and getting hit instead.

That story naturally reached Yunyoung’s bereaved family.

It was obvious what the family would think of Mira.

To them, Yunyoung was a precious son and a brother. Yunyoung’s sudden death brought uncontrollable sorrow and intense fury to his family.

There was no doubt as to whom the arrow of those emotions would be aimed.

To Yunyoung, Mira was more precious than his own life, but to Yunyoung’s family, it was different.

Yunyoung’s girlfriend was more than just an enemy; she was an unparalleled adversary who had stolen their precious family member.

An adult, not a child, had tried to cross a road with a broken traffic light without looking left or right, nearly getting hit by a car, and Yunyoung had rushed in to save her.

When the family first heard these details, they were dumbfounded. It might have even been less sad if an intoxicated driver had swerved onto the road and killed him.

Checking left and right when crossing the road was something even six or seven-year-olds learned in kindergarten. Mira had overlooked something that required only a little attention, and because of that, her boyfriend Yunyoung was hit and died instead.

In such circumstances, it was unimaginable that the family would treat Mira warmly.

If this incident hadn’t happened, they might have someday met as daughter-in-law and in-laws, laughing together. In that case, they would have exchanged blessings and greetings in a harmonious atmosphere.

But once twisted, the relationship had become irreversible.

In fact, Mira was an uninvited mourner at Yunyoung’s funeral.