We Meet Again (1/1)

3WE MEET AGAIN 6 Years Later — December 10th, 2018 The sun beams brightly through the window blinds of Jeon Jeongguk’s room. He rises from his massive king-sized bed, sighing as he thought about the rest of the day. Another day means more visits to the dying. Throwing his covers to the side, Jeongguk settles his feet to the cold hardwood floor. It's been about three years since he's allowed to return to the human world and live in secret amongst them. It was still a new change for he had grown used to being in the dark within the Grims’ realm. Only a selective few can be sent to the human world and roam amongst them. For the past few years, Jeongguk had grown familiar with his Grim routine and carries them out without any remorse. His heart had turned stone cold, unable to feel such weak emotions. Each new death was like the other. Since he had lost his first life, he vowed to never give up any of his others. Duties were getting easier to do and soon enough, Jeongguk became the Grim Reaper’s favorite. After the sixth year was up, Yoongi was sent to mentor another newly turned Grim and Jeongguk was left independent. He was also offered the position of becoming a guide himself, but rejected it. Jeongguk goes over to the window to pull the curtains close before making his way into the bathroom of his large mansion home. Grims were ideally wealthy in the human world. They remain the 1% of the wealthiest people, living in secret. They take on an identity as someone important while serving as a Grim throughout the day. Once his eyes made contact with the reflection in the mirror, Jeongguk generously take in what he had become in the past six years. Six years since he had left everything behind, his human years behind. He's aged well, like most Grims do. His eyes were wide and doe with dark irises. Hair, a natural raven-black. Cheeks had matured down to a sharp jaw. And the mark that signifies Jeongguk as a Grim on his nape. Jeongguk reaches out to start the water on the faucet when he suddenly felt a burn on the wrist of his arm. The first task of the day has been assigned to him. Jeongguk collects approximately 340 bodies each day. He remains unbothered, already numb to the burning pain, and proceeds to freshen up. Jeongguk wore a blank expression as he made his way out the bathroom, finally taking a look at his arm. His fingers strokes across the name that's making its appearance on his skin. A bittersweet smile rose to his cheeks. “Haven't seen him since high school. I guess it's time for a reunion.” he spoke to himself out loud, eyeing the name on his arm. His eyes went cold and harden at the happy memories. Jeongguk went over to his clothing drawer, sliding it open to withdraw a large black cloak and mask from within. He slips into the cloak, tying it closed before placing the mask over his face and concealing his identity. There was no time to waste. If the time of the death pass the time marked on his arm, he will receive a punishment from the Grim Reaper. Jeongguk breathes out a sigh as he closes his eyes, a finger on his wrist as it glows gold. “Let's get it over with.” he mumbled before disappearing into thin air.  It was that awful stench again that reaches Jeongguk. He scrunches his nose behind the mask in response. The smell of death was everywhere. It has been this way ever since Jeongguk first discovered his true abilities. Even if someone was not assigned to him, he could make out their dying scent. The hospital has always emit the worst smells. There were numerous deaths occurring in hospitals than anywhere else. Most of Jeongguk’s assignments were in hospitals. Jeongguk stepped out from where he was, making his way down the sanitized halls of the hospital. He could feel the stares and frightening looks painted on faces of passersby, hoping that he was not there to collect them. Jeongguk followed in the direction of his instincts, teleporting to the highest floor of the building. When his eyes opened again, he was standing in front of a door closed on room 698. Jeongguk’s eyes glowed a bright yellow, signalling him that death was near. He walks through the door without opening it, like the supernatural presence that he is. Dark aura began seeping out of his body the more he approaches his victim. The room was dark and empty except for the person lying asleep on the bed. There was a heart monitor attached to the person, beeping calmly. “Kim Yugyeom.” Jeongguk spoke in a low, quiet voice as he stared at his old high school friend on the bed with hard, cold eyes. “Age 21. Cause of death, glioblastoma multiforme. Date and time of death…” he paused, a date and time burned on the wrist of his hand. Jeongguk stood unbothered by the pain, eyes looking down to read the numbers on his wrist. “Today at 10:36 PM.” The clock ticked on the wall behind him. It's been years since the last time Jeongguk had seen Yugyeom. He was one of the few friends Jeongguk grew up with, other than Taehyung. Back in high school, they had many classes together which caused them to become close. Yugyeom had a bright future. He was intelligent and came from a wealthy family. Yugyeom was a shy person who rarely spoke a word to anyone unless spoken to. Seeing the man in front of him now, Jeongguk can perceive how his illness has been eating him away until he was nothing more than a sack of bones. His head was shaved down until there was nothing left but bandages.Yugyeom had fought long and hard since his diagnosis, but his disease finally wins in the end. It was a minute until Yugyeom’s death. Jeongguk was preparing himself to collect the body, his eyes glowing brighter as seconds passes. He could see the black blood coursing through the man’s body, replacing the crimson color. When it was time, Yugyeom’s heart monitor suddenly stops beeping and leaves a straight line. Jeongguk took the opportunity, making his way to the man. He placed his hand on top of Yugyeom's lifeless body, watching it disintegrate into thin air. “After so much suffering, you'll be able to rest in peace now. So long.” With his task being completed, the name and date on Jeongguk’s arm fades and so did he.  Empty bodies of those the Grims collects returns to the human world after the Grim Reaper rips their soul from it. This process takes a few minutes. Souls are then weighed on a scale to determine the fate of the afterlife. The Grim Reaper’s job is at rest after the weighing. Souls can either go to the good or bad afterlife, or they shall be reincarnated and given another chance in the human world.  “Done with today’s tasks?” a voice sounded from behind Jeongguk, making his way over to the man. Jeongguk turned around in his seat to make out who it was then smiling softly at the sight of his friend. It's been a while since they've met up at the usual coffee shop in the quiet part of the city. “I haven't received my other tasks. Only one so far.” he mumbled. “What about you, Jimin?” Park Jimin, Jeongguk’s first made friend ever since he left his human life behind and joined the Grims. The man was shorter than him and older in 2 human years. He remained youthful after reaching the age of 21. Jimin reminded Jeongguk of his childhood friend, Taehyung, since they were the same age and he treated him like his own brother. “The reaper has not been fond of my slow progress so I've been getting less assignments, unlike you… overachiever. He's fairly fond of you.” Jimin snickered, picking up Jeongguk’s cup of coffee and gulping it down. The younger didn't mind, already grown use to Jimin’s behavior. Jeongguk just lets out a small laughter at Jimin’s words, head shaking. “How many assignments do you get then?” “About 40-70 each day. I just want to do something, not sit around and wait for my arm to burn some random names. Most of my assignments wouldn't even pass until a few days has gone by.” Jimin explained, shrugging his shoulders. “Most of mines either pass immediately or in a few minutes. It's always been that way.” Jeongguk replied, his voice cold and numb thinking about all of the bodies he has collected in the course of six years. “I can't really stand death sometimes. Seeing people mourning over their loved ones and begging me to save them instead. I almost gave up my first life to this kid once.” The shorter male sighs, looking down at his own hands and playing with them. Jeongguk just remained quiet as he listened to his friend, shaking his head in disbelief. Jimin was too soft and too forgiving to be a Grim. He wonders how such a kind person like Jimin could possibly become a Grim before Yoongi’s voice echoed in his head in remembrance. “Some Grims are born that way while others are not meant to be Grims, but they are chosen.”  “You have such a kind heart hyung. This really doesn't sound like a lifestyle that will suit you.” Jeongguk mumbled then pursing his lips together. “It's not a choice, Jeongguk. If I am chosen then I must live up to the expectations set for me. We all had to leave everything behind and that was already hard enough… Do you ever regret not taking advantage of just being a human?” Jimin chuckled bitterly, now looking down at his hands that were laced together with lips pursed. “We shouldn't be thinking of the regrets that we have and appreciate this… what we have now.” Jeongguk responded before his eyes lit up at the person who appears behind Jimin, a wide smile on the lad’s face while he covered his boyfriend’s eyes with the palms of his hands. “Guess who?” The man, identified as Jung Hoseok, spoke in a gentle voice. Jimin releases a giggle as his fingers reaches up to pry the man’s hands from his sight. “My insanely handsome boyfriend!” he answered. Hoseok happily plops down in the seat next to him, planting a peck on the shorter man’s cheek. “Hey hyung.” Jeongguk smiled at the new addition to the two. “Hey Guk, done with duties today? You usually have much more than us, guess the reaper is taking it easy on you today.” The elder chuckled while Jimin clung onto him. Jeongguk just shrugged his shoulders, taking another sip of his coffee before glancing over at his arm. He hummed softly in thought. “Usually, it doesn't take this long for my next assignment to be engraved. I wonder what the reaper is up to.” he said, eyes blinked over at the couple in front of him after. “It's good to have a break once in a while. Us Grims has been working to the core since we've turned 15. The reaper almost never give us a break… Humans die everyday.” Hoseok responded. Jimin looks over at his boyfriend afterwards and poked his cheek, “How was your latest assignment babe?” “It was not much. Seventy year old lady finally succumb to her disease. It was time anyways.” The man spoke, his voice was calm and unremorseful. Hoseok had always done his job well. He's never felt any feeling of sadness when carrying out his tasks, unlike Jimin. Jeongguk learned that if he was going to be a Grim for the rest of his life, he was going to follow by Hoseok’s footsteps. Hoseok has been a Grim for longer than both Jeongguk and Jimin. If there was one thing that surprised the man, it was falling in love. Grims were born to not feel love like humans do, but when Hoseok met Jimin things changed. Jimin’s eyes were sad for a moment before he felt a pinch to his chubby cheek from his boyfriend who was beaming at him. “Jiminie, you've been doing this for several years now. It stops affecting us after we turn 21.” Jimin opened his mouth to say something back, but Jeongguk’s hearing became overpowered by a familiar voice. “Jeon Jeongguk.” a voice that Jeongguk hasn't heard from in a few months rang through his head. He knew exactly who it was, but not the reason why it called for him. The young man closed his eyes, focusing all his attention to the voice. He had learned how to communicate telepathically throughout the years. “I'm listening, Yoongi hyung.” Jeongguk replied mentally. There was a moment of silence and for a second, Jeongguk thought Yoongi was gone. He was about to snap out of his trance before Yoongi responded back.“The reaper wants to speak with you, b