Chapter 17:
Joon woke early the next morning to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. Sunlight streamed into the cottage, dappling the wooden floor with soft warmth. Despite the man's ominous warning, Joon resolved to cherish every moment he had with Hana and Minho. If his time in this life was limited, he would ensure it was meaningful.
A Day with Minho
"Dad, you promised!" Minho tugged on Joon's arm as he tied his boots.
"I promised what?" Joon asked, feigning confusion.
"You said you'd take me to the fishing spot by the big tree! The one where the river bends!" Minho's excitement was infectious, and Joon couldn't help but smile.
"All right, all right," Joon said. "Go grab the fishing rods. Lucky can come too."
The walk to the river was filled with Minho's chatter about school, his friends, and a bird he'd seen building a nest near their garden. Lucky bounded ahead, occasionally splashing in puddles and shaking water all over them.
When they reached the fishing spot, Joon taught Minho how to tie a proper fishing knot, marveling at the boy's determination.
"Got it!" Minho exclaimed as his line flew into the water.
Joon watched him with a mixture of pride and sorrow. This life feels so real, so complete, he thought. How can it be taken from me?
As the afternoon wore on, Minho caught a small fish, his eyes lighting up with pure joy. Joon laughed, ruffling the boy's hair. "Looks like you're the better fisherman now."
An Evening with Hana
That evening, after Minho had gone to bed, Joon and Hana sat together in the kitchen, peeling apples for pie.
"Minho talked my ear off about your fishing trip," Hana said with a laugh. "He said he wants to do it again tomorrow."
"He's a natural," Joon replied, smiling.
Hana paused, her hands stilling for a moment. "You've been… different lately," she said softly. "Like you're trying to soak everything in."
Joon's heart tightened. "Is that a bad thing?"
She shook her head. "No. It's just… it feels like you're saying goodbye."
Joon set his knife down and reached for her hand. "I'm not going anywhere," he said, though the words felt like a plea to the universe as much as a reassurance to her. "I just want to make the most of what we have."
Hana studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then let's make the most of it together."
Creating Memories
Over the next few weeks, Joon poured himself into every moment with his family. He took Minho on more fishing trips, helped him build a treehouse in the backyard, and even taught him how to bake cookies—though their first batch was a spectacular failure.
With Hana, he spent evenings talking about their dreams for the future, planting a new vegetable garden, and repairing small parts of the cottage together.
The village began to notice Joon's new vigor. Neighbors teased him for being overly ambitious, but Joon only smiled, knowing that every task he completed was a way to leave his mark on this life.
A Quiet Celebration
One evening, the family decided to host a small dinner for their closest friends in the village. The house was filled with laughter and the smell of roasted chicken and freshly baked bread.
Minho proudly showed off his treehouse to the other children, while Hana and Joon entertained their guests with stories.
At one point, Hana leaned close to Joon and whispered, "Look at Minho. He's so happy."
Joon glanced at their son, his cheeks flushed with excitement as he played with his friends. "He's got the best mom in the world," Joon replied, earning a warm smile from Hana.
An Unspoken Goodbye
Later that night, after everyone had left and Minho was fast asleep, Joon and Hana stood in the garden, gazing at the stars.
"Do you ever think about what comes next?" Hana asked suddenly.
Joon hesitated. "What do you mean?"
"Life," she said. "We've built something beautiful here, but nothing lasts forever. Do you think we'll always have this?"
Her words struck a chord deep within him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "I don't know what the future holds," he said honestly. "But I know I'll fight to protect what we have for as long as I can."
Hana rested her head against his chest. "That's all I need to hear."
A Glimpse of Hope
For the first time in a long while, Joon allowed himself to believe that this life might truly be different. He had built something real, something worth fighting for.
But in the back of his mind, the shadow of the man's warning lingered. Joon knew the storm hadn't passed—it was only gathering strength.
Still, as he stood in the garden with Hana under the starlit sky, he resolved to cherish every moment he had left.