Chapter 2: The Boy Who Knew Too Much
The next morning, the number hovered in the air above my head.
“Ninety-seven.”
Only I could see it.
Like it was burned into the air, stitched into the very fabric of my fate.
I wore my hoodie low and tried to ignore the world as I entered the classroom.
Everyone was chatting, laughing.
Living.
And I was dying.
He was already in his seat.
Row three, seat four.
The new transfer student.
Lee Jihoon.
He didn’t smile. Didn’t look around. Just stared out the window like he was watching the sky fall.
He’d only transferred in a week ago, but there were already rumors.
Mysterious.
Too quiet.
Never eats lunch.
Someone said he talked to ghosts.
I didn’t believe that.
Until he turned around.
And looked directly at me.
“You got the letter, didn’t you?”
I flinched so hard I dropped my pen.
“What… what did you say?”
He didn’t repeat himself.
He just turned back to the window.
Like my reaction was all the confirmation he needed.
Lunchtime.
I followed him.
Not on purpose.
My legs moved before I could stop them.
He walked behind the gym.
Silent.
Alone.
I stepped closer.
“Why did you say that?”
He didn’t turn.
“Because I saw it.”
“The mark. Above your head.”
“Ninety-seven.”
I froze.
“How do you know about the numbers?”
“Because I had them once too.”
Silence stretched between us.
The wind rustled the trees.
“What happened?”
“I died.”
He turned then.
His eyes were sad. And old. Too old for someone our age.
“But I came back.”
“Why? How?”
He hesitated.
“Because I made a deal.”
“With the Reaper?”
He didn’t answer.
Which was answer enough.
“You want to survive, right?”
I nodded.
“Then don’t waste your time.”
“Death isn’t cruel. But it is fair.”
“And it always keeps its promises.”
“You’ve got 97 days.”
“Use them well.”
He started to leave.
But I grabbed his sleeve.
“Wait. Please.”
He paused.
“Tell me what you know.”
He looked at me like he was deciding whether or not to lie.
Then, finally:
“The Reaper doesn’t just kill.”
“Sometimes… it falls in love.”
I blinked.
“What does that mean?”
But he was already gone.
Vanished like smoke in the breeze.
And my phone buzzed.
A new message.
Unknown number.
[You met him, didn’t you?]
[Day 97 begins now.]