The Terminally Ill Lover [Time Theme]

I have about three months left to live.

The day I was given my terminal diagnosis suddenly comes to mind.

My lover collapsed to the floor and cursed the world.

I couldn't believe it either.

All I remember is running forward with my eyes on the road ahead, and now it ends like this.

Staring down death, I look back at myself — what was I fighting so hard for? A wave of emptiness washes over me.

"Honey, try eating this."

"A sandwich? Thanks, but I have no appetite."

"I said eat it!!"

My lover snapped and shoved the sandwich at my mouth. I appreciate the thought, but why get so upset when I don't eat?

Being sick is miserable enough without having to endure my lover's inexplicable mood swings on top of it. I wish I could see more smiles, fewer frowns.

"Eat the sandwich."

The next day, my lover brought another sandwich.

If I refuse, they lose it, so I ate it without complaint again today.

They can be a bit wild, but I love my partner dearly.

They've always been by my side through the hard times, and laughed with me through the good — a truly precious person.

I wouldn't mind giving them everything I have.

"I said eat the sandwich!"

I don't know when this sudden sandwich obsession started, but I love even this random side of them.

Honestly, I want to leave the hospital right now.

If I could, I'd spend my remaining days traveling with my lover. But they want me to fight the disease to the very end and overcome it.

They're the pure kind who believes in miracles.

How do I put it? There's a slightly... otherworldly side to them. Every time they buy a lottery ticket, they're absolutely certain they'll win — on zero evidence. Deep down, they seem to genuinely believe they're special, different from everyone else.

With that kind of personality, my lover is convinced I'll beat this disease.

They're even looking at wedding venues for next spring, can you believe it?

It was adorable, truly. But after smiling, I had to slip into the bathroom and cry where they couldn't hear.

I pulled out the photo album for the first time in ages and flipped through pictures of us together. The memories came flooding back, and my heart ached.

"Remember this? We went on a picnic, spread out the blanket, and the second we opened the lunchbox it started pouring. We laughed so hard. We ate rice mixed with rainwater."

"We did that?"

"You don't remember? Look at this photo."

"When was this taken? Did you sneak a photo of me?"

"....... What are you talking about? You're looking at the camera too."

"Oh, you're right. Weird. I really don't remember."

Ever since hearing I don't have long to live, my lover has been acting strange.

More forgetful, maybe? Their memory isn't what it used to be.......

Every time I try to reminisce, they say they don't remember. With so little time left, it breaks my heart.

— Your condition has improved dramatically — it looks like you could live another two years! This is a miracle!

— What?

— If you manage your health carefully, you might live even longer than that. What a relief.

Could this be a dream?

I'm so glad I didn't give up — that I stuck with the treatment, just like my lover kept telling me to!

Forcing myself to eat even without an appetite, and doing light stretching and exercise whenever I could — it really seems to have helped.

It's all thanks to my lover, who visited my room every single day and stayed by my side.

Maybe...... maybe I could even marry them?

I'd been turning down their pleas to get married before it was too late, but the thought that I might actually have hope made my heart pound.

Am I allowed to be greedy? I'd sacrifice anything to beat this disease — but can I be just a little selfish?

I picked up my phone to tell my lover the wonderful news from the doctor.

— Honey! I — my condition has improved so much, the doctor says I can live several more years!

I was just about to bring up marriage.

A cold reply came back.

— Um...... I'm sorry, but....... I think you have the wrong number.

— What are you talking about? This is your number, and that's your voice.

— Please stop. I'm hanging up.

.......Did they hear the news from the doctor first and are throwing a surprise party?

It stung a little, but my heart was overflowing with too much joy to dwell on it.

My lover came to my room today too, carrying a sandwich. With a completely dazed expression.

"Huh? Why did I come here?"

"Hey! Why did you pretend not to know me on the phone earlier!"

"Excuse me??"

My lover looked at me as if staring at a complete stranger. Up and down.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't even know why I came here......"

Staring blankly, my lover raised the sandwich in their hand and held it out to me.

"If you're hungry, would you like this sandwich? I bought it from my favorite shop — the one I always get — but, um, I'm not hungry."

"Even now you're going on about sandwiches? Snap out of it!"

"Why, why are you being like this? I'll just leave this here and go. I bought it today so it should still be fresh."

My lover set the sandwich bag in the room and dashed out. I started to chase after them but stopped. It would only scare them more.

Furious, I was about to throw the sandwich away when I noticed a receipt taped to the outside of the bag.

They usually seemed to tear off the receipt, but this time they must not have had the presence of mind.

I looked at the receipt.

Selectio — Capturing Every Palate in the World

Date: September 20, 20XX

Time: 12:34 PM

Order No: #0420

Order Details

[Time Theme] Lifespan Sandwich (5 months) — ........ ₩100,000,000

Total: ₩100,000,000

Payment Method: Buyer's most precious memories [Option 3]