Christmas was long over and Winter found herself in mid-January, longingly looking through the days newspaper. She wasn't one to read much, her time often limited when she lived in Grass, but she had come to a point in the human world where she needed to.
"What are you looking for?" Jieun had asked when sitting next to her, a curious expression on his face. At his words Heejung and Jihae glanced over, both of them also curious about the odd behaviour. The other animals were already out for the day, their actual whereabouts unknown to them all.
"I'm looking for a job" Winter confessed to them, flipping over another page as her eyes slowly scanned the writing in hope.
"Why?" Jieun asked in a confused tone and Winter paused, placing a finger where she stopped reading to look at the young prince. His red sparkling eyes showed his lack of knowledge and innocence; Winter doubted the young prince had ever done a single thing that required effort.
"I will need money to rent or buy a home of my own. I cannot stay here for much longer" Winter explained to him, her reasoning made as plain and simple as possible for him to understand.
"Oh there's no need to rush! I don't mind you staying here" Heejung politely objected but she frowned, her head tilting to the side.
"Plus it's not like you need to settle down here, won't you be returning home at some point?" Heejung continued on but she regretted her words as the atmosphere around them became tense and still. Winter painfully closed her eyes at the mention of 'home', something she had been trying to forget since arriving here. She looked across to the human, forcing a smile on her lips.
Winter didn't want to explain how she had come to this world or why, she had only entrusted Jihae with most of the information. She didn't dislike or distrust Heejung, it was more the fact that she wanted to start anew and forget that the past was something that had once existed.
"I will not be returning to my world, I am to live among the humans" Winter finally managed to say in reply, wanting the topic to drop and move along but Heejung was oblivious to the silent request.
"But what of your family and friends?" she asked in curiosity and instead of Winter glaring at her in annoyance she just deeply sighed.
"I have none" she blankly claimed, giving no more information about her background and Heejung finally got the hint, knowing the topic was off limits.
"What about you two then, are you going to stay?" Heejung slowly asked when turning her attention to the two males. Winter was also slightly curious to how they would respond to her question; Winter already knew what their outcomes would be. A look of sorrow passed onto Jihae's face at the question and Winter noticed the man and even the young prince bite back their feelings.
"It seems that the winner has already been chosen… we will be staying here" Jihae slowly said.
"Winner? Winner to what? That game you spoke of when transforming?" Heejung asked in confusion.
"Eddie I want to go home…" the young prince quietly whined at the mention of their future and Jihae shook his head, his head tilting downwards in defeat.
"So the winner gets to go back to your world?" Heejung worked out, hoping she was correct.
"Their wish will come true" Jieun stated and Heejung looked between the two male rabbits, letting out a frustrated sigh as she turned her attention back to Winter.
"Can you explain any of this? I've asked before but it's a breach of their contract…" Heejung asked out of frustration but Winter offhandedly shrugged.
"I'm sorry Heejung but I can't do that. Even if I am not a part of the game I am unable to explain. It would put me in a lot of trouble and possibly cause issues for the others" Winter honestly answered told her and Heejung deeply sighed, clenching her hands.
"Did you have to play a game before you came here?" Heejung asked throwing Winter off guard for a moment but she was quick to recover, knowing she was trying another way of gaining information.
"Not to come here but around a year ago I did" Winter carefully said, only giving her a small response.
"So you won then? Was your wish to come here?" Heejung continued to push but she fell silent as Winter sharply looked at her deep in the eye, her eyes narrowing. At this point Heejung knew she had pushed her limits and crossed the invisible line. The black rabbit turned her eyes away from her, grabbing her crutches before standing up.
"I know this is very confusing for you and I'm sorry I can't explain more" Winter emotionlessly spoke, her words plain and clear.
"You should not chase for answers, it will lead you down a dark and dangerous road" Winter advised her, moving towards the door to leave the apartment.
"I need some fresh air, I'll be back later tonight" she told them. With some difficulty Winter slipped through the door, leaving the three in the room without another word.
"Did I upset her?" Heejung worried asked but she already knew the answer as Jihae grasped onto his hat, fixing it onto his head to hide his ears away.
"No it is fine, I'll go and find her to make sure she's safe" Jihae said, a protective tone lingering in his voice. Heejung awkwardly nodded before watching him leave.
"Eddie cares…" Jieun murmured.
"What?" Heejung replied, half listening to him.
"Eddie cares about her…" Jieun spoke again with a thoughtful look. Heejung assumed that the young prince was joyful about it by the small smile on his lips but it didn't quite match his eyes that seemed distance and slightly sad. Heejung had asked what the young rabbit meant but it was a lost cause, Jieun was already lost in thought as he looked out of the window.
A smile of relief spread across Jihae's face as he finally caught up with the hobbling woman. To little surprise he found her sitting herself down at the park, a look of confusion and pain on her face. Jihae could tell she was fighting a battle in her head, neither side winning to settle her.
"You should not have come" Winter said but when she looked up at the man who now stood in front of her she wore a warm, welcoming smile.
"I'm glad you're here though" Jihae heard her say as she patted the space besides her. The man took a seat next to her, a smile of his own on his face as he slung an arm around her shoulders. Winter instantly scooted closer to him, feeling the body warmth between them. She lowly breathed out, being next to Jihae made her feel relaxed and comfortable.
"I'm sorry for leaving" Winter apologised as she rested her head on his shoulder. Jihae stiffened at the motion for a moment, his mind protesting but his heart felt at ease making him accept her.
"The reminder of wishes just… made me feel uncomfortable" she confessed to him, wanting to open up to him. Jihae hummed in agreement and support, hoping it would encourage her to keep talking and put trust into him.
"I have been on both ends" she started,
"I have both won and lost" Winter admitted. Jihae was surprised by her words, she had never mentioned anything more than wishing her mother's safety.
"I have also seen others have their wishes granted and dismissed" Winter found herself saying without a pause.
"How so?" Jihae pondered aloud and she weakly looked at him; one side wanting to explain to him and the other side wanting to flee and forget.
"You see many things as a spy and a…" Winter tried to answer but she sighed.
"To see the wizard as often as I did and watch him interact with those who visited him was… It was overwhelming" Winter revealed. Jihae wasn't sure how to react to her words… how did her and the wizard cross paths so many times?
"May I ask what you won and lost?" Jihae gently questioned, wanting to understand her.
"You already know what I won" Winter suggested,
"What I lost…?" she breathed, her body starting to tremble.
"I lost a friend, a choice… part of my memory…" she informed him. Although Jihae wasn't entirely sure what she was on about he pulled her even closer to him, the rhythm of her heart being felt on his side.
"Jihae…" she mumbled, her eyes set onto his. She kept her eyes meaningful as she spoke,
"I hope your wish is worth the trouble it may bring" Winter told him. Jihae was taken aback by her words, shocked even. He was confused to why she said that; surely having your wish granted was a good thing… right?