Chapter Fourteen.

Months passed and the characteristics of them all changed. The wizard's game was taking a toll on them all, even Heejung was growing frustrated and worn for she still knew little about it. Winter obviously knew what was to come soon but she felt strained, as if carrying a heavy burden. She had got the job she wanted, the hours long and painful but she knew it was worth it in the long run. She couldn't help but feel hurt though, she only had one day a week off and with Jihae working still the pair of them found it hard to spend time with one another but in the time they did spend together they were growing closer, the future becoming more worrying by the day.
"That's a wrap guys!" a deep, gruff voice spoke jumping Winter out of her thoughts. She rapidly blinked her eyes, glancing around the recording studio she sat in and sighed in relief. A greying, tall bulky man grinned in her direction, the owner of the voice pleased.
"Amazing work today Miss Winter, I think we've polished everything off. We're going to throw these tracks over to my editors and see what magic they can come up with" the man continued on and Winter tiredly nodded, standing herself up. She wobbled for a second, the long hours of sitting down making her unbalanced but she managed to keep upright. She had grown accustom to the false leg she was wearing even if it felt unnatural to her.
"I'll contact you in a month's time to give you the details on the results. We may need you to come in once or twice but other than that I think we're all done" the man said and Winter smiled.
"That sounds good" she breathed, rubbing the hat on her head. Her rabbit ears were in agony, having both a hat and headphones on was extremely uncomfortable for her. She moved across the room, placing her violin in its case before walking over to her boss. The pair of them shook hands, knowing they won't see one another for a while.
"Say Winter if this goes big would you be interested in coming back in a few months to work with us on another one?" her boss asked and Winter widely smiled.
"I'd be honoured to" she replied making the man before her widely smile in happiness. Both Winter and her boss said their farewells, the woman he hardly knew leaving the recording building with a slight hobble in her steps.

Winter was relieved to be heading home, the darkened sky confirming that the watch she wore told her the correct time. It was already one in the morning, the cold air sending shivers down her spine. She clenched her right hand around the handle of her violin case, her left hand pulling her coat closer to her body. It was surprising how cold May was at night… May, how the time quickly passed by her without much notice. She shook her head, noticing the apartment up ahead. A soft smile crossed her lips, the thought of Heejung's small apartment feeling welcoming to her. At that thought she slightly smiled even more, thinking of the feeling of returning to her very own home one day. A frown soon replaced her smile; would there be a Jihae to welcome her home when that happens..?

The rabbit skilfully hid her frown as she entered Heejung's apartment, her eyes instantly falling onto Jihae's form as he looked up from the couch.
"I thought you were working much later than this" Winter confessed, setting her violin to the side as she shrugged off her coat in a stiff manner. Winter wasn't surprised to see no one else around; Heejung was often going to bed early so she could study early in the morning while the animals were out and about trying to live a life they didn't want to.
"I've quit" Jihae spoke dragging Winter out of her thoughts. She froze in her movements,
"Huh, why?" she responded in confusion. She tugged off her hat, her ears awkwardly springing anyway from the side of her head. She touched her right one, her eyes watering as pain shot through them. Jihae noticed her pain and sadly sighed, patting a place next to him on the couch. Winter moved over to him, sitting herself down as he slung an arm over her shoulders.
"It wasn't for me, I only did it for the money to ensure Jieun had a comfortable life while living here… plus if I'm to lose my memory soon then it's better to quit now than wait a few days before" Jihae truthfully said making Winter nod in understanding.
"How was your day?" Jihae asked, switching the topic and Winter allowed the changed of topic.
"It went well, the boss reckons I'm done for now… I'll know in a month if I need to go back at all" she told him, closing her eyes briefly as Jihae pulled her closer to him. The man smiled at this, frowning to himself as he noticed Winter reopen her eyes to grab the magazine nearby. He had forgotten to put it back where he found it. Winter knew what this magazine was; she had got it herself a few weeks back.
"Curious about houses?" Winter casually asked, flicking it open to a bent page. Jihae stiffened for a moment as she looked over the houses but he soon relaxed.
"I'll need some place to stay once… once the game is over" he told her and Winter tilted her head to the side for a second in confusion.
"One bedroom?" she asked and Jihae sighed, removing the arm around her shoulders to rub his temples while leaning slightly forward. Winter grew concerned at the motion, knowing something was wrong.
"Yes… Jieun wants to be independent and live alone. He's found some family to live with too, very nice people when I met them a few days back" he told her and Winter gently sighed.
"I'm sorry Jihae, I didn't know" she softly spoke, lightly placing her hand on his arm. Jihae froze for a moment, moving after a few seconds to take her hand into his. He gently rubbed them, forcing a smile on his lips. Jihae and Jieun still had a strong bond between them, they always would, but Jihae knew he could no longer hold onto his past and the Prince.
"It's quite alright Winter, we plan to visit often" Jihae told her in a comforting manner but he wasn't sure if he was trying to comfort her or himself.

Winter decided to expand no more on the topic of Jieun, not wanting to upset the man. She couldn't help but wonder how that would work out; surely Jieun and Jihae would want to remain together once their memories at Heejung's were removed. Winter squeezed his hands with her own, looking him in the eye.
"Y'know you can always stay with me until… until you're ready to move on" Winter quietly suggested making Jihae look at her in surprise.
"I've offered the same thing to the other animals. I've managed to earn enough money for a three bedroom house so I'd have enough room for a few of you. Plus you lot may find comfort living with another animal once the game is over" Winter continued on and Jihae pondered to himself for a moment, briefly nodding his head.
"That is very kind of you, I'll keep it in mind" he simply replied making her smile.
"What house did you decide on?" Jihae added on and Winter flicked a few pages, landing on one that had several blue circles across the page.
"This one, it's just out of the city and it has plenty of farmland around it. I'll be visiting it on Saturday to look at it" Winter told him, pointing at a few of the pictures. It was quite a modern looking two-floored house but Winter wanted to visit it to make sure it was what she wanted.
"Do you fancy joining me?" she added on making Jihae smile at her invite.
"I'd love to, perhaps have dinner somewhere afterwards?" he murmured making Winter eagerly nod.
"Sounds great."