In my opinion,

It’s a decent short story. The bitter taste of coffee percolates through a mundane routine of actions, and sugar cubes can only make a tinge sweeter.

Short and to the point. It isn’t really a spoiler with how straightforward this story is, so I’ll just say it. This follows the typical terminal illness plot, where the MC, knowing her terminal illness, chooses to leave her girlfriend without letting her (gf) know, producing a host of misunderstandings. Probably could be deemed a BE, as this story leaves the ending... more>> open, only showing the MC’s diagnosis and life after the breakup, implying her lonely death.

As the other reviewer remarked, this story is written very poetically, with an air of transience and ethereal fog throughout. The prose is wonderfully written and translated, mixing in the bitter sweetness of mocha with the dreary imminence of a terminal choice and fatal diagnosis. It’s better for you to take a couple minutes to read, and those short few minutes should definitely impress this author’s mastery of language and metaphor. It’s really not that long, just read it.

While it shouldn’t leave enough development for despondent tears, it will leave a lingering air of soft sorrow behind.

While it might be easy to point and criticise such illogical actions in a story, I think it should be noted that emotions are inherently complex, and humans ever more so. I doubt that the MC herself isn’t emotionally aware enough to realise how devastating or foolish her actions are, but much akin to a cat’s desire to hide away before death, it was probably a combination of factors, including that weird blankness of a terminal diagnosis, that caused her to take such measures. Trauma and illness muddles people’s minds, and it doesn’t help that in the short snippet of her life the reader sees, it seems the MC doesn’t have a very well connected or robust support system outside of her girlfriend.

In any case, we can only wish that the MC will walk all the way north one day. Through the snow, hail and harsh winds, when she is tired her girlfriend will piggyback her, and they will walk hand in hand towards the old man the north, to gift them happiness.

Thanks to the author for this short piece, and the translator (s) did a fantastic, stellar job of translating. Absolutely excellent translation job; kudos to you.

And lastly, I hoped this review helped you, reader. Thanks for reading. <<less

This is sad... I can tell from the atmosphere that it's a sad story (I didn't read the tags). Anyways, if you want stories with unexpected ending then read this one. The writer keeps the story mysterious. The writing style is like a poem.

I'll give it 4 stars because it didn't give much impact to me.