**A Glimpse into the Future**

The vibrant atmosphere of Min-ji's apartment was a welcome respite from the bustle of the city outside. As Jaylah sat on the couch, sipping a cup of tea and watching Min-ji tend to Soo-young, she couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her. The soft glow of the evening sun streaming through the window highlighted the warm colors of the room, and the scent of kimchi wafted through the air, mingling with the sweet fragrance of the cherry blossoms outside. Min-ji's husband, Jae-hwan, walked into the room, a warm smile on his face as he greeted Jaylah. "Annyeong, Jaylah! I'm so glad you're here to celebrate with us." He handed Jaylah a small gift box. "I got you a little something to welcome you to the new addition to our family." Jaylah opened the box to find a beautiful silver necklace with a small crystal pendant. "It's beautiful, thank you so much!" She put on the necklace, and Jae-hwan helped her adjust it. As they chatted, Min-ji mentioned that Jae-hwan had recently received a notification from the government about their Parters devices. "They're suggesting we try for another child," Min-ji said, "but we're not sure yet." Jae-hwan nodded in agreement. "The government is always pushing us to have more kids, but it's not that simple. We need to think about our own financial situation and what's best for Soo-young." Jaylah listened intently, fascinated by the complexities of married life. As they talked, Min-ji turned to Jaylah and said, "You know, Jaylah, you're not getting any younger. When are you going to find your partner and start a family?" Jaylah's eyes widened slightly as she realized that Min-ji and Jae-hwan were assuming she would follow the traditional path. "I'm not really thinking about that right now," Jaylah said, trying to brush off the topic. But Min-ji and Jae-hwan exchanged a curious glance. "Don't you want to meet your partner?" Min-ji asked. "The government will match you with someone from the Afro-Empire district, I'm sure." Jaylah hesitated, unsure of how to respond. She had never really thought about meeting a partner, let alone one assigned by the government. "I...I don't know," she said finally. Jae-hwan's expression turned serious. "You should be excited, Jaylah. Meeting your partner is a big milestone. It's a chance to build a life together and start a family." Jaylah forced a smile, trying to hide her unease. "I'm sure it will be...interesting," she said. Min-ji and Jae-hwan looked at each other, concern etched on their faces. "Jaylah, are you okay?" Min-ji asked. "You seem a bit...distracted." Jaylah shook her head, trying to reassure them. "I'm fine, really. I just...haven't thought about it that much, I guess." As the evening wore on, Jaylah couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being pulled into a world she wasn't ready for. The Parters device, Min-ji's comments, and Jae-hwan's expectations all seemed to be pointing to a future she wasn't sure she wanted. As she lay in bed that night, Jaylah couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead, and whether she had the courage to forge her own path.