06: A breakup under the sakura

"Pink petals flash across the breeze as the heart drops down into motion, the entire world is chanting sadness for both of us now"

Things became much complicated ever since the day. I thought when I told her about the story , she would somehow regain those memories and just as our vows , will remember me at first sight. But it didn't seem to work out very much.

At that day , she left me without words. Without telling her reason nor saying goodbye. What's worse was she didn't even turn back at me once. Her silhouette looked tense as if she was escaping from something. Confusion struck me as I lost focus on what I was doing again. The project due tomorrow hadn't even formed its sketch and with a condition like this , I would not even finish a sketch.

There was another new that was spreading like a mutation around the university about a popular girl. Lee Chaeyoung or my former crush , was now with a boyfriend. Hers was a senior basketball player who was tall and strong. I clearly cannot beat him in either looks or sports but in terms of understanding chaeyoung better , I doubted he can even chance at me.

But things had changed since the day I refused to go on a date with Chaeyoung. She didn't call me anymore , and avoided me during classes. Even when i shouted her name , she pretended she was busy listening to music. It was not like I still love her but also not like I don't want her anymore - it was in between but she made it very clearly by cutting ties between the two.

It was painful honestly. Because I have been trying to obtain such position for so long - many efforts staying beside the girl that I even knew her favorite Starbucks order by heart. But when i was disturbed by a phantom from a past , some random guy came in and took her away from my life - entirely.

Like Loona said , it was so close to perfect , it hurts to throw it away.

A couple weeks passed and obviously my reputation declined with late assignments and messy projects. Chaeyoung now spent time only with his boyfriend - and even asked me personally to act like we did not know each other. What a nonsense change of personality it was. But what's worst , was I missed Chaehyun so much. I was feeling stabbed everytime my heart beats that I could do anything just to see her once again. Both girls dissappearances were uncalled for and discouraging , but Chaehyun was much more special since she never gave me a particular reason to do so. No matter how pessimistic I thought , it was impossible for her to not enjoy the night.

I went to her university and her department but there were so many people , so many rooms that I needed a miracle to bump her on the streets so i gave up.

I was calling her numbers numerous time too which she of course never picked them up. I was also worried for her to consider me as an aggressive , impatient person. Soon , with no hope , a contact popped up which lightened up a final hope. And that was why i called you Hina.

"Do you know where Chaehyun is ?"

The Japanese girl stares at me - not giving me a single gesture or an answer. Instead she glares at me very strangely - her eyes are telling a story that even the ethereal world couldn't comprehend.

"Hina , are u there ?" This time , she snaps out of her own world , carefully positions herself back , rubbing her hair. Then she looks at somewhere far across the window before turning back at me.

"why do you want to meet her ?" She retaliates although I have no time to play her game of chasing for answer. Instead I remain head-strong.

"where is Chaehyun ?"

This time she smirks.

"Oppa " - her eyes becomes much judgmental.

"are you looking for Chaehyun or reincarnation of your past lover ?"

I didn't understand why she chose to ask this question but a certain some phrasing made me guilty.

"aren't they all the same ? " i replied which Hina fades her smile in dissatisfaction. Today is probably the first time I see Hina in a personality like this. Just like a borderline , she is changing expression with each sentence and every question she made pulled a challenge to answer.

"That's why she doesn't want to see you"
She whispers gently - maybe back to her usual soft Hina. "What ?" I ask her to repeat since I cannot comprehend what she means which she just responses in silence.

"here , chaehyun told me to give it to you" - a little while later , Hina hands me a envelope , a soft pink one carefully sealed in the middle. Tapping around , I could feel two entirely different content inside. The perfume caressing the paper has the familiar fragrance. That makes me miss her even more.

"Thank you" i grab the envelope and begin to rush home - to a personal place where I can digest my emotions as am still oblivious of what will be in the sealed packet. But I am held aback by Hina's sudden shout.

"Oppa" - she growled loudly which makes me stop my step for a while.

"chaehyun gives you this envelope"

"remember , chaehyun gives you this envelope so
You will only find chaehyun from it
It's up to you"

Not understanding all of her sentences , I leave. Hina , now left alone in a cafe , and knowing that Hansol probably won't care about her last words , sipped her last bitter americano as she stared the sky where two clouds bump into each other and disform.

Hina could only smile because she knows if two clouds never meet , they would have never been deformed back into moisture.

"similar to some people isn't it?" - hina laughed to herself, revealing a very mysterious smile.

.....

"a pink gushed streams that is made of hope. I will be waiting for you there

A pink gushed stream - what does she mean by that ? " - I think hard for another time - a short sentence in the envelope is bothering me for quite a time now. It doesn't come alone though although it was accompanied by a stem of astillbe - a very specific species indeed that is both expensive and difficult to obtain. And of course , I clearly know that flower symbolizes "I will be waiting for you"

Chaehyun is anticipating me - but without knowing the reason , it is hard for to unleash my emotions since this encounter could go either way. Whatever it is , after weeks of starving her , just being able to looking at her eyes again , falling into past again is more than enough for me. With such motivation , I spark for the solution. Some time passes without a reasonable answer until a memory crosses into mind.

A pink gushed streams - cherry blossoms

that is made of hope -

It is the cherry blossom tree that is made of people's lost hope.

Natsukashi Sakura
One of the four great alters

Without thinking it twice , I hop on internet searching for the earliest flight to Japan.

.....

My flight is in two days but I am already preparing my packing a lot earlier. I bid for the immediate one possible but due to the situation between Seoul and Tokyo , due to the conflict of establishment of Stellar , cuts down the number of flights operating across the two metropolitans. Nevertheless , I am still doubtful why , when and how she went to Tokyo , more specifically at the tree of hopes , to wait for me.

"buzz" my phone vibrated indicating a notification. I pick up casually but almost slip it out of my hand when i see the text message. Kim Chaehyun has appear after so much time.

The content is short and simple.

Eunho Park , 4:30
I will be there

.....

I don't know why she suddenly hinted about the tree of hopes and arrange me to meet at a small park until I reach the venue. Since it is spring , the sprouts inside the recreational area are soaked in pink blossoms. One spring gush and every flower whirls towards the breeze - as if they are in a prom dance. What a scene worthy of anime opening. Now , I connect the words of pink gushed streams - but I don't know what does it have to do with hope.

Looking at the map , there must be only one place the girl can be at and it is in the center of the park where exists a largest tree of the bunch - and the eldest as well and because of its large infrastructure, it produces more flowers and is always the prettiest photography spot. Surely , she must be at there.

Without bothering my decision with logic , I sprint up to the spot. The clock hits sharp at 4:30 at below the grand tree , I find a familiar face.

The girl is standing there alone - putting her hand out in the water to feel for raindrops when there is clearly not raining. Her hair are now pink - almost synonymous with the Sakura tree behind. With the breeze that carefully hugs her cheeks , her silk hair dances in rhythm in the petal - making her alluring ethereally.

She already spots me as I walk up to her but she doesn't call me out or wave her hand. When I reach next to her , I hug her. I transfer all of my feeling of needing her into one soft hug. It is a short one as she pushes away after a while. It is my fault as I should have ask for her permission.

"where have you been ?" My voice is obviously shaking at the moment. She doesn't even look you in the eyes now.

"you are trying to go to natsukashi , right? "

You still cannot get the four great alters out of your mind right ? "

She turns away from you now - all you can see are her back , her hair flowing with the wind and a question that you can no longer answer.

"You think of natsukashi as soon as someone mention sakura. You forget there are other sakura trees too"

"But you said it besto-" I am cut off. Her voice sounds impatient.

"Yes , this tree - may not be the natsukashi. But it bestows my hopes. Since the very first day my cloud is formed , I have hopes that is underlying beneath the tree"

She move closer to the tree and this time grips it with her hand tight. You don't need to confirm that she is already sobbing.

"Lee Hansol oppa , let's not meet each other again"

That sentence crumbles your entire world. Your stutters turn into silence as you feel shivers crawling onto your body. You are scared to lose her again - this time more insecurely.

"Why ?" - while asking the question , your voice is apparent that you are holding onto all strength not to collaspe. Chaehyun tries to smile after your words , although she feels regretful hurting you - she closes her eyes knowing this is right thing to be done.

"Because

You don't like me. You don't want me.

You just like the Yurina that you see inside of me"

There is a small pause until I tell her this.

"But I never told you her name was Yurina."

Chaehyun shifts her eyes, a tiny smiles forms on her lips for a short brief before letting out a heavy sign.

She leaves after that - her footsteps swiftening slowly into a fast spring. Little by little , she loses sight from you.

When realization hits , it is too far away already. I choose not to chase her since she will only run faster opposite from me.

----

Chaehyun , battling against the wind, running as far as she could.

Hansol Oppa , If only we could meet each other again , i want to meet you as Chaehyun , not kawaguchi yurina.
But this time , i guess it is the breakup under the sakura for me. No , this is a breakup for Yurina. And I hope one day -
Chaehyun herself will have a chance too"

The clouds moistens as they cannot hold in their tears.

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