it is never over between us, but it is we that must end here.

"She said that?" Chenhan raises an eyebrow, my head slowly nodding. "Interesting. I thought she'd want to wear her favorite color- dark grey."

"Wouldn't it be sad if the person who died wore a dark color when everyone attending is supposed to also do the same? It deepens the already-destroyed ambiance, and I think Rena wouldn't want anyone screaming and yelling over her in black," Chenhan laughs, shaking her head. "Mahogany... will be just fine. I'll leave the choice of what you want to do with her after the service to you. You're her biological family."

"That doesn't make you any less of her family. If only you both were a bit older, I bet the both of you would've been married," I blush, hiding my face in the palms of my hands. I blink at the thought of seeing Rena in a veil, almost going crazy. "...I shouldn't have put that image in your head. Now, you must want to marry my sister. Forget about it!"

"S-Sorry!" I stammer, causing Chenhan to shake her head. "Thinking about our guests... is your mother coming?"

"...No, she isn't," Chenhan licks her lips, sighing. We had decided to meet outside of the hospital for the first time. We're in the middle of discussing Rena's funeral service, and how we want things to end on a rather non-teary note. "I asked her to come if she was able to. She said since Rena is no longer alive, she has no alliance with the family anymore. The only thing keeping her here was Rena. If you ask me, it was a waste of money. If she was only doing it for Rena and you knew she'd die, why do that to yourself?"

"Yeah, but we'd have to thank her for all the extra time we got with Rena. Your mother is a plausible person, though she may not be the nicest. I know that inside of her, she wishes to come. She just... doesn't like showing any other emotion besides arrogance," Chenhan's nod seems to agree with me, so I drink the coffee she bought me momentarily. After sipping, I widen my eyes in thought. "Oh, right. Did we get permission for your father's leave that day? I already prepared a section for him to read his words for her."

"I got permission, yeah," I sigh of relief, nodding. "The only ones attending seem to be whoever you invited, dad, you and me, and some of our cousins. Luckily, we don't have to spend too much money on the funeral house."

"Yeah, you're right," I say. "Say, Chenhan, if your mother were to come, what do you think she would have said about Rena?"

"There's no telling," Chenhan winces, taking a sip of her latte. "I think that she wouldn't have said anything. Though, at the same time, I think she would have a lot to say. Rena was often neglected at a young age by both mother and father. Yet, when mother started to pay more attention to Rena after the car accident that left her in paralysis, I think there's so much more she could say. As you say, she doesn't express her emotions in a comprehensible way. That's why it got harder as years went on to tolerate it."

"I sympathize with your mother. She's not a bad person," Chenhan raises an eyebrow, choosing not to respond. "She just doesn't want to show it. Yeah, she slapped me. It was out of concern for her daughter. Though she may not show all this love for you or anybody else, you'd also care more about the person who'd potentially perish, right? It's all a matter of that moment and what goes on inside her head. I know that deep down, she'll always care for her two daughters and her husband, no matter what happens after."

"You're right, you're always right," She massages her head. "I just choose not to accept it. I have lots of hatred for my mom."

"Well, you're getting to the point where you're loving her again."

"How?"

"You called her your mom instead of mother."

"...Shut up and focus on the funeral service."

"...Yes, ma'am."

"We gather here in the loss of my sister, Liu Rena," Chenhan announces, smiling as she beckons to the photo of Rena. I sit, staring at her photo. She was wearing white for this photo, but the girl in the coffin was dressed in mahogany. Mr. Liu had already gone, and soon after Chenhan, I'd have to say my drabble about Rena. "My sister asked me before she died to make sure nobody cried today. So please, refuse to shed your tears, as her successful departure to the afterlife depends on us."

I could see some people already tearing up, including her father who sat beside me. I smile sadly, patting his shoulder. Mr. Liu gazes at me, and I nod as if to show him that he had to be strong.

"We had initially decided to do this during March, but after some careful consideration, we prolonged this to April. According to her boyfriend, she deeply loves cherries. All of the sorts, we suppose," Laughter ensues among the family, and I kinda feel embarrassed. Must she put me on the spot? Well, it's alright- at least now, Rena's able to see the cherry trees with me and the rest of her family. "Anyway, this is our way to say our final goodbyes. I don't have much to say about my sister personally. All that she ever was to me was a graceful, elegant, and loving female. Rena had nothing much to bargain for and was always grateful she could live another day. I became a doctor to monitor her and take care of her. It was all I ever asked for."

"I don't regret anything. Sure, I have things that I wish I could've done with her before she died. However, Rena prepared me for this and prepared everyone for this. I think the only thing we can offer her at this time is our thanks," Chenhan laughs. "Liu Rena. All I needed with her was time. However, not everyone can get that at this time. I'm overall grateful to be her sister."

She nods, and it's silent. "Well... I guess that's the end of my speech. Jungwon, would you like to speak?"

I nod slowly. I can feel the eyes point themselves at me as I walk up, holding my speech in the palm of my hands. I can see the person I invited sitting next to Mr. Liu, nodding slowly for me to commence my speech. "Hello... I'm Yang Jungwon, the person who was lucky enough to become Liu Rena's boyfriend. Though we haven't been together for long, I can proudly say we knew each other for a year. She was always funny and could keep a conversation going. She always listened to what I had to say, though sometimes, she could be mean."

The attendees laugh, and I awkwardly scratch the nape of my neck. "I loved her through all the faults we had. I loved her for every reason everyone else did, so I am no exception. The only exception I had was that she confided in me, which caused me to feel special. Rena didn't have much to talk about with me, but when she did, it was wonderous. It felt like she owned the world, each piece of it," I say, clasping my hands together. I hesitate, and I feel no longer confined to that paper. I look up, smiling. "Rena was great. Rena... was always in favor of my youth. I owe it all to her that I started to care about myself more- and I owe it only to her that I was able to move on from my past."

"This is not my proper goodbye, just for now, I will see her later. I hope that all of us keep that in mind that she will not be permanently leaving, just looking after us with her spirit," I nod, everyone, smiling at me. I felt welcomed here. "Let us say thank you to Rena, always, for all that she has done for us in this small amount of time. She's amazing, and I'm glad to have gotten the chance to love her."

I step down from the podium, holding the paper I no longer needed. I sit back with Mr. Liu, who pats me for my bravery in my speech. Half an hour later, the service ended. People start to leave, greeting Mr. Liu on the way out and sending their condolences. I wait outside for my guest to come, and I see him from afar. I wave, him waving back. "Sorry, I had to call Jaeyun to pick us up. He'll be coming soon, and we can go for some food. How about it?"

"Sounds good," I clasp my hands together, exhaling. "I'm surprised I didn't shed any tears."

"Me too. I guess you've proudly kept those promises," He glimpses at the funeral house, pointing. "Who's that? I didn't see her at the service."

Instantly, I turn around. I see the heels and the fancy dress. I smile, seeing a glimpse of her face just before she goes in secretly. "That's... Mrs. Liu."

"Interesting," He says, hearing his phone buzz. "Oh, nice! Jaeyun's here."

I continue to stare at the funeral area, and just for a moment, I drag myself to where I could see Rena's photo for the last time. To you, Rena, I thank you for all the moments we've spent together. We were able to create new memories and dwell on the past ones. You created such a glimmering piece of me that I no longer want to remove, and have made me laugh for countless days. You have made yourself a keychain inside my heart that I will never unclip.

It's nice that you can no longer suffer. I hope that you, as well, will not dwell upon the past mistakes of anybody, especially your mom. I know that she cares about you the most at this moment. I hope you don't mind that I will teach others your wise way, starting with-

"Jungwon! Are you coming?" I turn around, seeing him laugh and grin happily. Jaeyun waves from the car, his brunette hair peeking out from the driver's seat. Sunghoon, I will teach you everything that she taught me. It was a promise to my youth, to my growing me... that I will be able to be happy and communicate. 

Thanks to you, my problems are resolved. All for you.

I take one more look at the funeral house, at you. You, too, became a sweet cherry blossom affair, Rena. Though we are no longer creating a type of cherry affairs,

we are prolonged in the ripe sweetness of love. Cherry romancing.

"Coming!" I laugh, my eyes crinkling as I run over to them. Sunghoon wraps his arm around me, the both of us jogging as we enter Jaeyun's car.

Always and forever, may our youth be peaceful because of you.

My sweet cherry...

I'll love you for eternity as well, Liu Rena.

See you later.

-an epilogue will come soon :) for now, cherry affairs have officially ended. <3