☾ ....... ♡

"I'm sorry!"
"I'm sorry!"

We both looked at each other, shocked at our synchronized apologies.

"L-Ladies first"

I offered, trying to be a gentleman.

"T-Thanks..."

She put Euphoria down as she started to explain.

"About what happened earlier... I don't know anything about that guy. All I know is that his name is Neku. You know, like the one in Kingdom Hearts?"

I just nodded in understanding.

"He started talking to me and he seemed really nice, and so we started hanging out. I saw the others looking at him weird, but I didn't know why. I couldn't help but notice you were gone too, so I was really worried. Then he took me to the school garden, since I told him I haven't been there in a long time. Then, he just started talking nonsense, like Shakespeare nonsense. I couldn't understand what he was trying to say, but the next thing I knew, his lips were on mine, and I saw you crying... And when you ran away and didn't come back, I felt so guilty. And when we found you unconscious by the tree, I...just felt so lost..."

Lost...

Just like how I felt...

"I'm sorry that I hurt you Jisungie... I never wanted to hurt you, ever... You mean so much to me"

She then stood up, and got on her knees in front of me.

She grabbed one of my hands with both of hers, and held her head down.

"P-Please...., f-forgive me J-Jisungie...."

She sobbed, gripping my hand tighter.

She thinks it's her fault, because of me... I shouldn't have let my feelings take over... I'm the one who hurt her... The love of my life is hurt, because of me...

I got down on my knees to face her directly, and gently held her face up with my free hand. She looked at me with thousands of tears in her eyes.

I can't believe I did this to her...

"You did nothing wrong Y/N... I'm the one who let my emotions take over... I should've been more mature about it. I'm sorry that I hurt you princess..."

I don't know why, but it felt so good to call her that again...

She just suddenly hugged me as she continued to cry, and of course I hugged her back. I've wanted to hug her and comfort her more than ever since that night...

I want to be the one to protect her, to always be there for her, to love her...

-

After a few minutes Y/N finally calmed down, and she remembered something in the process.

"By the way Jisungie, why were you crying earlier, and what was in the bag you had?"

The gifts!

I completely forgot about them!

"Oh! I almost forgot to give you the gifts I bought for you~"

"You got me gifts?!"

She gasped in disbelief.

"Yeah~. I hope you'll like the-"

Suddenly I started coughing uncontrollably, making me collapse from my sitting position on the floor.

"Oh my gosh! Jisungie are you ok?!"

She yelled in fear.

"I TOLD YOU TO STAY IN BED!"

Donghyuck suddenly yelled, coming into the room.

"Where did you come from so fast???"

Y/N asked, resting my head in her lap.

"I never left. I was sitting in the hall-. THAT'S BESIDES THE POINT!! Jisung has a cold from being in the rain!"

"I-I'm fine..."

I sighed, feeling myself getting weaker again.

"Ugh, so stubborn... Y/N, help me get him back to his bed please..."

"O-Ok..."

"Mark-hyung! Open the door!"

Donghyuck yelled to his best friend.

"Alright!"

Y/N picked me up by my upper body, while Donghyuck picked up my lower body, and precious Euphoria just laid on my chest. He's so cute~.

They gently laid me in my bed, and covered me up quickly.

"I'll get his medicine"

Mark announced, getting the right amount of Tylenol from my nightstand.

"Jisungie... Why didn't you tell me you had a cold...?"

Y/N questioned, resting her hand on my forehead.

"I didn't want you to worry about me anymore than you already were..."

I explained, coughing a little more.

"Forget about all that... I just want you to be healthy and happy..."

"Jisung, take this. It'll probably make you sleepy, so now would be a good time to take it. But are you hungry?"

Mark asked, sounding like my own personal doctor.

I shook my head and took the medicine.

"Y/N, you and Euphoria should go to bed too. After all, one of you has school tomorrow~"

He ordered, petting Euphoria.

"Alright..."

Y/N looked pretty sad that she had to leave, but I rubbed it off, along with my eyes as I started to grow sleepy.

"Goodnight Jisungie~"

She said, smiling at me.

Euphoria meowed at me as if to say goodnight as well.

"Goodnight~"

I quietly yawned, drifting off to sleep.

-

4 Days Later
Saturday, 8:34

-

Apparently, from what the others told me, I was asleep for all of Wednesday and Thursday, and I finally woke up and started engaging with everyone yesterday.

Y/N was very happy to see me, as well as Chenle, since he's my best friend. We all stayed up all night together, and just hung out like best buds.

I was surprised to wake up so early this morning since it was a Saturday, and everyone else was still asleep from last night. But, I had a great idea suddenly.

I didn't mention this earlier, but during my adventures in that new city, I saw this huge cherry blossom tree. It was beautiful. And I know Y/N absolutely loves cherry blossoms.

So now, I'm going to show her that place today, and confess for real this time!

I slowly got up out of bed, as to not wake anyone up, and I started getting ready. I was able to get dressed and everything without waking anyone, surprisingly. They must really be tired.

I had another idea to write Y/N a letter, and put it in the bag with her gifts. How great am I huh~?

-

I left a note on Mark's nightstand telling him where I was going and why, but I also told him not to tell the others where I was going.

I also told him to tell Y/N to check her messages for my instructions:

To follow her maps for the directions, and to be there by 11:11.

And with that, I left after eating something light.

-

2 Hours Later
11:07

-

I stood under the cherry blossom tree as I waited for Y/N. While I'm here, I tell you what I'm wearing.

I have on a white collared shirt, with black dress pants and black healed dress shoes~. I didn't have the jacket on, so I just had it casually sitting over my shoulder~.

Classy~

"Jisungie!"

I heard Y/N yell, making it here one minute early.

"Y/N~!"

"So whats this abou-. Are those cHERRY BLOSSOMS?!"

"Yeah~, I knew you'd love it~"

"Oh! And is that the bag from before?"

"Yeah. I wanted to make this occasion special, like it was supposed to be last time"

"Occasion?"

"You'll see once you open the bag, but read the letter last~"

"Oh, alright!"

She opened the bag and admired all the gifts, blurting out multiple thank you's in the process.

I even gave her my Lion charm as an added measure. I know how much she loves Lion~.

"Wow~. Thanks so much Jisungie~!"

"It's no big deal~, but read the letter"

I said, slightly blushing as I looked down.

She pulled out a pink envelope and opened it. She unfolded the letter and started to read it out loud.

"Dear sweet Y/N,

Remember the times, when you helped me when we were young? When I was hurt, you always helped me, and you did the same for the others too. I wish I could've done the same for you back then...

Remember the times, in middle school when I strayed away from everyone except for Chenle? I even strayed away from you. I felt that he was the only one who was truly there for me, all because of my depression and social anxiety. I'm sorry if I hurt you when I pushed you away... I truly regret that now. I missed you...

But, remember the first day you came over? I was losing my marbles when I found out that you were coming over. It all happened so soon. And, remember all of the times we spent alone together? Like, when the power went out? Or, when we went to the store, the train station, and the arcade? Or even right now? Every fleeting moment that goes by that we spend together, means everything to me. You mean everything to me, you have ever since we first met as little kids. If you want me to get to the point, stop reading this letter and look at me. Let me tell you to your face~.

~Jisungie"

She looked at me in both awe and disbelief.

Aish... Of course she'd be a bit skeptical. She's never been confessed to before...

"W-What are you saying Jisungie...?"

I took a deep breathe, and got closer to her.

I put the letter back in the bag, and held her hands in mine. I looked into her eyes, blushing even more than I was before.

"What I'm trying to say is... I love you
Y/N..."

Her eyes widened at my straightforward confession, and tears started to leave her eyes.

"O-Oh jeez... I-I'm sorry... I d-didn't mean to make you cry again..."

"N-No no no! It's ok... The truth is Jisungie... Is that I-"

"You what?"

We both looked behind us, and I saw the same guy from before.

Neku...

"What do you want Neku? I told you to leave me alone"

Y/N scowled at him.

"Do you think that anyone would want to stay away from you pretty princess? I came here to confess to you too, but this asshole had to do it first"

She clung onto my arm, as she gave him a death glare.

I've never seen her look so mad.

"Just leave her alone Neku"

I scowled at him.

"No can do lover boy~"

He teased.

"You see, I've had my eyes on Y/N all year, but so have you. Every time I tried to get close to her, she was always with you and your stupid friends. Especially that asshole Renjun. Oooohhhh, he pisses me off. After that day when you ruined my first attempt at confessing to her, I wanted to try again, but this time, with extra fire power~"

He put his hand behind his back, and I heard people around us start to scream and scatter for cover.

My suspicions were proven correct yet again, when he pulled out a gun!

He plans to either get rid of me and have Y/N all to himself, or, like the saying goes, if I can't have her, nobody can. Either way, no matter what option he's chosen, he won't have anything if the authorities get to him.

But one thing's for sure, we can't just run. Our lack of vision from behind could make it easier for him to kill one, or both, of us. We just have to stay still where we can see him.

I have to protect Y/N, no matter what.

"We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Either way, blood will be shed~"

I held Y/N's hand to make her feel secure.

I can't let myself be swallowed by fear.

I can't run away from my problems like I've always done. I have to face this head on, or else he might go after the others too, if he's crazy enough to do something like that.

I must protect the ones I love, even at the cost of my own life.

"Give my princess to me right now, and maybe I'll let you walk away from this alive~"

"But you're scared, aren't you?"

I argued, trying to buy us some time.

I could see a few cops in the back that were eating at the ramyeon shop that I went to before. They were slowly sneaking up to us, so I had to buy them some time before they can close enough.

I can't let Neku find out that they're there.

"What are you on about now loser?"

"I can see that scared look in your eyes, and your hands are shaking. You don't want to kill me, Y/N, or my friends. If you kill me, you'll lose your only competition. If you kill Y/N, you'll lose the love you've been competing for in the first place. If you kill my friends, you won't have anyone left to hate, especially Renjun!"

He looked as shocked as Y/N was by my analysis.

I had figured him out from start to finish. But, he suddenly just started laughing. The cops were getting closer and closer, since he most likely couldn't hear them coming while he was laughing.

"There are plenty of other women in this world~, so taking Y/N's life won't be a problem~"

"Y-You're bluffing.."

Y/N retaliated, stuttering a little.

"Am I princess~?"

He pointed the gun at Y/N instead of me this time.

I could see his finger slowly pull against the trigger. Y/N started to slowly back away, which wasn't good. I tried to get her to come back, but she was lost in her fear. It's like her soul just left her body, and she can't hear me at all.

But finally, the cops were close enough to Neku.

"What the-?!"

The three cops jumped on him from behind, and Neku accidentally pulled the trigger. It was as if I could see the bullet coming for Y/N in slow motion.

But wait...

What in the world...?!

THERES THREE BULLETS!!

Y/N CAN'T DODGE OR SURVIVE THAT!!

I calculated how long it would take them to hit her, yes I can do that. I ran to her, and quickly jumped in front of her.

I groaned as I felt the impact of the three bullets invade my chest. I groaned more as I landed hard on the ground.

I looked over at Neku. He looked at me in shock and disbelief as I caught the bullets instead of Y/N.

"I-Impossible..."

He muttered.

The gun was too far from his reach so he couldn't get to it. I chuckled a little and smiled, no matter how much pain I was in, or how hard it was for me to breath right now.

Y/N finally snapped out of it and noticed me on the ground, weak and bloody.

"JISUNG!!!"

She got down to my level, and more tears started flowing from her eyes.

She grabbed my jacket from off the ground, and wrapped it around my wounded chest to slow the blood leaving my body.

She respectfully bowed to the cops and thanked them, and picked me up bridal style as she started to run home with me.

We can't go to the hospital without an adult after all.

"J-Jisung... Why w-would you do t-that...?"

"I...had to..... I d-didn't want y-you...., to d-die..."

"J-Just hang i-in there..., please..."

-

In The Car
Going To The Hospital

-

All of us could fit in the car, since it was as big as a limo for occasions like this.

All of the Dreamies were gathered around me and Y/N, who laid me across her lap.

"JISUNG, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"

Chenle yelled in disbelief at my current condition.

"He had to save Y/N... It was his top priority..."

Donghyuck explained, trying to calm Chenle down.

"You did the right thing Jisung"

Mark reassured me, making me smile.

"I swear, when I see that damn asshole...."

"Renjun-hyung. The authorities will take care of it. Holding a grudge for revenge isn't going to help Jisung now"

Jeno stated, trying to console Renjun who was burning mad.

"Just please try to stay alive Jisung..."

Jaemin pleaded.

"He will! Jisung is strong! I believe in him!"

Lucas cheered.

Everyone's so sure I'll make it, but I can feel it getting harder and harder to breathe. I'm not so sure that I can believe in myself to make it...

I think I'm going to die...

♡ ....... ♡?