“Jinae…,” Hoya softly whispered. A smile lit up her face.

“You finally remember?”

“Absolutely,” he smiled. “I don’t even understand how I forgot something so significant.” Jinae shyly smiled and dropped her head. He reached for her arm to check if there was any bruise. There was none. Not even a faint mark. He hugged her in relief.

“He doesn’t hurt you anymore?”

“He couldn’t now.” She smiled and gently placed her hands on Hoya’s waist. This made him frown.

“You… You feel so cold.” He mumbled in confusion. He moved back, keeping his hands on her shoulders, and looked deep into her eyes. “Why are you cold? The weather is quite warm.”

She didn’t answer and just smiled. This only made Hoya more worried. She gently held his hands and removed them from her shoulders.

“Hoya, I have to tell you something.” She looked up to meet his chocolate eyes. “That same day you saw me on the swing, my father did something… Different.”

A flicker of pain passed her eyes. “When I got home that afternoon, he was absolutely mad. He beat me up, as always, with his belt as he ranted on about how useless I was. Then I did something, even I, myself, was shocked.”

A proud smile formed on her lips. “I grabbed a vase and slammed it on his head. I tried to run, but I didn’t realize my legs were already beaten that bad and he was able to catch up to me. He started beating me again, but this time, with a chair.”

Rage filled Hoya’s eyes. His hand itched to wrap around the throat of Jinae’s father. Jinae put a hand on his cheek to calm him down.

“It’s okay now. All the pain is already gone.”

“H-how did you survive?” He couldn’t imagine how much pain she had to endure. Once again, Jinae softly smiled, yet her eyes were full of sadness.

“Hoya... I did not survive.”

As cliché as it may sound, time seemed to stop.

Hoya blinked a few times, confused. “Wh… What do you mean?”

“I died.”

His heart felt like it turned to ice. He nervously chuckled. “Jinae, don’t joke like that. That’s impossible. You’re right here, I can hold you.”

She shook her head sadly. “I came back to return your scarf. You said it was your favorite, so I’d be guilty if I’d be keeping it.”

“You didn’t answer me clearly. Tell me it was just a figure of speech.”

“I know it’s hard to accept, but it’s the truth. I’m so sorry to disappoint you.” That’s it. Hoya choked as his tears spilled. He hugged Jinae tightly as though she would disappear if he didn’t. She wrapped her arms around his torso and let him hold onto her.

“I knew I should have accompanied you home. I knew I shouldn’t have left you.” He wanted to punch himself for being such an idiot. How could he risk the life of a girl just for a small performance?

Jinae pulled away and held his cheeks. Once again, she gave him a solemn smile. “Don’t blame yourself. This is nobody’s fault but my father’s. It’s okay.”

Hoya blinked back his tears and put his hand over hers. “Do you have to go?”

She nodded, and he sighed. He reached out and pulled her by the waist. “I don’t want you to.”

“But I have to.” He sighed once again and enveloped her in another hug. He kissed her strawberry-scented hair and lowered his head to look at her.

“Have you realized that you stole my heart the day that we met?” Jinae looked at him in confusion. He moved an inch closer. “And I think it’s unfair that you’ll leave me. Leaving while you still have my heart.”

A forlorn tear slid down his cheek as he leaned down to land his lips onto hers. She felt so soft… like cotton. Hoya savored the moment to feel her… Understand her… And at least take a little piece of her before she leaves.

“I don’t know how empty I would feel when you’re gone.” He whispered against her lips. She softly smiled.

“It’s okay. Just think that my pain is finally over. Think that you were the one and only person that made me happy on my last day.” She stepped back with a wide smile. “For now, I’ll return your scarf. Follow me!”

She abruptly ran away which startled Hoya. His instincts kicked in and he ran after her.

“Jinae! Don’t run too fast!” he wasn’t afraid of tripping or getting tired. He was afraid that once she disappears from his sight, he would never see her again. He got a glimpse of her black hair and he followed it, worry starting to fill his brain.

“Jinae! Where are you?” he called out and looked at all directions. No Jinae. He whimpered and bit his lip to prevent his tears. He looked up at the orange sky. Has he been out for too long?

The jingle of chains caught his attention. It was from the swing. He double-took his surroundings, and realized that he was in the playground he and Jinae met. Something white was neatly folded and placed on the swing. Hoya approached it out of curiosity and picked it up, later realizing that it was his scarf. The one that he lent Jinae. He noticed a sticky note on the metal chair and peeled it off.

Hoya,

   Thank you for lending me this scarf. It surely dried out my tears, didn’t it? Please don’t be sad now. I’ll surely miss you too, but I’ll wait patiently until we meet again. Take care of yourself!

~Jinae~

Hoya let out a long, shaky sigh. He looked up and forced a smile, believing that she must already be up in the heavens, watching him.

“Hoya!” Sunggyu’s voice rang from behind him, and he quickly folded the note and stuffed it into his pocket. “Did you know I was practically searching for you everywhere?”

“Uh… Sorry…” he blinked to dry his eyes, so Sunggyu wouldn’t have to bug him and ask why he had watery eyes.

“Why don’t we go back now? I already got everything.” He lifted the plastic bags he was carrying as proof. Hoya just nodded and trailed behind him. For the last time, he glanced at his back and thought he saw Jinae sitting on the swing, smiling. He quickly turned around, but she wasn’t there.

“What?” Sunggyu lifted an eyebrow. Hoya’s shoulders dropped and just continued walking.

“Nothing.” He sighed.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞-The End-∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞