바실래아

≡ pt.2:: ↷

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tw: death

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal."

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Jinhyuk balled his fists, shaking his head and refusing to affirm the priest's words. All noise was muffled in Jinhuk's ears. His sister being at peace with God was the least of his worries; he was furious to care about it.

All he cared about was revenge: against those who drove her to suicide. Revenge against those who caused her to end her life before she got to taste a happy one, a better one.

He wiped the tear escaped his eyes and walked, with heavy steps, to the podium.

He stood there. He smiled weakly at the audience, clearing his throat. He had to start speaking, but he couldn't bring himself to think of Aera or say her name.

"Aera..." he breathed.

"A-Aera was not an angel," he stuttered, his hands trembling.

He inhaled and finally began, "She had her flaws, but to her parents, friends, and me, she was no less than one. Um, I don't want her dead. I want her here, alive because we had so many things we wanted to do. SHE had so many things she wanted to do."

"She wanted to visit Disneyland, go to university in London, become a writer just like her favourite, Charlotte Bronte. She had many things planned, and I wish she was able to fulfil her wishes."

His voice choked, but he went on, clearing his throat once again.

"Honestly, I didn't imagine giving a eulogy for my baby sister, not at all. We had a pact when we were kids, and we swore we'd stick by it, always: that I'd die only at 97 and she at 99. It seemed silly back then, but now, I wish..."

Jinhyuk paused, spotting his parents cry as tears filled his own eyes.

"I won't bore you with countless special memories, so I'll end it here. Aera, you were our Moon: you were always there, shining brightly on our lives when we needed it, even though yours was darker and duller. To the lovable bunny who brought immense joy to everyone's lives, I'll miss you uncontrollably. Rest in peace, Aera."

He sniffled, muttering a sorry and shot out of the church, tears streaming down his face. But he wasn't the only one who did.

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By the cemetery, where Jinhyuk and his family buried Aera yesterday, a boy stood and gazed at her tombstone with a sad and regretful smile. He placed a bouquet beside it: it had dahlias, purple hyacinths and peach roses. He paced slowly back and forth, enjoying the view of the sunrise as the grass danced in the breeze.

Popping the toffee in his mouth, he returned to the tombstone, taking a seat on the ground opposite it. He stared at the sun, loosening his tie. He fetched a folded letter from his pocket, inhaling and looking up at the clear crimson sky before reading it out.

"I never understood why and how you liked sunrises and mint chocolate. Or why you preferred ballads and indie music over hip-hop. I don't get why you always drank Americano, even though you secretly liked boba."

"You hated hearing you were unique or different from other girls. You told everyone you wanted to be an ordinary girl with an ordinary job. Yet I know you actually wanted to chase your dreams. 

"I also know that I don't think life can ever be the same without your presence. I know we stopped talking a long time ago but seeing your smile every day was enough for me. And it pains me to accept that I can't anymore."

The boy sniffled, chuckling at his bad handwriting before continuing.

"I can still hear your whines whenever I called you by the name of that character. No matter how many times you asked me why I couldn't ever tell you the reason. Just like her, you were a bookworm with a weird fetish for flowers," he giggled at his own words, calming down and resuming.

"You knew how to appreciate the tiniest of things, and that is why I fell in love with you, Aera. 

Our little summer romance was short yet wonderful. Never in a hundred years did I expect to wake up at 3.45 am and travel for an hour just to see the sunrise,"

"Before I go, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for letting me know such an amazing person. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being you. And lastly, I'm sorry. You did not deserve this at all, and I feel guilty for not protecting you," he breathed, concluding his letter. He folded it again, putting back into his pocket.

He rose from his position, dusting the dirt from his school uniform before giving a last glance at the sun, which shone higher up by now. Tears threatened to fall from his eyes, but he wiped it off, muttering a 'Bye' as he walked away.

He noticed a tree beside, with a heart carving, as he mumbled the engraved words.

'Peter and Belle'

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