Tokyo, Japan – March 27, 2016 (Spring)

LEE JIYEON | AYAKA

      I still can’t believe that I will be leaving this place which I call home. I stared at my room as I sighed heavily and sat on my navy blue bed. I looked everywhere, trying to memorize my place. I will miss the jasmine scent of my room and my whole collection of Japanese, American and Korean novels. I can’t probably bring those with me so I decided to just bring three of my favorite books—Please look after my mom by Shin Kyungsook, The Fault in our Stars by John Green and Me before you by Jojo Moyes. But the thing that I would probably miss the most is my family, especially my brother who was always by my side whenever I need him. I can’t believe that a week had already passed and I’ll be leaving Japan today. Here I am, finalizing my baggage.

      “Are you done packing?” I looked at my door and saw mom leaning by it.

      “Yes mom.” I smiled.

      Mom smiled as she signaled me to come closer to her and I did. I went to her side and she quickly pulled me into a hug.

      “I will miss you, honey.” She mumbled, “Take a good care of yourself, okay?” she told me as she cupped my face.

      I drowned in the chocolate brown eyes of mom and smiled. I will surely miss my mom, especially her homemade food that is full of warmth and love. I will miss her soft curls and her floral scent that makes my nerves calm in a second.

      I smiled, “Yes mom, I will.” I told her, “Don’t worry too much. I’ll be the daughter that you always dreamed off. I will do everything to make you proud.” I added.

      She nodded and kissed me on the cheeks.

      “Come on, breakfast is already served. Your dad and brother are waiting for you downstairs.” She exclaimed as she led the way.

      We went downstairs and saw my brother and dad.

      “Come on everyone, let’s eat.” Dad exclaimed.

      The four of us sat down and immediately ate the food that was served. I will surely miss breakfasts with my family. How my dad holds his newspaper every morning, smelling mom’s freshly cooked pancakes and my brother’s countless teasing every morning before I leave for school. I just hope that when I finish my school, they will allow me to come back here in Japan.

      “Keiko will be the one responsible for you. I hope that you won’t give your sister any headaches.” My dad told me and I just laughed at him.

      Keiko Kitagawa is my adoptive older sister. She is already twenty two years old and she’s an orphan. Mom and dad bought an orphanage when they first came here in Japan and there they saw Keiko-chan who was only three years old. They instantly fell in love with her and wanted to adopt her. Mom and dad treated her as their own daughter and my brother as his own sister. However when Keiko-chan turned eighteen, she decided to find her true parents and she did. The only problem is that both of her parents are already dead so in honor to her parents, she changed back her surname to her dad’s which is Kitagawa. Mom and dad welcomed her still and she’s still my oneechan no matter what.

      “Dad, don’t worry. I’ll be in the best behavior.” I smiled.

      “I’ll miss you princess. I hope you’ll do well even though we’re away from you.” My brother exclaimed.

      I smiled and nodded. I will really miss my big brother when I leave Japan.

      My brother’s name is Kenji Lee or Lee Jaehwan but I love to call him Ken better, he is six years older than me that is why we’re really close with each other. People say that we don’t actually look alike since he has tanned skin, small eyes and plump lips which is completely opposite to mine. Well, it’s mainly because he looks a lot like my mom while I look a lot like my dad. He is working in our company but even though he’s so busy, he always finds the time to bond with me. He is always there whenever I need him, especially when it comes to boys. He makes sure that no one will make me cry because when somebody does, he will make sure to beat the hell out of that guy. I love my brother so much and just thinking of being apart from him, just makes me burst into tears. But right now is not a good day to cry because I don’t want them to see me cry, they will just postpone my flight because they probably feel the same.

      “We brought a new house near your school. It is the best house for two girls living alone.” Dad told me and I just nodded.

      “Thank you dad,”

      After eating, we readied ourselves and went straight to Haneda Airport where we will meet Keiko-chan since she just came from Kobe. She works at our company in Kobe so she’s mainly there but now, she will be coming with me in Korea. We will be leaving later and as I have heard from them, Keiko-chan’s boyfriend will be fetching us from the airport in Korea. After some time, our flight finally came and it was time for us to board the plane.

      “Keiko, take a good care of Ayaka. We entrust her to you.” Dad told Keiko-chan and she just nodded, “Be the best sister that can protect her.”

      “I will take a good care of her, don’t worry dad.” Keiko-chan smiled.

      “Dad, mom, oppa, I will miss you all.”

      I gave them one last hug before boarding the plane. I will surely miss them, as well as Japan. When I turned my back, I can hear my mom’s sobs which she was trying so hard to hold back the whole time. Because of that, I couldn’t help but to tear up as well. I quickly wiped my tears away as soon as oneechan placed her arms around me. She smiled at me and I just nodded. I turned back one last time and saw mom and dad hugging while my brother was staring at me, smiling.

      I’ll miss you guys.

      We finally boarded the plane and we got middle class tickets and it wasn’t hassle as I thought it would be. I was sitting beside the window while Keiko-chan was sitting beside me.

      “Yeri-ah, tell me if you’re feeling sick, okay?”

      I heard someone exclaimed. The voice sounds so familiar and I couldn’t help but to turn where the voice was coming from. I looked at the one who spoke and—“Omona!” I exclaimed, surprised. I immediately grabbed the newspaper from Keiko-chan’s grasp and covered it on my face. Oh my Gosh! What is that jerk doing here?! Can you believe it?! The guy I met last week is here! And he’s with the same brat from last time! Argh! Is this some coincidence or what?!

      “Ayaka, what are you doing?” Keiko-chan asked.

      “I’m reading,” I answered, not paying attention to her.

      My whole attention was at Mr. Jerk who was sitting so closely to us. I mean seriously, how can this happen?! I thought meeting him twice was enough! And now, he’s sitting so close to us!

      “Reading?” Keiko-chan laughed, “You’re good at reading upside-down, eh?” she mumbled.

      I looked at the newspaper and—“I’m really stupid,” I mumbled to myself.

      I was actually holding the newspaper upside-sown. Nice going, Lee Jiyeon. I immediately fixed the newspaper and went back on spying the guy.

      “Oppa, will mom and dad pick us from the airport?” the girl asked.

      Mom… and dad? Wait…

      “Yeap. Mom’s waiting for us to come back and she’s the one who will fetch us. Tell her that I did a great job as your big brother, okay?” Mr. Jerk smiled as he messed the girl’s hair.

      B-big brother?!

      “Of course! I really enjoyed Japan with you!”

      Wait… this girl is his sister?! I put my hand on my face with a face of disgust.

      “How can I be so stupid?!” I whispered to myself.

      I turned back to them but I was shocked when Mr. Jerk turned to my direction. I immediately covered my face with the newspaper and peeked. Good thing he just shook his head and turned back to his sister.

      Phew. That was close! Haah~ I just hope that we won’t cross our paths anymore in South Korea because I don’t really want to see his face, I just feel so guilty with what I’ve done.

      For the first time, I regretted placing my nose on somebody else’s business. I was quick to judge that man and I did something bad towards him.

      “Yeri-ah, will you be okay if I get myself a girlfriend?” I heard Mr. Jerk asked, “Will you tell mom?” he added.

      I decided to peek on them again and saw that Mr. Jerk was really serious asking his little sister.

      “Do you want me to tell her or not?” the girl asked.

      “Don’t. You know that I’m not yet allowed to have a girlfriend, right?” the man explained.

      What is he talking about? Then who is that girl I saw last week? The one he was fighting with? Isn’t that his girlfriend?

      “Then I won’t tell her,” the girl answered back, “Just make sure that your girlfriend is pretty.” She smiled.

      The guy smiled but I was shocked when he suddenly turned his head in my direction. I was startled, causing me to drop the newspaper that I was holding.

      “You?!” the girl squealed.

      Uh-oh. I didn’t know what to do so I immediately covered my face with the newspaper and pretended to be sleeping. Seriously Lee Jiyeon, how can you be in such big trouble?!

      “That girl is really something,” the girl laughed sarcastically, “Pretending that she’s asleep when we clearly saw that she was peeking and eavesdropping on us. Crazy ,” she mumbled.

      Did she just call me a ?!

      “Kim Yerim, watch your mouth.” I heard him in his stern voice and it was full of authority. “Let her be, that happened in the past. Let’s just forget about it.” He continued.

      I decided to ignore them for some minutes and after that, I didn’t hear voices anymore and thank goodness they weren’t sparing me glances any longer. I looked at their direction and saw that the guy was getting ready to sleep while the girl was reading a magazine. Our seats are so close! I just can’t believe it! How can this happen?!

      “Ayaka, douano? [Ayaka, what’s the matter?] I looked at Keiko-chan and she was looking at me curiously.

      “Sore wa nani mo, ani masen. [It’s nothing, sis.]” I smiled.

      She just smiled back and nodded. She went back on reading the magazine that she was reading and left me. I looked at the guy once more and shook my head. I just hate people like him. Guys who deny their girlfriends in front of people and I absolutely hate guys who shout at their girlfriends because personally, I hate being shouted at. Besides, that is what my father had taught me. I’m really sorry that I judge him quickly but still, the fact that he shouted at his girlfriend is unforgivable. But you know what, he’s handsome for starters. It’s just that, his personality stinks and he just wasted that handsome face of his, tsk.

      “Ugh, I hate him.” I mumbled under my breath as I looked far by the window and slowly, I drifted off to sleep.

Seoul, South Korea – March 27, 2016 (Spring)

      “Keiko-chan, are we going home alone?” I asked as I looked everywhere to see if someone is waiting for us.

      “Nope, my boyfriend is picking us up. He will take us there.” She explained.

      “Your boyfriend? Oh, the one that you were telling me?” I asked and she nodded happily.

      As I have said, Keiko-chan has a boyfriend. He is actually a Korean and they met in Japan when the guy went for a trip. I haven’t seen the guy yet but by the way Keiko-chan describes him, I’m sure he’s handsome. We went to the arrival area and searched for Keiko-chan’s boyfriend.

      “Kei!” we looked at our left side and saw a guy waving at us.

      He is tall and handsome. He’s like a model or an actor but I swear he’s really handsome. He has these beautiful small eyes, tall nose and clean cut jaw. His hair was a bit tousled but it made him more handsome. He was dressed like some son of a rich businessman since he was wearing a khaki polo shirt and aqua-colored pants with matching brown shoes. My expectations were met but he should make sure that he will never hurt my sister.

      “Welcome to Korea!” he shouted happily.

      Keiko-chan immediately ran to his boyfriend’s side and hugged him tight. I just smiled and walked towards them. I wonder when will be the time when I will have someone by my side just like Seojoon-ssi to Keiko-chan.

      “Ayaka, this is Seojoon. Seojoon, this is Ayaka.” She introduced.

      “Hello, nice to meet you.” I smiled.

      We shake each other’s hands and bowed to each other.

      “Come on, let’s go to my car,” he exclaimed as he lead the way.

      He put the luggage on the car trunk and let us inside the car. I was sitting at the back while Keiko-chan was sitting beside Seojoon-ssi.

      “Ayaka, does your eonni talks about me?” Seojoon asked.

      I looked at Seojoon-ssi and he was smiling. His smiles are really mesmerizing, I wonder if that’s the reason why Keiko-chan fell for him.

      “Yes, she talked about you. And oh, don’t call me Ayaka anymore. You can call me Jiyeon since we’re here in Korea now.” I smiled.

      “Jiyeon? Okay then, I’ll call you that.” He smiled.

      “How about you? What should I call you?” I asked.

      You know, I don’t want to call him Seojoon-ssi forever. That’s just awkward because I know for sure that he will be a part of our family one day. I can see very well that he’s a good guy and he surely loves my sister and also, I can clearly see the love and affection that my sister is giving him. He sure is lucky to have Keiko-chan and I hope that they will last forever.

      “You can call me oppa or Seojoon-oppa.” He exclaimed.

      “But you can’t call him Joon. It’s exclusively for me.” Keiko-chan joked and we all laughed.

New Characters;

Lee Jaehwan | Kenji
23 years old
Lee Jiyeon's older brother

Keiko Kitagawa
22 years old
Adoptive sister of Kenji and Ayaka

Go Seojoon
23 years old
Keiko's boyfriend

Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.