Sunayama beach, Miyakojima Island, Okinawa, Japan – July 3, 2016

LEE JIYEON | AYAKA

      I don’t know if it is the sun or is it really bright in here. I can see Kai clearly… his perfect-cut jaw line, his cute nose and beautiful eyes. Everything… I can see it all clearly. The surrounding suddenly became blurred and all I can focus on was him. I don’t know what is happening but I sure like it.

      “There, you’re all set,” he smiled as he pat my head like I’m a cute dog.

      “T-thanks,” I answered back, stuttering.

      After fixing my gears, we rode the bicycle together and Kai was showing me how to ride it but I wasn’t listening since I’m not interested. Kai told me to ride it with him and when I did, he started pedaling. The wind started to brush through my face and I can feel the rays of the sun touching my skin. I was holding on to Kai’s waist and good thing that we’re not awkward or anything. Kai stopped by the bay. It is the part of the beach where few people go to but it looks exquisite. You can clearly see the rock formations and other beautiful things.

      “Wow,” I exclaimed.

      “It’s really beautiful here.” He exclaimed as he parked the bicycle.

      “What are we going to do here?” I asked.

      “Nothing, we’re just going to talk, I guess.” He answered back as he sat down on the sands.

      “I really hope you like it here in Japan.” I muttered as I sat beside him.

      “Well I do!” he exclaimed happily, “Japan is like Korea so I like it. By the way, this has been on my mind ever since that day.” He muttered.

      “What is it?” I asked.

      “What were you doing that time when we first met?” he asked.

      I smiled as I remember that day… the first time we met.

      “Well, I was watching the cherry blossoms that day since I would miss it once I go to South Korea.” I answered back.

      “There’s cherry blossoms in Korea too, you know.” He exclaimed as a matter of fact.

      “I know but for me, Japanese cherry blossoms are different. Besides, it is one of my favorite things in the world.” I told him, looking at the sea while the ocean breeze was whipping passed my face.

      “Favorite? Why is it?” he asked.

      I smiled wider and looked at him for a moment, “I was born on the time of spring here in Japan and mom said that during that time, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. She gave birth to me in Sapporo where the cherry blossoms bloomed the most and she just couldn’t help but to name me after the flowers, Ayaka. Maybe that’s why I’m very attached to cherry blossoms.” I explained.

      “Oh, so you were born here.” He pondered, “I thought you born in Korea and you just moved here.” He muttered.

      “Nope, I practically grew up here in Japan and the only reason I went back to Korea is because of my dad.” I told him.

      “What about your dad?” he asked.

      “Well, he wanted me to learn my motherland’s culture. You know, he’s really patriotic.” I told him.

      “Oh,” Kai nodded, “How about your name? How did you get it?” he asked.

      “I told you already, I got it from the cherry blossoms.” I laughed.

      “What does ‘Ayaka’ means?” he asked again.

      “Colorful flowers,” I smiled, “How about you? What does your name mean?” I asked.

      He smiled at me and shrugged. He looked back far at the open sea and started talking, “My mom has a small brother who died after an accident named ‘Jonghyun’. She was deeply scarred with what happened and decided to follow my name to my uncle’s. She took the first syllable ‘Jong’ and paired it with ‘In’ which means benevolence, hoping that I would be a kind and compassionate kid.”

      “Your name has a deep meaning, it’s so great.” I muttered.

      “But they are wrong with using ‘In’.” he exclaimed, “I’m far way from being a kind or compassionate kid.”

      I was surprised with what he said. I mean, does he think that he’s not kind? I have seen that side of him and I am sure that he is what his mom is claiming him to be.

      “You’re wrong,” I exclaimed, causing him to turn to me, “You’re nice… and compassionate.” I told him and he was just there… staring. “I have seen you act in those ways and I know that what your mom claimed is right! Isn’t it nice of you to give me medicines while I was sick? You’re also compassionate and caring especially when I fainted back then.” I smiled and messed his hair, “Now tell me that you’re not nice or compassionate.”

      He was still staring at me and finally smiled. The sun was reflecting on his skin and his smile was so precious that I wanted to capture the moment. His hair was already messy because of my gesture and also because of the strong winds.

      “You always make a way to cheer me up, huh?” he smiled.

      “Of course,” I answered, smiling.

      “Anyway,” he muttered, changing the topic, “Are you hungry? Because I am,” He told me as he looked at the hotdog stall near us.

      I laughed at him and nodded, “Well, I’m starving too.”

      Kai stood up and helped me get back on my feet. We were on our way to the hotdog stall when Kai held my hand… and once again, I felt that strange feeling. I looked at our hands, intertwined to each other and looked back to his face. Why am I feeling this way?

      “Wow,” I was back from my trance when Kai wowed.

      I just noticed that we already arrived at the hotdog stall.

      “Order for me since I can’t speak Japanese,” he pouted, showing me his cute side.

      I almost hit his head but good thing I didn’t, “Yah! Stop that, you look disgusting.”

      He just laughed and pointed at the German Franks, “That’s what I want.” He muttered, “And oh, add some cheese and ranch too.”

      “What?” I asked, he wants ranch dressing in his hotdog? “You have some weird sense of taste.” I muttered and went on ordering.

      I started ordering and after some minutes, we got our order. I got Original hotdog with cheese while Kai got German Franks with cheese and ranch dressing. We were eating by the bay, just chilling when I noticed the camera hanging on Kai’s neck.

      “What’s that?” I asked.

      “Camera, duh.” He answered back.

      Sometimes, I think Kai is a y woman from the outer space but well, he’s just grumpy old Kai. I shook my head and hit his tummy playfully.

      “I know that it’s a camera, you moron.” I muttered.

      “I’m not a moron, you are.” He shot back at me as he finished the hotdog with one last bite. “You’re asking me what is it when it’s clear that it’s a camera.” He exclaimed as he rolled his eyes heavenwards.

      “Stop that or I’ll poke your eyes out.” I threatened, “Anyway, why would you even bring that?” I asked.

      “To take pictu—“ I immediately cut him off and fed him with my last bite of hotdog to stop him from talking.

      “Do not answer that anymore.” I exclaimed, “Anyway, let’s just go.”

KIM JONGIN | KAI

      Ayaka and I are still here at the bay, watching the sea and seagulls fly. It’s getting boring, really. I told her that we should get going now and enjoy the beach but she said she wanted to wait for the sunset and watch it. I turned to her and she was just there, staring at the open air… watching the water meet the shore and see the crabs crawl.

      “Pretty,” I whispered unknowingly.

      I don’t know to whom I was referring to. Is it to the beauty of the beach or to her? I stared at her once again and I couldn’t help but to smile. She really got that perfect nose, beautiful doe-like eyes that can make you drown into millions of emotions, luscious lips that I have yet to try—wait, what?! Did I just say that! Scratch that, red lips that are like cherry! Yes, that’s better. She just screams perfection and I couldn’t help but to think the possibilities. If we met earlier, would I like her more than Sooyeon? I mean, she’s a really great friend! She’s always there whenever I need her and she’s a shoulder to lean on. Would have I fallen for her if she came to my life earlier? I smiled and took my camera. I quickly snapped a picture of her but she was quick to feel it.

       “Yah!” she shouted, causing me to stand up in surprise.

      “Waah, you’re really beautiful here.” I smiled as I look at the shot that I took.

      “Yah! Bring it here! You should’ve told me that you’re going to take a picture!” she shouted and tried to chase me.

      I quickly ran away from her, going to the warm water. She followed me even though she already got wet.

      “Yah, Kim Jongin!” she shouted again.

      I was laughing so hard since she was being swayed by the strong waves.

      “Catch me, Ayaka!” I shouted at her.

      I went back to the dry sand and she followed me again but I was shock when she fell, tripping on one of the rocks.

      “Ayaka!” I shouted as I ran to her aid.

      “Aaw,” she exclaimed as she held her ankle.

      I looked at her ankle and saw how red it was. I felt really guilty with what happened since I’m the reason why she tripped. I held her ankle and looked back up to her.

      “Are you okay?” I asked.

      She nodded and looked at her ankle, “I’m fine but I think I sprained my ankle.” She exclaimed.

      I looked at her ankle and it was swelling but good thing it’s not that bad. Aish, why did I even told her to chase me?! I’m not only feeling guilty but I also feel sorry and bad for her but for now, I need to treat her ankle so it won’t turn to much worse. I turned back from her and sat down.

      “Hop on,” I exclaimed.

      “W-what?” she asked, surprised.

      “I said, hop on.” I muttered, “You can’t walk like that, you’ll just swell it more.”

      “B-but… I’m heavy,” she reasoned out and I can’t help but to shake my head.

      Aigoo, girls are really sensitive when it comes to their weight, huh?

      “Just get on,” I instructed, “Your brother will kill me when he finds out that you sprained your ankle because of me.”

      “U-uhm…” Ayaka exclaimed.

      Before she could reason out again, I quickly grabbed her arms and placed it on my shoulders and carried her.

Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.