Seoul, South Korea – October 5, 2016

LEE JIYEON | AYAKA

      I woke up today still not believing what had happened yesterday. I dreamt about Kai’s confession over and over again at night—us together at the playground, telling each other how we feel and now, I just can’t believe that my dreams are becoming reality. When I woke up today, I pinched myself hard just so I could confirm that I wasn’t dreaming and that everything is much real—so real. Also last night, I told Keiko-eonni the truth. I told her that Kai and I’s relationship was all a fraud and everything was fake. She was shocked, of course but when I told her that we’re trying to make our relationship work for real this time, she couldn’t get happier for me. I haven’t told my parents and my brother yet but I will, soon.

      “Ayaka,” eonni knocked on my door while I was getting ready for school, “Kai’s downstairs.” She informed me.

      “I’m coming,” I answered as I sprayed my favorite perfume as I grabbed my bag and ran downstairs to meet Kai.

      And as soon as I saw him sitting on the couch, I couldn’t help but to smile. Lee Jiyeon, this is reality and you’re very blessed that your dreams had finally come true. The boy you love is right here, standing in front of you.

      “Ready for school?” Kai asked and I nodded, “Come on!”

      I walked towards him and grabbed his arms as we head towards the door but before we could even leave, I heard eonni’s voice coming from her room.

      “You need to be home before 8:00 PM, Ayaka!” she reminded and I just shook my head.

      My sister’s not really into curfews, she’s just messing with me.

      “Do you have curfew now?” Kai asked as soon as we stepped out of the house.

      “Naah,” I answered back, shaking my head, “She’s just messing with me.” I muttered, chuckling.

      “So you told noona about our real relationship now?” he asked and I nodded.

      “I just thought that now that we’re going to make it real, I wanted my family to know about it.” I told him.

      He just nodded as we started walking towards the bus stop. It was starting to get colder since the winter is fast approaching and I’m really giddy about the coming holidays since I would be visiting my family again back in Japan or maybe, they would be the one to visit me here. Either way, I just hope Kai would be with me this holiday since it would be our first time together for Christmas. Just thinking about it makes me feel excited.

      “What are you thinking?” Kai suddenly asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

      “N-nothing,” I smiled and realized that the bus already stopped in front of us.

      We went inside and sat at the back seat.

      “Yesterday…” he mumbled. I turned to him and listened, “What were your thoughts while I was rejecting Sooyeon?” he asked me out of the blue.

      “I was shocked—mad even.” I chuckled, “I already told you why. I’m not going to say it again.” I added, getting embarrassed by the minute.

      “But you know, I just realized that I’m kind of grateful to you for staying away from me for couple of weeks.” He muttered, confusing me, “Because that made me snap of my mind. Those days made me realize how I am madly and deeply in love with you.” He told me, “I guess if you didn’t stay away from me, I would still be clueless about my feelings for you.”

      I chuckled and shook my head, “So should I stay away from you again so you can realize how much you love me?” I joked and he quickly shook his head, alarmed.

      “Don’t you ever do that again!” he exclaimed, “Those days were torturous! I thought I was going insane when you stopped talking to me.”

      This guy seriously knows how to over react.

      “Don’t over react, Kai.” I laughed and he shook his head.

      “I’m telling you the truth.” He told me, “I missed you so much, don’t you know?” he asked, “Speaking of which, we should spend our lunch together since it has been days since we went to lunch together.” He told me.

      “I can’t,” I answered, his eyes quickly clashing together with my answer.

      “Why not?” he asked.

      “I wanted to spend my lunch with Myung today since I know that I will not be spending many times with him anymore since I’ve got a jealous boy—“ I was about to say boyfriend but quickly changed my term, “suitor,” I rephrased as I chuckled and he just laughed at me.

      “I thought you would answer me now,” he laughed, “I almost jumped in joy here!”

      “You need to pusuade me more, mister.” I told him, “I told you, I’m not easy to get.”

      He just laughed as he placed his hand on my head, making me lean on his shoulder. And right there, it felt right.

      “You know, I didn’t see this coming,” he chuckled.

      I looked at him for a minute as I leaned back to his shoulder, “Saw what?” I asked.

      “I never thought that the weird girl from Japan will actually change my heartbeat.” He chuckled and I just rolled my eyes heavenwards.

      Kai is getting mushier by the minute, we’ll get eaten by ants in this rate. It’s kind of awkward hearing these things from him since we’ve just started but I liked how Kai was opening his mind to me and for me, if we continue having open mind with each other, our relationship will definitely work—understanding is key.

      “Will you stop those sweet words?” I chuckled, “It gives me chills,” I joked.

      “But kidding aside,” he muttered, “I never thought that I would date you.” He told me truthfully.

      “Me too,” I laughed, “Because I don’t date some jerk,” I shot back, remembering the name that I called him the first time we’ve met.

      “Well, I don’t date some weird girl too.” He chuckled.

      We finally arrived at school and I couldn’t help but to feel nervous—I don’t know why. I guess because today’s the first day that we’re going to school while we’re dating for ‘real’. Besides, Chanyeol, Sehun and Gayoung doesn’t know about this, neither does Myungsoo and just thinking about telling them about our relationship just makes me want to go home. But thank goodness Kai is here to calm my nerves down. He said that we will announce it to our friends together and that there’s nothing to be afraid of, as long as we got each other. And for once, I agree with him.

      “How should we tell them?” I asked Kai as we went to the cafeteria before going to our class since we still have thirty minutes before our first subject.

      “Keep calm babe,” he winked, “I can handle this.” He told me.

      “Babe?” I asked him as I cocked my eyebrow, “Save the petname till I answer you, mister.” I told him as I walked passed by him and I just heard his thunderous laugh.

      That guy doesn’t really take my threats seriously.

      “Hey, wait for me!” he shouted while containing his laugh and right now, I just want to punch him.

      He ran towards my side and grabbed my hand as we head towards the cafeteria. And as we entered the place, we can clearly hear the loud bickering of Chanyeol and Sehun as well as Gayoung’s attempt to stop the two. I sighed and tried my hard to calm my nerves and when we arrived at their table. They quickly stopped as soon as they saw us, probably shocked to be seeing us again together after weeks of avoiding each other. Then their eyes shifted to our hands which were clasped together. Suddenly, I grew conscious and tried to yank my hands away from Kai but he tightened his hold on me and smiled at our friends.

      “What’s up with the hands?” Sehun suddenly asked as he took rounds around us.

      “I thought Kai would be all so dramatic today after what he did yesterday but I guess not.” Gayoung muttered, surprised.

      “Wait, are you guys okay now?” Chanyeol asked, “I mean, you’re not avoiding each other anymore?” he added.

      “We’re more than okay, Yeol.” Kai smiled.

      “Kim Jongin,” Gayoung called, “That smile’s weird.” She commented, “Tell us, what’s up?” she exclaimed as she crossed her arms on her chest.

      “Wait,” Chanyeol mumbled, as if remembering something, “A-are you guys dating?!” he asked, gasping, “For real now?” he asked, his mouth agape.

      “What?!” Sehun asked, surprised.

      Kai just chuckled at their reaction and nodded, “It’s real this time but we’re not yet dating officially.” He told them, “I’m still courting Ayaka since I wanted to prove to her how much I love her.” Kai announced as he pulled me closer to him.

      The next thing I knew, Chanyeol and Sehun were howling in happiness while Gayoung was smiling at me. I pulled away from Kai as I went to Gayoung’s place and hugged her tight.

      “I’m so happy for you Ji,” she muttered.

      “Thank you for all the patience that you have given me when I was stubborn about this feelings.” I told her and she just nodded.

      “I hope you guys will be happy.” She told me and I nodded, “And you!” she exclaimed as she pointed at Kai who was now with Sehun and Chanyeol.

      Kai turned to Gayoung, “What?” he asked, clueless.

      “Don’t you dare hurt my little Ji!” she threatened, “If you do, I swear, I will kill you!” she finished and all of us just laughed altogether. “But that’s serious, Kim Jongin.” She finished.

      “If you hurt Jiyeon, you will also have to deal with me.” Sehun exclaimed as he stood beside me.

      “And me too,” Chanyeol second the motion as he stood beside me too, leaving Kai alone.

      “Hey!” Kai exclaimed, “You guys are my friends! You should side me!” he blurted out and we all just laughed at him.

      After all those, we all decided to head back to our classes since it was almost time. When we arrived in our room, Gayoung, Kai and I went to our respective seats and waited for the teacher to come.

      “Here,” Kai muttered.

      I was taking out my notebook when Kai suddenly placed a box shaped thing on my desk, covered in beautiful red wrappers.

      “What’s this for?” I asked.

      “Nothing,” he shrugged, “I thought of you when I saw this so I thought I should give it to you. Besides, it has been days since I wanted to give it to you, I just didn’t have the time.” He told me.

      I quickly opened the gift and before me is a beautiful notebook with beautiful sketches of cherry blossoms on the cover.

      “Kai…” I called him as I wondered through the notebook—it was beautiful.

      “There were cherry blossoms and I quickly thought of you, so yeah,” he shrugged, “Do you like it?” he asked and I quickly nodded.

      “I love it,” I smiled.

      The teacher finally came in but I was still lost on the notebook as I opened it. I opened the notebook and was shocked to see the picture that Kai took when we went to the beach in Japan. It was the picture that I ran for, the reason why I got sprained. I touched the picture as I noticed that there was actually a note under it.

      The message was short but it was enough to make my heart swell in delight. After that, I closed the notebook and put it inside my back.

      I turned to Kai and smiled, “Thank you,”

Genesis 15:1 - After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great."