Seoul, South Korea – October 18, 2016

LEE JIYEON | AYAKA

      Kai’s younger sister was never really my best of friend—we are far from that. She hated my guts ever since I called his brother names while we were in Japan. But I just can’t help but to laugh with irony that fate has brought us. I mean, who would’ve thought that the guy that I was calling a ‘jerk’ in Japan is now ‘my jerk’. And that girl who hated me is one of the most important women in my boyfriend’s life. Yeri is really evil but I know that she is sweet. I guess I just need to have a long patience when it comes to her, especially now that her brother and I are dating, for real.

      “What the heck is she doing here?!” a loud voice asked.

      I shook my head because I know who it is. I turned around and saw Yeri, surprised. She glared at me and huffed in annoyance.

      “Now Kim Yerim, do not be rude,” her mom hushed as she pat my shoulder, “That’s not how you greet our guest.” She muttered but Yeri just grunted in irritation.

      “I thought we’re going to have a ‘family’ dinner?” Yeri asked, emphasizing the word, ‘family’.

      Well, I guess she’s not yet ready to welcome me as a part of the family.

      “Well, Ayaka is part of the family.” Kai answered, leaving me surprised. Before Kai finished what he was about to say, his dad and older sister entered the scene, surprised to see me there.

      “But I thought that the engagement is cut off?” Yeri asked.

      Kai smiled as she slid his fingers in the space of my hands and held it. He looked at his family and made the announcement that left me speechless, “Ayaka Lee is my girlfriend. No games, no fake whatsoever. It’s real now and I love her,”

      His small speech left me speechless, as well as his sisters. But his parents weren’t—they applauded, probably happy with what happened between us and I couldn’t help but to blush with the sudden words that Kai’s mother exclaimed.

      “So, when’s the marriage?!” she laughed.

      Kai just laughed and shook his head, but his reply was what made me more embarrassed, “Soon, mom,” I couldn’t help but to elbow his side but he just winked at me, embarrassing me even more, “I love the violence,” he kid and I just rolled my eyes.

      “Well, I guess Jiyeon is really part of the family now.” his dad smiled as he gave me that very meaningful smile and it was as if he’s saying, ‘I told you so,’. I didn’t quiet get it until I remembered what he told me last time during Yeri’s birthday and I couldn’t help but to agree.

      After that announcement, I felt the warm welcome from Kai’s parents—his sisters on the other hand are another story. As we eat dinner, I can feel the daggers that Yeri was sending me through her deathly glare while Kai’s older sister never spared me a smile, not even a glance but for now, I am too happy to even care about that.

      “Have you guys told Jiyeon’s parents about this?” Aunt Kyunghee asked and Kai answered for me.

      “We will tell them when we go back to Japan but for now, we’re still sorting things out.” Kai smiled.

      I don’t know what happened to me but it seems like my voice left me and I couldn’t speak. It’s just that… I’m still nervous with what happened. I don’t know what they are thinking now but I just hope that I am really welcome in their home.

      “So Jiyeon, right?” I was surprised when someone talked.

      I looked up and saw Kai’s older sister, looking at me, as if she was waiting for something. Then it dawned on me that she was the one who spoke.

      “O-oh yes!” I muttered. “Yes, my name’s Jiyeon.” I stuttered, not knowing how to react.

      You know, Kai’s older sister is really intimidating. Her fierce look and all, add the first time I saw her—when she left the table and walked out.

      “So tell me, are you free next week?” she asked as she stared at me.

      “U-ugh…” I mumbled, not sure what to say.

      “She’s not free.” Kai interjected as he glared at his sister, “Stop scaring my girlfriend, noona.” He muttered, probably feeling the uneasiness that I was feeling.

      “I’m not scaring her Kai,” she laughed, “I just wanted to have a bonding time with her. You know, to get close to her.” She shrugged, “Yeri’s going with us too.”

      “What?! No!” Kai objected but I think his sister wasn’t paying attention to him as she looked at me, smiling.

      “Now Jiyeon dear, is next week okay for you?” she asked.

      I was scared to say the least. As I’ve said, Kai’s sister is really intimidating and I feel like she doesn’t really like me. And to think that I would be alone with her together with her evil younger sister, I couldn’t help but to hyperventilate. But I guess, if you really love someone, you’re willing to risk everything. And for my case, I want to risk my fear and try to win the hearts of Kai’s sisters. It will be hard especially with Yeri but I will try my best.

      “U-ugh, yeah,” I answered that made Kai look at me, surprised, “I’m free.”

      “A,” Kai called me but I ignore him.

      “Okay then, see you next Saturday. I’ll pick you up in front of your house.” She smiled and I just nodded.

      I don’t know what came into my mind but I must have been crazy to agree with Kai’s sister. The dinner ended happily, well, except for the fact that I really did agree with Kai’s sister but it’s too late to back down now. Kai accompanied me back home and I just lay down on my bed as soon as I reached my room—the nervousness and the tiredness taking a toll on me.

      “Why did you agree with her?” Kai asked as soon as he closed my bedroom’s door.

      “What do you want me to say Kai?” I asked, not looking at him because I was really tired. “I can’t just tell your sister no.” I answered.

      “You don’t know my sister,” he sighed as he sat beside me, “She’s evil and for all I know, she will find something that will make you hate me or the other way around.”

      I laughed at his reaction and shook my head, “You’re over reacting Kai,” I muttered, “Your sister won’t do that.”

      “You don’t understand.” He sighed as he found my hand and squeezed it. “My sister doesn’t like you—“ I laughed and cut him off.

      “I know that much, Kai.” I muttered, “That’s why I wanted to spend a day with them. I want to win their hearts.”

      “But my sisters are a hard work.” He reasoned out as he lifted me up, making me sit beside him, “I’m afraid that my sisters might go extreme, especially that my older sister likes Sooyeon more.” He muttered, his last words were merely a whisper but I was quick to catch it.

      I smiled bitterly. I don’t know why but whenever we’re talking about Sooyeon, I just can’t help but to feel threatened.  It feels like I need to prove myself everyday that I am much better than her.

      “Why do you think like that?” I asked.

      “My sister told me that she was happy that Sooyeon was with me. And she still thinks that I am still in love with her and I’m just forcing myself to be with you—which is not true.” He muttered.

      I just smiled, finding that assurance in between his smiles. I know that Kai loves me so much but sometimes, I would just ask myself if this is reality and whenever Kai says he loves me, it just snaps me that this is really my reality.

      “Then what is true?” I asked.

      “The truth is that… you’re the one that I love.” He exclaimed as he pulled me into a tight hug, “I love you so much Ayaka.” He whispered into my ears.

      My heart swelled in delight. Everytime I hear him say those three words, my heart just goes erratic and I’m always at bliss whenever those words leave his mouth.

      “I love you too,” I whispered and hugged him back.

      “Whatever my sisters say, don’t listen to them.” He told me, “I’m the one you should trust. Trust me always,” he muttered and I nodded.

      “I trust you with all my heart.”

Seoul, South Korea – October 21, 2016

BAE JOOHYUN | IRENE

      I have always asked myself, “what is love?” but everytime I try to find the answer, I was always brought back to square one. It was as if there is no such thing as the word love—like it doesn’t exist, well, at least in my vocabulary. Not until I left a man for such a selfish reason. It was then I realized what love really means. Love is patient, love is kind—but the most important thing is, love is unselfish and it is not self-seeking. Love is a sacrifice that everybody must be willing to take.

      “Joohyun-ah,” I was startled when somebody called my name. I quickly closed my laptop to hide the video that I was watching but I guess, I am too late to hide it. My mom walked towards me and smiled as she rubbed my back, “Are you still watching that?” she asked and I just couldn’t help but to nod.

      It was my first recital in New York after I got accepted in Juilliard. All of my teachers and coaches were amazed at how great I was in dancing. I was a great ballerina and they were really focusing on me. However, that all changed in the middle of this year. While I was performing for my third recital this year, I had a serious injury and to say the least, it is an injury in where I would never be able to dance ballet again. The news was devastating and it made me depressed. Until I decided to go to Tokyo to find the man whom I left a year ago, but I guess, I am too late.

      “Mom, am I selfish?” I asked and as if, she already knew where my questions were going, she smiled to console me and pat my back.

      “If you’re still thinking about what you did to Sehun, well, I think not.” She answered, “It was something that you really wanted to have. I don’t think it was an act of selfishness. Bravery is what I want to call it.” she muttered, “You know, I have always admired you for that.” She winked and I just smiled.

      “But I don’t think Sehun sees it like that,” I sighed but she just smiled.

      “Well, your mouth is there for a reason.” She muttered and I just nodded. “It is not always too late to tell him everything.” She told me but I just sighed.

      “He doesn’t even want to talk to me,” I muttered.

      “If he really loves you, he will learn to forgive you.”

      “I don’t know mom,” I sighed as she pulled me into a tight hug.

      “Everything will fall to where it is supposed to be. Don’t worry too much,” she muttered.

      I just hope that everything will soon fall into place because right now, I just can’t take Sehun out of my mind—no, rephrase that—I guess he never left my mind at all. After everything that I have done… after all that days spent without him, he is still the one that I crave for, the same person that I have loved and loves up until now. I will not back down.. I will get my Sehun back whatever it takes.

Romans 13:8 - Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.