Author's note: Heyyyyyy! It's been a while! I'm finally back with a new chapter! I promise I will post more chapters or maybe try to finish this fanfiction by the end of the year 2018. I'm planning to do seven more for this fanfiction, but I'll also have to see how this story goes! In the meantime, I hope you'll enjoy reading this chapter!

Thanks, everyone! I love you all! <3 

December 24, 2016 (Sunday)

Wookie has been bothering me these past few months. He keeps saying that he has the same dream. That dream of him spotting the mysterious man peeping behind the cherry blossom tree. I know that he's trying to think that Junwo is not the shadow, but the more he complains about the countless times he sees him, the more he is worried that he will be attacked on any day. I don't want to believe that Wookie is destined to be killed. I don't want to believe that his life will come short. We've been together for about five months now, and I look forward to having more unforgettable moments with him, so why would I let Wookie have delusional thoughts on a murderer who is trying to stop us from loving each other? And what about our destiny to unlock the sakura's charm? We've promised Mr. Lau and the others to fulfill the mission. 

        Wookie. My precious Wookie. I want him to stay bright and positive. He's been looking so down, and I miss his cheerful self. Yesung notices it too. Wookie hasn't had much of an appetite, so he passes half of his bento to me for weeks. Usually, I would pout and beg him to give me one of his egg rolls or deep-fried cucumber rolls. But he's been giving me a lot more than I expect. I mean, it's nice but...it doesn't feel right. Is he suffering from depression? What if he thinks that his life isn't worth it? What is all he thinks about is when he would die? 

        I'm lost in my train of thought as I stroll on the walkway. Due to the wonders of winter, the river is now a gigantic frozen stripe. Snow is not as heavy as the first few days. Some of the cotton-like drizzle kiss my cheeks, but not as sweet as Wookie's lips. The icy wind is like a knife slicing against my face. Lines of a white pile on the fences of the river and branches of the bald sakura trees. Winter has decorated the earth, but not enough to grant happiness. I'm not surprised. This atmosphere matches my mood. But, there's no way I'm letting this controlling over me. I don't want to lose my Wookie. I don't want him to lose hope. I know that I should trust him. I do trust him, but not to the fact that he's on a life or death matter. And if his dreams of that stalker is actually a sign, I should find a way to protect him. 

         I am about to turn back when I see a slightly shorter man walking about twenty feet in front of me. That's weird. I don't remember walking in front of someone here. It's too cold to take a walk here also. I watch as the man lifts his head; to my surprise, a chain of fresh snow suddenly swirls around his head like a halo. It grows bigger till it circles his body. That pattern looks familiar. It reminds me of...that whirlwind of petals when Wookie and I were in back when we were little. Could it be? 

        The man stops. He turns his head slightly, which causes the enchanted snow to drop. "It's gonna be a beautiful white Christmas this year, don't you think?" he asks. 

         I stop. As I look behind, no one is around. "A...are you...t...talking to me?" I stammer. 

         He turns around. He has a buff body build with broad shoulders and biceps that are exposed in his sweater sleeves. However, his eyes are a gentle dark brown. "Indeed I am." he smiles, "Is there a problem?" 

         "Um...it's just...I'm surprised that you know that I'm behind you." 

         "I have my ways." he chuckles, "Winter seems to call me like an angel's voice. That's what I can hear the slightest footsteps." 

         "What do you mean?" I ask, "That sounds impossible." 

         "Anything's impossible unless your heart tells you to do so," he winks, "Cho Kyuhyun." 

         My eyes widen in surprise. "H...how do you know my name?" 

        "Like I told you! I have my ways!" he shrugs. 

        "Are you a ghost or something?" 

        "Ghost? Good heavens, no! If I'm a ghost, then why I'm here talking to you? Do I even look like a ghost to you?" 

        "Then," I say as I scratch my head, "how do you even know me?" 

          He looks at me for a moment with a relaxed smile. "It's not the time for me to tell you. You will find out soon." He takes a few steps before he looks back again. "By the way, you should probably use chapstick. You wouldn't wanna kiss your boyfriend with chapped lips, would you?" 

         "Huh?" 

         "Good day, Kyuhyun." 

          I watch him walking away in bewilderment. Questions start to whirl in my head. H...how the heck did he know my name and the fact that I have a boyfriend? Did he spy on us? I swear I don't know him. At all. What if he's working for Junwo to lure Ryeowook and me into a trap for Junwo to kill us? 

         "What are you looking at, Kyu?" a familiar voice made me jump. He is standing next to me. 

         "Oh! Wookie! You're here!" 

         "Yeah, I just got here." he says and stares concernedly, "You look spaced out. Is something wrong?" 

          "I...I was..." I point to the direction where the man is heading to, but as I look ahead, the man has disappeared. 

          "Kyu?" he waves his hand over my eyes. As I look back at him, he holds both of my gloved hands. "Are you okay?" 

           His touch and tone of concern melt my heart instantly, but my conscience reminds me to get to the point. I've texted him this morning to meet up here at the Sakura park at this freezing weather, so I have to talk to him. I know this is not a perfect spot to do so, but it's pretty much the only private place I can think of since no one would stroll in this condition. "The question is....are you okay?" 

           His brow furrows slightly. "Me?" 

           I nod. "The thing is...I hope you can lay off your worries about your nightmares with that shadow." 

           "Kyu, what have I told you?" Wookie sighs as he shakes his head, "This is my problem, not yours. You shouldn't have worried too much about me. I see the shadow in my dreams, so I should be aware that I will be killed on any day." 

            "Well, can't you see? I'm hella worried about you! You're not yourself these past few months! I wish I can actually do something to help you!" 

             "What do you think you can do, Kyu? You think you can control my nightmare?" 

             "Of course, I can't do that! But still, I want to help!"

             "Well, why don't you ask a wizard? Maybe you can find a freaking spell that can cure me." 

             "Wookie, don't you think that you're overreacting? How can you even be so sure that he's after you?" 

           "Yes, I am overreacting! But I'm overreacting because I'm afraid. Afraid that I'm not given a long-lasting time to love you." That cut me off. I feel a pang in my chest. "Do you think I can control those nightmares? No! They happen naturally, Kyu! And I wish I can escape from those ty dreams, but I can't. We haven't unlocked the charm yet, and we have to wait for three more freaking months for the cherry blossoms to bloom. To be honest, Kyu, I'm sick of all this waiting and the mission and all, but I know that we're the destined couple, and we have a mission to do. And with these nightmares that happen to me, I can't bear it." 

             We stare at each other for the heavens, know how long. Tears trickle from his eyes. "Do you love me?" I blurt out. He continues to look at me without saying a word. "Do you love me?" I repeat. He bows his head and sobs. I wrap my arms around him and let him wet his tears on my chest. He grips my coat as tightly as he could. 

             "O...of course...I...l....love you....y...you idiot!" he says between sniffles. I smile a little and rub soothing circles on his back.

             "If you truly love me, then you should never worry that we will stop loving each other, okay? No one can break us apart, even that shadow. I can promise you that. Remember this, okay?"

            "Okay," he whispers.

            I cup his face gently. "I'm sorry, Wookie. I shouldn't have pushed you just now." 

           "No, I'm sorry, Kyu. I shouldn't have yelled at you." 

           "Guess we're even then." 

            Wookie giggles. I wipe his tears before giving him a sweet kiss. As we kiss some more, he reaches his fingers for my hair. Every time our kiss gets deeper, I feel as if my heart sets aflame. I can no longer feel cold because our kisses are like a fire starter. Shortly, we pull our lips apart. Wookie sighs before he speaks, "Kyu, if something happens to either one of us, what can we do?" 

            "We will protect each other, right?" 

            "But what if we fail?" 

            "Then, we have to admit that we haven't tried hard enough."

             He pauses for a moment. "You've protected me more than once, Kyu. I want to return the favor." 

             "But, I thought you say you will be Junwo's target." 

             "I know. What I'm saying is, I don't want Junwo or anyone else to destroy either one of us. Even if I have a feeling that Junwo will be coming after me, I think he's going to go after you as well. 

            "Wookie..." I murmur. I peck on his forehead. "You and I are to unlock the charm of this park. Just a little longer, we will make it happen. Sungmin Sensei, Mr. Lau, Yesung, and all of Japan are counting on us. And whether the shadow will be after us or not, neither one of us will be gone, because we're living in this world to set a spell free. To give the world what is missing. Besides, thanks to you, I've found what my heart is looking for, and that is you, Kim Ryeowook." 

           "You're right, Kyu," he beams, "and you've made me realize that you're the one for me. We will protect each other, no matter what." 

           "No matter what." I agree. 

                                                                         *                                           *                                     *

           Since my parents are still in Korea and my nonna is in Europe, Wookie and his homestay family invite me over for Christmas Eve dinner. Leeteuk-san's and Wookie's cooking is terrific as usual, and I promise Donghae and Eunhyuk to open presents with them tomorrow morning. I've told them that they shouldn't have invited me over, because I think they should do it as a family. But Leeteuk-san says, You're an important person to Ryeowook, and so you're a part of our family too." This touches me so much. My parents didn't get to fly to Japan to visit me for Christmas ever since I became a university student, because most of my relatives are still in Korea and so they have to accompany them for dinner and other Christmas family traditions. Aside from that, they still have work to do, even on Christmas day. So instead of celebrating alone this year, I've had the best Christmas in Japan. If I haven't had reunited with Wookie, I won't get anything as merry and warm-hearted as this. 

           Since I get to hang out more with the kids the next day, I sleep over at their place tonight. Before I wash up, I remind Wookie not to prepare the futon for me. He rolls his eyes and says, "I know that. You've slept here for like ten times already." 

           "I'm just teasing you." I chuckle. Wookie punches me lightly in my right arm. Oh, I love teasing him! After I've gone through my routine, I go back to see Wookie scrolling through stuff on his phone. When he sees me, he has a worried look on his face. 

           "What's wrong?" I ask. 

           "Don't you think you should celebrate Christmas with your family?" he spills. 

           "Well, you know that my parents are busy with work as always, even during the holidays." 

           "But back then, when we were kids, we went to your place, and your mom always had her gingerbread-shaped shortbread ready. And I remember that your dad took us out for snowball fights at your backyard." 

            I smile and crawl on the bed to sit next to him. "I know how much you miss those moments. I miss those times too. But things change, and my parents can't escape from the work-life they're in now." 

             "It's just that...now that I'm back, I thought I could see your parents again...and bring our childhood memories back to life." 

              I put my left arm around his shoulder. He rests his head against my chest. "I understand...and I'm sorry." 

             "No, don't be. It can't be helped anyway. One day, I'll see your parents again, right?" 

             "Yeah." I nod, "What about your parents back in America? You don't get to celebrate Christmas with them this year." 

              "I know. Sad huh? But I've talked to them on Skype this morning. They said they would give me their Christmas present by the time I come back." 

              "I see." My heart sinks a little. "Speaking of going back, that means...you have..." 

               He lifts his head to look at me. "About three months left." 

              "Time flies so fast." I sigh sadly. 

              "Kyu," he says, and he my cheek, "Let's spend as much as we can together, okay? I don't want to think about departure or anything sad about our relationship." 

               I breathe while trying to collect myself. His eyes show a shade of sadness, but at the same time, his eyes glint with hope. "You're right, Wookie. I don't want to think that I'm losing you again, and I never will." Wookie smiles in return. "Oh! By the way, I saw someone mysterious at the park...before you came." 

                "Someone mysterious?"

                 "Yeah. He was walking a short distance from me. He had a circle of snow swirling around his head. He sensed my presence, and he said something like, "I can hear the slightest footsteps, because of winter," and "anything's impossible unless your heart tells you to do so". He even knows my name and the fact that I'm in a relationship." 

                  "Wait a minute, did you just say something about your heart tells you to do so?" 

                  "If I'm not mistaken, that's what he told me." I shrug, "It's so weird. I don't know why he spoke to me like that." 

                   "Kyu," he says, "that kinda reminds me of the man I heard back at the hospital." 

                    "What do you mean?" 

                    "I don't know whether you noticed, but after we visited Mr. Lau, I remember seeing a male nurse passing by. I heard a voice saying, "Follow your heart," and I'm pretty sure that male nurse was the one who whispered to me." 

                     "I think I saw him too," I tap my chin for a moment, "but I can't remember what he looked like." 

                     "Don't you think something's about to happen, Kyu? I think we're given a sign that the hidden charm is about to be released." 

                      "How can you be so sure? We're the ones who are to set the charm free. It can't free itself." 

                      "But still," Wookie sits up and looks at me seriously, "I think the love spirits are trying to tell us something." 

                      Through Wookie's eyes, I know that I have to believe him. Besides, all I've been worried about is his health. I want to trust him, and him to trust me. If we can figure a way out together, maybe he won't have those nightmares again. I hold his hands and give them a squeeze. "You're right, maybe they are, and they might give us more clues. We'll solve this together, okay? We're the chosen pair after all, so it's our job to get the mission done."

                      The next thing I know, Wookie leans forward to kiss me. "Let's sleep now. I have a feeling that the kids will burst into our room to wake us up for presents." 

                      "They'll do that?" I raise my eyebrow. 

                      "That's what Leeteuk-san told me." he chuckles, "The kids would wake him up every Christmas morning, and this year we're their extra targets." 

                       "Well, they better not jump on the bed because I might roar at them." 

                       "Don't worry," he laughs, "I'll help to keep your head cool." 

                        I make a face, but I kiss him for one last time. "Good night, Wookie." He smiles and switches the night light off before he cuddles in my arms. 

                                                                                            *                                  *                                     *

                       How on earth did we get here? I'm standing on the bridge of the Sakura park with Wookie. His head is on my shoulder. We watch in awe as ribbons of cherry blossom petals swirl in the sunset glow. I'm so immersed in the evening beauty until I hear a gasp. Wookie's eyes widen with horror. I turn to where he's staring at. Just like what he has told me about his nightmares, a man is hiding behind the tree where we had our 100th-day anniversary picnic. I squint as hard as I can, but I can't see his face. 

                        "K...Kyu...it's him!" Wookie stutters. He clutches to the sleeve of my coat. 

                        "Don't worry, Wookie. Just stay close to me." I reassure. Suddenly, the man moves away from his hiding place. He struts towards us with his hands tucked loosely in his coat pockets. Wookie clutches my sleeve tighter now. I can feel my skin crawling, but I try to look as calm as possible. To our surprise, the man looks up at us with a pair of familiar eyes and a neutral look on his chubby face. As he approaches closer and closer, a white light suddenly appears out of nowhere. It shines brilliantly that it nearly blinds my vision... 

                         My eyes flicker open like a robot. I realize that it's just a dream, for I find myself back in Wookie's room. I feel Wookie's heartbeat accelerates against mine, which tells me that he's awake as well. 

                          "Wookie! Are you okay?" I ask. To my surprise, he starts sniffling. "Wookie?" I ask again. As he turns his head, his eyes are brimmed with tears. 

                           "K...Kyu..." he stutters. One tear slide down on his cheek. 

                           "There there now. Don't cry. It's just a dream." I tell him gently. More tears fall, and I wipe them with my fingers. 

                           "I...I don't know why...I'm crying." 

                           "You must be having a shock, even though it's just a dream." 

                           "I...I thought...w...we were... going to be...k...killed." 

                           "Shhh....everything's gonna be okay." I hush him as I rub his back. We say nothing for roughly ten minutes. Once his crying has subsided, I tell him what I've dreamed of. He looks surprised, but he doesn't interrupt until I've finished.

                            "That's exactly what I've dreamed just now!" he exclaims. 

                             "And that's not all." I add, "I know that man. That's the man I saw before you came. It's not Junwo who is spying on you in your dreams after all. I bet that mysterious man, whoever his name is, might be the one who is after us." He stares blankly for a minute. He senses that I have more to say, so he nods for me to continue. "Wookie, I think we have the same dream at the same time. And that man must be wanting something from us."

                             Wookie's eyes widen. He is about to lean against the wall when suddenly he feels something lumpy behind him. I catch a glimpse of a bright object peeking out from his back. "Wookie, what's that?" I ask as I reach my hand to pull it off. It's a transparent bag about the size of my palm. And we can see a blank paper shaped like a giant sakura petal through the bag. 

                             "What is this?" he squints to take a closer look. 

                             "It looks like an omamori." I shrug. 

                             "An omamori? Isn't that a charm you can get at shrines? I don't remember getting one recently." 

                             "I thought this is yours." 

                             "You didn't see me bringing anything with me to bed, did you?" 

                             "Now that you mention it..." 

                              "Hang on," I pause, "I think something is under my foot." I flip the bottom of the bedspreads over. Sure enough, another see-through bag with a paper secured in it is pressed against my left foot. "Where did these come from?" I question as I take it. 

                              Wookie gasps as if he has a realization. "Kyu, could it be from that light?" 

                              "What light?" 

                               "The light that comes out of nowhere when that man is coming towards us?"

                               The dream automatically replays in my mind. I remember every single detail of it, including how strong the light shone on us. As I look back at the identical objects, I wonder if it is a Christmas miracle or a warning from the love spirits...or even the charm itself? 

Kyuhyun (キュヒョン)