***

“Good morning!” 

Minho announced as he opened the curtain to let the sun shine in.

Yuri squirted her eyes from the brightness.

 

“Why are you here so early in the morning?” Yuri asked her best friend.

Ever since she had been admitted to the hospital, he’s been visiting her everyday.

“Just like that.” he started opening the plastic bag he brought with him.

 

Yuri sat up from the bed.

“I got you some ramyun.” Minho showed her the take out bowl.

Yuri clapped her hands. 

“And one for me too.” he took his bowl out.

 

They ate at the portable table on Yuri’s bed.

Yuri glimpsed at him.

He was brighter than usual.

 

“Have your parents decided yet?” she asked curiously.

Minho shook his head while slurping down some of the noodles.

“But they’re already fixing my American visa.” he spoke out.

Yuri sighed. “That means there’s a high chance that you will go.”

 

“50/50” he stated.

Minho saw Yuri’s face.

“Eeyy, I’m still here. So don’t think about it for now.”

 

Yuri nodded and continued eating.

 

“What did the doctor say?” he asked.

Yuri simply smiled, “I’ll be fine soon.”

 

“Jinja?!” Minho grinned happily.

Yuri bit her bottom lip and nodded.

 

 

“I’m sorry to inform you that you’re at the last stage of cancer.”

The doctor announced.

Yuri’s mom quickly bursted out in tears.

Her dad tried to hold it in.

Yuri was simply speechless.

 

The only words she managed to say was…

“How long do I have left?”

 

“Not long.” he answered briefly.

“HOW LONG?” she emphasised.

“2 months maximum.” the doctor finally blurted out.

 

 

“When will you get discharged?” Minho asked.

“In 2 months.”

“Why would it take that long? I thought you were getting better.”

 

Yuri thought quickly.

All Minho knew was that she has a bit of heart problem.

But nothing serious.

 

“They have to check my heart regularly and the medication and doctor stuff like that.” she lied.

Minho raised a brow since he didn’t really know the procedures either.

 

“Well you have to get better soon, so maybe we can both go to America together.” he grinned.

Yuri simply nodded once again.

 

“Who are you dating now a days?” Yuri asked casually.

Minho laughed “NO ONE! When did I ever? Why do you always assume that I’m dating someone?”

Yuri shrugged “You just seem like you do.”

“As of now, I am all yours.”

 

Yuri’s heart skipped a beat but she knew he didn’t mean it that way.

They were best of friends. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

 

THE NEXT DAY

 

“GOOD MORNINGGGG!” Minho opened the hospital bed room.

Yuri was still asleep.

Slowly Minho placed the food he bought down the table beside her bed and just stared at her.

He carefully traced her facial features with his finger.

 

Yuri was fully aware of what’s going on, but she remained still.

“Yul ah. Get well soon, ok?” he whispered.

Yuri’s heart was racing, but she steadied her breathing.

 

Minho left without saying a word.

Yuri opened her eyes.

 

“ANIYO YURI AH! YOU CAN’T POSSIBLY DEVELOP FEELINGS FOR HIM. HE’S YOUR BEST FRIEND!” she scolded herself. “Besides, he’s leaving to America soon.” she whispered.

 

Just then, Minho came rushing back.

“ARE YOU OK?!” He asked worriedly making Yuri jump.

 

“I heard screaming.” he looked around.

“Ah…” Yuri scratched her head “I had a nightmare.”

 

“About?” Minho calmed down and sat on her bed.

 

Yuri quickly thought of something to say.

“I started developing feelings for the guy whom I never thought I’d like.” she started off.

Minho listened patiently with his frog eyes staring right her.

“And just when I fell for him… he left me.” 

 

Tears were about to fall from her eyes but she held it in.

Minho pulled her in for a hug.

“Don’t worry. It was just a nightmare. And I would punch that guy right in face if that ever happens.”

 

 

ONE WEEK LATER

 

Minho was on his way to Yuri’s room when the doctors came rushing in.

He was asked to stay outside along with Yuri’s parents who were constantly sobbing.

 

They remained silent.

Soon the doctor went out and talked to her parents privately.

 

They asked Minho to let her rest for the day.

 

 

THE NEXT DAY

 

Yuri slowly opened her eyes.

She felt pain spread all over her body.

 

one new message received

 

She checked her phone.

Usually when Minho doesn’t visit her in the morning he sends her daily messages.

 

 

Yuri ah!

I tried visiting you yesterday but the doctor’s didn’t let me.

How’s everything?

My parents finally made up their mind about me going to America.

I wanted to tell you in person, but I couldn’t wait any longer.

Get well soon so we both can go together.

~Froggy.

 

 

A different kind of pain hit her.

Before she knew it, tears were running down her face.

 

“Aigoo.” Yuri wiped her tears and saw her parents sleeping in the couch.

Her mom’s eyes fluttered open.

 

“Yuri ah. Are you in so much pain? Do you want me to ask for medication” she asked.

Yuri shook her head and showed her mom Minho’s text.

 

After reading the text she immediately hugged her mom.

“How can I send him away umma yah?” she sobbed uncontrollably.

Her mom stayed quiet.

 

They say that sometimes, people can see when two people are in love faster than those two people. In this case, it was her mom.

 

 

THE NEXT DAY

 

“Good mor-“ Minho was cut off to see Yuri already awake.

She was reading a magazine.

“I brought food” he smiled.

 

Yuri didn’t even look at him. “I already ate.”

“Oh?” Minho placed the plastic bag down slowly.

 

“Want to go for a walk?” he offered brightly.

“Ani.”

 

“A-are you ok Yul?” he asked feeling her forehead.

She quickly pushed away his hands.

“I’m ok. C-can you just leave me alone, please?” she pleaded.

 

Minho was taken back.

“O-oh… okay.” he slowly walked out feeling uneasy.

On his way out, he asks one of the doctor’s to check on her.

 

For the next few days, Yuri has been pretending to sleep.

She pretends until he has to leave for his class.

Everyday she would do the same.

And everyday, Minho would just watch her with a new plastic bag on her table.

 

Yuri’s mom would see the scene and watch Yuri cry everyday.

It pains her.

 

“Yuri ah. It’s been a week since you last talked to Minho.” her mom started.

Yuri blew her nose before laying back down.

“He’s having a hard time too. He really cares about you.”

 

Yuri closed her eyes.

“That’s the problem umma. He cares. What happens when I suddenly stopped breathing? He will be in more pain.” she explained with her eyes still shut.

“It will also be easier for me to let him go…”

 

“But Yuri ah…”

“Umma I’m tired.” she interrupted her mom.

 

Her mom got the hint and left her to rest after kissing her forehead.

 

 

ONE WEEK LATER

 

Yuri felt Minho kiss her forehead before leaving.

She waited a few minutes before opening her eyes to see the plastic bag.

Like usual, she ate the food he brought, but this time there was a letter.

 

Yuri ah.

You’ve been resting a lot recently.

That means you’ll get better faster.

Even though I don’t get to talk to you,

At least you sleeping means faster recovery.

Then when you’re fully rested, we should take a walk together.

And have a picnic.

Just like the old times.

~Froggy.

 

Yuri cried instantly.

Yuri’s mom watched her daughter cry.

 

 

THE NEXT DAY 

 

Minho was surprised to see Yuri awake.

“YURI AH!” He rushed to her.

“Bogo shipda!” 

 

Yuri stared at him.

“Here. I got you porridge.” he showed her the plastic bag.

Yuri shoved the plastic bag off the table causing all the porridge to spill.

 

Minho was shocked.

“Can you not do this anymore. It’s burdensome.” she spoke harshly.

“I-I…” Minho tried to find words to say.

 

“Wae? You thought this would make me feel better?” she stared at him.

“ANI. It only makes me feel like I’m being pitied.” she continued.

 

Minho was unable to say or do anything.

“Just go to America already. I’m tired of seeing you and your pity food everyday.”

 

Tears were starting to fall from Minho’s eyes.

“Yuri ah…” was all he could say.

 

“Naga.” she folded her arms.

“I-if that’s what you want.” he mumbled before leaving,

 

The moment the door closed the tears that she’s been holding back escaped.

 

 

A FEW HOURS LATER

 

“Did Minho pass by today?” Yuri’s mother asked.

Yuri looked out the window.

“His flight is tomorrow.” her mother stated.

“Ara.”

 

“Aren’t you going to say goodbye?” 

Yuri shook her head.

 

Her mother sighed.

 

“Come on, you’ve been in here for a while. Let’s go for a walk.” her mom suggested.

Yuri nodded. The least she could do was make her mom happy.

 

The ambulance siren was heard and a patient was rushed in.

The patient’s hand slipped from the bed.

And what Yuri saw made her fall weak on her knees.

It was the bracelet she made for Minho.

 

“U-u-umma.” she choked out as she pointed at the body.

Her mom covered in shock.

“M-M-Minho…” 

 

 

THE NEXT DAY

 

Only words of condolence echoed in Yuri’s ear.

She was seated in the Choi’s living room.

A blank expression was on her face.

Sooyoung, Minho’s older sister whose eyes were puffy from crying sat next to her.

She held Yuri’s hands. 

They stayed like that for a while.

“I wanna show you something.” Sooyoung whispered.

 

The two made their way upstairs.

They stopped in front of Minho’s room.

“Look at the box under his bed… I’m sure he would like you to see it. I saw it when I was cleaning his room.” Sooyoung rubbed Yuri’s arm before going back down with her parents.

 

Yuri stared at the door knob. 

She was hesitant to open the door.

But she knew she had to. She wanted to.

 

The moment she did, she could still smell his scent.

She stayed still for a while with the door open.

She scanned the room.

 

It was just like when she last visited it.

But this time, her eyes landed on the picture beside Minho’s table.

It was their picture together.

She smiled at it as she tried not to let the tears fall.

 

Yuri laid down on his bed and inhaled his scent even more.

This time, tears were falling down uncontrollably.

She closed her eyes and just laid there.

 

After 5 minutes, she remembers what Sooyoung told her to do.

Yuri slowly took out the box under his bed and placed it on his bed.

Carefully opening it, Yuri’s heart was beating faster.

She looked inside to find a bunch of their picture together.

And a letter on top of it which read,

 

TO MY LOVELY YURI.

 

Yuri slowly opened it.

 

Anneyeong my Yuri-ah.

If you’re reading this, I’m probably on the plane to America.

You’ve been ill recently so I haven’t been able to make you laugh while I’m still here.

I’m sorry there isn’t anything I could do to help you ease the pain.

 

Maybe this will.

This letter is my confession letter.

Now before you freak out,

This isn’t a joke.

 

I mean it…

 

I’ve been trying to build the courage to confess but as you can see,

I have failed miserably.

UNTIL NOW!

 

TADA. kkkk

 

You know I was never the mellow dramatic person so forgive me if this is too cheesy.

I love you Yuri.

I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember.

It just that it took me some time to figure out that I loved you more than a friend.

 

I’m sorry I’m saying this through letter,

But I don’t think I’ll be able to find the courage to say this to you face to face,

My heart won’t be able to take the rejection if you choose to reject me.

When I come back, maybe then I will definitely be ready to hear your reply.

 

Until then nae sarang.

 

Neo Minho-yah (froggy)

 

 

 

Yuri’s hands were trembling.

“Pabo yah.” she grabbed the frog stuffed toy inside the box.

It was her 16th birthday present for him.

 

“I’m supposed to go first.” she punched the frog.

“You’re supposed to be feeling this pain, not me.” 

“PABO YAH! WHY’D YOU GO FIRST?!!” her tears were spilling as she vent her emotions out on the doll.

“I COULDN’T EVEN TELL YOU I LOVE YOU” she cried out as she hugged the frog stuffed toy.

“I couldn’t even…” before she could finish her sentence she got chocked up in tears.

She laid once again in his bed just hugging the stuff toy close to her as she cried her eyes out.

 

***

I hope you liked this chapter.

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Thank you.

~emkrys