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My life . It made me think that the world, enitirely, is cruel. All life did  to me was to give me two uncaring parents and two eyes that doesn't even function. Funny, right? And now, life left me stuck in this hospital for my weekly check up. This is so unfair - I always say to myself. But then I realized that saying that wouldn't change a single thing in my life. I, too, wanted to hang out and play with kids my age. I, too, want to have fun and go on adventures with myself. But all of that desires will only stay in my dreams. Why, you ask? Well, I can't even see anything, that's why! All of the kids pity me too much, that they're too uncomfortable to make friends with me. Why do I need to be pittied? I already pity myself, they don't have to make me feel alot worse than that. Sometimes, I would even want to die, than repeat my daily routine for what? One year? No. Two years? No. My whole life?! You've got to be kidding. I wouldn't want to repeat my daily schedule of eat, sleep, and eye check-up all my life! No way! I know that even if I do my eye check-ups weekly, my eyes, still, won't be cured. The doctors just need the money so they continuously say to come back every week.And their reason is for what? To check if there are changes? Oh, please. All they want is the cash we give on every appointment. All people are the same. They're selfish and they only care about themselves. They won't even whole heartedly try to cure my eyes.Sometimes, I even think that no one in this world has a good soul.Well, all of them-

"Oh! Someone's here!" a person behind me said, distracting me from my thoughts. Judging from it's voice, it's probably a girl. "Who are you? Why didn't I hear the door open when you came in?" I asked. "Um...... You kinda left the door open." she happily stated. I just scoffed at her and continued to listen to music through my earphones. Her footsteps were heard, as I can feel her coming closer. "Hello! My name is Aeris, Chan Aeris. But just call me Aeris! Nice to meet you....um... Mr....uh what's your name?" she gladly said. "Why do I need to tell you? Are you my mother? And I never asked your name, from the start!" I said, annoyed. "Uh...Yes, you did! You clearly said 'who are you? Why didn't I hear the door open when you came in?' a while ago" she chuckled as she tried to copy my voice while saying it. Annoying kid! What an irritating shrimp! "Ah....I see. Well, nice to meet you, 'Aeris'. Now, would you do me a favor and leave me alone." I sternly said. "But....I just wanted us to be friends. Won't you atleast shake my hand? I've been holding it up for a while now, and it's really exhausting!.....oh! And what are you looking at? You've been staring at-" "I'm blind" I cut her sentence off. "O-Oh! I-I'm sor-" "DON'T APOLOGIZE!..... If you're just going to pity me, just leave and find someone else!" I angrily said, as My hand formed a fist. There was a silence for a few seconds. "I never wanted to pity you. I was just shocked and I just wanted to say sorry for not noticing it earlier. But if it came out like I pittied you, then I'm really sorry. I promise that I won't do that again. I just really want us to be friends, that's all.." she said, while patting my shoulder. I sighed and scratched the back of my head. "I won't force you to leave, since I don't own this place. You can stay, if you want to." I said while leaning back on my chair. Oh, please! She clearly pittied me a little while ago. And now she's saying sorry so I wouldn't feel bad? Ha! I've already met alot of people like her! I'm sure she'll simply leave this room quietly. Suddenly, foot steps were heard and so was the door closing. I knew it! I'm sure she-...wait... huh? Foot steps were heard again, directing to me. Someone sat beside me and coughed. "So....where were we? Oh right! What's your name?" she happily asked. "What? You're still here? I thought you left?" I asked, surprised. "Oh! Me?" she laughed, "I just closed the door! I forgot to close it earlier." she giggled. "But... Why didn't you leave?" I asked. "Firstly, this was originally my hang out place. Second,...didn't I tell you earlier? I just wanted to be friends with you!" she beamed. What a weird girl. She should've just left earlier. "So....your name please?" she happily asked. "Aish, Fine! If I answer this, you won't ever talk to me. Clear?" "As a crystal!" she energetically said. I sighed once more and sat up straight. "I'm Zhang Yixing. There, happy now?" I quickly said. "Yixing huh? What a nice name!" she gladly complemented me. I rolled my eyes and continued to listen to music. "So....how old are you? I'm 15!" she asked again. "I thought we had a deal? You said you won't talk to me. And No, I won't answer any of your questions anymore , and no one asked for your age, so don't use the reason 'I told you my age, so it's unfair not to tell yours'! " I said in a monotonous voice. "Tch. He knew." she whispered to herself. So she was really going to use that reason...WOW, she's easier to read than a book!.... like I know how to read a book. "But it's too boring if we don't talk! I mean, what kind of friendship will ours be, if we don't talk to each other!" she whined. " One, I like silence. It makes me feel calm. Two, I never agreed to be friends with you and I won't even think of wanting to be one." I straightly said. "Tch. You grumpy old ahjussi!" she said while poking my cheek. "YAH! Grumpy.....old ahjussi?!?" my eyes suddenly widened. "Anyways~ why don't you want us to be friends? I promise I won't bite!....maybe.." she playfully joked. I unconsciously laughed at her joke. "Ah! You laughed!" she chuckled, "I was afraid that you won't ever laugh." she sighed, "That's a relief!" she happily said. What a really weird girl! I don't even know how to describe her. "What? Why are you so happy? I just laughed, that's all." I asked, confused. "It's because I really love hearing other people laugh. It's somehow like music to my ears. Don't you think that laughing is a wonderful thing? It shows the expression of how happy a person is. Hmn...I guess you could say that it's something that makes us human!" she brightly said. "You know....not all laughs are wonderful. Would you still say that a laugh of mockery and an evil laugh is music to your ears? If you do, i'll have no choice but to send you to a mental hospital." I blankly said. She suddenly burst out laughing, while continuously hitting my arm. "You sure are cruel and too negative about things, but at the same time you're funny." she chuckled. "What? Me? Funny?....are you messing with me? YAH! You're the one to talk! You're just too happy, joyful, and positive, but at the same time you're annoying and irritating!" I barked back. She laughed once more. AISH! How annoying can this girl get?!......I want to punch her. She then suddenly coughed. "Okay. Time to answer my question earlier. How old are you, yixingie~" she cutely said. ".....Yixingie? Really?..." I sighed, "I'm 16 years old. Happy?" I said as slowly as I can. "Wow! You're just a year older than me! I thought you were really an ahjussi!" she chuckled. "YAH! What do y-" I was stopped by my own laugh. I suddenly burst out into laughter, without any reason. That's weird. I have never laughed like this in my whole life. Heck - have I ever laughed before? What? Just what the heck is this girl!? After a few seconds, we finally stopped laughing and caught our breaths. "YAH! I'm still young! Do I really look that old to you? If I am, then your eyesight has alot more problems than mine!" I said jokingly. She then chuckled once more, as I found myself smiling. "Somehow...I like hearing your laugh the best. It really sounds good and refreshing and it feels true and- arghhh! I can't explain it into words!" she said in a problematic voice. I suddenly chuckled. "You......you sure are an interesting person." I smiled. "Really?! Then are we-" "Mr. Zhang, the doctor wants to see you now!" a nurse suddenly barged in, unabling Aeris to finish her sentence. "Sure" I then stood up soulless, as the nurse went near me to assist me through the way. As we were about to completely exit the room, Aeris loudly said something from the end. "We.....We're friends now, right?!" she brightly asked. There was a pause.

"Let's see...." I said while sneaking a grin on my face.

I can't believe it. A girl like her made me laugh and smile in our first meeting. That is absolutely absurd! I would've never done that in a daily basis! ....hmn.....that girl sure is interesting, but somehow terrifying. I laughed to myself.

Though I couldn't realize and admit it at that time, I somehow wished that we had more time to talk. Honestly, she was the first person I talked to like that. Heck- I never really talked that much! If I were to talk, it would be a few words or just a sentence. She was a really weird girl indeed- I thought to myself, when we first met.The truth is, I know it in my heart, but I just don't want to say it. At that moment...

We were already friends. 

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After another week, I came back to that place, that exact time, to get my weekly check-up. The only difference this time is - 'she' was here first. "Ah! Xingie~ you really came!" Aeris brightly said. Tch. Xingie? Pft. Can't she say my name normally, atleast once? Oh wait.....I forgot, she wasn't a normal girl to begin with. The nurse carefully guided me unto my seat and told me to wait for the doctor, before she left me in the room. "Good morning, Xingie~ i'm really glad to see you again!" she beamed. "Yeah, sure. Mornin' " I grumpily said. She came closer and sat beside me. She chuckled and started to ruffle my hair. "Yah! Not the hair!" I grabbed her hand away. "But your hair is so soft and fluffy.." she 'sadly' said. "Oh, right.What were you doing here earlier? I was pretty sure I heard a sound coming from here." I asked her. "Ah! It's weird that you're actually trying to start a conversation." she softly laughed. "YA- aish! Just answer my question." I snorted. "I was playing the piano." she answered back. "A piano? There was a piano here?" I asked again. "Yup!..wait, you probably don't know what room you're in, right?" she asked me. I simply nodded. "This was actually a patients' room before. A patients' room is a room where patients can enjoy and play around. But now, the patients' room is moved to another room. The only thing that's left in this room is that piano." she explained. "Hmn...I see.." I nodded my head. "Now tell me, am I your first friend in this hospital? Surely, you're confined in this hospital, am I right?" I questioned her. "Yes, I am confined. But you're not my first friend. My first and only friend here was already discharged years ago." she sadly said. "What? Years ago? Then you must have been here for already a long time! What in the world is your sickness?!" I asked, shocked. "I....I only have a simple heart disease, that's all. It's nothing really major, but they insist for me to stay in the hospital so they could monitor my heart better." she chuckled. "Oh. I see. But if you really wanted to find a friend, why didn't you try making friends at the patients' room?" I asked once again. "The problem is that the patients' room is always empty. Meaning, all of the patients here prefers to stay inside their rooms. Leading to me getting no friends, okay?" she explained. "So i'm really grateful to have you as my friend, Yixing. Thank you!" she placed her hand on my shoulder. At that moment, I could feel my cheeks heat up. "I never said that we're already friends." I scoffed."Eh?! But when I asked you a week ago, you said 'you'll see'! " she asked me a bit confused. "But that doesn't mean that I already agreed!" I smirked. "But.....But what should I do so we could finally be friends? I'll do anything!" she begged. "Anything? You sure about that?" I asked while grinning widely. "Yes! Anything!" she loudly said. "Then.....

...Teach me how to play the piano, then I'll be your friend!"

"W-What?" she stuttered. "What's wrong? You can't? I heard you playing a while ago, sad to say that you're really good. I've decided to become a pianist as good as you. Hmn....let's see. I'll give you 20 sessions to train me. If I won't be as professional as you, then sorry to say that I can't be your friend." I seriously stated. There is no way she's gonna agree to that! Who would even think of training a blind guy how to play the piano?!? Only the dumbest person would even try! And 20 sessions? That's too impossible! "20 sessions huh?...." she paused. I then secretly smirked to myself. "Don't you think......don't you think 20 sessions are too long? I could even teach you in only 16 session!" she proudly said. "W-What? Are you crazy?!" I was dumbfounded. "Fine, then be it! 16 session it is!" I declared. Well, I guess this girl over here is the dumbest person in the world. She gladly took my hand and shook it. "Deal!" she brightly said. "It seems like you're really proud of your skills huh?" I asked. "Of course! I'm the best when it comes to piano! Teaching you is a piece of cake!" she arrogantly said. "Mr. Zhang, the doctor's ready!" the nurse happily said. She helped me stand up and assisted me. "So next week's the first session, okay?" Aeris teasingly said. "You don't have to tell me. I already know!" I grinned as I exited through the door.

16 sessions? PFFT. There's no possible way! ......hmn this is gonna be interesting.

......Friends huh?.....

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"So I see that you're really here." she said while standing in front of me. "Of course. I'll get a hard scolding if I miss one of those check-ups." I blankly said. She chuckled and grabbed my hand. She carefully assisted me towards the piano and placed me on a chair. "You really DO want to be my friend huh?" I asked a bit happy. "Of course! And I'll make sure that you'll finally be my friend on the 16th session!" she proudly stated. "Hmn. Let's see about that.." I smiled. "Oh right! Before we start, can I ask you a question?" she asked. I nodded. "I was just curious. Why are you always coming here earlier than your check-ups for about an hour or so?" she asked again. "That's because my parents always has appointments on exactly the time for my check-up.  Plus, my eye doctor changed his schedule a couple of weeks ago, which means that I need to wait longer. It's just that my parents always wants to drop and pick me up on the hospital, so I really need to wait." I explained. "Wow! Your parents sure are caring!" she happily said. "Nope. It's actually the opposite. Instead of sparing me the trouble to wait here for about an hour and a half, they'd still want to drop me earlier so thay could atleast 'act' as  my parents infront of people. But in truth, they won't even bother to ask how's the check-up or they won't even talk to me..." I sadly said. "I-I.." "it's okay. No need to apologize. So shall we start now?" I said, cutting her sentence. "O-Okay then...." she softly said.

We practiced and practiced for an hour. In order for me to familiarize the keys, she held my hands and let me feel every key. Our position is kind of awkward. It's like she's hugging me from behind. Everyone would mistake us as lovers, if ever anyobody would see us. Strands of her hair would tickle my face everytime she'd extend her arms. Our faces were as close as it could be. Both our cheeks were already touching each other. I could even feel and hear her soft breaths.Her hands were really soft and small. It was also warm and smooth. She has a really sweet scent, somewhat like a candy. What the heck am I thinking?!? She'd probably think that i'm a ert, if ever she had the power to read my mind! Without me noticing it, my heart is suddenly beating fast and my cheeks started to heat up. "Ah! Are you okay, Xingie? Your whole face is hot!" she worriedly asked. "What? Really? But I don't feel anything though." I answered. "You sure? Well...let's call it a day for now and rest. Anyways, you're progressing well and you can now locate some of the keys! Great, right?" she happily said. "Really?" I asked with disbelief. "Yup! How bout' you try to locate the key of la." she instructed. I nodded and felt all the keys. I then pressed a key which I think is la."Wow! You're really great, Xingie! That IS the key of la!" she brightly said and suddenly hugged me. My face suddenly heated up again, as my eyes widened in shock. "Ah! I'm sorry! I was just too happy!" she happily said. Wow! She's really a good teacher! How can she teach that to me in just an hour? 

"Here!" she placed a bottle in my hands. "Drink some water to refresh!" she opened the the bottle in my hands. "Thanks...." I said as I drank my water. It was strangely quiet after that. Aeris didn't say anything but she was making alot of small movements from her place. "You.....want to know more about me and my parents, right?" I smiled. "I...u-uh.." "it's okay. Curiosity can really kill." I grinned. "...mmm..." she answered. "Well...I guess I have no choice." I jokingly said.

"I was already blind when I was born. I never even catched a glimpse of this world. I don't know what a tree looks like, don't know what a house looks like, I didn't know anything. Even until now! Only my imagination plays the image of what I thought they look like. Ever since I was born, we've already been looking for donors that would be willing. Sadly, we had none even now.

Our family owns a really big company. We're really rich and we could buy anything we want. But the problem is, I was their only child. That means, i'm the only one who can succeed the company. Both my parents are really worrying about the company's future, that's why they're really desperate to find an eye donor for me. They knew that their company would go bankrupt once I, a blind guy, became the head. They don't expect anything from me since I couldn't even see anything. In order for the company to maintain its power, they need me to gain my vision. In the end, all of this check-ups aren't for me. It was for the company.." I sadly ended. "Are you......sure that your parents doesn't care about you? Are you sure that all THESE are only for the company?" she asked me with a sad voice. "They? Care for me? You must be kidding. They won't even bother to ask what i'd like. They would only decide my future by themselves. They won't even want to spend time with me. It seems like they love their work better than me, their only son. All of them are the same. My doctors, my parents, All of them. They are all selfish. They only want money and power. They won't even consider my feelings." I angrily said, clenching my fists. Suddenly, Aeris came closer and hugged me. "You must have gone through alot huh? It's okay now.......But remember, not everyone is the same. Not everyone are as bad as you think. Your parents......and even your doctors cares for you. Do you think your doctors would check up on you every week without 'progress' in their minds? Do you think that they're not burning their brows just to find a cure? They do their work, Xingie. From the very start, all of them has a goal to make, and that is to serve good to people. They became doctors, hoping to cure people and make their lives easier for them. That is what defines a true doctor! If your doctor, Mr. Jung, didn't really care about you, then can you explain why he stays late on his office scratching his head and drinking multiple cups of coffees, while looking at your weekly check-up papers? I know. Since i was the one who sends him his coffees." she ended while hugging me tighter. I could feel my heart being crushed. I just couldn't take in what she's saying to me. "If your parents never really cared about you.........then can you explain why your parents were waiting patiently at the lobby? ......I know. Since it was your mom who gave me these two bottles earlier.......They have been watching us earlier practice, by the window." she added. Her last statement struck me. I couldn't believe that my parents are really in the lobby. I couldn't believe that they'd even watch me play the piano. It was impossible.......it was impossible, but why can I hear my parents crying in front of me? I didn't knew that they were here for a while now. They both hugged me and lead me to the car. In the end, they cancelled the check-up for this week. Before we left, they thanked Aeris a whole lot and were forever thankful to her for letting me realize. We then left the hospital in peace.

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"Ah! Xingie Ahjussi! You came! I thought you were never coming back. I was seriously sad, you know!" she cutely said while she suddenly hugged me. My face suddenly heaten, as she wrapped her arms around me. "YAH! Knock it off with the ahjussi and the the hugging!" I said while pushing her away from me. "Tch. But I like calling you ahjussi. Can't I really?" "NO." "Fine~ but I can call you Xingie, right?" she teasingly asked. "Whatever. Let's just practice." I shrugged. She then chuckled and proceeded in guiding my fingers. We started our practice at the usual time. It was still a bit awkward, but not as awkward as last week. Or is it just me? 

After another hour, we finally finished for today. I was really amazed, since I already know which and where are the keys placed! It was almost like a miracle, for me. It then gave me hope that I might be able to master this in 16 weeks. "Wow! I can't believe it! Was I really able to do that?!" I asked in disbelief. "Yup! As expected from my student!" she brightly said. My eyes widened and a big smile crept on my face. Aeris suddenly chuckled and pinched my cheeks. "THAT! That's the smile I've been looking for! I can't believe that an ahjussi like you is able to even smile THAT widely!" she teased. I then pinched her back as revenge. "YAHHH!!! Who's the ahjussi huh? Who's the ahjussi?!" I continuously asked her as I pinch her cheeks harder. "AAAAHH!! NOT YOU! NOT YOU!!!" she shouted in defeat. "Aish! You can really REALLY be a meany sometimes, Xingie!" she cutely said. "Well, of course! I'd be a totally different person, if I wasn't mean." I snorted. She then started to laugh and I followed as well. 

"So, how's your relationship with your parents?" she suddenly asked. "Well, we're all on good terms now. In the end, it was all a misunderstanding. My parents aren't worried for the company's future, they're actually worried about mine. They're worried that I'd have no future, if ever they pass away. That's why they're desperate to find a donor. The reason behind them working too hard is because they're trying to fill up my bank account with lots of money I could use in the future." I explained. "ARGHH!! I feel like a big idiot worrying about something pointless!" I groaned. Aeris chuckled and patted my back. "It's okay, Xingie. Everyone make mistakes!" she cheered me up. "So, did you finally start talking to your parents?" she asked. "Yeah. We started to talking to each other. They would tell some stories to me and i'd tell them stories as well." I happily said. "you'd tell them stories about what?" she asked. "About you." There was a sudden silence. "Y-Yah! Why would you tell them stories about me?!" she asked flustered. "Why not? I think you're really a great person!" I teasingly smiled. "W-Wha-" "Mr. Zhang!" the nurse called, again cutting aeris' sentence off. As I was about to leave, Aeris couldn't stay still and wanted to tell me something. "Y-Yah what story? What were you saying about me? It better not be bad-" "Thank you......very much.." I lastly said before I finally went out. Aeris was left in the room speechless and could do nothing more.

So this girl DOES get embarrassed huh? Now that's new! I didn't know she had a cute side in her. I chuckled to myself as I entered the check-up room.

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Many many weeks had already past since I started taking piano lessons from Aeris. Surprisingly, I learned REALLY fast. I could already play some peices, even though i'm still blind. Every week was really fun for me. I'd play the piano and aeris would sing along,  at times. We would talk about random things we feel like talking about. Our days were really peaceful and we were filled with bliss. At first, I thought that the reason why I was having really fun was because I was able to play piano and make my parents proud in my own ways. But now that I look deaper into the picture, that wasn't really the real reason. As time goes by, I realized that it's because of Aeris that i'm having fun. Whenever I'm near her, I would always keep a big smile on my face. Somehow, her presence alone makes me happy. Hearing her laughs, her giggles, and her voice makes me a hundred times more happy as I could be. I'd even find myself laughing and smiling when playing the piano with her alot, ever since she started teaching me how to play it. As I spend more days with Aeris, I finally realized my feelings......

I am in love with Aeris.

As time gradually goes by, my feelings for Aeris grows stronger everytime. It makes me feel like I really want to gain my eyesight so I could take her out of here and live somewhere we could be alone together. And now, I guess that my wish is finally coming true!

 It's finally our 14th session. I entered the room gladly to deliver a very good news to Aeris.

"Ah, Xingie! Finally, you arrived! Why so late this time?" she asked happily. "The check-up was scheduled earlier than usual so.." "Oh! Really! Well-" "Forget about that! I have a really good news to tell!" I cut her words off because of my excitement. "Really!? What good news?" she asked full of curiosity. " We found an eye donor! I'll finally be able to see!" I happily shouted. "UWAAHH!! REALLY?!?" she jumped and hugged my tight. I hugged back and didn't let go. I was too overwhelmed to express my feelings into words. "I can't believe it! You'll finally be able to see!! As expected from my student!" she brightly said. "Of course! I'm not your student for nothing!" I chuckled as she chuckled as well. "So who's this donor? We should really thank him!" she asked, excited. "Well, Mr. Jung said that he's a lung cancer patient. I wanted to thank him earlier but Mr. Jung said that he's already in a critical state and is expected to die anytime soon, so no visitors are allowed." I sadly stated. "Oh....really? Too bad. We should've atleast thanked him." she said regretfully. "Well, there's nothing we could do. So let's just thank him in our hearts." I smiled. "Wow......that's unexpected, coming from you!" she joked. "Yah! I'm not as bad as you think! I'm a kind person too, you know!" I whined. "yes. I know." she chuckled and poked my head. Suddenly, my body temperature rose, while my heart beat accelerated. "What are you waiting for? Let's practice! Do you even know how much I really want you to be my friend?" she joked and held my hand, as she guided me towards the piano. I laughed and poked her head, in return.

Ater an hour, we finally finished our session. She gave me a round of applause when I finally finished playing a peice perfectly. I just scratched the back of my head, as I felt my cheeks blushing. "WOW! If ever alot of people would see you play, i'm sure that we'll both get discovered and become famous!" she joked. I loudly chuckled as she laughed as well. "If ever your sickness would somehow go away and you'd finally live a normal life, what would you do first and where would you want to go?" I suddenly asked. "Why ask that so suddenly?" she asked a bit confused. "No particular reason. Just my curiosity, that's all." I answered. "Hmn...What I'll do first? ....probably go to school, I guess." She chuckled. "School? Why school?" I asked confused. "Well......i've always wanted to go there, ever since I was a child. Since I've always been sickly when I was a child, I never had the chance to go there. I've always wanted to study with my classmates and eat lunch with them. You know, to make friends and stuff!" she beamed. "That's totally you, Aeris!" I joked. She then laughed at my silly joke. "where would I want to go huh?.........probably to my grandma's house." she said. "Your....grandma's house?"I asked. "Yup! My grandma's house was my favorite place to stay, when I was a kid. Inside it was warm and very calming. It's located on the countryside so it's really nice to just sit back and relax, as you enjoy the breeze early in the morning. I also liked how it always smelled like cookies and sweets everywhere in the house. Plus, I started to learn playing piano with my grandma at that place. I really want to go back there atleast one more time, and taste my grandma's apple pie again." she happily said."It seems like your grandma's house is a really nice place! I never had the chance to even meet mine so I don't really know how it's like." I said. "Really? Well....I believe that everyone's grandma's house are the best places on earth, because our grandparents are as loving as our parents are, if not more." she gladly said. "Wow! What a reason!" I teased. "Wanna bet? It is! Believe me!" she chuckled. "Then next time, when I can finally see and your heart can finally function well.......can you promise me that we could....go there together?" I smiled. "Hmn....." she paused, ".....sure, promise!" she brightly said. 

After a short while, a nurse entered and assisted me to Mr. Jung. We told our goodbyes, before completely separating.

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It's finally the 15th session. We were both practicing the piano, as usual. I was playing the peice I played yesterday to fully master it. I finished the song with the perfect timing and added a few notes to end it perfectly.I can feel that Aeris stood up from her chair and she then clapped at me almost endlessly. "Wow! That was brilliant, Xingie!" she complemented me."Of course! As expected-" "-from your student." She continued my sentence and chuckled. "Okay then! After this peice I'm going to play, we'll be dismissed." she happily said. "What? Why? We haven't even lasted half an hour!" I asked. She suddenly coughed really loudly. "A-Are you okay?" I asked a bit worried. "Of course! I just.....um......think that I'm starting to develop a cold. Don't worry! It's nothing." she happily said. "Well.....okay then.." I said a hesitantly.

She played a peice to me, which is clearly new to my ears. It sounded fantastic and all of the notes blended perfectly. It's melody is one of a kind, it's unique. It harmonized and echoed through my ears softly.It was probably the sweetest tune that I have ever heard. She ended the song astonishingly, which left me dumbfounded. "What song was that?" I asked curiously. "It has no title yet. It's actually like a gift from me to you. I composed this song, as a thanks for you being my student. I hope you liked it!" she happily said. "What?! Really?!? Wow! As expected from my teacher!" I teased. "Of course! I can't lose to my student, now can I?" she joked. "So.....could you tell me the keys to it?" I asked. "sure!"

She told me its keys and I tried hard to memorize it. In the end, I just borrowed Aeris' recorder to record the keys. "You sure about letting me borrow this?" I asked worriedly. "Positive! Now, keep it in your pocket before you lose it!" she chuckled. I followed what she said and hid it in my pocket. We both sat down on the couch and drank some juice I brought with me. We continued to chat while drinking our juices. "You should really be a composer. You really write good songs!" I suggested to her. "Eh? But I myself wanted to be an idol though." she chuckled. "An idol? You mean, those who sing and dances on TV?" I asked. "Yup! I've always wanted to be an idol, ever since I was little. They're just so amazing, seeing them sparkle on the stage. I want to be like them! - I often say to myself. Well, not much has change ever since then though!" She laughed, "But seriously, if I was given a chance to do so, I would 100% accept and become an idol. It was really my dream to stand on stage and sing my heart out! But....I guess it's too late." she lightly laughed. "I stopped sipping my juice and turned to her. "Nothing is impossible, Aeris! You COULD become an idol! I just know it!" I held both of her shoulders. She laughed and pinched my cheeks. "YAH! You should be the one to become an idol! You've got the voice, talent, and most especially the looks! I bet that every girl in this nation would faint, just by simply sneaking a glance from you!" she joked. I laughed and poked her forehead. "Hmn.....if you ever become an idol, maybe....I could too. " she faintly said. I smiled and placed my right hand Above her shoulders. "Then.....shall we become idols?" I teasingly asked. "Of cours-" she was cut off by her own cough. She started to cough really violently Continuously for a few seconds. "Yah! You should really rest now! It seems like you already have a cold! Just go back to your room and sleep, okay?" I asked. "O-Okay..." she softly answered. "Hey....isn't your breathing kinda weird? You're breathing heavily with cold breaths! Should I call a doct-" "NO! I'm okay...." she took a deep breath. "I'm fine, really." she happily said. "I'll be leaving now! Good luck on your operation- oh, wait! We're still gonna meet up before that." she chuckled, "Anyways, good luck in advance and always hwaiting!" she cutely said. I laughed and waved at her. I could hear her foot steps getting fainter by the moment. Suddenly, it stopped. "Yixing.." she called. 

"Let's........sell a million copies of our albums, okay?" she beamed.

"Idiot! We'll even sell a billion if you want to!" I brightly replied. I waved again, as she walked out of the scene.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It's finally the most awaited 16th session. Even though Mr. Jung told me to take my rest so I could prepare for my operation tomorrow, I really insisted on meeting up with Aeris. All of them tried to persuade me not to go anywhere anymore, but I simply declined all of them and demanded to be with Aeris, even just for a while. They had no choice but to agree with me, since they knew that nothing could stop me from meeting up with Aeris. They gave me only 15 minutes to see her, but I didn't care, as long as I can atleast hear her voice for a while and let her hear our completed song. The nurses guided me through the halls, and now we've finally arrived in a room. The nurses agreed to stay out for a little privacy between us. The room reeks of medicine everywhere, but I didn't mind at all. "Ah!...Xingie....you came." she faintly said. "So you really DID gain a cold huh?" I worriedly asked. "Cheer up, it's just a cold! .......sorry that I couldn't go to our usual meeting place." she apologized. "It's okay! No worries. Just sit there and listen to our song." I then tried playing the electric piano that the nurse set up earlier. I sighed in relief when it did function well. "This is the last session, so think of this as a recital of some sort." I smiled. "I actually wrote some lyrics to the song you composed for me, and now I will play it for you. You ready?" I happily said. "Yup.." she softly answered.

I started to play the piano and and added my vocals into it. I sang and sang to my heart's content.I really wanted to offer this song to Aeris, a person who stayed by my side, a person who never left me.Through this song, I wanted her to know my gratitude and my true feelings towards her. I want her to treasure this song, want her to treasure me. She was my ray of sunshine, I was the darkness. Through the ray of sunshine, the darkness disappeared and is replaced by light. I don't know how much I could thank her for being my ray of sunshine. She has truly changed my life forever...

Our relationship that shows of a watch spring..

How much would it have changed..

Although I e page that I lastly wrote about you in,..

no longer...

Do I have the strength to read on..

I'm going to erase the sad writings...

It's not going to be the end of our story....

Because i'm going to meet you again...

I happily ended the song with my last note. Suddenly, I heard sobs coming from Aeris. "A-Are you okay? Did I made a mistake?" I asked, panicked. "No....it was perfect! I was just......too happy." she weakly said while still sobbing. "Thank you.....for everything. I never expected you to learn that peice by yourself, and you even added lyrics! You indeed surpassed my expectations. You're truly a genius, Xingie. You're one of a kind!" she happily said while ruffling my hair softly. "Oh, right. Your recorder." I dug into my pocket and placed the recorder in her hands. "Thanks alot for that......and for your effort in teaching me how to play piano. Honestly, I never expected you to actually try and teach me. But I guess, you are one crazy person to even try to teach piano to an arrogant blind guy." I chuckled. She didn't say anything and just hugged me. "Thank you, Zhang Yixing.....Thank you" she whispered in my ear while slowly letting go of me. "Mr. Zhang, your time is up!" one nurse called. I stood up and waved at Aeris. "goodluck!" she brightly said, as I nodded. "Yixing......."

"Don't forget to sell a million coppies of your albums! .......don't worry, I'll make sure to buy atleast a hundred thousand of it!....that's because... i'm your number one fan! Now and forever. Don't you forget that, okay?" she happily said before I left the room. I simply held out a thumbs up and smiled, as I exited the final scene.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The operation took place, the day after. I was nervous at first, but thinking about Aeris gave me energy. It gave me hope that I could finally confess my feelings for her, once all of this were finished. The operation was long. It took a couple of hours before we finally finished. It ended as a success. I woke up the day after. As expected, my eyes were still wrapped in alot of bandages. Mr. Jung gladly said that I those wraps may be removed after a week. I sighed, as I agreed to wait for a whole week.  A day, two days, three days had already past! Each day that passes by causes me to feel uneasy, but mostly excited. I really wanted to finally see the world. Five days, then now six! One more day and I could finally see! Anxiety overcame me, everytime the clock would tick tock. Every second feels like minutes, minutes feels like hours, and hours feels like days!

Now, Finally. Exactly a week has past. Mr. Jung is now slowly removing my bandages. Little by little, I began to see something white. And when the bandages were finally completely removed, I was shocked with how bright everything was! I was used to seeing black my whole life, and now finally I can see all the different colors and objects I could have only imagined. "So.....how is it? Is there something wrong with your eyesight?" Mr. Jung asked. "I....I-I... Wow, Mr. Jung! You look so young! I thought you were an old geezer!" I gasped. Mr. Jung suddenly hit me with a paper fan out of nowhere and sighed. "For your information, i'm only twenty-six! TWEN. TY. SIX.!" he sighed once again. "It seems like nothing's wrong huh? Now that you're acting like your normal self again." he chuckled. "What a relief!" he smiled. "Um......thanks, Mr. Jung..." I shyly said while showing a small smile. "No problem, kiddo!" he brightly chuckled while ruffling my hair. "Yah! Not the hair!!" I growled. He then gave me a look and we laughed together.

"Oh, right! I better go to Aeris now! I'm sure that she'll be happy to see me!" I jumped out of the bed and proceeded to the door. Suddenly, Mr. Jung grabbed my hand to stop me. "W-What is it, Mr. Jung? Should I still do some test or something?"I asked confused. "No...it's just that....you need to know the truth." Mr. Jung suddenly said. "Truth? What truth? ....w-what are you talking about?" I asked worriedly. There was a long pause. "Aeris........Aeris is already gone.." he sadly stated. "W-What? What do you-" "She died! A few minutes after you last visited her, her heart beat collapsed and it ended her life." he regrettably said. My eyes widened, as I felt my heart shrinking."B-BUT S-" "Aeris........she's the one who gave you your eyes now!"

"Aeris was your eye donor."

"Wh-What? I don't understand! B-But.......wait..YOU KNEW?!?" my eyes widened in anger, as I clenched my hands and formed them into fists."Before you lose your temper and before I answer your questions further, I think it's better if you atleast hear out what Aeris wanted to say.." he sadly handed me a recorder. It was the same recorder which I borrowed from Aeris two weeks ago. I held it and pressed the play button..

"Hello, Xingie~ So how's the world? Pretty, right? Congratulations for having a successful operation! Right now......i'm sure that i'm already gone....and you already know the truth. Oh! And please don't get angry at Mr. Jung. He knew nothing. I only forced him to lie to you. If you were to get angry at someone, it should be me. Yes, I was a big liar. I can't even count how many times I lied to you! I lied about my sickness, firstly. I told you that it was a simple heart disease, but infact I was already at a critical case of a heart ailment. Second, I intentionally changed our sessions to 16, not because I'm confident of my skills, but because I knew that I wouldn't last long enough for it to even finish. I, myself, was shocked that you really learned in 16 sessions. You really were amazing, Xingie. And I also lied to you about that cold. I never really had a cold. Oh.......and sorry......that I couldn't fulfill.....your wish of visiting my grandparents' house........also,......it seems like I couldn't......be an idol......after all. But......always remember....what I told you. I'll always be your.......number one fan....okay? Thank you....for always.... coming to that same place, everytime.....It really made me happy, just by looking.... at you. Hehe. I....don't know what to......say...anymore. S-So D-Does this mean....... that......I succeeded in the 16 sessions you gave me....? 

I'm ..... officially your friend now.........right....?

I paused the recorder, as water started to flow through my eyes. My heart really ached that I could not stop the water from flowing. "Tears......huh.." I thought to myself as I continued to brush my tears away. I tried. I really tried alot of times now. But it seems like these 'tears' won't stop falling. My heart continued to ache, as If  a part of me has already died. Tears started to cloud my eyes, unabling me to see clearly. I closed my eyes, embracing the darkness that I was used to seeing, hoping to hear Aeris' voice atleast one more.......just one more time.... But now I finally realize...

It's already too late...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It has already been a few days since I began to see. Aeris was right. The world IS pretty. The skies, The seas, the trees. Everything! Though I guess, it would have been alot prettier if ever she was here with me. I stood infront of her grave and placed some flowers.I just stood there for a moment and then suddenly, I burst out into tears. I promised myself not to cry, but I guess that was a bit impossible."Yah, Aeris! Are you doing well?! You're right. The world is beautiful, just like you said. The school really is an amazing place, Aeris. Everyone was kind and befriended me easily.I wish....you were here to see this. A-And you know what? I'm getting better and better in playing the piano! I-I kind of think that I could even......beat you...." I paused as more tears came out. "You're too cruel, Aeris. You didn't even say your goodbye to me...If I had known..I should've stayed longer that day...and played more with you...I should've atleast told you that.-" I stopped as I felt something in my pocket. "T-The recorder?" I held it and pressed play...

I'm.......officially your friend now.......right? she laughed.

Funny, right?......after these past months....we've only became friends now.......now that i'm....

Gone....

Don't cry too much, okay?......an idol must always smile... I'll be waiting....for your album....I'll make sure that it will all be sold out! But just by looking at you, it makes me want to buy a million already! Your're really handsome.......aren't you?

She laughed, as I shed more tears. My legs felt week and I soon fell down on my knees.

.....I wonder......if you have given me 16  more sessions...

.........

Would I have the...... chance to.....be your gir-"

The record ended there, leaving me to more tears. Suddenly, I started to sing the song we both composed, whithout any reason. I felt my heart being crushed as I continued to sing. But what's worse....is when I finally sang its last part, I've finally lost it.

It's not going to be the end of our story....

Because i'm going to meet you again......

"You.....cried at this part.....right?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

-

Now, everytime I close my eyes, our story begins once more. From when we first met on that same room....until the time when I was mourning on your grave. I don't know if I could call it as a nightmare or a sweet dream. It's most probably somewhere in the middle. Meeting you once more is the sweetest dream that I could ever have....but seeing you die again brings back all the feelings I wished I had forgotten. Whenever I want to see you again, i'll just close my eyes and meet you in my dreams, at that same place. You made me realize my mistake and brought change into my life....but one question kept haunting me, everytime I think about you.........

'Did I do anything to change your life?'

"Laay.....Lay hyung!!......LAAAYY!!" Sehun called me as I finally woke up from my sleep. "Oh, Sehun. I'm sorry." I apologized. "Well, it's fine now, hyung. Don't worry. Let's just go! Our performance is going to start soon!" the maknae said while pulling me towards our members, near the stage. "Ah! You finally woke up now, yixing-ah" Our leader gladly said while patting my back. "Sorry, hyung." I bowed. "No need to, don't worry! Wait......didn't you tell me that today was the death anniversary of your...important friend?" he asked. "Um...yes, it is today." I answered back. "Right! She also composed one of our songs, didn't she?" he asked curiously."Yes......she's the one who composed 'Peter Pan'. I just helped her to write the lyrics." I gladly stated. "Nice timing! We're going to sing Peter Pan later on stage!" Baekhyun gladly said. "Oh, right! Baekhyun, when are we going to your grandma's house?" I asked excitedly. "Aish! You really want to go to my grandma's house, don't you?.....hmn...fine! This weekend, we'll go there!" he happily said. "Really?' wow! I can't wait!" I joyfully said while we brofisted. "LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR EXO!!" the MC loudly said. "That's our cue! EXO SARANGHAJA!" our leader energetically said, as we ran towards the stage.

Right now, i'm trying hard to sell a billion copies of our albums..

Not just for my group......Not just for my sake......but for her as well.

For the girl.....who made me laugh, smile, and even cry at the same time....

For the girl who.......Changed my life and fixed all my problems with it......

For the girl......I loved and cherished.....

For the girl who.....brought me joy and happiness...

Yes. It's no other than Chan Aeris....

It's all for you, Aeris.

.....You, who left...

....Without letting me say 'I love you'....

                                         ~* End *~

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