Beautiful Goodbye - f(x) 

*omfg, read the english translation of this one. The feels for LuRa ;u; *

Chapter One 

Stuck

The sound of silverware clinking against porcelain, maids carefully moving around the dining room, soft light peeking through the opened windows, medical and business conversations that only the two eldest men in the family could understand; it was all that made up of the morning of the Kims for the past three years. For other people, it would be rather mundane, the breakfast almost becoming humdrum, but for the family, it was normal and even homey. It was the scene every day at their household. The family had already become accustomed to it to the point that they would find it very disturbing if it wasn’t the case.

Albeit, as usual, Seongim kept on sighing. “I’m going to be left alone in the house again today.” she pouted, stabbing her food like a five year old kid, earning her a chuckle from Joongki. “Can’t you just take a leave for today?” she asked.

“I’m sorry dear, but Chen and I have a meeting to attend today.” Joongki smiled apologetically.

“Jongdae, why don’t you just get married already?” Seongim asked her eldest son. “That way, I’ll have grandkids to play with while all of you are out.”

A sigh escaped Chen’s lips. “Then who will help out at the hospital?” He then pursed his lips towards his two younger siblings. “These two are traitors, taking a major in music instead of medicine. If even at least one of them took the same course as I did then surely by now, I’m already married. But no, they just have to leave all of the family obligations to me!” Chen voiced out his thoughts sarcastically, but instead of feeling better, he only felt more annoyed, seeing the innocent smiles that his two younger siblings gave him.

“You’re far too early to marry, hyung.” Kai retorted. “You can’t even get yourself a proper girlfriend.” Almost instantly, a grain of rice suddenly stuck to his forehead, causing him to frown at the childishness of Chen. Throwing it back to him, Kai spoke. “And besides, mom, you shouldn’t worry about being alone anymore since Jaera’s getting married in the future…” he trailed off, eyes widening at the same time he saw the harsh looks his older family members were giving him.

At the sight of his father’s unpleasant expression, Kai swallowed hard, temples giving in to cold sweat. He berated himself mentally at that moment, loathing the fact that he just brought up a topic which wasn’t really a taboo, but was utterly avoided that it could already be considered as one.

Fortunately though, Jaera didn’t seem to be affected. Though the awkward smile was apparent on her face—one that had made Kai utterly guilty.

“Think before you speak, Jongin, or else I’ll confiscate your car.” Kai’s eyes widened even more as he heard his father’s words. The fact that Joongki used his real name meant he was serious, and Kai wouldn’t want that—he would never want that—so he only nodded meekly in response.

Likewise, he had already lost his appetite, especially since the laughter of both his siblings was utterly irritating. “Jaera, is Sehun picking you up today?” Kai asked, only to hear a ‘no’ and a short explanation from the girl—one which he didn’t really bother to comprehend. “Just ride with me then, I’m going now.”

“Mom, dad, oppa, we’re going now,” Jaera called, standing up from her seat before following behind Kai, all the while ignoring Seongim’s childish whines at making them stay.

Since it was a busy Monday morning, the road was a bit jam packed. Nonetheless, they were able to reach the school just in time for their first class—thanks to Kai’s proficient driving skills.

“Jaera, I forgot to tell mom and dad that I have extra classes later this evening so I won’t be able to eat dinner at the house.” Kai said, eyeing Jaera as she got down from the passenger’s seat. “You’re going home after your classes, right? Could you just inform them for me?” he asked as Jaera just nodded.

“Yeah, I can do that.” Jaera grinned. “So, I’m going first—“

“Wait!” Kai exclaimed causing Jaera to stare at him, puzzled. The male bit his bottom lip and tapped on the steering wheel, uncertain about his next words. “I’m sorry about what I said earlier…” he said, almost whispered, as he looked at his sister guiltily. It wasn’t that he meant to bring up Jaera’s marriage earlier at the dining table. Heck, he knew perfectly well how sensitive the topic was, that was why he had incessantly scolded himself. Although it seemed that Jaera didn’t mind it, he still felt bad.

After a moment of thought, Jaera shook her head. “What’s there to be sorry for? Everything’s okay, silly. We’re okay.”

“You sure we’re okay?” Kai asked once more. “Are you really okay?”

Jaera just nodded with a smile. “Yes, but I won’t be if you don’t let me go now. My first class’s starting in about a couple of minutes.” She then waved goodbye to the male before making a beeline towards the arts building. “See you later!” she yelled.

Whilst running, she heard Kai yelling back, causing for her to wave her hands in the air again without stopping. Truthfully, she still had another thirty minutes before her first class starts, but knowing her brother, she would rather go to class earlier. It wasn’t because she didn’t want to speak with Kai. She wasn’t lying when she said that they were okay. She was though, when she said that she was okay, and she didn’t want it to worsen by staying behind and be caught up in a conversation which she didn’t want to hear.

As she stepped foot by her designated room’s door, her phone buzzed, signalling for a message.

Sorry I wasn’t able to pick you up this morning. I woke up late because Sejun wouldn’t stop whining last night, asking me to play with him and stuff. Oh btw, Tao-hyung asked us to meet up with him, Haeri, and Soyeol after class at the usual place. You have language last, right? Still at room A-302? I’ll just pick you up later.

Jaera just chuckled, already used to seeing that type of message from Sehun every Monday mornings, especially when Sejun didn’t have school the day before.

You aren’t mad, are you? I’m sorry ㅜㅜ Don’t tell hyung, okay?

She didn’t really mind whenever Sehun failed to pick her up. At first, she had kept on telling him to let her go to school by herself, especially since they have different majors—Jaera’s majoring in Music whereas Sehun’s in Business Management—but the male was just so stubborn, reasoning that his schedule was almost the same as hers, even when it certainly wasn’t.

Oh, and make sure to bring her to and from school and home. You’ll be her personal driver, okay?

Even if Sehun refused to admit it, Jaera knew that he was just following orders. She knew that Sehun was just keeping a promise, one that was made three years ago[1]. The male, until now, had been the one driving her to and from school ever since, and probably will until they graduate. Knowing Sehun, he surely won’t break it, no matter how Jaera refuses him, so she just stopped complaining and let him be.

After all, she too, had been trying hard to keep the promise that she made to herself… no matter how hard it was.

“Hey Jae, look,” one of Jaera’s classmates said, pointing to their classroom door with a sly smile. “Your boyfriend’s here.”

Already knowing the person who her classmate was pertaining to, Jaera just shook her head amusingly and chortled. “Sure, if you only knew…” she said sarcastically as her classmate just chuckled. “See you tomorrow!” she called out before striding out of the room, only to be met by a tall fair male. “You’re early.”

“I’ve got to make up for this morning.” Sehun shrugged. He then took Jaera’s books from her with a smile. “So, let’s go?” he asked, more of like a statement, as the girl only nodded.

Since the café they usually went to wasn’t that far from the school—it was only across the gates—it only took them a good fi