I couldn't help but smile widely while walking to the amphitheater. It felt so good to be in Korea. It had been my dream for a long time and I had finally been able to achieve it. Being surrounded by Korean people was amazing. I had made some friends already, mostly foreigners though. They were studying in Korea too.

 

"Hey ____ !" Eric called me.

 

          Eric was a French guy I had met not so long ago. He was in Korea with his twin sister, Alice.

 

"Hey !" I greeted him. "Where's your sister ?"

"She has a lecture and mine just ended."

"What was it ?"

"Political science." he replied.

"Aww.. that sounds complicated."

"It's very interesting." he smiled. "Where are you going by the way ?"

"I have a class. And I'm late."

"Sorry, it's my fault. Hurry up !"

"I'll see you later." I waved.

 

          Fortunately, the amphitheater wasn't far. I reached the place after a little walk. I bowed to the teacher and went to the closest seat.

 

. . .

 

          The teacher dismissed the class but my attention was still drawn to the girl who had sat next to me. From her looks, I could tell she wasn't from Asia. I had seen a lot of foreigners at school before. However, I had never shared a course with one of them.

         The girl had shoulder-length brown hair and her eyes were green. She was a beautiful young woman.

 

          I followed her as she left the room. It was lunch time and I found out that her friends were already waiting for her at the cafeteria. My own friends were waiting for me as well. I went to them although my eyes didn't leave the beautiful foreigner.

 

"What are you looking at ?" Il Hoon asked.

"The girl over there." I answered.

"Who's that ?"

"We attended the same lecture earlier." 

"She's not Korean, is she ?" Peniel wondered.

"No, I guess she's from abroad."

"Have you talked to her ?" he added.

"Ay.. I don't know her."

"You won't get to know her if you don't go to her."

"Hyung is right." Il Hoon agreed.

"What should I tell her ?" I hesitated.

"You could ask her why she has chosen to come to Korea." he proposed.

"And how long she's going to stay."

 

          I didn't reply as I watched her in silence. She was really beautiful. I liked her eyes the most. She was laughing with her friends and I smiled to myself.

 

"You're not going." Peniel observed.

"Should.. Should I go now ?"

"Well, yeah."

"But her friends are here. I can't possibly-"

"Sung Jae, go to her." he cut me off.

"Right." Il Hoon added. "Go."

 

. . .

 

          Korean food was delicious. Even though it was different from what I usually ate. I enjoyed the new taste, and also the company of my new friends. Spending a year abroad was truly an enriching experience.

          I was listening to the story of an Italian friend when someone tapped my shoulder. I lifted my head up to see a particularly handsome guy. His face looked familiar but I couldn't remember where I had seen him.

 

"H-Hi." he stuttered.

"Hi." I greeted back.

"I was.. sitting.. I was sitting next to you earlier."

"Oh.. yes. And you are ?"

"I'm Yook Sung Jae." he bowed. "I just wanted you to know that I can help you anytime."

"It's really nice. I'll gladly accept your help, sometimes it's hard to understand what the professors say."

"Your Korean is pretty good though."

"Thank you." I smiled. "I've been working on it for years now."

"You must love Korea !"

"I do !" I beamed.

"Well.. hum.. I won't bother you more. Remember that you can come to me whenever you feel like it."

"Thanks for that, Sung Jae-ssi."

 

          He bowed before walking away and I suddenly realized that my friends had been staring at us. Obviously, they had listened to our conversation. Alice gave a light touch to my shoulder while saying.

 

"What a lucky girl ! She's got a boy already !"

 

. . . 

 

          When I got into the amphitheater the next day, I unconsciously started looking for the beautiful girl. A smile played on my lips when I saw a hand calling for attention. It felt nice to see her wave at me. It made me feel confident. In fact, I had thought that she had not given value to our unexpected meeting. My heart raced as I sat beside her.

 

"Sung Jae-ssi, how are you ?"

"I'm fine ! What about.. you ?"

"Oh I'm sorry. I haven't told you my name." she apologized. "I'm ____."

"Nice to meet you ____. I hope we'll become good friends."

"It would be great !"

"How long have you been here ?" I asked.

"Almost three weeks. It feels like a dream."

"Ah really ?"

"Yes !" she nodded. "I can't believe I'm in South Korea. And the fact that you approached me.. it's really a dream."

"Is it ?"

"Definitely ! You're so handsome !"

 

          I was taken aback by her confession. I had not thought that she had been attracted to me.

 

"I'm sorry." she said. "What I mean is.. you look like an idol and well.. you're handsome."

"You're beautiful too." I whispered.

"Oh.. the professor is here. I guess we'll talk later."

"Sure."

 

. . . 

 

          Once the lecture was over, Sung Jae asked me to spend time with him. I accepted as I had another class in the afternoon only. I followed him to the park of the campus and we sat together on a bench. He wanted to know me better, so I told him about my origins and my family. He was curious about the reason why I liked South Korea. Actually, it had started around six years ago.

          My best friend was fond of Kpop at that time and I used to make fun of her female-like idols. It had been difficult for me to understand what she liked about them. Then, she had asked me to watch her favorite drama, and, I had decided to give it a try. After only the first episode, I had fallen in love with the Korean culture.

 

"And now you like Kpop too ?"

"Yes ! I love Korean idols." I replied.

"Do you only listen to boys band ?"

"Well.. most of the time. But I like some female artists too."

"You should go to a concert while you're here." he advised.

"I would love that !"

"Maybe.. Maybe we can go together."

"It's a good idea." I said.

"Eh.. I'm disappointed Sung Jae !"

 

          We were both surprised as a group of young men surrounded us. My heart skipped a beat as I looked at them carefully. They were very handsome, tall and.. perfect. Oh Korea, dear Korea !

 

. . .

 

"You won't even introduce your beautiful friend to us." Min Hyuk complained.

"Are you ashamed of us ?" Il Hoon added.

"He's afraid we'll take his girl away." Peniel giggled.

"I'm not.." I frowned.

 

          Peniel sat next to her, as if they were friends already, and they started talking in English. I was annoyed because I couldn't understand what they were saying. I got a few words but it wasn't enough to grasp the sense of their sentences. Fortunately, I wasn't the only curious one.

 

"Why don't you speak Korean ?" Hyeon Sik pouted.

"She's from abroad. I don't think she speaks Korean." Eun Kwang said.

"Hyung, how will Sung Jae talk to her then ?"

"Oh.. right.."

"You're right, it's not polite. My name is ____."

"Your accent is so cute !" Chang Sub smiled.

"Thank you ?" she laughed.

"I'm Min Hyuk Oppa."

"Oppa ?"

"Yes, you're probably younger than I am. Just call me Oppa."

"Then, I'm also your Oppa." Hyeon Sik stated.

"What about me ?" I whispered to her ear. "Will you call me Oppa too ?"

 

. . .

 

          Months passed by and I got a lot closer to Sung Jae and his friends. Eric and Alice would often tease me, wondering if there was something between us. I would always say that there was nothing special. At least, that was what I tried to convince myself of. I was only studying in Korea for a year. I couldn't fall in love with someone. Not when I had to go back to my country at the end of the academic year.

 

          Yet, it was hard to spend time with this sweet guy without developing feelings for him. We were always together, during lectures or when we had free time. He helped me a lot when I lacked knowledge and I was able to visit the country thanks to him. He had taken me to wonderful places. Despite the fact that his friends would often go out with us, it felt like dating. Sung Jae would buy me food, souvenirs and he would take care of me. I liked him a lot.

 

"Earth to ____."

"Uh.. sorry.. I was thinking."

"Is there something wrong ?" Sung Jae was worried.

"I'm fine. How can I feel bad when we're at Lotte World ?"

"This place is pretty popular, isn't it ?"

"It is !" I nodded.

"Let me take a picture then. You should not forget that I brought you here."

"I'll remember you Oppa."

 

         A shiver ran down my spine when he cupped my cheek.

 

"I'll remember you too." he whispered. "Even if you leave, you'll be in my heart forever."

 

          I knew our friendship had reached its limit. The rhythm of my heart made it obvious. I was falling in love with Sung Jae. And it wasn't a good thing. I tried to get my mind off it by taking my phone out of my pocket. I thought that it would be good to avoid an eye-contact. However, his body got closer to mine and I could feel his warmth. He rested his chin on my shoulder while looking at the phone's camera. I tried my best to focus on the photograph, and it was a success, until he wrapped his arms around my waist. His chest was pressed against my back. His arms held me tight. I felt good in his embrace. I was about to take another picture when he kissed my cheek.

 

"We look like a couple." he whispered. "A beautiful couple."

"We can't.."

"____-"

"No, it's impossible Oppa. I'm leaving soon, you know that, right ?" I asked.

"Alright." he sighed.

 

. . . 

 

         The following days had been good. I had easily understood her point of view. We had decided to be friends, nothing more. We had reduced the number of our outings because of the exam period. We had had good times and I was sad to notice that the date of her departure was getting closer. I had not been able to take her to a concert, so I had prepared a little surprise.

          I led her to an open air amphitheater where she sat comfortably as I went to the stage.

 

"Hello.. ____ ! Today, I'll be your host for a private concert."

"A concert ?"

"Yes. And we'll begin with the first singer. Please, welcome.. Yook Sung Jae !"

 

          She burst out laughing as I announced my own name. But her melodious laugh faded away when I started singing. Indeed, I had never sang for her in the past. I liked the look on her face. She smiled widely when the guys joined me on the stage. Singing had always been our passion. She applauded once our performance was over.

 

"What's this song ?" she asked.

"Star." Peniel answered.

"Who's the original singer ?"

"Us." I winked. "We have written it."

"Wow.. so you guys are really idols !"

"Maybe." Min Hyuk replied.

"Do you like it ?" Chang Sub wondered.

"It's really beautiful !"

 

          She walked to the stage and I brought her closer to me. I put my arm around hers as I held her hand. She looked marvelous. My feelings were still growing although she had forbidden me to see her as more than a friend.

 

"Erh.. why are you always so close ?" Il Hoon frowned.

"That's how friends behave." I said.

"No, it's disgusting." he shook his head.

 

          He was still talking when Peniel got closer and hugged him tight. Il Hoon asked him to let go but Peniel wouldn't listen. The smile on ____'s face brightened as she made fun of our friend. She had no idea how breathtaking her beauty was. I couldn't help but fall for her harder.

 

. . .

 

"It was nice meeting you." Alice said.

"That's right. I'll miss you ____." Eric added.

"I'll miss you too."

"Give us a call if you come to France someday."

"I will."

"We've got to go now." Eric pouted. "A year is too short.."

"Tell me about it." Alice sighed.

"Have a safe flight." I smiled. "And don't forget to send me a message when you're home."

"We will !"

 

          Alice and her brother hugged me and I tried my best not to cry. It broke my heart to watch them leave. I had spent a lot of time with them. We had become good friends. I wondered if I would see them again as they walked to the airport check-in.

          I blinked so as to prevent a tear from rolling down my cheek when I saw my own luggage.

 

"Don't cry ____." Peniel whispered.

"We'll keep in touch." Eun Kwang said. "You can come back whenever you want."

"That's right. We'll be happy to welcome you again !" Min Hyuk claimed.

"We may come to your place one day." Hyeon Sik added. 

 

          I was speechless as I listened to their ideas. I was unable to smile. Not when Sung Jae's eyes were fixed on my baggage. He looked so down, I had not seen him like that before, and it hurt me. He had been such a cheerful friend. And he would have been a sweet boyfriend if I had given him a chance. My heart wanted me to stay in Korea, yet, I was reasonable enough to know that it was impossible. I tried to convince myself that my friends were right. I could come back later, but for the moment, I had to go back to my culture, my country, my family.

 

"It's almost time for me to go.." I murmured. "Thank you for those wonderful days, for the good times we have spent together."

 

          I stepped closer to Sung Jae and took his hand. He lifted his head up as I intertwined our fingers. I looked in his eyes.

 

"Thank you Sung Jae."

"Gosh.. I can't do that." he groaned as he hugged me. "Do you really have to go ?"

"I'm glad I met you, my lovely friend."

"You know it's a lot more than that."

"Don't make it harder." I pleaded.

"____, I can't let you go.."

 

          I didn't answer but I simply rested my head on his chest. I closed my eyes to appreciate his embrace, his touch, his scent. He had charmed me so easily. It was hard to walk away from the one who had captured my attention. It was heartbreaking.

          However, I had to leave and we couldn't change this fact. I pulled away from the hug and kissed Sung Jae's cheek gently. I was surprised when I felt the touch of his hand on my nape. He leaned down until I could feel his breath on my lips.

 

"Come back to me soon."

 

          With those words, he closed the gap between our mouths. His lips were soft against mine. It was a chaste kiss, as sweet as our days had been. It was already time for me to leave when his lips left mine.

 

"I'll be waiting for you ____."

"I'll surely return to you, Sung Jae Oppa."