Chaeyeon stopped contacting Sakura. She changed her number, deactivated all her social media accounts and begged Chaeryeong to not inform Sakura of her whereabouts. She knew her younger sister was also close with Sakura but she was able to convince Chaeryeong by saying that she just needed some time to clear her mind. She admitted to Chaeryeong that she was in love with Sakura. Chaeryeong simply said,

 

“Ow please, everyone probably knew already, captain obvious. Except you and Sakura. You two are such dense bricks.”

 

It took a while but Chaeyeon eventually got better. The trainer who shed tears when Chaeyeon left JYPE contacted her. The said trainer referred her to WM entertainment. It was a small agency compared to Chaeyeon’s previous one but she was thankful anyways. She was finally getting back on track. She met new friends and fellow trainees who helped her faced the hardships. Her family also supported her and became her pillar all throughout her journey.

 

Finally, she was about to debut. Their debut date was set. Chaeyeon smiled knowing that she was about to fulfill her promise to Sakura. She deemed herself worthy enough. She made a letter and sent it to Sakura’s address in Japan. She was planning to go to Japan right after her official debut. She will visit Sakura. She was ready to pursue Sakura. This time she won’t run away.

 

No more running away, Kkura-ya.

 

 

 

 

Chaeyeon debuted a month ago and their official promotions officially ended. She couldn’t help but smile upon remembering Sakura mentioning her on her radio show right after her debut.

 

“Hey everyone! Have you heard about WM entertainment’s new girl group? Their leader Lee Chaeyeon is actually my best friend! I haven’t seen her for a while but we’ll meet soon. Please support them. You won’t regret it! Jjaeyeon was the one who has taught me how to dance! She’s like Kami-sama for me! Ah, I can’t wait to meet her again!”

 

Their manager and her fellow members were shocked to know that Chaeyeon was affiliated with HKT48’s ace Miyawaki Sakura. Their group garnered more attention because of Sakura’s statement. Chaeryeong teased Chaeyeon saying that Sakura was technically announcing to everyone that they were each other’s soulmate. Of course, the younger Lee earned a smack from the older Lee because of that.

 

Chaeyeon was lying on her bed, feeling the excitement and nervousness of meeting the person she loves again. She was happy and content with her life. Tomorrow, she’ll go to Japan then she could finally make things right.

 

The next morning, Chaeyeon woke up because of the various phone calls. She checked her phone and saw that most of them were from her family then the rest were from Yena, Yuri and her other friends.

 

She suddenly grew nervous and she had an unsettling feeling about the situation. She was about to message Chaeryeong to ask her what’s the problem when her phone rang again. Yuri was calling her.

 

“Unnie, are you alright?” Yuri worriedly asked.

 

“Huh? Of course, I am. What do you mean?” Chaeyeon confusedly said.

 

“Gosh, you haven’t seen the news?” Yuri said, her voice cracked and Chaeyeon could hear light sobs on the other line.

 

“Huh? Yuri? What’s happening?!” Chaeyeon was growing worried and impatient.

 

“Sakura unnie- please just check the news.” Yuri said.

 

Chaeyeon ended the call then proceeded to check the news online. She found the same words on the top of every news site she checked. Reading those words made her world stopped.

 

 

 

 

HKT48’S 24-YEAR-OLD-ACE MIYAWAKI SAKURA DIED ON A CAR ACCIDENT.

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

Kkura-ya,

 

 

It’s hard.

 

How am I supposed to live without you?

 

Ya, why did you have to break your promise?

 

You’ve said we’ll meet again on the stage, didn’t you?

 

It’s painful. This is too painful.

 

I’ve never stopped thinking about you.

 

Days passed by, the pain lurking within me keeps on growing and attacking in hopes of gradually destroying my soul.

 

I know that it’s more than capable of doing so.

 

You’ve taught me lots of stuffs and opened up my eyes to the wonderful things our world has.

 

You’ve torn down my walls thus tearing apart my anxieties and fears.

 

You were more than just a best friend.

 

You’ve become my light in my darkest times.

 

You've undoubteldy shine brighter than anyone.

 

The radiance of your heart illuminated my path, keeping me sane amidst this messed up path of life.

 

It never occurred to me that something as ridiculous as this would happen to you.

 

 

 

This doesn’t make sense, am I dreaming?

 

 

 

The idea that everyone I’ve come to know will eventually die someday didn’t terrify me until I woke up with the news of your death.

 

 

I regret a lot of things and I don’t know what I’ve been doing all this time.

 

There are times where I just want to end all of this but then I realize how selfish that was.

 

It’s like wasting the time you’ve never had, so I know that I should keep going.

 

I’m not courageous enough to obliterate my existence.

 

I don’t have the heart to make my family suffer because of an impulsive poor life decision.

 

Whenever I get those weird impulses, memories of you keeps me sane.

 

 

 

You were no longer here but you still save me every time.

 

 

 

I know it’s hard and barely bearable to hold on but I I’ll try my best.

 

 

 

I’ll wait for the day I could finally see you again.

 

 

 

I miss you so much.

 

 

 

Damn I should have at least taken lots of pictures with you even though I hate cameras.

 

 

It’s funny how we’ve been friends for years but didn’t have a lot of pictures.

 

 

Heck, our first selfie when you left for japan also became our last one.

 

 

Ah, it’s really painful.

 

 

 

Kkura-ya,

 

 

I’ve loved you so much.

 

And now it’s breaking me just as much.

 

 

 

I’ve loved you, Kkura-ya.

 

No, I love you.

 

 

I always will. Always. 

 

 

If metempsychosis exists, I hope we get to meet again on our next lives.

 

 

Maybe we can even get the chance to debut in the same group together?

 

 

Who knows, we might get to perform together on the stage.

 

 

Am I asking for too much?

 

 

Ah, I really love you.

 

 

 

Funny how people say first love never dies.

 

 

Because you did.

 

 

You’ve literally did.

 

 

 

 

Until we meet again, Kkura-ya.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 -

 

 

Inside a dark room, a certain Korean girl was crying while looking at her phone. It was almost midnight and her soft sobs filled the room. The person sleeping above her worriedly climbed down their bunk bed to check what’s up with the girl.

 

“Chaeyeon unnie, what’s wrong? Are you okay? Is your back hurting again?” Hitomi asked her room mate.

 

“Ah, sorry for waking you up Hii-chan. I’m alright.” Chaeyeon wiped her tears and apologetically looked at Hii-chan.

 

“Why are you apologizing? Anyways, this won’t work. I’m telling Sakura unnie. I’ll exchange rooms with her tonight.” Hitomi said.

 

Chaeyeon was about to stop the younger girl but couldn’t do so. The younger girl quickly left the room without looking back at her. Moments later, she heard a knock.

 

“Come in.” Sakura entered upon hearing Chaeyeon’s reply. The older girl was rubbing her eyes. Hitomi must have disturbed her sleep. Chaeyeon felt sorry.

 

“Did Hii-chan tell you? It’s nothing Kkura-ya, I’m sorry for disturbing your sleep.” Chaeyeon apologized.

 

“Chaeyeon, look at me. Tell me what’s wrong. Are the bad comments getting into you again? I’ve told you before and I’ll keep on telling you this. You’re perfect and I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise.” Sakura firmly said which made Chaeyeon unconsciously smile.

 

“Hey, stop smiling. Tell me what’s wrong.” Sakura pouted and Chaeyeon finds it adorable.

 

“It was nothing, really. We should sleep.” Chaeyeon answered.

 

“Nope. I won’t sleep until you tell me.” Sakura insisted.

 

“Eh, but it’s too petty.” Chaeyeon looked away in embarassment.

 

“I don’t mind.” Sakura said as she grasped Chaeyeon’s hand and rubbed circles to calm her down. Chaeyeon sighed and decided to just spill it to Sakura.

 

“It’s just the fanfic I’ve read.” Chaeyeon shyly admitted. Her cheeks and ears turned crimson red upon admitting her reason for crying.

 

“Fanfic? What- Ow, HAHAHAHAHA” Sakura couldn’t help but laugh.

 

“Chaeyeon, you’re really cute.” Sakura continued laughing.

 

“Ya, it was really sad. You’ve died in the story!” Chaeyeon sulked as Sakura kept on making fun of her.

 

“Come closer.” Chaeyeon obliged with Sakura’s request. The older girl gently hugged Chaeyeon then burried her face on the younger’s neck. Chaeyeon calmed down and felt silly about being affected by a mere fanfic.

 

“I’m never reading angst again. I’ll stick with fluffs!” Chaeyeon exclaimed.

 

“Chaeyeon, I love you, dork.” Sakura cooed as she gave Chaeyeon a chaste kiss.

 

“Sakura, I love you too.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

fin.