You've reached the deepest part

Of the secret in my heart

I've known it from the start

My only love

My only love

(Song: My only love by OST Sailor moon)

***

My best friend is the wind. He is always with me wherever I go. He is free, he can fly wherever he wants, look into any houses, have fun and play with passers-by. When I'm next to him, I feel like a free bird hovering in the sky.

And now, he is nearby, whispering in my ear about something, while I am ahead of my rivals on the treadmill. I still have to overcome one more turn to the finish line and the victory is mine. I laugh with him when I raise my hands up, and my chest touches the outstretched tape, and the whistle of the judge sounds, talking about a new record. He gently touches my face, then runs away to reporters, photojournalists to have fun with them, to tell them about me. I smile at everyone, my heart is happy. Yes, I am proud of myself, because I was able to overcome my fears and run again.

The coach comes up to me, smiling happily, in his hands is a bouquet of flowers, and a stopwatch. He hugs me, whispers in my ear:

“You made it a girl.” I proved to them that you are the best - he stepped back from me, showing a new result of my run, my new record.

I do not need to look to understand. And yet my eyes looked, a satisfied smirk appeared on my face. Yes, we did it. Thank you my dear friend.

He came back to me when they were interviewing. He brought a very pleasant aroma with him, breathing it in, I wanted to immerse myself and stay there. The aroma, so reminiscent of aloe with a touch of chocolate.

Ha ha ha - you laugh - how is this possible?

I can not give an answer. But at that moment I remembered the girl, a mysterious stranger whom I saw two months ago. My image appeared before my eyes. More precisely, her profile.

The flash blinded me for a second, and that first meeting clearly fell before me, as if it were only yesterday.

 

Two months ago.

I have been running since childhood. I loved to feel freedom when I ran towards the unknown. Being engaged in this sport, I happened to see many beautiful places, but I was always drawn to my home. Here nature was kind of calm. Breathed easily. Still, the home gave strength.

Every morning I loved to spend in the park, winding familiar circles on the path I had trodden on. Moreover, it was always quiet in the morning. The only sound was the singing of birds and the murmur of water in the fountain. On that day, the sun had not yet risen enough to green the tops of the trees, but it was enough to determine the day would be hot. My friend greeted me, he immediately took the patronage, showing me the way.

We had fun talking with him when my legs paused in front of a stranger girl sitting on a bench near the fountain. My eyes looked at her in surprise. She sat in profile from me, but I clearly saw the pallor of her cheeks, her sophisticated nose, thin lips and straight posture. An open book lay on her lap, it was all concentrated in it. School uniform - a gray skirt to the knees and a blouse with a jacket. Black straight hair at the ends is dyed red.

As if feeling a look on herself, she turned in my direction. Our eyes met, and my lips extended into a shy smile when the girl smiled brightly and widely at me. We did not talk. I did not dare to go up and ask what she was doing so early here. For the first time, I didn’t feel like following the wind, which impatiently called for me.

Our meeting did not last long, when I again that day ran past the fountain, that girl was gone.

When I returned home, I remembered for a long time where I had seen such a school uniform coloring, until I looked into the closet in the evening, preparing for school. What was my surprise when I realized that the girl goes to the same school as me.

 

The next day.

School.

She arrived late, but they still let me in when the doors were already closed. Thanks to all my awards for sporting achievements, they turned a blind eye to many things. School did not keep me, on the contrary, it gave me all the opportunities to improve preparation for the races. From the first class there were such privileges. From the day I chose the athletics club. From the first day I showed the best result, the coach immediately took me to training. Not even a year has passed, I am already the first among the first. My school is always in the first place.

Approaching 2nd, I knocked on the door and went inside. Master didn’t tell me anything, just nodded. I went to my place, on the way smiled at Zhou Tzuyu, who waved her hand at me. She was one of the few school friends. We talked a little, but she understood me, she knew why I liked running.

We still have time to talk, and now I looked out the window, dreamily looking into space. Not to say that I did not listen to the subject, but not all of my attention was focused on it for sure. I watched with interest the tops of the trees where my friend was playing. He was free to choose. I envied him.

The bell rang, Tzuyu and I left the classroom.

- My congratulations, Chaeyeong - patting me on the shoulder, sincerely rejoiced at my victory. “You're the first again, unnie.” Was it hard?

- Yes, this time I was interested in running. New rivals were better than I thought of them. But not the best - walking along the busy corridors of the school, I said.

- Are you for a long time or only for a couple of days? asked Tzuyu.

- A week, and then we leave for Canada for the international relay. After school I’m going to a sports stadium, and a coach will be waiting for me there. The preparation for the relay will begin.

“So we won't see you again?” - the girl was saddened, looking at me.

“What can I do, Tzuyu?” Let's meet after training - I suggested, seeing my lips still pout.

- I will wait for the call. And this means that I will wait if the training ends at 8 or 9, she warned, although I already knew that this time I could not get out.

We really very rarely see each other. And I also missed the friendly gatherings.

The coach picked me up before the appointed time. My training began with a start at 200m.

“Run like a ghost behind you,” the coach ordered, knowing full well how afraid I am of them.

To be precise, I am afraid of two things - darkness and ghost. Imagine that the disembodied spirit was not difficult for me, my heart was beating furiously in response to the fear that I had invented. My legs carried me at infinite speed. I really thought that I was a ghost.

After a quick start, the trainer ordered to run around the stadium 10 times, then accelerating the pace, then lowering it.

At the end of 10 circle, my eyes caught on some kind of obscure shadow on the podium. The third row and place is somewhere closer to the middle. Black hair, straight posture ...

“This is she! Girl from the park! "

Having reached the coach, I looked back at that place, yes, the girl was still there. She wrote something, focused.

- That's all for today, come to school early tomorrow. We work out before the lessons. And tell the girl sitting there - pointed in the direction where my eyes were - we are leaving.

You don’t need to beg for a long time, I quickly packed up, threw the bag over my back, and ran to the podium. My heart was beating excitedly in my chest, waiting for a meeting. When I ran there, the place was empty. The scent of chocolate floated in the air.

I was upset. No luck again. Sighing sadly, she went home more slowly. At home, as Tzuyu promised to call. We made up for lost time when we did not see each other. It turned out that a lot of interesting news appeared. And the main news was that:

- We have a new translated girl from Seoul. She is an outstanding pianist. The director has many hopes for her. You are with us in sports, and she in music.

- What is her name? - I was curious to see the girl who conquered many human hearts. After all, music is as free as the wind.

- Name? asked the friend, scratching the back of her head, looking uncertainly forward. - Sorry, I’ll find out for sure tomorrow, okay? But she is a little older than us, in the 3rd year.

“Okay, tomorrow I'll hear her name myself.”

 

One more day

I came to school earlier than agreed time. Time on the clock showed just a quarter to 7 in the morning. Desert corridors, silence. Calm time. Honestly, I was not going to go inside the school, I thought it was a great opportunity to run on the track myself. But crossing the gate of the school, I heard the sound of the piano. A sad melody, it touched my heart. Beautiful play of notes attracted me. Quietly, so as not to make noise, she went up to the music class and carefully peered inside.

But the class was empty. A darkened room, only standing musical instruments and a tightly closed window. The piano lid was closed, the chair pulled toward it, quietly and empty.

Really heard? It can't be a ghost, right?

From my thoughts, it became scary, and I quickly left there. Without turning around, although I heard some steps behind me.

If I turned around then, I could meet a stranger from the park.

A little bit later

I learned the name of a gifted girl from the 3rd grade from Mina-unnie, an older friend. We managed to meet during lunch. Tzuyu and I joined the rest of our friends at their table. Momo, Mina and Sana sat across from us, next to us were Nayeon and Jeongyeon. They are all older than us, our unnies.

Once Jeongyeon-unnie and Sana-unnie started with me, but then they got new hobbies, and they abandoned the sport. But they still gave me a lot of good advice.

- Oh, look who we have here! Our baby, the strawberry Chaeng, was delighted with the girls, seeing the maknae coming to them. - Returned with a victory, baby. Our congratulations!

“And I'm not the only one here, Nayeon-unnie.” Tzuyu told me that your group took first place among other speakers. It’s a pity that I could not attend your speech.

- We understand everything, at that time you yourself had competitions. But you know, we were very lucky to find a girl who knows music.

“Yes, yes, she helped us out,” Jeongyeon interrupted, she wanted to say the name of the girl first, which struck her hearing from the first chord.

- Kim Dahyun, translated student. She is in my class - Mina boasted, modestly smiling at everyone.

“Hey, Minari, I wanted to ...” Jeongyeon began, but Nabongs interrupted her, grinning insidiously.

- A very pretty girl, pale skin, reminiscent of tofu in softness. We rarely see her, just like you, Chaeyeong. Where is she today? - I asked the others, but Mina answered.

- Today she has a grand concert in Japan. She is a special guest.

“How do you know all this?” - curious Sana.

- We are texting. She is a very quiet person, almost unsociable, lives only in music. She performed for my number from the opera Giselle. So we met.

The girl’s name hung in the air, the wind brought it up and kept it on its weight, reminding me of it. I really wanted to see and meet this girl. We are alike.

When I trained that day, I did not see anyone on the podium. But when she changed her shoes, she found a folded piece of paper in the locker.

Having expanded it, I read:

I will be waiting for you at the finish.

No signature, but I liked the handwriting. Flat, without a single flaw.

Rival? Someone who is better than me on the run? “Wait at the finish” is a challenge?

After re-reading several times, I didn’t get hate vibes from the note, so I’m not a rival. Then who?

 

Two days later.

The morning run today did not give the result that I wanted. The rest of the circle I just walked on foot. Slowly, enjoying the silence. Turning around the corner to where the fountain was, I suddenly saw a familiar stranger.

She did not read, listened to music, her fingers beat the rhythm rhythmically. A shining smile on his face, hair gathered in a bun, opening a snow-white neck, straight posture, relaxing posture. Her eyes were closed. For a long time I could not decide to approach her, I stood opposite her and looked.

“Am I making your heart flutter?” - I heard a bewitching voice, the eyes of a stranger now looked at me.

- Uh, sorry - cleared my throat, for some reason it suddenly dried up.

“You've been standing like this for a long time and just watching. You want to meet? - the smile has become even more beautiful, I was fascinated looking at her, trying to understand something. When her question came to me, I quickly waved my hands, awkwardly shifting on my toes. - Do not want? I would not mind - the girl got up, straightened her school uniform, extended her hand to shake. Smiling broadly, introduced herself. - Hi, I'm Kim Dahyun. Let's be friends.

- Nice to meet you, I’m Son Chaeyeong - I shook back. When our palms touched, I felt a wave of heat run through the veins, cheeks and ears were red. I did not want to let go of her hands. Never.

- So we met. Have you finished your run yet? Let's go through the park, talk.

Talk out loud. We were mostly silent. But the silence was cozy, comfortable. We walked around the park, then went to the cafe. She ordered a chocolate cocktail, I - strawberry. Our communication proceeded smoothly, she often joked, making me laugh unusually loudly. It turned out we have a lot in common. Music, movies, food, clothes. The only thing that didn’t coincide - I loved the rides, she didn’t. I was afraid.

“I will go with you if you call, Chaeyeong,” she admitted, straightening her hair by the ear. “You will be my defense.”

“Then this Saturday?” - I dared to invite, watching with admiration the journey of the hand to her hair. She was charmingly sweet.

- I'm free on Sunday. Can you move? - Dahyun asked hopefully.

- Yes. This weekend is completely mine - I said firmly, and again saw a bright smile from her. “So Sunday?” - decided to clarify.

- Yes. I'll be waiting for your call.

Friday and Saturday I did not see her, but I knew why - she participated in the concert. I became a fan of her after I found her on the Internet. Her melody reminded me of the wind, just as free and light.

She mesmerized as soon as her fingers touched the piano keys.

I saw her through a tune.

I felt every note. She talked through music just like I talk to the wind.

In the evening of those days, SMS of different contents came from her, but mainly they concerned our meeting. A friendly date, blushing correcting myself. I was glad to know that she had not forgotten about me, even in another country.

On the night of Saturday to Sunday, I had a rather strange dream.

The main words that spun in my head were the words from the note "I will be waiting for you at the finish." And based on them, I heard the sounds of a sad melody from the music class, looked at a beautiful girl in the park, felt the soft touch of my fingers on my hand while shaking.

The dream ended with Dahyun asking: I will be the wind for you, will you become music for me?

When I woke up, I honestly did not know how to answer this question.

 

So the long-awaited day came - Sunday.

We agreed to meet at our place. In the park, near the fountain. I arrived early, too early. I could not sit at home, very nervous before the meeting.

I did not have to wait long, the wind brought to me her aloe aroma, which she used all the time. She said that this is her favorite fragrance. Aloe and chocolate. My eyes followed her every smooth movement as she walked toward me. This time her hair was painted in a light shade, and he really went to her. Light pink lipstick, too, went to her, like small earrings, and a chain on her neck in the form of a crescent, and rings on her fingers. She was beautiful, breathtaking.

“You are so beautiful today, Dahyun-unnie - my words came out unevenly, but she smiled and the nervousness went away.” For a while, until she completely approached me, she went into my personal space and kissed her cheek, where my dimple appeared, when she smiled at her.

“Have you cut your hair, Chaeyeong?” It really suits you. You are very pretty with such a hairstyle - boldly ruffled my hair. - My gentleman, Princess Chaeyeong - could not resist, kissed her on the cheek again, then hugged and so we stayed for a short time. “I missed you, Chaeyeong,” she said in a half-whisper, snuggling tightly, not leaving not a single free millimeter from my body.

“Only two days passed — she tried to joke, but then she gave up, ran through her hair, stopped her palm on her back, sighed her scent of shampoo. “I missed you too, unnie.”

Over time.

We held hands while we went to the cinema. And where our skin touched, everything burned. I could not take my eyes off her. She really was very beautiful today. I liked absolutely everything. I enjoyed her voice, her laugh, her childishness. Allowed to show in public her sympathy for me. Silently gave permission for affectionate nicknames, names. She bowed her head as she spoke quieter, blushing with her sudden kisses.

Two days, from my very words, two days passed, as I did not see her. It just turned out to be a long time. Looking at her, listening to her stories about the impressions of the concert, I heard an inner voice: Wind and music, are they compatible?

Yes. Compatible.

Will you become music for her?

Yes. I will.

Are you in love?

“Chaeng, Chaeyeong, Chae-e-yeoung - Dahyun waved in front of my eyes, her face was very close to her face. - Woke up, honey? Where have you been? I’m crucifying you, talking about two days, but you don’t listen! What are you thinking about, Chaeyeong?

“About you,” the words slipped faster than I thought, but they were uttered so quietly that Dahyun did not hear.

- About what? She asked, leaning even closer.

“I say that I thought about the rides where we are going.” You don’t like them, maybe we’ll go to the cinema?

“You will be there, my gentleman.” I’m not afraid with you - she simply said, moving away, allowing me to breathe freely. “Just promise to always keep me.” Are you promising

“I won’t let you go anywhere, Dahyun-unnie - in all seriousness,” I said.

Confidence in answering the question “are you in love?” Increased an nth number of times when Dahyun clung to me, closing her eyes in fear of heights, still smiling brightly at me - yes, I fell in love.

She endured all the high-altitude attractions. My brave girl, Kim Dahyun. Then we still went to the movie, romantic. She stared at the screen for the whole film, and I at her. She laid her head on my shoulders, her fingers touching my hand, it was bliss. I wanted to take the first step - to kiss. But my insecurity and shyness played a role again. The film is over, we left the cinema, having fun talking, recalling interesting moments, it was so easy and good. So did not want to end the evening. I didn’t want to let her go home. Therefore, I decided:

“Unnie, can I take you home?”

“Of course, what a question,” she quickly agreed. - I just won’t let go of my gentleman - not only her lips smiled, but her eyes shone with happiness. I looked at her for the umpteenth time that day. “What's wrong, Chaeyeong?” Is there something on my face?

- No, everything is fine. It's just ... Dahyun-unnie, I won’t be in town next week. The most important competitions begin. The best of the best will compete. And from next week until the end of the month I will be there, in Canada - the nervousness returned, we looked into each other's eyes, and I did not dare to ask: “Will you wait for me?”

The fear of failure pierced me. Somehow, the girl across from me always knew when to change the subject. And this time was no exception.

“It's getting cool, let's go home,” she easily changed the subject. Dahyun took my arm, pressed herself against me. - I do not live close, and then you still get home. I don’t want my gentleman to get sick. You still need to win the competition.

Yes, the path was not close, but flashed in the blink of an eye. Too fast we came to a stop, the bus pulled up too fast. We just sat in the back seats, and Dahyun suggested:

- Do you want to listen to the melody that I will play at the concert?

I gladly agreed. She took out her phone, we shared her headphones. The melody that sounded through them reflected everything that has happened since our first meeting.

I closed my eyes, resting my head on her shoulder, completely dissolving into the melody when the driver announced the final stops. Need to go out. With great reluctance, we went out. We stretched our time to the very shortest step, but 10 minutes and here it is, her house.

Our fingers are intertwined, we practically breathed the same air, hearts beat in unison.

Please do not have much, give us a little more time.

Not knowing whom, I prayed, then I heard a short sigh, and her voice:

- Thank you for spending, Chaeyeong - it immediately became cold without her warmth. - Today was just a great day. And the evening. For a long time I was not so easy and free. And funny.

“I also enjoyed spending time with you,” I admitted, unknowingly touching the fingers of her hand.

“We need to repeat it somehow,” she smiled, swaying on her toes.

“Yes, with pleasure,” I smiled shyly, taking a bold step towards her.

But she stepped back, quickly kissed my cheek and began to leave towards the house:

“You have to go home now.” Really getting cold. The bus will arrive in 10 minutes, just by the time you get to the stop. Be sure to write that you are at home, okay?

“Good,” I nodded, following her gaze. Absorbing the last seconds of this amazing day. She waved a hand at me, smiled again and disappeared behind the door. Sighing sadly, I turned and began to go to a stop, walked a little bit from her house, only about 20 steps, when I heard:

- Son Chaeyeong! - Turned around, Dahyun smiled brightly at me, shouted - I will wait for you at the finish! - then I heard her running away.

I smiled stupidly all the way home. Spinning every minute spent with Dahyun, recalling any intonation in her voice, the way she looked, how she touched me. Her innocent kisses. And the last words, I scrolled them especially carefully. I understood their meaning when I entered my room and my gaze accidentally saw a mysterious note lying on the table.

“I'll be waiting for you at the finish.” Really ... Dahyun-unnie ... wrote ... me ... her? No, I won’t guess, I'd better ask later.

 

2 months later

The competition lasted not for one month, but for two whole.

The first week we corresponded every day. How was a free minute, immediately picked up the phone and wrote to her. She answered just as quickly. They talked about everything, could not talk. Sometimes she sent her photos, I answered mine.

The second week completely exhausted me, my head hurt and my back ached, there was no time for talking. I just answered with emoticons. All the time she apologized, promised to improve.

Another week from her there was no news, but from the Internet I learned the news. Again concerts, successful and grand. New melodies, a new smile on her face.

The second month did not receive more than one message from her. No matter how much I tried, I did not answer. My concern was reflected in the run. Doubts and fear gnawed at me that all those memories of Dahyun were just my dream. Real dream. More and more often, the coach clutched his head, begging me to stop, to gain my confidence, to start running as if I were flying in the sky. He took everything from me that related to my memories of Dahyun. And at the end of the second month, I began to think that I had not met anyone in that park. A girl with a bright smile is just a mirage. And no one will wait for me at the finish.

***

Crossing the finish line, I did not see anyone, but why then did the wind bring such a familiar smell? After the interview, when they let me go, I slowly walked from the finish line to the locker rooms. The smell haunted me, as did the melody that sounded in me. But my eyes did not see her. My ears did not hear her voice.

Having changed clothes, accepting congratulations, I walked towards the hotel, where we were accommodated when I heard how they called me:

- Son Chaeyeong!

My heart was filled with hope when I turned to my voice. A bright smile illuminating my face as I looked at the girl standing near the stadium, arms crossed over her chest. She did not smile at me, her eyebrows frowned, and the whole pose told me that she was angry.

“Dahyun-unnie, you ...” I started, running up to her, but they killed me.

“Why didn’t you answer the calls?!” - stamped her leg, asked Dahyun angrily. - I’m worried if something happened to her, and she’s having fun with them! - Pointing to my team, looking at us. I waved his hand, they say, go, it's to me. They nodded and left.

- I won the championship, Unnie - shared the good news, but she was not impressed. She only shrugged, turning away.

“How could it be otherwise, you’re the wind - her words healed all the wounds that burned with fire for two months.” “Why didn't you call me back, Chaeyeong?”

“My coach has my phone, and he kept saying that no one called me.” Sorry - made another attempt to get closer, this time she let in. She approached and hugged her right away, pressed her to her. “You're here, unnie, you're here.”

“Yes, congratulations on the gold medal, Chaengi - burrowing into my hair,” she said, relaxing. - I’m not for long, my concert program starts in 3 hours, I need to rehearse.

- Do you have a concert here? But I read that it will be held in Singapore, in two days - remembering the latest news, I said.

- Your news lies - freeing herself from hugs, Dahyun, passed through her hair. “Not in Singapore, here in Canada.” Last concert for this year. I'm going to rest. The official message will be today, after the concert. And you, your plans?

“I'm going to rest too, onny.” Do you need to leave now? - after some silence, she asked.

- Yes, a car is already waiting for me - once again I ran my hand through my hair. Then she took out a small envelope and handed it to her, smiling shyly. - This is for you. Hope you come.

“A ticket to your concert,” she whispered, holding it with trepidation. - First row. So close. I'll be there, Dahyun-unnie. I'll be there - my melody, I added to myself, hiding the ticket.

She did not kiss me when she said goodbye, but a nonexistent kiss was kept in my heart. There was her bright smile, a quiet voice and the soft sound of her steps.

Now I won’t let you go anywhere, Dahyun-unnie. Never!

***

POV Dahyun

As soon as I saw her, I immediately understood, she is my melody. Her sound was so loud, demanding, indomitable. The wind runner, as I called my work, and now for the first time it has been submitted to the public. Each note conveyed to the concert audience about a gorgeous girl who won my heart in a matter of minutes. If you listen carefully, then between the notes you can:

- see her face: eyes, a smile, a dimple on her cheek and chin, a small mole under her lower lip,

- hear her voice: sweet, shy, embarrassed, affectionate,

- feel the beating of her strong heart.

After our acquaintance, I long and hard sought it, I wanted to become her support, my best friend. I wanted to be her wind. Therefore, then I wrote her a note that I would wait at the finish. The date that we had, I think, is not friendly. A romantic date. And after him I was firmly convinced - fell in love. Two months of separation, only established itself in their feelings.

She won. Won the competition. She broke her own record. At that moment, standing on the podium, along with everyone who came to cheer for her, my first desire was to run to her, hug and kiss. To declare to everyone - she is mine! But she did not dare, after thinking, decided, in the evening, after the concert. I will ask to become my girlfriend.

Song Chaeyeong, I won’t let you go anywhere. Never!

***

The melody played by Dahyun cannot be expressed in words. You can only feel it with all your heart. Sad and smooth, gentle and soft, quiet. Every corner of my heartfelt the notes conveyed in it. In each sound, I saw a story about me, about our first meeting, about separation. Sitting in the front row, I distinctly heard her speak with sound, saw how the wind gently lay down on the keys. The wind whispering to me: don't let her go.

Today, after the concert, I will ask her, and I hope she says yes.

The audience applauded while standing. They shouted with delight, asked to play an encore. They didn’t want to let go. She smiled cheerfully at them, agreed, and for another 5 minutes the concert hall was filled with the sound of a piano. Then she bowed, hiding behind the curtains. The hall gradually empty until only I remained.

She came out after 15 minutes, changing the concert dress to the usual comfortable clothes.

- Let's go for a walk? Today is a warm evening - I nodded silently, intertwining my fingers with her fingers.

I was ready to go anywhere, if only with her.

Walking step, warm weather, wind and melody quietly whispered among themselves, did not bother us two. Thanks you. Although, I would now help a friend would not hurt. Where to start the question?

- You know, Chaeyeong, I had a strange dream before the concert - after silence, Dahyun turned her face to her friend's focused face.

- What is his oddity? - our views met, and I lost touch with the question, so much in her look was tenderness towards me.

- In a dream, I kept asking you: will you become music for me?

“And what did I answer in your dream?” - I stopped the step, she turned completely towards me, still looking into the eyes. A faint smile shone on her face.

- Chaeyeong, I will be the wind for you, will you become music for me?

Instead of answering, I squeezed her face with both hands, leaned over and kissed her on the lips.