43

Early summer of May, the perfect timing for a date. Strawberry season ends with mango season taking over, exuding the sweet and sour fragrance.
 

However, for those who stay single, it is not a very ideal season.
 

The cafe was packed with people before noon. The couple sitting opposite Eunseo have been a lovey-dovey for the whole morning. Eunseo blamed SinB for bailing on her, making sure SinB will compensate her with two spicy hot pot meals.
 

"What drink you choosing? Help me to pick one." Meiqi tilted her head and asked. She always has difficulty in making choices so she let Luda choose. She could save the trouble to hesitate.
 

"Everything..." Luda pouted. She does not have difficulty in choosing but she really wanted to try all the drinks in the menu. "What about chocolate smoothies and iced black tea?"
 

Meiqi frowned when she heard that, "No cold drink, your period is coming."
 

Luda looked unhappy, crumpling her face together and replied impatiently, "Then what's the point of asking me? I answer and you reject?"
 

"Come on, it’s for your own good..." Meiqi reached out and hugged Luda, and grimaced.

 

Eunseo who was sitting in front of them has had enough. She pursed her lips and cleared , helplessly said, "Get me one iced grapefruit green tea. Go to the line first, then continue to think what both of you want to drink."
 

Meiqi looked at the counter. The queue was quite long and obviously they have to wait before reaching their turn to make order. Meiqi agreed with Eunseo, pulled Luda up and walked to the queue, and continued tangling on their choices.
 

Eunseo sighed as the loving couple has finally buggered off.
 

The smell of caffeine was so strong, Eunseo did not enjoy it that much. She prefers the aroma of flower and fruit, or the smell of laundry detergent, just like the faint flora fragrant on her clothes. The new fragrance booster was a gift from a friend she knew recently. Eunseo likes the smell so much that she adds some tiny beads into the washing machine every time when she does laundry. She thinks good luck will come to her smelling the aroma on her clothes.
 

However, her luck has not arrived. What approached her first was some noises that caught everyone's attention in the cafe. The customers turned their focus to the woman who grabbed the queuing customer's collar once she stepped into the cafe, and she was still panting.
 

"Where’s Eunseo? What happened?"
 

Seola's forehead was sweaty. Her hair was slightly soaked and messy. She looked pale and anxious, obviously she rushed to there.
 

Meiqi, who was grabbed by the collar, flabbergasted. Luda, the first one to react, patted Seola to calm her down. "Chill. Eunseo's fine. She's fine."
 

Seola glanced at Luda and stared back at Meiqi again, did not let go of her hands on Meiqi's collar. She asked in furrow, "Didn't you text me something urgent happened? What happened to Eunseo? Tell me!"
 

Meiqi did not expect to see Seola that soon. She studied Seola carefully. An oversized T-shirt and track pants, maybe those were what she was wearing at home. She might come to find them in a hurry once she received the message. Picking up her keys and bag, putting on her sneakers and hurrying over.
 

"Don't worry! She's all right, sitting there."
 

Seola followed Meiqi's sights, finding Eunseo watching them in a corner.
 

"What... What's going on?" Seola panicked, swallowed cluelessly.
 

"Oh, short of one person. We have one extra ticket, that's why we call you. Just enough that you're in your truck pants!" Meiqi has changed. She learned how to make fun of others, like what Luda will do.
 

"What?" Seola flustered. She was trying to peep at Eunseo using the corner of her eyes, but dared not to look at Eunseo directly. Seola did not completely understand what Meiqi said, but she could clearly tell that she was fooled. She loosened her hands and turned over, trying to escape from the scene. Too late, she was pushed by her shoulders towards Eunseo.
 

"Just come with us, don't ask so many questions. Sit still, we'll leave once we finish our drinks."
 

"No! I... I... I shouldn't show up!" Seola never promised anything, but since she once said she would never appear in front of Eunseo anymore, she did not want to make the latter annoyed. She can cry, but she does not want to see Eunseo cry again.
 

In fact, apart from the update she got from Exy two months ago, Eunseo did not hear anything about Seola after that. Asking Exy's favor to send the soup to Eunseo might be the biggest mistake Seola made. That was why she did not dare to take any further action, fearing that another mistake would become a disturbance to Eunseo.
 

Seola misses Eunseo so much, but she holds it on. It just she never thought she would appear in front of Eunseo in such embarrassing situation.
 

Was it because of Meiqi's brute force, or because of her selfishness, Seola did not try her hardest to break free from Meiqi. Eventually, she was suppressed by Meiqi to sit down and face Eunseo.
 

"Sit down. Stop talking nonsense! Iced Americano, right? Eunseo repeated it before." Meiqi winked at Seola, seemed to be telling her, "Opportunity has been created for you, please make good use of it."
 

Hearing her friend mention her name, Eunseo replied with a smirk and a vicious look, "Meng Meiqi, do you know the consequences you'll get for your mutiny?"
 

"Come on, I just don't want to put you in an awkward position, becoming a third wheel. The one you should blame is SinB, not me. The extra ticket, will be wasteful if we don't use it, isn't it?" Meiqi grinned. "Ah, what takes Luda so long? I'll take a look." Meiqi quickly left her seat.
 

Eunseo speechlessly rolled her eyes. When she turned her head back to the front, she saw the person sitting opposite her was lowering her head down with a cap. Only the tip of her nose could be seen.
 

Eunseo pursed her lips. They have not met for months. Eunseo thought if they meet again, she would be very uneasy. However, the moment when she saw Seola, her heart unexpectedly stayed calm and she was glad about that.
 

When Eunseo saw Seola grabbing Meiqi's collar nervously moments ago, she actually felt quite happy. When she saw Seola was trying to leave timidly, she found that funny. These were the sides of Seola Eunseo saw for the first time. Those sides that Seola has never shown to Eunseo.
 

"Did you encounter a ghost? Why did you want to leave in hurry?" Eunseo broke the silence, asking in a relaxing tone.
 

Seola immediately looked up and explained, "Nnn… No... No... I'm really happy to see you..." Seola looked straight into Eunseo's eyes, making Eunseo to feel shy. "I... I haven't seen you for a long time. You slimmed down. You should... should eat more..." Seola stuttered, she has too much to say, but she did not tell Eunseo.
 

"Thanks for your concern."
 

"I received the text from Meiqi. It’s my mistake to create this chaos without checking..." Eunseo looked calm, Seola was not sure if Eunseo was holding back her anger.
 

Seola still remembers the night, when the door was closed, that firm expression of Eunseo.
 

Eunseo smiled. In the past, she was afraid of Seola. She scared of saying or doing anything wrong, which might cause Seola leave her alone. Things changed, it was Seola's turn to stay alert of everything she is going to say and do.
 

Eunseo suddenly recalled the name of "Iron Man" that often appeared as one of Meiqi's contact numbers on her phone. Perhaps it referred to Seola? When Eunseo went to watch "Avengers" with Meiqi last time, the only comment from Meiqi when they walked out from the hall was, "Iron Man, such a heartless person!" Previously, Meiqi used to say Seola was heartless too.
 

That's right. On the way to the cafe, Meiqi was texting with "Iron Man".
 

The truth was revealed, Seola was fooled by Meiqi, so was Eunseo.
 

"If you have something to do, go for it. It's Meiqi's fault to trick you here."
 

Seola quickly shook her head and waved her hand. "I have nothing to do. I'm not busy! Today is my rest day. I'm free. Really! Don't be bothered about that."
 

"We're going to the amusement park later. I know you don't like it, don't force yourself. You barely have your leisure time. Just take a good rest at home." Eunseo went to the amusement park with Seola before. This eonnie is very timid and coward, she was just wandering around the whole day, not even going for any rides. On the other hand, Exy and Eunseo, took the roller coaster for thirteen times, breaking the record among Eunseo and her friends. Even Bona surrendered after her sixth rides, still, she was better than Seola.
 

"Why not? As long as staying with you, it doesn't matter where we're going. The last time we went there together was before you graduated from high school. It's such a good opportunity." Seola lowered her head after saying. She does not enjoy going to amusement park that much, however, thinking of having the chance to stay together with Eunseo, she got a little excited.
 

In her memories, Eunseo enjoyed very much at the amusement park. She displayed her bright smiles all day. Seola really wants to see such healing smile again.
 

Eunseo looked away and faced the window. She knows how Seola dislikes that place. Is she doing this just for herself?
 

"Kim Seola, it's been half a year." Eunseo said softly. Neither Seola nor her, has really put everything down.
 

"To be exact, it's been seven months and five days since you left the house." Seola pursed her lips, trying to squeeze out a smile. "So, how're you going to celebrate your birthday next week?"
 

"Finally you remember my birthday, it's been years." Eunseo smiled. That smile was more natural than Seola's.
 

Seola turned her head away out of guilt, but the next second, she calmed down as if she made up her mind, forcing herself to look straight into Eunseo's eyes. "You're there for me during my birthday for these past few years. But last year, you're absent. I feel that my birthday was totally meaningless. Think about it again, I've never really celebrated your birthday. I'm such a terrible person. Seriously, no one could be worse than me."
 

Eunseo waved her hand, "Just let it go, it's useless to linger to the past."
 

"I still love you, I still miss you… I just can't figure out why I can't learn to forget." Seola's eyes turned watery but she refrained herself from tearing up. "I always think of you, guessing what you are doing, wondering if you are happy or not, thinking if you get bullied in your company, worrying if you have enough sleep and if you eat on time... And imagining, how good if I could stay by your side. Even if we only have instant noodles for every meal, I'll still be happy with that."
 

"Kim Seola..."
 

"I know whatever I say now is useless. But I'll use action to prove you my determination. I'll make you believe that I'm not bluffing now. I really want to be with you. To accompany you in the future, regardless being happy or unhappy, I just want to face everything with you. Even if there's a dark tunnel ahead us, I want to hold your hand and move on together. I promise not to leave you alone anymore. If you give me another chance, I'll definitely grasp it tightly. I won't make you end up in disappointment again." This monologue, Seola has practiced for countless times in her heart, just to make sure she is able to confess every single word to Eunseo when she meets her again someday.
 

Eunseo heaved out a long sigh, "Do you really know who am I?"
 

"I don't know what I'm doing for my past twenty-six years. But my sanity couldn't be any clearer for the past few months." Seola paused, staring firmly at Eunseo, completely different with herself who was trying to escape cowardly a moment ago. "You're Son Eunseo. The irreplaceable Eunseo of this world. I want to walk together with Son Eunseo on my future path. I just want to stay besides Son Eunseo."
 

Eunseo shook her head softly and smiled, "Yes, I'm Son Eunseo. What about you?"
 

"Huh?" Seola stunned for a while, it was not something she expected.
 

"We can still be friends if we're not lovers." Eunseo reached out her hand. "Hello, I'm Son Eunseo."
 

"Fri.. Friends?" Seola was a little dazed, staring blankly at Eunseo's hand before she also held out her hand to shake the hand. "Of... Of course, I can be that friend who stays with you always..." In fact, Seola was a little upset. Nevertheless, it is still better than nothing, isn't it? At least friends get to meet, get to chat, get to express your concerns... In the name of a friend.
 

"Always stay with me?" Eunseo asked.
 

Seola nodded, "Always stay with you."
 

"Do everything with me?"
 

"Do everything with you."
 

"I want to play merry-go-round."
 

Seola froze and continued to nod, "Play merry-go-round with you."
 

"I want to take roller coaster."
 

"Take roller coast...No no no no no..." Seola almost nodded, but thinking of that rapid ups and downs, what to say the 360-degree loop, Seola subconsciously refused.
 

"I want to take roller coaster." Eunseo reiterated.
 

Seola was in an awkward position, her palm started to sweat. "I go with you and watch you play?"
 

Eunseo frowned, "I want you to take the ride with me."
 

"Or I call Exy and ask her to go with you?"
 

"Forget about it."
 

"FFF... Ffii... Fine! Let's take roller coaster together." Seola shot the works, who cares if she dies? It is much better than being a walking dead. As long as it can let Eunseo feel happy, it is not a problem torturing her nerves for that few minutes.
 

"Are you really taking the roller coaster ride with me?"
 

"I'm taking the ride with you."
 

"Are you really really really taking the roller coaster ride with me?"
 

"I'm really really really taking the ride with you." Seola sighed. But she will keep her promise for Eunseo.
 

"I've affirmed with you three times. You should trust me being honest by now, right?"
 

"And Sky-X too." Eunseo quickly hid her face after saying, trying to cover her sneaky smirk.
 

"This..." Seola felt like she was being fooled. This is like a combination of skydive and bungee jump. An event ranked top three as the most adventurous game. After raising to a height of 50 meters, a repeating of rapid falling and raising movements follows. Even if you being sleepy without sleeping for three consecutive days, you surely and immediately, stay awake while giving it a try. Not to mention the possibility of Seola faints directly, even Eunseo may also have a hard time trying it. "It's exactly like jumping off a building... Are you sure you want to play?"
 

Eunseo looked back at Seola with a serious face, "Yes."
 

Seola took a deep breath, her tongue the lips uneasily. "Okay! Wherever and whatever you want to do, I'll follow you."
 

"Hmm." Eunseo raised her chin, seemed to be satisfied with Seola's answer.
 

"Thank you, Eunseo." Seola finally giving a smile from the bottom of her heart. That smile was a little silly. "Let's start again from being friends."
 

"It depends how you behave." Eunseo once again lowered her head to hide her unbearable smile. Watching how Seola was having a headache now, it made Eunseo quite happy. Maybe this naughty idea was learned from Luda.
 

"I will look forward to it! Look forward to the days after today." Seola said.
 

Their inner voice tells them, please continue to look forward to the coming days. No matter where the ending point is, having expectations is something worthy to be happy.
 

Whether they are lovers or not, it does not seem to be that important now.
 

Some people are just familiar strangers. Dating is just to fill up your stomach. Even if they are hugging each other tightly, their hearts are still separated by dozens of miles.
 

If this is the case, it is better to restart from being friends. At least you are close to each other. At least you can stay by each other's side.
 

We cannot let each other go at once, at the same time, we cannot accept each other easily at once. Starting over, from being friends, perhaps it is the best solution for both of us.

The end

StarryMoment (Author) 's thought: Maybe you see this as an open ending. But for me, it's a happy ending for them.

Wound has been made. It is impossible to get rid of the scar. But if you can get along with the scar, you won’t see the scar as something terrible, it is a way to let the past go and welcome the bright future ahead.

Love is not something you handle in rationality. Those who stay too rational can hardly fall in love. Love is not something you can theorize. There is no such thing as absoluteness in a relationship. It depends on your own willingness. If you want, you can continue. If you don't, just stop. Love is that unreasonable yet simple.

If you have a better idea for the ending, feel free to write it. I always welcome you spam me with comments and thoughts.

My thought: For the past eighteen weeks, thanks for following and loving this story. I appreciate all comments, votes and subscribers，views and supports very much! I will translate more stories if the time allows me to do so! See you again!