That’s why, I’ve decided. Once Hyesung will say that he doesn’t want me anymore... without saying a single thing... I will let him go.

And he did. It’s hard to admit but that’s the most idiotic decision that he ever made.

Eric was too late to realize everything. Hyesung already left him. Now that he was alone in the cold bed, it was crystal clear. He love him so much. He was a total fool to realize it just now.

After Hyesung left the house, it became a terrible mess. Eric in particular, was in his worst state. He can’t sleep at night, it was so cold and suffocating for him to rest. In the morning, he would wake up so late that he even skipped work. It happened since there is no one who will wake him up and nag at him. Well, he doesn’t want to get up in the bed to begin with. He lost his energy to even take care of himself. His beard starts to grow and he looks like a crappy old man.

Few days have passed, the owner of the restaurant where he worked fired him for his continuous AWOL. He shuts himself from the world and never leaves his bed. Even his friends can’t reach him. He ignored all the calls and continuous ringing from the apartment door.

One day, Eric finally decided to come from the bedroom. He was so shocked when he looked at himself in the mirror. He looks so old and terrible. Not even a single hint of a charismatic handsome guy like he always heard in the past. Suddenly, he could hear Minwoo’s voice.

You are an idiot who chose to be miserable when you already have someone who’s ready to give up everything for you.

That’s it! For the first time after spending few days pondering inside the four corners of his bedroom, he finally realized what he wanted.

He doesn’t want to feel miserable anymore. He wants Hyesung back. But before he could do that, he still needs to heal his heart that was shattered from his past relationship. He needs to be whole again.

TWO YEARS LATER...

A man just came out of the airport. His hair was brushed up, making a clear view from his handsome and manly face. He looks so elegant and the beige coat he’s wearing gives justice to his charismatic aura. Every people who passed by can’t take their eyes from him.

That man... was Eric.  He took his phone out and called someone.

“Mom, It’s me Eric... Yeah.. Yeah... Just arrived to Korea... I know...You too. Take Care... I love you.”

He took a deep breath and after inhaling the refreshing atmosphere, he knows that he’s back.

“I’m finally back.”

For the past two years, Eric stayed in America. He thinks that having a new environment would help him renew himself. He took a temporary job as chef in a restaurant. After few months, he established his own and it became successful. Of course, it started to a small eatery until his food was made known to the locals. Soon after, he gained loyal customers and hired skilled employees.

Even Eric himself was so amazed how his business became successful. After earning money from his business, he decided to leave the restaurant to a trusted friend in America and open a branch to his homeland. He finally decided to go back to Korea and of course his main reason... to get Hyesung back.

Eric took a cab to finally get out of the airport. Now that he’s back, he starts to be nervous. He doesn’t know what his next move so he just randomly said a location to the cab driver.

It seems like the cab driver could feel the tension and nervousness around Eric, that’s why he the radio to lighten up the atmosphere.

(NP: New Me by Shinhwa)

A beautiful day, a brand new day,

And I'm not the man who I used to be, Forget the me of the past

I'm not the me of the past anymore, please forget me from then

Eric straightened his back as soon as he heard the lyrics. It is somewhat similar from his current situation. He squint his eyes to the driver. Ey there’s no way the driver knows about it. About the fact that he’s back to Korea with his new self slash more-reliable-guy concept.

Do you remember the street we walked on together?

He almost had a goosebump. As the cab passed through the street where him and Hyesung always take to go home. Both of them walking holding hands. Eric would say a very lame joke but Hyesung would still flash his beautiful smile. That kind of smile that he misses the most. But that loving moment will fade whenever he will be reminded of his ex girlfriend.

How are you? You probably hated me for leaving

Eric was 10000% sure that his friends hated him for leaving, since he left without any words. He only got in touch with Minwoo two weeks after he arrived in America. Of course, he got an intense scolding from his friend. The word intense is actually an understatement. That phone call he had with Minwoo where he explained everything to his friend but only got a parade of curses and angry shouting as a reply. Minwoo even said that he doesn’t want to see him ever again. Well, Eric knows that his friend doesn’t mean everything he said.

You look thin,

Forgive me, I was wrong

​​

During his stay in America, he always think about Hyesung. He wondered what is his reaction after knowing that he left the country. Sometimes he would wish that the pretty guy is eating fine. Hyesung is always skinny but a part him wish that Hyesung would not be so thin when he will see each other again. He wants Hyesung to be healthy.

        I don't know why I was so angry back then

I don't know why I was so irritated back then

Now after all this time

I finally know that you are so precious

He felt bad for getting angry at Hyesung before. He felt bad for getting irritated before whenever he remembered something about his ex girlfriend. On top of it all, he felt bad because the song hit him right in the feels. The lyrics of the song were so relatable. It seems like the song was made for him. It made him wonder who is the artist or the boy band behind the song.

Beautiful day, always by your side

It's a new me, It's a new me now

I will make you happy and only care for you

I will show you how I changed

As the song reaches its chorus, he can’t help but to look outside of the window. The sky is so clear, the sun is shining so brightly, birds freely flying and without any worries. A beautiful day indeed.

He feels like the whole universe is cheering for him. Now that he finally moved on, he is now able to love again. To love without being angry from his failed relationship in the past. To love without holding back. To start over again with Hyesung and make up to him.

Of course, Eric well aware that it is not an easy thing to do. Not all that we wanted is something that we could get in an instant. But Eric is ready to do everything just to have Hyesung with him again.

It's okay if you come to me slowly

I will always be standing next to you

Eric didn’t realized that the cab finally stopped and they finally reached their destination... their old apartment complex.

Eric was standing in front of their old apartment. The one that he lived with Hyesung. He couldn’t believe that it became vacant even after he left. He suddenly remembered what the landlady told him.

***

“Oh! Yes, I remember you. How could I forget a handsome man like you.” The landlady said to him. “The one where you lived before is still vacant. But why you won’t live on the unit below your old apartment?” The landlady asked him.

Eric got confused. He doesn’t understand what was the old lady was telling him.

It seems like the old lady read Eric’s expression so she just shrugged it off. “Oh no. Never mind. What am I even talking about? Hahaha don’t mind me young man. I’m just an old lady who says everything that I could think of. It’s nothing.”

***

The old lady said not to mind it, so Eric did. He held the handle of the apartment’s door and then turned it to go inside. The interior of the apartment was still the same two years ago. The position of the sofa, table and other furniture didn’t change. Although, some spaces of the apartment are empty since it became vacant for a while, overall it is still the same.

To be honest, it feels the same but at the same time it doesn’t. Maybe because of the missing presence of a certain beautiful person.

House felt empty but he tried to shrug it off. He promised himself not to regret too much like he did before. Rather than pitying himself, he would always make forward. He choose not to live in the past anymore and cherish every moment in the present.

After fixing his things, Eric decided to take a walk outside of their apartment complex. He wants to know what part of the city changed and be familiar with the environment once again. He just walked and walked wherever his feet would drag him.

The next thing he knew, he was already at the park where he always go with Hyesung. He looked around the area and was happy to see that it was exactly the same like before. Then... as he turned around he saw a familiar skinny figure.

In front of him is the man he loves and longs for. Eric’s heart skipped a beat. He was stunned and stopped walking. The man standing in front of him is glowing and his eyes were now full of life compared to the last time that he saw him.

“Hyesung” He calls his name. He was about to cry. He missed him so much.

“Eric?” Hyesung glanced at him but he can’t read his expression. It is shocked? Sad? Or what?

His mind lose the ability to rationalize. He is moving without any thoughts or anything. All he wanted to do is to hug the pretty man in front of him so tight.

Eric walked towards Hyesung but then—

“Honey” A beautiful woman calls Hyesung’s attention. She walked beside Hyesung and automatically linked their arms together.

Hyesung’s eyes twinkled as he smiled at the woman. That kind of smile that was only for Eric before. It could be seen from his eyes that he was so in love. Eric can’t help but feel hurt at the sight. So this is what Hyesung felt before.

It seems like the beautiful woman noticed Eric so she stared at Hyesung then back to Eric.

Hyesung smiled and said, “This is Eric...my friend.” Then Hyesung turned to Eric, he wraps his arms around the woman’s waist before saying, “Eric, this is my wife.”

Eric was shocked at the last words. It keeps ringing in his ears. It feels like someone poured a bucket of water full of ice on him. He tried to put a bitter smile to the woman. The woman bowed her head slightly then stretched her hand to him. She introduced herself to Eric but his mind wasn’t able to process everything. Most especially after noticing the woman’s other hand that is caressing the bump at her tummy.

“Honey, we’re already hungry” The woman pouts which made Hyesung smile.

“Oh really?!” Hyesung gently caressed the woman’s tummy. “Don’t worry baby, Appa will feed you now. Okay~”

The couple giggled, completely forgetting about Eric’s presence.

All Eric could ever think of is that, It’s Over. Everything’s over. For two long years, many things could happen, many things could change. He was too late. So freaking late.

Eric was about to say something to Hyesung but to his surprised that he disappeared in an instant. He was trying to find him but the setting suddenly changed. He is now climbing a mountain. His foot slips and he fell into a... bed.

Bed? Eric opened his eyes and found out that he was on his apartment’s bed. He probably fell asleep while fixing his things and got tired from a long flight.

He put his hands on his chest. His heart was still beating so hard. So it’s just a dream? He felt relieved but after a few seconds he suddenly felt scared. What if it’s real? What if Hyesung already have someone he loves?

Eric put his hands into his head. He felt dizzy after sitting up as soon as he woke up. Few minutes later, he grab his coat to go out and eat in a restaurant.

After filling his stomach with a hearty soup and some Korean food that he miss, he take a walk around. He was very shocked that he ended up going to a park... that same park in his dream.

To his own surprise, his dream was slowly turning into reality. As soon as he turned around, he saw a familiar figure.

But instead of Hyesung, it’s the person that he once loved.

His ex-girlfriend 

A/N: I’ve just searched for the English translation of Shinhwa’s New Me (credit to the rightful owner) (〃^∇^)ﾉ

It’s been a while since I last update this story and then there’s a sudden time skip (hehe).

Because I think what they really need is time to heal and for Eric to move on. I really like it when stories have no real bad guys. Their sole enemy is the circumstance (LOL) 

HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT DAY AND SEE YOU IN THE NEXT CHAPTER~