“Do you think I can do this? I’m not sure about it anymore.”

A low voice filled with hesitation whispered in Chaewon’s ears, making the girl hastened her hug towards the person in her arms. They both are spending their time cuddling while watching a performance of her girlfriend’s favorite idol group. Playing with the girl’s ears, Chaewon carved a simple smile while softly uttered, “You definitely can do this, Kkura unnie. Didn’t you work hard days and nights just to have this chance?”

She can feel a faint movement from her girlfriend, breaking away the comfort of their cuddles, and instead stares at Chaewon with nervous eyes. “What if I failed in the audition? Don’t you think it will just a waste of time trying?” Chuckling at the older woman’s words, Chaewon prodding her elbows, pushing herself closer towards Sakura, resting her head onto the girl’s lap.

“If you fail, it means that you can still improve more but I doubt that you’ll fail, Kkura unnie. You have everything that the company seeks for. In no time, I’m sure you will be the next Bae Irene. I can already see a big poster and enormous, countless ads of Miyawaki Sakura posted all over the world,” Chaewon reached for the woman’s hand and planted a kiss on Sakura’s knuckles while stealing a glance at the cherry blossom.

Albeit having a two-year difference of their age with Sakura is the senior in her high school, Chaewon couldn’t help but noticed the ethereal beauty which is hiding behind a nerdy look. Their encounter isn’t worth a scene in a novel but Chaewon cherishes it because she got to know Sakura closer.

It’s nothing grand, with Chaewon had to stay back at school because she forgot to bring an umbrella. Her best friend is absent on that day, leaving the shy Chaewon all alone without anyone to rely on. After pondering about things, Chaewon decided to wait for the heavy downpour to subside while completing her homework in the classroom.

That was her plan.

But on that fateful day, Chaewon realized that all humans do can plan but fate will act playful and prevent the plan from taking place.

Passing by the music room on her way to the classroom, Chaewon heard a strum of guitar from the supposed empty room. As curiosity got better of her, she decided to take a peek inside and discovered her crush is casting aside those thick spectacles while focusing on playing the guitar. Not only that, the chocolate-haired senior is actually singing melodiously while tapping her feet on the floor along with the rhythm of the music.

She supposed to walk away and treat this moment as a sweet memory in her life. However, Chaewon couldn’t stop her nosy from stepping inside the music room as she sees beads of pearl rolling on Sakura’s cheek. Her heart is hurting at the sight of weeping Sakura and Chaewon couldn’t help but want to offer her shoulder for Sakura to lean on.

“Chaewon?”

“Hmm? Sorry, Kkura unnie. I’m thinking about our first encounter a few months ago.”

“What? Delete that scene from your head! I’m an ugly mess back then!”

Giggles filled the room as Chaewon busy gushing over Sakura who turned like a ripe tomato while whining at her. They both ended the tease with a light peck as they leaned against each other, enjoying their calm breath which filled the silence in their shared home.

“Hey, Chaewon?”

“Hmm?”

“I love you.”

A grin break on Chaewon’s face as she got to hear Sakura being frank with her feelings for once. Whenever her girlfriend uttered those sacred words, Chaewon knows that Sakura really means it. Caressing her partner’s arm, she replied, “I love you more.”

***

That was the story about them seven years ago. In the midst of the empty park accompanied by a passing chilly breeze, Chaewon can only smile bitterly as she reminiscence about their falling in love phase. Everything else in the world didn’t matter as long as they have each other. It used to be like that.

She wonders where did things go south for both of them being distant from each other. Being a superstar, Sakura had a lot of her plates and Chaewo