Author's note: It's a bit of a short update but it was pretty fun writing this one I think. It's surprising because I honestly thought it would take me ten chapters to get through part 1. But chapter 10 will be even better and a lot longer (I'm working on it now :)) so bear with me and I'll update as soon as I can. Happy reading!
"Cheese!" I smiled in unison with Lilli as Hwoarang snapped a picture of us in front of the Universal Studios globe at the park. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by such good friends; the four of us decided to start our summer off right by taking a trip to Universal Studios Japan. I was excited, maybe a little too excited by the looks of the Minnie mouse ears bobbing on top of my head. "Jin come here and take a picture with Xiaoyu!" Lili called motioning for him to come over towards us. Jin was being more quiet than usual today, probably because he was taken aback by being here. Crowded places aren't really his thing so I know it took a lot for him to be here with us.
He walked over slowly towards me replacing Lilli's spot in the picture. He looked down at ears and asked, "Do you really have to wear those things? It's embarrassing..."
I lightly flicked at the ears making them bob back and forth a little, "But they're so cute, I bet if we got matching ones you'd change your mind."
"No, I don't think so."
"C'mon Jin get closer, give us a smile!" Hwoarang urged, Jin was growing flustered and a red tint was forming across his face. I grabbed onto his arm to pull myself closer and held up the classic peace sign for the picture. "Cheese!"
Hwoarang laughed as he snapped the picture of us, "Jin, you didn't look at the camera." He showed us the picture causing the rest of the group to laugh as well, "I'm gonna send it to you guys so you can have matching backgrounds."
"Whatever," Jin scoffed walking ahead of us into the park.
"C'mon you guys," I grabbed both Lilli and Hwoarang's hands urging them to follow me. "I want to ride everything and meet all the characters! Oh I want to buy souvenirs and try some of the foods here! We need to buy funnel cake, I always see it on TV and I've always wanted to try it!"
"Haha slow down Xiaoyu," Hwoarang plead. "We'll be here 'till close so we can do everything here."
We started in the New York attraction area with the Hollywood dream backdrop steamroller and quickly navigated our way through.
"Guys you have to get a picture of me with Spiderman!" Hwoarang pulled us over to the line of people waiting to get their picture taken.
"Hwoarang, I didn't know you like super heroes?"
"Nah just Spiderman, when I was living in Korea my parents could only afford these cheap $1 Spiderman comics for presents for me so I used to read his comics all the time when I was younger."
"Aww that's kind of sweet actually."
"Yeah I can laugh about it now, heh my parents were so poor I remember they could only afford the Spoderman action figure instead of the Spiderman one."
"My poor Hwoa," Lili came up behind him and circled her arms across his waist. "You had such a hard life when you were younger, I'll buy you all the Spiderman action figures you want."
After New York we went to Fashion avenue where Lilli and I took pictures with Hello Kitty and enjoyed the teacup ride. Then stopped over in Hollywood to find some decent souvenirs. I picked up one of those classic Marylin Monroe pictures with her standing over the vent.
"Are you really getting that?" Hwoarang asked coming up behind me.
"For my grandpa yeah, he really likes her. Look I picked out something really cool for Jin too." I held up two matching key chains, "I knew he wouldn't go for the matching ears so I got two matching key chains."
"I guess so, I still think you should've gotten him the ears. I would've made him wear it for you."
"Ya I think it'd be too much for him."
"You two take so long!" Lilli shouted from outside the store growing frustrated. "Lets go I wanna go get that funnel cake." I hurried to finish paying and catch up with Jin and Lilli.
The funnel cake we ordered was a decent size for the four of us. We got it topped with ice cream strawberries and whipped cream. I was eager to eat my own portion of the cake, Jin however wasn't. He doesn't like sweets so he won't even take a bite of it.
I broke off a small piece and held it up to Jin's lips. Jin was confused and slightly annoyed by the gesture, "What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to feed you silly. Here now take a bit."
"No, I don't like sweets you know that."
"I know but, do it for me please." I begged trying to put on my best disappointed face. Jin looked at me for a moment but finally gave and took a tiny bite of the cake. "See that wasn't so bad, how was it?"
"It's way to sweet, you'll rot your teeth."
"Hurry up you guys the fireworks are going to start soon." Lilil pulled us through the crowd of people trying to get us up close to lake edge where the fireworks would be displayed. It was a tight fit the four of us were able to make it through up to the handle bars. As we waited Jin placed his hand over top of mine and squeezed it a little, he still didn't look my way but the gesture was welcomed. Just then the first streak of light flew over top of us and exploded in the sky creating the whole spectrum of colors. The crowd applauded eagerly waiting for more. About two minutes into the show Lili whispered in my ear, "I have to use the bathroom I'll be right back."
"But you're going to miss the finale, can't you wait?"
She shook her head no and grabbed Hwoarang's hand, "We'll come find you guys okay." As soon as they pushed their way through the crowd two more people came up to replace them, I took that as a sign that they won't make it back. I took the opportunity to get closer to Jin knowing he would be less resistant now that our friends are gone except, he became even more tense than before as if something was bothering him.
"Is something wrong Jin...?"
Jin squeezed my hand but I wasn't sure if it was for reassurance or affirmation. There was a brief moment of silence where fireworks stopped and Jin took that moment to tell me what was on his mind, "I've decided that I'm going to enter the tournament."
*Boom Boom Pop* the fireworks roared as the finale started overhead of us. I was speechless and for some reason surprised. I knew Jin was thinking of entering the toilet I was just hoping he wouldn't. As the fireworks finished I finally mustered up the courage to speak.
"When do you leave?"
"The day after tomorrow. I'll be training in seclusion for a while before I enter in September."
I lost my nerve again to speak, I was afraid to say anything. The day after tomorrow, why does he have to leave so soon?
"Hey guys sorry we're late Hwoarang got us lost-... what's going on with you two?" Lilli asked coming up to us.
"Jin is leaving to enter the tournament, the day after tomorrow..."
"Are you serious," Hwoarang asked looking at Jin. Jin nodded in affirmation and waited for us to continue. "W-why are you leaving so soon, the tournament doesn't start until September?"
"It was, kind of a last minute decision." Jin continued on, "Besides I didn't want this day to be about me or alarm you guys."
A guard came up and motioned for us to start following the crowd out of the park. The four of us walked in silence not sure what to say to each other. We were silent until we reached the train platform. "You know Jin," Hwoarang began speaking. "It really sucks that you're leaving."
"..."
"It starts the September 28th and depending on how many people are it, it'll last until November. You'll pretty much be gone the rest of school year and you'll be gone all summer." Lilli pouted "It's not going to be the same without you here with us..."
"And we can't just replace you," Lilli added. "I'm a little jealous though I kind of wish I entered with you. Maybe next year."
"Definatley not." Lilli folded her arms over her chest trying to be stern with Hwoarang.
"What, why not!?"
"Unlike Xiaoyu I won't wait for you. Jin you should consider yourself lucky that you have someone like that."
Jin gave me a small smile, "I guess I am pretty lucky..." Jin slowed down his pace a little to walk beside me and hold my hand.
"Well," Lilli started. "Since you're leaving so soon that just means we need to spend our last few moments we have together. Tomorrow we're spending the night together till we see you off."
Jin tried protesting but once Lilli makes up her mind there's no going back. "No buts, it's already been decided."
"I'm still pissed at you for not telling me you were entering," Hwoarang stated slightly irritated at Jin's departure. "I feel like you didn't tell me cause you know I can beat you."
"Hwoarang you never have and you never will, remember that." They both laughed a little at their back and forth. Since Jin's unannounced announcement, Lilli, Hwoarang, and I spent our last two days with Jin. I'm sure he's tired of seeing our faces but at the same time I know he secretly loved every minute of it. "It's gonna be dangerous out there so watch your back and trust no one. At the end of the day there's only going to be one winner.
"Yeah I got it."
"Jin, you're not scared of entering the tournament?" Lilli questioned. "You'll be going up against the world's greatest fighters, and people die and go missing... I'd be scared..."
"I'm not that worried, I'm sure I can hold my own. I've been training and fighting my whole life I know I'll be able to hold my own."
"Hmph hold your own, since you're so confident what about Xiaoyu what if she decides to move on to somebody else?"
I could feel Jin looking over my way, but I just kept looking at the ground avoiding eye contact to prevent myself from crying. To be honest I didn't want to come see him off today but a part of me knew that I would regret it forever if Jin never came back.
Lilli scoffed at the fact that Jin didn't answer her question, "Men, always thinking its okay to just run off whenever they want and expect their women not to complain. Look you," she got close to Jin and pointed her finger in his chest. "If you don't come back I will personally come find you and kick your ass you understand?"
"Don't worry, I won't be gone that long. Before you guys know it, November will be here and then you'll have nothing else to worry about."
The alarm sounded signaling the train was coming. Once the train stopped Jin picked up his bag and began walking up. "Hey Xiaoyu," Lilli called. "Why don't you go help Jin find his seat, we'll wait out here okay." I nodded okay and followed Jin on to the train.
The train car was very empty, there were only about seven other people in the car, "Your ticket says it's seat 84A." It was in the 4th row closest to the door, Jin placed his bag overhead then turned to look at me. "Are you, really worried about me fighting in the tournament?"'
I shook my head no, "I know you'll be alright." I finally looked up at him and instantly regretted it. His emotions were coming through so clearly, " I know this is important to you and even if I told you not to go, you would still do it anyway. So I'm not going to tell you to call or send me letters or to even think about me every day. It'll only distract you... Just take care of yourself, and when it's all over come back to me okay?"
"Attention passengers the train will depart in two minutes. Make sure all your belongings are secure and you are seated in your seats."
"Well I guess this is it. Be careful out there." As I turned to walk away Jin grabbed my wrist and pulled me in tightly for a hug, "I love you Xiaoyu."
Before I could stop them the tears fell from my eyes like a waterfall, "I love you to Jin." I hugged him back for a moment and then quickly pushed myself off and ran out of the train doors. Once I saw Lilli and Hwoarang my legs froze and gave out on me. I squatted down into my knees and began crying my eyes out.
