I glanced at my watch. I sighed. It seemed like time was moving so slow. I wandered around the airport. I didn't know why I didn't go. Maybe it was because I had just a little bit of hope someone would come for me. ShinWoo. But then, who was I kidding? And even if he did, would I go back?
After a good three hours of waiting, I decided to head off to my course. No one was coming. I laughed a little to myself. I was both disappointed and relieved. I made my way up the escalator. Just as I was about to turn into my course, I heard something.
"Aimee!"
He screamed loud enough that everyone on the platform turned to look at him. I freeze in my steps. I recognized his voice. I knew it was him. I slammed my eyes shut. My chest ached. No. No. Leave. Don't do this to me now. I was so strong…walking away…
"Aimee," ShinWoo said, softer. I opened my eyes and turned. He ran towards me and grabbed me by the shoulders.
"Didn't I say not to look for me?" I ask, forcing a smile.
"Don't run away," ShinWoo replied, his breathing hard. "Don't run away from us. From me. I'll look at you. You showed me everything today. You confessed everything. I see you. So don't run away to a place where I won't be able to see you anymore…"
I had to stay strong. I let his words sink in. Why now? Why when I had mustered up the strength to run away, did he finally see me? Fuck it. Fuck this. I had to stay strong. I couldn't go back now. I don't reply to his words. Instead, I simply look away.
ShinWoo continues.
"I always loved you, Jung Aimee," he whispered. "I just didn't know it. You were the one who saw me when I hid. You were the one who could make me angry and bring out my real emotions. You saw past my 'charming' facade and brought out the real me. And you faced me even if you didn't want to see. You always held me and guided me. I always loved you…I just never realized it."
I shrug his hands off me, "Well, I'm glad you finally realize it."
ShinWoo stared at me with hopeful eyes.
"But that doesn't mean I'm not going to go," I tell him. "No matter how the ending would've changed, I still would've gone. Whether you accepted me or not, I would've gone. I'm going back to America. I'm going to try to get back into school. I told you, I'd be back."
"A…America?" ShinWoo repeated softly. "Why can't you just go to school in Korea?"
"It doesn't matter," I step away from him. "I'm going to finish school. Maybe get my master's. I don't know."
"But…I..." Shinwoo trailed off, not knowing what to say to me. I force a smile.
"I know, you love me," I sigh. "Either way, I'm going to go. Maybe, I'll be gone for two years. Keep me in your mind always. And in your heart. When I come back, tell me if you still love me. If you still have these feelings. I'll tell you if I still love you when I come back as well."
I saw ShinWoo's tears. He was trying hard not to let them out. His lip quivered, he gritted his teeth. My heart wrenched. I reached up and brushed away the tears that fell with my thumb. I touched his cheeks.
"Take care of the others for me. Make sure TaeKyung doesn't let MiNam run away from him. He's like a stubborn child," I say, tears pricking my eyes at the thought of my best friend. "You have to be the hyung and make sure he takes care of MiNam. And take care of Jeremy too. I know you will."
I reach up on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek.
"Goodbye, Kang ShinWoo."
As I turn and walk away, I feel ShinWoo grab my hand. I bite my lip. I tug at his hand, but he won't let go. I sigh. He pulls me back a bit and places something in my hand. I look at my palm.
My star necklace.
I look back up at him. He stares at me.
"I love you, Jung Aimee."
I close my eyes. In that moment, his words were engraved into my heart forever. But still, I pull away from him. I force myself not to run. I make my way to my course with the voice of the intercom ringing in my ears.
"All those going to America, board now."
ShinWoo tugged off his scarf and laid it on the back of his chair. He fixed his hair in the mirror, not exactly in the mood for a concert. Knowing that MiNyu would be there made him smile a bit more though. Of course, he still loved MiNyu. He would always love her. But he loved Aimee as well. She was the one on his mind; the one he missed and cherished. He couldn't believe she'd left him.
TaeKyung entered suddenly and caught ShinWoo's attention.
"She's coming, isn't she?" he asked, referring to MiNyu.
"Don't you start at it too," TaeKyung groaned and fell back into a chair. ShinWoo turned to look at him. TaeKyung wasn't getting away with not answering him. ShinWoo was tired of his spoiled brat behavior since MiNyu disappeared.
"That day, you took her home saying it was Go MiNam," ShinWoo said to him, recalling the other night when MiNyu suddenly showed up dressed as MiNam once again. ShinWoo had recognized her once away, along with TaeKyung.
"It was MiNyu, wasn't it?" ShinWoo demanded from TaeKyung.
"Yes, it was her," TaeKyung replied simply, not even looking at ShinWoo. "There was a situation that came up so she had to become her brother again. Then, she left."
ShinWoo took a step towards him. He remembered his promise to Aimee.
Make sure TaeKyung doesn't let MiNam run away from him.
"You just let her leave?" ShinWoo glared at TaeKyung. He really was a child.
"Yeah," TaeKyung replied casually, as if it was nothing. But ShinWoo heard the slight crack in his voice. "She said it was too hard being close to me. So I let her go."
ShinWoo snapped.
"That's not letting her go! It's shoving her away!" ShinWoo screamed at him. "Only someone who held on until the very end can say they let that someone go!"
He remembered Aimee's words.
You can't claim to love her until you try to hold onto her as long as you can.
"Did you ever try to hold onto her?" ShinWoo asked harshly. "When you saw me and her in Japan, that was me trying to hold onto her until the bitter end. I finally let her go. To you, it might seem humiliating and funny, but because I went as far as I could, I can let her go and I can claim to have loved her."
TaeKyung slowly turned to look up at ShinWoo.
"But you never did that for her, did you?" ShinWoo continued. "You just stayed where you were and didn't even chase after her as she ran away in pain. That's right. Just protect your own pride and just stand there as she runs away. Aimee left, telling me to make sure you never gave up trying to hold onto her. I promised Aimee, and I wouldn't ever let you throw MiNyu away, but it doesn't seem you'll do anything until you come to your own senses. I'm sorry for your loss, prideful Hwang TaeKyung."
ShinWoo didn't wait for him to reply. He simply turned, and walked away.
Damn that asshole.
MiNyu stood in the audience of about 15,000 fans. She stared at the stage, clutching her plane ticket tightly in her hand. Suddenly, she saw TaeKyung come out onto the stage, looking handsome with his hair pulled back and wearing a dark suit. She smiled a little as her heart fluttered.
At least she got to see him.
Fans screamed and shouted all around her. She smiled. TaeKyung really was loved. All of the boys were. How unfortunate that they all had to love her. Then, she remembered. Aimee. Her sunbae. She smiled, and nodded slowly. Aimee was loved by ShinWoo. MiNyu was glad. She had found out as she'd called after Aimee left Japan. She summed everything up for MiNyu. MiNyu was glad to know ShinWoo had the heart to love someone who deserved him.
Suddenly, she heard the music start. She recognized the melody immediately. What Do I Do? She stared at TaeKyung, waiting for him to sing. He seemed to hesitate, looking in the crowd. Was he looking for her? He would never see her in the crowd. No…
"For every step I send you away, tears flow…" TaeKyung sings now, his voice smooth. MiNyu's heart clenches.
"You're going to a place where I won't be able to reach you even if I spread out my arms…"
MiNyu's heart was hammering now. Tears stung in her eyes and she scolded herself for being weak for the millionth time. She was glad she could at least see him like this. She would leave, knowing he was an honest and kind man. A man she loved…
"What do I do? What do I do? You're running away...What do I do? What do I do? You're leaving me here all alone...I love you. I love you. Even if I call out; you won't hear me because I can only yell it into my own heart..."
"Unable to find you, I simply stand here along; crying…What do I do? What do I do? You're the only one for me. What can I do? What can I do? You're going away. I love you. I love you…"
MiNyu watches at the sight of TaeKyung's song, full of emotion. This is the image I want of him. I'll take it with me, far away, and I will treasure it always. MiNyu turned to leave.
"You're listening, aren't you?"
MiNyu froze as she heard TaeKyung speak into the microphone.
"I can't see you because it's too bright where I am and it's too dark where you are," he continued. "I told you not to be where I can't see you. Come to where I can see you. Give me permission to see you."
Slowly, MiNyu turned around. The tears ran freely down her face. The fans screamed crazily for TaeKyung. MiNyu wanted to go to him now; take him into her arms. But her legs wouldn't move. She willed herself not to go back. She had to leave. She would leave…
The floor lights flashed bright. MiNyu's eyes flared a moment. Then, they adjusted. Someone had turned on the floor lights. So TaeKyung could see. MiNyu still couldn't move. She should run now, before anyone saw her, but she couldn't move.
She looked up at the stage. It seemed TaeKyung was looking right at her. Then, she realized, he was. Their eyes locked. MiNyu felt the tears full on as she stared at TaeKyung. He moved off the stage and down the stairs. He came straight towards MiNyu.
In a moment, he stood before her. Only a few feet away. His teeth were gritted, his eyes teary. Then, without warning, he wrapped his arms around MiNyu. She hugged him back, her tears staining his jacket.
"I love you," TaeKyung said suddenly. MiNyu closed her eyes and smiled, crying more happy tears. She'd always wanted this from him. Those words. Everything she ever wanted.
I love you.
ShinWoo sat at the kitchen counter, drinking a cup of tea. He felt himself relax. A. had a busy busy time since the real Go MiNam came back. They'd all just received a week off of activities, and ShinWoo was thankful. He ran his fingers over the soft rhino bone bracelet around his wrist. He smiled a little, thinking about Aimee again.
Suddenly, MiNam burst into the room. Jeremy, who was playing with some fruit, looked up. TaeKyung, who sat at the table drinking water and glaring, didn't care.
"MiNyu is coming back from Africa today!" MiNam screamed. His lip ring winked in the light. ShinWoo smiled a little. It'd be good to see MiNyu again. It'd been nearly two years since she left for Africa. Jeremy shouted out in happiness and ran zig-zags along the kitchen. ShinWoo looked at TaeKyung. The noticeable and rare grin on TaeKyung's face showed his own happiness.
"Really?" he asked, turning around. ShinWoo noticed how his grin faded, but he was still smiling.
"Of course," MiNam scoffed. "She's going to arrive in about an hour. Just called me."
"Yes! Let's go!" Jeremy pumped his fist into the air. "We should throw a party, with confetti and and and and…"
"She also says she's got a big surprise for us," MiNam smirked. "Don't know what exactly. She said you guys will all be thrilled."
"Well, let's go then," TaeKyung stood up and immediately grabbed his coat. ShinWoo sighed, shaking his head at them all. But he stood to go anyways. He was curious as to what the surprise could possibly be.
They arrived at the airport a bit late, since Jeremy simply insisted on buying supplies for a party. ShinWoo noted how happy the mood was. TaeKyung especially, was grinning like a little boy. He was hiding it well, but ShinWoo saw it. It made him smile too. Jeremy was more energetic than ever, and MiNam was equally smirking. It seemed that a guy like MiNam didn't smile much, just smirked or grinned.
ShinWoo laughed to himself.
They spotted MiNam standing aside in the lobby. Sitting atop one of her suitcases, she looked around. She caught glance of them and waved. ShinWoo noticed how long her hair had gotten in the last two years. She really looked like a girl again. Jeremy shrieked and ran towards her. He stopped halfway as he noticed the person standing beside MiNam. With her back to us, she was almost unrecognizable with long black hair.
ShinWoo pursed his lips. But even from behind…he could still tell it was her.
"Aimee noona!" Jeremy screamed and tackled Aimee down. She laughed. Jeremy then hugged MiNyu. No one else moved. TaeKyung; because he was as equally shocked to see Aimee as ShinWoo. MiNam; because he didn't know Aimee.
"Surprise!" Aimee and MiNam said together, laughing. ShinWoo blinked, still speechless. Suddenly, TaeKyung moved from beside him and went to hug the girls. MiNam hugged his sister and MiNyu introduced him to Aimee.
"This is Aimee, my sunbae," MiNyu explained. "She watched over me when I was at A.N. for you, Oppa."
"I see," MiNam smirked at Aimee. "Nice to meet you, noona. You're even prettier than my dongsaeng here."
MiNyu smacked him playfully on the shoulder as Aimee laughed. ShinWoo melted at the sound. He had almost forgotten the sound of her voice these past two years. Suddenly, everyone turned to look at ShinWoo, the only one who hadn't moved. He couldn't process anything. It felt like a dream. Unrealistic.
ShinWoo willed himself to move. Everyone was silent as he walked over to Aimee, whose smile had faded and was simply staring at him. ShinWoo pursed his lips and took another step. These two years; nothing had changed between them. He remembered her words.
When I come back, tell me if you still love me.
Suddenly, ShinWoo reached out to grab one of her arms. He wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her into him. She stumbled into his arms and hugged him back. ShinWoo held her for a long moment, letting her presence sink into him.
She was here now. She was real.
ShinWoo held me as I held him. I thought of what I had told him before I left.
When I come back, tell me if you still love me. I'll tell you if I still love you when I come back as well.
I wondered if this was his answer? I wasn't sure. Just then, ShinWoo pulled away from me a little. He stared down at me, smiling. I smiled back up at him. His hand went to my collarbone, where the star pendant hung. Then, I saw it. On his wrist, the rhino bone bracelet. He looked back up at me. Our eyes locked and we both smiled.
That's when I knew it. He still loved me. And I knew, he knew, I still loved him. We slowly let go of each other and looked at the others, who were all quiet. ShinWoo and I laugh and the silence breaks. MiNyu laughs and hugs ShinWoo softly.
"Now that that's done, let's party!" Jeremy shouted, wrapping an arm around me and MiNyu's shoulders.
"I see you haven't changed much, dongsaeng," I pinch his cheek. He grins.
"We might have to stop by the store again, cause I had no idea Aimee noona was going to be here!" Jeremy nodded. "More supplies needed to make a totally awesome party!"
TaeKyung groaned. Everyone laughed.
It was good to be home…
Author's Note:
I thought about making a sequel, but I don't really know what it would be about . ShinWoo and Aimee should be pretty good by the end…ahaha. I sure hope YB comes out with a second series though! =) I loved this drama.
BTW, just a funny story I might share. My uncle was joking to his wife about how he was going to go find a cute Korean girl to make his girlfriend and she was like, 'I'll go find a cute Korean boy too then.' And everyone in my family knows I'm a K-freakk, so I showed them some stars. My auntie didn't like any of the men I showed, saying they were too pretty. Ahaha. She thought YongHwa was decent. I showed my uncle many girls, but he didn't like any of them (Han HyoJoo was not good to him; Kim So Eun was decent) But he love love loveddddd Park ShinHye! He doesn't speak English, but when he saw her, he went, 'OOOOOO. That girl is the girl for me! (in English)' It was hilarious. I laughed my ass off.
Ma auntie was like, 'You just like her cause her boobs are bigger than mine.' My uncle went, 'Even MY boobs are bigger than yours…' I was rolling! Ahhaaha. But all's good. They were just kidding =)