Miracle 1994

CHAPTER 2: she

YEAR 2025

※Hyeon Ah's POV※

As I wander outside, I can really see the brightness of cherry blossoms.

I can still remember all of it.

I will not forget it.

That was the first time he showed his real emotions to me. Unknowingly that I played a big role in his life.

''The photo... was mine,'' he said.

I'm just so proud that my first love's masterpiece is still hanging in that gallery.

Seems many people are enjoying it.

The wind blows so hard while thinking about it...

What if he just stayed like his painting?

It’s really hard to imagine things that are in the past.

That scenario... that I will not forget. It was already 4 years ago. But when I remember the way he looked that time, it is just like the warm wind blowing very hard on me.

Well I'm always expecting cold air when I'm talking to him, but... that day... was a totally different one... a very different one.

++

YEAR 2021

''HEY, you b***h!'' Seong Wook called to me.

''b***h??''

''No, I just learned it from my girlfriends,'' he said while laughing.

''Girl Friends????'' I sarcastically said.

''Don't be so jealous, for me, you're still my most beautiful, craziest and smartest best girl friend that I have,'' he said while pinching my face.

''Okay. Stop doing that.''

''Are you tired? Have a ride in a taxi, I will pay for you.''

''No thanks but,'' I suddenly felt the dizziness and my best friend held me in my arms gently while waiting for a taxi.

I could see the worries on Seong Wook's face while I was still very dizzy and there was a picture in my mind... or a part of my memories?

Memories from what? When? These are so familiar but I can't remember how I acted it.

The person's face in my memories... is so very blurred but it seems that he is so kind to me... and it seems that he was my first boyfriend… he's so sweet until...

''Who are you?'' I curiously said.

''Huh? Who... who are you? Seong Wook, your best friend,'' my friend replied and he laughed.

''Okay, what's funny?''

''What's funny? You're asking me who I am?''

We are in a taxi at this moment...

''I'm... I'm just asking my friend in my dream.''

''Really, you have a friend in your dream? I thought I was the only one?”

”A traitor!'' he smirked. He’s joking again.

''Really?'' I seriously responded. He still has got time to joke around while I am still not in a mood.

''Joke, hey why are you taking my jokes seriously? I hate you for that,'' he said.

''I'm not in a mood right now!''

''Are you okay?'' back to his serious tone.

''Yes, I am okay. No worries. Just stop joking.''

”Okay. Chill, chill! Okay? We will go home and I know aunt is already worrying too much.”

I honestly hate the fact that this man is such a joker and sometimes his sense of humor is really wracking my nerves.

Despite all of these, he’s a man that I need right now and I am so thankful for having him. When some things don’t work, he will be there to talk with me, to give advice, and to brighten up my mood using his humour.

※Seong Wook's POV※

I took her to their house. I can see her clear face but it seems that she was so tired in these previous days.

''Auntie, we are here!'' he shouted as it was still not very late at night and neighbors are still awake.

''Oh, my daughter. What happened to her?'' my mom asked. I can feel her worry.

''She's just dizzy... she only needs sleep… she seems so very tired.''

''Maybe it was because of what happened the other days.'' The mood of the atmosphere changed.

''Is there something wrong?''

''A… a family problem''

It seems that it is a private matter, but at the same time I am very curious about that.

※Ki Joon's POV※

Time flies so fast.

Days have passed by…

There are random thoughts this time, especially about her.

**

The first time that I talked to her,

I really felt the emptiness in my heart.

I know that I am not familiar with her,

But from my heart, she is the only one I have.

**

''People easily judge the teachers' and students' relationships, and the big age gap relationship, no way that I will fall for her again,'' I talked to myself.

I leave the department faculty to focus on going to my Law Firm. It seems that there are so many cases to assist here in Seoul and I should focus on that.

''Still so early,'' I murmured.

I already wore my business attire but it was just 6 AM in the morning, so I went to the park near in Hanjou University. I brought Chae Yeon's favorite book.

This book is already 26 years old, but I was still amazed at it's relevancy and popularity.

I remember what she said to me... I looked like a boy in the story… Funny, right? I can't imagine myself what I am now. I'm not that kind of boy in the story anymore...

I keep on imagining things not until I notice that I am talking to myself.

''What a good day, my Chae Yeon? It still hurts me so much that you can't remember me, but I am happy your heart was.''

And I started reading the book's prologue at the first page…

And I remember everything...

++

YEAR 1995

I was on the way to Room 143. I brought a basket of expensive and fresh fruits.

''Hey, you are already here, I waited for you so long,'' I saw her pale lips trying to speak louder so I could hear her.

''Where are you from?''

''I went to the comfort room. Why?''

''Here, I brought you some---''

''Flowers?'' she said and I was about to leave that time again to buy her flowers.

''Uh... do you want flowers?''

''I'm just joking. I need fruits more than flowers,'' I saw her face smiling and that made my night.

''Can you join me?'' she asked.

''Uh.. uh.. okay?'' I shyly replied.

''Join me outside!'' She got a folder from the bookshelf with the compilation of papers inside.

''What are we doing here?''

''Nothing.''

I was so confused that time... until she handed me the folder...

''Author?''

''I'm a photographer, I'm a journalist, so I'm a writer also!''

''Really? I... is this yours?'' I was totally amazed.

''Why?''

''The content looks pretty, I think?''

''You have no trust in me?'' and I saw her sparkling eyes looking at the sky.

''Can you help me to think about the title?''

''I think I should have to read this first before---”

''Just read the prologue and think about it. There is no time,'' she insisted.

We sat on the bench and started to read the prologue of her story.

Until I reach the end of prologue...

**

''...........the girl stayed on the soccer field until night came, waiting for the brilliant stars to show up. For her, meeting these beautiful stars is like meeting a miracle.''

**

''This is it?'' I criticized her and laughed.

''Judger,'' she smirked.

''No, I mean... the boy is a miracle here? How lucky he is for the girl.''

''What would be the best title for that?''

''For... for this… A Miracle in the Sky?” I asked hesitantly.

“Sounds cheap!” I said with a small laugh.

''That's very nice. Okay, starting now the title of the story will be---''

''A Miracle in the Sky!'' We answered in chorus and laughed.

''Did you know that you looked like the leading man there?''

''Woah. Really?''

She became quiet and looked back at the stars again…

''I’m tired.''

''Tired of what?'' I asked her.

''Do you want to go upstairs?''

''Tired of stargazing, maybe?''

''You like stargazing. It's impossible.''

''Can I sleep on your shoulder, please.'' She showed her puppy eyes to me.

I sighed. ''Okay.''

I looked at my watch at 11:11 pm... the exact time she slept for the first time on my shoulder and at the same time, wishing to give us more days to enjoy our moments.

Even though....

There is no chance that she will live longer with me...

++

I realized that I was staring at the book and repeatedly saying its title...

''A Miracle---''

''Can be gone,'' one old voice said.

I stopped reading the title and I looked at the person besides me. A dirty old man, and it seems that he's living here for a long time.

''Why are you here? Who are you?'' I asked.

''You seem so blank,'' he replied.

''I---''

The old man approached me closer and asked, ''You remember something, right?''

''What do you me---''

''That makes you happy and at the same time, that makes you hurt?'' he continued.

''But---'' I said, but this time I was kinda’ a little nervous.

''But she is already here,'' he said confidently.

I became so confused at that time. Who is that 'she'? The real one or the other one?