The Art of Love [Updated Chapter 7-Slow Update]

Chapter 2: New Discoveries

"Ah, so happy that the principal gave us free time this afternoon to tour around the school!" I happily sighed, stretching my arms upward. God, that felt great.

"Yeah, classes will start tomorrow, and I believe that we'll all be together in some classes like English, Math, Japanese, and Science." Kasumi said with a simple smile, trailing behind me and Akira, passing by the science room.

Akira uttered as his hands rested behind his head. "I remembered that my first class tomorrow's Hip-Hop. It's amazing that they have these special classes for each division."

"I, for one, can't wait for tomorrow." I added, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Umm, Cherry, I think we're done with this floor. The performing arts division's on the east wing, and the designing division's up ahead. Do you want us to go with you?" Kasumi said.

I paused from walking and faced the two behind me. "I think I can handle myself from here. You two go ahead to your division." I said with a smile.

Akira sighed with his hands placed in his pockets, "Just make sure you don't get lost in there 'coz I won't look for you for sure."

I stuck my tongue out directed at him, pretty much annoyed with him like the usual. I always wondered how we became best friends during kindergarten. "I won't. Let's just meet here after an hour." I said and rolled my eyes at him, but nodded with a smile at my sister.

"All right. We'll see you later, Cherry!" Kasumi spoke in her usual manner, waving her hand at me as she went ahead with Akira behind her.

I waved back at Kasumi and turned around. I looked up ahead and walked in a slow pace, examining the surroundings, from the classroom doors to the windows. I held my phone in my hands, taking a note of every room that would be my classroom. I could see a lot of new students around me, also touring with a group of friends. It seemed that Akira might be wrong about people judging the way I dress up because I can see a ton of people in their eccentric attire, ten times than what I usually wear. I sighed, looking at down at my phone, murmuring to myself, "The hallways looks so similar with each other. It's like a labyrinth and Akira might be right about me getting - Oooofff!"

I felt something solid hit against my head, and it kinda hurt. I backed off a little, and rubbed my head with my hand, trying to look forward. "Eh, that really hurt.... Oh, I'm sorry!" I blurted, still feeling my head as I focused before me to what or who I hit.

I was a bit surprised upon discovering to it was that I bumped into. It was Ashley Gray, and she was smiling at me. "It's quite alright. It's just an accident, no harm done." She spoke, looking very lady-like as she did.

"A-Are you sure? I mean, I guess if you say so." I kinda stuttered a bit, knowing that the person I'm talking to is someone very pretty and famous. She was quite tall too. I was in awe.

She just smiled at me and said with a nod, "Just be careful next time, okay?" Passing by me, the three bodyguards were behind her, and that guy with her during the opening ceremony was nowhere to be found.

I nodded back, smiling as I watched her disappear from the hall. I began to hear people around me, with statements like, 'Oh my God! How nice can Ashley get!' and 'I wonder if the guy with her a while ago was her boyfriend, because I'd definitely get with her!'

I resumed walking, now arriving to the room where the top 1 students of fashion designing over the years, have their design's photo hanged with their name below it. I felt overwhelmed, walking in and looking around me. I was alone in the room, so I didn't mind if I looked ridiculous spinning around in glee. "Amazing, Murakami's design of 'The Moon' is also here!" I said with a sigh, looking at the photo in wonder.

"I'm surprised that you know him. Not many people know him nowadays." Said the low, husky voice from behind, and he seemed to be walking his way to where I was.

Feeling a bit anxious, I turned around, discovering the guy with Ashley Gray behind me, smiling. "Whoa... Aren't you Ms. Ashley's boyfriend or something?" I said in a suprised manner with widened eyes, pointing at him.

He grinned with his hands behind his back, "Hmm, not really, we're just really close with each other. We met when she came to our studio back in Korea. My name's Junho by the way, Junho Park." He introduced himself, extending his hand toward me.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Sakura Hanamura, but please call me Cherry." I responded cheerfully, grabbing his hand for a handshake amd then placed my hands to my sides.

"Okay then, Cherry. I have a question, how come you know about Murakami?" Junho asked me with a quizzical look on his face.

I looked up at Murakami's design for a moment and answered with a sigh, "Well, as a child... I always loved designing and when I saw Murakami's, I just can't help but think of how wonderful his designs were." And then I looked at Junho with an assuring smile, "But I really admire his courage in trying to be different. He re-invents himself, helping him achieve through his designs."

Junho looked surprised after hearing my answer. He then held this sincere smile and spoke softly, "It's really amazing, Murakami is... It's nice to know that I found a new friend here, if you don't mind that is."

I blinked twice, thinking of how familiar Junho's face was to me. "Oh sure, but excuse me for asking... I think I saw you somewhere before, the tv or a magazine perhaps?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

I looked a bit confused when he responded with a light laugh, and then he answered as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I'm kinda known for designing most of the outfits back in the fall collection of SK Fashion."

I froze for a moment, slowly looking down at my feet. "Now I remember, the youngest ever to design almost half of the outfits, and... Oh my God..." I muttered, slowly gazing back at him, with eyes wide open. Embarrassing, I know.

"Umm, yes?" Junho said with a sheepish smile.

I felt a tingling sensation on my back as I spoke softly with a hint of enthusiasm, "You're Murakami's grandchild..."

Junho nodded and said softly, looking back at his grandfather's work, "Mom was never interested in designing, but she's a great painter, and as for dad, he never liked the idea of me designing."

I really didn't know what to respond to him. This Junho dude's pretty open about his life, and we've only been talking for the past 7 minutes or so. I wanted to say something, but then his cellphone rang.

His gaze shifted downward. He grabbed his phone out and gave out a heavy sigh upon reading a text. "I'm sorry, but I have to go now"

"Sure sure." I said nodding.

He was about to exit the room, but then he turned around, smiling. "See you around, Cherry." Junho bid goodbye with a slight nod, and then walked out of the room.

I stood there like statue as I watched him leave. I was still absorbing the fact that he was the grandchild of the late fashion designer whom I always admired as a child. I shook it off for a moment as I saw that it's almost an hour, so I dashed out of the room, and headed back to where I left Akira and Kasumi I while ago.

"Hey, we're back!" Kasumi eagerly said, waving at me as they stood, waiting for me.

"How long were you two here?" I panted, stopping in front of them.

My sister responded, "About 5 minutes before you did."

"Their rooms here are just amazing. Can't wait to use the dance studio on the 2nd floor." Akira said with enthusiasm.

We continued to talk as we went to the train station.

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*note: Murakami's just a name that popped inside my head when I was thinking of a male fashion designer. :)

Still figuring a way to introduce Danson(Taemin) to the story... XD kekeke~