ChenSung| Under the Magnolia Trees

Chapter 13: Hope

Lying down he felt the ground underneath him, there, something solid is digging into his back. Wincing, Jeno with his fumbling hand searched for something to support his body in pushing upwards when it sank on something human. Opening his eyes with a start he turned to his right and his sight was met by a dull pair staring right back at him. They were hollow and empty, as cold as the skin his fingers are now weighing on. Quickly retreating his hands, he held them close realizing that the guy beside him is one of the many bodies surrounding him. Struggling to stand, his legs swiftly pulled him back to the ground, his mouth letting out a groan when he fell back down. He tried again for the third attempt and was finally successful, this time having a much better gauge about his broken foot. Eyelids flickering up it met the rising sunbeams, illuminating the glade in front, down on the uniformed lifeless men. The fabrics went from lighter to darker with a few different colored accents representing their countries.
Facing the North he gazed at the faces of North Korean troops he was once fighting alongside with and then slowly he turned around towards the South whom he was protecting with all his might last night.
"We are the same. Coursing in our veins are the blood from the same people of what was once a united nation... these lands are watered by these very descendants made fertile by the dead pierced by our own brothers."
Tears falling down he drew in a shaky breath.
"Where we wrong?" He asked in a whisper.

"Jeno."

Turning towards the familiar voice calling his name, he met his friend who's with a few armed men.

The guy hesitantly approached his fellow soldier whom he swore loyalty with, a bit confused on why he was wearing the enemy's uniform.

That's when Jeno darted a glance towards the direction back to where Jaemin is waiting and his words echoed inside his head while he took the arm of his friend that's dragging him away.

(Two years later)

In a warm sunny day though shedding light on the country who had seen their worst fears come to life, battling to eat and breathe, there's hope in their midst. The people watched as the new President walked in for his inauguration.

Jisung stood there looking at his people. As he spoke to them he could feel his heart tremble, wary of the burden that awaits him. His father once stood at this very place, and though it's true that he was briefly replaced for the two years prior, right now all of these is his to carry. His mouth loudly declares words of bold aspirations and yet in him he knew that it will take more than this to achieve them. Questions and doubts slowly crept inside his core, tainting how his skin perceives the warmth of this day.
Pausing midway in his sentence he gulped, in that moment of uncertainty his peripheral view caught the face of his wife and all of their memories from the moment they met flowed through him.
Continuing his speech, the words he spoke began to bear his hopes for this country.
Chenle showed him that despite the differences in their beginnings or inherent capabilities, bravery, hard work and sincere efforts can change everything.

After the inauguration, he went to several press conferences with his wife and in the afternoon he went to a few office meetings on his own. At night, he opted to have a simple private dinner with his family. He stressed to the public and to his staff that the small festivities, together with the congratulatory events are to be made minimal. This is because he wishes to set an example in these times that the nation is still building its way from the war.

When the evening deepened he dedicated the remaining few hours to his children, he helped the older give them a bath and reading them animated stories with their teddies.

"-Ight... night dad." Da-eun hugs Jisung before greeting Chenle as well.

Seeing what their eldest is doing, the rest of the children dropped their toys in their baskets and ran to do the same.