Hard Love: Reminiscence - Michaeng || Book II

-8-

(A/N: Try to read along with the audio above when the part comes. It may add up to emotions.)

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20 years ago - Winter 2005
Osaka, Japan

Six-year-old Chaeyoung walked alongside the frozen-over river before placing herself down on the soft grass that's covered with frost. She placed her hands with mittens on the snow, creating a palmprint before pulling away, feeling the cold crept in as she tightened her strawberry printed scarf.

"Stop tripping over on me, you're heavy!" Little Chaeyoung turned back to look over her shoulder as the loud shouting and giggles reached her. The sight of kids around her age playing around as they should suddenly give her a hint of emptiness.

She doesn't belong here, but only followed her family here to Osaka, Japan, due to her mother's booming business, trying to expand their furniture company. They've just got here last year; it has only been a year for them. But Chaeyoung has to be separated from her childhood best friend because of this, which she's sad about. Now the image of the kids playing around before her only reminds her about Dahyunie, her bro back in Korea. Badly causing her homesickness.

"Konnichiwa." The sudden loud greet appeared behind her which made Chaeyoung jolt with big eyes, her hands on the snowy ground, supporting her back from lying down. She then sat back straight as she turned her body to face the owner of the voice, seeing a girl around her age having bigger eyes than hers. The girl moved closer and sat herself down next to Chaeyoung uninvited, which made Chaeyoung scoot a little bit away from the little stranger.

"Ko- Konnichiwa" Little Chaeyoung stuttered a bit as she's still overwhelmed with the abrupt greeting and the wide warm smile on the little stranger's quite round face.

"I see, you are Korean." Despite seeing the uncomfortableness in Chaeyoung, the little scoot herself closer to the cub, speaking in their mother language now. "I'm Korean too!" The girl exclaimed happily as if she found a treasure full of gold and gems. Chaeyoung was taken aback at the energetic little girl who's hoping her butt up and down in expressing her excitement, then she pulled out her hand abruptly, almost poking Chaeyoung's chest which made her startled again. "I'm Park Jihyo! 8 years old, nice to meet you!" The girl introduced herself to the overwhelmed cub who hesitantly accepted her little hand.

"I- I'm Son Chaeyoung... 7 years old," Chaeyoung muttered softly and shyly but flinched against the sudden loud cheer Jihyo made.

"I'm older than you! But we are about the same age, and we'll be friends then!" It does not make quite a sense to the confused cub though she's happy someone is willing to befriend her. Chaeyoung showed a cute dimple smile which made Jihyo squeal in adore before squishing onto her cheeks as if rubbing onto a mochi. The two then became friends, chatting and giggling as kids would do beside the frozen river.

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The afternoon sun of LA reflects on the blue ocean, making golden lights shining upon the land. Chaeyoung is currently having a stroll on the beach, letting her toes melt in the soft warm sand in each step she takes along with the soft music 'Time walking on Memories' that's been playing in her headphones for almost the entire day. As she says, she feels somewhat synesthesia with the lyrics.

아직도 너의 소리를 듣고
(I still hear your voice)

아직도 너의 손길을 느껴
(I still feel your touch)

오늘도 난 너의 흔적 안에 살았죠
(Now I live in your path again)

아직도 너의 모습이 보여
(I still see your image)