One-Sided Love [MICHAENG]

Chapter 31

Third pov

"Mina, wake up we're here now." Jihyo tapped Mina's shoulder that made her wake up.

They went down the bus and started walking. A smile formed on Mina's face when she saw where Jihyo brought her, the park.

"Do you remember this place?" Jihyo asked Mina.

"Of course, how could I forget?" They looked at each other and smiled.

"The place where we first met." They both said at the same time.

flashback

"Where is my teddy bear? I remembered carrying it all the way here." The little Mina said as she was walking while looking for her teddy bear.

She then saw a little girl holding her teddy bear from a distance, so she ran over to her to get her teddy bear.

"Hey!" Little Mina shouted while running to the little girl.

"Hmm?" The little girl hummed.

"That's my teddy bear." Mina pointed at the teddy bear the little girl was holding.

"Oh, it's yours? I saw it on the swing. I thought someone abandoned her, so I decided to take care of her." The little girl smiled at Mina.

"Oh, no, I think I forgot to take it with me. What's your name?" Mina asked her.

"I'm Jihyo, how about you?"

"I'm Mina!" Mina extended her hand to shake Jihyo's hand as a greeting.

"Nice meeting you. Oh, here's your teddy bear." Jihyo handed Mina the teddy bear, but Mina shook her head.

"You can have it so you can remember me." Mina said while smiling at her.

"Really?! Thank you, Mina!" Jihyo hugged Mina.

From then, they would always meet at that park and play together.

flashback ends

"I missed this place. It's been a long time." Mina said while looking at the park, reminiscing their memories together in this park.

"That's why I brought here." Jihyo smiled and held Mina's hand. Jihyo brought Mina to the nearest cafe.

"Go find a table for us. I'll just order." Jihyo said and Mina nodded.

After 20 minutes, Jihyo went to Mina with the foods and drinks she ordered.

"Ohhh, you're fulfilling your promise that you will give me lots of food." Mina said teasingly.

"Of course, I'm a person who doesn't break promises." Jihyo winked at Mina. Mina just rolled her eyes at her.

They started eating after taking a picture of the food. No one utters a single word while eating. It was just comfortable silence surrounding them.

It's been a long time since Mina felt peace. These past few days were tough for her. She experienced pain non-stop. But during those pains, Jihyo was always there for her.

When Mina broke down because of Chaeyoung, she was there.

When Mina was playing tennis all night long, Jihyo was there. Mina just didn't notice it.

flashback

Jihyo was still at their school because she finished their team project. When she was about to leave, she heard something on the court, so she went there. She found Mina playing tennis, but she decided to watch from afar so Mina wouldn't notice her. Jihyo knew there was a problem.

The way Mina was playing, it's different. She was playing with such anger. She wants to go to Mina and comfort her, but she knew Mina is a secretive person. Mina will just lie to her, so she decided to watch her and ask her what's wrong another day.

After some time, Mina stopped playing and dropped on the floor. Jihyo witnessed how Mina broke down there. The sight of Mina pained her. She didn't go to her because she wants Mina to let it all out.

After Mina broke down, she went on her way to go home. Jihyo followed her at a distance. It was late at night, and she just can't let Mina go home alone. Even though she was freezing, she still chose to follow Mina to make sure she went home safely. When Mina got home, she double-checked if the girl locked her door. After that, she went home with a freezing body.

flashback ends

"Are you done eating?" Jihyo asked Mina, who is staring at the window.

"Oh, yes, should we go out now?" Jihyo nodded at Mina.

They went out and went to the park. There weren't that many people since it was afternoon already.

"Should we play? It's been a long time." Jihyo asked Mina. Mina laughed at how excited Jihyo seemed.

"Tag! You're it!" Mina tagged Jihyo and ran away.

"Hey! That's not fair!" Jihyo shouted and started chasing Mina.

They must've reached every corner of the park. They chase and chase one another until they ran out of breath. This moment was more than perfect for both of them.

They settle on the bench after playing and took a rest. They sat in silence and let themselves calm down.

"The sun is about to set." Jihyo broke the silence.

"Hmm, it is." Mina replied and waited for the sun to set.

They watched the sunset together. The sight was breathtaking. They couldn't get enough of it. The sunset was more beautiful because they are watching it together in a special place.

"I wondered, just like the sunset, will I have a beautiful ending too?" Jihyo's voice was filled with sadness. Mina averted her eyes to Jihyo.

"They say sunsets are proof that endings can often be beautiful too. I wonder if that applies to me." Jihyo said while smiling. It was a sad smile.

Jihyo never imagined having a beautiful ending. She had accepted the fact that the person she loves will never return her feelings. But even if she accepted it, she can't deny the fact that it is killing her slowly.

It hurts to let Mina go. She doesn't want to, but she has to. Jihyo can't imagine having a beautiful ending because it will only be beautiful if she will walk with Mina through her journey.

"I can't guarantee that, but I can guarantee you one thing. I'll be with you even if it is a beautiful ending or not." Mina smiled and looked softly at Jihyo.

"Thank you, Mina." Jihyo smiled back at Mina with the thought...

Even if you'll just walk with me towards the end as my best friend, I'm fine with it. It is enough for me. At least I'll get to walk with you towards the end, even if the way you look at me is different from the way I look at you.

They watched the sun being replaced by the moon. After many years, they made new memories in this park together. Memories they will treasure forever.