Chapter Twenty-Six

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Jin's POV

Jin's solitude was abruptly interrupted when he caught a glimpse of a shadowy silhouette moving along the edge of the beach. The faint scent of jasmine, a fragrance that had haunted his memories for years, cut through the salt-laden air. His heart skipped a beat, recognizing the presence before he even saw her clearly.

"Hana," Jin called out, his voice a mix of resignation and surprise. He turned around to face her, the dim moonlight casting a soft glow that barely illuminated her features, but enough for Jin to recognize the woman who had once been such a significant part of his life. She seemed to blend seamlessly with the night sky and the sands beneath their feet.

Hana stepped forward, her black silk dress flowing like liquid night, the pink jasmine print almost luminescent in the moonlight. "I didn't want to let you walk off like that," she said softly, her voice tinged with an emotion Jin couldn't quite place.

Jin turned back towards the ocean, trying to mask his irritation. "I didn't walk off like that," he said, his tone defensive. "I just wanted some fresh air."

"And the shore is the only place with fresh air?" Hana's voice carried a trace of skepticism.

"Maybe I like a little salt in mine," Jin retorted, trying to maintain a veneer of calm.

Hana took a step closer, her eyes reflecting the silver light of the moon. "Jin, I know—"

"What do you know, Hana?" Jin cut in sharply, turning to face her fully. "What do you know when you've been gone for years and just popped up out of nowhere now?"

Hana's gaze softened slightly, though her voice remained steady. "I can tell you like her," she said, her tone unyielding, as though she was stating an undeniable fact. She tried to ignore the ache in her own heart, focusing instead on Jin. "But I also know that she doesn't have the same feelings. Seeing the way she was smiling with that man proves that."

Jin's face hardened, a defensive edge creeping into his voice. "They're just friends."

Hana shook her head slowly. "Do friends look at each other like they never want to look away? Or like they carry the beauty of the galaxy in their eyes?" Her words were laced with a deep, painful nostalgia. "We were just friends too, Jin."

Jin flinched at her words, a pang of guilt and regret hitting him hard. "It's not the same," he said vehemently, though his voice betrayed a flicker of doubt.

Hana's expression grew more somber. "I sure hope it's not," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because I just know that he would set the world ablaze just to keep her warm on a winter night." Her words were like daggers, cutting through Jin's resolve. The bitterness in her tone was palpable, even as she tried to mask it.

Jin's heart ached at the revelation, each word a reminder of the distance between him and what he wished for. "Hana, why are you saying this? Why are you doing this to me?"

"I'm not doing anything," Hana replied, her voice quiet but firm. "I just wanted to warn you. This might be the last time I ever see you. We were friends at some point—and much more than that." Her voice faltered slightly on the last sentence, a hint of sadness and resignation slipping through.

Jin's heart twisted painfully at her admission. "One last piece of advice," Hana continued, her voice soft and resolute. "Don't make the same mistakes of the past."

Before Jin could respond, Hana turned and began to walk away, her figure gradually melding back into the shadows. Jin felt a surge of desperation and sorrow. He wanted to reach out, to pull her back, to somehow undo the past and make sense of the present.

Now, standing on the barely lit shore, Jin realized the depth of his regret. He had lost Hana, the girl who had been his closest friend, his confidante, and in his perspective, his almost love. And as he watched her silhouette fade into the night, Jin couldn't help but wonder if he would ever find the courage to fight for love again. Jin continued to sit by the shore, the rhythmic sounds of the waves serving as a backdrop to the turmoil within him. The moon's reflection danced on the surface of the dark sea, casting an ethereal glow. He gazed at the vast expanse of water, feeling a connection to the memories woven into the sands beneath him.

Jin trudged along the beach, his mind awash with conflicting emotions and unresolved questions. The cool night air embraced him as he walked, each step seemingly weighted by the gravity of his thoughts. Eventually, he found a place where the sand met the water's edge, and he sat down, his legs pulled close to his chest. The rhythmic whisper of the waves against the shore provided a soothing counterpoint to his turmoil.

He gazed out at the dark sea, its surface reflecting the night sky, a mirror of the stars and moon. "Tell me what to do," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the soft crash of the waves. The sea, always a companion in his moments of reflection, seemed to listen intently. Jin's mind drifted to Hana, her voice still carrying that soft, reassuring quality that had once calmed him. "You know how she is—stubborn, can't back down from a fight, and very blunt," he said, a faint smile touching his lips. Despite the years and changes, Hana's essence remained a comfort.

He continued to address the sea, his voice gaining strength as he reminisced. "Come on, sea, you've witnessed the nights we'd sneak out for midnight swims, the times we'd watch the sunrise together the first kiss we shared and....." His voice faltered, trailing off into silence. The final part of his memory remained unspoken, an unfulfilled wish that perhaps never should have come to pass. The sea seemed to understand, its waves reflecting the uncertainty in Jin's heart.

Jin's eyes scanned the horizon, his thoughts tangled in regret. "I wish we could've ended differently," he said, the words carrying a weight that was both ambiguous and sorrowful. Whether he spoke of his past or present the sentiment remained a profound, unresolved ache.

Standing up, Jin decided to leave a mark, a tangible expression of his inner turmoil. He took a deep breath, then bent down and began to write in the sand, using a small stick he found nearby. The words formed slowly, deliberately: **"Don't make any regrets."**

Once he had finished, he stood up and watched as the waves began to approach. The tide crept closer, and the water reached the words Jin had written. As the waves washed over the message, it slowly began to fade, leaving no trace of his vow on the shore. The act of erasing the words felt like a symbolic release of his worries and doubts, a way of letting go of the past and embracing the uncertainty of the future.

Jin took a moment to absorb the serenity of the night, the sky now darkened and dotted with stars. The sea had taken his message, and with it, his lingering anxieties. He stood up, dusting the sand from his clothes. "Thank you for taking my worries and doubts," he said quietly to the sea.

With that, Jin turned away from the shore, his steps lighter, if not completely free of the weight he carried. The night embraced him as he walked back to the bonfire, the sky above a canvas of stars that seemed to promise new beginnings and the possibility of finding his way forward.

This chapter's board

Yes i know yall a short chapter after many longs ones but dont get ur hopes up too high 😖😖 anywas how we feeling yall? what r ur thoughts abt Hana 🙈 do we have a poetinal second chance romance? will it be right person wrong time? who knows anyw...

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Yes i know yall a short chapter after many longs ones but dont get ur hopes up too high 😖😖 anywas how we feeling yall? what r ur thoughts abt Hana 🙈 do we have a poetinal second chance romance? will it be right person wrong time? who knows anywas i am lowky dropping hints using the songs selection so i hope yall catch up on it 😏🤭🤫

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