Holding on to Yushi || Tokuno Yushi

Epilogue

A gentle breeze rustled through the cherry blossom trees lining the park, petals dancing in the air like delicate pink confetti. It was early spring, and the world was awakening from its winter slumber, vibrant and full of promise. Bae Yoora stood beneath the blossoms, her heart swelling with a mix of emotions. She had returned to this place many times since that fateful day, each visit a reminder of the love she had lost and the new memories she was creating.

Today, she was meeting Sion. It had become a ritual of sorts for them—this weekly stroll through the park, where they could talk, laugh, and share their dreams. It was a time to celebrate the present while honoring the past, a delicate balance that Yoora had grown to cherish.

As she waited, she reflected on how far she had come since Yushi’s passing. The vibrant painting she had created as a tribute now hung proudly in the local art gallery, a testament to her journey through grief and healing. The exhibition had been a turning point, not only for her but for Yushi’s family as well. They had embraced her artwork, finding solace in the memories it evoked, and she had felt a sense of closure that had eluded her for so long.

When Sion finally arrived, his familiar smile brightened her day. “Hey, you! Sorry I’m late,” he said, catching his breath. “Traffic was a nightmare.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Yoora replied, her smile mirroring his. “I was just enjoying the blossoms. They remind me of Yushi.”

Sion nodded, understanding her unspoken connection to the past. “They’re beautiful, just like your painting. I think Yushi would be proud of you.”

“Thank you,” she said, her heart swelling at his words. They began walking along the path, the petals swirling around them. “You know, I think I’ve finally come to terms with everything. I can carry Yushi in my heart while still embracing the future.”

Sion glanced sideways at her, his expression serious but warm. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you, Yoora. To find peace and happiness, no matter what that looks like.”

They reached a bench, and Yoora sat down, taking a moment to breathe in the beauty around her. “Sometimes, I still feel guilty for moving on,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “Like I’m forgetting him.”

“You’re not forgetting him,” Sion reassured her, sitting beside her. “You’re allowing yourself to live, and that’s what he would have wanted. Love doesn’t diminish; it transforms.”

She looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. The warmth between them had deepened over the months, and Yoora could feel her heart fluttering in a way it hadn’t since Yushi’s death. “Sion, I—”

Before she could finish, Sion took her hand in his, a gesture both tender and bold. “Yoora, I care about you deeply. I want to be by your side, to create new memories together. But I also want you to know that it’s okay if you’re not ready for that yet.”

“I think I am ready,” she admitted, her heart racing. “You’ve been so patient with me, and I appreciate that more than you know. You’ve been my anchor.”

Sion smiled, relief washing over him. “I just want to see you happy.”

As they sat in comfortable silence, surrounded by the blooming cherry blossoms, Yoora felt a sense of hope blooming within her. She could see a future filled with love and joy, intertwined with the memories of Yushi. It was a future where she could honor her past while embracing new beginnings.

“Let’s make new memories,” she said softly, squeezing his hand. “Together.”

With that simple promise, they stood up and walked through the park, the petals continuing to fall like whispers of encouragement. Yoora felt lighter, more hopeful than she had in a long time. She could carry Yushi with her, forever a part of her, as she opened her heart to the possibility of love with Sion.