Empty

~Promise~

Irene's P.O.V.

"Are you ready unnie?" Wendy asked as everyone was gathered here in my ward as this day, my operation will finally be held.

"Today is the championship, I don't think I could think properly well because of nervouseness" I spoke, actually Wendy and Jade refused to attend the championship game even if they're the main cheerleaders, they said them supporting me in my operation is more important than cheering the boys in our varsity.

"Can you do this on your own? Are you willing to do this because you want to live or do you just want to make Slater happy?" Looking back, I was scared, I was alone and I was unhappy, I didn't know what and how my life will turn out. But then everything changed, I met Slater and everything became colorful in my eyes.

"I want him to live happily even when I'm gone, but I wish that I would still live and be with him until the end. He never wanted to leave my side and so am I, but was fate really trying to test how strong we are?"

"Love was bounded by fate, you wouldn't have met Slater and fell in love with him is he's not the right person for you. There will be troubles and consequences but I'm proud of you and Slater because you both managed to live happily even when problems like this arises" Mom spoke, she's right, what Slater and I have isn't just an ordinary word called 'love', this love we have is something really precious and magical as we would never remain this way, like this, the same way if we weren't meant for each other.

Then a knock coming from my ward's door suddenly stole our attention, dad opened the door and was surprised to see Slater looking so worried and all.

"Irene, are you okay?" He rushed to my side and is dressed in comfortable clothes, I furrowed my eyebrows trying to comprehend why isn't he wearing his basketball uniform when they have a game, a championship game today?

"What are you doing here? I thought the championship is on going? You should go there Slater" I urged him but he just kept on giving me soft kisses on my forehead and a warm hug which I will sureky miss once I'm might be gone...

"I don't want you to go inside the operating room without me knowing if you're safe or not, I want to go there inside just to see you" He spoke and stared at me with tears welling up in his eyes...

"Go, Slater they need you there"

"I'm not leaving you here" A tear slowly fell from my eye as I stared at the man I love infront of me, I caressed his cheek and gave him a soft kiss on his lips as we both cried as our lips were intertwined...

"Then please do this for me, go to the championship, do your best and win the game for me. Take the trophy and win not just only for our school but also for me"

"Irene-"

"I love you Slater and I know how much you love me too, I can see all your clear intentions and I trust you to fulfil my wish. I love you and I promise that I would never ever forget you while I'm placed under the needle"

I wanted Slater to win, this will be a win win situation. I'll send Slater there for the team to win, for them to bring back the trophy and of course, for Slater not to know what's happening to me while the surgery is on going. My heart is beating exceptionally fast as I'm really getting nervous of what will happen to me during my surgery....

Slater looked so baffled, confused and a bit clueless, I tried telling him what my true intentions are and then he turned to me...

"Irene, promise me, when I come back... please stay alive. I don't want to lose you Irene. I want to see you after the game whether if we lose or win"

"You won't lose me Mino, you wont" I caressed his face once again and tried to familiarize his face so that when I'll close my eyes and will be put back to sleep, I won't be scared because I know Slater is just here beside me always...

"I love you" Tears kept falling more and more as I pulled Slater in for a hug, I will never ever forget this. I will always treasure this memory forever...

"I know"

Slater's P.O.V.

It took me million and billion times to convince myself to walk away from Iree's ward and hurriedly ran towards iur school's arena, I don't know why on earth Irene wanted me to leave her side and win the game but I'm doint this for her. I'm doing this for the promise I made with her, to bring back the trophy, and her to survive.

"Slater hyung, what are you doing here? How's Irene?" Seunghoon asked once they saw me approaching them as the whole crowd began to cheer, our coach stopped speaking as he just stared at me with a small smile.

"Slater, her operation is still ongoing right?" Jared then asked, I just nod my head and stared at our opponent, the seem and look strong but we can definitely win this game today. We will win, for Irene.

"I made a promise with her, let's win this game and make her proud. Even if she's not here with us physically, she's here in our hearts, Irene will always be our cheerleader" I told them, everyone smiled and nod their head.

"Everyone, let's win this game!" Jared said as everyone cheered we're going to win just for Irene

"This is all for you Irene, this is all for you so please don't give up that easily. We're going to fight together"

In just a few minutes, the game had already begun, everyone cheered as we first have the ball and immediately shot the ball earning 3 points. The ball was over turned but Jared managed to get the ball from the opponent then 7 shoots were made in just a few minutes. The first half was already done and we're leading with 14 points.

In the second set, the opponents tried manipulating us by guarding all the players but we managed to dodge everyone without having any foul and just keep on shooting the ball. Seungyoon hyung made 5 points, Jared contributed 7 points, Taehyun was able to give 5 points also as Seunghoon hyung shot 6 points. I lost count of how many points I got but there's ome thing stuck in my mind, I just need to keep shooting. The 2nd half ended with us leading with 7 points, our opponent teams are trying to tie the score with us.

3rd set started and everyone became aggressive, basketball is a physical game in which the players may or may not intentionally push or have physical contact with the opponents. Jared suddenly fired up which made the referee gave him and the other player on the other team a foul. There's only one point difference but we're still on the lead.

4th game made everyone excited as this will determine who the real champion is, though all the players and including me are already tired. I looked at the clock on the wall and noticed that time had really gone by quickly, my mind wondered off to what Irene's condition might be during this time as I hoped everything is fine. The game started once again and we kept shooting the ball, so far we're still leading but with only one point difference and 30 seconds to go. Jared took the ball away from the opponent and passed it to me... 21, 20, 19... with my heart beating nervously and severely, I ran towards our home court and shot the ball... 3. 2. 1.

3 points! We won by 4 points difference! Irene! We won!