CHERRY BLOSSOM (ft. EXO Luhan & SHINee Taemin)

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 20

LEE TAEMIN

"I want you to be happy. So I'm letting you go now, too."

I open my mouth to speak but nothing comes out. I run out of words. I look away from her. My heart suddenly ceases to function.

"I did love you, Taemin," she continues. "So I was really hurt when you told me you don't want to be with me anymore."

"It hurt me too, saying those words," I whisper, my voice breaking at the end. I feel my eyes blurring with tears. "But I see how hard it is for you. I didn't have another choice."

"I know it's hard for you too," she mumbles. "I felt really selfish. I could've let you go then, but I couldn't. I wouldn't."

"Why?" I ask, finally glancing at her.

"I told you," she whispers, her eyes burning into mine.

I did love you, Taemin. I feel my heart breaking into a thousand pieces.

"The past is too much for both us, for my dad, for your dad," Minjin tells me. "We hurt people trying to be together. I know you don't want that either."

"Is this really goodbye now?" I ask, clenching my fists.

"Taemin," she whispers, taking my hand. My heart screams in my chest. I want to pull her into my arms and tell her not to leave me. "This isn't goodbye. We can still be friends...if we choose to."

I grit my teeth, trying to hold back tears.

"I'm sorry," she says, tightening her hold on my hand. "I'm sorry I'm not strong enough to be with you, to make our relationship work."

I press my forehead to hers. "What are you saying? I am not strong enough to fight for you. I'm not strong enough for both of us."

I pull her into my arms then.

"Luhan is strong enough," I whisper to her. "He's really meant for you. I just somehow got in the way. I'm sorry."

Minjin wraps her arms tightly around my neck.

"Thank you, for everything," she says against my ear and pulls away. She holds me at arm's length. "Take good care of Naeun."

I smile a little. "She's really mad at me right now. What can I do?"

"She'll come around. Besides, she won't be able to resist someone like you."

I laugh lightly, though I feel like my heart's going to explode any second now. I hold her face in my hands and stare at her for a long moment.

"I'll miss you, Minjin," I whisper. She doesn't speak, just stare back at me.

I love you.

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LUHAN

"Luhan."

I look up and see Minjin walking towards me. I smile at her.

"How long have you've been waiting?" she asks.

"Not long," I answer. "Have you gone somewhere?”

She pauses for a moment. "Yes. I went to see Taemin."

"Oh." I look away, trying to hide my emotion.

"I have let him go," she whispers.

I gaze at her, reading her expression. I decide to just let it pass for now.