SNOW FAIRY

Chapter Seven

Hope was stunned, unable to say a word. She was right after all, but she might think that it was ridiculous if he said that he's a snow fairy.

Taking a deep breath and ready to faced all the consequences, he finally admitted: "I'm a fairy. A snow fairy."

And now that he already revealed his true self, he had to leave. This was their last encounter. He should leave, because their relationship was forbidden.

"I saw you crying that day, and I was anxious because I was supposed to make everyone happy on Christmas day." He started explaining, running out of time. "So I approached you, unaware of all the consequences I have to face if you find out,"

"And now you did. You knew that snow fairies existed, when you're not suppose to know about it."

"Why am I not suppose to know?" She asked, voice shaking because of the cold, and also because of the shocking fact she was hearing right now.

"Fairies aren't suppose to build relationship with human." He spoke softly. "And it's forbidden for us... to fall in love with a human being."

Hope looked up and looked at her face for the last time. "I'm sorry for everything. I have to leave now."

"What? Wait!" She called out, grabbing on his cold hand. "Are we going to meet again?"

Hope stared at her hand wrapping around his. Warm.

"No." He said shortly, gently taking her hand off from gripping to his own, but instead of letting go, he developed his cold hands with her warm ones.

"But don't forget me." He continued, smiling sincerely. "I'll take care of you when Christmas season is coming, and I'll make sure you're always happy when that day comes."

She choked, starting to feel emotional as she knew, he'd leave her soon. "How can I be happy when you're not around?"

His smile gradually faded at her words.

"You will, just see." He let go of her hands, slowly backing away.

"Stay healthy and happy, Yeon Haseol. I'll be watching you up there."

"Wait! Don't leave!"

"I love you."

Was the last words he whispered out, but the girl couldn't hear it.

Before she could do anything, the fairy had gone. It happened so fast, too fast that she didn't realize when she fell down on her knees and started crying.

He left.

-two years later-

"Hey, come on. Are you still going to be like this? We're both going home this year, you should be happy!"

Haseol turned to look at Jin with her lips pouted. "How can you endure this? I seriously don't understand."

The guy took a deep breath, leaning back comfortably. "I never said I am okay this. In fact, I suffer as much as you do. We're both losing him, and it's awful."

She patted on the guy's belly, sending him her support. "I know right. I doubt if he will come see us this year."

Jin smiled weakly. "Let's not talk about something that make us sad, okay? Now put your seat belt on, don't you hear the stewardess? You rascal."

And with their continuous bickering, they took off to Seoul to celebrate Christmas.

-oOo-

Beautiful lights, happy people, Christmas carols, snow.

What a wonderful Christmas this year!

Haseol couldn't be happier. She kept on hopping here and there like a kid, despite the fact that she's a college graduate. Christmas always made her happy, despite the fact that two years ago, some bad memories happened on that season.

She visited the hidden reindeer's place. This year, she brought Jin along. They decided not to approach the fairies-in-disguise, and just watched them from afar.

She knew it was ridiculous, but she silently hoped that one of the reindeers down there was Hope.

"They're amazing."

Haseol turned to Jin, a smile bloomed as she watched him smiling.

"I know right? I love this place the most, among all the places he has shown me."

There was a silence after that, sad atmosphere surrounding them.

"Isn't it best if we could have some ramyeon? What do you think?" Jin offered, breaking the silence.

Haseol put her thumbs up, totally agreed. "Brilliant!"

"Let's go then-"

"No, no. Wait." She stopped him from getting up. "Let's play rock-paper-scissors. The loser goes."

Jin rolled his eyes, getting his hand ready anyway. "On three, two, one!"

-oOo-

Haseol couldn't stop laughing at the the thought of Jin's face when he lost. He even stomped away like a kid just now.

That guy always hated losing. But the sad truth was, he always lost in games.

"Oh God, my stomach hurts," she gripped her stomach. It hurt because she laughed too much.

"Are you that happy?"

She laughed even more at the question, imagining his sullen face if she turned around. "Of course i'm that happy-"

Her laughter faded, not even into a smile but, she halted right away.

"What a relief, then."

The guy smiled, shoving his hands into the pocket of his coat.

"Long time no see, Yeon Haseol."

Her heart skipped a beat at the call of her name. It was something usual but, the voice calling her was the one that's rare.

Because it was Hope, standing before her with his warm smile.

Her throat felt full all of a sudden, her vision turned blurry.

"Hope?" She called out carefully, afraid that he might disappear any time.

"Yes, Seol? Oh anyway, my name's Jung Hoseok now." He replied, chuckling.

"It's really you?"

She stood up, approaching him slowly. The guy was impatient, so he stepped forward to close the distance between them. He went in for a tight hug right away.

The girl choked, a tear rolled down from her eyes, but she laughed. "It's really you!"

"Of course it is!" The guy answered brightly, swaying them around. "Oh my God, two years felt so long." he said, sounded relieved.

They pulled away after some moments.

"Are you here alone?" He asked, excitement all over his tone.

"I'm with-" she paused for some moments, before she flashed a smile and continued, "I'm with Jin!"

His smile faded, nervousness suddenly overwhelmed him.

Noticing the change of his expression, Haseol quickly added, "He never forgets about you."

"What?" He asked, voice was hoarse.

"Jin never forgets about you, Hope."