Flowers of Agony

Chapter 1

11 Years Ago

Rachel dashed to the door of her best friend's home, knocking on it twice. It eventually opened and an older woman stood in front of her with a smile.

"Hello, Rachel. Namjoon's in his room as usual."

Rachel gave her a polite smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Kim." Mrs. Kim nodded and stepped to the side to allow Rachel in. The young girl entered and made her way to Namjoon's room.

She poked her head in, noticing Namjoon with a pencil in hand and papers sprawled out on his desk.

"Joon?"

Namjoon looked up from the floor, smiling when he saw her. "Oh. Hey, Rachel. What's up?" Rachel strolled into the room and sat on his bed. "Nothing much. I just wanted to hang out with you." Namjoon turned his attention to the papers and started writing on them. Rachel saw how focused he was with how his face was scrunched up.

"Are you still planning to become an idol?"

Namjoon nodded in response. "Yeah. But... I don't want to leave you all alone."

Rachel smiled gently at him. "It's okay. I'll be fine. If that's your dream, then chase after it." Namjoon placed his pencil down and stared worryingly into her eyes. "Are you sure?" He questioned. "I'm sure."

A soft sigh escaped Namjoon. "Do you really think I can do it?" Rachel nodded her head. "Of course I do. You've been learning how to dance and rap and write lyrics since you were little."

Namjoon's lips curled into a smile. "Thanks, Rach. I appreciate it." Rachel nodded again. "You're welcome." Namjoon sighed quietly, tapping his pencil on the desk. "I'm kind of nervous about the auditions. I hope that I make it, but... but what if I don't?"

Rachel frowned, her brows creased. "You will. I know you will." She replied. Namjoon sent her a small smile. "I'm glad that I have a friend like you. You always look on the bright side of things."

He stretched his arms and pushed his chair back, then stood up. "Did you eat already? I think mom's making lunch right now." He said. "I had a little something earlier, but I'm still hungry." Rachel replied. Namjoon nodded his head. "All right. Let's head downstairs then."

Rachel nodded back and followed him out the room.

"Hey, mom. Is lunch done yet?" Namjoon questioned as he and Rachel came into the kitchen. Mrs. Kim looked at her son, smiling. "It'll be ready in a few minutes. You and Rachel can sit down."

The two teenagers walked to the table and took their seats. Eventually, Mrs. Kim brought over the food and the three of them started to eat.

"The auditions are in a few days, aren't they?" Mrs. Kim asked Namjoon. He placed his chopsticks down and stared at his plate. "Yeah... I know that you and dad are against it, but being an idol is something that I really want to do." Mrs. Kim gave him a small smile. "You already made up your mind. Your father and I can't change that." A small smile formed on Namjoon's face. "Thanks, mom."

Rachel smiled at him. "I believe in you, Namjoon. Don't give up." Namjoon nodded his head. "I won't. I'll be an idol that'll make you and my parents proud."

___

A loud buzzing noise woke up Rachel from her sleep. She rolled to where her phone was on the bed and answered the call shown on the screen.

"Namjoon? What's going on? Is everything?" She asked in a sleepy voice.

"Sorry for waking you up. But, yeah. Everything's fine. I just finished my audition." Namjoon replied. Rachel smiled. "I bet there was a lot of people, huh?" She heard him hum in response. "It was so crowded. Anyway, do you want to meet up at my house? I'll tell you the rest of the details there."

"Yeah. I'll be there in a couple minutes." Rachel answered. "All right. See you soon." Namjoon then hung up.

Rachel quickly rolled out of bed and and got ready. After doing so, she told her parents where she was going and ran to Namjoon's house. Mrs. Kim allowed her inside and she waited for Namjoon at his room.

Before long, he arrived. "Hey." He greeted, setting his bag that he had brought with him onto the floor. Rachel sent him a smile. "Hey. So, what happened?" Namjoon walked over to where she was sitting on the bed, sighing softly. "Well..." He explained everything that occurred at the audition.

"... And that's all." He said moments later. Rachel's eyes were wide in amazement. "Wow..." Namjoon stared at the ground. "Now I just have to wait for an email...." He laced his fingers together and sat in silence, his brows furrowed. Rachel placed a hand onto his shoulder. "It's going to be okay. You'll pass." Namjoon nodded with a smile. "You're right."

Days passed after their conversation took place.

Rachel and Namjoon were currently sitting at Namjoon's desk, his laptop open and displaying his email account. They were eagerly waiting for the news to arrive.

A notification eventually popped up in the inbox and Namjoon clicked on the first thing that he saw.

With a deep breath, he scrolled through the contents of the email sent by Bighit Entertainment, the idol company that he had auditioned for. His and Rachel's eyes widened when they saw the word "Congratulations".

"Is this... real?" Namjoon softly said. Rachel's lips spread out into a grin. "You did it, Namjoon! I knew you could it!" She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. Namjoon smiled and returned the embrace. "Thanks for supporting me."

Later that day during dinner, Namjoon told his parents that he got accepted. "That's great, honey." Mrs. Kim said with a smile. Mr. Kim let out a sigh. "I can't stop you. If that's what you want to be, then go for it." Namjoon smiled at them. "Thank you."

It was time for Namjoon to go to Korea. His parents and Rachel went with him to the airport.

Namjoon exchanged goodbyes and hugs with his parents before turning to Rachel. "Have fun. But more importantly, be careful." Rachel told him. Namjoon gave her a smile. "Don't worry. I will."

Rachel hugged him tight, which he responded with a hug as well. They stayed like that for quite some time, eventually letting go of each other. Namjoon grabbed his suitcase and duffel bag, waving to his parents and Rachel before walking off. The three of them waved at Namjoon until he disappeared from view.

Mr. and Mrs. Kim dropped Rachel off at her house before heading to theirs.

Rachel entered the house and noticed her mother in the kitchen. "Hey, honey. How was it at the airport?" Her mother asked. "Good." Rachel sighed and gazed down at the floor. "I miss him already..." Her mother smiled. "I'm sure you'll see him again." Rachel looked up at her.

"Yeah. I—"

She suddenly coughed and felt something fly out of her mouth. Her mother looked at her with a concerned expression. "Are you okay?" Rachel nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just had to clear my throat." She walked to her room and shut the door, examining whatever had left her lips.

In her hand was a white petal.

"What the... How did this get in my body?" Rachel started to choke and cough, several more petals pouring out of her. "What's happening to me...?" She took out her phone and typed in her browser search bar, 'Flowers coming out of mouth'.

She looked through the results and found the words "Hanahaki Disease". She pressed on the very first website link and read carefully.

"Hanahaki Disease... A disease that is born from an unrequited love, where the victim coughs up flower petals. It can be cured by the love being returned or being removed through surgery. If the surgery occurs, then the victim's feelings disappear along with the petals.

Rachel placed her hands in front of her mouth, wracking up even more petals. She let out a shaky sigh and sat down on the floor, pulling her knees to her chest.

"What happens if I don't tell him? Will I...die?" She buried her face in her knees. "I don't want to die, but...but I...What do I do?"