I open my eyes and see Taehyung sitting at the other side of the couch. I slowly sit up with a pounding headache.
I open my eyes and see Taehyung sitting at the other side of the couch. I slowly sit up with a pounding headache.
“Hey. You’re awake.” He walks over to me and crouches beside me. “Are you ok?” I don’t answer him. I stare into space and try not to cry. I can’t believe my father’s dead. I never got to say bye. “Akari?”
“Yeah. Sorry. I’m ok.” I stand up and smile at him.
“Akari, you don’t have to do that.”
“Do what?” I start walking to my room.
“Act like you’re ok, but you’re really not.”
“I’m not. I’m fine, really.” He grabs my arm and turns me around to face him. He’s so close to me, that I can feel his breath on my face.
“Tell me the truth.” He looks me in the eye.
“I’m fine.” I lie. I pull my arm away from him and walk into my room. He follows me into the room.
“Akari, don’t you trust me?”
“I do. I really do,” I look at him. “I just can’t talk about it without crying.”
“But it’s ok to cry.”
“I don’t like crying in front of people. It makes me feel weak. Can you just,” I sigh. “Leave me alone. I need time to myself.”
“Ok.” He smiles at me. “You know where to find me if you need anything.”
“Thank you.” I say as he walks out.
“You're welcome.” He closes the door. I plop down on my bed and curl into a ball. I feel so numb. I feel nothing. I just want my mother to be here to tell me that this is all a dream. A horrible dream that I’ll wake up from soon and everything will be ok. But in reality, I know it’s not. A tear streams down my face. Then another. And another, until my entire face is covered in tears. I can’t stop crying. It’s too painful. I wanted him to dance with me at my party and now I won’t ever see him again. Why? Why did that stupid * have to shoot my father? Why did he have to die? Why did he have to leave us at this stupid place anyway? I hate him for it. I bury my face into my pillow and cry harder. I hate everyone. I just wish I could be with my father right now.
Taehyung’s POV
I close the door to her room and stand outside it. A few minutes later, I hear her sobbing. It takes all the power in me to not go in and comfort her. I feel so bad. She lost her mother when she was seven and now her father’s gone too. I just want to go in there and hug her. But she doesn’t like to be touched so I have to respect that. I stand outside her door, listening to her crying for a bit longer. Then I walk back into my room. We still have dinner before we get to sleep but I don’t think any of them want to eat. I don’t even think I can. He’s not even my father but I feel their pain. I think I’ll just skip dinner tonight. I lay in my bed and turn off the lights. It’s 7:45. Late enough to go to sleep. I can’t sleep, though. Not when I know that Akari is struggling and I can’t even help her. I close my eyes and spend thirty minutes tossing and turning. After a while, I finally went to sleep.
End of Taehyung’s POV
I guess I cried myself to sleep because when I open my eyes it’s pitch black. I look at my phone. It’s 4:30 am. I sit up in my bed and stare at the wall. I think about my father. He would always comfort me when I was scared. Right now, I’m scared. I don’t know why, but I am and he’s not here to comfort me. I turn on the lamp and curl my knees to my chest to cry. I try to be quiet, but that failed. I sob into my knees and no one’s here to calm me down. Not even my sister. She’s probably asleep. I continue to cry and someone walks into the room and sits on my bed. Maybe she heard me crying. I slowly lift my head and see Taehyung. I quickly wipe my tears and try to calm myself.
“Taehyung, why are you in here in the middle of the night?” I sniff.
“I heard you crying again. I wanted to make sure you’re ok.” I crawl out of the covers and sit next to him on the bed.
“I told you, I’m ok.” I fake a smile.
“But you were just crying.” He caresses my cheek with his thumb. “It’s ok to cry.” I close my eyes and try to keep myself from crying. But it’s too late. A tear streams down my face. “Do you need anything?”
“I need my father.” I burst into tears. “Or my mother. But neither of them are here!” I yell throwing my pillow on the floor. “I hate the guy who shot my father. I hate him with all my heart.” I stand up, walk to the wall, and bang my hand against it. “I wish I never came here. None of this would've happened if we didn’t come here.” I rant. “And my father would be with me right now, on my birthday, telling me to go back to sleep because it’s too early. I hate him for bringing us here!” Taehyung stands up and walks towards me. I turn to face him and look into his empathetic eyes. “I hate him.” I say quietly. I want to hug him. I need someone’s embrace. I hesitate for a second, then I rush into his arms. I wrap my arms around him and he returns the hug. He tightly holds me close to him. I cry into his shoulder. He rubs my back.
“It’s ok.” Is all he says. It’s enough to comfort me though. I calm down just a bit after he says this. He continues rubbing my back as I sniff and slowly stop crying.
“Taehyung?”
“Yeah?” He replies.
“Why are you being so nice to me after how rude I’ve been to you?”
“It’s because I like you a lot. I’ve never met someone who’s as self confident as you are. You don’t need anyone to feel secure. And I like that about you.” He says. I smile as I pull away from him. I grab his hands.
“Thank you.” I wipe my face.
“Anytime. Now try to go back to sleep.” He says. I chuckle.
“I’ll try.” I say. “Night, Taehyung.”
“Goodnight.” He says as he walks out the door. I sit down at the edge of my bed and think about what just happened. I turn the lamp off and lay back. I can’t believe what just happened. I smile to myself as I drift to sleep.
A few hours later…
“Akari get up. You slept in so much.” Sakura shakes me. I grunt at her. “Are you ok?”
“What do you think?” I mumble.
“It’s almost 6:30 pm.”
“What?!” I sit up. “Why did I sleep so long?”
“I don’t know but it’s almost time for your party and I’ve gotta get you ready.” She’s already dressed and ready to go.
“I don’t wanna go anymore.” I whine as I lay back down.
“Akari, I know you don’t want to, but Mr. Kim took all this time to throw this party for you.” She tucks my hair behind my ear.
“But I can’t Sakura. Not after-”
“I know. But he took the time and money to throw you this party so you will attend it, whether you want to or not.”
“But-”
“No buts. Father said I was in charge.” She says. I slowly sit up and rub my eyes.
“Ok fine. But I’m not going to enjoy it. And you know I hate wearing dresses.”
“You don’t have to enjoy it. You just have to be polite about it. And you’re wearing a dress. Now hurry up and take a shower.” She says. I drag myself out of bed and hop into the shower. When I get out, I put on my bathrobe and walk back into my room. Sakura already has my dress laid out.
“I’m going to do your hair and makeup first. Sit here.” I sit on the chair that’s sitting in front of the mirror. She begins my makeup. “So….what happened last night?” She asks.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“You know what I mean. I overheard Taehyung telling Aikoku about it.”
“Well, I woke up in the middle of the night and broke down about Father. He heard me and came into the room to help calm me down.” I explain.
“I heard that you hugged him.”
“So? It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Yes it is, Akari. You hate hugging people. And crying in front of anyone. Yet you hugged Taehyung AND cried in front of him. I know you like him. Just admit it.”
“Ok fine. I like him. Just a little though. And you can’t tease me about this.”
“EEE! Finally, now I can give you dating advice.” I roll my eyes.
“Whatever.” I reply. She finishes my makeup and starts on my hair. She does my hair in silence. When she finishes my hair she tells me to change into the dress that’s sitting on the bed. I grab the dress from the bed and head to the bathroom to change. I walk out of the bathroom.
“You look so beautiful, Akari.” She says. “Close your eyes.” She leads me to the mirror. “Ok open.”
I slowly open my eyes. I look….amazing. But Father’s not here to see.
“I can’t do this.” I say.
“Why not?” She asks. “You look beautiful.”
“Because Father isn’t here. I feel like I’m betraying him.”
“You know he’d want you to be happy.” She hugs me.
“I don’t think I can do this.”
“Please, Akari. Just at least try.” She begs.
“Ok fine. But I’m leaving if I don’t like it.”
“Yay! I bet Taehyung will love it.” She teases.
“Shut up.” I say as I walk towards the door.
“Come on. You don’t want to be late.” We quickly walk down the stairs and make our way to the party. “It’s in here.” She points to the double doors on the left. I open them and walk in.
Everyone turns to look at me and I awkwardly walk towards the table where my brother and Taehyung are sitting. Taehyung stands up and walks to me.
“I’ll leave you two alone.” Sakura winks at me and walks to Aikoku.
“Hey.” I say awkwardly. He chuckles.
“Hey. You look-”
“Horrible. I know. I don't usually wear-”
“No. You look very attractive, right now.” I look at the floor, blushing, and tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
“Thank you.” I reply.
“Like, what the heck. You’re so pretty.”
“Thank you, again.” I laugh.
“Happy birthday, by the way.”
“Thank you, again.”
“Wanna sit?” He motions towards the table that my siblings are sitting at.
“Yeah sure.” We walk towards the table and he pulls the chair out for me. I sit down. “Thank you, again.” I chuckle.
“Of course.” He sits in a chair next to me.
“So?” Sakura starts. “Are you ready to see my birthday present for you?”
“Yes!! I can’t wait. When are you gonna give it to me?”
“Whenever I decide to.” She replies.
“Wait, seriously?”
“Yup. You’ll just have to wait.”
“Ugh. Fine.” I groan. “What about you?” I turn to my brother. “What’d you get me?”
“I can’t tell you. I think you’ll really like it.”
“Ok!! I can’t wait. Also I can’t believe I’m 17 today!” I squeal.
“I know.” Sakura says. “You’re growing up.”
“It seems like just yesterday I was teaching you how to shoot a gun.” Aikoku says.
“And how to do a roundhouse kick.” I add. He laughs.
“And now you’re better at all of that stuff than I am.”
“I know.” I flip my hair.
“I got something for you too.” Taehyung says. I look at him.
“Really? You didn’t have to.” I see Aikoku and Sakura grin at each other.
“I know. But I wanted to.” He smiles at me.
“Well I’m not gonna complain about getting another present.” I laugh. We all continue talking about our upcoming mission. We’re all kinda nervous because Mr. Kim said it was our most dangerous one yet. I’m especially scared because my father usually calms me down before dangerous missions. I miss him so much already. I stop speaking, while everyone continues talking. I wanna just curl into a ball and disappear. I stare into the distance when the first slow dance song comes on. This was my mothers favorite song. I was about to excuse myself to the bathroom and then Taehyung stops me.
“Will you dance with me?” He holds out his hand. I look over at Sakura and she nods at me. I hesitate and look at him. “What’s wrong?” He asks.
“I umm… I don’t know how to. My father never taught me. He was always too busy with work or something.” I look at the floor, embarrassed.
“I’ll show you.” He says and smiles as I look at him. “It’s really easy.”
“Ok.” I take his hand and stand up. I’ll try my best to ignore the song. He leads me to the floor and places his hands on my waist.
“It’s simple. It’s not like a waltz or anything. Just put your hands on my shoulders and follow my feet.” I look down at his feet and copy what they’re doing. I try not to step on his foot. “Look up at me.” He says.
“But I don’t wanna step on your feet.”
“Trust me.” I look into his eyes, still moving my feet along with his. I step with the wrong foot and step on his.
“Sorry.” I say quickly. He chuckles.
“It’s ok.” He says, spinning me. He spins me out still holding my hand. Then he spins me back in and dips me. He pulls me up and I stare at him.
“I-I can’t do this anymore. I’m sorry.” I turn away from him and walk out the door. I bite my lip to try to hold back the tears. My father would always dance with my mom to that song. He would always dip her on the same part that Taehyung dipped me. They’re both gone now. Probably dancing together in heaven. I hope. I walk outside to the backyard towards the garden. There’s a long path down the middle, so I walk on that.
I feel really bad for leaving Taehyung alone on the dance floor, but I couldn’t cry in front of everyone. A tear leaves my eye as I wander down the pathway. I keep walking until I make it to a lake at the end of the path. I walk onto the dock.
I sit and hear the sounds of nature. Then I hear a rustling behind me and turn around. I smile when I see who it is.
“Hey Yeontan!” He runs over to me. “You found me, huh?” I pet his head and he wags his little tail. “You have no idea what I’ve gone through in the past couple days. At least you still have Taehyung.” I say. “I just wish my mom was here.” I pick him up and cry into his fur. “I just wanna see my parents again.” I sob.
Taehyung’s POV
“I-I can’t do this anymore. I’m sorry.” Akari says, walking out of the room. I stand there and watch her leave. Then I walk back to the table.
“Did I do something wrong?” I ask Sakura. She smiles at me and shakes her head,
“Just give her some time. This song was our mothers favorite. Her and Father always danced to this song.” She says. I smack my face.
“I’m so stupid. I can’t believe-”
“Taehyung, it’s not your fault.” She places her hand on my shoulder. “She’ll come around. It just takes her a while to trust people. She warmed up to you quicker than most people.”
“Are you sure she doesn’t hate me now?”
“I’m sure. Trust me.”
“Ok. Where do you think she went? I wanna talk to her.”
“Well you have a HUGE backyard. I’m sure she went there. She always goes outside at our house when she wants to be alone.”
“Thank you, Sakura.” I bow my head and walk out. I head to the backyard and follow the long path to the lake. I slowly walk to the bush by the dock and see her petting Yeontan. He must have gotten out earlier.
“At least you have Taehyung. I just wish my mom was here.” She picks him up and cries into his fur. “I wanna see my parents again.” I feel so bad for her. I walk behind her.
“Akari I-” She turns around and comes closer to me.
“I’m sorry for leaving you back there.” She hugs me, after putting Yeontan down. I play with her hair.
“It’s ok. I’m sorry for making you dance with me to that song.”
“You didn’t make me do anything. I wanted to dance with you. I just couldn’t take it anymore. I miss them too much and everything was reminding me of them.” She buries her face into my neck and cries. She’s so cute.
“I understand. My mother passed away when I was 13. Everything reminded me of her. She was always there for me when my father was working. So I get it.” It goes silent for a while and she finally stops crying.
“I don’t know why you’re still helping me, even after I just embarrassed you by leaving you alone on the dance floor.”
“I told you, I like you. A lot.” I bend down to one knee and pull the little box with her birthday present out of my pocket. I hold it out to her. “Happy birthday, Akari.” She smiles and takes the box from my hand. She opens it.
End of Taehyung’s POV
I take the little box from him and open it. I can’t believe he actually got me something. I smile when I see what it is.
“I-I don’t know what to say.” I stutter.
“How about, thank you.” He teases. I laugh.
“Well, thank you.” I hug him. “I love it.”
“Good. I wasn’t sure what you wanted.”
“It’s perfect.” I reply as I put the bracelet on.
“Here.” He holds out his hand. “I’ll put it on you.” I hand him the necklace and turn around. He puts the necklace on me and I turn back around.
“I’ll never take it off.” I say. He smiles.
“We should probably go back now.”
“Yeah. I’m fine now. I just wanna go to my room though.” I say as we start walking back.
“Ok.” He grabs my hand and I intertwine my fingers with his. We walk in silence, hand in hand, until Taehyung trips on something. I hold back my laughter. He stands up and looks at me. I burst out laughing.
“What the heck did you even trip on?” I laugh.
“I don’t even know.” He laughs. “Just pretend you didn’t see that.”
“Nope.” I reply and start running. He chases after me.
“Don’t trip.” He jokes.
“I’m way less clumsy than you.” I reply. Suddenly, a snake slithers from out of the bushes. I abruptly stop and Taehyung slams into me.
“God, Akari. Why’d you stop?” He teases, laughing. I’m frozen. If there’s one thing I’m afraid of, it’s snakes. “Are you ok?” His tone turns from a teasing one, to a worried one.
“No.” I grab his arm.
“What’s wrong?” I point to the snake. He looks to where I’m pointing.
“It’s just a snake.” He says.
“Just a snake? I hate snakes. My grandmother was bit and killed by one. I’m terrified of them.”
“Hey, it’s ok.” He caresses my face with his hand. “It won't hurt you. It’s a harmless rat snake. They only eat rats.”
“I know but-”
“Look at me.” I look at him. “I won’t let it hurt you. Come one.” He grabs my hand and walks forward. I don’t budge though.
“No.” I shake my head. He lets go of my hand and walks around it.
“Come here.”
“I can’t. I’m sorry.” It slithers towards me. I let out a small scream. I’m frozen with fear and can’t move. I squeeze my eyes shut. Then I feel Taehyung’s arms wrap around me. He picks me up, bridal style, and carries me a few feet before setting me down.
“Are you ok?” He asks. I stare at him.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I got so scared.”
“It’s ok. I’m scared of spiders.” He says. “Even the teeny tiny ones.” I chuckle.
“Let’s just go.” I walk up the stairs to the patio. We walk inside and Sakura’s waiting for us by the door.
“So-”
“Don’t even say anything.” I say, walking past her.
“Well don’t you wanna see my birthday present for you?” I stop walking.
“Ugh. Fine. What is it?”
“Here.” She hands it to me. I open the little box.
“This is the third piece of jewelry I’ve gotten today.” I glance at Taehyung.
“Awww, Sakura. I love it so much. Thank you.” I hug her. I put one of the bracelets on and hand her the other one.
“You’re welcome. Now go upstairs and see what Aikoku got you. I know you’ll love it.”
“Ok.”
“But I’m coming with you. I want to see your reaction.”
“Can I come too?” Taehyung asks.
“Of course you can.” I smile. We walk up the stairs to my brother's room. I bang on the door. “I’m ready for my present now.” He opens the door.
“Ok. It’s in my room. You’ll see it as soon as you walk in. Are you ready?”
“Yes. I can’t wait.”
“Ok. Here we go.” He opens the door and I walk into his room. A cat sits on his bed.
“Oh my gosh! You got me a cat!?” I rush over to it. “Is it a girl or a boy?”
“He’s a boy.”
“Awww. I’ve always wanted a cat, and to name it Kimchi.”
“Well happy birthday,”
“Oh my gosh thank you so much!” I hug him tightly. Then I go and pick up Kimchi.
“Hi buddy. Awww, you’re so cute.”
“Besides the party earlier, did you enjoy your birthday?”
“I did. It was really fun!”
“I’m glad you had fun.” My brother says. “And then we have our mission in two days. Are you guys ready for that?”
“I don’t know. I’m kinda nervous without Father here. He usually gives me detailed instructions.” I say.
“Plus it’s our first mission with you guys.” Sakura says to Taehyung.
“Yeah. I’m excited.” Taehyung says, grabbing my hand. “I get to go on my first mission with you.” He says to me.
“Ooooo.” Sakura says.
“Wow, she warmed up to you quickly. She usually never lets anyone touch her.” Aikoku says.
“Guys, stop. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Yeah it is. He’s the first guy you’ve actually blushed for.” Sakura says.
“Ok, and?”
“I told you, you two are perfect for each other.” I roll my eyes.
“Just stop.” I pull my hand away from his and start walking out of my brother's room. “I’m just gonna go now.”
“Ok, Goodnight sis.” He walks to me and hugs me.
“Night.” I hug him back. Then I walk to Sakura and hug her too. I walk to Taehyung to give him a hug too but he says,
“I’ll walk with you to your room.” I hear a snicker from Sakura.
“You guys are too cute.” She says.
“Whatever.” I walk out of Aikoku’s room with Taehyung following behind me and Kimchi in my arms.
“I can’t believe he got you a cat.” Taehyung says.
“Me either! I love cats.”
“Better than dogs?”
“I can’t choose. They’re both so cute.”
“Well I’m a dog person. Cats are just….no.” I smack his shoulder.
“Don’t say that in front of Kimchi.” I say opening the door to my room. I walk inside and place Kimchi on the floor. “I have to change and shower, so come back in like 20 minutes.” I tell him.
“Ok.” He hugs me and walks out the door. I walk to the bathroom and hop in the shower. I wash my hair, face, and body, and then hop out. I change into a white crop top and comfy gray shorts with a matching sweater.
As I’m drying my hair, I hear a knock at the door.
“Come in.” I say.
“Hey.” Taehyung says.
“Hi, long time no see.” I joke.
“How’d you like your birthday?” He asks.
“Today was kind of fun. Even though my father wasn’t here to dance with me. But I’m glad you did.” I say. I sit down on my bed and look at Taehyung. I fidget with the necklace he gave me.
“I’m glad you had fun.” He comes and sits next to me. “You know that necklace belonged to my mother. My father gave it to her when they first started dating. My mother gave it to me before she passed away and told me to give it to a special girl. Akari, you’re that special girl.”
“Really?” I ask in disbelief. He grabs my hand.
“Really.” He kisses my hand. “Now get some sleep. We have our last training session before the mission in a few days.” I lay down in bed and he pulls the blankets over me. “Goodnight, Akari.”
“Night.” I roll over as he turns off the lights and walks out of the room.