~ Together by a String ~ (Jiyoo)

~21~

Yoohyeon was staring at the window but slightly turned her head towards me, surprising me. Could she understand me now? I felt very happy and called Kazuha over. Kazuha shyly made her way towards us and awkwardly waved at Yoohyeon.

"H-Hi, I'm Kazuha."

Yoohyeon looked at her and blinked a few times. Kazuha tapped the back of my arm, maybe a bit confused as to why Yoohyeon wasn't doing anything.

"Kazuha, that's Yoohyeon... the dear person I talked about and my love."

"Love? Your.. girlfriend?"

"Yeah, you could say so. She is not in her state of mind now and can't really talk or do anything. But she'll get well soon, don't worry about that."

"I believe she will be okay... but are you okay?"

I was taken aback by her question and turned to face Yoohyeon. I looked into her blank eyes and held her soft hand, smiling to myself.

"I'll be okay as long as she's okay."

I turned to look at Kazuha and saw how happy she was. It seemed like the positive energy I had whenever I was near Yoohyeon got to her as well.

"Kim Minji, I think you are.. really in love. I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, Kazuha."

"You're welcome. I will go back to my room.. I don't want to worry nurses. Will we talk again?"

"Of course we will! Hopefully when Yoohyeon is better again."

"Yes, I hope too! Goodbye!"

"Bye bye Kazuha!"

She happily waved her hand and left the room. I sat down on the chair and just stared at Yoohyeon with much adoration and hope.. the love of my life.

"I truly do love you a lot, huh?"

♪♪♪♪

15 DAYS LATER

21:39 PM / KMJ

I have been with Yoohyeon every single day as always. Every time there was a check-up on her, I went to talk with Kazuha and eat lunch with her. The doctors told me that ever since I spoke with Kazuha, her whole mood has changed and was much bubblier than before. I honestly felt glad I managed to help Kazuha feel better.

I also practiced guitar every single day when I was back from the hospital and progressed more and more. The notebook Yoohyeon had was my source of motivation and I always looked at how everything was going on for her then and compared it to my experiences.

This time, I brought a new book with myself in the hospital and I wrote in there infront of Yoohyeon. She didn't really know nor understand what I was doing but still looked at me everytime.

I was sketching some random drawings and I tried to draw her, maybe focus on studying as well since I was literally skipping school right when I got enrolled back again.

I stopped drawing and played with my pen, thinking about the things I learned from school. Ever since I started taking studying a little bit seriously, I managed to find more reasons to actually hate it, surprisingly. Yoohyeon and my friends were what kept me going there and now that they weren't there, I actually had to study and that made it so boring.

I placed the notebook on the couch and moved to sit on the chair next to Yoohyeon's bed. I turned to face Yoohyeon and saw how she hasn't switched her gaze away from me at all. I know there were no thoughts behind those eyes, but her gaze just spread happiness in me. I gently cuped her cheeks and caressed them, showing her how much I appreciated her with my eyes.

"Yoohyeon, I love you so much, don't forget that. You're the only person I truly love and adore in this whole world and it will never change."

Dang it.. yet again, I started tearing up after telling her my feelings. Every time I shared how I truly felt, my tears were first to escape. I tilted my head down and hid my face so she wouldn't see how weak I was in that moment.

"I'm sorry Yoohyeon.. I-I'm really sorry.. I don't know how to help you get better, I'm so sorry.."

I leaned back on the chair and put her hand in mine, tilting my head towards the ceiling so I could suppress my tears. I just.. I wasn't feeling well. I wasn't sick or anything, I just didn't feel good at all. My love was in a state that I had no clue how I would help her get better. I haven't been doing anything I'm supposed to, like going to school on a regular basis or eating properly or even taking care or myself. I must've lost around 5 kilos because of the stress. It was so pressuring to know there wasn't a way you could help the person you love feel better.. I feel so useless.

I did nothing but lean back down and sob into the bed's blanket, hesitantly holding Yoohyeon's hand. I didn't want much, only the slightest bit of movement that would make me feel hopeful again..

Just a slight move.. The slightest squish on my hand, a tap with her finger or moving her foot..

Anything?

Nothing?

Who was I even kidding.. almost there weeks have passed, but Yoohyeon was still the same. I felt a pain in my heart - the pain I prayed to never feel ever again. I felt that pain on the day Yoohyeon almost died..

The pain of losing her.

Right then, a little buzzing sound played, meaning visiting time was over. I took a deep breath and got up. I was still holding Yoohyeon's hand in mine. Her hand was so warm that I didn't want to let it go.

I moved her hand close to my lips and pecked it, holding it to my lips for a longer time to feel her touch that I longed for.

"I need to go now Yooh.. I'll be back tomorrow, okay? I love you.. Good night."

I put her hand down slowly and caressed it for a bit. I leaned to kiss her forehead and stared into her eyes. I sighed and turned around to leave. I guess I'll see my Yoohyeon tomorrow..

♪♪♪♪

"Ji.."

I quickly stopped in place to recall what happened and looked back at Yoohyeon in shock. I thought I was hearing things, but.. it felt too real. I placed my hand on her cheek and tried to hold in my tears in after hearing what sounded like her gentle voice again after so long.

"Y-Yoohyeon? Did you say something?"

"Jiu.."

I grinned and placed both of my hands on her cheeks and leaned my forehead on hers. The tears didn't stop running down my face as I was very elated and extremely emotional. My Hyeonie.. She remembers me.

"Yooh, y-you finally spoke.. I missed your voice so much..."

I then felt her hand slightly move to grab on my shirt. I took her hand in mine and interwined them together.

I pressed on the button that was near Yoohyeon's bed to call the doctors and now I waited for them to arrive. I looked back at her and smiled, noticing she was more than confused as to what was happening.

"Yoohyeon, some doctors are going to come here in a bit so don't be scared, okay? I'll be right outside and wait for them to check up on you and the moment they leave, I'll see you again, I promise."

"Jiu.. I.."

"It's fine baby, don't force yourself to talk for now, only look at me."

I was looking into the eyes of my love but this time, it was different. I didn't see the usual blank stare that showed no emotions. I saw the Yoohyeon who had awareness of what was happening and could understand me.

I saw the emotions in her eyes.

I saw... the love.

♪♪♪♪