.
A month later...
The month has changed, and along with it is the season in South Korea. The leaves are changing their colors and slowly, they are falling and dancing along with the wind. Along with the change of seasons, James' life is also bound to change this autumn as his career continue to bloom that will only lead to more opportunities. James continue to make his name as one of the premiere comedian, not just in South Korea, but also to other parts of the world. He already begun his stand up tour, and after a very successful tour both in Australia and Canada, he is back to South Korea for his other work before he resume the tour and head to U.K. and USA. And because of the success of the shows, his name has been all over the news..
"Next is James L/N, we all know him as one of the cast member, the 8th Brother in the variety show Knowing Brothers. James is now back in South Korea, he arrived last night after a successful show in Canada..", the female reporter pauses as a video clip of James getting standing ovation on his show in Canada.
"That is amazing. Look at all the people giving him standing ovation.." a male reporter commented after the video clip has ended.
"Yes, that is really amazing. That show in Canada is the second stop for James' stand up tour. Next will be in U.K. and USA. Then, after that he will have the last stop of the show here in Seoul.." the female reporter is back again. "And speaking of, we all know that recently he has been involve in dating rumours with Irene, the leader of the girl group Red Velvet. There have been photos of them eating dinner together that has been captured by the media" the reporter somehow managed to brought up again the most recent hot topic about James.
"Yes, for the past two months it is speculated by fans that Irene and James were secretly dating based on the photos taken. But if you remember partner, James has been also involved in dating rumours with Seolhyun of AOA and Mina of Gugudan. It turns out, he was just best friends with them" the male reporter pointed it out.
"Yes, and according to everyone who is close with James, and the people who knows him, they all said that he is a very friendly person. That is also why he was dubbed as the Nation's Best friend because of him being friend's with a lot of idols, actors and other celebrities. So I won't be surprised if it turns out that Irene and James are also best friends.." the female reporter stated.
"I believe so because weeks ago photos of him and Irene were trending as they were spotted having dinner again. But this time, they fooled around with the paparazzi. When they spotted the cameras, both of them are starting to pose and make fun of the cameras that are trying to spy on them" the male reporter giggled a little while he is reporting. The photos of Irene and James goofing around with the paparazzi cameras is being shown in the tv.
..
"Hey~ what are you watching?" James got out from his room and saw Sojiro watching tv in the living room.
"News. Look, they are talking about your show and your dating rumours with Irene.." Sojiro replied.
"Well, at least they mentioned the show.." James giggles after he watches for a couple of seconds. He then went to the kitchen.
"Looks like you are getting used to see your name and Irene in the news.." Sojiro laughed.
"It's been like.. uh two months. I'm actually surprised that it is still in the news" James just laughed at it as he is starting to brew some coffee. "Hey, want some coffee?" he asked Sojiro.
"No thanks, I'm having tea.." Sojiro shows the cup of tea he is having.
"Oh, okay.. you're having Leaf Soup.." James mutters.
"What?" Sojiro confusingly looked at James in the kitchen.
"Leaf Soup. Tea is technically just a Leaf Soup.." James giggles as he explains.
Sojiro looked at his cup of tea to contemplate on what he heard from James, "Dammit, you ruined tea for me. Now I'm going to think of that whenever I'm drinking tea..". James just laughed at Sojiro as he brew some coffee and prepare some breakfast.
.
"Kuroba-san, it is your idea to fool around with paparazzi, isn't it?" Sojiro asked.
"Uh.. yeah. I figured that it might help the rumours of us dating to die down" James replied as he is busy in the kitchen.
"That's what I thought.." Sojiro turns off the tv and is now turning on the music player.
"Why did you turn it off?" James asked.
"I already know more about you and Irene than those reporters.." Sojiro is busy looking for a song to play. After that he went back to the sofa and just pick up a book to read.
Several minutes later while James is busy cooking in the kitchen and Sojiro is just reading a book quietly in the living room, a song played that makes the two boys to bobbed their heads to the beat of the song.
"Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike, he's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough~" Sojiro started singing along to the song quietly. James smiled as he heard Sojiro singing along to the song.
"Gina works the diner all day.." James suddenly joins Sojiro's singing. ".. Working for her man, She brings home her pay for love.. mmm.. for loveee~". Both of them are now singing along to the song that is playing in the music player.
"She says, 'We've got to hold on to what we've got~" Both of them points at each other at the same time without looking as they sings louder and louder. "It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not!!~. We've got each other and that's a lot for love..... We'll give it a shot!!~"
"Woaahhh~ we're half way there~ Wooahh-oohhh, livin' on prayer~!! Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear!!~ Wooahh-oohhh, livin' on prayer~"
Both of them are now singing the chorus loud. But they are more like screaming and shouting rather than singing since both have no ability in singing. They are just enjoying themselves as they're singing along carelessly to the song and not giving a damn how they sound.
.
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Meanwhile..
"Good morning!" Irene greets her members while she is preparing the table.
Seulgi and Joy just woke up and got out of their rooms. They looked at their leader who is undeniably happy this morning. Wendy and Yeri are already in the table having their breakfast. Joy didn't really give much care to it as she just head to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Seulgi is just watching Irene, who for some reason have full of energy while preparing the food.
"James arrived last night.." Wendy told her after she took a sip of her coffee.
"Ah~" Seulgi mouthed it and gives a thumbs up. Now it makes sense why their leader is happy this morning. She then went to the bathroom as well.
"Unnie.. are you going to meet oppa today?" Yeri asked their leader.
"Not sure. Probably tomorrow.." Irene replied.
"Why?" Wendy asked.
"Haewon unnie and her family is here in Seoul, and James wanted to see them because it's been a long time since the last time he saw them. So he will probably spend the whole day with them.." Irene explained to her members.
"Uh.. Haewon is the older sister, what is the name of the younger sister?" Wendy asks.
"Haejoo.." Irene replied.
"Oh yeah, Haejoo, now I remember.." Wendy went back to eating.
"By the way unnie, I want to watch James oppa's stand up show here in Seoul. I've seen clips on the news and people are giving him standing ovation at the end of the show. Can you ask oppa if he can give us tickets? please unnieeee" Yeri is cutely begging their leader to get tickets.
"What? We can just buy the tickets. In that way we are showing support to him more" Irene pointed out to the maknae.
"Unnie is right, we can just buy the tickets. Besides it's not that hard to buy one" Wendy agrees with Irene.
"Also.. I can't do that. Just because we are close with him, it doesn't mean we can just ask him that kind of favors.." Irene added.
"Unnie why not? You are his girlfriend. You have the power to do that" Yeri smirks.
"Yah! I'm not his girlfriend~" Irene cutely yells at their maknae.
"You act like one, so might as well use the advantage.." Yeri continue to tease her.
"Yeri-ah!~" Irene cannot really get mad because she kinda likes it.
"Hey.. what's going on.." Seulgi and Joy joins them in the table. Irene quickly serves the girls their pancakes.
"I'm asking if Irene unnie can get us tickets to James oppa's show" Yeri told them.
"Oh, I want to watch!" Seulgi sounds a little excited.
"But unnie won't ask James oppa to get us tickets.." Yeri said to them.
"Why not?" Joy took a bite of her pancakes.
"I'm not going to. Let's just buy the tickets. It shows our support to him" Irene told them.
"Oh.. araseo.." Seulgi and Joy didn't even argue, they just eat their pancakes.
"Speaking of.. unnie, are you going out on date again with James oppa later?" Joy teasingly asked their leader.
"Yah~ we're not dating. We were just having dinner, it's not a date~" Irene replied. "Besides, James is going to meet Haewon unnie and her family. He is excited to see James.." Irene added.
All of her members stopped eating and they all looked at each other in confusion, "huh?" , "What?" , "Who?" , "James?".
"Oh.." Irene laughs at the reaction of her members. She forgot that her members didn't know about Haewon's son. ".. haha mianhae, I mean Kyun-sang, Haewon unnie's baby. They named his english name after James".
"Ohh.." the girls started giggling after finding out what Irene meant.
"Not his girlfriend, but Irene unnie knows such things about James oppa.." Yeri is not yet done teasing their leader.
"Yah~ Kim Yerim!" Irene is cutely getting angry.
.
.
.
Several hours later...
James invited Sojiro to come with him to meet Haewon and her family, plus Haejoo. They had lunch somewhere in Seoul. Kyuhan had a business trip in Seoul for the last couple of days, and Haewon took this chance to go home to see her parents and her younger sister Haejoo. Haewon and Kyuhan decided to stay for a couple of more days so they can meet James who just came back from his show outside of South Korea. Since Sojiro and the others are his family in Japan, James decided that it would be fun if Sojiro meet his family in South Korea. Sojiro felt comfortable easily to them and he is happy to meet the people who helped James when he started his new life in another country.
James invited them to have dinner in his new place since Haewon haven't been there yet. They all decided to go to the supermarket to buy food for their feast later..
"Sojiro-kun, do you want to have beef later?" Haewon asked James' Japanese friend.
"Oh, that sounds great noona.." Sojiro smiled at her.
"Okay, we will be having beef later.." Haewon picks up the beefs in the frozen section of the supermarket. "Let me help you.." Sojiro helped Haewon on picking up the meats.
"Gomawo.. oh, uh.. arigatou~" Haewon giggles.
"By the way, is it okay if I call you 'Sojiro-kun'?" Haewon asked.
"Of course noona, in fact you can just call me Sojiro" Sojiro chuckles.
"hmm.. okay then.." Haewon giggles as well, ".. it's a good thing you know how to speak Korean. It is easier to communicate with you.." she added.
"Yeah, but I only know the basics on how to communicate. I'm still not that fluent.." Sojiro shyly laughs.
"It doesn't matter, as long as we understand each other it's fine" Haewon told him. After getting the meat they needed, they now move to the vegetables and fruits section.
..
"It must be fun for you to meet James again after 2 years since he left Japan.." Haewon asked Sojiro while she is picking the freshest lettuce.
"Yeah, I'm glad he is doing great here in South Korea.."Sojiro smiles at first but it quickly disappears when he noticed something about Haewon. "Uh.. Haewon noona, can I ask you something?".
"Sure what is it?",
"Did James mentioned why he left Japan?" Sojiro asked her.
"Yes, why'd you ask?" Haewon is still busy picking the lettuces,
"Nothing. I'm just curious. So that means you already know the story behind it.." Sojiro said to her. He then now help Haewon on picking the fresh lettuces.
"hmm.. are we talking about Akako or Natsuki?" Haewon stopped for a second and looked at Sojiro.
"Oh.." Sojiro is a little surprised know that Haewon knows both story.
"Never mind, as long as he already moved on.. everything is fine.." Haewon gives Sojiro a smile.
"Y-yeah.." Sojiro smiled, agreeing to what Haewon said to him.
Several seconds later..
"Unnie~ look at James oppa, he is going to buy all these toys for Kyunsang" Haejoo excitingly told her older sister.
"What? James no need for that.. this is too much.." Haewon is surprised to see a number of toys in the cart.
"I told him not to but he insisted.." Kyuhan is laughing.
"It's fine noona, it's a gift from uncle James and uncle Sojiro" James giggles.
"Eh?" Sojiro is a little confused. "You owe me 5 dollars" James laughingly told him.
"Okay.. get him a soft blanket too.." Sojiro apparently wanted to give something to baby Kyunsang as well.
..
"Unnie.. can we get a cake also?" Haejoo asks.
"Uh.. sure, why not.." Haewon just allows her younger sister.
"Yey!" Haejoo happily exclaim.
"Hey, Sojiro.. you should go with Haejoo.." James told Sojiro.
"But uh.." Sojiro is getting a little shy.
"It's okay, after this we will head to the cashier.." Haewon smiles at Sojiro.
"Okay.." Sojiro just accepts it.
"Alright, let's go!" Haejoo asked Sojiro to follow her.
"Uh.. what kind of honorific should I use to you?" Sojiro politely asked Haejoo.
"Haha oppa, just call me Haejoo. There's no need for some kind of honorifics" Haejoo laughingly told him.
"I see.. how about Haejoo-chan?" Sojiro asked her.
"Hmm.. I don't know, does it sound right?",
The two of them started talking as they walk away from the others. Haewon, Kyuhan and James are just watching those two head out of the supermarket. Looks like Haejoo and Sojiro are getting along just fine.
"Oh, noona I need to buy something. Can I take James.. I mean Kyunsang with me?" James asked Haewon's permission.
"Sure, meet us in the counter.." Haewon giggles as she told him.
"Got it!",
.
James brings baby Kyunsang with him as he went to pick something up. Kyunsang about a year and a half years old now, so he is capable of speaking few words. James is baby talking to Kyunsang all the way, and Kyunsang is giggling and trying his best to cutely mumble things back to James.
"You're so cute!!" James pinches Kyunsang chubby cheeks. "Oh, here we go.." James finally saw the things he needed to buy. He is now choosing at the different varieties in shelf. After about a minute, he is finally done..
"Kyunsang let's go back to your....." James is stunned to see Kyunsang doing something, really cute. James cannot stop giggling at what Kyunsang is doing. He then quickly took a photo of it..
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.
.
"Hey.. haha, you like her too?" James is giggling as he ask baby Kyunsang.
"ahh-waa-yeep" Kyunsang is cutely mumbling as he continue to reach for Irene's photo.
"Yes, yeppeuda~ she is really pretty isn't she? You should see her in person, she is way more beautiful" James continue to talk to Kyunsang.
"yepp-ahhhh" Kyunsang cutely giggles, his attention is still at Irene's advertisement.
"Yeah.. you definitely deserve the name James.. no doubt~" James laughed even more at what is happening. "I will show this to her.." James took another photo of Kyunsang. He is planning to show it to Irene later.
..
..
James then went back to where Haewon and Kyuhan is. He showed them what their baby is doing earlier.
"Ohhh.. gwiyeowo~~" Haewon cannot resist how adorable her son is. She then picks up Kyunsang out of his trolley. While carrying Kyunsang, Haewon started talking to her son, "Did you know that Irene is uncle James' girlfriend?".
"Wha----, noona! She's not!" James is taken aback by the sudden teasing of Haewon.
"Uncle James keeps denying it, but he loves Irene so muuuuchhh~" Kyuhan joins in on teasing James, by using baby Kyunsang.
"Hyung, not you too~", and just like that James finds himself in the middle of the teasing from Kyunsang's parents.
Then all of a sudden they heard a voice of a girl..
"Shu..."
James looked behind him and saw a person from his past. He immediately recognized the person standing behind him. He doesn't know how to react at that moment, he just stare at her blankly, no visible expression whatsoever.
"It's me, Akako.." Akako gives him a smile.
Haewon and Kyuhan gasps when they heard that the girl introduced herself as Akako. Both of them knew who that person is, but this is the first time they saw what she looks like.
..
..
..
"Oppa, what do you like? Blueberry Cheesecake or this Red Velvet layered.. uh.. something.." Haejoo is asking Sojiro which cake should they buy.
"It's up to you. I'm fine with anything" Sojiro replied.
"Hmm.. I will go with the Red Velvet one. Plus I can tease James oppa about Irene later using this cake.." Haejoo laughs. She then orders the cake to the store clerk.
"Speaking of... uh.. what do you think about Irene and James? Do you think they are secretly dating?" Sojiro asked as they sits in a vacant table while waiting for the cake.
"Hmm.. as of now? maybe. I mean they surely have feelings for each other. They are sweet to each other. Specially Irene, it seems like she really likes James oppa.." Haejoo shared her thoughts about Irene and James.
"Yeah, that's what I thought too. They both seem happy whenever they are together.." Sojiro remarked.
"I just don't get it why James oppa still haven't ask her to be his girlfriend. He has nothing to be scared of, their feelings are mutual.." Haejoo sighs out of frustration.
"Well, can you blame him?" Sojiro chuckled.
"He must have been got really hurt by that girl Akako.." Haejoo commented.
"Yeah, that is the reason why he is a little scared to love again.." Sojiro remarked.
"You know what oppa, if I ever got a chance, I will grab that girl's hair and drags her from here and all the way to the DMZ and throw her to the mine fields" Haejoo is cutely showing her anger and hate towards Akako. Sojiro burst into laughter on how angry Haejoo is.
"I'll pay to watch that happen.." Sojiro giggled.
"Mianhae, hehe. I just hate what she did to James oppa" Haejoo apologized for her brutal imagination.
"As long as we are hating the same person, it's fine" Sojiro laughingly said to her.
..
..
..
Meanwhile, in a nearby park outside of the mall and supermarket..
"It's nice to see you again, Shu~" Akako smiles brightly towards James.
"What are you doing here?" James asks,
"I'm actually here to find a job. I'm currently staying at my friend's house for the meantime.." Akako smilingly explained. "I've got to say, you are a very different person now. Look at you, a successful comedian and a celebrity here in South Korea. Who would have thought that someday....."
Akako continue to just talk for a minute while James is just staring at her with the same blank and empty expression. He doesn't feel anything while in front of Akako. His feelings is like a blank canvass, it has nothing.
"What do you want?" James cut her off. He wasn't even listening to her.
"um..." Akako stopped talking for awhile. Her bright and wonderful smile quickly disappears. She then took a deep breath and says..
"Shu, I'm sorry.. I'm really sorry for what I did 4 years ago..",
Those words hit James hard. He is now feeling something stings inside him. Past memories are coming down to him like a pouring rain. Those blank and empty expression he have earlier are now slowly getting painted with pain. Those were the words he wanted to hear 4 years ago, not now.
"I forgive you..", James smiled at her for the first time.
Akako's eye grew big and she is in shock to hear that from James. She was expecting the opposite, she was ready to ask for forgiveness relentlessly if ever James rejects it. Akako smiles brightly again.
"Really?" she asked him for confirmation.
James just nods, "actually, I forgave you a long time ago. Even if you didn't ask for it.. I did it anyway..".
"W-why?" Akako asks,
"It's the only way for me to move on.." James smilingly replied.
"Oh..." Akako doesn't know what to say. She just looked at James, who is smiling now.
"It... it seems you are happy now.." Akako commented.
"I am.." James smiles as he looks up to the clear skies above the city.
"I see.." Akako sighed and she is now dreading and regretting the thing she did back then, "So, I guess the news were true. It is really her.. that makes you happy".
"Well, whether it is true or not, it's none of your business.." James said to her.
"Right..." Akako just let out a forced smile.
"I think I have to go now. I hope you find a good job here and, that you'll be successful.." James wishes Akako luck before he walks away from her.
.
"Shu~ wait!" Akako shouts, calling out his name after a couple of seconds. James stopped walking and turns around to face her..
"Shu~ the real reason I went here in South Korea is that I want to patch things up between us.." Akako finally reveals her real intention on coming to South Korea. "Since you forgive me... we can work things out, let's start ov---"
"No.." James didn't let Akako finish.
"But Shu, hear me out..." Akako is trying to persuade him but James stop her again..
"No need.." James knew exactly what Akako wanted, ".. there's nothing to patch up. You ended it 4 years ago. You..." James paused for a second because the pain is starting to comes back to him. "You....... You went on a different path and started a new life. And I started a new life too, here in Seoul. Let's keep it that way.." James gives her a smile. He barely managed to finish his sentence without his voice cracking.
"Shu~" Akako is now feeling more sorry for what she did. Tears are slowly building up in her eyes as she gazed the man who was once hers.
"Enjoy living here in Seoul, it's an amazing place.." James gives a deep and polite bow to Akako. "Sayonara~" he smiled and waved goodbye before he leaves.
Akako is just standing there speechless. A single tear runs down to her face as she watches James walking away from her..
James managed to stop the painful memories from taking over him again. He stopped the painful memories from Akako from ruining the blank canvass in his heart as it is already reserved for someone else to paint it with beautiful memories.
James continue to walk away without even looking back to the person who only belongs to his past. He never thought that they will see each other again.
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.
Couple of hours later at James' condo..
"Jinjja?! You talked to her??" Haejoo is shocked to hear that James and Akako had a small reunion earlier.
"What?! Akako is here?!" Sojiro is in disbelief that one of the people he hated the most shows up again.
"Relax, nothing to worry about. We just talk.." James giggles as he finds Haejoo's and Sojiro's reaction to funny.
"Kuroba-san, why you didn't tell me? You really have to wait till we get home??" Sojiro is visibly losing his cool.
"Because if I did you might go after her. I can't let you get into any trouble while you're here in South Korea.." James pats Sojiro in the shoulders, telling him to calm down. He then proceed to help Haewon in preparing the feast.
"Oppa, what did you guys talked about? what did she says to you?" Haejoo is eager to know what happened in the small reunion.
"She told me that she is here in South Korea to find a job, and that she wanted to patch things up and for us to get back together.." James just casually told everyone like it's nothing.
"What?!" Haejoo, Haewon and Kyuhan are visibly shocked.
"That bitch!!" Sojiro angrily blurted out.
"Woah, hey~ watch your mouth, there's a baby here.." James frowns at Sojiro. The others just laughed at Sojiro's reaction.
"Sorry.." Sojiro immediately apologizes to the others.
"So, what happen then? what did you say to her?" Kyuhan asked him.
"She insists that we should start over and..." James is not yet done when he got interrupted again.
"That hoe!!" Sojiro cannot contain his hate towards Akako.
"Hey.." James looked at him.
"What? I also can't say 'hoe'?" Sojiro reasoned out. James just shakes his head and laughs.
"I really hate that woman. Kirihara Akako, the hoe from Kyoto. 'Hoeto,.. KyoHoe.." Sojiro is not yet done expressing his anger.
"Hey! Can you chill?" James wanted to scold him but he cannot help but to laugh at Sojiro.
"Alright, I'll stop. I need a drink.." Sojiro apologized again before he head to the fridge to get some alcoholic drink. After that he went outside to the balcony to calm himself down.
.
"Wow, I thought my hate towards Akako is strong but wow, Sojiro oppa really hates that girl way more.." Haejoo laughingly commented.
"Well, you can't blame him. That girl cheated on James. And as a really close friend, Sojiro's anger is just right.." Haewon remarked.
"Just let him be. It's my fault why he is like that.." James told them.
"What do you mean?" Kyuhan asks,
"I let myself to fall into depression. And the others didn't like what happened to me, that's when they all started to hate Akako , even more than I do" James explained.
"So oppa, what did you say to her?" Haejoo asks,
"I said no.." James replied, ".. all done, let's eat!" he then told everyone now that they are finished preparing all the food.
"Yah~ of course James will say no to her. He have Irene now" Haewon told to her sister, with a collateral teasing to James.
James is kinda getting a little tired from all the teasing that he just smile and laughed at it. Accepting what Haewon said.
"Maybe on our next get-together like this, James will introduce Irene as his girlfriend.." Haewon teases him again.
James just laugh and started eating, "Let's just eat.." he said to everyone.
"What about Sojiro oppa?" Haejoo asks,
"Give him some time. I'll get him later.." James told her.
All of them starts digging in to the feast they prepared for their small get-together, while Sojiro is out in the balcony busy containing his anger and hatred. James is having a great time with the people who he likes to call family, his family in South Korea.
15 minutes later, James excuse himself and went to the balcony to talk to Sojiro..
"Hey.." James joins Sojiro.
"Sorry Kuroba-san.." Sojiro quickly apologize.
"Haha It's fine, I'm not mad.." James patted Sojiro's back. "So, what do you think? Seoul is a beautiful city isn't it?". Both of them gazed and admires the beauty of Seoul in the night.
"It is.." Sojiro admits that Seoul is a beautiful city. "But you know Fukuoka is number 1 right?"
"Of course~ Fukuoka all the way!" James agrees and both of them giggles.
James sighed and looked up in the sky, "Sojiro.."
Sojiro is just looking at him, waiting for what he is going to say next.
".. tell Seiichi he has nothing to worry about..",
"Wh-what are you talking about?" Sojiro tries to play dumb, but it is not going to work with James.
"I know that he sent you here to look after me.." James faced him and gives him a smile.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about.." Sojiro is still denying it.
"Hosokawa Sojiro.. you can't fool me" James calmly told him. He just give Sojiro a smile..
Sojiro sighed, "Fine.."
"But he only ordered me to stay here for 2 weeks. After that, it is really a vacation for me.." Sojiro explains himself.
"That I believe.." James chuckled.
..
"I guess I have nothing to worry about you getting back together with Akako's cheating ass.." Sojiro chuckled.
"Don't worry, it's never going to happen" James replied.
"I mean because you have Irene.." Sojiro said to him, ".. Even though it was just in the photos, I'd never seen that smile on your face when you're with her.." he added.
James just smile and let out a small laugh, "Well, there's no denying that I'm always happy when I'm with her.."
"This must be it.." Sojiro told him.
"Must be what?" James asks,
"Remember what Yukiko-san told us when we went to that shrine with her.." Sojiro is trying to make James recall what Yukiko-san told them.
"Which shrine? We visited a lot of shrine with her. And Yukiko-san always give us life lessons in each shrine we visits.." James chuckles.
"The one in her hometown in Akita.." Sojiro replied.
"Oh.. hmm.. I think it's called Kinpo Shrine.." James doesn't quite remember the name of the shrine Sojiro is talking about.
"Hehe, we always accompany Yukiko-san to every shrine she wanted to visit. Then while we were resting, she will always sit the three of us down and give us life lessons.." Sojiro let out a small laugh as he remembers some fond memories.
"Seiichi always said that he is tired of going to the shrines but he never missed a single trip. He will come with us, and complains after.." James laughed at some of the treasured memories he had with Seiichi, Sojiro and Yukiko-san.
"I think it's because of the onigiri that Yukiko-san always packed on our trips.." Sojiro jokes about it.
"Oh, dammit. I miss Yukiko-san's onigiris.." James laughed. "So what is the thing you were talking about?" he then went back to what Sojiro is trying to say earlier.
"Yukiko-san told us that when the divines finally decided to give us our other half, the right person for us. Instead of joy and excitement, we will only experience a total calmness when we finally meet them".
James remains silent for a couple of seconds as he now recalls what Yukiko-san told to the three of them while visiting that shrine.
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.
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**
"Yukiko-san, why there's no other people in this shrine other than us?" Shusuke asks while he is holding and helping the old woman walk through the moss-covered stone stairways that leads to the shrine.
"Yeah, it is very quiet.. I like it.." Sojiro is on the other side of the old woman, also helping her.
"It's very secluded and peaceful here.." Shusuke agrees that the shrine is a rather very peaceful and quiet place, "It feels like we enter in another world.." .
"This is one of the Hidden Shrines in Akita. Only the locals knows this shrine.." Yukiko-san explained it to the young boys as they finally arrived at the top, in the main shrine.
"That's why there's no tourists around this area.." Seiichi is just walking right behind them. "The town's mayor should do some kind of advertising about this place to attract tourists.." he commented.
"Everything is about business for you isn't it?" Shusuke laughingly told him.
"I'm just saying that the town will benefit greatly.." Seiichi replied.
"Boys, let's pay respect and offer our prayers.." Yukiko-san gathers the boys to line up in front of the shrine.
The four of them pays their respect and say their prayers quietly. The tall cedar trees that surrounds the shrine in seclusion. The quiet and peaceful ambiance of the shrine makes everyone feels that they are alone with God.
Afterwards, they stayed in the shrine for some time and had a small meal..
"This shrine is believed to be more than a thousand years old already.." Yukiko-san told to the boys.
"Wooow~" the three boys are in amazement as they looked around and cannot believe that they are in such a place.
"I used to also come here with Kiyonaga and Heizo when they were around your age." Yukiko-san smiles as she tells the boys.
"Really? Dad used to visit shrines?" Seiichi is a little surprised to know that fact about his father.
Yukiko-san nods, "Just like the three of you, Kiyonaga and Heizo are best friends. They always stay at each other's side no matter what they do or where they go. They always take care of each other too. Actually those two are more troublesome than the three of you.." Yukiko-san started laughing.
"I can't imagine Okiya-sama and Inui-san being... troublesome. Both of them are serious and scary men.." Sojiro is having a hard time imagining it.
"Tell me about it.." Seiichi chuckles.
"I'm going to tell you something that I already told to Kiyonaga and Heizo when they are about your age. We were also having a meal like this back then.."
Yukiko-san gathers the attention of Seiichi, Shusuke and Sojiro. The three boys stopped for a moment to listen to what Yukiko-san is about to tell them..
"It is believed that when the divines/gods created us humans, they split our soul in to two, and they put the two soul into two separate bodies. Bound to be away from each other. And when the time comes or if the divines/gods intervenes.., no matter how far they are from each other, the two souls will meet again and become as one soul again. When that moment comes where you finally meet that person, you will experience nothing but total calmness. It is because the souls are connected and used to be one.." .
"Yukiko-san, are you talking about soulmate?" Seiichi asks, and Yukiko-san just smile and nods.
"Wow.. Yukiko-san, that's a whole different take on the term soulmate" Shusuke commented.
"Kiyonaga and Heizo found theirs. When they did, they came running to me and told me that they really experience total calmness. And look at them now, they are both happily married" Yukiko-san told them.
"Hmm.. I wonder if we will be able to experience that.." Shusuke mutters.
"Maybe just wait for the right time.." Seiichi said to him. "Kuroba-san certainly didn't experience that total calmness with Akako.." Sojiro laughed hard as he makes fun of Shusuke's recent break up. Seiichi also burst into laughter.
"I guess I have to be thankful it's not her.." Shusuke weakly laughs, accepting his defeat in the hands of Seiichi and Sojiro.
"James.." Yukiko-san calls Shusuke by his real name. The three boys immediately stopped laughing and they all looked at Yukiko-san, who is smiling at Shusuke.
"Don't be too sad that Akako left you, but be thankful instead. She is not the other half of your soul. That person is still out there somewhere.." Yukiko-san reaches out her hand towards him. Shusuke then reached out and hold Yukiko-san's hand. "When you are finally in front of that person, no matter how beautiful, charming and amazing that person is. You will clearly hear your heart beating slowly. It is the sign that your souls are finally together again" .
Shusuke is just speechless as to what Yukiko-san told him..
**
Those memories quickly flashes back to him vividly. James remembers every words of Yukiko-san. In just a matter of seconds, he relive that moment again.
"Yeah, she told me that when I meet that person. I can hear my heart beating slowly.." James smiles.
"So, did that happen when you first met Irene?" Sojiro asks.
"Secret~" James giggles.
"What? Come on!" Sojiro whines.
"Come on, just go back inside. They are waiting for you.." James laughingly told Sojiro to join the others in the feast.
"I'm not gonna tell you when I meet mine.." Sojiro went back inside the condo. James is just laughing at him.
Just when he is about to enter. James looked back and stood there staring into the distance. A smile appears in his face, "Yukiko-san, I think I found mine.." .
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Meanwhile..
"Araseo~ annyeong~",
Irene ended the call pouting. She seems a little problematic after that call. Her members noticed it as they are now looking at their leader who is pacing out.
"Unnie, who was that?" Wendy asked their leader out of concern.
"It's my parents.." Irene sighs.
"Is everything okay?" Seulgi asks, the rest of them are starting to worry.
"They asked me to go home this coming Chuseok.." Irene replied.
The girls frowns and they were looking at each other with confusion. They can't find what is wrong with that, it is normal to go home and be with their families during Chuseok.
"Uh.. and the problem is?" Wendy carefully asked, they are really confused.
"They asked me to bring James with me. They want to meet him.." Irene said to her members.
"What?!".
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To be continued...