Under the delicate canopy of cherry blossom trees, their blossoms gently swaying in the breeze, you stood with your heart in your throat. This was where you had shared countless moments with Hoseok, where you had whispered secrets and dreams under the soft pink petals. But today, it felt different. Today, it felt like your sanctuary had been tainted, your memories tarnished. Tears of devastation flowed unstoppably down your cheeks as you recalled what happened moments ago. Your cries were like an echo in the wind...
★彡[ᴇᴀʀʟɪᴇʀ]彡★,
When Hoseok came to fetch you at home for your highly anticipated date, you couldn't contain your excitement. You knew he wanted to ask you to be his girlfriend. Even Gi-Yeon had hinted at it.
Something was different today; his whole demeanour was off. He looked disturbed and conflicted. You wondered what he was going through or what made him look down.
The car stopped near the entrance of a nearby park with the most beautiful cherry blossoms in bloom.
You smiled when he took your hand softly, and with a faraway look at the little wooden bridge where couples in love liked to visit, he led you to the bridge under the cherry blossom trees.
When you reached the wooden rails, and he stood before you, breathing deeply, you looked up nervously at him. "Hoseok... is everything okay?"
He inhaled and looked at you, replying with a hesitant tone, "Er... I've been accepted into Seoul National University's Music Production program. And a few members of Neutronix have been signed at an agency for the trainee program as rappers and dancers..."
Your heart sank. Was he genuinely entering the K-pop entertainment industry? You harboured a deep dislike for that industry due to your mother's devastating past with a K-pop idol. Now, the boy you loved was leaving to pursue his dreams. Adding to the turmoil, you hadn't received any letters or emails from the universities you'd applied to. Though you'd also applied to Seoul University, you were still awaiting an email from the journalism faculty.
"Er, congrats, Hoseok... I'm so happy for you," you managed to choke out the words.
Hoseok appeared visibly strange and distant. Was he worried you wouldn't want him to go or date him anymore?
He sighed as you stood there, stunned, grappling with the moment's reality.
Turning around, he cast a peculiar glint in his eyes.
"So, Yuri... I want to ask you something. How long have you... liked me?"
You blushed beet red at the unexpected question.
"Hoseok, I've liked you since the first day I started high school... but I was too shy to approach you," you replied softly.
He snorted. "Yeah, I liked you too on the first day of high school when you almost tumbled down the stairs... into my arms."
You chuckled softly. "We were so awkward then—" you trailed off.
Suddenly, Hoseok looked serious as he took both your hands again. "Er... how do you feel about Gi-Yeon?"
This sudden and strange question took you aback. "What do you mean?"
He inhaled deeply. "Just what it means?"
Furrowing your brows, you answered, "I love her. She's always been a part of my life, and she always will be. I can't imagine my life without her by my side every step of the way."
His eyes darkened, and you felt apprehensive at the shift in his mood. "Oh, I see. Then, you need to go and pursue what you truly want. Don't conform to the norms of society. You must have a successful and fulfilled life—go and conquer, Yuri."
You wondered why he had suddenly taken the conversation in such a strange direction.
Pressing his hands softly, you looked deep into his pained eyes and confessed for tye very first time, "Hoseok... I love you. I want to be successful and live a fulfilled life with you by your side—"
He inhaled deeply, his brows furrowing as he seemed lost in thought. You couldn't shake the feeling of unease as the conversation took a strange turn. His eyes appeared moist, as if on the verge of tears.
With a look of regret, he mustered the courage to speak. "Yuri... I... I can't be with you. I thought I could, but I will pursue my music dreams. Even if I wanted to date or ask you to be my girlfriend, I can't—I've already agreed to an arranged marriage with my betrothed. And I'm getting married," Hoseok continued, his voice cold and detached. "My parents have arranged it. She's from a wealthy family, Yuri. You were never meant to be a part of my world."
The ground felt like it had fallen from beneath your feet, leaving you stranded in a world that had suddenly turned dark and cruel.
The once hopeful cherry blossoms now seemed to mock you with their delicate beauty.
Your eyes widened in sheer shock. You had thought he would ask you to be his girlfriend and leave with him to Seoul. You had discussed it numerous times, planning to attend the same university together. He told you he will fight his arranged marriage to that heiress, that you were the one for him.
Hoseok stood before you, his expression unreadable, as if he had already decided. Your hands trembled at your sides, your stomach churning with dread and disbelief.
Your mouth felt dry. "W... what?"
"I'm leaving tonight," Hoseok added, his tone final. "I'm sorry, Yuri... but I... I don't feel the same. Our paths don't lead in the same direction," he said with a deflated tone, his eyes downcast.
"... but you said—" Your voice trembled with deep agony, tears starting to stream from your eyes.
"I know, but I'm leaving, and... and I'm going to marry her... goodbye," he strangled out the words. Each syllable felt like a physical blow, cutting through the silence like a knife, leaving you reeling and breathless. It was as if your mind were glitching; nothing registered.
His lips softly pecked your tear-streaked cheek, and with one regretful look, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving you standing alone beneath the cherry blossom trees, your heart shattered and your spirit broken.
Your heart shattered into a million shards, the pain so intense that it felt like a physical ache. You wanted to scream, to beg him to take it back, telling you it was just a joke, but the words caught in your throat like shards of glass. He was gone... forever. Not good enough.
★彡[ᴍɪɴᴜᴛᴇꜱ ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ]彡★
As you stumbled home, tears streaming down your cheeks the moment you stepped out of the Uber, you couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness threatening to consume you. Escaping to your bedroom, you collapsed onto your soft bed, burying your face in your pillow as sobs tortured your body.
Unbeknownst to you, your phone buzzed non-stop with distressed messages and calls from your best friend, Gi-Yeon. Ignoring the calls, you switched off your phone and wallowed in your sorrows.
But you were lost in your hell. Your warm heart turned ice-cold by the cruel rejection under the cherry blossom trees.
★彡[ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇxᴛ ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢ ᴇᴀʀʟʏ]彡★,
Your mother sat on the bed, attempting to wake you, tears tracing their paths down your pale cheeks. She wore a solemn expression, her face etched with concern. Taking a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly, she prepared to deliver the news that would shatter her daughter's world.
"Yuri, honey, I have something important to tell you," she began softly, her voice laden with sorrow.
A/N: Hoseok cruelly dumped Yuri.
Apologies for such a late update. Thank you for still staying an enjoying Yuris story.
Shout out to all the voters, readers, commenters and those who share the book to their friends and readers'list.
1. Will Yuri be able to move on?
2. Do you think Hoseok never truly loved her?
3. Will Mi-chas lies be exposed in time?
4. Why do you think Gi-Yeon called non-stop?