"You guys are so strong. I can feel that!" Mrs Kimiko smiled, and she hugged each one of us one more time.
"Thank you. I don't know how to bring out that strength, because I can't find the power in me that you see." Paikek cuddled his dolphin toy.
She gazed upon his eyes with her face smiling and spoke; "You will find it, like your friend Yonsan [연산] did in the past. Remember, he was the most hardworking boy among all of you."
When she said "Yonsan" I had mysterious dizziness in my head as I remembered that I had a friend named Yonsan who were with us during our training years. He was a fantastic person, but I wondered why I never met him again.
"I just wanna wish you all the success for your skills to rise to the top, like you did in your training years." Mrs Kimiko reminded us of the times we used to train for fifty days to cast a spell. In those times, I used to get too exhausted, but I was stronger back then.
"Thank you!" Bomyu and Paikek thanked simultaneously, while Seanyung was smiling back at Mrs Kimiko.
Mrs Kimiko added; "And, I just want you to remember one thing though. Like, I talk this in training, you remember from years ago?"
"Yeah." Seanyung concurred.
She continued; "Keep your dream, that is always first. Because when you ask yourself 'why am I doing all this?', you should always remember why you started. Always. Because that's what's gonna capture the spell and help you to assemble it strong; is being very passionate about what you do. It's not always about magic, you know."
"We'll keep that in mind." I nodded and smiled as her words warmed my heart. It was a great feeling, knowing that someone you love believes in you and your talents.
"Thank you for your advice!" Seanyung slightly bowed in front of her as a representation of respect.
"Before I go, I need to warn you guys."
Four of us looked at Mrs Kimiko, wondering what she'll say. I got so concerned, so I kept my eyes on her.
"If all stars disappear, it will be cold." the corners of Mrs Kimiko's mouth turned up while she left out the door unexpectedly.
"What does she mean?" Paikek looked in my eyes in a puzzled way.
"I don't know, but I really hope we can see her again." I spoke as we left the magic academy.
The street on the left side of the magic academy building was leading to our favourite sandwich shop. Four of us were on our way there as we were hungry.
"We always went to this place after we practised for lunch." Bomyu remembered while we crossed the road surrounded by cherry trees towards the sandwich shop.
"It's there!!" Paikek shouted in happiness when we reached the sandwich place, which was dyed in yellow and blue.
"It's a lot closer than I remember." Seanyung puzzled.
We entered the sandwich store and found a table to sit around. Tables were all blue and decorated with panda toys.
"I'm gonna have a tomato sandwich." Bomyu decided what to eat.
"Me too." Seanyung didn't even look at the menu.
I knew what my favourite was, so I ordered, "I want an egg and cheese sandwich."
"Paikek wants to order a tomato sandwich too." Paikek exulted.
"I don't want to order again." I pleaded, and I hid my face with the menu book.
"Right. I can order for y'all." Paikek smiled, taking the menu away from me.
Eventually, a waitress came to our table: "Hi, can I take your order?"
"Hi~" Paikek's voice cracked because his voice trembled as his cheeks turned red.
"Umm, we'll order three tomaro- tomato sandwich and one egg and cheese san-sandwich." He stammered as he requested.
"Is that all?"
"Yeah that's everything." Paikek sighed in relief.
"Thank you!" The waitress collected the menu booklets.
"Didn't I do well?" Paikek smiled radiantly
"Yeah, you did a great job." I reassured.
When the sandwiches came to our table, Seanyung and I clapped in happiness.
"Thank you!" Paikek expressed his gratitude.
We enjoyed the fantastic sandwiches together. It was another moment for friendship. When I gazed upon the blue sky from the yellow window of the sandwich place, I sensed the clouds coming in waves.
Outside, it started raining in showers as the dark clouds covered the blue sky immediately.
"Why don't we go home?" Paikek lifted his eyebrows, looking concerned about the weather.
"Sure." Bomyu swallowed the last piece of his tomato sandwich.
"How about we go to the Komorebi cafe?" All of a sudden, Seanyung suggested.
"Yeah, we can. I like coffee." Paikek concurred directly.
"Sure." I hesitatingly agreed because I heard rumours about the Komorobi cafe that it was haunted by a ghost.
"Yay! I wanna get some hot chocolate with the panda cookies." Bomyu bubbled.
We got outside of the Sandwich shop and began walking in the heavy rain. Even though it was showering on us, we continued to walk on the sidewalk to the Komorebi Cafe.
Someone we knew were following us. She was wearing a red coat and black boots. She wasn't just following us, she was running to reach us. However, we didn't notice her as we got into a crowded area.
I was the only one to see her; she was the popstar Sonya Soundtrong. But I couldn't say a word or tell my friends. I couldn't know why.
"KARU! Stop! It knows where you are! KARU! STOP!!" Sonya started screaming from behind persistently.
Even though I heard it, I couldn't warn my friends. We kept on walking, and she left far behind when the people got denser.