"Where is Miss Sakura San?" asked Uncle Lawyer Kang, his brows furrowed with concern.
"Sakura Prufrock is at the coffee shop. Let's go," Kang said, his voice filled with urgency.
I followed Lawyer Kang to Prufrock Coffee shop where we found Sakura seated in a beautiful corner, patiently waiting for us. Her radiant smile greeted us as we approached.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Ayoung and Lawyer Kang," she said, her warm greeting enveloping us with a sense of familiarity.
"Prufrock Coffee Shop is quite lovely, isn't it?" I inquired, curious to hear Sakura's opinion.
"Yes, MissAyoung, when I first came here to pursue my master's degree, I stumbled upon this place and discovered. It's an enchanting and liberating space," Sakura replied, reminiscing about her initial encounter with the coffee shop.
As we savored our coffees and took in the ambiance, I playfully interjected, "Don't call me 'Miss,' . Just call me Ayoung. We're the same age, after all."
Lawyer Kang, ever the practical one, broke the momentary lightheartedness. "When are we heading to Japan to sign the CDH new project deal?" he asked, his focus shifting to the pressing matter at hand.
"I was engrossed in a business meeting in England for an entire month, barely able to catch my breath," I confessed, a tinge of exhaustion creeping into my voice.
"My graduation is already over, Ayoung. I'll come to assist you on the day you depart," Sakura reassured me, her commitment unwavering.
"Then, Sakura, please prepare the necessary documents and give this to Lawyer Kang. We're leaving tomorrow afternoon. You can stay in my apartment," I directed, rising from my seat and stepping outside to seek inspiration for an upcoming drawing.
Returning to the hotel where I was staying, I found Lawyer Kang rushing towards me, a joyful expression on his face. Intrigued, I inquired, "Why the jubilance?"
"Minsu has returned to Korea. He's launching a new song tomorrow. Take a look at this," he exclaimed, extending his iPad towards me. I checked the news, confirming the truth. It was indeed Minsu, and the familiarity of his music brought back cherished memories.
"Oh, it doesn't matter, Lawyer Kang. He's moved on to greater heights," I replied nonchalantly, concealing the truth that Minsu's lack of memory about me left a void in my heart. Resolute, I decided against going to see him.
The following morning, we concluded our business affairs in England and embarked on a 13-hour flight back to Korea. Accompanied by Sakura, I arrived at my Yongsan-gu house, only to find numerous boxes cluttering the entrance.
"Oh, MissAyoung you come., here's a letter for you," the apartment guard handed me the envelope. I thanked him and invited Sakura inside.
"It feels so spacious here," Sakura remarked, marveling at the liberating aura surrounding my house.
"Yes, I've always cherished freedom," I replied, leading her toward her designated room. Excusing myself, I retreated to my own space to freshen up. Afterward, I prepared some ramen for Sakura and me, settling on the living room floor as we opened the letters that had arrived. Among them were cosmetics sent to me.
"Sakura, if there's anything you like, feel free to take it. I rarely use these," I offered, extending a kind gesture.
"Thank you, Ayoung," Sakura expressed her gratitude, her smile illuminating the room. Feeling a sense of loneliness within me, I invited Sakura to stay at my house. I also called Sister Yang to join us, as her presence would alleviate the solitude that weighed upon my heart. As thoughts of Minsu crossed my mind, I reminded myself that he likely didn't harbor any memories of me. Overwhelmed by fatigue, I retired early, hoping for a respite from the thoughts that consumed me.
The sound of someone knocking on my door in the morning roused me from my slumber. "Ayoung!!!! Guess who's here?" she exclaimed with excitement. My heart leaped, anticipating Minsu's arrival, but to my surprise, it was Uncle Cha and her daughter, Lili.
"Oh, did we disturb you?" Uncle Cha inquired, concern etched on his face. I quickly dismissed his worry, inviting them into the house.
"No, it's a pleasant surprise. I brought something for Lily," I remarked, presenting a box of chocolates I had purchased. "Thank you, Ayoung sister!" Lili exclaimed, hugging the gift with delight.
Sakura graciously prepared coffee for our guests, adding a touch of warmth to the atmosphere. As they prepared to leave, I seized the moment to propose an outing.
"Uncle Cha, could you take us to Wonmisan Mountain?" I asked, hopeful for a shared adventure.
"Ah, let's go, Miss," he readily agreed, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "You two, come along with us," I called out to Sakura and Lili. Together, we embarked on an excursion to explore Wonmisan Mountain.
"This is my first time here," Sakura confessed, a hint of excitement resonating in her voice. I reassured her, "Then allow me to show you the breathtaking beauty of Seoul."
With that, we set off, traversing Ilsan Lake Park and reaching the picturesque Dodangsan near the mountain. The vibrant blooms painted a colorful tapestry against the backdrop of nature's wonders. We wandered through the scenic landscapes until nightfall, indulging in delectable street food, forging bonds, and creating memories that would remain etched in our hearts.
I and Sakura came home again. We were happier than usual. "Uncle Cha, you should take the car. When you come tomorrow, you will bring it." I said that late at night when he was walking on the street. "Ayoung sister. Thank you very much. I was very happy today," Lily said smiling.
"Ayoung, your heart is so big," Sakura said..
I laughed when she said that.. "Is my heart bigger than my body?" I turned back and asked.. She also couldn't stop laughing at that.. We both laughed until we were out of breath..
"Ah, Sakura, you go to work tomorrow..I'm going to see Halmoni. He's been gone for a while," I said.