Minjin carried a heavy secret for days. She needed to tell Minjun but struggled to find the right words. Because of this, she became quieter and lost in her thoughts. Her usual bright smile faded under the weight of her secret.
Minjun noticed that Minjin was acting differently. During their study sessions, she often stared off into space. She was unusually silent at lunch, and her laughter was less frequent. Minjun felt concerned and decided to find out what was bothering her.
While sitting on a bench under a large pomegranate tree at school one afternoon, Minjun asked her, "Minjin, you've been quiet lately. Is something wrong?"
Minjin's heart raced at his question. She realized she could no longer hide the truth. Taking a deep breath, she felt tears welling up. "Minjun, please promise me you won't be mad."
Minjun's concern deepened, but he nodded. "I promise. Just tell me what's going on."
Before she could answer, tears spilled down her cheeks. Minjun looked alarmed as he moved closer to her. "Hey, don't cry. What's wrong?"
Minjin took a shaky breath. "I… I don't want to leave you. But my dad and I are moving to America. My mom wants us to live with her and my siblings, and it's happening soon."
Her words hung heavy in the air. For a moment, he couldn't speak. But he quickly pushed his feelings down. He gently wiped her tears away with his thumb. "Don't cry. It's okay. I understand."
Minjin looked up at him, her eyes puffy from crying. "I'm so sorry, Minjun. I didn't want this."
Minjun felt a tightness in his chest, but he hugged her tightly. "It's okay, Minjin. I'm not mad."
Minjin started sobbing into his shoulder and gripping his shirt. They held each other for a long time, both reluctant to let go. Minjun felt tears threatening to fall, but he held them back.
"We'll find a way to stay in touch," he said as he pulled her back to look into her eyes. "We can write and send emails or anything you want."
Minjin nodded, sniffling, and managed a sad smile. "Okay."
Minjun squeezed her hands. "And when you come back. We'll go to the arcade, like always. I'll let you win at the racing game."
Minjin gave a watery laugh and wiped her tears. "You always let me win."
He smiled sadly. "Maybe. But this time, I'll make sure of it."
In the quiet schoolyard, they stood close as they both managed to smile.
As the last days of grade school approached, Minjin wanted to make every moment special. She filled their time with laughter and happy memories. She surprised Minjun with his favorite snacks, challenged him to their favorite games, and insisted they walk home together, even if it took longer.
Minjun appreciated every moment but felt a growing sadness. He watched her smile brightly despite the upcoming farewell, which hurt him even more. He didn't want to show her his pain, so he put on a brave face for her sake.
One evening, while looking out the window, Minjun's older brother, Kang Xiumin, entered the room. He had been watching Minjun closely, noticing the shift in his usually lively younger brother.
Kang Xiumin was leaning against the door. "Minjun-ah, I heard Minjin and her dad are moving to America."
Minjun tensed up but kept his back to him. "Yeah. She told me."
Kang Xiumin noticed that Minjun seemed tense and was clenching his fists. "You don't seem like yourself. Minjin looks fine, but what about you? Are you okay?"
At that moment, Minjun lost his composure as tears filled his eyes. Before he could stop them, he turned away and sobbed. Kang Xiumin quickly went to him and wrapped his arms around him.
"It's okay, Minjun-ah. Let it all out." Minjun cried against his brother's shoulder, releasing his sadness, confusion, and frustration. He hadn't allowed himself to feel these emotions until now. He pulled away, wiping his eyes with his hand with heavy breathing was shaky.
"Why does it hurt so much?" he whispered, more to himself than to Kang Xiumin.
Kang Xiumin looked at him. "Because she means a lot to you. But I need to ask you, Minjun. Do you have feelings for Minjin? Not just as a friend, but something deeper?"
Minjun blinked, surprised by the question. He had never thought about it that way before. He cared for Minjin, but did he really have feelings for her beyond friendship? The thought made his heart race, and he felt a fluttering rising in his chest. Was that why he felt so sad about her leaving?
Seeing his brother's confusion, Kang Xiumin offered a kind smile. "It's okay if you can't answer right away. Take some time to think about it. If you have feelings for her, it's not too late to tell her."
Minjun looked up at his brother. "But what if she doesn't feel the same?"
Kang Xiumin shrugged and smiled gently. "That's a risk. But wouldn't it be better to tell her and find out? That way, you won't have any regrets."
Minjun nodded. He didn't want to carry the weight of not expressing his feelings or letting her go without knowing how he felt.
"Okay. I'll tell her... before she leaves."
Kang Xiumin squeezed his shoulder and smiled. "That's right. Just be yourself and be honest with her."
Minjun nodded. He wasn't sure how to approach it or what to say, but he understood that he needed to act. Before it was too late, he had to tell Minjin how much she meant to him.
Graduation day finally arrived, and the school grounds buzzed with excitement. Minjun had been looking forward to this moment for weeks, knowing it was his last chance to confess his feelings to Minjin. But as they left the ceremony, classmates crowded around them for photos, and their parents had planned a special celebration for Minjin and her father.
As the party started to wrap up, Minjun saw his opportunity.
He politely bowed to Minjin's father. "Excuse me, Samchon. Can we go to the arcade one last time? Just for a bit?"
Minjin's father looked at him and then at Minjin and smiled. "Of course."
Minjun beamed as he quickly took Minjin's hand and led her along.
After the arcade, they walked to a nearby park. They sat on swings while eating ice cream as the setting sun created long shadows across the playground.
Minjun's heart raced as he realized this was his moment. Rising from his swing, he approached Minjin.
He swallowed hard to calm his nerves. "Minjin-ah, I need to tell you something."
Minjin tilted her head. "What is it, Minjun-ah?"
He took a deep breath. "I have feelings for you, Minjin-ah. It's more than just friends."
Minjin's eyes widened in surprise, and she blinked in shock. She didn't say anything for a moment.
Minjun tried to smile, even though he felt anxious. "I know you're leaving. But I must tell you that I'll wait for you, Minjin-ah. No matter how long it takes."
Minjin stayed silent, looking at him blankly while her mind raced. Minjun's smile faltered a bit. He understood the situation, and he just wanted her to know how he felt.
The next day came fast, and Minjun felt the weight of their goodbye growing heavier. He and Kang Xiumin took Minjin and her dad to the airport. Even with everyone around, time seemed to stand still for Minjun.
As they walked to the departure gate, Minjin turned to her dad. "Appa, can I have a moment alone with Minjun?"
Her dad nodded and smiled gently. "Of course, Minjin-ah."
Minjin and Minjun walked down until they found a quiet spot away from the crowd. Minjin faced him seriously but kindly. She took an envelope from her bag and handed it to Minjun.
"What is this?" Minjun asked.
"It's a letter. I wrote it for you, but you must promise not to read it until after I've left."
Minjun looked at the envelope. "Okay."
They stood facing each other. Minjin gave him a small, sad smile.
"But we're not saying goodbye... not forever." Minjun smiled back.
Minjin nodded. "No. Not forever."
Taking a deep breath, she hugged him tightly for a little longer than usual. When she pulled away, her eyes shone with unshed tears. "Take care, okay?"
"You too," Minjun said as his eyes filled with tears.
Minjin walked back to join her dad at the gate. She turned one last time, waving and giving him a gentle smile.
Minjun waved back, watching her until she disappeared. Then he looked at the letter in his hand and tucked it into his pocket.
###
Minjun sat at his desk and unfolded the envelope. He took a deep breath and began to read.
Minjun,
I hope you can make friends after I leave, not just with me. Every moment with you made me happy, and I hope you felt that way too. I will hold on to those memories until I return. You said you would wait, and I promise to come back soon.
I'm sorry I didn't respond to your confession right away. I want you to know that I like you more than a friend. Thank you for the wonderful years together. I promise we will make even more memories, and I will always wish for your happiness.
Please take care of yourself. You will always be in my heart. Please wait for me; I promise I'll return to you someday.
Minjin.