Neighbourhood Flowers Chapter 27

“Your eyes look swollen..” Shin-Ill looked at his daughter. She has been a bit silent for the past few days. Not like how bubbly she used to be.
 
“It’s nothing Otosan. I’m just tired staying up to pack that luggage.” she replied before she turns to her Okasan.
 
“Why aren’t you eating Okasan?” It is their last lunch together before Sora departed for Japan this evening.
 
“I don’t have any appetite.” She looked at Sora for a few second before walking towards the kitchen.
 
Sora sighed. This is not the mood she wants to be in before departing to Japan.
 
“She’ll be okay soon. Don’t worry.” Otosan said to his daughter. Assuring her.
 
She bit her lips as she looked at the remaining rice on her bowl. Was not able to force it in anymore.
 
“I’m finished..” Eventually she picks up her bowl and slowly walks to the kitchen seeing her Okasan is washing the dishes—while crying.
 
She hugs her from behind. She knows how heartbroken her Okasan is over things that is happening. “Okasan...”
 
“Just put your dishes there. I’ll wash it.” she said while hiding her face.
 
She tightened her hugs. “I’ll visit often.” Sora promised.
 
Keiko put down the dishes back to the sink and crying her heart out. She is not able to let Sora go. Everything seems abruptly decided and it is hard for her to accept.
 
“Okasan..” Sora speechless.
 
“I’m okay.” Keiko replied as she turned to look at the detail of her daughter beautiful face. “Take care of yourself there.” She wipes off the remnants of her tears as she tried hard to smile. “I’ll visit you once a month okay?”
 
Nodded to the idea. “Let’s do that..” Sora tried to smile back at her though she knows her Okasan is just faking it.
 
She kissed Sora’s forehead. “I love you Kang Sora. I will always be. My beautiful daughter…” she caresses Sora’s cheek that has decided to live with her birth mother in Japan and helped Misaki to go through her illness together.
 
“Okasan.” She hugs her mom as her tears started flowing down. Not able to pretend tough any longer. As much as it is hard for Keiko to let her go. It is tougher for her.
 
Shin-Ill enters the kitchen and embrace the ladies that he loves. “I’ll come weekly.”
 
“Eyy. That’s too much..” Sora looked at her dad while disputing the too good to be true promise her dad spurted. Wiping off her eyes with her father’s joke.
 
Keiko stares at her husband. “Are you trying to prove that you love her more?”
 
“Of course!” Shin-Ill smiled as she kissed Keiko’s head before hugging his daughter tighter.
 
Sora smiled looking at her parents. “I love both of you so much.. Just stay healthy okay?” She hugs them back. The warm feelings that she is going to miss.
 
“U too.. our lovely daughter..” They said.
 
* * *
 
“Are you feeling better now?” Woobin asked. He knows Sora has been crying all night as there is too much happening in her heads. Her parents. Her friends. Her heart. Her decision.
 
Slowly she nodded. It is hard for her but she needs to put a closure to everything so they can move forward. She has made that decision that she need to own.
 
“Do you want me to accompany you?” Woobin asked referring to the meet up that she had arranged with her friends at the campus café today.
 
“It’s okay. I’m going there alone.” She answered as she got out of the car, fixing her black leather jacket, black jeans and her Burberry styled wool scarf.
 
“Are you going to be okay?” Woobin looked at her. He is worried that she is going to cry secretly again today. That girl who always pretend to be tough and strong in front of others.
 
Sora smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll be okay..”
 
Woobin looked at her for a few second before he nodded to her assurance. “Okay then. I’ll come and pick you up in one hour..” Woobin said. “Remember.. our flight is at 5pm.” he added.
 
Sora nodded as she looked at her watch before walking towards the cafe where she had promised to meet her friends.
 
She looked around at the empty café. The café that normally full during normal days but creepily empty during semester break like today.
 
She walked around to look for a seat at the back of the restaurant before she realized her friends were already there, waiting for her.
 
“You guys..” She looked at them who silently looking at each other. Did not mutters a single word. The environment is so silent she thought nobody is there yet.
 
Sora sighed looking at them before taking her seat. “What’s wrong with all of you? Cheer up and order anything! Today will be on me.” She said with a cheerful tone.
 
“Never mind. We are already full of frustrations..” Insung sternly replied as he took a sip of his americano.
 
He knows him and Juhwan got rejected last week, except for Joongki. Maybe that is why she called for today’s gathering. Maybe that is also why Joongki is not yet here. He assumed.
 
Bomi and Kwangsoo looked at each other. Seems like there is something going on that they did not know.
 
Sora bit her lips hearing those words before she realized that Joongki was not around. She looked at the door thinking he might be late.
 
“Stop beating around the bush. What do you want by gathering all of us here?” Hyorin asked as she started to get annoyed with the situation.
 
She does not want to come at the first place but the message from Sora got her intrigued. It seems that she has something important to announce today.
 
Jinjoo nodded. “I don’t have much time to spare either. We are not chaebols like most of you. We need to work hard to earn this cup of coffee.” She said.
 
Bomi stares at her.
 
“What? Did I say anything wrong?” Jinjoo replied to Bomi understanding her stares.
 
Bomi looked at Sora that she had not met for a few days after the semester break started. Her eyes looked troubled and sad. “Are you okay Sora?” She asked.
 
Sora looked at her face and smiled. The person that always takes a great care of her. “I’m okay Bomi.” She softly sighed. “Sorry to call all of you through your busy schedule.”
 
“Sorry I’m late.” Joongki arrived as he looked directly at Sora who is sitting in front of everybody. Silently he sighed.
 
Sora looked at Joongki as her eyes following him until he is seated.
 
Juhwan looked at Joongki who seems to be bothered. He then looked at Sora whose attention is on Joongki that is just arrived.
 
Joongki seems to know something is happening. He thought to himself.
 
“Everybody is here now.. What is it that you want to talk about Kang Sora?” Juhwan asked. Politely.
 
Sora looked at Juhwan. He changed a lot lately. More gentleman to be exact. “I’m flustered we are able to see each other today before I go..”
 
Joongki stares at her. Following her every word though he knows generally what today’s meeting is about.
 
“I’m sorry that I kept lots of secret from all of you.” She looked her friends. “I will tell you my final secret today.”
 
“What do you mean Sora?” Bomi asked. Did not feels good hearing her words.
 
Sora took a deep breath. “I’m leaving Korea for good.. this evening..” She said.
 
“What??!” Hyorin looked at her for a few second before she went nearer to her. “Kang Sora are you this coward?! Is this how you face your hard time? By running away?!” She pulled her shirt.
 
“Stop it Min Hyorin. Let her finish what she wants to say.” Joongki pulled Hyorin’s hand off Sora’s shirt.
 
“Are you serious?” Insung got up staring directly at her. “Joongki, did you know about this?” He looked at Joongki as he is standing beside Sora and Hyorin.
 
She sighed. She is prepared for this moment, but everything feels so hard right now.
 
“This is a joke right?” Painfully Jinjoo asked.
 
“I’m sorry..” Sora replied.
 
“Why Kang Sora?” Bomi looked at her.
 
Sora silent while maintaining her gaze low. Apart from her birth mother’s health, there’s also other reasons that drive her to that decision. Directly or indirectly.
 
“Kang Sora, what’s with this sudden decision?” Insung pull her up from the chair to face him directly.
 
“Hey..” Juhwan got up as he saw Insung aggressiveness.
 
“It’s not a sudden decision. I’ve planned this.” she answered as she took a glimpse at everybody’s face.
 
“Sora, why did you say that? What do you mean planned?” Joongki sharply stared at her. “You were weeping a few days ago because you need to leave. Was that planned to?”
 
Joongki walked nearer to her. “You obviously find it hard for you to leave yet you said this was planned? Did we asked you to leave?”
 
“Song Joongki..” She looked at Joongki as he is getting angry with her spurting another lies. It is the first time she saw Joongki this mad.
 
Juhwan and Insung looked at each other. Seems like it is true that Joongki knew about this, way before them.
 
“I’m not understanding this. Are you leaving because of us?” Juhwan looked at her. He knows how him, Joongki and Insung argument has been stressing her out on the relationship matters lately. Besides the issue with her friends.
 
Sora looked at Juhwan that is most calm right now. “I’m moving to stay with my biological mother.” she replied while she is silent on the relationship matters that are among the things that makes her to accept today’s decision.
 
“Your biological mother?” They looked at each other.
 
Sora nodded. “Remember when I was away without any news?”
 
“Yes. You disappeared for 2 weeks.” Hyorin nodded. That is the first time she thought Sora is keeping a secret from her.
 
“That’s when I found out about me having 2 mothers.. Okasan and my birth mother in Japan. Kim Woobin is her right-hand man that she assigned to be by my side since then.” She paused as she immediately took we-fie with her friends that is focusing on her stories.
 
“What are you doing?” Kwangsoo frowned.
 
Sora giggles. “This the best picture I have with all of you in it.. I’m going to treasure this.” She looked at the picture she just took.
 
“Was that supposed to be funny?” Jinjoo looks dumbfounded with Sora reaction as if it is nothing to her.
 
“It’s for my keepsake guys.” Sora clears her throat trying to contain her feelings. “I’ve decided to move to Japan with my birth mother for good.”
 
Sora stopped for a while, as she was choked with emotions. “This is going to be the last time I’m seeing all of you like this..” She looked at every face that she is going to miss after this.
 
“Then what about us Kang Sora?!” Bomi shed her tears.
 
“Bomi ya, don’t be so sad. Japan is not that far you know.” she tried to become jovial with it trying to hide her sadness.
 
“But things will be different.” Bomi replied.
 
Hyorin approached her and gave her a hug. “Kang Sora. How dare you leave us like this. It’s not fair.” She sobbed.
 
“Sora ya..” Jinjoo and Bomi hugs her as their tears dropped.
 
She silent while closing her eyes and holds her tears as she hugs them.
 
“I’m sorry that I have to leave during our bad terms.” She tightens her hugs. Her voice breaks.
 
“We are sorry that we are dragging this for too long.” Jinjoo replied. They should have handled this better if they were not dragged along their irrational thoughts.
 
Sora looked at her friends and smiled. “No matter what, we will always remain as friends..”
 
They nodded. Sobbing.
 
“You guys.” Sora looked at Song Joongki, Lim Juhwan, Jo Insung and Lee Kwangsoo. the extended friends that she recently gained after years of becoming enemies. “Please return to the friendship that you cherished before it was ruined by my existence.”
 
“Your existence never ruined our friendship. Our ego was.” Juhwan replied to Sora’s statement.
 
“Good that you know.” Kwangsoo replied to his annoyance with their childish fights over a woman.
 
Sora smiled to Kwangsoo remarks. “Those bullying habit. don’t make it return though.”
 
“That’s what makes us special. Why should we change that?” Insung tries to make a joke too.
 
Sora stares at him. “You sure didn’t get enough beating..”
Insung raised his hand as a sign of surrender.
 
“Will you stay if we return to how we were before?” Joongki asked. After hearing her full story today, he now understands why Sora is weeping in tears that night.
 
Sora silent for a moment. Trying to look for an answer to that question. She sighed.
 
“Let us not live in past Joongki. It’s the present that gives me the opportunity to know how great of a person all of you were.” She smiled.
 
“Just leave then. I guess there’s nothing here that can stop you from leaving anyway.” Joongki sighed as he looked away.
 
“Song Joongki..” She looked at his frustrated expression. The first chaebol that opened her heart to be friend with them.
 
“I wish I’ve known you much earlier and brave enough to make a decision, Joongki.” she thought to herself.
 
“Sora are you ready?” Kim Woobin came followed by a woman complete in a Chanel one-piece suit entering the café with a few men in a long black winter coat escorting and keeping her guarded.
 
They looked at that woman in an awe. Her aura is incredible with those guards surrounding her makes her looks like an important person.
 
“Mom?” Sora surprised looking at her with Woobin on her side. “I didn’t know you’re coming.” Sora looked at Misaki as she purposely flew to Seoul to pick up Sora to Japan.
 
Misaki smiled. “I thought it would be nice to be here too..” She replied as she looked at Sora’s friends that standing in front of her.
 
“You should just wait for me at the airport.” Sora replied. Feeling burdened seeing Misaki here.
 
“Sorry my dear. I’m just killing my time..” Misaki replied as she understands the dissatisfaction in Sora’s words.
 
“Your mom?” They are surprised. With her own classy look, her resemblance with Kang Sora is frightening. Their vibes and naturally exude charismatic looks. They eerily looked like each other.
 
“Misaki Miyazaki..” she extended her hands. “You all must be Koura’s.. I mean Sora’s friend..” sweetly she smiled.
 
“Nice meeting you too..” They looked at her. Still could not take their eyes of her. She looks beautiful despite her age.
 
“We need to catch our flight dear..” she caresses Sora’s long hair.
 
“Give me a few more minutes..” She looked at her watch that shows 15minutes before 4pm. In a blink of an eye their time passes.
 
Sora stares at her mother and Woobin for a few second before looking at her friends.
 
“Seems that our time is up..” She looked at her friends’ face, one by one.
 
Sora approached Joongki and looked deeply into his eyes before giving him a warm hug. “Song Joongki, take care of yourself.”
 
A person that always gives her a place to turn to. The guy that she loves but she will never be able to choose to protect their friendships. A person that she finds hardest to let go.
 
Joongki silently sighed as he bites his lips. He cannot let her go. For a week he has been thinking about the news that Sora is leaving. He just cannot come into terms with his heart.
 
Sora let him go with heavy heart before looking at Insung. “Jo Insung. Remember my words okay? Someone is out there waiting for you so keep looking.” she smiled.
 
Insung pulls her to his hug. “I will remember you as the person that changed me deep inside. Forever.”
 
Sora smiled. “Arasso.. if that will make you remember me. I’m more than happy.” She pats his cheek.
 
Juhwan looked at Sora. His eyes started to get teary. The man that always with his tough image is getting soft-hearted today.
 
“Pabo, why are you crying?” Sora tried hard to maintain her smile. “You’re going to lose your manly image.” she is faking her giggles.
 
Juhwan ignores her remarks and tightly hugged her. “Take care Kang Sora..” He is short. Not able to say much with all the feelings that is started welling up.
 
Sora pinched his cheek. “Don’t lose that cool image of you. And open your heart more Lim Juhwan.” She pats his shoulder for a few moments reluctant to let go before she decides to toughen up.
 
“Kwangsoo.. please take care of these people with care. You’re the only one that I can hope.” She hugged him.
 
“Of course.. who else can looked after these babies except from me?” Kwangsoo replied.
 
Sora smiled to his words.
 
“I guess this is it guys. It’s really a goodbye now..”
 
Joongki pulled her into his arms again. “This is not a goodbye Kang Sora. It is not. I will look for you. Let us keep in touch okay?” Tightly he hugs her without wanting to let go.
 
“I’m sorry Song Joongki..” She whispered. “You’ll find a better love in the future.” Her voice muffled as she tried to control herself from tearing up.
 
“Hey. That’s enough..” Insung and Juhwan separated them both.
 
Sora smiled with their actions as she looked at Joongki’s sad face.
 
“I’m truly sorry for not being able to stay here as what we have promised to each other.” she gives a deep and long bow towards her friends before turning her back walking towards Misaki and Woobin that is waiting.
 
She closes her eyes trying hard not to cry.
 
“Kang Sora..” Hyorin stopped her and hug her tightly. “Please.. don’t leave us!” She cried.
 
Jinjoo and Bomi came forward and hugs them too. “Please stay Sora..” they cried.
 
Sora cannot hold her tears any longer as she takes a closer look at each of her friends’ face. “I’m sorry..” she sobbed.
 
“Sora. Please stay.” Juhwan said to her.
 
“We won’t ask you to like us anymore.. just stay.” Insung added.
 
“Ya! Who said that?” Joongki pushed Insung’s shoulder.
 
Sora looked at them as she wiped off her tears before she eventually smiled. Looking at their friendly quarrel shows that things will start going back to where it was. “I have to go now.” She said.
 
“Sora.” their eyes are fixated on her.
 
“We’ll meet again one day.” slightly she smiles as she bowed to them again before continue walking towards her mother and Woobin who has been waiting.
 
Misaki wipe off the remnants of Sora tears from her cheek and caresses her daughter’s head. “Let’s go.”
 
Sora slightly nodded as she turns looking at her friends before entering the car. “Everything will be just fine.” She whispered to herself as she waved to her friends.

Neighbourhood Flowers Chapter 26

Sora stepped into the house to find a bunch of bodyguards surrounding their house.

 

She looked at them curiously. Wondering what is happening. Her dad never deploys this many bodyguards before. Even when there’s important VVIP came to their house.

 

“Okasan.. what’s with..” her question stopped looking at a woman in front of her now. “Mom..” that word come out from her mouth seeing her birth mother is in front of her now.

 

Remain elegant and beautiful like she always does. Immediately explained the bodyguards surrounding their house.

 

Though her mom is no longer running a Yakuza association, but they are still being careful with their surroundings whenever they go.

 

“Koura.. just nice that you’re home..” Misaki smiled before looking at Shin-Ill and Keiko who has been silent since Sora came into the house.

 

“I’m planning to invite Koura to live with me. For her to starts learning in taking over my business.” Misaki told her ex-husband and her sister that is sitting in front of her.

 

Shin-Ill stands up. “I’m afraid I can’t do that Misaki. I never want my daughter to get involved in your dirty business.”

 

“Those dirty business is long gone Shin Ill san. It is all legal and proper now. Woobin can confirm that for me..” she looked at Woobin who’s been sitting beside her.

 

“I need her to be with me Shin Ill san. I don’t have much time left.”

 

“What do you mean with that, mom?” Sora asked as she looked at her birth mother.

 

Shin-Ill clears his throats. Though he sympathizes with Misaki for having to face her illness, but at the same time he cannot let Sora go just for her sake.

 

“Can somebody tell me what’s going on?” Sora asked again as she looked at her parents in front of her.

 

Woobin pulled Sora to the room besides the living room and give her a document stating Misaki health conditions. “Brain cancer?” She looked at Woobin, surprised with the information that she just read.

 

Woobin slowly nodded. “She has 1-2 years at most. But with proper treatment and chemotherapy she might be able to enjoy a longer life.”

 

“So why didn’t she do that then?”

 

“She needs a drive.” He replied while looking deep into Sora’s eyes.

 

“Your presence recently in her life sparked her willingness to live again. I truly believe with you supporting her, she will be able to overcome this.”

 

Sora blankly looked at the medical reports on her hand before she walked out of the room.

 

“Kang Sora.. where are you going?” Woobin stopped her.

 

“Give me time to think..” She replied as she stepped out of the house.

 

Sora sadly laughed. “Seems like I can really run away this time.” She said to herself as she mindlessly walking in the neighborhood. Trying to calm her heart before she can think straight of the situations she is in.

 

* * *

 

“Kang Sora..” Joongki stumbled upon Sora that walked pass him, ignoring his greetings.

 

Joongki looked at her, weird seeing the state that she is in. “Kang Sora, are you okay?” He asked again after trying to catch up with her, but Sora still does not respond to him.

 

He silently followed her as she walks surrounding their neighborhood. “She seems to be bothered with something.” he thought to himself looking at Sora mindlessly walking around.

 

[Horn!!] a car fast coming towards Sora as she is trying to cross the road.

 

“Kang Sora!!” Joongki pulled her back to the roadside. “Are you trying to kill yourself??” He asked before he realized her eyes that is filled with tears.

 

“What happened?” He is surprised looking at her. There must be something had happened to her for her to behave this way. He thought to himself.

 

“Joongki.” she looked at him. “Song Joongki..” She hugged him tightly.

 

Joongki surprised with her action. “Sora are you okay?” He asked softly seeing how she does not seem to act like herself.

 

Sora silent as she hugged him tightly. Sobbing like a kid.

 

“What’s wrong? You can tell me Kang Sora.” he caresses her head.

 

Slowly Sora let him go. “I’m sorry. I just wasn’t myself right now.” she sighed hardly as she turned walk away, but Joongki stopped her.

 

“Come with me. I can’t let you walk mindlessly like this.” he said dragging her towards the park nearby their house.

 

Sora silently follows as Joongki leads her to sit on the bench.

 

Joongki looked at her face and wipe off the remnant of tears left on her cheek. “I’m not sure what’s in your mind now but you can tell me anything.. I’ll be your ears..”

 

She pursed her lips trying to hold her feelings inside but end up she burst out into tears again. “What should I do Song Joongki? I seriously can’t think of anything right now.”

 

“Sora..” he is surprised looking at Sora broken down to tears in front of him right now. The girl that is normally keeping her feelings only to herself is wearing it on her sleeves today.

 

Something big must have happened today.

 

“Cry all you want.. just cry.” Joongki hugs her tightly. He can just offer her a shoulder to cry on since he did not know the reason for her tears.

 

After a while Sora pushed her off Joongki chest while continue sobbing.

 

Joongki is attentively looked at her. “Are you feeling better now?”

 

Sora shakes her head as she looked at Joongki eyes who genuinely worried about her. “There’s nothing can soothe my feelings right now.” she thought to herself.

 

Joongki sighed as he caresses her cheek. “I’m not sure what happened but I’m glad that you show this side of you only to me.”

 

Sora looked at him again as the snowflake is falling onto them. Drawn into his glistening eyes as their lips almost touched but Sora pulled back.

 

“I’m leaving soon..” she said.

 

Joongki looked at her puzzled. “Sure, I’ll walk you home..” not understanding her earlier statement.

 

Sora looked at him as Joongki seems to misunderstand her statement earlier. “I’m leaving Seoul soon..” She reiterates.

 

“What do you mean?? Why???” Joongki surprised. He never thought that is the reason for Sora’s cries.

 

Sora silent.

 

Joongki got up from the bench. “What about me? What about your other friends? Will you simply leave us behind?”

 

Sora looked to the ground while knocking the ground bricks with her shoes. Trying to hold her tears again.

 

“Kang Sora. Tell me that you’re joking.” Joongki hold her hands.

 

“Freedom to choose the kind of future that I wanted. I don’t have that Song Joongki.” she hides her face in her palms as she started to cry again.

 

Though she has been thinking to leave but knowing the fact she needs to leave this soon is still breaking her heart.

 

Joongki sighed. “I don’t know what happened to you that you need to leave like this. But given the circumstances, everybody will think that you are leaving because of your current situation with us. Your friends.”

 

“Maybe..” she paused looking at him. “..maybe that’s the blessing in disguise..”

 

“Kang Sora please..” Joongki sat on his knee as he is facing her eyes. “Please consider it again..”

 

Sora looked at him and drawn into his eyes. She caresses his cheek and eventually planted him a kiss before slowly she pushed herself away from him.

 

Joongki squints his eyes looking at the woman in front of him. What kind of game that she is trying to play?

 

“Sora..” he holds her hands. “I’m sure this time it’s not a mistake.. nor did I force it..”

 

“No.. I did it myself..”

 

“Then why did you push me away again?” It is obvious that his feelings towards Sora is mutual. He is sure of it.

 

She sighed hardly. “I’m pushing myself away. Because I know it will not go anywhere. I will still need to leave.” she got up from the bench that she’s been sitting. “I’m leaving this weekend.”

 

“Huh??! Sora.. is this making any sense? What’s the rush?”

 

She sighed as her eyes started to get teary again. “I need to go home now..”

 

Joongki surrendered. There seems nothing that he can do to stop her from leaving. “Let me walk you home at least..” He said to her as he holds her hand.

 

Sora looked at their hands clasping with each other before looking at him. “Thank you Song Joongki for being my friend.”

 

Joongki looked at her eyes before planted her a long and passionate kiss. He knows they wanted to become more than just a friend. He knows they never want to say this goodbye.

Neighbourhood Flowers Chapter 25

Sora looked at Juhwan who is currently setting up his shooting gears. As expected, she knows she can meet him at the shooting club. A place where he likes to spend his time when he is disappointed with something.
 
"Good morning Lim Juhwan." She greeted.
 
Juhwan looked at Sora for a while. The woman that has been avoiding him and his friends a lot these days suddenly appeared before his eyes.
 
“She must have heard about what had happened.” He thought to himself.
 
Sora went nearer before she realized the bruises on his face.
 
"You're fighting again? Is it with Insung or Joongki this time?" She asked. Seems like what Kim Jiwon told her yesterday afternoon is true.
 
"I'm not going to talk about it." He replied.
 
Sora pulled his hand. "Look here." She turned him to face her. "Why are you doing this to yourself?" She caresses his cheek.
 
Juhwan pushed away her hand. "Just let me be.."
 
Sora sighed. "Get mad at me Lim Juhwan. I'm the one who was not able to make a decision.."
 
Juhwan went silent.
 
"It would be much easier if I just disappear, don't you think?" Sora playfully asked.
 
"What are you trying to say?" He stares deeply into her eyes. Despite her playful tone, her eyes show some seriousness with what she just said.
 
"Just some coward thought." She giggles before looking at him. "I don't feel like able to choose any of you guys. All of you are equally precious to me.."
 
He sighed as he took his shotgun.
 
"You're angry don't you?" Sora looked at his changed expression.
 
"No." He replied.
 
"Jeez.." She grunts as Juhwan is ignoring her and walk towards the shooting area. Filling up his shotgun with bullets.
 
Sora grab the shotgun from his hand and aims to the projectiles.
 
[Go!]
 
She shouts before shooting down both pallets. She took out the bullet case from the shotgun and gave it to him back. "We're not done with our conversation yet.." She sharply glares at him.
 
"Kang Sora." He was stunned seeing how much she has improved her shooting skills after a while. Impressive.
 
Sora looked at him. "Just get mad at me. Why do you have to hide your feelings?"
 
"I'm not mad." Juhwan replied.
 
"If you are not, why do you keep fighting with each other?!" Sora glared at him.
 
Juhwan looked to the ground. "I got jealous..”
 
"I know this will happened somehow.” Sora sighed. "Let us just stop all of this Lim Juhwan. There is no use to push this further. Let us just remain as friend okay?” She asked him.
 
Juhwan sighed. This seems like an endless battle to win her heart but in the end of the day she just refused to pick a winner.
 
Sora saw his frustrations upon her words. "I'm sorry.." Sora said to him. “I don’t have the confidence that this will end up well. Your friendship with Jo Insung and Song Joongki is too beautiful to be destroyed.”
 
Juhwan grabs her hand and pull her towards him, but Sora stopped him. “Lim Juhwan..” She looked at him surprised.
 
“Can’t we kiss to see whether you really don’t have those feelings towards me?”
 
“Stop this Lim Juhwan. It’s not going anywhere.” She pushed him off her.
 
“You don’t know how fast my heart is beating right now..” He holds her hands and put it on his chest before he moved in to give her a kiss.
 
Sora surprised with the slight kiss as she tilted her head away from him. "Let’s not do this Lim Juhwan." politely she refused.
 
"Kang Sora, I.."
 
"Let us remain as good friends. I really mean it." She will not allow Juhwan to finish his sentence. "I want to keep only the good memories that we have. Please."
 
Juhwan speechless hearing her words. His heart shattered seeing Kang Sora walking away, leaving him behind.
 
* * *
 
She looked at the naked cherry blossom tree along the street heading to the academic block. This place would be among the beautiful place in campus during spring.
 
She closes her eyes enjoying the soft wind of end winter while imagining the spring season. A season that she used to enjoy with her girlfriends before. She sighed softly.
 
[Horn!]
 
Sora surprised with the sudden honking as she looked at the yellow Ferrari at the other side of the road is making a U-turn.
 
"Where are you going?" Insung greeted.
 
"Having a little stroll before heading back home." She bends her knees to properly looked at his face. 
 
“So, it was you who fights with Juhwan?” Sora asked as she immediately opened the door and get in the car without being invited.
 
She looked at the bruises on his lips and eyes. “Look at what you have done to yourself.” she caresses his cheek for a bit.
 
Insung hold her hand. "You've met him?" Insung asked.
 
Sora nodded. "I just came back from meeting him."
 
Insung sighed. "I'm always a few steps behind." No matter how much he wants to be positive with Sora's feelings, he always feels like he was placed last among the three of them.
 
"Let us have some talk shall we? Can you drive me home?" she asked.
 
Insung looked at her. "What about your car?"
 
"I can just pick it up tomorrow." She looked at him. Serious.
 
Insung nodded before he drives his car away from the campus.
 
“I’ve given a deep thought about everything.” Sora started the conversation as she looked at Insung who is seriously paying his focus to the road.
 
“If you’re going to reject me, keep those words to yourself.” Insung replied without waiting for Sora to finish her words.
 
Sora looked at him. “Seems like you have prepared for anything.”
 
“I’m not. But I would rather not hear it.” He took a glance at Sora. “At least I won’t be hurt.”
 
Sora chuckles. Each one of those guys have their unique ways in handling everything. “Fine then..” Sora replied.
 
Sora looked at the road before staring at Jo Insung’s face as he started to speed up the car. “I didn’t know you had this anger in you.”
 
Insung ignored her words and keep speeding his car in the middle of busy Seoul city at 200km/h heading to Sora’s house.
 
Sora remained silent as she did not want her words to provoke him further.
 
“We’re here.” Insung told her as he parked his car in front of her house gate.
 
Sora looked at him as she can clearly see the frustration from his face and actions.
 
“I will not choose any of you.” Sora told him. Calmly.
 
Insung looked at her. “What do you mean?”
 
“I’m not choosing anybody. I do not want to. I want all of us to remain as friends. A supportive friend that stands by each other’s.” Sora smiled as she looked at Insung.
 
"Why not? Why can’t it be me?" He asked.
 
“The friendship that you guys have are too beautiful to be destroyed by somebody like me, Jo Insung.”
 
Insung bit his lips. Still cannot accept what she just said. "Are you sure this is not because of that Woobin guy?"
 
"Woobin has nothing to do with this." Sora looked at him. "I’m the problem here. I like the three of you equally the same. That’s why I cannot choose."
 
"Kang Sora." He looked at the person that excites him whenever he is with. Sora is truly someone that could give some excitement to his heart unlike other woman he had dated before. 
 
Sora cupped his cheek while caressing his bruises. "I'm sorry for hurting you like this."
 
Insung pulled her hand and hold it tightly. "Give it a deeper thought Kang Sora." He is not able to let go of the person that holds the real definition of love to him.
 
Sora shakes her head. "The answer will still the same.."
 
"What should I do then? I really don't think I'm able to live without you.."
 
"You'll be just fine.. and you need to keep on living to found someone that can excites you more than me.."
 
"But Sora.."
 
"I'm sorry.." She pulled her hands from him. "Thank you for the ride." Sora smiled before she gets off the car.
 
"Sora!" Insung get out of the car rushing towards her and pull her to his embrace. "Let me hug you at least.." he requested.
 
Sora smiled before hugging him back. "Thank you my friend.."
 
He closed his eyes as he heard those words. Friend. Not a person that he wanted to be to her. He sighed.
x

Neighbourhood Flowers - Chapter 24

"Look at how lonely you are right now." Tease Jiwon as she took a seat in front of Sora who is having her lunch -- alone.
 
Sora takes a glance at Jiwon realizing she is there without Yoo Inna. She then continued eating her salad and reading her exam notes. Do not want to be bothered with Jiwon’s appearance.
 
It is the final week for their semester before she can close the painful chapter and move on.
 
Jiwon looked at Sora who is obviously ignoring her existence before pouring a glass of orange juice that she holds into Sora’s salad.
 
Sora sharply glared to Jiwon as she put down her cutlery. "What do you want from me?" She sounds agitated.
 
"Hah. Look at that arrogance." Jiwon sneered. "The chaebols are fighting with each other right now because of you. Don’t you know that?" She asked.
 
Sora squints her eyes trying to figure out whether what Jiwon is telling the truth. "So what?" Pretending not to be bothered by it.
 
"You are really one of a kind Kang Sora. After all the fuss you have created, misleading them with your feelings. You didn't even care about what happened to them."
 
Sora sneered as she hugs her arms and crossed her legs. "Miss. You created this mess."
 
"Well.." Jiwon’s clearing up her throats. "They are fighting because of you. Don't you at least feel anything?" She asked.
 
Sora chuckles. "I seriously don't understand why you are so interested with my matters. Don't you have something else to do?"
 
"If it related to Juhwan, it is my matter too." Jiwon replied.
 
Sora smirked. "Don't you think Juhwan has been pretty obvious with his feelings? Just give up Kim Jiwon."
 
"No!” She stomped the table. “He is just distracted with your existence. I knew he still love me.."
 
Sora sneered. Amazed with how Jiwon’s delusional mind works. "Whatever you are saying Jiwon shhi.." she picked up her books and got up from her seat.
 
"I'm not finished yet." Jiwon look at her.
 
"I am though. I don't think we have anything else to talk about." Sora ignored her.
 
"Kang Sora." Jiwon holds Sora's arms while biting her lips.
 
Sora looked at her thinking what else she is going to do.
 
"This is my last resort. I might get sick and tired of him one day, but I am not going to let him go yet. Not now." Jiwon's eyes started to get teary as she is being honest with her feelings.
 
"Kim Jiwon.." Sora looked at her, speechless. Somehow she can feel some honesty in her words right now. Perhaps she just does not know other ways to win Juhwan's heart again -- other than being such a mean person.
 
"I've made mistakes. Everybody does. But I realize that the moment the thought of losing him hit me when I saw him with you. I know that I cannot live without him. I know I've made mistakes for breaking up our engagement.."
 
"Engagement?" Sora’s surprised hearing that words. She never knew they were that serious.
 
"Please Kang Sora." Jiwon is holding Sora’s hand tighter. "I'm begging you."
 
Sora smiled. "Seeing you honestly confessed like this. It feels good."
 
“What are you trying to imply?” Jiwon squints her eyes.
 
“This is how you should treat others, Kim Jiwon.” She pulled her hands off Jiwon’s. “Stop being mean. You’ll see a lot of opportunities if you opened your heart like this..”
 
Jiwon look at her. Sighed. “Kang Sora..”
 
Sora smiled before walking away.

Neighbourhood Flowers - Chapter 23

Sora entered the campus using her white GT-R. It has been a month after what had happened, and she started to reveal her real identity whilst ignoring what people has been talking behind her back.
 
"You're going to the library again?" Bomi asked as Sora is parking her car near to the library. She has been going there every day now when there's classes. 
 
Sora looked at Bomi as she nodded. "Emm.. I have research to be done for my thesis.." She replied to her. The same excuse that she has been using all over again.
 
Bomi is worried. Sora has alienated herself for too much after what had happened.
 
Sora has been ignoring Bomi and even those guys that has been confessing their love towards her.
 
"Let’s have lunch together at the cafe today, Kang Sora." Bomi asked. She misses the cheerful and lighthearted Kang Sora. She has been missing those moments when they happily spend time with each other.
 
"I'll pass for today, Kim Bomi." Sora immediately turn down the invitation.
 
"Until when Sora?" Bomi sighed. There seems to be nothing that she can do to change her.
 
Sora forcefully smiled. "I'm just preparing myself for final. Don't worry Kim Bomi." She said to her.
 
"Don't lie to yourself." Bomi looked at her for a while before opening the passenger’s door. "I hope you'll come back to your old self soon. I'm also your friend Kang Sora." Bomi said to Sora with traces of disappointment on her face.
 
Sora looked at Bomi as she walked away--thinking about the words she just said.
 
While she has been feeling miserable over what had happened to her friendship with Hyorin and Jinjoo, she failed to see that Kim Bomi is also trying hard to support and stayed by her side right now. She should not risk her friendship with Bomi just because of her sadness.
 
Sora sighed hardly feeling burdened with everything that is happening surrounding her. “I wish I can just run away from all this..” She thought to herself.
 
* * *
 
Slowly she walked towards the cafe looking for Bomi, thinking that she might be there.
 
She looked around the campus as the winter cold weather started.  It has been a while since she walked around the campus other than being in the library.
 
Joongki saw Sora as she is walking alone heading to the café. It has been a while since he last saw her.
 
“Hello Kang Sora..” Joongki greeted.
 
Sora looked at him. “Hi.” she replied as she continues walking to the café.
 
“How are you? It’s really hard to see you around lately.” Joongki asked looking at her gloomy and unfriendly face.
 
“I’m okay..” She replied. Short. Before she goes into the restaurant looking for Kim Bomi. But it seems that she is not there.
 
She sighed.
 
“Are you looking for someone?” Joongki asked. Still patiently following her around.
 
Sora looked at him. “Kim Bomi. She’s not here it seems.” She replied before she approached the order counter.
 
She looked at today's menu showed on the board.
 
"Takeaway bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese, please." She ordered after a few second. "..and americano without sugar." She added. In need of something bitter too.
 
"Make it two.." Joongki ordered the same thing. "I thought you didn't drink coffee?" He looked at her.
 
"There are times that I just need it.." She replied as she coldly gazed at Song Joongki that is standing in front of her. A person that she used to enjoy his company but lately she has been hiding herself from.
 
Joongki looked deep into her eyes. There is a trace of sorrow in there. “I really missed seeing you around.” He said to her with his deep voice.
 
Sora silently sighed as she turned her gaze to the ground. Not able to face his eyes longer remembering how everybody has been blaming her for playing around with their ‘oppas’ heart.
 
"You must have been busy lately?" Joongki asked.
 
Sora nodded. "Final exam is around the corner.."
 
"Your orders are ready." after a while, the waiter called them.
 
"Thank you." Sora said as paid for the food before heading towards the library again without waiting for Joongki. She has been planning to spend her quite time at the library the whole day earlier.
 
"Kang Sora, you've been purposely avoiding everybody right?" Joongki followed her.
 
She is silent. Not in the mood to have any conversation on how she has been carrying herself lately.
 
Joongki hold her wrist. "I miss you Kang Sora.." He said as he tried to look at her eyes, but she is avoiding it.
 
“Let me go.” She said as she tried to pull her hand off Joongki’s, but he is holding it tight.
 
“Look at me first.” Joongki said.
 
Sora looked at him. "I'm not in the mood to play around, Song Joongki."
 
“Neither am I..” Joongki replied as she pulled her towards him.
 
[Chup] -- He planted a kiss on her lips for a slight second.
 
Sora looked at him. "What are you doing?!" she is surprised with Joongki’s sudden action.
 
"Getting your attention." He caresses her cheek. "Stop being hard on yourself Kang Sora. It hurts me seeing you like this.” He said as he looked at her eyes.
 
Sora pushed his hand off her cheek and run towards the parking lot. "No this is a mistake.. a mistake!" Sora thought to herself as her mind kept thinking of the kiss they had just now.
 
Joongki chased her that is running fast towards the library parking lot. "She must have been really furious." Thinking that he just made a wrong move just now.
 
"Kang Sora!" Joongki stops in front of her GTR that just about to leave the parking lot.
 
[creek!!] -- the sounds from an emergency brake.
 
Sora looked at Joongki surprised as she got out of the car rushing towards him.
 
"ARE YOU FREAKING CRAZY??!!!!" She hits his chest. “Nobody should be playing with their life. What more risking it for a stupid attention.” She said to him.
 
Joongki looked at her before gushing towards her for another kiss. A real one.
 
Sora surprised with the sudden kiss before she tried to push him off. Struggles to let go off him as Joongki is using his man strength to stay.
 
"Song Joongki!" A man came and pulled him off her. 
 
[Dush!] -- a fist hit his face throwing him to the floor.
 
Sora shocked looking at Juhwan who is in front of them right now before she rushed towards Joongki who seems to be taking quite a hit.
 
"Are you okay?" She asked.
 
"I’m okay." Joongki slowly got up and look at Juhwan.
 
Juhwan pulled Sora towards him. "Follow me.." He said.
 
But Joongki is fast in pulling Sora from Juhwan's hand. "She's not going anywhere." He replied as he stands in front of her.
 
Juhwan sharply glares at him. "Are you looking for a fight?"
 
[Dush!] --a fist was thrown towards Juhwan face without warning.
 
"You have started it. Why do you bother asking?" Joongki stares.
 
"Guys stop it!" Sora trying to stop them as they were fighting. Things has gone out of control – it is messy.
 
[Dush!] -- Sora was thrown on the floor feeling numb on her left cheek.
 
"Sora!" A man rushed towards her as he saw Sora got hit by them.
 
Insung looked at her cheek--swollen with her slightly bleeding lips. "Are you okay?"
 
Sora nodded as she looked at both Juhwan and Joongki who are still fighting with each other unknowingly that they have hit her. She got up wanting to stop them again.
 
"You'll get hurt again." Insung grab her hand trying to stop her, but she snapped her hands off his, ignoring the warning. Those stupid men would hurt even more if she did not interfere now.
 
[Dush!] -- She thrown her fist.
 
[Pang!] -- She slaps on their cheek.
 
[Prap!] -- She flies kicks them to the ground.
 
Sora looked at them who are now on the ground. With bruises and blood from their earlier fight -- if not from hers. Their fighting skills are no match to her when she fights properly.
 
"You're supposed to be friend. What the hell is this?" She looked at them as there are trying to get up. “You said you will win me gentlemanly. What's gentleman about all this?!”
 
"Lots of people are watching. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Insung added the flame.
 
Sora looked at him. "You're the same too!"
 
Insung surprised. "What did I do?" He scratches his head.
 
Sora sighed hard. "Stop this, guys. I am not worth it. Please get hold of yourself and wake up. Do not waste your beautiful friendship just because of me." she shed her tears. "I'm tired. I just want to finish this semester peacefully. Please."
 
"Kang Sora.." They tried to hold her hands as they looked at her crying face. Surprised.
 
They never saw her cried. Not even when she is hurt, being humiliated, or even isolated by the whole campus. She never cried. But now, at this right moment, the precious tear from her beautiful eyes falls on the ground.
 
“Please. Just leave me alone..” Sora backed off. She had enough.
 
Jinjoo and Hyorin looked at Sora from afar--feels like rushing towards her and give her hug right now. Sora must feel suffered with all that has been happening surrounding her lately. They sighed for not being able to support her when she is in need.
 
"Let’s go home." Woobin wraps a winter coat on her shoulder, giving some warmth from the wool to calm her down.
 
"Kim Woobin." Sora looked at him as she hugs him. Her tears suddenly flows unstoppably as she looked at that person in front of her. A person that she has been hoping to be here has come back.
 
"Syhh.." Woobin caresses her hair before accompanying her to the car.
 
"What did I miss?" Kwangsoo come out of the crowd hearing the noise at library parking lot as he looked at Sora's Nissan GTR rumbled away from the campus.
 
"Is that Kang Sora? What happened?" Kwangsoo pulled Juhwan and Joongki before he saw their swollen faces with bloods and bruises.
 
"What the hell has happened??" Kwangsoo surprised seeing their condition now.
 
"Fighting with each other.." Insung answered nonchalantly.
 
Juhwan sharply glared at him as he pulled Insung to face him before throwing a punch on him. 
 
[Dush!] -- a fist was thrown towards Insung's face.
 
"You deserve this too.." He said before walking off the parking lot.
 
"Ya you jerk!" Insung looked at Juhwan.
 
[Dush!] -- another fist thrown by Joongki towards Insung before he walks off.
 
"What the hell man?!!" Insung is determined to get them, but Kwangsoo stopped him.
 
Kwangsoo cannot believe those 3 gentlemen fight with each other.
 
"You guys must have gone insane. Isn’t it?" somehow seeing the situation now, immediately gave him the explanation of what had happened. Explains why Sora should not be there.
 
"What a mess.." He sighed looking at Insung, Joongki and Juhwan as they walk off their own ways.
x