Chapter 08

“Oh…sooo cold..” Jae Joong said as he crouched nearby a tree shivering waiting for Sook Shin. As he began to lose hope as he had been waiting for over 4 hrs… the sun had set and the moon shown brightly reflecting in the lake… As he began to rub his arms trying to warm himself, he got mad at himself for not telling Uncle Yuoung and the boys the time he wanted to execute operation “Get Sooki Back”.. and now he was paying for it.

Just as he was about to give up all hope and go when he saw a candlelight from the direction of Uncle Yuoung’s home and faintly heard the voice he had missed so much.

“Yun, Jun , Chun!!! Where are you? I’m here!!! “ Sook Shin yelled out as she made her way towards the lake, “ Where are they….? They leave a message for me to come here .. and no one is here.. great.. what a way to spend my birthday..”

Jae Joong behind the tree watched as Sook Shin walked by the edge of the lake. The moonlight making the sunflower pins that held her hair back sparkle like little stars, she wore a white dress with sunflowers embroidered at the bottom of the dress. The lace that Sook Shin began to pout as she started tugging at her clothes, “ Why did mom make me wear this..”

Though Sook Shin was complaining, Jae Joong smirked and had to cover his mouth before any laughter could come out. This was the Sook Shin that he longed to see.. not the Sook Shin who remained silent and cold sitting next to him in school. He had missed her cute whining and pouting face. Jae Joong reached for the bag of fireflies quietly and began to release them and as if they knew Jae Joong’s intention for them, the fireflies flew and surrounded Sook Shin encircling her with light.

“Wah!!! So pretty..” Sook Shin screamed gleefully as she began to dance around, her movements, delicate and fluid as she seemed to gracefully follow the movements of the fireflies.

Hyoo~~ bolsso ige myot bonche ilka?
Nan onuldo.. irohge noui jibkaji ogo maraguna

Jae Joong began to sing quietly as he picked up the bouquet of sunflowers and box he had prepared for Sook Shin. Sook Shinn still immersed in her dancing and the beauty of the fireflies did not take notice.

Norul choum mannan nal sori obshi bamse nunun nerigo
kuthdo obshi chajadunun gidarim sarange shijag iosso
gilmothungie soso nunul majumyo norul gidaridaga oh~
dorasonun ashwiume guriumman sahyodo nan sulphuji anha

Jae Joong sang a little louder still with the cover of darkness of the trees trying to catch Sook Shin’s attention. Sook Shin hearing the words stopped and began to look around trying to find the source of the song.

Nun nerigo werobdon bami jinamyon
molliso dullyo onun sebyog jongsori
Honjamane sarangun sulphojinungora marhaji marayo
gude hyanghan guriumun namane goshinde
weroume gasum aphado gu aphumkaji saranghangoya

“Jae Joong oppah?” she said uneasily as she stared into the darkness of the forest.

(Gure onjena...) ne nunaphe guryojin noui mosub
jamdun naui guriumul kewojun mosub
sesange chom mannan hengboge
nan norul chaja yogikaji ogo mangoya
gidarime shijagi aphumiljirado
gidarime kuthi ashwiumiljirado

Jae Joong walked out from behind the tree and toward Sook Shin singing and smiling. Sook Shin seeing this sight could not help but smile and get teary eyed.

[ii] Nan sulphuji anha
nun nerigo werobdon bami jinamyon
molliso dullyo onun sebyog jongsori [/i]

Tears began to fall from her eyes as Jae Joong now stood in front of her. He handed the flowers to Sook Shin who gladly accepted the flowers, holding the flowers to her face, taking in their scent. As she looked back up form the flowers, Jae Joong gently wiped the tears from her face.

Honjamane sarangun sulphojinungora marhaji marayo
gude hyanghan guriumun namane goshinde
weroume gasum aphado gu aphumkaji saranghangoya
gu aphumkaji saranghangoya

And with singing the last line of the song Jae Joong said with a serious yet soft expression, “ Sooki…. I’m sorry for what I said… I didn’t’ mean it… will you forgive me?”

Sook Shin stood there in silence looking at him for a while with tears still streaming down. Jae Joong felt uneasy that there was such a long period of silence, motioned to say something, but was interrupted by Sook Shin jumping into his arms.

“Jae Joong oppah… “ she said as she hugged him tighter, “ Of course I forgive you… I forgave you a long time ago.. but it was my fault too so I didn’t know how to face you … I could never stay mad at you..”
Jae Joong hearing that gave a sigh of relief and took comfort in the warmth that Sook Shin’s embraced provided. Realizing he had forgotten that he had more prepared for her he broke away from her embrace, and turned his back towards her.

“Oppah… “

“Just wait… “ Jae Joong saidi as he pulled out a candle from his pocket, he placed the candle the cookie and lit the candle,” Happy birthday to you … happy birthday to you… happy birthday dear Sooki.. happy birthday to you”

Jae Joong sang as he carefully turned around making sure that the candle did not go out, “ Make a wish Sooki and blow out the candle..”

With a smile she nodded, closed her eyes and made a silent prayer and blew out the candle.

“Happy 14tht birthday Sooki… I’m sorry that I couldn’t get a cake or even seaweed soup for you … “

Sook Shiin shook her head, “ No… don’t be sorry … this is the best thing anyone could have given to me.. thank you oppah, but I have just two questions…”

“Hmm…”

“How did you know it was my birthday? And how did you know I was going to be here?”

“oh… hahahah” know that if he said that he heard it from Uncle Yuoung would not be so slick he straightened himself out and said , “ Well.. you aren’t the only one with tricks up your sleeve.”

Sook Shin pouted and seeing that he had bested her at last, Jae Joong smiled and gave her a wink, but suddenly turned around embarrassed as Sook Shin began to giggle.

“Oppah? Why did you just blink at me?” she pulled around to face her and then grabbed his face and pulled it outwards, “ or was that a wink?”

Jae Joong pushed her hands away and tried to avoid eye contact, “ umm.. no I was just trying to wet my eyes.. they were getting dry.”

“So you were oppah.. hahahah oppah can’t wink can you … here let me help”

“what??” but before he could say anything Sook Shin grabbed his right eyelid and pulled it up as high as she could.

“Ok oppah now wink.” Sook Shin said with a huge smile as she demonstrated.

“I can’t…and why are you holding my eyelid…. Let go…”

“No… fine blink then… “

“why … “

“Just do it oppah”

She began to look annoyed so reluctantly Jae Joong blinked and right afterward, Sook Shin broke out into laughter.

Jae Joong, frustrated pushed her hand away and to a step toward her as if to hit her, “ What are you laughing about?!?! Is it that funny that I can’t wink? Fine .. I CAN’T WINK !!! Laugh it up”

Sook Shin took a step back and continued to laugh, “ I’m not laughing at that… It’s cute that you can’t wink.. no one can be perfect… well except for me hahahhaha… A thought came into mind… “

“What Sooki?”

“Well just that the next time you have to wink… “

“What?”

“Well… I’ll have to be there to hold up one of your eyelids… hahahha… I guess there is no escaping from me isn’t it oppah? Hahah”

“You little!!” Jae Joong said very annoyed even though in his mind the thought of her being at his side forever didn’t sound that bad at all.

Jae Joong looked at Sook Shin… wondering how a person could be so full of life and cheerful. Wondering if he could ever be like that… wondering if there would be more times like this with her… if she would be beside him forever. Sook Shin smiled at him and went back to admiring the scenery and the flowers Jae Joong had given her. Without noticing a leaf from a near by tree fell and got caught in her hair, but she paid no attention to it. Jae Joong sighed and walked up to her and removed the leaf from her hair. His eyes were still fixed on Sook Shin as he placed his hand on her cheek.

“huh… oppah? “ Sook Shin said still not paying attention to what Jae Joong was doing. When she looked up at him, his lips had already met with her.

Jae Joong pulled her in closer and closed his eyes, I wish this moment would last forever.
Sook Shin in shock did not know how to react, she dropped the bouquet and froze. Jae Joong opened his eyes and realizing that Sook Shin had no reaction, let go of his embrace and took a step back.

“Sooki… “ Jae Joong said as he began to wave his hand back and forth in front of her face to try to get a response, “Sooki… are you ok ?”

Suddenly she snapped out of her daze. She touched her lips and looked at him. As she started to take a few steps back, “Oppah… you… you… yahh!!!” and without realizing it she fell into the lake.

“Help!!!” she screamed as she began to flail in the lake, “ Oppah!! I can’t swim!! “

And with those last words she disappeared underneath the water.

“Sooki!!!” without any hesitation Jae Joong, still in the hamtaro costume jumped into the ice cold lake. Just as fast as he had jumped in, he resurfaced with Sook Shin, who was coughing up.

“Sooki are you alright?” Jae Joong said as he hugged her tightly.

Still coughing, Sook Shin nodded and replied, “ Yes.. thank you oppah…. I guess I’m not so perfect after all heh heh.” She said as she began to shiver.

“Come on lets go to Uncle Yuoung’s house and dry off.. you’re shivering…”

“Well you are too!!” Sook Shin said as she coughed, “but it’s no use… no one was home and everything seemed to be locked up..”

“Then what should we do… we can’t just stay in these wet clothes … “ Jae Joong said while still hugging Sook Shin when a sudden cold came on him.

“Umm… oppah….”

“Huh.. “ Jae Joong said slightly weakly.

“If you let me go… “ Sook Shin said shyly.. and realizing that he was still holding on to her he let go and moved away from her. I can go gather some branches so we can start a fire.. you have your lighter still right?”

Seeing Sook Shin shiver more and wrap her arms around herself, Jae Joong got up, “ You stay put.. I’ll go find some wood..”

“But.. it would be quicker if I went to find some too..”

“It would be quicker if you would just agree for once and stay put and let oppah take care of it ok ?” Jae Joong said sternly. Seeing that he was not going to take no for an answer Sook Shin nodded in agreement.
Jae Joong slowly made his way into the forest to gather kindling.

After 15 minutes or so, Jae Joong had gathered enough firewood to at least dry themselves off, as he was heading back, he started to feel light headed and blanked out. He came to, and shook it off and began to gather the wood he had dropped, “ I need to get back… “

Slowly Jae Joong made it back and the two started a fire. The two sat closely next to each other in front of the fire. Since there seemed to be an awkward silence Sook Shin began to sing as she looked up at the sky. Jae Joong’s fever had risen but he tried to hide it from Sook Shin and just looked at her as she continued to sing. Jae Joong slowly rested his head on her shoulder that surprised Sook Shin causing her to shift.

“ Oppah!! What are you doing…” she said as she shifted causing Jae Joong to fall into her lap. Sook Shin embarrassed started to whine at and pinch Jae Joong. Not seeing a reaction she touched his forehead and realized that he was sick.

Sook Shin sat him up and began to shake him to try to get him to regain consciousness, “ Oppah!!! Oppah!!! Wake up!!”

Still he did not respond.. this worried Sook Shin. She moved him closer to the fire and hugged him to give him more warmth, “ Please oppah… please… wake up…”

As tears started to stream down her face, Sook Shin decided she had to do something. She put out the fire and grabbed Jae Joong’s backpack and then hoisted Jae Joong onto her back.

With the sudden jolt, Jae Joong came to, “ huh… “

“Oppah… why didn’t you tell me you were sick… if you knew you were sick … why did you come and wait out here… why did you jump into save me… “ Sook Shin said as she started crying.

Jae Joong weakly brought his hand to her faced and wiped her tears away

“Isn’t it obvious…” he said as he tried to laugh, “Sooki.. put me down.. I can walk…”

“No… You did all this for me… let me do something for you…”

“But…”

“But nothing… I’m going to get you to a doctor…” and with saying that she began to walk.

“…. But that means you’re going to carry me down the mountain into the village?... You’re crazy!!! Let’s just go to Uncle Yuoung’s house and wait for them to come back…”

“I don’t want to take that risk… what if they don’t come home… it’s already really late.. and its getting colder.. NO… we are going… Oppah I’ll be fine… remember I’m the violent tomboy? Hahah”

Jae Joong tried to let out a laugh but he just couldn’t.. sensing that he was about to fall asleep again.. she started talking to him to keep him conscious.

“Oppah… you are heavy… can you do something to give me energy to keep on going?”

“huh…. Like what?”

“umm… sing me that song again!!!”

“Again… do I have to… “

“Sing … or I’ll put you down and roll you down the mountain side.. it would save me from this back pain right now.”

“Ok ok … I’ll sing…”

And with that Jae Joong began to sing the song as Sook Shin carefully made her way through the forest. After a while Jae Joong’s voice began to grow faint about half way down the mountainside and then went completely silent.

“Oppah…Oppah!!!!” Sook Shin screamed as she began to shake Jae Joong. She stopped and felt his forehead.. he was burning, “Oppah!!! Talk to me oppah!!!”

“Sooki…..” Jae Joong responded faintly.

“Sooki…. Sooki… Sooki!!!” Jae Joong screamed as he woke up.

“Daddy !!! Joongie’s finally awake!!!” Bae said with tears in her eyes.

Jae Joong looked around.. he did not recognize where he was.. the last thing he remembered was Sook Shin carrying him through the forest.

“Noonas…Where am I” he said as he tried to pick up his arm, but couldn’t.

“Don’t move Joonie…” Bae said as she slowly raised his bed, “ You’re in the hospital..You’ve been unconscious for a 3 days now…”

“What happened….why does my head hurt…”

“The doctor says you’ll be fine… “

Jae Joong began to look around, but he didn’t see Sook Shin .. only his parents and 8 older sisters.

“Noona where is Sook Shin?”

“……”
“Noona tell me!!!” he yelled as he began to tear off the IV unit and other cords attached to him. His father and sisters jumped up to hold him down… in hopes of calming him, but Jae Joong could only think of Sook Shin. If he was in this shape.. what about Sook Shin…

As he was wrestling to break free from the hold his family had on him, he turned to the left and went still. In the bed next to his, laid Sook Shin peacefully asleep and like him with a wrap around her head, but she also had a cast around her right legt and her right arm there was a large bandage.

“What happened to Sooki….” He said as tears began to fall.

His family went silent which angered Jae Joong.

“Tell me!!! What happened!!! Noona!!! Father!! Why is she like that!!!” he yelled, but no one would respond, instead then all looked sad and held their head low.

“Please stop moving around… you might open up your wounds… and then what Sook Shin did would have been in vain. “ a doctor said as she walked into the room and went to Sook Shin’s side.

Jae Joong wondered who this doctor was and then noticed her name tag: Han Mei Rim. Dr. Han lightly brushed away the hair from Sook Shin. She proceeded to check Sook Shin’s vitals and then headed towards Jae Joong.

She looked at Jae Joong letting out a sigh and said, “If you promise not to do anything rash that might aggravate your injuries and rest…I’ll tell you… even though Shinnie said not to say anything…”

And just like that our lives became more entwined… we each owed our lives to one another. To me for saving you from the lake… and to you for carrying me down the mountain to the hospital… but for even more than that…even though we had not openly expressed our love to each other … we were willing to risk our lives for each other.. How could I have ever let a person like you go… Why did you have to disappear from my life…I found you again and swore I’d never let you go… We promised that we would never say goodbye to each other again.. that our story would never end …but now .. has then end of this chapter of our love, our two lives come to an end..is this really the end…

Chapter 07

For 6 months before school I would wait at the sunflower field for you.. but you never went. I would sit next to you and look at you… but you never looked back…I would wait for you near the school gate to walk home together but you would just walk past me.. Did you know how painful it was to see you but not be able to hear your voice … your laughter? I was all alone again … and it was all my fault… All I wanted to do was find some time to be alone with you so I could apologize… but I just couldn’t think of how. Luckily father guided me and I was able to gain your love again…

“Ahh… so this is why Shinnie’s been sad looking and not as lively for the last few months.” Uncle Yuoung said as he sighed looking at Jae Joong. Jun, Chun, and Yun rush to Jae Joong’s side and hugs him.

“We’ll help him right appa? Noona looks so sad… and hyung looks even worse then when we called him demon boy-girl..” Yun said as he jumped on Jae Joong’s back.

“Of course we will.. Jae Joong is there anyway we can help?”

Jae Joong smiled brightly when he heard that Uncle Yuoung and the boys wanted to help. He stood up and bowed, “Thank you.. I very much appreciate it . Can you please find a way to get her to the lake , Sunday night.. ?”

“That shouldn’t be a problem because she is coming to have dinner with us on Sunday night.. it’s her birthday.”

“Her birthday? “

“You didn’t know…?”

“No… I didn’t… “

Yun who still was on Jae Joong’s back, lunged forward and with a curious expression looked at Jae Joong, “Hyung.. what did you get her for her 14th birthday?”

“Umm….. “

“Now now.. I’m sure Jae Joong has something wonderful prepared for Shinnie. Well we’ll find a way to get her to the lake ok… the rest is up to you… “

“Thank you… uncle… Chun, Jun, Yun… I have to go now.. but thank you once again” Jae Joong said as he knelt down for Yun to safely get off his back and then bowed, and made his way down the mountainside.
What am I going to do… All I was going to do was just apologize to her.. but.. Jae Joong thought to himself sulking all the way home. Jae Joong, jumped into bed when he got home.. and then pulled out the two red stones and the picture of him and Sook Shin he kept under his pillow.

“What am I going to do.. I have no money.. “ he said as he gently touched the picture of the two them together.

“You know.. the best gifts aren’t bought with money.. but they come from the heart.. “ his father said as he and Bae walked into Jae Joong’s room.

“You know.. if you want to keep things a secret from us… when you are like this you should remember to lock and close your door..” Bae said as she jumped onto his bed and grabbed the stones, “ ooh pretty like rubies.. if you look in the light… they look like shiny star stones!! Joongie… wow already in love? Soo.. there is a god? Hahaha..”

“Noona, Father…” snatches the stones from Bae and puts them under his pillow, “ … what … it’s nothing..”

“It’s alright.. you don’t have to hide it … both your noona and I know… we want to help if we can.. you’ve seem so sad lately..” his father said as he knelt down to pick the picture Jae Joong dropped, “ Is this her… “

“I wanna see!!! Wow… not the kind of girl I would have expected would fall for you.. I would have expected a cold heartless person just like you… “ Bae said laughing rolling back and forth on the bed. Jae Joong lowers his head and says nothing.. Bae seeing that he was still sad stopped, placed her hand on his shoulder and handed him the picture. Giving him a hug, “What can we do to help..”

“Yes, if we can help you and her make up … we will do our best to help..” his father said as he sat down next to his two children.

“Thank you father.. noona.. I am going to get to see her on Sunday with the help of some friends and I was planning to just talk to her and say than I’m sorry and didn’t mean what I said… But it turns out to be her birthday that day too… and I don’t know what to give her..” Jae Joong said as he stared sadly at the picture.

“Well what does she like maybe you can make her something?” Bae said as she got up and began searching through his closet and then pulled out the hamtaro costume, “eh.. what is this”

“Noona !!!” Jae Joong screamed as he grabbed the costume from Bae. He looked at it and remembered that night she gave this to him and smiled, “I think I know how to apologize to her.. “

“Really? Joongie how? With that costume? “

“None of your business Noona.. “ said Jae Joong as he pulled out the paper form the costume, “ but I still don’t know what to give her for her birthday ..”

“Well what does she like?” his father asked.

“Other than you of course hahahha… oh wait she’s mad at you isn’t she…so its safe to say offering yourself as a birthday present is out of the question hahahahahah.” Bae jumped in saying as she place a choke hold on her seething baby brother.

Jae Joong extremely annoyed that his sister was having so much fun at his expense, grabbed her arm in preparation to tear a piece of his sister’s arm off, but his father stepped in before he could.

“Jae Joong.. no… “ his father said as he began to pinch Bae’s cheek, “ and you, hunny… don’t pick on your brother ok? If you want to help that is great but if not… don’t add fuel to the fire ok… “

“Aww daddy you aren’t any fun… “ she let go of her choke hold on Jae Joong and changed it to a tight hug instead.

“Well Jae Joong.. what does she like?”

“Well… ummm” Jae Joong stuttered, not knowing what to say, but then realized, “oh she loves sunflowers and these two stones… she goes to our sunflower field everyday to pick flowers… or at least she used to..”

“Oh.. I can make those stones into pendants.. and since there are two, you can keep one and give her one as a sign of your friendship. I should have them done by tonight ..” Bae said as she stared at the stones. As she was about to take the stones, Jae Joong closed his palm to cover the stones.

“I want to do it myself… can you just bring me the stuff to make it into a pendant and write down what I need to do?” Jae Joong said with a softness and determination in his voice.

Bae lightly smiled and got up,” Ok.. I’ll get you the supplies and write down detailed instructions… but if you have problems, call me to help ok?”

“Thank you noona.” Jae Joong said as he opened his hand to look at two stones.

Bae had walked out the room but then hearing the thanks from her brother popped in her head, “No thanks necessary… its nice to see that my brother is actually a normal human being that has feelings… hahahah .. well I’m off now”

Jae Joong in his mind couldn’t decide if it were a blessing that his sister and father were helping or something he would later regret…

“Hmm so she loves sunflowers… you and her go pick flowers at the field huh?” his father said as he smiled and placed his hand on top of Jae Joong’s head messing his hair up.

“She does… I just go there to make sure she doesn’t take any of the good ones that we can sell..” Jae Joong protests.

“Ok ok .. hmm how about this… instead of coming into that field and picking flowers … how about we make another field only for the two of you ? “

“How father? “

“Well the land next to that field.. you know the one right next to it that is untended… its actually land that your grandfather left for you. Though it’s ridden with weeds and such right now… if we work on it .. it would be a great place to have a sunflower field. You and I can work on it… tomorrow morning.. if we start tomorrow and work all day we could have the field done by Monday.”

“But her birthday is Sunday.. Is there anyway we can have it done by Sunday?”

“Jae Joong… Two days is too short of time… Only if we work day and night.. we would have it done but that is crazy… “

Jae Joong now determined jumped up and ran out of his room, his father ran out after him. Jae Joong headed right out to the tool shed. There he grabbed all the tools he could carry with him and made his way past his father running to the field. His father knowing what Jae Joong was up to grabbed the power generator near by and the lanterns and followed suit.. proud that his son was so determined but was worried that Jae Joong’s determination would a sign of things to come.

When his father reached the field… Jae Joong had already started working the land already, turning over the soil.

“Jae Joong!!!” his father yelled out as he grabbed the shovel from his son’s hand, “ Wait… are you really going to work on the field tonight?”

Jae Joong looked at his father and took back his shovel, “ If this is the only way to have the field ready by Sunday then yes.” After saying that he swung his shovel and dug it deep into the earth.

His father seeing that there was no stopping him went around the field planting in the lanterns to the ground and turned the generator on lighting up the entire field. Jae Joong did not take notice of this and continued to work the land while singing the song he and Sook Shin had sung together before, his father soon joined him. They worked all night long, til the sun began to rise on the horizon.

“Jae Joong.. it’s morning… we should stop and get some rest…and then we can come back and work on it” Jae Joong’s father said as he dropped the shovel to the ground and began heading back.

Jae Joong, covered in sweat did not waver.. he continued on disregarding his father’s heed.

“No… I wont leave until this is finished… It’s almost done.. father you go ahead and rest… I’m going to keep on going until its done.” Jae Joong responded to his father. That entire evening working nonstop Jae Joong and his father had cleared out all the weeds and turned the soil for 3/4s of the field. His father though wanting to continue on .. did not have any strength left in him… so surrendered and went home while Jae Joong continued on singing and turning the soil.

Around noon his father decided to go check on Jae Joong and help finish what was left to complete but when he got there he saw that the field was completely finished being tended. He scanned the field to look for Jae Joong, but he could not see him. He went down to the field and as he got closer he saw Jae Joong collapsed on the ground. His father rushed to him, picked Jae Joong up and ran as fast as he could home.

“Bae!!! Go get a towel and warm water. Honey get some medicine!!!” his father barked out as he ran past them heading towards Jae Joong’s room.

His mother and all 8 of his sisters ran around the house crazy, screaming grabbing towels, pillows, clothes, food, pretty much anything that they saw and rushed into Jae Joong’s room.

“What happened” all 9 of them said in unison, but were silenced by his father.

“He seems to have a fever.. poor Jae Joong… it must have been because of last night…” his father said as he began to wipe Jae Joong’s forehead with the towel.

“What do you mean last night?” his wife asked.

His father looked at Bae. With that look she instantly knew that it had something to do with Jae Joong’s plans to win Sook Shin back so she put the grabbed the medicine from her mother, placing it on the table near Jae Joong’s bed and began to push her 7 older sisters and mother out of the room, “It’s fine mother, unnies… Joongie just couldn’t admit defeat… Him getting sick is all my fault. I said that he couldn’t stay out all night in the cold without a sweater.. and he wouldn’t just say he couldn’t… you know Joongie… he always has to win…” Joongie really owes me for this…

“Bae!!! You know Joongie!!! How could you say something like that to him… our poor baby … you’re gonna get it now!!!” her 7 unnies said again in unison as they try to grab her but were blocked by their mother.

“Fine fine.. I know it’s my fault but shouldn’t we leave him alone in SILENCE so he can rest and get better..? Daddy can take care of him.. you know how Joongie feels about us being in his room.”

The ladies of the house began to whisper among themselves and agreed to what Bae had said and walked out of the room.

Before Bae left, she went up to Jae Joong and gave him a kiss on the forehead, “ I guess you really do love her don’t you…. My little Joongie is growing up I guess…” and then she turned to her father, “ Daddy… he will be ok right by Sunday right?”

“Hopefully… I would hate to see him if he doesn’t get better by then.. He worked so hard … I just want everything to work out so he can be happy again.” His father said as he pulled the covers over Jae Joong.

“Daddy.. should I make the pendant for him then? .. Since he isn’t well?”

“No.. just leave everything there for him.. if you do it for him.. then the gift will lose meaning… just leave it be.. he’ll be fine.. he should be conscious in a few hrs. When he is.. we’ll make sure that he eats and is better before he can start on anything else.. you should have seen him last night.. when he sets his mind on something.. there is no telling what this boy is capable of …” His father gets up and places his hand on Bae’s shoulder, “ lets leave him to rest…we’ll check on him in a bit”

As the two walk away, they turned to see a peaceful looking Jae Joong, “ I wonder what he’s dreaming of?” Bae said.

“Isnt’ it obvious?” her father giggled, “ Come on..”

Jae Joong slept peacefully all day and night until the day came.

“UGHAHAHHAHAHH?!?!?!?!? What day is it!!!!” Jae Joong screamed as he jumped out of bed still weak.

“Sh… do you want everyone to rush in here?? “ Bae said as she tried to get him back to bed.

“Noona what day is it?!?!”

“…”

“Noona….”

“It’s Sunday morning…, but don’t worry you finished the field already… all you have to do is make the pendant and you’ll be ready…”

“Where is the stuff… I need to make in now and then get ready to go meet her..” he said as he stumbled around the room.

“I put it all on your desk… are you sure you want to do this? I can do it for you?”

“No I can do it myself…”

“Ok.. well I took the stones in to a jeweler and she said the best thing to do with them is drill a small hole and thread a string or necklace through the hole. I told her it was for a special present.. and she said since it’s a soft stone you can carve something onto it so I bought a little chisel for you. I already drilled the hole and threaded black thread for the necklace.. all you have to do is draw a design and chisel it out..”

“Ok.. thanks” and Jae Joong looked at the stones.. he knew exactly what he wanted to draw on the two flat red stones.. sunflowers on both and their initials .. one on each. As he began to chip away at the design, his eyes blurred and he accidentally cut himself.

Bae rushed to his side and wrapped his right hand up, “ Joongie.. let me do it.. You aren’t well enough to do this..”

“But…”

“But nothing… you already drew the design.. all I’m doing is following it.. don’t argue you with me.. go back to sleep.. I’ll wake you 2 hrs before you have to go ok… “

“But…”

“What did I just say huh?... If you don’t listen to me.. I’ll tell our sisters about your little friend and how its her fault you’re like this.. Unnies will hunt her down.. do you want that to happen to your girlfriend?...”

“….”

“Go to sleep !!!”

“fine …” Jae Joong said as he climbed back into bed. He stared at his sister who let out a sigh and began work on the stones, “Noona…”

Bae turned around with a slightly annoyed look, “ what now…”

“Thank you … “ Jae Joong said as he closed his eyes.

“Babo… “ she giggled and returned to her work.

Two hrs later, Bae put the two beautifully crafted pendants in a jewelry box and handed it and a bag of seeds to a very nervous looking and still pale Jae Joong, “Here you go.. Are you sure you are going to be ok?”

Jae Joong smiled, “ I’ll be fine… “ he looked around, “Is it safe for me to go… where is everyone…?”

“Oh don’t worry about that.. daddy took them all into town to have dinner.. I volunteered to stay home to make sure you get everything you need… you owe me a dinner ok !!”

“Fine Fine… I’m off then.. bye!!” Jae Joong said as he happily walked out the front door.

“Good luck Joongie!!” Bae yelled from the door as she waved him goodbye.

Jae Joong made his way the sunflower fields. He went to his parent’s field and picked a bouquet of sunflowers and then walked past the field that was ready to have beautiful flowers planted. He let out a sigh and continued to walk. Halfway up the mountain, Jae Joong began to feel light headed, but it was not enough to stop him from making his way to the lake. When he reached the lake, he began to feel cold.. it seemed that his fever had not completely gone away. He shook it off and took out the hamtaro costume and put it on. He laid the bouquet of sunflowers and jewelry box underneath a tree as he began to catch fireflies with the bag and net Sook Shin had given him last time. When the bag was full, tired… he sad down and laid on the tree watching the sun set..

“Soon.. Sooki… I can tell you how I really feel.” He picked up the box , opened it and looked at the pendants. “ Cough cough.. I can finally say that I want you to be my sunflower girl forever… my Sooki..”
He placed the box back down near the flowers and looked up at the night sky anxiously waiting for it to be time for his Sook Shin to come…hoping that she would understand how he felt.. forgive him… and accept his heart..

Chapter 06

I wonder if Sooki is here today.. she said she was going to be here to walk with me to school Jae Joong thought to himself as he reached the sunflower field surveying the area to see if Sook Shin was there. As he was looking around he quickly took off his glasses and stuffed them into his book bag to not ruin his cold image though his uniform didn’t really help either. Jae Joong untucked his shirt, took off the tie and wrapped it around his right hand like bandage. He ran his hand through his hair back to mess up his perfectly styled hair done by his noonas.

This was all he could do to make him look more like the Jae Joong he wanted to show. He noticed that at the edge of the field where the fully bloomed sunflowers there was movement so he smirked She must be there and with a smile Jae Joong ran down towards the edge of the field yelling out , “Sooki!!! Why are you picking flowers!!! Hurry up we’re going to be late for school… If I’m late… my parents are gonna kill me… and if I die you have to die too, to keep me company…”

As he got closer, with his bad eyesight since he had taken off his glasses and not worn his contacts, he was only able to make out a blurred image of a girl, but he couldn’t tell if it was his Sooki or not especially since her back was turned towards him. When he reached the edge of the field, he took a glance and decided that it could not be Sook Shin dressed like that.

He apologized in an annoyed and slightly disappointed voice and began to walk away sulking. Sooki, you brat… just way till I get my hands on you … he began to think to himself as he walked. As he walked he began to realize that what he just did was not what he would have typically done to people who trespassed. “ Hey .. wait.. why did I apologize to that girl just now? Its my field!!” Pretty much pissed off,Jae Joong turns around and heads back towards the girl. But before he could start yelling, the girl turned around and Jae Joong froze like a statue.. his moth dropped open.

It was none other than Sook Shin, he had just not recognized her. Sook Shin, as always with a huge bunch of sunflowers looked at Jae Joong with a smile but also with slight confusion as to why Jae Joong froze and looked that way. She started to look around to see if anything was different that Jae Joong would react that way, but finally realized what was the cause. She smiled and skipped towards Jae Joong stopping a few steps infront of him. Jae Joong, still frozen in shock followed Sook Shin with his eyes and watched as she twirled around.

Sook Shin like Jae Joong was dressed for school as well. Along with glasses that Jae Joong had never seen her wear before, she for the first time since they met wore her hair down with two ponytails tied with red ribbon and a sunflower pin at the center of the bow. Sook Shin word the same white uniform shirt as Jae Joong but instead of a red tie, she wore a red bow. Her red pleated skirt flowed with the breeze as she continued to twirl around. Indeed this was the first time in the 2 years they had known each other that he had seen his Sunflower Girl as a girl. He had seen her as a fighter, tomboy, even as hamtaro, but never like this before. At this moment he didn’t see her as a tomboy friend but as a pretty girl.

Sook Shin stopped dancing and stared deeply into his eyes. Pearls of sweat began to run down Jae Joong’s face and he gazed back at her, his heart began to beat faster as Sook Shin began to inch her way closer towards him. Jae Joong’s eyes began to focus on her lips as she made her way closer. He could begin to smell the scent of sunflowers and jasmine, a scent that made his heart beat fast than before. Sook Shin loves Jasmine and Sunflowers that she would always have some around her so now wherever she goes, the scent of sunflowers and jasmine followed. Jae Joong began to reflect back at what he had seen the night before.. Noona #8 and her wimp boyfriend outside of the house. Bae and Min had stared into eachother’s eyes, then Min began to make his move in closer to Bae, her closing her eyes and finally the kiss.

Picturing this in his mind, Jae Joong’s heart pound faster as if it were going to leap out of his chest. Now he could hear her breathing, she had gotten so close and the scent of Jasmine and sunflowers enveloped him. In his mind he equated this situation to what had happened to his sister the night before so he braced himself and slowly leaned toward Sook Shin, ready to accept her kiss. Seeing this reaction, Sook Shin grinned at Jae Joong unknowingly leaving himself open for her games and softly whispered, “ Jae Joong oppa…”

Jae Joong either caught up in the moment or the visions running in his own mind, with his eyes still closed said, “…Sooki…”

Sook Shin holding in her laughter took a step to the side when Jae Joong leaned out as far as he could thinking his lips would meet hers but instead fell head first to the ground into the grass.

Sook Shin giggled and kneeled down to help Jae Joong up. As she helped him up and started brushing off the grass from his shirt, she placed her left hand on his shoulder and leaned towards his ear once again whispering to him, “Jae Joong oppa… do you know want suki means… in Japanese….”

“umm…. “ Jae Joong said as he continued to sweat.

“It means ‘like’ or ‘love’…. Jae Joong oppa … suki desu… I like you… do you like me?”

Hearing this Jae Joong’s heart beated faster than ever before as he nervously tried to reply, “ umm… like… ummm… you…I…”

But before he could form a complete sentence, Jae Joong received a blow to the head.
“Babo!!!! You pervert!!! Hahahaha!!!!” Sook Shin yelled after hitting her oppa over the head with the bunch of sunflowers she had picked.

Sook Shin fell to the ground laughing as Jae Joong glared at her with an annoyed and slightly angered look.
“Why you little…” he said as he raised his book bag up high to throw at her.

Noticing he was really mad and not just play mad, Sook Shin jumped up from the ground, grabbed his left arm tightly hugging it and with her sure fire “you can’t be mad at me “ teary puppy dog eye look she said, “Oppa… I’m sorry… please don’t be mad…I couldn’t help it…” then like an eagle scout she raised her right hand, “ I promise that I will never do that to oppa again…”

She turned to Jae Joong with teary eyes, “ Please… please.. don’t be mad…”

“…”

“Oppa.. how could you be mad at me when I look so darn cute!!!” she said pouting as she cuddled his arm.

Why does she seem so cute right now?!?!? Jae Joong thinks to himself as he tries to avoid looking at her in attempts to maintain his cold aura to no avail. As a last ditch effort to not lose his cool and fall into her cuteness, Jae Joong puts on an angry face and grabs her hand and forcefully removes it from his arm.
Sook Shin looked blankly at him not understanding his reaction… for the last 2 yrs they had playfully joked around with one another playing tricks, sharing stories, and never once did Jae Joong ever act like this.

“ Cute?!?!? Sure you are sooooooo cutttttttteeeee….. sooooo cutteeeeeee that I think I love you !!!.... Sure Sooki….. (laughs) don’t be so full of yourself!!! I don’t love you… I don’t even like you !!! The only reason why I come and see you here everyday and do things with you is because its better than sticking around and following orders from my mom and older sisters… you are just a toy I play with when I’m bored.. get it!!!” he said coldly to Sook Shin who seemed to be on the verge of tears.

After he said that, to not break his cover he quickly turned away and bit his lip… in honesty he really did mean what he said about him being in love with her, but he just couldn’t say it to her truthfully because he didn’t know how tell her without looking like a fool. Now he could only wonder if he had taken it too far with his words because usually after his reaction Sook Shin would jump in laughing and acting like nothing was wrong and begin one of her random adventures once again, but this time it wasn’t. Instead of hearing her laughter and receiving a hug from her, something hit him in the back.

He turned around to see that he had been hit with the sunflowers Sook Shin had picked, he looked up and saw tears streaming down Sook Shin’s face as she picked up her book bag, “ … those flowers… I picked them so we could give them to our new classmates… so we could make more friends… so everyone would get a chance to see the Jae Joong I know… but I guess… it was all a game for you….”

Jae Joong couldn’t believe that his words had hurt her so much, he took a step forward towards her with his hand reaching towards her but Sook Shin took a step back away from his grasp, “Oppa… for 2 years … these past two years… you may have not been genuine … honest with your feelings, but me… everything I said , did was from my heart… I really did believe that fate had sent me a special friend I could share everything with…. But I guess I was wrong…”

“Sooki…I…” Jae Joong said sadly, but before he could finish his sentence, Sook Shin still in tears took off running into the field.

“Sooki!!! Wait!! I didn’t…” he began to yell as he tried to catch up with her, but it was too late, she had cleared through the field and looked from the hill down at Jae Joong. With tears in her eyes she gave a final wave, turned and with her head down walked away.

“Sooki!!!.... Sooki!!!” Jae Joong yelled out, but Sook Shin did not respond.

“Sooki…I didn’t mean it…. I’m sorry….”he said faintly as he slowly dropped his head down and headed back to where he had ran to her earlier.

He looked at all the flowers that laid on the ground and pictured Sook Shin crying.. What have I done…My only friend… Sooki… I’m sorry he sadly thought to himself as he began to pick up the flowers on the ground remembering what she had said so long ago Little Girl… even flowers that cant be sold have a purpose… in their own way, they can make others days brighter

While gathering flowers he noticed a red stone… it was one of the stones that had brought the two of them together. Sook Shin always had hers with her at all times and though Jae Joong didn’t want to admit it .. he kept his with him too.

Now feeling worse than ever, Jae Joong put the stone in his pocket and with the sunflowers in hand slowly walked up the hill, looked towards the direction of their school and then headed home.
When he got home, his sisters and parents asked what was wrong but Jae Joong just ignored them and headed toward his room.

“What’s wrong Jae Joong?” his father asked as he placed his hand on Jae Joong’s head. They waited for a response, but Jae Joong didn’t give one, with his head still down he remained silent.

“Oh no…. is he sick?? He was fine before he left home..” his mother said as she ran up to him and touched his forehead to check if he had a fever. All his sisters minus Bae went up to him asking him if he was ok.. if he needed to go to the doctor… telling their parents that it was maybe best if he stayed home today..
Bae laughed, “ Can’t you tell that he’s faking it?? He’s just trying to get out of school…”

Bae made her way past her sisters, grabbed Jae Joong and pulled his face up and suddenly she went silent. Jae Joong was crying… he had never let anyone see him cry before… this shocked Bae.

But before she could say anything, Jae Joong took a deep breath, tried his best to sound normal said, “ I’m fine… I just wanted to pick some flowers before going to school, but when I was done I realized that I wouldn’t make it to school on time walking.. so I came home…”

Jae Joong began to walk to his room and without turning back towards his family continued to talk, “I’m going to go put these in my room… father can you drop me off at school afterwards…”

“Yes… Jae Joong… are you ok ?” his father said in a concerned voice.

“I’m fine father… please go start up the car and I’ll be out there in a minute… I don’t want to be any later to school” and with that Jae Joong disappeared into his room. In his room he could still hear his family talking amongst themselves about him. He walked up to his bed and gently placed the flowers on the mattress. He reached for a piece of paper under his pillow, pulled it out and began to stare at it.. It was a picture of him and Sook Shin, her arms around him, both in hamtaro costumes and smiling.

He turned the picture over and read what was written on the back:

ISee oppa the Jae Jae in this picture is the real you… why do you have to hide it from the world…why do you have to pretend to be so mean??? Is it to protect yourself?? From now on Sooki will protect you !! So let this oppa out ok?? If not… I might just have to beat him out !!! ^^v Love your little Sunflower Girl


Jae Joong wanted to cry more but knew that he had to go to school, so he wiped his tears from his face, placed the picture back underneath the pillow and walked out to the car. His father seeing that Jae Joong was not in the mood to talk left him allow and during the car ride could only wonder what was going on in his young son’s mind.

Jae Joong could only think about how he was to face Sook Shin…how to make up with Sook Shin and more importantly how to apologize for hurting her. When they arrived to the school Jae Joong got out of the car and walked into the school not saying a word to his father. This concerned his father, but his father knew that when Jae Joong wanted to tell him he would.. so he reluctantly drove away.

Jae Joong made his way to class, knocked on the door and went in. The teacher who was in the middle of writing down the school rules on the board stopped and looked at Jae Joong, “You must be Kim Jae Joong… since it’s the first day.. I wont punish you for being late but make sure this is the first and last time ok .”
“Yes teacher… I am sorry” he said as he bowed to the teacher.

“Well introduce yourself to the class…” the teacher turned towards the class, “Students please welcome another one of your classmates..”

Jae Joong bowed, “Hello, I am Kim Jae Joong”

The room went silent, “Kim Jae Joong… tell us something about yourself?” the teacher said, but Jae Joong just stood there with his head down, “ummm ok … Well class let’s begin going over the school rules shall we… which young Kim Jae Joong is in many violations of.”

The room broke out into laughter and the sudden silence when Jae Joong shot a cold glare at them.
“Ok ok … Kim Jae Joong please go take your seat next Han Sook Shin near the window please so we can start with today’s lesson” the teacher said as he pointed in the direction of Jae Joong’s seat.

Jae Joong slowly walked towards the desk and his and Sook Shin’s eyes met. Jae Joong could feel his heart pound hard and heavy. He began to open his mouth to apologize but Sook Shin looked away ignoring him. Jae Joong took his seat and continued to look at her. Sook Shin did not react and continued to stare forward attentively to the teacher’s instructions. Seeing this cold reaction to him from Sook Shin, Jae Joong looked down and even though the two were so close reality… they never seemed so distant as they did right now.



That day you showed me how much it hurt to have someone be cold towards you… Was this how I was…? Am I still like that... no... because you changed me.. showing me that letting out my emotions... being honest with mysef.. makes me who I am... I am sorry that I said those mean things to you that day… I didn’t know that it would hurt you so much… In that moment… I lost the only friend I ever had… the only person who seemed to understand me outside of my family…At that moment all I could think of was how to get you back and never let you go again…
Now seven years later.. the one that loves and cherishes you more than anything in the world will have to let go and lose you… his best friend… my best friend… my love...

Chapter 05

“Aww look at our Joongie!!! He’s so cute in that uniform!! Are you sure you don’t want all of us to take you to school … we want to see you on your first day of middle school. Aww our baby is growing up…” all eight of his sisters scream as they all rushed toward him hugging, pinching his cheek, and kissing him. Jae Joong, not wanting any part of this glared at them to no avail and was drawn into the center of his noona huddle. He tries to crawl out and break through the barrier formed by his older sisters but their combined powers kept him at bay and defenseless to the onslaught of his sisters.

“Ummah!!! Appah!!! Help!!!! Noonas!!! Let me go!!! I’m not a baby anymore!!! I’m going to be late to school … I need to go !!!” Jae Joong said as he pushed away his noonas’ hands just enough to jump up and down to try to get his parents attention.

Unbeknownst to Jae Joong, his parents were watching the entire time from when he stepped out of his room to when the swarm attacked. His mother giggled as she prepared breakfast for the family. It took all her will power not to join her daughters, she could not help it, Jae Joong just looked to adorable in his khaki shorts, white short sleeve button up shirt, red tie with his glasses on.

His father wanted to stop the chaos but decided not because it was their only boy, and the baby of the family too.. so everyone would be emotional too.. he guessed as he hid behind the newspaper laughing. After about 5 minutes of Jae Joong’s pleas for help his father decided to take pity on Jae Joong, put the newspaper down and said, “ Hey girls… we all know how ahem… handsome our Jae Joong is right now, but we need to leave him in one piece so he can charm his classmates at school. Now stop playing with your brother and all of you come help your mother set up the table for breakfast..” as he walked towards Jae Joong breaking through the noona blockade and placed his hands on Jae Joong’s shoulder.

He gave all 8 of his daughters a stern look, the girls began to pout but all of the sudden their facial expression turned to anger. And what was the source of the sudden change of emotion…his father looked down at Jae Joong and sighed. Jae Joong now free from his sisters went back to his usual self of mimicking and this time he mimicked his sisters reaction to their father’s command.. of course adding a little bit here and there to make it entertaining … well at least to him.

“Why you little!!” Bae said as she lifted her right hand as if she wanted to leap over and smack him.

“Bae… he’s just playing around… now go on its getting late.. we don’t want Jae Joong to be late on his first day” their father said as he looked at both Jae Joong and Bae to stop.

Bae lowered her hand, stomped her feet, turned around and began walking with the other sisters to the kitchen but abruptly stopped and turned around glaring at Jae Joong who until then was still mimicking his noonas, “ This isn’t over yet Joongie… we’ll let you go for now, but just you wait til you get home… muwhahahahah” But Jae Joong ignored her threat and stuck his tongue out at her while waving his hands back and forth taunting her, Bae now more angered than ever sticks her tongue out at him and pulls back her lips making a stupid face at him before walking into the kitchen.

After all his noonas disappeared into the kitchen, picked up his book bag and turned to his father, bowing to him.

“ Thank you father for saving me from those crazy old ladies..” he said as he shot an evil glare directed towards the kitchen, “I think they wanted to kill me..like a herd of rabid dogs..”

“Now Jae Joong, that is not the way to talk about your noonas… you know they didn’t want to hurt you.. they were just over excited is all.” His father said as he began to search his pockets for something.

“I know, but still, over excited people still hurt… anyways I’m going to go now.. I don’t want to be late to school, bye father”

“Wait on a minute… Your school doesn’t start for another hour.. so there isn’t a rush… go eat something.. your mother made all your favorite spicy foods for breakfast.. go eat or you might her feelings. It will only be a minute, I’m sure you will still make it to school on time.”
“I really can’t father. I have to go somewhere … first… before heading to school.” Jae Joong said nervously.

“Oh… where is this somewhere…” his father said smiling as he sat down on the sofa.

“Umm.. no where really… just somewhere I need to go to… so I’m going now ok.. bye” he quickly said trying to make a hasty escape.

”Well then take this ok.. your lunch money”’ said his father as he got up and placed the money in Jae Joong’s bag. Curious as to how much was given to him, Jae Joong opened his bag and pulled out the money.. Jae Joong reached into his bag and pulled out the money shocked.

“Why so much father? This is enough to feed me fore 2 days…”

“Correction… my son, it is just enough for you and your friend that you’ve met with at the sunflower field everyday for the two years…Sunflower girl.. isn’t that what you call her?”

“What!!!” Jae Joong said falling to the ground dumbfounded at his father’s comment. “Umm I have no idea what you are talking about… I don’t have any friends… only punching bags and especially not girls… and why would I go the sunflower fields everyday??? I hate that place… mother always makes me go with her…”

Jae Joong continues his excuses as his face got redder and redder with embarrassment. Seeing his son like this amused his father. His father got up from the couch, went to his son and placed his hand on Jae Joong’s head, “ It’s alright Jae Joong... there is nothing wrong with having a friend.. you know that you don’t have to pretend to be a cold mysterious person around family. And you should know that there is nothing you can hide from your father ok heheh.”

“Father… she’s just a violent girl that comes and steals our flowers everyday and fights with me… she’s not my friend”

“Oh really… hhahah well at least I know that she can handle you hahahah”’ as he laughed he noticed his son’s expression, “ sheesh why can’t you take a joke like your old dad huh… we laugh at your jokes … ok ok I won’t bother you anymore. Go.. have fun at school with your friend ok and please don’t beat up any of your classmates ok ??”

“Ok father… thanks for the money” Jae Joong puts on his book bag, bows and begins to walk towards the front door.

“GOODBYE JAE JOONG HAVE FUN AT SCHOOL OK !!!” his father said loudly as Jae Joong grabbed the doorknob.

“Dang it!!! I know you did that on purpose father... BYE EVERYONE I’M OFF TO SCHOOL” Jae Joong said as he ran off just before his mother and 8 sisters ran out to the living room.

“Wait.. Jae Joong…. Dear will he be ok?” his mother asked his father.
“Yes of course he will be, he isn’t our baby son anymore.. he’s growing up to be a fine young man.” His father said trying to comfort Jae Joong’s mother.

“You talk as if he’s fallen in love or something father… hahahha who would like our mischievous son… anyways he’s only 14 years old … he’s too young to be in love..”

“hahah oh really… we should ask our daughters how old they were then hahahah…”

Upon hearing this revelation his 8 sisters said in unison with disbelief,“What?!?!? Joongie has a girlfriend?!?!?!? “

Jae Joong relieved to be out of the house and away from his sisters merrily ran towards the one place that now always brought him happiness and also brought him his sunflower girl.

I could not believe that even father knew that something about me had changed. Though I was able to hide it from everyone else… my mother, noonas, and at times myself… I was not able to hide the happiness..warmth .. and love I felt from father or more importantly not even from you…

Chapter 04

“ Why are we all the way out here… in the mountains??? Are you taking part in some weird cult ceremony that requires flowers and you in a stupid costume?... If so I’m going to leave!!!” Jae Joong complained as he began to struggle with juggling all the flowers and having to climb up the mountain side.

“ You really are a fool if you think that why Little… heheh I mean Jae Joong oppa. We are almost there come on.. there is still much more for us to do…” Sunflower Girl said as she smiled at Jae Joong, grabbing his hand helping him up.

Jae Joong looked at her exhausted, “What more?!?! I only agreed to help you bring the flowers here… “

“Please… If you decided to help then you should help all the way through… But if you want to leave after you drop off the flowers… its fine .. “ she let go of his hand and put her head down, but even before she could take a step further Jae Joong grabbed her hand, “ I don’t know where you’re taking me so don’t think about leaving me behind. Since I’m already here.. I might as well help you do what ever else you’re doing… it’s almost dark.. I can’t just go home and leave you up here by yourself… you know you are still a girl…even though you don’t act like it”

“You are soo sweet Jae Joong oppa” Sunflower Girl smiled lightly as two held hands and continued to walk forward. She turned away and slyly whispered underneath her breath, “ Heheheh yes!! He fell for it. Babo hhehehee”

“What did you say… hey … do you hear me..?”
“Oh… hahaha nothing I was just saying to myself that I should find a way to thank Jae Joong oppa for helping me….”

“Well you can start by telling me your name…”

“Oh…heheh I forgot… “

“What??? You forgot your own name? How can you forget your own name… I think I should be calling you Babo instead.. of Sunflower Girl..”

“No I didn’t forget my name!!! I forgot that I promised I would tell you my name… It’s” but before she could say it 3 little kids and a man on crutches came to greet them.

“Noona!!! You got them !!!! Let us help you!!” the three little boys said in unison as they ran up to Sunflower Girl. One grabbed the flowers that she was holding while the other two went towards Jae Joong, but backed away.

Noona…. He’s the Demon boy-girl all the kids in that village talk about….Get away from it noona or it’ll kill you … Hyung.. I’m scared” the youngest said as he cowered behind his brother.

Sunflower Girl took a look at Jae Joong who was surrounded by sunflowers and laughed out loud. Jae Joong in return gave her a dirty look and stepped towards the little boys as if to hit them.

“Now boys is that anyway to treat Sook Shin noona’s friend? “ The man on the crutches said to the little boys and then turned to Sook Shin and Jae Joong, “ I’m very sorry for their reaction to you… Sook Shin thank you soo much for helping… with this injury I don’t think I would have been able to do this without. And thank you as well young boy for helping. Kids come and get all the flowers and place them where I showed you ok?”

The three boys lined up and in unison said, “ Yes father.” The two that did not have flowers went up to Jae Joong cautiously, took the flowers and ran off to a nearby house.

Sook Shin went up to the man and gave him a hug and began helping him back up to the house. She turned to Jae Joong, “ Come on!!! There is still more to do… but first lets help Uncle Yuoung back to the house so he can help Yun, Chun, and Jun with the flowers and we can go do the next part of preparations.”

Jae Joong gave her a look and stuck out his tongue, but suddenly changed his expression to cold when he notices Uncle Yuoung was watching and smiling at the site. Jae Joong walked up to Sook Shin and Uncle Yuoung, took Shin Sook’s place beside Uncle Yuoung, bowed and offered his hand to him. Uncle Yuoung smiled and accepted Jae Joong’s hand and the three began to walk to the house.

As they reached the home.. Sook Shin took the lead and directed Jae Joong to the back yard. When he reached the back yard, he could not believe his eyes. So this is why Sook Shin needed all the flowers for… he thought to himself as he watched the 3 boys run around the backyard placing the flowers around. It was as if he was back at his family’s sunflower field. The backyard was filled with sunflowers, there were candles scattered all over the patio flickering back and forth with the wind, but Sook Shin broke his trance and began to yet again drag him away, “ Uncle Yuoung.. you and the boys can finish this and Jae Joong oppa and I will be right back ok… if they show up before we get back send one of the boys to get us… we’ll be at the lake!!!”

Uncle Yuoung nodded and before Jae Joong could bow to him Sook Shin started pulling him, “Hurry!!! Let’s go”

Jae Joong annoyed couldn’t do anything and followed. When they reached the lake, Sook Shin pulled out of backpack she had been wearing two nets and two cloth bags handing one of each to Jae Joong.

“ What are these for?” he said with a confused look. She smiled and point up which confused Jae Joong even more confused and suddenly she jumped up and swung the net and quickly put the net in the bag. Jae Joong watched confusingly, but then noticed something glowing in the bag. He looked up into the sky and realized what they were for.

“Hurry up!!! They’ll be here soon and we have to get back before they do!!” she said as she laughed and began running around swinging her net like wild, “ I bet you I can catch more fireflies than you !!! A demon boy-girl shouldn’t be as quick as a Sunflower Girl!!! Hahahhaa”

“Why you!!! You’re on!!” and he quickly joined in. As they were running around the lake filling their bags with fireflies, Jae Joong constantly looked at Sook Shin wondering to himself how could a person be so cheerful and happy, he couldn’t help but smile and feel happy himself. After awhile they were able to fill up the bags with hundreds of fireflies the tired two decided to rest and sit down at the lake.

“So.. your name is Sook Shin … and this is the reason why you picked so many flowers this time…who are those people?” Jae Joong said.

Sook Shin said as she was trying to catch her breath, “ Yes my name is Sook Shin heheh… its pretty ne, but just keep on calling me Sunflower Girl because its cute and because you gave me that name. hahahha”

“whatever… “ he said as his face slowly began to blush.

“Uncle Yuoung was my mom’s best friend when she was in medical school. And while I was following my mom on her trips to visit homes out of reach of hospitals we came here. Uncle Yuoung had gotten hurt when he went to go get some fire wood…so my mom tended his injury and I watched his kids. So from then on I would come and help out and a few days ago Uncle Yuoung seemed sad so I asked him. He said that today he wanted to plan a special gift for his parents. That today was the day that his mother first met his father in the middle of your family’s sunflower field 50 years ago and started their love story.. They have never forgotten that day and when they were younger they would go back to the field where they first met on this day and promise their love to one another again for another year. But Uncle Yuoung’s mother has been very ill so they have not been able to go for many years.. so he wanted to reinact if for his parents because they cant go down to the fields anymore but they miss it dearly. But because of his injury he could not…”

“ So you decided to help him out..”

“Yes!!! Aren’t I a sweet little girl oppa?”

“heh, sweet isn’t the word I would use…. “

“You are mean!!”

“Ok so I get the flowers… and I get the fireflies.. probably something to do with that day too but why did you have two sets of nets and bags… and why did you pick all those flowers at once when you knew that…” but before he even finished his sentence the look on her face explained it all, “oh so you planned to this all along didn’t you?? Aish… and I fell for it…”

“hhehehe well I knew you came to see me at the field everyday… so I thought you could help me out… all I had to do was be clever about it… heheheh…plus even though you look cold and mean… I knew you were nice and sweet…”

“well you can say whatever now because I’m already here…so it could be lies and it wouldn’t matter.”

“No… I mean it… you are sweet and you should laugh and smile more… because it makes you look more friendly… I see you around the village… how you look sad when the other kids avoid you or when the pick on you… “

“…. I don’t need friends… I’ don’t want friends…“ he said with a solemn look.

“But I want to be your friend…” she pulls out the red stone the pocket of her costume and shows it to Jae Joong, “remember I told you this was good luck.. I said it was good luck because it gave me the opportunity to meet a person like you and be friends with.”

Jae Joong went silent as he looked at Sook Shin who was looking into his eyes.

“Noona!!!! Granpa and Gramma are here !!! Hurry we need to get back” all the sudden Jun rushed in breaking the awkward silence, “ I’ll take the bags.. Noona hurry and get ready.” And as quickly as he came he left.

Sook Shin jumped up and started rustling in her bag and pulled out another hamtaro costume like hers and a paper and handed it Jae Joong, “ Here put this on!! And start memorizing this”

Jae Joong took a look at the costume and the paper and shook his head, “ What!!! Oh noo…. I’m not putting this on… and I’m not singing!!! I don’t know how to sing!!! I don’t want to do this… you cant make me!!”

“Please… Uncle Yuoung’s parents are hear… and you said that you would help all the way… this is the last thing … please ooppa.. you don’t want to disappoint Uncle Yuoung and his parents right?”

Jae Joong paused and thought about it and began putting on the costume, “…… but I can’t .. I don’t know how to sing”

“You’ll do it??!!! I love you!!! It’s ok I can’t sing either but Uncle Yuoung said it was ok because Grandpa couldn’t sing either. Aww you look soo cute!!! Come on lets go!!” and once again hand in hand the two ran back to the house. Sook Shin led him into the middle of the sunflower field they had made and hid among the flowers. Jae Joong could see Jun on one side with a bag and his other brother on the opposite side with the other bag. Yun, the oldest was at the patio with a guitar. Everyone went silent as they heard Uncle Yuoung’s voice along with two others walking towards the backyard.

“Yuoung… where are my grandkids and little Shinnie…” the grandmother said anxiously waiting for a reply.

“Oh Mom and dad… Shinnie took the boys to her house so we could have a quiet dinner to celebrate today.” Uncle Yuoung said without any hint of it being something else.

“hohoho … what is today?... the day your mother fell and broke her hip??? Hahahaha… why are we celebrating that??” his father said jokingly as they slowly made their way to the back yard.

“Chunsuk… how could you not remember what tonight is??? Its been 50 yrs exactly tonight… I can’t believe you forgot”,Yuoung’s mother sad as she hit her husband Chunsuk and began to tear up.

“Bomi don’t cry… I was just joking.. I know what tonight means to the two of us… it’s the night that we first met when I was practicing singing and you came out to complain that I was horrid… the night I knew that I had found the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with .”

“Oh Chunnie…”

“And because tonight is such a special night we prepared something very special for you… Mom, dad… our gift to you to celebrate the night you found love…” as Yuoung said the opened the fence leading to the back and let his parents walk in first.

“WE???” the parents said as they continued forward.

Instantly after they entered Yun, began playing the guitar and as his grandparents they came close enough to see what had been planned, the two looked at one another and in tears embraced each other.

“Are you ready? “ Sook Shin said quietly to Jae Joong. He could not respond though as he had tensed up. Sook Shin seeing this held onto his hand and smiled. Jae Joong looked back at her and as if he had not been nervous at all nodded back..

“Oh.. Yuoung … this is the best… “ but before his mother could say anything futher Sook Shin and Jae Joong rose up from among the flowers and began to sing:

Hyoo~~ bolsso ige myot bonche ilka?
Nan onuldo.. irohge noui jibkaji ogo maraguna

As they were singing, Yuoung walked up to his teary eyed parents and gave them each a Sunflower and led them to a bench surrounded by sunflowers and then he joined Yun on the patio and with another guitar joined in the song.

Norul choum mannan nal sori obshi bamse nunun nerigo
kuthdo obshi chajadunun gidarim sarange shijag iosso
gilmothungie soso nunul majumyo norul gidaridaga oh~
dorasonun ashwiume guriumman sahyodo nan sulphuji anha

Chunsuk looked at the sight and then looked at his wife, suddenly reflecting back on that very night as tears streamed from his eyes. Bomi crying as well and then looked into her husband’s eyes and pulled his face in closer and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. The two embraced as Jae Joong and Sook Shin continued to sing. Though Jae Joong and Sook Shin knew they could not sing, the expressions on Chunsuk and Bomi gave them the strength to continue on singing with all their hearts.

Nun nerigo werobdon bami jinamyon
molliso dullyo onun sebyog jongsori

Jae Joong focused on singing looked down and noticed that he was still holding hands with Sook Shin. He at first wanted to let go but seeing the emotion Sook Shin expressed as she was singing, he smiled and held onto her hand even tighter. Sook Shin took a look at Jae Joong’s smiling face and smiled back, holding on to his hand tighter as well.

Honjamane sarangun sulphojinungora marhaji marayo
gude hyanghan guriumun namane goshinde
weroume gasum aphado gu aphumkaji saranghangoya

As Jae Joong and Sook Shin sang the last line of the song, Jun and Chun slowly released the fireflies filling up the night sky with hundreds of glittering lights. Sook Shin still holding Jae Joong’s hand picks two sunflowers handing one to Jae Joong and leads him out of the “field” towards Chunsuk and Bomi. As they stand before Bomi and Chunsuk… the two hand the couple the two sunflowers and bowed. Unable to control their emotions both Bomi and Chunsuk pull Jae Joong and Sook Shin in and give them huge hugs…

“Thank you so much!!!” Chunsuk and Bomi said in tears, “You don’t know how much this means to us… Thank you… thank you for letting us relive this most touching moment once again…even wearing what I wore that day”

Sook Shin began to cry while still hugging Chunsuk and Chunsuk wiped the tears from her eyes. Jae Joong stood still as Bomi hugged him… this was the first time someone other than his family members hugged him with such warmth and love that he slowly began to hug back.

“Are you only going to hug noona and her friend?? What about us??? We helped too…” the three boys said as they ran to their grandparents.

Bomi and Chunsuk let go of Sook Shin and Jae Joong and hugged their grandkids and Yuoung, “ Thank you … all of you for this…”

Suddenly Sook Shin wiped her face, took Jae Joong and said, “Well our job here is finished. We are happy you liked this and congratulations once again, but it is late and we should be getting home.”

“But can’t you stay Shinnie? It’s too dark for you to go down the mountain by yourself…” Bomi said.

“Its ok… ” Sook Shin says with a smile and then turns to Jae Joong, raising their hand together, “We have flashlights to light the way… its ok … and I have him… so everything will be fine….. “
Jae Joong hearing this couldn’t help but sense a feeling of happiness that he could not describe.. he only could smile..

“Goodnight everyone!!!”, said the two as they bowed and waved goodbye, beginning to make their way back home.

As the two slowly faded into the darkness of the forest, Bomi quietly whispered to Chunsuk as they watched the two young children walk away hand in hand, “ Chunnie… “

“Yes Bomi?” Chunsuk replied he pulled Bomi to shield her from the wind.

“Do you see what I see….”

“You mean those two….”

“Yes…. Don’t they remind you of how two people around 50 years ago found rivaly…. “

“Yes…” he began to lean closer to Bomi’s head.

“Found friendship…”

“Yes… “ as he lightly caressed her hair

“And finally found love….” Bomi said with tears streaming down and a smile on her face..

“Just like how we started our love story… “

Chapter 03

“I wonder if she’s here again?” he said as he began to walk into the field. He noticed rustling in front of him and heard singing. As he stepped closer he realized it was the girl’s voice.. she was there once again picking flowers. Jae Joong quietly moved in closer in preparation to jump out and scare her..

“Little girl .. come out.. I know you are there… “ she said while still picking flowers.

He could not believe that she was able to tell that it was him.

“ How did you know it was me?” he said as he made his way towards her, but when he finally reached her he stopped dead in his tracks and his mouth dropped open.


The girl noticing this waved her hand back and forth in front of him to see if he was still conscious.. “ hey little girl you ok? Hello … anyone in there?..” and still no response.. the girl looked at Jae joong and then gave a sigh, “ I guess I’ll just have to get little girl’s attention then…”

With saying that the girl balled up her fist.. pulled back and dealt a powerfur right jab to Jae joong’s stomach. Jae Joong of course snapped out of his trance couging and crouching over, “ What was that for, Sunflower Girl??? Just because you have brute strength doesn’t mean you should use it against people!!! Cough cough..” he coughed as he attempted to stand up.

“Sunflower Girl? “ she stepped closer to him with a smile on her face, “ Thanks for the cute nickname..“

Jae Joong suddenly felt very nervous and backed away, his voice went high and he began to stutter, “ … umm.. cute… umm.. “ he could not understand what was going on.. he had never felt or behaved this way before. He noticed that Sunflower Girl was staring intently, his facial expression changed one of embarrassment.. his cheeks turned bright red. Sunflower Girl seeing this motioned her hands towards his cheeks and Jae Joong froze, but his eyes continued to focus on her. Drops of sweat began to trickle from his forehead as she touched his cheeks gently.

Their eyes met again and she gave a sweet smile that seemed to calm Jae Joong down, but all of the sudden her touch turned into strong pinches, “ Aww little girl.. you have such bright rosy cheeks!!! Eepota!!! “

Jae Joong screamed in pain and started flailing his arms, Sunflower Girl released her grip laughing uncontrollably. She sarcastically made an expression of remorse but couldn’t keep that expression long before she would break out into laguther again. Jae Joong glared at her as if his stare could pierce her.
Jae Joong rubbed his face, “ are those hands or claws!!! Girls should be more gentle.. you know that!!!”

“Aww hahahah … Did I hurt you again? Sorry… Girls should be more gentle?? Then you Little Girl should practice what you preach as well LOL..” Sunflower Girl replied still laughing, she looked at Jae Joong again and saw that he was really mad and said, “ Ok ok I’ll stop making fun of you Llittle Girl.. Im sorry if I hurt you … here.. “ she pulled out a sunflower from the boquet she placed on the ground and handed it to Jae Joong.

“If were serious about not making fun of me then why are you still calling me Little Girl then… my name is Kim Jae Joong… Jae Joong !! not Little Girl!!! And what is with this… why would I want this??? I have a whole field of em and this one is already wilted…”

Sunflower Girl lowered her head and her expression changed from one of happiness to one of sadness. Two emotions welled up in Jae Joong opposing each other. One emotion was pure gratification that he had been able to best the Sunflower Girl who had made a fool of him before. This was normal for him to feel but the second emotion made him uneasy.. because it seemed to be more powerful that the sense of victory over his rival that he felt. He felt bad that he had caused her to feel down and worried that she would cry or leave.

Still not understanding why he was doing it,, he snatched the sunflower from her, “thanks.”

And with that one word Sunflower Girl’s face lit up again and she began to jump around singing. Jae Joong seeing this , he looked up to the beautiful clear sky and smiled as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He looked down and right in front of him the Sunflower Girl stood in front him… face to face and he quickly changed back to his cold expression.

“Hey Sunflower Girl, why are you in your pajamas? More importantly why od you pajamas look like a animal?? You look like an idiot!!” Jae Joong said in a scolding tone as he turned away from her stare that seemed to go straight through him.

She jumped up and struck a pose with her tongue sticking out and her hands balled up right next to her cheeks mobbing back and forth, “” B-A-B-O!!! These aren’t my pajamas hahahha umm take that back now that I think about it.. I can probably use them as pajamas but anyways this is a costume I made!!! Don’t you know hamtaro? Aren’t I cute?”

Jae Joong trying to keep his cold demeanor refused to look but Sunflower Girl ran into his line of sight and started to wave her hands like crazy and make cute faces, “Come on admit it…. You know I’m cute!!! La la la la la I may not be as cute as you but I’m way more adorkable…“

“Adorkable?!?!?!? Hahahhahahahah and you call me BABO hahahhaha” Jae Joong could not hold back his emotions any longer and broke out into smile and laughter, laughing so hard that he fell to the ground. Sunflower Girl seeing this sight jumped up and down in celebration and then laid down next to Jae Joong who was still laughing.

“Hahaha… Hey Little Girl, I like my nickname Sunflower Gir.l It's a cute nickname you gave me … is it because when you think about sunflowers you think about me too heheheh”

Jae Joong stole a glance at her and then looked up at the sky and coughed, “ Yeah right… Be happy that I call you Sunflower Girl… at least I’m acknowledging that you are a girl and not a monster.”

“And for that Little Girl… I should be grateful??? Hahahah well I call you Little Girl because I acknowledge that you are cute as a little girl heheh”

“Why you!!! I told you my name is Jae Joong. Call me Jae Joong!!!”

“NO!!!! I’ll call you Little Girl!!! It suits you hehehe.. but enough about your name you still haven’t told me why you call me Sunflower Girl”

“You haven’t told me your name yet and I call you Sunflower Girl because you are always here stealing sunflowers from our fields. Do you like sunflowers that much that you come steal them everyday??”

“ Yes I do love sunflowers, and secondly I don’t steal them!!!”

“What do you mean not steal?? Yes you do… admit it !!!”

“No I don’t steal them … I’m doing a favor to you and your family…”

“What favor!!! Don’t try to get out of this I’m not falling for you… “

Sunflower Girl hearing this sat up and looked at him, “ What did you say?”

Jae Joong realizing he had made a slip sat up and looked at her, “ I said I’m not gonna fall for that excuse. How is it a help to my family and how is it not stealing?!?! Don’t try to talk yourself out of this.”

“Ooh… I thought you said… And it is helping your family because I’m basically tending your fields for free… I only pick ones that cant be sold because they are already wilting. Plus its not stealing because every time I come to pick the flowers, you are here and see me doing it but you don’t come and stop me you just look. Being the owner of the field shouldn’t you have said something the first time you saw me doing this? “

Jae Joong surprised at what Sunflower Girl just said could not come up with anything to say and looked embarrassed. Finally regaining his composure he said, “ Well… I was just testing you with the whole stealing thing… I knew you were taking bad flowers anyways that’s the reason why I didn’t stop you all those times…”

“Really… for a whole year you just decided to come and make sure I didn’t take any of the flowers you can sell right? Hehehe”

“THAT”S RIGHT!!!... umm did you think I came everyday to see you ? Don’t be so full of yourself. But why are you in a costume today and why did you pick so many flowers this time? You only usually pick 3 or 4?”

Suddenly Sunflower Girl jumped up, “Aiya !!! I almost forgot” and she started to rush around gathering the flowers she had picked. Jae Joong got up and stared with a look of confusion as Sunflower Girl continued her mad scramble around him. Without noticed she handed an overflowing bunch to Jae Joong.

“Here help me… I can’t carry all of this by myself…” then picking up another bunch and she grabbed his hand and began pulling him through the field.

“ Hey… where are you taking me ? Why do I need to help you huh… hey Sunflower Girl… answer me… stop pulling… “ he said as he struggled to juggle holding all the flowers and trying to break free from Sunflower Girl’s hold.

“Little Girl… please I need your help. I can’t carry all of this by myself and you don’t seem to have anything to do… please… pretty please…” she said with big puppy dog eyes and a pout, but Jae Joong refused to look at her so she stopped and continued to drag him along, “I thought you wanted to know what I was doing with all the flowers and why I’m in this outfit right? Come on!!”

Jae Joong decided to take advantage of the moment, “ Fine I will but only if I get something in return.. heheheh so what do you have to offer?”

“If you come with me and help I’ll stop calling you Little Girl…”

“hmmm… not good enough… “

“I’ll start calling you Jae Joong oppa from now on and stop picking on you … please… I don’t ask for help unless I really need it … please do it as a favor…”

“um…. “

“If you do this for me … umm I’ll tell you my real name!!!” Sunflower Girl said loudly that caused Jae Joong to jump. Since he was interested in her real name and he began to feel sorry for her.. so he quietly nodded. Sunflower Girl’s face lit up and began jumping up and down screaming out of happiness. Jae Joong couldn’t help but smile but suddenly was in shock when out of no where, Sunflower Girl lightly kissed him on the lips.

“Thank you so much!!!! You don’t know how much this means to me!!! Come on let’s go!!” but before he could say or do anything in response.. Sunflower Girl grabbed his hand and began to run through the field.

Jae Joong followed hand in hand smiling… remembering what his sister had said about the meaning of a kiss….

Out of nowhere you stole my first kiss… I don’t know if you did it spontaneously or if you meant it but for me it meant so much more than you could believe. Noona Bae said that a kiss meant that two people wanted to spend the rest of their lives together… and though we were still young and barely knew eachother.. I knew in my heart that you were the one that I wanted to be with for the rest of my life...