Moonlight Walk by JENNY

Moonlight Walk by JENNY*









Moonlight Walk || 00





The first time I saw the moon was when I was seven. At a tender age like that, I

thought it was a big shining ball. Every night I saw it, I'd wait outside with open

arms just to catch it. I guess that's how the habit of taking moonlight walks started.

It's a habit I'm embarrassed and proud of.





Being in a family of eight can really take away a child's privacy. Especially when you

and your mother are the only girls. Brothers are okay. I'd rather have sisters to deal

with though. At least with sisters, I understand their problems. With boys?





I'd rather die than get started with THAT topic.









Moonlight Walk || 01





“EunSung ah, your Umma and I are tired! We are old now and we don't need all this

hassle. I know, you think we're strong and still running, but I've run out of batteries!

You understand don't you? Yes, I know you do. That's why your brothers and sister

will be arriving today.”





EunSung held the phone to his ear, still unable to grasp what his father had just

informed him of. His brothers and sister? Coming..here?





OH HELL NO!





"Appa! You can't send those brats here! I'm busy working and earning money to

keep this apartment running!"

”Don't argue with me young man! It's too late anyhow. They will be arriving at Seoul

Airport at exactly 5:30. DON'T.BE.LATE!”





The phone line clicked and went dead. EunSung slammed the phone onto it's holder.





"Damn parents. I'm too old! I don't need this hassle!" He mimicked his father's voice.

"Too old my as-!"





He angrily grabbed his jacket and keys and walked out the door, not forgetting to

slam it extra hard.









I waited at the gate with me and my brothers' baggages. They had gone looking for

EunSung Oppa.





Seoul. It's been a long time. Even though I was born here, I love my country life far

too much to abandon it for city life.





I looked at the faces of these city people. Serious, blank, mean, stressed out. Was I

going to have wrinkles by the age of 21? What if I get it after living one month here?





..T0T





"SUH.EH.LIM."





I looked up and saw a guy with baggy khakis, a white windbreaker, and a white

beanie. Gangster chains hung from his neck and a large ring was on his left middle

finger.





"EunSung Oppa," I said happily.





Jumping up to embrace him, I ran forward with open arms. Right when I was about

to lean forward and wrap my arms around him, I kissed the hard, cold ground.

.........................................T_________T





I looked up with my flattened face and saw EunSung and the rest of my brothers

laughing. You see how I'm treated? I, Suh EhLim, am given no respect in this family.

They were like Robin Hood and the Merry Men and I was the poor. Instead of helping

me, they throw me onto the ground so I can kiss it with full force.





"Who said you could touch me?" EunSung asked with one eyebrow raised.





I got up and dusted myself, ignoring what he said. Though inside I was really

thinking…









YOU EVIL BASTARD! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU WHEN WE GET HOME! ___0,//________////0o< I’m found!





TaeMin looked up and I saw him grin. No…please keep your mouth shut!





“You were right, she’s in the attic,” TaeMin told the guys.





They all looked up smirking at me. DIE YOU EVIL BROTHERS!





They pulled down the door and seized me like I was a prisoner.





I glared at TaeMin.





“Sorry, they all went through it. It’s only fair you do.” TaeMin shrugged.





“But….I’m a girl!”





“You’re making SangMin wait long enough. You’re lucky you have someone to go

through it with you,” EunSung Oppa grinned.





“You evil monster,” I said, directing it towards DongWook. He looked at me with

wide eyes and then crossed his arms, trying to keep himself calm. “This is your

entire fault,” I said to SangMin. We stood in the center of the living room, which had

been cleared of all furniture.





“I’m not the one to blame! We had to go through it anyways.”





“How can you be so calm?!” I shrieked.





“Because I know they’re going to aim for you more then me.” He smirked.





Oh…that does it. I’m going to get you so bad. I bet he bribed them. -0-;;





They took out the whip cream cans, the confetti, two empty buckets, and a bunch of

sand.

“Since we don’t have a lake and we’re too lazy to drive to the beach, we’ll just fill

these buckets with water,” JungMin explained.





“Oh no,” I groaned.





“Stop being a wuss.” SangMin glared.





I glared back. “At least I didn’t cheat!”





SangMin looked like he was about to burst. I knew he wasn’t all happy with the

initiation either. Who would be when they saw the other initiations, especially

DongWook’s. Boy was that a messy initiation.





“Nuna, Nuna, Nuna!” JaeHyun jumped up and down.





“What?!”





“I hope you’re ready!” He gave me a cheesy grin and held up his camera.





Oh lord, help me!





Without warning, water was splashed onto my face and my whole body. Freezing ice

water. It’s like jumping into the water during the winter but colder. Next came the

sand, which was oh so horrible. I literally became a walking sand person!





“And to top it off!” JaeHyun skipped around spraying whip cream on SangMin and I.

“Lalala!”





“That’s enough you little fart!” SangMin barked.





“Aish, let’s get this over with,” I mumbled. I could see TaeMin trying to hold back his

laughter.





SangMin and I put one arm over each other’s shoulders and smiled for the camera.

Ugh, sand that was mixed with water and whip cream got into my mouth.

“1….2….3!” JaeHyun went picture crazy and snapped pictures of all sorts of angles.





“Stop!” I put my hands in front of my face to protect myself from the flash attacks.





“Give me that.” SangMin yanked the camera from JaeHyun who looked like he was

going to cry. “Take it, I’m going to wash up,” SangMin mumbled.





“WAIT! I GET THE SHOWER FIRST!” I screamed after him.









Moonlight Walk || 86





TaeMin told me he wanted to take me to his aunt’s place for dinner. That meant

going over to YeSeul’s house.





“Don’t worry, they can’t harm you if I’m with you the whole time,” TaeMin assured.





I doubted it. YeSeul was a sneaky person and I know she wouldn’t let an opportunity

like this one slip through her fingers. She had something planned. There’s no doubt

about it.





TaeMin took hold of both of my hands and looked me deep in the eyes. “Trust me.”





I gave him a small smile just to assure him I was fine.





“Did you tell my Oppas?”





“All ready told them. They said to be home by ten.”





I was worried TaeMin’s aunt wouldn’t like me. What if I was too poor? Or…I wasn’t

up to their standards? I’d seen in those dramas of couples being broken apart

because of standards and wealth. It scared me greatly now that I was in their place.

The houses in this neighborhood were big and luxurious. We stopped at one of the

houses. Luscious plants grew on their yard with a huge white marble fountain in the

center. I saw expensive cars parked on the driveway which made me worry even

more. With three huge columns on each side of the doorway, it couldn’t have been

described as anything else but a grand beauty.





*Ding Dong





TaeMin, who was just dressed in casual jeans and a navy long sleeved shirt, looked

at me to see if I was fidgeting. Indeed I was.





“Don’t worry so much.” He smiled.





“This dress is really itchy,” I whined.





He’d forced me into wearing a white halter dress that he’d bought a couple of days

earlier. I disagreed immediately when I saw it. Suh EhLim will wear a dress for no

one. But, then again, TaeMin is my boyfriend, not just anyone.





“But you look beautiful.”





“So? I don’t care what you think! It’s your aunt,” I snapped.





He took my hand and I looked up at the door. I could see a person moving towards it

through the glass window panes.





“TaeMin!” A short, cute woman opened the door and greeted TaeMin with a big hug.





“Ajummuni!” TaeMin greeted in return. “How are you doing?”





“I’m good, I’m good. And is this EhLim?” She turned towards me and looked me from

head to toe.





All I could do was smile politely because my mouth was stuck in that position due to

her overpowering gaze.

“Come in.” Ignoring me, she opened the door wider to reveal a grand winding

staircase made of oak wood.





I stared in awe as TaeMin pulled me deeper into the house.





“YeSeul, YooNa! TaeMin and his girlfriend, EhLim, are here.”





I stiffened and moved closer to TaeMin. YeSeul gave me a wicked smile and YooNa

only glared.





“Watch your back,” YeSeul warned after YooNa shouldered me.





“Dinner is almost ready children, just go sit down,” Ajummoni told us.





“Are you alright?” TaeMin asked as we sat down.





“Err…..I’m fine.”





“Don’t worry. My ajeoshi is more welcoming than my ajumma. YeSeul gets her

attitude from Ajummoni,” TaeMin whispered.





I giggled. “Like mother, like daughter.”





“TaeMin?”





“Ajeoshi!”TaeMin stood up and gave his uncle a manly hug which he returned.





“Ahh, and this must be the beautiful girlfriend I keep hearing about.” TaeMin’s uncle

winked.





I blushed. He was such a nice man.





We all sat down for dinner at the round table. It was TaeMin’s uncle and aunt next to

each other, than TaeMin, Me, YooNa, and YeSeul. I wasn’t even paying attention to

what we were eating because I was too occupied with keeping a close eye on YeSeul

and Yoona. It was bad enough I’m wearing a white dress. To top it off, we were

eating soup. Ack.





TaeMin’s uncle had such an outgoing personality. He was loud but fun at the same

time. His tone of voice told you he was friendly and knew when enough was enough.

TaeMin and he talked all throughout the meal leaving the girls to listen. TaeMin’s

aunt was the one that scared me with her catty eyes that always darted towards me.





“So, how’s school been?” Ajeoshi asked TaeMin.





“It’s been good. Not too many problems now.”





“Good, good. And home?”





I accidentally dropped my spoon. Flinching from the sound of it hitting the hardwood

floor, I immediately got onto all four and looked for it.





“TaeMin, why don’t you ge—“





“She can get it herself,” Ajummoni said. “Just show her the way.”





“It’s ok Ajummoni, I’ll get it for her.”





I wanted to kick myself for being such a klutz.





“Here.” He handed me a new spoon and I gratefully accepted.





I heard YooNa and YeSeul snickering about something. Trying to ignore their

rudeness, I continued to finish eating.





“Make sure you tell EunByul to visit me. I haven’t seen that boy since he was in

diapers!” Ajeoshi exclaimed.





I smiled. Ahh, how that picture popped up into my mind the second he said diapers.

“Is that a couple ring?” Ajeoshi spoke up suddenly.





This caused heads to turn and a clatter of utensils being dropped. I looked up at

YooNa, who looked like she was about to cry. YeSeul and Ajummuni had the same

expression. KILL.





“Let me see it,” Ajeoshi said cheerfully.





TaeMin lifted my hand and his to show the two rings.





“So that was why you asked for money,” he said in realization. TaeMin glared at him

and Ajeoshi put a hand over his mouth. “Sorry. EhLim, you know that he can’t afford

such rings though, right? I mean, he’s a good boy, he even said he’d pay it all back.

Don’t take it the wrong way—“





I cut him off. “It’s okay Ajeoshi. He should know that he doesn’t need to buy things

to show me his love.”





TaeMin smiled back at me.





*Ring Ring





YeSeul was the first to jump up at the ring of the phone. “I’ll get it!”





“I wonder what she’s been up to lately,” Ajeoshi pondered.





“She probably got a new boyfriend. My beautiful baby,” Ajummoni boasted. Then,

once again, she sent me daggers with a message of hate.





If you don’t want me to be here just say so! I wanted to scream.





“Ajummoni, do you think I could stay in one of your rooms tonight? My house is

being reconstructed right now,” TaeMin asked.

“Of course dear.” Ajummoni gave him a toothy grin.





I saw her direct a huge smile towards YooNa, who returned her smile. Something’s

going on.





“Who was it dear?” Ajummoni asked YeSeul.





“It was just my friend. She wanted some advice on this date,” YeSeul answered with

a huge smile.





I took a sip of my water and looked towards YeSeul, who sent me a smile and then

sent her mother an even bigger smile. God. This tingly feeling in my stomach doesn’t

feel so good. Something’s definitely not right.









Moonlight Walk || 87





We finished our dinner and all left to rest in the family room. No spills, no yelling, no

kicking anybody out yet. So far, so good.





“Now tell me, how many siblings do you have?” Ajeoshi asked me.





“Umm, five siblings.”





“How many girls?”





“None.”





He sat up incredulously. “None? So you have all brothers?”





“Yes, Ajeoshi.”





He laughed. “My, what hell you must go through!”

I smiled. “It is a lot. But, I think I prefer them to sisters.” NOT!





“I grew up with one brother and two sisters. Never, and I’ll repeat, never did I

understand my sisters.” Ajeoshi shook his head.





“Well, since I’m the only girl, they’re always there even when I don’t want them to

be. It’s a strange bond….” I trailed off.





“Umma, YooNa and I are going to bed now,” YeSeul interrupted.





“Alright, goodnight darlings,” Ajummoni waved.





“Goodnight!” They said in unison.





I looked down at my hands. Maybe I’m just paranoid. That’s probably it.





TaeMin stretched his arms and looked at his watch. “Ajeoshi, Ajummoni, I think I’m

going to drop EhLim off now.”





“Why don’t you just let EhLim stay? I mean, it’s just, I still have so many questions!”

Ajeoshi waved excitedly.





I had to grin. He was like an adult sized JaeHyun except he wasn’t cute. -_____-;;

Maybe back in his day! But hey, we have to admit that sometimes, we don’t look

that good.





I could see Ajummoni glaring at Ajeoshi but he was ignoring it. Smiling, I shook my

head. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m going to have to turn it down. My brothers

and I...we have a lot to catch up on,” I said.





“Alright, alright. You two should get going then. It’s getting late and I don’t want my

favorite nephew to get hurt,” Ajeoshi said.





“Ajeoshi, I’m your only nephew,” TaeMin pointed out.

Ajeoshi smiled. “Doesn’t mean I can’t choose whether to like you or not.”





We waved to them and got into the car.





“That went better then I expected,” TaeMin commented.





“I guess.”





“What’s wrong?” He asked me.





“I don’t know. There’s something about YeSeul that’s telling me you shouldn’t stay

over there tonight.”





“I always stay over.”





“You do?” I whipped my head towards him.





“Well….not on the same days YooNa does. This would be the first.”





I bit my lower lip in doubt.





“Don’t worry. She can’t do anything. My room has its own lock so there can’t be any

harm done,” he reassured me.





He parked his car and we walked hand in hand to my apartment.





I looked up happily at the moon. It always seemed to give me that spark I needed to

turn my day around.





“Sometimes I wonder if the moon reflects your light,” TaeMin mused.





“Nuna!”





We watched as JaeHyun walked towards us while dragging the pouting HeWon.

I raised a questioning eyebrow at him but he turned to TaeMin.





“TaeMin Hyung, do you know where the YooNa b*tch lives?” JaeHyun asked.





“Yea, why?”





“I have something I need to give her.” He smirked evilly.





“Suh JaeHyun, you will not step foot in that whore’s house!” HeWon ordered.





He turned around and glared at her. “Don’t you think about telling me it’s not worth

it, because it is. She deserves it!”





“But---You can’t---She’ll---NO!” She stomped furiously.





“What is this all about?” I asked HeWon.





“JaeHyun wants to go to YooNa’s house because she told someone to beat me up,”

she mumbled.





“Why in the world would YooNa tell someone to beat you up?” TaeMin asked, not

believing her.





“Well, I’m YeRin’s….err…’secret keeper’ when she can’t tell things to EhLim. For some

reason, she wants me to tell her the last thing YeRin told me. I told her no and she

got really mad.”





“But….you don’t look hurt.” I inspected her.





“The wonders of make-up.” HeWon grinned.





Ahh….the number of ways to kill your skin.





“Where does she live?!” JaeHyun asked impatiently.

“You’re not going anywhere near them at night!”





“I don’t care! One way or another, I’m going to get her back.” JaeHyun glared.





“Whatever dork.” TaeMin pushed him out of the way and dragged me towards the

apartment leaving a very angered JaeHyun to jump around with HeWon hanging

onto his arm.





“He’s going to be very mad when he comes up.”





“Too bad. He gets it for being gay.”





I slapped TaeMin lightly on his shoulder. “Are you crazy?! He’s the only normal

person out of my brothers beside DongWook!” I then stopped and rethought that.

“Actually, he’s the only cute one.” I nodded my head at my answer.





We stopped in front of my door and TaeMin took both of my hands.





“I’ll come over tomorrow alright? Don’t go anywhere, just stay home.”





I nodded my head and he kissed me on the forehead before watching me go in.









Moonlight Walk || 88





“So, how was it?” EunSung was the first to question me when I entered the

apartment.





“They were pretty nice,” I answered.





“One of them wasn’t,” SangMin said.





“Yea….his aunt,” I sighed.

“It’s okay. I knew one of them was bound to not like you.” JungMin smiled.





-_______________-;; Thanks for the encouragement!





“What’s taking JaeHyun so long?” DongWook whined.





“I don’t know—“





“He’s with HeWon,” I told them as I squished between EunSung and JungMin Oppa.





“Are they going out now?” SangMin questioned.





“I guess.”





I looked at what they were watching. It was that American rabbit. Bugs Bunny was

it? We all watched, not understanding a single thing, as the rabbit said some things

to a hunter who kept shooting the black duck.





“Stupid duck.” EunSung smiled.





“Oppa, do you understand this?!”





“Yea. Remember, I used to study over in America.”





“Oh yea.”





“What’s the duck saying now, Hyung?”





“He’s saying that the rabbit is despicable.”





I watched a bit more before I got bored and decided to go to bed. “Night Oppas!”





“Night.” They all waved at me like hypnotized monkeys.





Dragging my tired body towards my room, I wondered what TaeMin had planned

tomorrow.





“GET HIM, GET HIM, GET HIM!” I heard DongWook cheer.





Silly brothers. Other brothers would be partying or clubbing. Drinking, looking for

girls, all that kind of things. My brothers sit at home watching cartoons.





I sat on my bed looking through my photo album. It feels like forever since I’ve seen

my family so happy looking. Of course, these are all smiles. Behind them, there’s a

different story.





One picture out of the rest caught my eye. It was the one of SeungHyun and me a

few days after my family and I had just moved in next door. The first time I saw him,

I thought he was a dirty pig only because of the dirt on his pants due to crawling

around chasing the tiny animals. I’ll never forget the day he gave me that one

dandelion along with a surprise kiss on the cheek.





*POINK POINK





I looked around. It was that ghost again!





Cautiously, I moved my photo albums to the ground and climbed under my blankets

in hopes of hiding from the ghost. It was just too freaky having this ghost come at

the wrong times.





“EHLIM, YOU BABO, OPEN THE WINDOW!”





I sat up surprised. The….window?





“Hurry!”





I looked up. Oh, yea! The window!





Quickly walking over to it, I unlocked the latch and let EunByul, HanSung, and Puppy

in.

“What are you guys doing here?” I asked them as I walked towards the light switch.





“We were bored.”





-_______- Puppy’s great answer.





HanSung shrugged. “Yea. So, what are you doing?”





“I was about to go to sleep when I was rudely interrupted by some bored idiots!” I

exclaimed.





Puppy pouted. “We’re idiots?”





Don’t you even think about trying it Pak WooMin!





Puppy sat on my bed and bounced up and down while the other two sat on my desk

and chair chatting to each other.





Hello?! I was about to go to sleep!





Ignoring their rudeness, I got under the covers and moved my body as close to the

wall as possible in order to avoid Puppy squishing me. I closed my eyes and was

about to go to sleep when a whisper in my ear caused me to jump.





“EhLimmy?”





“What Puppy?”





“Are you going to sleep now?”





Obviously!





“Yes, I am.”

“Can I sleep too?”





I sat up and looked at him. “What?”





“Can I sleep too?”





“Why don’t you go home and sleep?”





“I wanted to spend time with you.” He fidgeted.





“Come tomorrow and we can spend time.”





“But TaeMin hyung hogs you during the day.” He pouted.





How in the world does this boy think?





“Alright, how about tomorrow, you tell TaeMin that I’m going to spend time with you

for the whole day.”





Puppy looked at me with wide eyes. “He might bite me!”





“What?!”





“He’s really scary when he wants his way. TaeMin Hyung can get really mad and

possessive.”





Thanks for the late warning!





“Err….what do you want to do than?” I asked.





He looked lost for a second. All he did was stare at me, which made me move around

uncomfortably in my spot.





“Let’s eat!” WooMin grinned.

“You’re joking, right?” HanSung asked.





“Nope!”





“You just fcuking wasted my money on kimbap!” HanSung growled.





“Well, half of it didn’t go to waste. I’m sure EunByul Hyung is very full, right?”

WooMin turned to direct his question towards EunByul. He rubbed his stomach and

nodded.





HanSung mumbled under his breath while WooMin kept bothering me to make him

something to eat.





“I can’t cook!”





“Yes, you can!”





“No, I can’t!”





“Yes, you can!”





“No, I can’t!”





“Yes, you can!”





“No, I can’t!”





“No, you can’t!”





“Yes, I can!”





“Alright.” He gave me a huge grin.





The stupid little trickster! Argh….

I got up from my bed and grumpily walked towards the door.





“My brothers are asleep, so don’t make noise!”





“Tell yourself that!”





I suppressed the urge to slam my door and walked into the kitchen to try and make

a midnight snack for that tricky WooMin.









Moonlight Walk || 89





It was a beautiful day with rays of sunlight pouring through my blinds to rest upon

my blanket. The birds chirped happily, hoping to hear a reply from a significant other.

Laughter rang through the air from down below as people walked about with joy and

cheerfulness. It was the perfect day to go outside and enjoy Mother Nature’s gift.





I, on the other hand, am forced to stay in bed. Why? Because my stupid stomach

pains just had to come right when I was talking to EunSung Oppa.





“EhLim, your soup is ready.” JungMin walked in with a tray.





“I told you, soup won’t help!” I exasperated.





“Just eat,” he warned.





I sighed and lazily slump my body towards the tray. It was so unfair the way they

treated me like I was a baby.





“Nuna, Nuna! Come outside with me!” JaeHyun jumped on the bed.





I watched as all the soup on my spoon fell back into the bowl. At this rate, I’ll never

even taste any of it before it splashes onto me!

“SUH JAEHYUN!”





“HeWon!” JaeHyun shrieked. He ran into my closet and hid.





“Where is that loser, Unnie?” She huffed.





I pointed at the closet. Immediately, she opened the doors to find a smiling JaeHyun.





“SUH JAEHYUN! YOU---!!”





O_____________O









I never knew JaeHyun had the guts to kiss HeWon while she was yelling at him.





JaeHyun pulled back and smiled as he watched HeWon’s reaction.









This girl takes too long to react. It was as though she was frozen stiff.





“Hello? Yook HeWon?” JaeHyun waved his hand in front of her face.





“OH MY GOD!” She suddenly burst.





JaeHyun fell back and looked up at her with big round eyes.





“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? DON’T YOU KNOW NEVER TO INTERRUPT A GIRL

WHEN SHE’S TRYING TO LECTURE YOU??!!” She roared.





What in the world……where does it say never to interrupt a girl when she’s lecturing

a guy? I must find out more about these ‘girl rules’ that just pop out of nowhere.





“H-HeWon, calm down,” JaeHyun stuttered.





She breathed heavily. If I wasn’t looking at her back, I know I’d be out of this room.

JaeHyun looked like he was going to cry from fear.





“DON’T YOU TELL ME TO CALM DOWN! YOU RUDE, CRAZY, IMPOLITE—“





Once again, her lecturing was cut off by JaeHyun’s hug.





“I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I won’t ever interrupt you again.”









Aww! It was like watching a drama! I dramatically started to wipe pretend tears and

clapped.





“That was beautiful.” I laughed.





JaeHyun winked and led HeWon out of the room.





“You fcuktard!” I heard a familiar yell in the living room.





I tried to stretch my neck to peek out the door, but of course, I’m not a giraffe so it’s

most unlikely I could’ve even reached the door.





“Who told you to get sick huh?!” YeRin came in and gave me that I-care-so-I’m-

going-to-b*tch-at-you-for-an-hour.





“YeRinnnn,” I whined. “Tell my brothers I’m fine! It was just a small stomach pain.”





Oh no, here we go. I watched as the tough YeRin started bawling her eyes out in

front of me.





“You stupid b*tch! You’re supposed to stay healthy! The doctor told you three

months. Told us three months. You can’t keep doing this to yourself. Why won’t you

let us help?! You’re so selfish. So fcuking selfish. I can’t believe I’m friends with you.

You freaking babo!” She screamed as she cried. I looked at her incredulously. Why

was the famous Lee YeRin breaking down in front of me?

“YeRin ah, I’m not going to die—“





“Yes, you fcuking are!”





“NO, I’M NOT!” I screamed back.





She abruptly stopped her tears and looked up at me with doubting eyes.





“I refuse to die,” I said stubbornly while glaring at her. “You’re such a babo YeRin! I

told you, I’m not dieing and I won’t! I’ve always kept my fcuking promises and all of

a sudden, you come in here yelling at me saying I’m going to die just because I got

stomach pains?! It could be fcuking PMS cramps damn it!” I yelled.





She sniffled while I yelled at her. Every time I brought up the word ‘die’ she would

look down and hold back her tears by biting on her lower lip.





“I’m not going to make my life end like those dramas! I’m not dieing, I’m going on a

long term journey. So don’t you EVER come to me again and mention the word ‘die’

in front of me!”





YeRin suddenly stood up and glared at me. “You know what?”





“What?!”





“You’re in denial.”





It was then that something just knocked on my brain and woke me up. I was really

dieing.





“N-No I’m not.” I looked away.





“EhLim. Suh EhLim, look at me.”





I looked up at her.

“We’ve been best friends since forever, no matter how long you’ve been away. You

think I wouldn’t know you by now? You need to face the truth. Didn’t you ever hear

the phrase, the truth hurts?”





Tears filled my eyes and I felt my breaths coming in short. So this was what it’s like.

To know you only had a limited amount of time to live.





“YeRin,” I whispered.





“What?”





“I don’t want to die.”





We both burst into tears. That afternoon, our friendship became stronger because of

YeRin’s persistence. All because she cared.









Moonlight Walk || 90





“I have no clue what you two think you’re doing sitting in the middle of the room

crying together, but you’ve got to stop.” SangMin glared. “It’s getting on my nerves.

This apartment is already depressed enough. Stop adding to the depression.”





That was SangMin’s way of saying ‘Why did god choose us?‘.





“Sorry I’m late,” TaeMin apologized as he stepped through the door. “It was just –

wait, were you crying?!” He rushed over to me and held my hands while asking me

multiple questions.





“These two were just crying over EhLim’s departure,” SangMin said. I knew he didn’t

want to say the word death. Or anything related to that word.





TaeMin gave me a hug and stroked my hair. I was grateful for it. He knew just the

right things to do to cheer me up.

“So, where are we going today?” I asked him.





“I was thinking about—“





“She’s not going anywhere today,” DongWook informed.





“Why?”





“She got those stomach pains again.”





TaeMin’s eyes filled with worry. “Shouldn’t she go to the hospital? Call the doctor?

Get some help?!”





“I’m fine, it always happens. I’m not going to—“





“Don’t say it,” SangMin said through gritted teeth.





I pursed my lips together. SangMin ah…I know you’re hurting. If only I wasn’t so

close to you.





“Alright, you can go….”





I smiled brightly.





“To school.”





My smile turned upside down and I whined. “School?! Oppa, I’m sick.” I faked a

cough.





“Then you can’t go out.”





Oh my gosh. These guys are impossible.





“Fine,” I huffed.

“I’ll go too, I guess.” TaeMin shrugged. He’s been skipping too much. If he keeps it

up, I’m afraid he’s going to be kept back a grade!





“TaeMin ah, why haven’t you been going to school lately?!” I scolded.





“Every second is precious,” was his only response.





“….”





I looked away and grabbed my uniform with me into the bathroom. Looking into the

mirror, I saw a stranger staring back at me. Pale and skinny. I’d lost a lot of weight.

My eyes had bags under them not to mention they were puffy from the crying. My

nose had a tint of red because of all the sniffling. I felt weak and people who saw me

could probably tell I was weak. It was like my body just kept getting thinner.





I buttoned the last button on my shirt and opened the door. TaeMin stood before me

in his uniform instead of his casual wear. I blinked. “When did you change?!”





“Just now.”





Boy, if he told EunSung Oppa that, he’d cremate TaeMin.





“Hurry, or we’ll be late.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me out the door. I grabbed

my bag when we past it.





“Bye Oppas!” I yelled.





We got into the car and rode off but stopped abruptly because of YeRin’s yell.





“What?” TaeMin asked annoyed.





“You’re forgetting about me!” She put her hands on her hips.





“Hurry up and get in than!”

We zoomed towards the school and arrived there just in time.





“Wait….how did your brothers get here so quickly?” YeRin asked.





I looked up to see them all hanging around in the front of the school. Those as-es!

They made me rush here when they could’ve gotten me here faster!





“SangMin Oppa!” I called as I walked closer.





He glared. “Keep your voice down! I don’t want people knowing we’re related!”





Typical SangMin. When it comes to school, he forgets everything. INCLUDING his

sick sister!





“Chi, thanks for remembering me!”





“You had TaeMin driving you here.”





“What if I was late?!”





“You can get beat.”





My jaw dropped wide open.





“Close your mouth, the fly’s going to choke you,” DongWook said.





I did exactly that and glared at them.





“Nuna! Nuna! Nuna!” JaeHyun jumped up and down.





“Yes, JaeHyun?” I asked sweetly.





“I’m not talking to you!” He dusted off.

Again, I’m thrown to the side.





“YeRin Nuna! Which school does HeWon go to?” He asked with big eyes.





“She goes to Gong Min’s all Girl school.”





He pouted. “Why?! Why all girl school? Why not mixed school?”





“Because I made her attend that school to keep her from creeps like you!” YeRin

retorted.





JaeHyun looked up at her with sad eyes. “Y-You think I’m a creep?”





YeRin’s eyes softened. I knew YeRin would fall victim to JaeHyun’s look!





“YES! YOU ARE A CREEP!” YeRin suddenly burst.





That set JaeHyun into a fit of tears. SangMin ah, you need to teach JaeHyun how to

be a man!





“Suck it up buddy, you need to get to class.” SangMin patted.





We all entered the school building and towards our classrooms.









Moonlight Walk || 90





“I have no clue what you two think you’re doing sitting in the middle of the room

crying together, but you’ve got to stop.” SangMin glared. “It’s getting on my nerves.

This apartment is already depressed enough. Stop adding to the depression.”





That was SangMin’s way of saying ‘Why did god choose us?‘.





“Sorry I’m late,” TaeMin apologized as he stepped through the door. “It was just –

wait, were you crying?!” He rushed over to me and held my hands while asking me

multiple questions.





“These two were just crying over EhLim’s departure,” SangMin said. I knew he didn’t

want to say the word death. Or anything related to that word.





TaeMin gave me a hug and stroked my hair. I was grateful for it. He knew just the

right things to do to cheer me up.





“So, where are we going today?” I asked him.





“I was thinking about—“





“She’s not going anywhere today,” DongWook informed.





“Why?”





“She got those stomach pains again.”





TaeMin’s eyes filled with worry. “Shouldn’t she go to the hospital? Call the doctor?

Get some help?!”





“I’m fine, it always happens. I’m not going to—“





“Don’t say it,” SangMin said through gritted teeth.





I pursed my lips together. SangMin ah…I know you’re hurting. If only I wasn’t so

close to you.





“Alright, you can go….”





I smiled brightly.





“To school.”

My smile turned upside down and I whined. “School?! Oppa, I’m sick.” I faked a

cough.





“Then you can’t go out.”





Oh my gosh. These guys are impossible.





“Fine,” I huffed.





“I’ll go too, I guess.” TaeMin shrugged. He’s been skipping too much. If he keeps it

up, I’m afraid he’s going to be kept back a grade!





“TaeMin ah, why haven’t you been going to school lately?!” I scolded.





“Every second is precious,” was his only response.





“….”





I looked away and grabbed my uniform with me into the bathroom. Looking into the

mirror, I saw a stranger staring back at me. Pale and skinny. I’d lost a lot of weight.

My eyes had bags under them not to mention they were puffy from the crying. My

nose had a tint of red because of all the sniffling. I felt weak and people who saw me

could probably tell I was weak. It was like my body just kept getting thinner.





I buttoned the last button on my shirt and opened the door. TaeMin stood before me

in his uniform instead of his casual wear. I blinked. “When did you change?!”





“Just now.”





Boy, if he told EunSung Oppa that, he’d cremate TaeMin.





“Hurry, or we’ll be late.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me out the door. I grabbed

my bag when we past it.





“Bye Oppas!” I yelled.

We got into the car and rode off but stopped abruptly because of YeRin’s yell.





“What?” TaeMin asked annoyed.





“You’re forgetting about me!” She put her hands on her hips.





“Hurry up and get in than!”





We zoomed towards the school and arrived there just in time.





“Wait….how did your brothers get here so quickly?” YeRin asked.





I looked up to see them all hanging around in the front of the school. Those as-es!

They made me rush here when they could’ve gotten me here faster!





“SangMin Oppa!” I called as I walked closer.





He glared. “Keep your voice down! I don’t want people knowing we’re related!”





Typical SangMin. When it comes to school, he forgets everything. INCLUDING his

sick sister!





“Chi, thanks for remembering me!”





“You had TaeMin driving you here.”





“What if I was late?!”





“You can get beat.”





My jaw dropped wide open.





“Close your mouth, the fly’s going to choke you,” DongWook said.

I did exactly that and glared at them.





“Nuna! Nuna! Nuna!” JaeHyun jumped up and down.





“Yes, JaeHyun?” I asked sweetly.





“I’m not talking to you!” He dusted off.





Again, I’m thrown to the side.





“YeRin Nuna! Which school does HeWon go to?” He asked with big eyes.





“She goes to Gong Min’s all Girl school.”





He pouted. “Why?! Why all girl school? Why not mixed school?”





“Because I made her attend that school to keep her from creeps like you!” YeRin

retorted.





JaeHyun looked up at her with sad eyes. “Y-You think I’m a creep?”





YeRin’s eyes softened. I knew YeRin would fall victim to JaeHyun’s look!





“YES! YOU ARE A CREEP!” YeRin suddenly burst.





That set JaeHyun into a fit of tears. SangMin ah, you need to teach JaeHyun how to

be a man!





“Suck it up buddy, you need to get to class.” SangMin patted.





We all entered the school building and towards our classrooms.









Moonlight Walk || 91

“Ms. Suh, it’s been a while,” Mrs. Park said.





“Uhh, yea.”





“Go take your seat. Class is about to begin.”





TaeMin and I sat down at our seats. I tried to avoid YooNa and YeSeul’s gaze. It was

unfair. They were two against one. Completely unfair.





We all copied down the notes on the board as Mrs. Park lectured on and on about

god knows what.





I was, once again, day dreaming while looking out the window. It’s such a distraction.

Something was thrown at my head so I turned around and saw YeSeul smiling

innocently. I glared at her and turned back around, getting back to my work.





The interruptions continued throughout the class. Things were thrown at my head or

my chair was being kicked. Sometimes, my chair would be pushed towards the desk

so suddenly that I would be knocked out of breath.





A note landed on my desk and I opened up the piece of paper and read it.





Go To Hell B*tch.





Now, this note meant something. I knew it the instant I saw ‘Hell’. Someone knew I

was dying and it wasn’t that hard to know who.





I felt a hand on my arm. TaeMin looked at me as if to ask what was on the note. I

shrugged and tried not to let it bother me. Mouthing to him that it was nothing, we

went back to work hoping Mrs. Park’s lectures would be done soon.





*Bring





The bell rang and we all shuffled out of class. I had stuffed all the threatening notes

into my bag once I reached my locker. I also found another note at my locker. This

one bothered me greatly.





Leave him or you’ll regret it.





Now, if this was YeSeul, would she dare to hurt her own cousin? Or even YooNa. She

liked him too much to actually do something to him….right?”





“EhLim,” TaeMin called.





“Yes?” I turned around and hid the note behind my back.





“What did that note say?”





“What note?” I said, playing stupid.





“That note that was flung onto your desk.”





“Oh! THAT note. Umm….it was just YeRin sending me some stupid jokes,” I assured.





“Let me—“





“EhLimmy!” WooMin jumped out of nowhere and brought me into a big hug.





“Hey Puppy.” I smiled.





“What are you doing in school?!” He asked in surprise.





HanSung and EunByul casually strolled towards us with their fan clubs hanging

behind them, whispering and giggling about every little motion they made.





“EhLim? Shouldn’t you be at home?!” HanSung asked.





“Being at home is like being at a cemetery. My Oppas are so depressing.” I rolled my

eyes. “If I stayed home any longer, I swear, I’ll die of boredom.”

“It’s better than dieing of a weak heart,” Puppy whispered in a low voice.





TaeMin growled which shut Puppy up.





The awkwardness in the air was so thick; you’d have to use a butcher knife to cut

through it.





“I’m hungry!” Puppy declared.





Glad that the tension had broken, I nodded in agreement. “Let’s go eat some

Naengmyeon.”





“You just ate you pig!” HanSung, once again, yelled at WooMin about food again.





“I have two stomachs. I only fed one! It’s eating time for the other one,” he declared.





EunByul snorted and walked ahead of us, towards the exit. We followed behind him,

chatting about random things to get our minds off the current situation. To prevent

me from leaving.









Moonlight Walk || 92





“Five Naengmyeons Ajumma!” WooMin shouted.





She nodded and walked away.





“So, as I was saying, we had to go a whole week without a shower!” WooMin’s hands

flew all over the place as he explained his story.





“That was only you,” EunByul objected.





“You smelled the worst Hyung.” Puppy stuck his tongue out at EunByul.

“You smelled like salt water that whole week,” HanSung commented.





“It’s not my fault you broke the water,” WooMin blamed.





HanSung and WooMin sent glares back and forth.





“Enough you two, let’s eat,” I told them.





We ate our noodles before it cooled down. The only sound made throughout our

meal was the slurping of the soup.





“You know, there’s something I find really weird,” WooMin suddenly spoke.





“Everything’s weird to you,” HanSung mumbled.





“No, I mean this is REALLY weird to me.”





EunByul sighed. ‘What is it?”





“Why did God choose EhLimmy?”





For that, he received three extra hard slaps in the back of the head.





“OWW! What was that for?!”





Three more slaps and four deathly glares.





He mumbled to himself that we were just being immature when his actions right

then was immature.





* BeeLeeDeeDa





EunByul picked up his phone and talked on it. I continued eating, ignoring all

distractions.

“EhLim,” EunByul called.





We all looked up. I slowly looked up at him. His expression told me the news was not

going to be good.





“SangMin’s in the hospital.”





That was all I needed to know before I ran out of the restaurant.









Moonlight Walk || 93





“Can’t you drive any faster?!” I yelled. I was just about to push TaeMin out of his

seat and drive myself!





“Look, woman, the traffic isn’t going to let me!” He replied in frustration.





“Then I’ll make it!” I reached over and pressed on the horn. The replies I got from

other drivers were not so pleasant.





“Calm down, I’m sure he’s fine,” HanSung tried to reason.





“Fcuk it,” TaeMin mumbled. He turned the car around and started driving the other

way.





“Where are you going?!” I screeched.





“A shortcut.”





For twenty hellish minutes, I waited. If this is the going away gift God wanted to give

me, it sure isn’t convincing me to feel any better.





“Just stop in front of the bulding!” WooMin shouted.

I jumped out of the car before it even stopped and ran with all my might towards the

front desk.





“Where’s Suh SangMin located?!” I asked in a rushed breath.





The stupid secretary lady slowly looked through the files, taking all her time in the

world. I would’ve strangled her neck if it not been for TaeMin and the guys

surrounding me.





“Room 313,” she finally told us.





I glared at her and rushed past everyone. Suh SangMin, if you got yourself hurt, I’ll

never forgive you.





“NUNA!” JaeHyun shouted.





“How is he? What happened? What did that idiot do now?!” I asked rapidly.





“Suh EhLim, calm down,” EunSung Oppa spoke.





“What happened?!” I asked desperately.





“Go see for yourself.”





I walked into the room and saw surrounded by girls.





“WHAT THE FCUK?!” I yelled.





Pushing through the girls, I stood before SangMin, who had a cast on his left leg.





“What the hell happened?!” I glared.





“Ladies, please excuse us.” He smiled.





The whole flock left and closed the door after them.

“What’s this?” I asked him.





“I tripped.”





“You…tripped?!”





“Yea. So what’s wrong? Why are you all maniac lunatic on me?”





“I-I thought you were hurt!”





“I am.”





“BADLY.”





“Oh, well that must’ve been a misunderstanding.”





“Why didn’t you call my cell phone?”





“Because I didn’t want to talk to you.”





“Why not TaeMin’s than?”





He curled his lip in disgust. “You think I’d want to talk to that bastar-?!”





Old habits really do die hard.





“But EunByul?!” I asked, still in confusion.





‘It was the only other person’s cell number I had. I would’ve called HanSung but I

didn’t have his. And WooMin? I wouldn’t talk to that fcuker if I was paid a millions

dollars.”





For bad mouthing all my precious friends, I shall take revenge!

I banged my fist on his left leg which caused him to howl in pain.





“You idiot!” I continued banging, taking my anger and frustration out on him. “You

made me rush here for no reason! I could’ve enjoyed my Naengmyeon without any

interruptions but no, you decide to trip! I bet it’s over a little rock too!”





“EhLim, stop!” JungMin cried in horror.





“Stupid bastar-!” I shouted after him as they dragged me away.





“I really don’t think he deserved that,” TaeMin told me.





I turned towards him and glared. “I was worried sick about him! And here he is,

surrounded by whores and enjoying their chocolates!”





The girls turned to me and glared. I glared back with equal strength which caused

them to back away.





“Hyung, EhLimmy’s turning into HeWon monster,” JaeHyun whispered.





“Shut up,” I barked.





“EhLim, stop being so mean to JaeHyun. He didn’t do anything to you.” DongWook

glared.





I pouted angrily. I’m still mad. SangMin could’ve been more responsible at least.





“My naengmyeon!” Puppy cried in distress.





“Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s all gone by now.” I sighed.





“It’s your brother’s entire fault.” He sat down next to me and pouted. The two of us

looked silly sitting there and pouting angrily while muttering curses at SangMin.





“WooMin, isn’t HeeJoo in this hospital too?” DongWook asked out of nowhere.

“Yea, so?”





“So?! Why aren’t you worried about her?!”





“She goes here at least twice a month. It’s those damn girls that can’t keep their

hands off her,” he muttered.





DongWook flew to the front desk and asked the number to HeeJoo’s room.





“He really likes her, huh?” I asked WooMin.





He didn’t say anything but got up and followed DongWook. I decided to check how

she was doing. She is Oppa’s girlfriend.









Moonlight Walk || 94





“HeeJoo ah, who did this?”





“It’s no one Oppa.”





“No, those b*tches deserve what’s coming to them. Tell me, who did this,”

DongWook demanded.





The seriousness in his voice shook me. The only other time DongWook had been so

serious was when these girls at school had slapped me because of some

misunderstanding. After DongWook found out, those girls were no where to be seen

again.





“Oppa, I’m fine,” she said softly.





I felt like an eavesdropper but I didn’t want to come in and interrupt their moment.

“EhLim.”





I looked up at SangMin as he walked towards me with his crutches.





“What do you want?” I asked.





He leaned against the wall I was leaning on and looked ahead. “Were you really

worried?”





“No, I wouldn’t be worried after I left my naengmyeon, dodged traffic, ran all the

way here and yelled the whole time,” I said with sarcasm





“Now you know how we feel,” he laughed.





“……”





He could’ve just told me instead of making me worry! Chi, some way to punish me.





“Ms. Suh!”





“Dr. Lee?”





“How are you doing?” He asked in a gentler voice.





“Very good,” I said with confidence. I won’t let him see the weak side of me. I refuse

to be small in this death facility.





“Good, good. You look very healthy. Keep eating your vegetables!” He shouted over

his shoulder before entering a room.





“Why do you do that?” SangMin grunted.





“Do what?” I asked.





“Why do you always cover up the truth?” SangMin furrowed his eyebrows.

“I cover up the truth?”





“Yes, you cover up the truth. You fcuking know you’re not that healthy and yet, you

still pretend.”





I clenched my fist. SangMin, you of all people should know why I cover it up.





“I don’t need to explain.”





“Well, maybe you should, because we might all just think you’re doing it for

attention.”





I glared at him.





“Don’t glare at me. You need to face the truth. I thought YeRin got it through you.”





“I know I’m dying.” I swallowed the annoying saliva.





“Then don’t cover it up like that. I’m tired to having to watch you pretend like life’s

all fun and games. You need to spend more time at hospitals.” he sighed.





“You have no right to say that to me,” I said as my eyes shook.





“And why not?” SangMin glared.





I looked over at him, “You weren’t there. You never went to see the psychiatric those

Saturdays. They never looked at you like you were crazy. They never pitied you.” I

felt my voice cracking while I recited the memories.





“Why didn’t you tell me?” SangMin asked in a hushed whisper.





“Why would I tell you? Why would I tell anyone for that matter? I’m not going to go

through it again. I’m not going to have people think I’m crazy and suicidal,” I cried.

“Yet, at times, I wonder why you seem capable of being so,” SangMin whispered.





“Maybe because she keeps hiding in the dark.” A third voice intruded.





I looked up at TaeMin.





“I’ll leave you two now.” SangMin whistled as he walked away on those crutches.





“Well, are you going to sit down there or are you going to come with us?” He asked

me.





I reluctantly got up and followed him.





“TaeMin ah…”





“What?”





“Would you hate me?”





“Hate you for what?”





“For leaving.”





He stopped abruptly. I stared at his back. He turned around and grabbed the

necklace.





“As long as you wear this, you keep the promise,” he said. Then he turned around

without another word.





I’m sorry, TaeMin ah. Life’s too hard. It’s slipping through my fingers like sand. I feel

the end coming…









Moonlight Walk || 95

“Ok, ok, so here’s how you do it,” YeRin squealed excitedly.





She was teaching me how to corn roll hair. Yes, stupid but she just popped up out of

nowhere and asked me if I wanted to learn it. Even if it’s stupid, if it means spending

more time with YeRin, I’ll do it.





“So it’s sort of like braiding, you see?” She demonstrated on HeWon. I wonder if

those two ever separate.





“Nuna, is HeWon here?!” JaeHyun bounced out of his room. “HEWON!”





“JAEHYUN!”





The two flew towards each other like magnets. YeRin glared at JaeHyun.





“What’s happened to your head?!” JaeHyun screamed. I guess the corn rolls were a

surprise.





“Did YeRin Unnie make it look bad?! “ HeWon rushed towards the bathroom. We

heard a loud scream and then a thump.





“Babo YeRin!” JaeHyun shouted before he went to aid HeWon.





“Stupid jerk,” YeRin mumbled. “I guess teaching you to corn roll isn’t an option now,

is it?”





“Nope. How about we do something else?”





“What do you want to do?”





We sat on the couch and looked at our hands. Don’t know why our hands, but I

guess it was the first thing that came to mind.





“How about we go visit TaeMin and the others?” I suggested.

“Sure, why not.”





We both got up and headed towards the door. “Oppa, I’m going to TaeMin’s!”





“Be back for dinner!”





“I will.”





We both headed out and walked, while we talked, towards TaeMin’s place.





“I hope they’re home. It’d really suck if we walked all this way to see the place

empty.”





“Don’t worry.” I smiled. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a pair of keys. “It was

so random, but they all gave me the keys to their place.”





YeRin’s eyes became as big as the moon.





“You lucky b*tch!” She exclaimed.





I laughed. I knew how much she’d cherish the keys if she was me. Having keys to a

guy’s house was the one thing she wanted. Don’t ask me why, I’m afraid to ask

myself.





“Well, let’s get going then!” She squealed. Grabbing my arm, she pushed me forward

with so much force; I thought I was going to fall flat on my face.





“STOP YERIN! WE PASSED HIS HOUSE!”





“Opps.” She smiled sheepishly.





We walked a bit back before reaching his place.





“Hurry, let’s go inside!”

I glared at her.” What’s so special about his place? I have to ring the doorbell first,

what if they’re busy?”





YeRin rolled her eyes. “Just hurry!”





*Ding Dong





We waited outside patiently. I watched YeRin bouncing out of the corner of my eye,

her patience wearing thin.





“For god’s sake just open the door!” She sighed with frustration.





I finally agreed and stuck the key into the lock. With a quick turn, we were let into

the house.





“TaeMin? You there?”





“IDIOTS?! COME OUT, COME OUT WHERE EVER YOU ARE!” YeRin beckoned.





“They’re not dogs!” I growled.





“They might as well be.”





We went into the rooms one at a time looking for any sign of life.





“I don’t think they’re here,” YeRin stated the obvious.





“Let’s try his cell phone.” I grabbed the phone off the hook and dialed the

unforgettable set of numbers.





“What?”





-______________-;; If I knew he answered his calls like this, I’d have told him to

just sell his phone away.

“Where are you?” I demanded.





“EhLim?!” His tone changed 180 degrees into a surprised tone.





“Duhh, now where are you?”





I heard a lot of music and noises in the background. The laughter grew with each

second and the sound of someone calling TaeMin became so loud, it was the only

thing I heard. YeRin’s voice was completely blocked out. All I heard was what the

person was saying.





“Oppa, who’re you talking to? Oppa, give me the phone. Give it now.”





“Hold on, let me just—“





“No Oppa, give it to me.”





*Click

*Doo Doo Doo





I stared ahead without making any movements to turn off the phone. Now, along

with that annoying tone that kept ringing in my head, all I could think about was the

girl’s voice. It seemed so familiar yet strangely foreign.





“EhLim? What’d he say? Hello?” YeRin impatiently waved her hand in front of my

face.





“I…don’t know.”





“What do you mean?!”





I finally woke from my reverie and turned towards her. “I think he’s at a club.”





YeRin groaned. “At a club?! It could be any club! How the hell are we supposed to

find him??”





“TaeMin told me he only goes to one club.”





“The name?” YeRin looked at me eagerly.





“Club Star.”





“Let’s get going.” YeRin pulled my arm out the door.





My feet followed her without any objections but my mind was a different story. I was

afraid to find out what would happen if I went to the club. I trust TaeMin, I really did.

My heart knew him by soul but my mind was playing illusions again. Anything that

looked suspicious could turn into something bigger than that. Something that’d cost

me my love.









Moonlight Walk || 96





“Club Star please,” YeRin told the taxi driver.





He nodded and sped down the road.





“EhLim, what’s wrong? You’ve been spaced out the whole time after the phone call,”

YeRin asked.





“I’m just….thinking.”





“Don’t think. If you think too hard, that brain of yours will explode.”





Thanks for the reminder!





“Don’t worry, I won’t.” I gave her a weak smile.

As soon as we arrived, YeRin pulled me out of the Taxi and dragged me towards the

club. It seemed strange that she’d want to hurry just to meet TaeMin. I mean, why

was she acting so strangely?





The smell of Soju and the scents of the people surrounded me instantly once I

entered the club. The music, to which the people were dancing to, was on full blast. I

felt dizzy just being in there.





“I see them! Wait…err…let’s go this way.” YeRin suddenly pulled me the other

direction. I looked at her with weak eyes. The heat in here was too much. It was so

suffocating.





“I don’t think we have the right club EhLim.” YeRin smiled nervously.





“YeRin? What’s wrong?”





“N-nothing. Nothing at all. Let’s just go. I’m feeling disgusted. Of the air I mean.”





I turned around to follow her when something caught my eye. At first, I thought it

was another illusion. That my mind only wanted me to see what I thought I saw. But

when I turned to face it with both my eyes, I was proved wrong.





Silence was all that greeted me. The music faded away and everything was blurred

except for him.





I walked towards TaeMin with heavy footsteps, my mind wondering what I did to

deserve so much pain. YeRin’s tugging on my arm didn’t stop me from getting to him.

Once I reached the table, everyone looked up at me with surprise and shock. Of

course. They didn’t want me to know. Why would they want to tell me that my

boyfriend was making out with YooNa, the one girl I loathed to death?





“E-EhLim!” Puppy stood up right away. This caused a chain reaction. EunByul and

HanSung moved towards me including WooMin.





I backed away from them, eyeing them with anger. If they cared so much, they

wouldn’t just sit there and let them do this to me, right?





YooNa was smirking. She smiled widely with victory. Moving closer to him, she

whispered something into his ear.





YeRin didn’t just stand there and watch with tears like I did. She went up to YooNa

and pulled her by the hair causing YooNa to squeal.





“You fcuking b*tch! Oh my fcuking god!” YeRin screeched. “How much sluttier can

you get?! It’s enough that you have to keep pestering EhLim, but to sink this low?

I’m glad you’re alone, because without YeSeul, you really aren’t that strong.”

YeRin glared. She put a foot onto YooNa’s hair and with the other leg, continuously

kicked at her.





I watched in horror as my best friend kicked YooNa in the side like there was no

tomorrow. “YeRin! Stop!” I pulled onto her arm, my tears finally flowing down my

face. I’ve had enough. I’m tired. Sick of this bull sh*t. When I leave, I want

happiness. I don’t want this crap. Every single memory that I had in my mind came

rushing past my mind as I pulled a raging YeRin out of the club. If heaven’s really

what it’s said to be, I’ll gladly die.





“Y-YeRin?” I called out. I stopped as my sight blurred than un-blurred. My head was

dizzy with the lack of air that I felt I wasn’t getting.





“What?!”





“I think—“





Darkness. Silence. It was my first answer.









Moonlight Walk || Explanation on WooMin’s side





TaeMin hyung had called us all out for a drink. We came to Club Star frequently now

because of the depression lurking around. Watching TaeMin hyung get himself drunk

is really hard on us.





Even though EhLimmy means a lot, I think Hyung shouldn’t go so over board with

the drinking and damaging his body. Though, I wish I could also drink myself to

death because of the pain EhLimmy has to go through, I know I shouldn’t. It would

only give away the feelings I have, feelings that could destroy our friendship.





“TaeMin!” HanSung called out, “Stop drinking.”





It was like we were invisible. I could see TaeMin Hyung’s eyes spaced out. It was

coming soon. He was going to start to call for her.





Suddenly, YooNa walked up to us wearing a really short skirt and a belly top. She

had this really malicious smile on her face, like she had done something very right.

Just as EunByul Hyung was about to tell her to go away, YooNa seated herself on

TaeMin Hyung’s lap and kissed him lightly.





I gripped the table, glaring at her head, wishing she would just drop dead.





Then, TaeMin Hyung surprised us all greatly by reacting to her kiss. I didn’t

understand what he was doing. It wasn’t like him to act like so.





“TaeMin!” I called out, trying to get his attention.





He seemed dazed, like he didn’t understand what was going on. Looking at me and

the guys, TaeMin looked back up at YooNa and placed a hand on her cheek lovingly.





“EhLim ah…” he called out softly.





My eyes widened. TaeMin Hyung wasn’t that drunk! The only answer was that YooNa

had slipped some kind of drug into the drinks that were ordered and paid the

waitress to pass those particularly to TaeMin Hyung.





I slammed my hand against the table and was about to get up when HanSung Hyung

pulled me back.





“Don’t force YooNa off of him. Right now, he sees YooNa as EhLim. If we force her off,

he’s going to think we’re hurting EhLim.”





Helpless, I sat down and looked away, unable to watch the scene before me. But, it

only got worst.





In front of us, I could see EhLim and YeRin. My eyes worriedly locked with EhLim’s

pained filled ones. She looked angry at us as the three of us got up.





I could see YooNa spicing her act up by leaning in and whispering into TaeMin

Hyung’s ear, who smiled happily. Clenching my fists, I was about to pull her off when

YeRin pulled YooNa off by her hair.





We all watched as YeRin furiously beat YooNa with her kicks, yelling curses at her

while EhLim tried to stop her. My heart hurt watching EhLim’s tears stream down her

face. TaeMin’s face was filled with confusion. I could see him reaching out a hand

towards EhLim, obviously realizing something wrong with there being two EhLims.





EhLimmy succeeded in pulling YeRin out of the club, leaving YooNa moaning on the

floor and the four of us guys really worried. TaeMin suddenly jumped up and the

worry in his eyes returned the look that we were so used to.





“EHLIM!” He yelled as he jumped over YooNa and ran towards the door.





The three of us ran after TaeMin because of his sudden outburst.









Moonlight Walk || 97





With ten guys and two girls crowded in a single corner, people would have thought it

was a gang. Except for the fact they weren’t dressed in gangster clothing but two of

the guys.

HeWon and JaeHyun sat on a chair, randomly wiping small tears that would

occasionally run down their baby soft cheeks. DongWook and JungMin sat stone still,

their expressions unreadable. SangMin and EunSung had eyes of anger, all pointed

towards TaeMin. WooMin, HanSung, and EunByul stared at the emergency door the

whole time, not knowing what they’d do if the doctor came out with a grim

expression. TaeMin sat with his head in his hands, groaning and angry at himself.





“Someone punch me,” TaeMin said aloud.





“Sure,” SangMin replied. He went forward when another punch cut him off. Looking

up with a surprised expression, he gaped at EunSung. The calmest of the Suh

children had just punched TaeMin.





“I don’t usually punch people, but you really deserved it.” EunSung glared. He went

back to his seat and continued glaring.





The onlookers tried to avoid the teens, thinking they were all mistreated when they

were toddlers.





TaeMin wiped the blood from his bruised lip. He still felt unpunished. What had he

been thinking?





“Why the fcuk were you even at a club?” SangMin’s penetrating gaze gave people

chills. It was a gaze he only gave when he felt uncontrollably angry though he didn’t

look like it.





“…..”





“Well? Are you going to answer or am I going to have to ask YooNa?” He said,

disgust dripping onto his every word.





“We were depressed.” WooMin’s eyes finally left the emergency door and looked

straight into SangMin’s.

“I wasn’t talking to you, now was I?” SangMin glared.





WooMin, having enough of SangMin’s attitude, got up and walked out the door, in

need of fresh air.





Finally, the door opened and the doctor came out with a small smile. Everyone

rushed towards him with the eagerness that it was good news.





“She’s still alive,” Dr. Lee informed. Sighs of relief and happiness were heard

throughout the group. “But, I’m afraid her life span is decreasing so fast, we have to

keep her here. I’m sorry, she might not make it that long.” He sighed.





The dark cloud once again came upon them and they all wanted to fall into a pit of

hell. They watched the nurses push EhLim into her room. Following like little puppies,

they were all crammed into her room where she was sleeping.





“Nuna!” JaeHyun was the first to run up to her. Even though she was still resting, he

wanted to be near her. To feel her warmth near him as long as he could.





“Hyung,” JungMin called EunSung out of the room.





TaeMin’s hands shook. The pain he’d inflicted to her hurt him as much as it hurt her.

He was literally killing her through his actions. It wasn’t helping that she was weak

enough to begin with.





“C-could you all leave?” TaeMin asked quietly. “I need to talk to her.”





“But she’s sleeping,” HeWon objected.





DongWook gave her a look. She agreed but not without giving TaeMin a look of

suspicion.





They closed the door behind them and hoped TaeMin wouldn’t take too long.





--

TaeMin placed a chair on the side of her bed. He reached a hand towards her cheek

but pulled it back, afraid he’d awake her.





His heart felt like it was being pierced by swords. Slowly, one at a time, they each

poked further and further until it reached the other side. Her appearance was so

weak and pale. It looked like she wouldn’t be able to lift her eyelids if she had to.





“Mian hae.” He sighed. How had life become so complicated? Why had such a simple

problem become so hard?





Because it was complicated to begin with.





Dark clouds hung low in the sky with their drops of rain cascading onto the streets

giving TaeMin the feeling of death. The soft pitter patter of the rain was a constant

reminder that her life was coming to an end.





“Why you?” He asked himself. Why did she have to be the one? Could god not help

himself but give TaeMin more pain? After his mother’s death, he didn’t think life

would be so hard. Boy, was he wrong.





He finally gathered up the courage to grab her hand. It felt cold and lifeless. Her

hand was always so warm and welcoming. It made him recheck her pulse over and

over again until he felt satisfied that she was alright.





“TaeMin?” She slowly opened her round eyes and looked up at him.









Moonlight Walk || 98





I looked up at TaeMin seeing him moving around.





“Hey.” He gave me a small smile.

I squirmed around and tried to sit up but he pushed me back down.





“You’re still weak.”





I frowned. This room is white. It smelled of antiseptics and not at all like my room. I

closed my eyes and tried to make it disappear.





“Tell me I’m not in the hospital,” I told him.









No reply.





I opened my eyes and sat up without his consent.





“EhLim ah…Mian Hae.” TaeMin grabbed my hand and quickly apologized.





I looked at him like he was crazy. Why in the world was he apologizing?





“W-what are you doing?” I asked him.





He looked taken aback by my question. “EhLim, are you alright?”





I nodded solemnly.





*Knock knock





TaeMin opened the door and everyone filed into the room, including WooMin, who

had been outside earlier. TaeMin sat back down in his chair, ignoring SangMin’s

dagger-like eyes.





“EhLim!” YeRin rushed forward and enveloped me into a big hug. I weakly patted her

back, having all my energy already drained from before. “Are you alright?! I was so

worried! You should’ve told me you were feeling faint. I mean, I would’ve shut up

already and stopped my whining. There’s still so much I wanted to do with you! W-

why now you b*tch, why?!” She screamed.

I stared at her. “I don’t know.”





My answer was so simple that she probably would’ve blown up in my face if not for

the fact she was in tears by now. DongWook Oppa pulled her away and tried to calm

her down.





“Nuna, here have a LeShing Lollipop.” He threw one into my face which I gladly took.





^^*





I love these things…





“Nuna, do you think god would let you bring these with you?” JaeHyun held out a jar

of LeShing Lollipops. My eyes were about to pop out of its socket. I knew that was

JaeHyun’s secret stash. He’d never give it to anyone. Not even any of us when we

bribed him with all sorts of things.





“I’m pretty sure he will.” I nodded.





“It’s yours then,” he than threw that into my face and stuffed his hands into his

pockets. Poor JaeHyun, being fooled by me, hehe.





“Here, take ten.” I gave him the jar which he gladly accepted.





“EunSung Oppa?” I called.





“Yea?” He looked up at me.





“Could I have some paper and a pen?”





“Why?” He asked confused.





“Just because.”

He suddenly came forward and hugged me. I was in a state of shock. EunSung Oppa

just hugged me!





“Y-y-y--,” SangMin gaped.





EunSung rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish smile. “This is the only

exception.”





“So if I die, will you hug me Oppa?” YeRin asked.





He frowned. “Not really.”





She pouted and glared at him.





“Ok, so remember when you’re up there to give us your blessing!” DongWook

grinned cheekily. He received multiple slaps in the back of his head causing him to

go whimper in the corner.





“Unnie, don’t worry, I’ll watch over JaeHyun for you,” HeWon told me. She still had

traces of tears on her face. Even when she was mourning, she looked so cute.





“EhLimmy!” WooMin’s cheery voice made my spirits lift slightly. The only person I

know who can light up a whole room with his smile.





“Puppy!” I called out, though my voice wasn’t as loud as usual. It was like a whisper

compared to my other times.





He hugged me and whispered into my ear. “Don’t forget us, yea?”





“Of course.”





EunByul and HanSung both stood in front of me.





“Don’t forget to call.” EunByul winked.

Though I couldn’t see HanSung’s eyes, I knew he understood the pain.









One by one, they left the room until there was only TaeMin and SangMin left.





SangMin gave TaeMin a look indicating he wanted to talk to me alone.





Once TaeMin left, SangMin took his seat and looked down at his hands. To be truthful,

I think I’d miss SangMin the most out of all my brothers. We’re like one whole when

we were together. Twins, fraternal or not, always have a bond you can’t break. If

one dies, the other one struggles to survive. It’s like a clown fish and an anemone.

Without the other, they would cease to exist.





“Dongseng,” he started.





I missed that name. He’d never called me that since I was ten.





“Yes, Oppa?” I asked.





I think SangMin’s words were stuck in his throat because when he opened his mouth,

nothing came out.





His eyes were glazed over, which you rarely see in this toughie. I pulled him into a

hug and, for the first time in forever, he cried.









________________________________________________________________





*Download this song is you don't have it. When I say to play, play it: TaeBin - The

Reason I Close My Eyes





Happy Reading :]*

________________________________________________________________





Moonlight Walk || 99

For a week, I’ve been here in this hospital. To do something with my time after their

visits, I’d write letters to each of them with the paper EunSung Oppa got for me.





“EhLim?”





“Come in,” I told them.





“Hey.”





I smiled. TaeMin had been visiting almost every single hour. He just wouldn’t leave.





After our little talk, I’d forgiven him. He had tried to explain to me the reason YooNa

and he were kissing at the club but I hushed him. I’d rather leave it unknown than to

die knowing it.





“Hey! What are you still doing here?” I scolded.





He pouted. “Why can’t I be here?”





“Because you need rest. Look at yourself!”





It was no clue people would look at him like he was crazy. His disheveled look made

him look homeless. The bags under his eyes told me he hadn’t slept for a while. He

also lost weight, which affected me and him dramatically.





“Come here.” I patted my bed.





He reluctantly sat on my small bed and wrapped his arms around me. We stared out

the window at the beautiful day. I wish I could go outside. Just one last time…





TaeMin pulled my hair behind my ear and he rested his head on mine, with his lips

just above my ear. “EhLim.”





“Hmm?”

“Could you promise me something else?”





“What else?” I intended on keeping my last promise. There was no need for him to

doubt it.





“Promise me you’ll wait for me. I know it’s selfish, but will you.” His voice wavered.





I didn’t waste time on hesitation. After my nod, he placed a kiss on my cheek.





“TaeMin?”





“Yea?”





“Can we take a walk tonight?”





He angled his body to look into my face. “But you’re still weak.”





“I’m only getting weaker,” I mumbled.





He slowly nodded and I placed a quick peck on his lips but he pulled my head

forward deepening it.





--





I happily walked out the hospital doors with joy while swinging TaeMin’s entwined

hand with mine.





“Let’s go to the park.” I grinned.





“Let’s not. It’s too far,” he warned.





“Drive to the park than we’ll walk around,” I stubbornly forced.





He sighed and nodded. I got into the car and waited until we arrived at the park.

Looking over at TaeMin, I saw his face filled with worry. I hope he didn’t notice the

trouble in my breathing. I just wanted to spend this moment with him…for the last

time.





“The moon’s so big,” TaeMin exclaimed.





I nodded in agreement. Listening to his voice helped ease my pain as I continued to

walk with him around the lake.





“Let’s sit here,” I suggested.





The clearing was dry and surrounded with all sorts of plants. You could see the lake

clearly because of the lack of plants covering the view. I nestled into TaeMin’s arms

and watched the water as it rippled.





“Do you remember when we first met?” I randomly asked.





TaeMin smiled. “Of course. How could I forget the way you looked at me with that

goofy look?”





I laughed. “That’s only because you read my note aloud.”





“You deserved it.”





I lightly slapped his arm. “I didn’t do anything. You were the one that should’ve been

punished.”





“My punishment hurts enough,” he whispered.





I closed my eyes when suddenly, a thought popped into my mind.





______________________________________





PLAY SONG NOW

______________________________________

“TaeMin, would you sing for me?”





I felt him back away suddenly from the request. “What?!”





“Sing for me.” I turned around and gave him a pleading look.





“What song,” he asked.





“Umm…TaeBin’s The Reason Why I Close My Eyes.”





There was a pause before any sound came out of his mouth. He placed his lips next

to my ear and quietly sang the song into my ear. The melodic words floated around

me and, like a cloud, lifted me off the ground and into the heavens.









"I don't know since when, but you keep looking at other places

You have a bright smile on your face as if I weren't there

I tried to believe that the smile was for me but

Those adoring eyes and that unfamiliar smile...

If only I can turn back time to the beginning

I would be able to erase all my pain





"I'm so tired, I can't forget you, so I hope you come back to me

Baby kiss me just one more time

I hope you tell me that you miss me and that everything was a lie

Baby tell me just one more lie

Now even if like a lie, only our memories are remaining,

When I close my eyes my head is full of your images

Miss you Always

Can't U see your loves without you





"Was it so easy, the day when you suddenly left?

Those cold eyes seemed like I wasn't even there

Do you remember or did you already erase everything?

My trembling hands and the times we spent together...

If only I can stop the time in my dreams

Then I can be in the time when you were mine





"I'm so tired, I can't forget you, so I hope you come back to me

Baby kiss me just one more time

I hope you tell me that you miss me and that everything was a lie

Baby tell me just one more lie

Miss you Always

My head is full of your images"









Slowly, I felt my strength slipping from me. My whole body was now lifeless against

TaeMin’s. It was only my troubled breathing that kept him thinking I was still there.

Tears filled my eyes as I willed my hand to grab his, but no matter what, the will

slipped slowly. In my mind, I screamed and exploded in pain. Everything around me

disappeared one by one as all I could see was TaeMin, me, and the moon.









"I always sincerely pray that my happy dreams will not break

When I wake up, your memories are like goosebumps on my heart





"Even if I'm tired, even if I can't forget you

I hope I will not cry (so I will be able to give you up)

Even if I miss you, Even if it's all a lie

I hope you will be happy (as much as I can let you go)"









I closed my eyes and, with all I had, tried to keep my mind focused. His voice never

wavered throughout the song. I grabbed onto his hand with the little strength I had

left. One last stanza. I’ll wait till the end. Then…

"Now even if like a lie, only our memories are remaining,

When I close my eyes my head is full of your images

Remember the reason why I close my eyes

The reason why I dream again"









Remember the reason why I close my eyes.





I love you Ryu TaeMin. You’re my heart and soul.









**CREDITS TO LEOSLYRICS.COM









________________________________________________________________





You guys should listen to this song. Play it during, before, afterwards, I don't care,

but it's just such a good song for this. I love it so :] :: Nick Lachey - What's Left of

Me

________________________________________________________________





Moonlight Walk || 100





Under the dark broken sky stood Ryu TaeMin looking down at a headstone buried

into the earth. Engraved on the headstone was the name that never left his head at

any given day.





“Suh EhLim.” TaeMin exhaled and watched his breath float away in the cold day.





He placed the white roses in front of the headstone and kneeled before it.

TaeMin pulled out an envelope with his name on it. He pulled out the letter with

wrinkles indicating it had been re-read over many times before.









Dear TaeMin,





I can’t say much right now. The only thought I have on my mind is you. I’m sorry for

all the pain I’ve caused. You deserve so much better. I know you will forgive me for

breaking our promise. I don’t blame you. But I’ll keep the other one. I promise I will.





It’s so hard to watch them cry over me. I had hoped you wouldn’t react like so. It

hurts, TaeMin ah. It hurts to see you cry over me. I...I don’t want you to be sad,

okay? Be happy. Be happy knowing I’m in a better place. Stay healthy and don’t

smoke! Keep watch over my brothers for me. Make sure they don’t do anything

stupid, especially SangMin. He’s not one to take death easily.





I feel so trapped. Whenever I breathe, my breath gets caught in the process. I have

to go, you understand right? I love you with all my heart and soul. You’ve taken all

of me and I can’t take it back. My love for you is never ending. Our love will always

be in my heart in life and death.





Live life to the fullest. Love and die with happiness. I want you to give your love to

someone else. Don’t keep it locked away. You better promise me! I’ll know if you did

or not because I’ll be watching. If I have to…I’ll wait forever.





Sarang Hae,





Suh EhLim









It seemed like just yesterday he was talking, holding, kissing her. With every breath

he took, the pain he felt could never sum up the ultimate loss he felt. It wasn’t half

of his heart that she’d taken with her. She’d taken his whole heart. His mind

searched so many times for her, yet, in the end, he was forced back to the start.





He screamed into the distance, hoping his pain would lessen. It only added more.

How many times had he thought of death? To give life up so he could be with her,

just to see her face again.





Her radiant face faded in and out of his mind. Just seeing the face fade more and

more each day made him break down in tears. Pictures didn’t help no matter how

many times he looked at them. They just reminded him of the memories and that

she was now gone.





His tears dampened the earth above her. They soaked into the ground, trying to find

it’s way to her, but became lost in the maze of endless roots.





The sky thundered and roared above him. He clenched his fist in frustration. Since

she left, it had rained constantly but that didn’t stop him from going to her.





He felt the raindrops fall onto the back of his neck, their amounts slowly increasing

into a raging storm. People ran past him, ignoring him like an unimportant ant. His

tears mixed into the rain that now soaked though his clothes.





Clearing his mind, he got up from his kneeled position.





“Sarang hae,” he whispered into the air, hoping the wind would carry his message to

her.





TaeMin turned around and walked away with only one thought in his mind. That

thought was her. The one girl he truly loved. The one that helped him through his

sorrows and pains.





She was gone, but her love was still with him. Still with him wherever he went.





In his mind, his only thought was that he lived for her and still lives for her. Every

word she last spoke was embedded into his mind. Her scent, her touch, her words

will never leave him, including her obsession.

He’d never forget that moonlight walk.









Moonlight Walk || Epilogue (SeungHyun’s Part)





Three years later, SeungHyun arrived at the Seoul National Airport with his head

held high. After studying in America, he decided that it was time to return home.





Looking around for EhLim’s brothers, he smiled when he spotted the large group that

was smiling back at him and occasionally waving for him to come over. He took his

bag with him and walked over to them gladly.





“Hey you guys!” He took off his sunglasses and smiled widely.





After the first year, they had all gotten over their grudge against SeungHyun and

kept in contact. SeungHyun had learned that EunSung and JungMin had started up

their own store for selling tuxedos. Interesting choice, he had always thought of

EunSung as a car kind of guy, but looks like they decided to team up. SangMin had

passed high school and amazingly got into a pretty good college as did YeRin, and

DongWook. HeWon and JaeHyun were still going strong, their relationship just

growing closer everyday. EunSung had said it was because of something EhLim had

told HeWon. SeungHyun curiously wondered what it was. As for DongWook and

HeeJoo, those two were inseparable! Just adorable was the word to describe them,

as JungMin had said. The only two bachelors in the family were EunSung and

JungMin, who switched girls as often as they changed out of their clothes!





He had very few news of TaeMin and the guys. All he knew was that they were

studying around the place, sometimes visiting other places to study.





EunSung shook hands with SeungHyun, giving him a slightly nervous smile. He

remembered that whenever SeungHyun called to see how EhLim was doing, it was

always the same. Somehow, they’d make a lie that she was busy, or she was out

with TaeMin. SeungHyun seemed to not see anything suspicious, so they kept it

going until he told them he was coming back. Then, their lies would be revealed and

the truth would come out.





“Here, let me take that.” SangMin grabbed the bags and luggage from SeungHyun

and started walking away with DongWook. Surprised by his new attitude, SeungHyun

followed them while talking to all the other brothers.





Out in the van waited TaeMin, WooMin, EunByul, HanSung and YeRin.





“Hey!” YeRin greeted him with a big hug.





In SeungHyun’s eyes, they had all grown up a great deal since he had last seen them.

It made him wonder how much EhLim had changed.





“EunSung Hyung, can you take us to her?” WooMin asked.





EunSung nodded and they were off.





“So, how was America?” YeRin started.





“It was good, but I missed home too much. It’s like going away to camp and

knowing you can’t come back until years later.”





“I heard there were hot girls there,” HanSung piped.





“Yep! Hyung, TaeMin Hyung, didn’t you say there were?” WooMin pestered TaeMin.





TaeMin gave him a small nod. “But Korean girls are more my taste.”





SeungHyun smiled. “American girls are really outgoing and wild. Almost too wild.”





“They’re crazy,” YeRin added. “I’ve seen television shows. Those girls had no

morals.”

“Maybe because you watch the bad shows,” EunByul retorted.





YeRin stuck her tongue out at him. “I don’t! My halmoni and I turn to the American

channel and watch sometimes even though we don’t understand. They’re weird

though. There was this one show where they looked really retarded. Like the guys

would have their arms and hands in a weird position and they would say things like,

‘YO, YO! WHAT’S THE DEALIO MY HOMEDAWG?!’” YeRin put her hands down at the

laughter that erupted in the van.





“YeRin, that’s supposed to be American gangsters.” EunSung laughed.





“We’re here.”





SeungHyun jumped at the voice to his right. He hadn’t noticed JaeHyun until that

moment. The boy had hardly grown. He was still a midget, but the look on his face

made him seem so much more mature, almost beyond his age.





He got out of the van and looked around confused. Who were they going to see?

“Um, who are we visiting?”





JungMin let out a small smile. “EhLim.”





“She lives by herself now?”





“I guess you could say that,” SangMin replied.





He followed them with confusion into the cemetery. Kicking at the autumn leaves of

gold and red, he ran to catch up with them when they stopped abruptly causing him

to bump into the group.





“Why’d we stop?” SeungHyun walked towards the middle.





“SeungHyun, say hello to EhLim,” EunSung said as he held his hand out towards the

headstone.

His face became blank than a laugh erupted from his mouth. “That’s a really good

joke you guys! I almost believed you! Haha.”





YeRin struggled to find the words to say as a lump formed in her throat. She turned

away from the headstone and looked up into the sky, hoping to keep the fighting

tears from falling.





“Kang SeungHyun, this isn’t a joke.”





“What—How—No, this is a joke. You told me! You told me she was with a tutor

today! She’s…she’s trying to learn English!”





SangMin kneeled down at the headstone and let his head fall forward. The tears that

fell onto the ground was not what made SeungHyun realize it wasn’t a joke. It was

the emotions that everyone had. He knew for a fact that JaeHyun couldn’t fake

anything. And here he was, biting his lower lip with tear filled eyes.





Three years. How had he been fooled for three years?





“W-what happened?”





“She had a weak heart. The immune system caused it to become weaker. All the

sicknesses she’d gotten from before made it work too hard. She was dieing when

you left, but she managed to fool us all.”





SeungHyun’s vision blurred. He looked back at the headstone and everything around

him disappeared. Why didn’t she tell him? Was he that unworthy of knowing she was

dieing?





“N-Nuna told us not to tell you. She w-wrote letters to all of us. Here’s y-your’s,”

JaeHyun sniffled. He held out a white envelope with EhLim’s unique handwriting on

the front.





SeungHyun took the letter but didn’t open it. The fact that EhLim had died three

years ago was still being absorbed. It was too much. The aching in his heart only

grew knowing he’d never get to hold her, talk to her or see her again. After all those

restless nights of wishing he was with her, his hopes were crushed with the simple

words ‘she’s dead’.





His legs gave up and he fell forward, letting the tears run freely without a care.





“Why?” was all he could ask as the pain grew bigger and bigger. Everyone quietly

walked away, leaving him to have his time alone. The only person that stayed was

TaeMin. His slumped figure and tired eyes gave a hint that he hadn’t had a

goodnight’s sleep after EhLim’s death.





“Kang SeungHyun.”





SeungHyun wiped his tears quickly before looking up. The eyes that stared back at

him flashed double his pain through no tears showed. He was feeling it inside, every

day and night. With every sight of the moon, his mind became wrapped up in the

memories that hauntingly kept him awake nights at a time.





“This is yours.” TaeMin held out a notebook and a box. “I think she’d want you to

have it.”





Getting up off his knees, SeungHyun took the notebook and the box. Placing the box

on the ground, he gingerly opened the notebook to have pictures and doodles of

different colors fill his eyes. It was like a scrapbook, with little words and phrases

under each one. Most of them contained him and her. He assumed it was probably

from when they were younger.





With each saying, his smile grew bigger. Just seeing her writing made him feel like

she was there with him still. He stopped on the last page and concentrated on the

words for a long time.





Seunghyun ah, Sarang Hae!

Where are you? I miss you so much…





The different colors and the slightly different change in the handwriting showed the

recentness of the words. The last sentence was at least four years ago. The first one,

probably five or six years ago. He carefully put down the book and picked up the box.

Opening the brown box, he found more pictures with letters and some of EhLim’s

belongings that he’d given to her.





“What’s all this?”





“She told me to give it back to you. She said that if you don’t accept it, than she’ll

cry and weep until everyone in heaven gets tired of her unhappiness and kicks her

down to hell.” A small smile grew on TaeMin’s lips as he said this.





SeungHyun smiled. Her words always seemed to have a small hint of laughter to it.

An image of her laughing made his smile grow as he put the box back down and

picked up the letter JaeHyun had given her.





Dear SeungHyun,





By the time you get this, I will be on away on my trip. It’ll be long, but before you

know it, you all will join me!





Oppa…I love you so much. It’s you I thank for showing me love and forgiveness.

Throughout everything that has happened, you still manage to stay strong. How do

you do it? If only I was super woman, than I might be able to withstand all the

complications of my life.





I thank you for leaving to America. I don’t think I would’ve been able to cope with

another teary face. Everything around here seems to be so dead lately.





Keep studying! Be good and play nice! I don’t want to hear from anyone that you’re

misbehaving. I’ll be keeping an eye on you!





One more thing, life’s too short to live in the past. Find her, Oppa. Find her and

never let her go. And if possible, help TaeMin. He’s so strong outside, but inside, he’s

as soft as a feather. I know he won’t take it lightly when I leave. So help him? Make

him keep his promise to never leave me, but don’t let him close himself up. When we

meet again, he’ll fulfill that promise, but for now, we can put it on a short break,

right? Thank you. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me.





Love,





Suh EhLim





And like that, everything that seemed to weigh his shoulders down disappeared. It

was easier to breathe and everything looked brighter. All because she loved him.

Because of her faith in them, they were all able to live through the experience of

losing her.





He looked up into the sky and in a whisper, almost inaudible; he said the words that

she had waited three years to hear.





“Thank you.”









Moonlight Walk || Epilogue (general point of view)





After EhLim’s death, their parents had come rushing to EunSung’s apartment. There

was much depression spreading throughout the house hold. EhLim’s mother had also

been given back the information she had lost when she had fallen into amnesia.

When it all came back, EhLim’s mother was breaking down. The whole family went

through a long, hard period. They would have quiet meals, hardly spoke to each

other, and was mostly quiet. The whole house had been silent through a period of

about three months or so.





When a year passed, they had brightened up a bit. SeungHyun’s calls would

sometimes hit them hard, making them tear up and cry as they tried to pretend

EhLim was still alive. They kept her room the same, never changing anything.

Sometimes, when they felt out of it, they’d go into her room and just sleep there,

surrounded by her scent. It helped to keep them strong.





TaeMin and his friends occasionally dropped by the house. They were all on better

terms with the Suh children. EhLim’s parents were also glad to meet them. When

they met TaeMin, they had embraced him lovingly. They knew it wasn’t easy to go

through something like that, to lose two people dear to him. TaeMin had slept in

EhLim’s room for weeks when he had asked if he could stay over.





Even though he cried her name out in his sleep still or would sometimes see her

walking towards him, he went on. He was still able to live through everything. They

all helped him, finding that it was almost the hardest on him because of his relation

with EhLim.





As the years went by, the pain lessened, but TaeMin’s mind never once wondered to

someone else. It seemed that EhLim would always hold his attention. Though the

guys set him up on multiple dates, he would just come home to his empty apartment,

sitting on the roof and looking up at the sky as he spoke to EhLim. He imagined she

was listening, because whenever he said something that he knew she would have

liked, the wind would gently breeze by, brushing his hair out of his face.





Though life never seemed to be so hard, they all got through. EhLim’s death had

helped show them the joys and the pains of life. It helped to make them stronger.

And though they might not be able to see her or feel her physically, she was always

there. Always.









THE END