Chapter 82 - Those tears

As Jinhee entered into the elevator, she saw that Taehee also stepped in along with her. This entire morning— Jinhee had seen no signs of her, and she wondered whether or not Taehee was really avoiding Jinhee.

Nonetheless, she had no time to bother with Taehee now since she decided to visit her birth mother's grave. Akane's shooting, coupled with the fact that she'd have to have a meal with the members, will take hours, and during those hours, she can not create any trouble with Jaehyun.

Jinhee could take this time to pay a visit to her birth mother's grave. Jinhee was not exactly sure of what emotions to have towards a woman she couldn't remember. Nonetheless, she was curious to visit her grave.

"I definitely don't kiss girls who has affair with others." Jinhee heard Taehee's words.

Turning her eyesight towards Taehee and using a sweet tone, Jinhee spoke out, "Then, what type of girls do you actually kiss?"

Staring at her nails in a casual manner, Taehee stated, "Well, begging me is the easiest way to make me kiss someone."

Did Taehee take her as someone stupid? The initial reason Jinhee was doing this was to protect her pride, and if she was to beg her about it, where would that pride of hers go to?

"Are you having fun from this?" Jinhee's expression was deadpan whilst she stared at Taehee.

Taehee pretended to think about something.

"Now, that you're mentioning it…" An excited smile appeared on Taehee's face as she continued, "Very much!"

"Yah! Y-You!" Jinhee glared at Taehee. This girl was truly exasperating!

The elevator stopped at that moment, and Jinhee got out of it, followed by Taehee. As both of them walked side by side to their room, Jinhee glanced at Taehee beside her.

Opening her mouth, Jinhee questioned, "Want to accompany me to somewhere today?"

She stopped in her steps, and Taehee did the same as well. Taehee turned to face her whilst Jinhee wore a slight smile to conceal the emotions she felt inside.

Jinhee did not do well with visiting graves, and moreover, this time it was about her mother whom she had barely any idea on. Having a friend to accompany her seemed like a better idea. 

Other than that, this was her first time visiting Japan, and she did not know the places around here at all. If she were to get lost, it might get too troublesome. Taking someone as smart as Taehee was definitely a good choice.

Placing on a frightened expression, Taehee spoke out, "Don't tell me that you're planning to take me somewhere shady and molest me there."

Crossing her arms over her chest, Taehee said, "I'm telling you that you can't force me, and it should be me willingly wanting to kiss you."

Rolling her eyes, Jinhee questioned, "Didn't you say I'm weak? So, how can I bring harm to you?"

Putting her hands down, Taehee voiced out, "Oh! Right, I remember you're a weakling. Sorry that I forgot."

Jinhee tried to not punch Taehee because of how irked she currently felt. Did Taehee have to voice that out loud?

"Since you're weak, I'll follow along. After all, I can't let someone as weak as you go alone as you might get in serious trouble," Taehee said, "You're lucky to know someone as kind as me."

'Ah! I regret it now!'

°°°

Entering into the cemetery, a type of nervousness filled Jinhee, and her palms felt wet. Beside her, Taehee stood silently, and Jinhee was grateful that she did not open her mouth.

Opening the door, Jinhee walked into the soundless cemetery as Taehee followed behind her. Following the directions her grandfather Dowon sent her, Jinhee found her birth mother's grave.

Her grave was clean as if someone cleaned it on a regular basis, and a picture of her mother was attached on to it. 'Lee Sihyeon' was written on the headstone. 

Emotions heightened within Jinhee as she bent down to place a bouquet of flowers on her grave. Rising up, she stared at the grave, unsure of what to think at this moment.

"S-She w-was my mother," Jinhee voiced out without breaking down. 

She did not know why she was telling this to Taehee. Maybe she needed someone to listen to her words currently. This could also be a reason why she bought Taehee along with her.

Taehee questioned nothing about it which was surprising, considering her nosy personality. She just gently wrapped her hand against Jinhee's shoulder and provided Jinhee with warmth.

"I-I didn't know about her until recently," Jinhee voiced out— her words surprising herself. Did she already trust Taehee this much in this life to say all these?

"After I got to know of her, I hated my fate. Why did she have to die? Why did my father not care for me? If that didn't happen, I wouldn't need to suffer at Lee household for so long. 

I wondered, if she was alive, would I have had a happier childhood? Would I not be compared to Jinkyung? Would she have loved me unconditionally?

Wondering— that's the only thing I can do. Neither can I bring her back from death nor can I go back to save her. Sometimes, I even think what's the point of living anymore while the only thing I feel is pain or constant emptiness. 

Is life that worth fighting for? If it is not today, I will be dying tomorrow anyways. So, why should I try so hard to survive today?" Tears left Jinhee's eyes.

Taehee said no words, and wrapping her hands around Jinhee's back, she pulled Jinhee into a hug.

Softly patting Jinhee's back, Taehee voiced out, "Just because you don't have happiness today, doesn't mean you won't have it tomorrow. People try hard to find more happiness tomorrow than today. 

And if you weren't alive, I wouldn't be able to survive either. That's why, stop thinking about such matters. One life is connected to many."

Jinhee found the voidness within her heart gradually decreasing.

°°°

Stains of tears were on Jinhee's cheeks as she stared at Taehee in front of her. The serious look on Taehee's face disappeared, and the usual playfulness became visible.

"Should I kiss those tears away now?" Taehee voiced out, moving her face closer to Jinhee.

'This definitely had to be one of her tricks; It can't be that easy.'

"Lee Jinhee?" 

A voice caught both her and Taehee by surprise.