Quantum Entanglement Love (Series 1)

Minjin carried a heavy secret for days. She needed to tell Minjun but struggled to find the right words. Because of this, she became quieter and lost in her thoughts. Her usual bright smile faded under the weight of her secret.

Minjun noticed that Minjin was acting differently. During their study sessions, she often stared off into space. At lunch, she was unusually silent, and her laughter was less frequent. Concerned, Minjun decided he needed to find out what was bothering her.

One afternoon, while sitting on a bench under a large oak tree at school, Minjun asked her, "Minjin, you've been quiet lately. Is something wrong?"

Minjin's heart raced at his question. She realized she could no longer hide the truth. Taking a deep breath, she felt tears welling up. "Minjun," she whispered, "please promise me you won't be mad."

Minjun's concern deepened, but he nodded. "I promise," he replied softly. "Just tell me what's going on."

Before she could answer, tears spilled down her cheeks. Minjun looked alarmed. "Hey, don't cry," he said, moving closer. "What's wrong?"

Minjin took a shaky breath, trying to calm down. "I… I don't want to leave you," she said, her voice trembling. "But my dad and I are moving to America. My mom wants us to live with her and my siblings, and it's happening soon."

Her words hung heavy in the air, and Minjun felt a deep sadness. For a moment, he couldn't speak or move. He quickly pushed his feelings down, not wanting to upset Minjin more.

He gently wiped her tears away with his thumb. "Please don't cry," he said softly. "It's okay. I understand."

Minjin looked up at him, her eyes puffy from crying. "I'm so sorry, Minjun," she whispered. "I didn't want this."

Minjun felt a tightness in his chest, but he hugged her tightly. "It's okay, Minjin," he murmured into her hair. "I'm not mad."

Minjin lost it, sobbing into his shoulder and gripping his shirt. They held each other for a long time, both reluctant to let go. Minjun felt tears threatening to fall, but he held them back, trying to be strong for her.

"We'll find a way to stay in touch," he said quietly, pulling back to look into her eyes. "We can write letters, anything you want."

Minjin nodded, sniffling, and managed a sad smile. "Okay," she whispered.

Minjun squeezed her hands. "And when you come back," he added with a small smile, "we'll go to the arcade, like always. I'll let you win at the racing game."

Minjin gave a watery laugh and wiped her tears. "You always let me win," she teased.

He smiled sadly. "Maybe. But this time, I'll make sure of it."

In the quiet schoolyard, they stood close, knowing things were about to change. They promised to do their best to maintain their important friendship.

As the last days of grade school approached, Minjin wanted to make every moment special. She filled their time with laughter and happy memories. She surprised Minjun with his favorite snacks, challenged him to their favorite games, and insisted they walk home together, even if it took longer. She wanted their time together to end on a joyful note, even though saying goodbye felt hard.

Minjun appreciated every moment but felt growing sadness. He watched her smile brightly despite the upcoming farewell, which hurt him even more. He didn't want to show her his pain, so he put on a brave face for her sake.

One evening, while looking out the window, Minjun's older brother, Kang Xiumin, entered the room. He had been watching Minjun closely, noticing the shift in his usually lively younger brother.

"Hey, Minjun," Kang Xiumin said, leaning against the door. "I heard Minjin and her dad are moving to America."

Minjun tensed up but kept his back to him. "Yeah," he replied quietly. "She told me."

Kang Xiumin noticed that Minjun seemed tense and was clenching his fists. "You've been quiet lately," he said softly. "Something is bothering you."

Kang Xiumin watched him closely and continued, "You don't seem like yourself. Minjin looks fine, but what about you? Are you okay?" In that moment, Minjun lost his composure. Tears filled his eyes, and before he could stop them, he turned away, sobbing, with his shoulders shaking. Kang Xiumin quickly went to him and wrapped his arms around him.

"It's okay, Minjun-ah," Kang Xiumin said gently, rubbing his back. "Let it all out." Minjun cried against his brother's shoulder, releasing his sadness, confusion, and frustration. He hadn't allowed himself to feel these emotions until now, and their weight was heavy. Eventually, his tears stopped, and he pulled away, wiping his eyes with his hand. His breathing was shaky.

"Why does it hurt so much?" he whispered, more to himself than to Kang Xiumin. Kang Xiumin looked at him with understanding. "Because she means a lot to you," he replied softly. "But I need to ask you, Minjun. Do you have feelings for Minjin? Not just as a friend, but something deeper?"

Minjun blinked, surprised by the question. He had never thought about it that way before. He cared for Minjin, but did he really have feelings for her beyond friendship? The thought made his heart race, and he felt a warm flutter rising in his chest. Was that why he felt so sad about her leaving?

Seeing his brother's confusion, Kang Xiumin offered a kind smile. "It's okay if you can't answer right away. Take some time to think about it. If you have feelings for her, it's not too late to tell her."

Minjun looked up at his brother. "But what if she doesn't feel the same?" he asked, his voice uncertain.

Kang Xiumin shrugged and smiled gently. "That's a risk. But wouldn't it be better to tell her and find out? That way, you won't have any regrets."

Minjun nodded, realizing his brother was right. He didn't want to carry the weight of not expressing his feelings or letting her go without knowing how he felt.

"Okay. I'll tell her... before she leaves." Kang Xiumin squeezed his shoulder and smiled. "That's right. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, little brother. Just be yourself and be honest with her."

Minjun nodded, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination. He wasn't sure how to approach it or what to say, but he understood that he needed to act. He had to tell Minjin how much she meant to him before it was too late.

Graduation day finally arrived, and the school grounds buzzed with excitement. Minjun had been looking forward to this moment for weeks, knowing it was his last chance to confess his feelings to Minjin. However, as they left the ceremony, classmates crowded around them for photos, and their parents had planned a special celebration for Minjin and her father, making the day filled with speeches and goodbyes.

As the party started to wrap up, Minjun saw his opportunity. He politely bowed to Minjin's father. "Excuse me, sir," he said nervously. "Can we go to the arcade one last time? Just for a bit?"

Minjin's father looked at him and then at Minjin and smiled. "Of course," he agreed.

Minjun beamed and quickly took Minjin's hand, leading her along. They often enjoyed their favorite games at the arcade, laughing and joking together. For a moment, it felt like nothing was changing—that everything would stay the same.

After the arcade, they walked to a nearby park, taking their time to savor every moment. They sat on swings, eating ice cream, while the setting sun created long shadows across the playground. The warm air was filled with distant chatter and the sound of rustling leaves.

Minjun's heart raced as he realized this was his moment. Rising from his swing, he approached Minjin, who looked up at him with curiosity.

"Minjin-ah," he began, his voice shaky. He swallowed hard to calm his nerves. "I need to tell you something."

Minjin tilted her head. "What is it, Minjun-ah?" she asked softly.

He took a deep breath, feeling nervous and excited. "I have feelings for you, Minjin. It's more than friendship."

Minjin's eyes widened in surprise, and she blinked in shock. For a moment, she didn't say anything, her ice cream forgotten in her hand.

Minjun tried to smile despite feeling increasingly anxious.

Minjin's eyes widened in shock, and she blinked, unable to find the words. For a moment, her ice cream melted in her hand as she processed what Minjun said.

Minjun tried to smile, even though he felt anxious. "I know you're leaving, and I don't want to make things harder for you. But I had to tell you I'll wait for you, Minjin-ah. No matter how long it takes."

Minjin stayed silent, looking at him with a blank expression while her mind raced. Minjun's smile faltered a bit, but he kept a hopeful attitude. He understood the situation was tough and didn't want to pressure her; he just wanted her to know how he felt.

The next day came fast, and Minjun felt the weight of their goodbye growing heavier. He and Kang Xiumin took Minjin and her dad to the airport, where the atmosphere felt heavy. Even with all the people around, time seemed to stand still for Minjun.

As they walked to the departure gate, Minjin turned to her dad. "Appa, can I have a moment alone with Minjun?" she asked.

Her dad nodded and smiled gently. "Of course, Minjin-ah," he said.

Minjin and Minjun walked down the hallway until they found a quiet spot away from the crowd. Minjin faced him seriously but kindly. She took an envelope from her bag and handed it to Minjun.

"What is this?" Minjun asked, confused.

"It's a letter," Minjin said, her voice low. "I wrote it for you, but you must promise not to read it until after I've left."

Minjun looked at the envelope, feeling nervous. "Okay," he said, nodding.

They stood facing each other, knowing this was their last moment together. Minjin gave him a small, sad smile, trying to hide her feelings.

"But we're not saying goodbye... not forever." Minjun smiled back.

Minjin nodded, her smile brightening a little. "No. Not forever."

Taking a deep breath, she hugged him tightly for a little longer than usual. When she pulled away, her eyes shone with unshed tears. "Take care, okay?" she said, her voice shaking.

"You too," Minjun said, his own eyes filling with tears.

Minjin walked back to join her dad at the gate. She turned one last time, waving and giving him a warm smile.

Minjun waved back, watching her until she disappeared. Then he looked at the letter in his hand, feeling sad. He tucked it into his pocket, determined to keep his promise.

As he left the airport with Kang Xiumin, he knew he would always treasure that letter and the memory of their last moments together.

---

Minjun sat at his desk, shaking as he opened the letter. He took a deep breath and began to read.

Minjun,

I hope you can make friends after I leave, not just with me. Every moment with you made me happy, and I hope you felt that way too. I will hold on to those memories until I return. You said you would wait, and I promise to come back soon.

I'm sorry I didn't respond to your confession right away. I want you to know that I like you more than a friend. Thank you for the wonderful years together. I promise we will make even more memories, and I will always wish for your happiness.

Please take care of yourself. You will always be in my heart. Please wait for me; I promise I'll return to you someday.

Minjin.