Over The Rainbow - (2/2)
They both laugh.
That man gives a sunflower to the younger one..
Then the younger cries hard when they get separated.
And..
" Chilsuk.."
Taemin opened his eyes. That dream was scattered. Taemin got up and sat. He rubbed his face and realized, there was a trail of tears.
It has been so many times.
Taemin was dazed. Ever since they made eye, this kind of dream always appeared in his sleep. Sometimes it was a same dream, or could be different.
But one thing that never changed - it was about that couple.
Somehow, deep inside his heart, Taemin felt something.
The younger one was similar with him - and the older was no other but Minho.
Taemin sighed and got out of his bed. He started his daily routine and got ready to school, afterward he went down to grab breakfast.
His steps stopped as he saw Minho.
Along with the emergence of that dream, something warmth felt in his heart.
Taemin stared Minho in distance. His heartbeat became faster than usual.
Taemin now had memorized the way Minho laughed, the way Minho played his guitar, and the way Minho became awkward. And also, how Minho talked with him.
Taemin even knew that he always waited for Minho - even if when he didn't aware it.
Taemin could not take his eyes off from Minho.
That figure was like had been in his heart for a long time.
But -
Taemin recognized that Minho became more intense to avoid eye contact with him even they still talked like a normal sibling. Just that Taemin found that Minho was like hiding something.
What was that, actually?
Deep down in Taemin's heart, if he asked the reason, then something would change.
... whether it would change their relationship now or not.
-------------
" Supermarket?" Taemin asked as he furrowed his eyebrows. His mom nodded.
" Please? My feet totally hurt to walk. Here i make the roster of what should you buy. I'm lack of rest, baby. and oh - let your brother helps you," His mother said. Taemin's eyes went wider as Minho frowned and shocked.
" With Minho Hyung?"
" Yes. Do you feel objected, Taemin-ah?" His mother asked. Taemin looked fluster and he could see Minho slightly streaked.
" Well - no, but i think i can go by myself.."
" No. I will accompany you, Taeminnie."
Taemin turned his body when Minho already stood by his side. " do you mind if i go with you?"
" Uh.. Well.. No.. Honestly.."
" Good," Taemin's mother cut his words, " and here's the money. now go."
Taemin opened his mouth, about to protest. A selfish thought occurred to him. Thinking that at least he could be alone with Minho, although there might be no specific talks between them.
But maybe ..
"Taeminnie?" A voice interrupted Taemin's reverie. He turned and blinked, trying to restore his mind back to normal. "Yes?"
"Come on, let's go," Minho said anxiously, "are you okay?"
" Oh. yes, I'm fine, really. Let's go, Hyung! "
Minho followed Taemin out of the house and walked to the nearest supermarket. Taemin glanced at the man who walked beside him nervously. Taemin know if his heart was beating ungodly, and his face felt hot. Walking so close to Minho - it seemed he could die suddenly.
Blame those dreams, which made me turn out this way against him.
Taemin hissed softly and his eyes watched Minho's figure figure.
Why would he be as pretty and as cool as this, anyway? Taemin thought. His lips and his eyes were more beautiful than women - but the hair and body posture were very masculine.
Taemin felt like punching himself. No, no.
He is my brother.
Taemin knew it, and therefore he was sad.
If only it was not.
Later in the supermarket, they bought all stuff listed in a shopping list from mother. Started from soy sauce, vegetable, salt, and others. Minho seemed more astute of picking foodstuffs. Taemin confused, exactly what this man could not do.
After paying everything at the cashier, Taemin helped Minho carrying their groceries and walked back to the house. They did not say anything. Taemin breathed anxiously. There was a wall between them, Taemin knew it.
Then a cat passed in front of them, running hard, making him Taemin shocked and shaky, dropped the groceries unconsciously. Minho startled and helped Taemin immediately.
"Hey, Taemin-ah, are you okay?" Minho asked worriedly .. Taemin grimaced, nodding. Minho took the groceries that fell off and handed it to Taemin. "Here is groceries. are you really fine - .. "
For the second time,
their eyes met.
Taemin felt he almost fainted. His breath caught. Minho's eyes were locking his attention. Minho's face which seemed very worried about him.. Taemin feel - it was not a gaze of an older brother.
These memories -
However, when a beam of the memory was about to appear, Minho turned away.
Again and again.
Now from what Minho just did, it looked very clear, that he did not want to look at the Taemin's eyes.
Clearly, Taemin felt hurt.
why?
"I think you're okay, so .." Minho's back faced Taemin, "let's go -"
"Why do you avoid my eyes, Hyung?"
Minho didn't answer. Taemin glared.
"What's wrong with me?" Taemin asked again. Minho was about to answer, but instead he said, "no, really. It's just your thought. we better go home before mother looking for us. " he turned around, walking again.
Taemin bit his lip.
"Don't dodge me!"
Minho's footsteps stopped. Taemin clenched his hands tightly. His knuckles turned pale.
"Since I looked at your eyes, you have acted more strange, Hyung .." Taemin said angrily, "you are clearly avoiding my eyes! why? indeed there is something wrong, right?! "
Minho fell in silence. Taemin felt his patience running out.
" That memory! Rainbow! and the couple .. " those words were finally slid out," tell me, who is Chilsuk? You know, right? I noticed when I mentioned that name right on your face - who? why does it feel real .. in my mind! "
"I don't want to discuss it!" Minho raised an octave as the return. Taemin blinked, startled, and the resentment had been on its peak.
"Then," Taemin raised his voice higher, and he shouted, "Look at my eyes! Don't avoid me! "
Minho's shoulder seemed to harden, then he turned and pulled Taemin hand, glared, making Taemin taken aback. He could see Minho's face clearly.
"Because I don't want to hurt you, Ilhwa!"
Taemin widened.
Minho jerked his hand and turned away, not saying anything, went first from Taemin, which was stunned
Ilhwa?
--------------
Three days since then, there was no conversation between Taemin and Minho.
Taemin knew, Minho now completely avoided it. They just passed, despite being in the same house. A large hole appeared in Taemin's heart, and he felt something missing.
They both noticed each other unconsciously,
and now being lost, although they were together.
Together?
A sentence that was stabbed Taemin unforgivenly.
He sighed. and the dreams slowly faded.
Whereas there was many Taemin wanted to know about the dreams.
"You're going where, Minho-yah?" Mom asked. Taemin looked up. Minho was getting ready and putting on his jacket.
"I have something to do," Minho replied, "I'll be back soon."
Taemin wondered that Minho always just went somewhere, but he never mentioned where.
Minho walked past and they had collided glance for a moment, until finally Minho looked away. Taemin sighed. See?
Minho had disappeared behind the door while Taemin was just staring at it.
Hyung.
Taemin pulled back lazily and headed to the TV room, watching. Although his eyes focused on the TV screen, his mind was drifting some where. As a result he did not catch any show on his brain.
"Taemin-ah."
"What is it, mom?"
Mom walked over. "Minho left his cell phone behind. Can you catch up and give him the cell phone, Taemin-ah? It would be troublesome if he did not bring his cell phone. "
Taemin looked at his mother discomfortablely while receiving the cell phone. "Should I need to?"
" Well?"
Taemin had no choice but to obey his mother and went after Minho. Taemin grumbled to himself. At times like this why should he miss the phone? because at the end it's me who has to pursue it, Aish ..
Taemin's eyes caught a glimpse of Minho who walked in a little distance from him. Taemin didn't want to fall his pride to shout Minho's name and decided to run after the crowd. Despite losing track of Minho, Taemin could find him and ran again. Minho entered a small building. Taemin read the sign name on the building, and found out it was a place of hypnosis therapy. Taemin wondered what Minho was doing in there. Taemin entered the building and went up the stairs. There was a room above. Taemin pushed the door slowly and found Minho at inside.
"How are you, Minho-ssi?" A middle-aged man asked, who apparently was known as the owner.
"As usual. Last time I knew that it turned out Taemin has a phobia against lightning, " Minho answered briefly.
"Of course - in the memory, he is Ilhwa, right?"
Minho nodded and his face turned sad. "He called Chilsuk, but he did not remember who, nor me. Though we are the same person. "
"You still want to remember the past? but it just makes you sad. In the past you two could not go along, right? "
Minho sighed. "I know. but that's the only way how I .. refrain from approaching Taemin. "
The middle-aged man looked at Minho concernedly. "And until now you did not dare look at him?"
Minho shook his head. "I'm afraid if I hurt him. I'm afraid he remembers everything. "
"But your feelings have not changed, right? both on Taemin or Ilhwa. "
Minho nodded slowly. That man told Minho to close his eyes and murmured something, made him shrank in the hypnotist.
"You see your past?"
'Yes, " Minho replied," everything looks clear. "
"What do you see?"
A smile was formed on Minho's face. "Ilhwa is laughing."
"Well," he patted his hand, waking Minho, "I think it's enough."
Minho opened his eyes. He took a deep breath and stood up. "I became more weak-minded. I want to go home now. "
The man nodded. "Be careful."
Minho walked and as he was going out of the room, he almost jumped in suprise.
Taemin stood in front of him, his eyes rounded.
"Tae - "
Taemin looked at Minho with mixed feelings.
"You .." Taemin's almost soundless voice was shaking. Minho held his breath. "' You have heard everything?"
Taemin did not say anything, but he pushed Minho's body and ran to the middle-aged man. " please hypnotic me too."
"Huh?" The man looked shocked. Minho gaped and said, "no! you're not supposed to - "
"This is my memory," Taemin cut, "I want to know everything. dreams, memories, his past, your feelings and mine. "
Minho could not stop Taemin again. He knew he had no right to withhold Taemin whom now laid on the couch, getting relaxed. The middle-aged man sighed.
"Well, now we begin .." he said, "close your eyes, and listen to my voice."
Taemin closed his eyes and concentrated on the man's voice whom making some gestures.
"You see?" The man asked, "that's your past."
And yes, Taemin saw it all.
Those tones.
Rainbow.
That couple.
Ilhwa and Chilsuk.
----------
Ilhwa closed his eyes while enjoying the sounds that emerged from the strings played by Chilsuk. The tones always calmed his heart.
"You like it?" Chilsuk asked. Ilhwa nodded, pleased. Chilsuk grinned. "Thank God," he said, who then replied with a smile by Ilhwa.
They walked along the small streets, then through a fortune teller who suddenly said strange things.
"If someone crosses the end of the rainbow, he can change his destiny."
Chilsuk and Ilhwa stopped. They turned to the oracle, and she said, "hey, young boy. in the future, when you get second life again, you will get a brother, and one who loves you truly. "
Thought that it was just boasting, chilsuk and Ilhwa did not respond seriously. They both went by, and enjoyed the beautiful moments together.
But of course did not last long.
The status of their degrees which differ greatly eventually hindered them.
Ilhwa who came from the richest family in town, and Chilsuk, an orphan, worked as a poor worker.
Ilhwa parents forbade their relationship, and a few months later, Ilhwa got paired by someone rich. Because Ilhwa refused it, a messenger who told by Ilhwa's parents, to make Ilhwa fell unconscious and taken to another city - to the place his fiancee was.
When Chilsuk knew Ilhwa was gone, he screamed in frustation, and his life turned dark for time being - until finally he remembered about the words of that fortune-teller.
About the legend of going through the rainbow.
Finally Chilsuk waited for the rain, and when a rainbow appeared in one afternoon, he ran to the end of the rainbow which was laid in the forest. Chilsuk ran, bringing a hope, and imagined Ilhwa's figure clearly.
As chilsuk saw the end of the rainbow that was on the ground below from where he was, chilsuk accelerated his run and his heart was filled by a hope, but unfortunately, he did not realize the roots spread out in front of him, causing him fell down faraway. His head hit hard onto the ground, and the blood was oozing, did not want to stop.
chilsuk realize, his death had came.
but he made it - crossing the rainbow.
'I hope I can be with Ilhwa in the future. "
then he closed his eyes, after saying his hope.
and thus, his breathing slowly stopped.
--------
"Chilsuk .."
Taemin opened his eyes as he felt tears running down on his cheeks.
The first one he saw was Minho whom stood in anxiety and touched Taemin's face.
" Taeminnie.. "
As he awared of the changing atmosphere around them, the middle-aged man went out, leaving them both in the room.
Taemin bit his lip. Chilsuk.
Minho hyung.
"Why ..?"
"Eh?"
"Why did you do that for me?" Taemin's voice was trembling. "why did you go through the rainbow? why did you act recklessly? "
Minho did not answer and looked down. Taemin gripped Minho's hand. "Answer me, Hyung! Answer! '
"Because my hope is to be with you," He replied softly, " and it was granted, but .." Minho took a deep breathe for a moment, staring Taemin sadly. "We are destined to be brothers .. and I do not want to hurt you with the fact, so I did not look at your eyes, which I know it could make you remember who Chilsuk is. "
" The tones that you often play with your guitar ..?"
" Is the tone that always I played for you in the past."
Taemin squeezed his grip. "And your feeling towards me ..?"
Minho smiled. "Never changed. since long ago. until now, "he said, stretching out his hand slightly.
Taemin broke his tears,
and he stormed into Minho's chest, and he hugged Taemin tightly.
Taemin's tears flowed mercilessly.
That fate.
---------------
Due to the heavy rain, Taemin and Minho decided to take a taxi together. Minho took him to a taxi which stopped not too far from them by pulling Taemin's hand.
Yes.
Now they finally intertwined their fingers.
In the cab, Taemin dropped his head onto Minho's shoulder and he shut his eyes.
It feels warm.
Both Taemin and Minho had got what they wanted. Their hands clasped tightly. Taemin opened his eyes and glanced at the window. The rain had stopped. But something between the clouds caught his eye.
A rainbow.
Taemin threw his gaze to Minho whom was looking at the rainbow too, with a unpredictable stare.
He might be thinking about the legend which they had ever done.
A few moments later, the taxi stopped. Minho went out of the cab and extended his hand to Taemin. "We have reached home, Taemin-ah."
Home.
Taemin realized something.
They were brothers.
They would not be able to hold together.
Taemin followed Minho, and turned around, looking at that rainbow. Minho also did the same. Both knew their fate that could not be together.
But ..
Taemin stared the rainbow.
So, yes.
"Hyung. I have to go to somewhere - I'll be back in no time. "
Minho frowned. "Where?"
" bookstore."
" Need me to walk you?"
" You don't have to. Umm, I'm going now. " Taemin said, then he smiled softly," Hyung. We can be together, really. " Then Taemin sped away as Minho looked Taemin's backview from distance, didn't get the point.
In his footsteps, Taemin kept staring at the rainbow, through where the end of the rainbow fell.
If that's true,
then i should be able do it too.
Taemin ran following the end of the rainbow where it was placed,
and it was in a forest.
'The end of the rainbow that was on a ground below from where he ran. "
Just like in the past.
Taemin smiled in delight - but did not realize his negligence, and once again, the incident was eventually repeated.
Taemin fell down and bumped.
He was staggered. His body was covered with wounds and his head was bleeding.
Taemin grimaced, but right on his eyes, there was a visible tip of the rainbow.
So he tried to reach out,
and when he was able to reach it, he began to say his hope.
hopefully .. -
-----------------
Taemin ran frantically and screamed.
" FUUUUUCCCCKKKKK. TRAIN SHOULD BE ABOUT TO ARRIVE. STUPID KIM BROTHERS AT THE TIME I NEED TO PICK MY NEW BROTHER! "
Tamin glanced to his watch and cursed as he ran. Kibum and Jonghyun should not drag him in conversation just now - damn it. Taemin hurriedly took a bus to the nearest train station.
Mom will scold me if i get caught for being over late.
Taemin set off from the bus which had arrived in front of the station, and ran inside. He searched for a figure in white shirt and wore spectacles, just like his mother said. His mother also had told his new brother to wait Taemin in the east side of gateway, and Taemin would pick him up with his school uniform.
Then he saw a man with those characteristics. Taemin breathed, gathering his courage, and walked over the man.
"Hi! Are you Lee Jinki? " Taemin asked. That man turned and smiled. " Lee Taemin, yes?" and Taemin responded with a nod enthusiastically. "Yes! Come on, we have to go home. Mom and dad are waiting for us - oh wait, I want to buy the magazine .. "
Taemin walked toward the stall and lucky, he whistled quietly. There was only one magazine left. He pulled out his hand, about to take the magazine,
But someone, at the same time, grabbed the magazine too.
Taemin growled and turned around - about to reprove the person who wanted to take the magazine as well.
but he was stunned as he saw the figure.
A wavy haired man with sunglasses, were now clashing his gaze with Taemin's.
---------------
Minho looked his his watch, felt anxious. It was already an hour and Taemin had not been back. He sat silently in the living room, waiting Taemin's arrival.
Minho stared out of a window and the rainbow - once again - caught his attention. The rainbow had been on the sky since an hour ago.
Something was weird.
and,
Taemin too ..
'" Hyung. We can be together, really. "'
Minho was finally recoiled and he looked at the rainbow.
It can't be ..
Minho ran out of the house and his view attached to the end of the rainbow.
No way.
But his feeling was not good.
Minho felt sick. He did not want something bad happened upon Taemin.
He followed the direction of the end of rainbow which was placed in a forest. He saw a steep road. He looked down and shocked after finding Taemin's figure laid unconscious, with the wounds on his body. Without thinking twice, Minho jumped and pulled Taemin next to him, wrapping the small figure.
" Oh God, Taeminnie! Wake up! "
Minho's frustrating calls worked out. Slowly, Taemin opened his eyes, and smiled slightly.
"Minho Hyung.."
"Stupid .." Minho whispered with shaky voice, "what are you -"
"Begging?" Taemin replied weakly. "Much like you do for me."
"But it means nothing if you have to do this, right?!"
" No," Taemin replied lowly, "because I have said my hope, that we can be together with no obstruction at the moment we meet again, to rewind the time. "
Minho was stunned. Taemin tried to touch Minho's cheek and smiled, " No matter how many times I have to go over the rainbow - is not a problem.. until finally we can be together for real. "
Minho drown his face against Taemin's neck. "You are .."
Taemin closed his eyes. He could feel Minho's tears flowing down on his neck..
"It's okay," Taemin whispered, " because at that time .. for sure .. "
" I know." It was all MInho said when he reached Taemin's lips and kissed them, as a proof of their promise. " and it will."
-------------
That guy took off his sunglasses and stared Taemin whom now completely gaped.
"You .." he muttered. Taemin blinked his eyes, lost for words
"Ah .. I'm not buying this, "Taemin said with the smallest volume of his and quickly left the stall as he saw the wavy haired guy quietly.
It feels like i know him -
Taemin suddenly held his breath,
because as Taemin walked over him,
that guy whispered something.
Taemin stopped. He turned, and his eyes widened when he saw that guy's smile.
Ah..
Taemin replied with a smile as well.
"Do you know me?"
That guy shook his head. "No - but that's what crossed my mind when i saw you."
"Really?"
The man nodded. Taemin chuckled.
Because I thought like that too.
and then Jinki approached Taemin.
" Taemin, have you bought - oh? Is he your friend? why are you two looking each other? "
Taemin grinned. "Not really .. and i decided to not buy the magazine. Let's go.. " Taemin's eyes glanced to that guy and he smirked . "Come on, Hyung."
When Taemin and Jinki went off, so did the man who had moved from where he stood to the different direction.
Both Taemin and that guy were thinking of each other whom they just met minutes ago.
" Guess that we meet again."
But one thing they were certain.
They both knew from their deepest heart -
No matter how long it took, they woud surely see each other again.
Because their fate is actully, timeless.
That man gives a sunflower to the younger one..
Then the younger cries hard when they get separated.
And..
" Chilsuk.."
Taemin opened his eyes. That dream was scattered. Taemin got up and sat. He rubbed his face and realized, there was a trail of tears.
It has been so many times.
Taemin was dazed. Ever since they made eye, this kind of dream always appeared in his sleep. Sometimes it was a same dream, or could be different.
But one thing that never changed - it was about that couple.
Somehow, deep inside his heart, Taemin felt something.
The younger one was similar with him - and the older was no other but Minho.
Taemin sighed and got out of his bed. He started his daily routine and got ready to school, afterward he went down to grab breakfast.
His steps stopped as he saw Minho.
Along with the emergence of that dream, something warmth felt in his heart.
Taemin stared Minho in distance. His heartbeat became faster than usual.
Taemin now had memorized the way Minho laughed, the way Minho played his guitar, and the way Minho became awkward. And also, how Minho talked with him.
Taemin even knew that he always waited for Minho - even if when he didn't aware it.
Taemin could not take his eyes off from Minho.
That figure was like had been in his heart for a long time.
But -
Taemin recognized that Minho became more intense to avoid eye contact with him even they still talked like a normal sibling. Just that Taemin found that Minho was like hiding something.
What was that, actually?
Deep down in Taemin's heart, if he asked the reason, then something would change.
... whether it would change their relationship now or not.
-------------
" Supermarket?" Taemin asked as he furrowed his eyebrows. His mom nodded.
" Please? My feet totally hurt to walk. Here i make the roster of what should you buy. I'm lack of rest, baby. and oh - let your brother helps you," His mother said. Taemin's eyes went wider as Minho frowned and shocked.
" With Minho Hyung?"
" Yes. Do you feel objected, Taemin-ah?" His mother asked. Taemin looked fluster and he could see Minho slightly streaked.
" Well - no, but i think i can go by myself.."
" No. I will accompany you, Taeminnie."
Taemin turned his body when Minho already stood by his side. " do you mind if i go with you?"
" Uh.. Well.. No.. Honestly.."
" Good," Taemin's mother cut his words, " and here's the money. now go."
Taemin opened his mouth, about to protest. A selfish thought occurred to him. Thinking that at least he could be alone with Minho, although there might be no specific talks between them.
But maybe ..
"Taeminnie?" A voice interrupted Taemin's reverie. He turned and blinked, trying to restore his mind back to normal. "Yes?"
"Come on, let's go," Minho said anxiously, "are you okay?"
" Oh. yes, I'm fine, really. Let's go, Hyung! "
Minho followed Taemin out of the house and walked to the nearest supermarket. Taemin glanced at the man who walked beside him nervously. Taemin know if his heart was beating ungodly, and his face felt hot. Walking so close to Minho - it seemed he could die suddenly.
Blame those dreams, which made me turn out this way against him.
Taemin hissed softly and his eyes watched Minho's figure figure.
Why would he be as pretty and as cool as this, anyway? Taemin thought. His lips and his eyes were more beautiful than women - but the hair and body posture were very masculine.
Taemin felt like punching himself. No, no.
He is my brother.
Taemin knew it, and therefore he was sad.
If only it was not.
Later in the supermarket, they bought all stuff listed in a shopping list from mother. Started from soy sauce, vegetable, salt, and others. Minho seemed more astute of picking foodstuffs. Taemin confused, exactly what this man could not do.
After paying everything at the cashier, Taemin helped Minho carrying their groceries and walked back to the house. They did not say anything. Taemin breathed anxiously. There was a wall between them, Taemin knew it.
Then a cat passed in front of them, running hard, making him Taemin shocked and shaky, dropped the groceries unconsciously. Minho startled and helped Taemin immediately.
"Hey, Taemin-ah, are you okay?" Minho asked worriedly .. Taemin grimaced, nodding. Minho took the groceries that fell off and handed it to Taemin. "Here is groceries. are you really fine - .. "
For the second time,
their eyes met.
Taemin felt he almost fainted. His breath caught. Minho's eyes were locking his attention. Minho's face which seemed very worried about him.. Taemin feel - it was not a gaze of an older brother.
These memories -
However, when a beam of the memory was about to appear, Minho turned away.
Again and again.
Now from what Minho just did, it looked very clear, that he did not want to look at the Taemin's eyes.
Clearly, Taemin felt hurt.
why?
"I think you're okay, so .." Minho's back faced Taemin, "let's go -"
"Why do you avoid my eyes, Hyung?"
Minho didn't answer. Taemin glared.
"What's wrong with me?" Taemin asked again. Minho was about to answer, but instead he said, "no, really. It's just your thought. we better go home before mother looking for us. " he turned around, walking again.
Taemin bit his lip.
"Don't dodge me!"
Minho's footsteps stopped. Taemin clenched his hands tightly. His knuckles turned pale.
"Since I looked at your eyes, you have acted more strange, Hyung .." Taemin said angrily, "you are clearly avoiding my eyes! why? indeed there is something wrong, right?! "
Minho fell in silence. Taemin felt his patience running out.
" That memory! Rainbow! and the couple .. " those words were finally slid out," tell me, who is Chilsuk? You know, right? I noticed when I mentioned that name right on your face - who? why does it feel real .. in my mind! "
"I don't want to discuss it!" Minho raised an octave as the return. Taemin blinked, startled, and the resentment had been on its peak.
"Then," Taemin raised his voice higher, and he shouted, "Look at my eyes! Don't avoid me! "
Minho's shoulder seemed to harden, then he turned and pulled Taemin hand, glared, making Taemin taken aback. He could see Minho's face clearly.
"Because I don't want to hurt you, Ilhwa!"
Taemin widened.
Minho jerked his hand and turned away, not saying anything, went first from Taemin, which was stunned
Ilhwa?
--------------
Three days since then, there was no conversation between Taemin and Minho.
Taemin knew, Minho now completely avoided it. They just passed, despite being in the same house. A large hole appeared in Taemin's heart, and he felt something missing.
They both noticed each other unconsciously,
and now being lost, although they were together.
Together?
A sentence that was stabbed Taemin unforgivenly.
He sighed. and the dreams slowly faded.
Whereas there was many Taemin wanted to know about the dreams.
"You're going where, Minho-yah?" Mom asked. Taemin looked up. Minho was getting ready and putting on his jacket.
"I have something to do," Minho replied, "I'll be back soon."
Taemin wondered that Minho always just went somewhere, but he never mentioned where.
Minho walked past and they had collided glance for a moment, until finally Minho looked away. Taemin sighed. See?
Minho had disappeared behind the door while Taemin was just staring at it.
Hyung.
Taemin pulled back lazily and headed to the TV room, watching. Although his eyes focused on the TV screen, his mind was drifting some where. As a result he did not catch any show on his brain.
"Taemin-ah."
"What is it, mom?"
Mom walked over. "Minho left his cell phone behind. Can you catch up and give him the cell phone, Taemin-ah? It would be troublesome if he did not bring his cell phone. "
Taemin looked at his mother discomfortablely while receiving the cell phone. "Should I need to?"
" Well?"
Taemin had no choice but to obey his mother and went after Minho. Taemin grumbled to himself. At times like this why should he miss the phone? because at the end it's me who has to pursue it, Aish ..
Taemin's eyes caught a glimpse of Minho who walked in a little distance from him. Taemin didn't want to fall his pride to shout Minho's name and decided to run after the crowd. Despite losing track of Minho, Taemin could find him and ran again. Minho entered a small building. Taemin read the sign name on the building, and found out it was a place of hypnosis therapy. Taemin wondered what Minho was doing in there. Taemin entered the building and went up the stairs. There was a room above. Taemin pushed the door slowly and found Minho at inside.
"How are you, Minho-ssi?" A middle-aged man asked, who apparently was known as the owner.
"As usual. Last time I knew that it turned out Taemin has a phobia against lightning, " Minho answered briefly.
"Of course - in the memory, he is Ilhwa, right?"
Minho nodded and his face turned sad. "He called Chilsuk, but he did not remember who, nor me. Though we are the same person. "
"You still want to remember the past? but it just makes you sad. In the past you two could not go along, right? "
Minho sighed. "I know. but that's the only way how I .. refrain from approaching Taemin. "
The middle-aged man looked at Minho concernedly. "And until now you did not dare look at him?"
Minho shook his head. "I'm afraid if I hurt him. I'm afraid he remembers everything. "
"But your feelings have not changed, right? both on Taemin or Ilhwa. "
Minho nodded slowly. That man told Minho to close his eyes and murmured something, made him shrank in the hypnotist.
"You see your past?"
'Yes, " Minho replied," everything looks clear. "
"What do you see?"
A smile was formed on Minho's face. "Ilhwa is laughing."
"Well," he patted his hand, waking Minho, "I think it's enough."
Minho opened his eyes. He took a deep breath and stood up. "I became more weak-minded. I want to go home now. "
The man nodded. "Be careful."
Minho walked and as he was going out of the room, he almost jumped in suprise.
Taemin stood in front of him, his eyes rounded.
"Tae - "
Taemin looked at Minho with mixed feelings.
"You .." Taemin's almost soundless voice was shaking. Minho held his breath. "' You have heard everything?"
Taemin did not say anything, but he pushed Minho's body and ran to the middle-aged man. " please hypnotic me too."
"Huh?" The man looked shocked. Minho gaped and said, "no! you're not supposed to - "
"This is my memory," Taemin cut, "I want to know everything. dreams, memories, his past, your feelings and mine. "
Minho could not stop Taemin again. He knew he had no right to withhold Taemin whom now laid on the couch, getting relaxed. The middle-aged man sighed.
"Well, now we begin .." he said, "close your eyes, and listen to my voice."
Taemin closed his eyes and concentrated on the man's voice whom making some gestures.
"You see?" The man asked, "that's your past."
And yes, Taemin saw it all.
Those tones.
Rainbow.
That couple.
Ilhwa and Chilsuk.
----------
Ilhwa closed his eyes while enjoying the sounds that emerged from the strings played by Chilsuk. The tones always calmed his heart.
"You like it?" Chilsuk asked. Ilhwa nodded, pleased. Chilsuk grinned. "Thank God," he said, who then replied with a smile by Ilhwa.
They walked along the small streets, then through a fortune teller who suddenly said strange things.
"If someone crosses the end of the rainbow, he can change his destiny."
Chilsuk and Ilhwa stopped. They turned to the oracle, and she said, "hey, young boy. in the future, when you get second life again, you will get a brother, and one who loves you truly. "
Thought that it was just boasting, chilsuk and Ilhwa did not respond seriously. They both went by, and enjoyed the beautiful moments together.
But of course did not last long.
The status of their degrees which differ greatly eventually hindered them.
Ilhwa who came from the richest family in town, and Chilsuk, an orphan, worked as a poor worker.
Ilhwa parents forbade their relationship, and a few months later, Ilhwa got paired by someone rich. Because Ilhwa refused it, a messenger who told by Ilhwa's parents, to make Ilhwa fell unconscious and taken to another city - to the place his fiancee was.
When Chilsuk knew Ilhwa was gone, he screamed in frustation, and his life turned dark for time being - until finally he remembered about the words of that fortune-teller.
About the legend of going through the rainbow.
Finally Chilsuk waited for the rain, and when a rainbow appeared in one afternoon, he ran to the end of the rainbow which was laid in the forest. Chilsuk ran, bringing a hope, and imagined Ilhwa's figure clearly.
As chilsuk saw the end of the rainbow that was on the ground below from where he was, chilsuk accelerated his run and his heart was filled by a hope, but unfortunately, he did not realize the roots spread out in front of him, causing him fell down faraway. His head hit hard onto the ground, and the blood was oozing, did not want to stop.
chilsuk realize, his death had came.
but he made it - crossing the rainbow.
'I hope I can be with Ilhwa in the future. "
then he closed his eyes, after saying his hope.
and thus, his breathing slowly stopped.
--------
"Chilsuk .."
Taemin opened his eyes as he felt tears running down on his cheeks.
The first one he saw was Minho whom stood in anxiety and touched Taemin's face.
" Taeminnie.. "
As he awared of the changing atmosphere around them, the middle-aged man went out, leaving them both in the room.
Taemin bit his lip. Chilsuk.
Minho hyung.
"Why ..?"
"Eh?"
"Why did you do that for me?" Taemin's voice was trembling. "why did you go through the rainbow? why did you act recklessly? "
Minho did not answer and looked down. Taemin gripped Minho's hand. "Answer me, Hyung! Answer! '
"Because my hope is to be with you," He replied softly, " and it was granted, but .." Minho took a deep breathe for a moment, staring Taemin sadly. "We are destined to be brothers .. and I do not want to hurt you with the fact, so I did not look at your eyes, which I know it could make you remember who Chilsuk is. "
" The tones that you often play with your guitar ..?"
" Is the tone that always I played for you in the past."
Taemin squeezed his grip. "And your feeling towards me ..?"
Minho smiled. "Never changed. since long ago. until now, "he said, stretching out his hand slightly.
Taemin broke his tears,
and he stormed into Minho's chest, and he hugged Taemin tightly.
Taemin's tears flowed mercilessly.
That fate.
---------------
Due to the heavy rain, Taemin and Minho decided to take a taxi together. Minho took him to a taxi which stopped not too far from them by pulling Taemin's hand.
Yes.
Now they finally intertwined their fingers.
In the cab, Taemin dropped his head onto Minho's shoulder and he shut his eyes.
It feels warm.
Both Taemin and Minho had got what they wanted. Their hands clasped tightly. Taemin opened his eyes and glanced at the window. The rain had stopped. But something between the clouds caught his eye.
A rainbow.
Taemin threw his gaze to Minho whom was looking at the rainbow too, with a unpredictable stare.
He might be thinking about the legend which they had ever done.
A few moments later, the taxi stopped. Minho went out of the cab and extended his hand to Taemin. "We have reached home, Taemin-ah."
Home.
Taemin realized something.
They were brothers.
They would not be able to hold together.
Taemin followed Minho, and turned around, looking at that rainbow. Minho also did the same. Both knew their fate that could not be together.
But ..
Taemin stared the rainbow.
So, yes.
"Hyung. I have to go to somewhere - I'll be back in no time. "
Minho frowned. "Where?"
" bookstore."
" Need me to walk you?"
" You don't have to. Umm, I'm going now. " Taemin said, then he smiled softly," Hyung. We can be together, really. " Then Taemin sped away as Minho looked Taemin's backview from distance, didn't get the point.
In his footsteps, Taemin kept staring at the rainbow, through where the end of the rainbow fell.
If that's true,
then i should be able do it too.
Taemin ran following the end of the rainbow where it was placed,
and it was in a forest.
'The end of the rainbow that was on a ground below from where he ran. "
Just like in the past.
Taemin smiled in delight - but did not realize his negligence, and once again, the incident was eventually repeated.
Taemin fell down and bumped.
He was staggered. His body was covered with wounds and his head was bleeding.
Taemin grimaced, but right on his eyes, there was a visible tip of the rainbow.
So he tried to reach out,
and when he was able to reach it, he began to say his hope.
hopefully .. -
-----------------
Taemin ran frantically and screamed.
" FUUUUUCCCCKKKKK. TRAIN SHOULD BE ABOUT TO ARRIVE. STUPID KIM BROTHERS AT THE TIME I NEED TO PICK MY NEW BROTHER! "
Tamin glanced to his watch and cursed as he ran. Kibum and Jonghyun should not drag him in conversation just now - damn it. Taemin hurriedly took a bus to the nearest train station.
Mom will scold me if i get caught for being over late.
Taemin set off from the bus which had arrived in front of the station, and ran inside. He searched for a figure in white shirt and wore spectacles, just like his mother said. His mother also had told his new brother to wait Taemin in the east side of gateway, and Taemin would pick him up with his school uniform.
Then he saw a man with those characteristics. Taemin breathed, gathering his courage, and walked over the man.
"Hi! Are you Lee Jinki? " Taemin asked. That man turned and smiled. " Lee Taemin, yes?" and Taemin responded with a nod enthusiastically. "Yes! Come on, we have to go home. Mom and dad are waiting for us - oh wait, I want to buy the magazine .. "
Taemin walked toward the stall and lucky, he whistled quietly. There was only one magazine left. He pulled out his hand, about to take the magazine,
But someone, at the same time, grabbed the magazine too.
Taemin growled and turned around - about to reprove the person who wanted to take the magazine as well.
but he was stunned as he saw the figure.
A wavy haired man with sunglasses, were now clashing his gaze with Taemin's.
---------------
Minho looked his his watch, felt anxious. It was already an hour and Taemin had not been back. He sat silently in the living room, waiting Taemin's arrival.
Minho stared out of a window and the rainbow - once again - caught his attention. The rainbow had been on the sky since an hour ago.
Something was weird.
and,
Taemin too ..
'" Hyung. We can be together, really. "'
Minho was finally recoiled and he looked at the rainbow.
It can't be ..
Minho ran out of the house and his view attached to the end of the rainbow.
No way.
But his feeling was not good.
Minho felt sick. He did not want something bad happened upon Taemin.
He followed the direction of the end of rainbow which was placed in a forest. He saw a steep road. He looked down and shocked after finding Taemin's figure laid unconscious, with the wounds on his body. Without thinking twice, Minho jumped and pulled Taemin next to him, wrapping the small figure.
" Oh God, Taeminnie! Wake up! "
Minho's frustrating calls worked out. Slowly, Taemin opened his eyes, and smiled slightly.
"Minho Hyung.."
"Stupid .." Minho whispered with shaky voice, "what are you -"
"Begging?" Taemin replied weakly. "Much like you do for me."
"But it means nothing if you have to do this, right?!"
" No," Taemin replied lowly, "because I have said my hope, that we can be together with no obstruction at the moment we meet again, to rewind the time. "
Minho was stunned. Taemin tried to touch Minho's cheek and smiled, " No matter how many times I have to go over the rainbow - is not a problem.. until finally we can be together for real. "
Minho drown his face against Taemin's neck. "You are .."
Taemin closed his eyes. He could feel Minho's tears flowing down on his neck..
"It's okay," Taemin whispered, " because at that time .. for sure .. "
" I know." It was all MInho said when he reached Taemin's lips and kissed them, as a proof of their promise. " and it will."
-------------
That guy took off his sunglasses and stared Taemin whom now completely gaped.
"You .." he muttered. Taemin blinked his eyes, lost for words
"Ah .. I'm not buying this, "Taemin said with the smallest volume of his and quickly left the stall as he saw the wavy haired guy quietly.
It feels like i know him -
Taemin suddenly held his breath,
because as Taemin walked over him,
that guy whispered something.
Taemin stopped. He turned, and his eyes widened when he saw that guy's smile.
Ah..
Taemin replied with a smile as well.
"Do you know me?"
That guy shook his head. "No - but that's what crossed my mind when i saw you."
"Really?"
The man nodded. Taemin chuckled.
Because I thought like that too.
and then Jinki approached Taemin.
" Taemin, have you bought - oh? Is he your friend? why are you two looking each other? "
Taemin grinned. "Not really .. and i decided to not buy the magazine. Let's go.. " Taemin's eyes glanced to that guy and he smirked . "Come on, Hyung."
When Taemin and Jinki went off, so did the man who had moved from where he stood to the different direction.
Both Taemin and that guy were thinking of each other whom they just met minutes ago.
" Guess that we meet again."
But one thing they were certain.
They both knew from their deepest heart -
No matter how long it took, they woud surely see each other again.
Because their fate is actully, timeless.