Beautiful Goodbye
CHAPTER 9: Face-to-face

        Jungkook was so faithfully pensive on his seat. From earlier his fingers were relentlessly massaging the base of his nose that was hit by dizziness. His eyeballs were flushed red, holding back any anger he tried to endure, ever since Sohyun dumped him like a wasted bark.

       Another case with his two friends, Jimin and Yoongi are busy picking up money leaflets scattered on the floor. In their brain software, that was all that came to mind, scooping up as much as possible before dividing the results. The fragments of tens of thousands of won notes were scattered, under the feet of the table, very much. I don't know what the nominal digit is, which is definitely worth more than the total money that Jungkook bet with his friends.

      Who would have thought, Kim So Hyun would embarrass himself. Jungkook's self-esteem felt forced out and lowered at the lowest level by women who slapped him in the face with a flick of money from the butut bag that Sohyun always carried everywhere. A loud slap that will be very imprinted in his life story book.

      The mysterious cold woman was actually able to make Jungkook stray repeatedly. Not enough to make him flabbergasted because of the money he had, Sohyun apparently knew of his rottenness since on the first day he declared his false love. Even the matter of Yeri who he told to shut up was so detailed Sohyun explained clearly. Impossible sense, how Sohyun able to pretend in front of him for months, let himself like a clown who was showing ignorance unconsciously. Though it is very possible, Sohyun told the truth, without the need to bother following the game he created.

      "When do you want to daydream there?"

      Jimin's voice rattled Jungkook's musings. He saw, the man was fondling the money that had been arranged. His finger stopped twitching his temple, He threw his face the other way, as if platonic about everything around him - all feeling bland.

      "Join with us, Kook! We enjoy this money!" Yoongi chimed in on his partner's remarks, equally busy counting the shock money they just got for free.

     "True Jimin said. You know, how much money did Sohyun give you?"

      "Ten million won!" say they're in unison.

      Jungkook thickened, so he stood up from his chair, moving his feet that crunched on the floor, about to approach the two people who look crazy treasure. He screeched, throwing a savage gaze.

      "As much as you want all that money, I don't care!" then he went from there. No matter what, Yoon-gi kept yelling at him to come back.

       "Hi, Jungkook! Where are you going?"

       "Just let him. As a man, he must be ashamed. Lucky to see this incident is only the waiter of the restaurant," Jimin ended the cry of Yoongi. Immediately stood up after pocketing the money that is not small amount. That's enough to eat for months.

🔔

       While in a different place, far from the frenetic crowd, the two different creatures of the opposite sex seemed silent for quite a long time. It has been more than an hour since they were petrified since he was taken away Sohyun by Taehyung riding in his car. Now they're stranded on the shore.

       The sound of the waves so loud, rolling water highlighted the car lights that are deliberately ignited by the owner. He is Kim Tae Hyung, a man who suddenly misbehaves in front of a woman he has not seen for a long time. Since then the man continued to steal a glance, at the figure of the woman who was fixated on seeing the swift roar of boiling salt water. Now what else is he waiting for? Hadn't he been expecting this meeting, meeting with a friend who had grown up to be a girl of angelic stature. As a man, it is appropriate that he begins or at least creates a calming atmosphere, not hides in the silence that runs across them.

      He looked once more at Sohyun's calm face, the reflection of the full moonlight on the girl's face. His heart pounded, looking at Sohyun who had not yet voiced or turning to him.

      Meanwhile, in Sohyun's own heart, his heart was very happy, being able to meet Taehyung whom he had been forced to avoid for a few days. But again the girl remained silent, she hesitated even embarrassed. Sohyun was not the type of person who easily melted the atmosphere. At least Taehyung is much better than him. It's just that, where did the Taehyunya who used to be so spontaneous about something. Could age affect the way Taehyung applies?

      Not much different, it was realized to mess with the brain of a Kim Taehyung. Seeing the huge change that had happened to Sohyun, it caught him in awkwardness.

      "You how are you?"

       He gasped, but the soft voice of Sohyun questioned his news. Taehyung berdeham kagok. Positioning yourself appropriately in front of Sohyun who still did not want to turn to look at the beach waves at night.

       "As you see. I'm good, Hyun ...."

       Sohyun did not answer. His faint smile rose, albeit only at a glance. Taehyung, who was stuck in a dim light in his car, did not know. What was in his mind was fear, when his friend was angry to silence him like that.

     "Em.., sorry to see you now. I'm sorry I left without telling you first."

       Sohyun then turned his head, the net had been raised, perhaps since then, the girl tried to hold back her tears.

       "Thank you, thank you for not forgetting me."

       "I will be the worst man in the world, if I dare to forget my best friend. You, Kim So Hyun, are the only person I miss the most outside of my family."

        Both of them exhale. Then with courage that came out of nowhere, Taehyung grabbed the palm of Sohyun's hand that was long in the head. Sohyun was surprised, looking at the hand that was once so strong and bigger than him. He let it go, Taehyung leaned into the sidelines of his fingers. Even Jungkook who claimed to be his lover, never once he allowed anything, touched his skin.

        "At that time, I haven't been able to help you." Taehyung started to remember past events.

      "No problem. I was wondering, what were those thugs stealing, until you ran that fast?"

      Taehyung hissed when recalling the events of the other day. If only he could control the pace of his legs, Sohyun would not have hit his body to make the girl in pain on the side of the road without anyone helping.

       Taehyung played Sohyun's index finger, the first thing the man often does if he is in a troubled mood. Sohyun just smiled, Taehyung did not change a bit.

      "Do you remember my promise?"

      The girl next to him nodded.

      "I'm willing to lose anything, but in that bag there's that bell, I can't let go of the thing you've been waiting for so long before it's in the hands of the owner," taehyung Light stared deeply into my eyes that kept looking, not turning away.

      "And now, as promised, I'll give it to you." It is recommended that a small object that has peeled off from its original color. Brass twin bells, which have been around for a very long time, are stored in a box.

      Slowly his hands stretched out, receiving the object with trembling hands. For a long time, the liquid poking in the eye fertilizer, Sohyun sobbed, sobbing and looking at the little clapper he had long wanted. Perhaps it was not a precious object, Sohyun still remembered, how much the price listed, no more than one won. An incomparable nominal with the money he just threw in Jungkook's face tonight. But what is the meaning of price when aligned with the memories behind it.

     "Do I make you sad?"

     His head looked up, looking at Taehyung with eyes. The man looked worried, until without realizing it, Taehyung wiped away his tears. He wiped it slowly as when he was crying.

      "No." Sohyun. "I just don't know how to express my happy feelings. I'm happy, Taehyung, very happy. But— compared to this, your arrival means a lot more to me." With a stampede, Sohyun answered a question from Taehyung.

      Taehyung buzzed before dropping his body, strangling Sohyun in the chest protection of his field. His hand moved sluggishly, slashing Sohyun's trembling back, while his best friend continued to cry batedly.

      That night, the atmosphere changed. Everything that had been locked in each other's hearts was open, though not completely, because Sohyun was still on his solid fortress. He was silent when Taehyung asked about his fifteen-year life. He is honest about what he wants to share, and chooses to dodge-divert topics - or be silent without an answer.

      The car he was driving entered the road to the hills. On the right and left sides, pine trees have been seen shaving, began to be left leaves that some time ago were so thick, strongly designed on each branch strand. Autumn is different from previous years. Because the two partners, now met in the same space and time.

      Sohyun got off when the car stopped in front of the gate of the house. Walking to the left side, looking at Taehyung who was smiling sincerely at him. His eyebrows are linked, reviewing the look of his best friend.

     "When do you want to keep smiling like that?" Sohyun asked, knowing his best friend continued to spread sweet gelak since then.

      "Why? You don't like it?"

     Taehyung further widened his smile. "What's so obvious?"

      "I'm just kidding, Taehyung. You go home, thanks for taking me home." Sohyun took a few steps back after saying it. Making room for the car Taehyung was driving passed away.

     "When I wish you'd honestly say it." Taehyung cut off his lips, pretending to be annoyed. Then giggled waving at Sohyun who looked at himself in full consciousness. The girl, for the first time, after a long time hiding in her veil of silence, smiled as soon as she left. Taehyung did not lie, he really liked it, the smooth folds that were formed, similar to his Sohyun as a child.

     "You're getting prettier when you smile."

      Sohyun did not shed his smile, hearing those words slide from the two sides of Taehyung's lips. The originally timid man slowly showed the originals.

      Taehyung was preparing to leave, but soon, he turned off the roar of his vehicle engine. Seemed to be unbuckling, like getting out of a car. Right, now Taehyung actually came out and came to Sohyun who was stunned.

     Taehyung now hugged him.

      "Why did you do it?" Sohyun asked softly in Taehyung's arms.

      "While I don't know what you've been through. Rest assured, Sohyun, you're no longer alone. Do you remember the first time we met? At that time, I was very curious, what was the reason you hid in the bushes, crying in fear. Even though you repeatedly said it was only because of being chased by a coyote - I feel like there's another reason you're deliberately covering up."

      "Kim Tae Hyung!" Sohyun tried to escape, but the one that existed, Taehyung increasingly strong clutching his body.

      "I still don't know anything about you. Until I could only remember your facial expression, I kept thinking about it until today, in this second."

      Sohyun said nothing. Except fall— was dissolved in the warmth Taehyung offered him.

       Taehyung slightly stretched the distance. Now he stared at Sohyun's teary eyes. Since the first look of his return to Korea, the eyes he now saw implied a deep wound. The wound that sank so far to the bottom of the crust of the heart, and no one knew. Taehyung's nights were twitching to his thoughts, and now that half the answer was answered, Sohyun and his injuries, became more and more apparent in the glare of his weariness.

     In his whispering, Sohyun was stunned. That was what he was afraid of from the beginning, Taehyung knew him well. More than anyone.

      After feeling for a long time he hugged the girl's body, Taehyung said while releasing his embrace. "Sohyun, it's midnight .. Sorry to keep you waiting. Rest up!"

     The girl just nodded. Not that he did not care or care about the ears of Taehyung's words, Sohyun just pensive, contemplating the words that managed to touch the crust of his heart.

       His eyes continued to follow Taehyung's movements, after the man re-entered his vehicle. The car went off, again, the man sitting behind the wheel was waving, at his best friend. "You're not alone, Hyun."

     "O, you be careful on the road!" Taehyung's call replied to a message from him.

      Later, Taehyung swerved with his vehicle. Leaving Sohyun alone in his palace. After their meeting on a tiring day. Sohyun quickly shifted the gate of the house. Crossing the park in its spacious courtyard.

      His legs stopped stepping, as Jonghoon's usual car arrived home. That means, his mother has returned and he has to be on standby with his mask.

🔔

       Yoon Eun who had arrived at her residence half an hour ago was so solemn, sitting on the single sofa she used to wear. His hands were busy fiddling with the newly acquired video from the copies of surveillance camera footage installed throughout the house. His eyes stopped watching as the sound of foot tapping from the door came. Makes his wry smile appear. Not pressing the bell or knocking on the door, only one person dared to do it in this house, who else if not his daughter.

      Sohyun passed through the middle room as usual. Without a word of greeting, he breezed as if Yoon eun had never been in the subject of his vision.

      "Don't want to ask you about mom?"

      Sohyun paused the steps that would climb the stairs. Suddenly his mother's question tickled the recesses of his heart. "Should it?"

       "Mother went away for two weeks and didn't communicate with you, more precisely, you accidentally cut off contact. Of course you need to know."

       Sohyun smiled obliquely, turning around to look at Yoon eun who was still in her most comfortable place. "Seeing that you can talk and relax on the couch with a cup of expresso .. That's enough for me to know that you're okay."

     Yoon eun snorted, a gust of rough breathing out. He saw Sohyun stepping, with a small gesture, the boy came to him, advocating right hand to face Yoon eun, looking like asking for something.

    "What's wrong? You want something from me?"

     Sohyun nodded, "Today I spent a lot of money."

      Sohyun's honest reply immediately shook Yoon eun, haughtily, with that hand out of her sight. Then said sarcastically. "When have you been a beggar? You think I'll give it away easily? No, Sohyun. If you keep being disrespectful to me, don't expect you'll take a penny from me."

      Sohyun's turn was chuckling. Although she was shriveled, clearly the girl smiled with satisfaction. "Goodoo. That way, you don't have to waste a lot of money on me. Because I don't really need it either."

      Yoon Eun got up, slapping the cheeks of the woman who dared to act insolent in front of her.

      Sohyun did not react much, only, now his left palm swept over his hot cheek. The slap was like a distraction before the war between the two countries began.

       "Do you really not need my money anymore?" his question was like mocking the statement his daughter made.

       "I no longer need it. And ... I beg your permission, "Sohyun said more calmly.

       "Izin for what? Don't you do everything you want without waiting for my approval?"

       Sohyun panted, his mother said. Then a little forward to see the mother's facial water that he managed to make a beaver.

       "I want out of this house. Soon!"

        Yoon Eun's reflexes slapped Sohyun for the second time, to the point of crumbling, the table broke. Sohyun bowed for a moment, his eyes twitched for a moment looking at the video that showed him and Taehyung inside the flaming tab.

       "Is it because of that man, Kim So Hyun?"

       Sohyun tergugu eyed the snaps of his mother. Slowly his head turned. Smiling smirkily looked at the unconscious Yoon eun.

      "It's all because of you, Mom. You're the one who made me want to leave, not just from this house, but from this world."

       Sohyun quickly stood firm. Reviewing her distinctive thin smile, as if nothing had ever happened between the child and the mother. "Now I want to rest. Since I'm home, you better get some sleep, I don't want to see you fall ill because of my outrageous attitude today, Mom. Excuse me."

      Yoon eun said nothing but a slam of hard objects as an outlet of her frustration. While Sohyun, still walking towards his room, without the intention of turning his head for a second. That girl is really tired. Tired of just surviving.