Sejin the Manager, watched in fascination as his charge Seokjin ( yes, the idol Kim Seokjin ) ate with much gusto. He even had several servings of meat and banchan. His appetite, his vibrant personality, his energy and his vitality all returned after their 10-day vacation.

Sejin could finally see the shine in his eyes. His charge seemed to be inspired, his cute notebook full of scribbles and he was humming a new tune.

Seokjin placed the bowl on the table, massaging his tummy. “Thank you for the meal, Yoona-ssi. It was very delicious.”

The lady nodded and smiled. “You are too kind, Seokjin-ssi. I hope you have enjoyed your stay at our little place.”

“Oh I did!” Seokjin said enthusiastically, vibrating like a child. “I love this town. I think I might come back soon.” His cheeks lifted into an uncontrollable smile.

“That's great to hear, dear.” Then she smiled awkwardly and asked, “do you mind if we ask for an autograph?”

Seokjin nodded. People asking him for autographs and pictures are normal. “Would you like a picture as well?” He offered.

Sejin looked at him, “Jin-ah, you know that's not allowed—”

Yoona and her husband Mingyu exchanged looks, shook their heads and smiled warmly. “Your autograph is enough, Seokjin-ssi.”

They handed him all of his four albums. He noticed all of them had worn out casing.

“How did you know the places you went to?” The lady asked, as he signed the albums one by one.

“How did I—” Seokjin was taken aback and almost dropped his pen. Then he paused for a few seconds. “What do you mean, Yoona-ssi?”

“Oh, I mean the places your group told me you went to, how did you know how to get there?”

Another smile painted the idol’s face, his cheeks turning the color of rose. “I have a good friend who told me how to. With his help, I found them easily.”

Yoona smiled. “Ah, that's good to know. It's just that...only locals know those places. Also, where did you hear the song you were humming a while ago?”

Yoona certainly asks too many bizarre questions, Seokjin thought. But he felt really happy sharing his experiences.

“It wasn't any of your songs.” She said, smiling.

“Oh you know my songs?” Seokjin said, surprised.

“Of course we do. We play your album almost all the time.” She smiled, and Seokjin wondered why the smile was familiar, albeit a little sad, not reaching her eyes. Mingyu, who sat to her right, had the same smile.

“Oh I heard it somewhere. It was pretty, really. And I liked it! Too bad there wasn't any lyrics.”

“Yeah, he keeps on humming that song for ages!” Sejin, his manager said. Then he looked at Seokjin. “You barely slept but you still look really good.”

“Oh I slept alright!”

“You didn't. I heard doors opening and closing and you were talking to someone—”

“Did you make a friend, Seokjin-ssi? We asked the townspeople not to bother you.” Yoona looked extremely worried.

“Oh no,” Seokjin replied, comforting the lady. “I found a friend, Yoona-ssi. And he lives in your house. He's really beautiful and he plays the piano so well, I envy him.” He sighed.

The looks the couple gave them was unexplainable.

“What does he look like?” Yoona asked in a small voice.

Seokjin thought for a minute. “He's got a really pale skin, beautiful though like peeled eggs. He chuckled. He's got cat eyes—though he insists he's not a cat!” Seokjin said enthusiastically. “He's got long hair for a guy, got gummy smile and long fingers and big hands. He's shorter, though. Raps like a gangsta, too.” He laughed, remembering the boy’s performance one night when he asked for a song. The boy played one of his own songs, singing and rapping with passion.

“Was he the one who showed you all the places you went too?” Sejin asked curiously. "We dropped the itinerary we planned."

“Oh yes he did! And they were wonderful too. I could never find those without his help.”

“And the song?” Sejin asked.

“His own composition. He was playing that piece when I first saw him.” He turned to the couple. “He was playing that small piano in the other room in your house. It's so beautiful I had to request that he play it every night.” Seokjin smiled, eyes floating upwards as if remembering the moment.

“Did he look like this?” Yoona said, showing them a picture in her phone, breaking the conversation between Seokjin and Sejin.

“He looks really pretty,” Sejin said, looking at the photo.

It was of a boy with long hair playing the piano. The picture was taken on the boy's left side.

“That's Yoongi!” Seokjin said happily, almost shouting with glee. “When was this taken? Can I get a copy of this? Do you know his number, where can I reach him?” He felt really excited. Elated, even. Yoongi wasn't a figment of his imagination. He's a real, breathing person.

Yoona smiled sadly. “That's our son, Yoongi. He's 19 in the picture.”

Mingyu placed a hand on top of Yoona and the couple hugged each other. Then he looked at Seokjin. “He is our second son.”

“Great!" Seokjin said, turning to his manager. He couldn’t contain his joy "See, Sejin hyung! Yoongi is real. I will find him and show you—”

“Unfortunately, he died 3 years ago, trying to save his small cousin in the cove.”

🥀

Seokjin sat still as a stone on the drive back to Seoul. He stared at nothing in particular and only answers “yes” and “no.”

Yoongi died on June 13th, three years ago.

And Seokjin will never, for the rest of his life, forget that date.

It was his third fan meet. His staff knew there will only be a handful of people coming, and yet they pushed through.

His company said, “go big or go home.” If all goes well, he will sign with them again. If not, well, he had to find another company to take him.

Kihyun, his make-up artist for the event, put the finishing touches on Seokjin's porcelain face, even though they know he'll have another two hours before the event begins. Two hours before the event which will decide his fate. Staff ran across the room and talked in whispers. As quiet as it is in his small and cramped dressing room, Seokjin’s brain is filled with loud thoughts of fear and failure.

“Jin-ssi,” Kihyun asked, breaking the train of thoughts swimming in his head. “What would you give for this career of yours to be successful?”

Seokjin, who was scared and worn out said, “everything, Kihyun-ssi. This is my dream. I want to become a singer and touch the hearts and lives of many. I want words to come to life and make people smile.” His shoulders slumped.

“Are you sure?” He smiled kindly, applying an additional coat of balm to his lips.

“Yes?”

“Even your soulmate?” He asked innocently.

Seokjin chuckled. “Even in this age and year you believe that, Kihyun-ssi?”

“Of course I do. I just had to make him see it.” He smiled.

Seokjin sighed.

”So...What would you give for this to become successful?” He repeated.

“Everything,” Seokjin said tiredly, sighing. “I would give everything for this to be successful.”

His beautiful, out of this world make-up artist touched his cheek. “Then it shall be yours, Jin-ssi. Your dream.”

And, to the company, staff and Seokjin's surprise, the fan meet got canceled and was moved to a different, bigger venue.

When he sang one of his songs, Abyss, he didn't know why tears fell. And why his heart sank while singing the song. If felt like a part of him was gone.

When he broke down in tears, it was all captured on camera. Later they said that the artist was overwhelmed with the support.

But Seokjin knew, he lost a part of him. He just doesn't know what it is.

And Seokjin's life was never the same. His dream came true.

And, no matter how hard he tried, he never found the makeup artist again.

🥀

“Why don't you believe in soulmates, Yoongi?”

The younger boy looked at him sadly and played the piano. “Because I don't want them to feel alone, hyung.”

🥀

“And that's why I'm sleeping, again, outside!” Jungkook slammed the glass on the table.

Jimin looked at him bored. “You had one job, man. And you failed.”

“I've got so many things to do, what one job are you talking about!?” Jungkook said, frustrated. For their past three lifetimes, I made sure that they meet. I cleared a path. And I don't know, for the love of—”

Jungkook stared at nothingness, as if realizing something.

“I made sure they end up together, for the past three lifetimes. I cleared their paths... Everyone wanted them to be together... Or not... Oh sh—” he whispered to himself.

Jimin looked at him and raised his eyebrow.

“Okay fine!”

He got up and rushed to his and Yeri's room. “Love,” he called out softly.

“I'm sooo mad at you!” Yeri shouted on the other side.

He heard glass cracking. That must be the vase Namjoon gave him on his wedding.

Another crash, of porcelain breaking. Must be another gift.

“Okay okay!” He shouted. “I'll go down to the human world and make sure they end up together! And I'm bringing you with me! I'll make you his crazy sister!”

“You won't leave this place, I know you!”

“Watch me!”

And they did. ;)

💐 💐 💐