Let's break up
.
Paris, four years ago, autumn
“Are you crazy?”
“…”
“This crazy kid.”
A fist slammed into Jeon Jungkook's cheek. He was only hit twice more. Jungkook's eyes, his lips chapped, were directed towards...
It was Kim Taehyung. Taehyung couldn't see anything anymore. Even though he knew Choi Yi-an was meeting the three of them, Jeon Jungkook pretended not to notice. He kept pretending not to notice, and it finally came to this. Taehyung was angry. He felt a hatred he'd never felt in his life. He regretted the time he'd spent with Jungkook.
And Jimin, next to him, silently grabbed Taehyung. “If you keep doing this, the kid will die,” he said, but his face also looked resigned.
"Let's never see each other again."
“…”
“You and Choi Ian, it’s the same.”
Taehyung shook Jimin's hand away. That winter seemed particularly cold. Jimin, still in his seat, had a hollow look in his eyes. He looked up at the sky and then back to Jungkook. He stared at Jungkook, who was slumped against the floor, using the wall as support. He had nothing to say, nothing he wanted to say. He only felt sorry for their situation. How could a relationship end like this over a woman?
“Why did you come here without telling us?”
“…”
“Was it Choi Ian?”
Jungkook was the first to come to Ian after the three of them finished their trip to Europe, without even contacting their friends. Jimin was the same, but Jungkook knew about it, since he was already dating Ian. And Taehyung also came to Europe without telling Jungkook and Jimin. Jungkook knew even that.
When they finally realized all three were in Paris, they each made excuses for not telling Ian. Jungkook wanted to come back, Jimin had a business contract, Taehyung was on a business trip. What they didn't realize then was that they were lying to each other.
“I know you feel the same way.”
”…“
“I’m sorry, Jimin.”
"Now come."
“Take care.”
Jimin turned around and left without saying a word. And Jungkook was still in the alley for a long time.
.
And now.
Ian changed clothes and came out to the living room. There was no conversation among the three until Ian offered them coffee. As the glasses were placed in front of them, Taehyung spoke.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why.”
“I wish I didn’t know.”
“That’s what you’re talking about.”
"Taehyung. We're broken up now." Taehyung's eyes fluttered at Ian's words. The tone was so firm, Taehyung couldn't say anything else.
“As you all know,”
“…”
“I’m done with you.”
“…”
“There is nothing more to say.”
“This is why I saw the end.”
This time, it was Jimin. His voice trembled slightly. "I knew. I tried to keep it a secret, but it just didn't seem possible." Everyone except Ian had their heads down. Ian looked at the three men and thought, "I haven't done anything for you, yet you're willing to stay with me until the very end. Since it's come to this, I thought I might as well be in your debt until the very end."
“I have a favor to ask.”
“…”
“Take me to the sea.”
.
The next day, I woke up and found myself in a car. Beyond the window, the vast blue waves rippled. I was covered with a blanket taller than me. There was no one in the car. I looked around and saw three men lighting a fire on the sandy beach. I gave a small smile. Looking at it this way, it really felt like I'd gone back in time. To that time four years ago, when nothing had happened, when we were just happy together.
I captured them all crouching together, huddled together in a circle, lighting a fire. It was a small thing, but it brought me joy. It felt like the time I'd broken was flowing again. I felt sorry, and sorry again, but at the same time, I felt relieved. Just then, Park Jimin woke up and seemed to be coming in his car. I quickly leaned back against the seat and closed my eyes. I pretended to be asleep.
Suddenly, the door opened, and the scent of the sea wafted past my nose. Then came the chirping of seagulls and the crackling of dry firewood against the fire. Park Jimin rummaged through the car for a moment, as if he'd come to retrieve something. He then pulled the blanket up to my chin before closing the door. At that moment, my eyes opened. I'm finally with you, even in the end.
The sun had completely set. I tried to pretend to be asleep, but fell asleep again. When I woke up again, the smell of meat hit me. I opened the door without hesitation and saw three men grilling meat. "Are you awake?" Surprisingly, the three men said the same thing at the same time. "Huh?" Meanwhile, my eyes were fixed on the meat cooking on the grill.
“What did the three of you talk about?”
“I didn’t tell you.”
“Lie~”
“A story from when we were in Paris.”
It was Jeon Jungkook, placing a perfectly cooked pork chop on my plate. "How much meat has it been since I've had this?" Living alone, I don't have the luxury of grilling anything fancy, and besides, I rarely go out except for company dinners. Now that I've quit my job, I won't have any reason to see you guys again...
“Do you remember these clothes?”
“I don’t know about anything else, but it looks cold.”
“Ah… not that.”
"This is the outfit we wore when we went to the beach in France. I bragged about buying it new, didn't I?" Kim Taehyung said. "Oh, as expected~ The unexpected detail made me feel good for no reason. This is the first outfit I've worn since then. Do you think it still suits me?" Park Jimin answered my question. "Oh, it's pretty. But it's too cold to wear in this late winter." He then draped the padded jacket he was wearing over my shoulders.
I was a little cold inside. I was grateful for the warm weight draped over my shoulders. Looking at it this way, I realize there's something incredibly grateful about this situation itself. I wonder when we'll ever be together like this again. If only I hadn't done this, we could have stayed this peaceful...
“From now on, the three of us should keep in touch.”
At the same time, everyone put down their chopsticks, so I was a little nervous.
“I know. It’s bullshit.”
“…”
“I know you hate me.”
“…”
“I don’t have the right to say such things.”
“…”
“But I’m going to die soon.”
As soon as those words left my mouth, everyone averted their gaze from me and poured drinks into their mouths one after another. "Hey, how could you say something like that so casually?"
“I came here with you all to tell you this.”
I think I've been too selfish this life. I wanted to live shamelessly to the end, and I guess I'm taking the punishment for it sweetly. It's probably the price I pay for ruining the memories of three people. Tomorrow morning, I might not be able to open my eyes, and I might not be able to see you all. That's why I'm telling you this.
I want to say a proper goodbye to you all one last time.
Hello, this is Manggaemanggae
Long time no see?
The Let's Break Up series will conclude with the next eight episodes.
It's a material that comes to mind from time to time and that I've written down.
Morally bankrupt… I wanted to write a bad female protagonist.
I don't want to glorify or justify him because he's a bad person!
Please watch Ian's ending carefully until the end.
At the end of episode 8, I disappear again~
I checked all the comments too. Thank you as always. I haven't forgotten.
See you again someday when you come back :)
P.S. You've made it to the top of the rankings. We used to work together.
I was glad that I thought of the writers a lot. Thank you.