Soonyoung raised her head hastily, embarrassed by the belated arrival. Her eyes and nose were already flushed red. Seungcheol stood behind them, still staring blankly at them. His eyes seemed to demand an explanation.
“…Well, you seem to want an explanation, even if it’s simple?”
"....."
Sunyoung didn't respond to Jihoon's words, but she lifted her gaze from the floor and looked at him. Jihoon shrugged lightly and said nothing much had happened. He'd just kept his mouth shut and tried to figure out how to get out, that his phone was already broken and he couldn't contact anyone, and that everyone in the organization thought he was dead. He spoke casually, but the listeners were overwhelmed, almost uncomfortable.
"That's why I have to go, my organization. Are you alive?"
"Uh... yeah."
"Wow, you didn't catch anyone?"
Jihoon smiled brightly, as if he knew nothing. Then Seungcheol, who had been quietly listening behind him, sighed deeply and muttered in a small voice.
"Soonyoung and I stopped it. You guys almost got into trouble. Kwon Soonyoung begged and pleaded, so I helped."
".... Yeah, that's right."
Jihoon, smiling with satisfaction, looked at Soonyoung. For the first time, their eyes met properly. Seungcheol glanced at them, then declared he was leaving and returned to his seat in the distance. The silence continued. Neither Jihoon nor Soonyoung attempted to start a conversation. They simply sat there, staring at each other.
"It's been two years. How have you been?"
"....."
There was no answer. Ji-hoon didn't think she was doing well. She had to be. He was even slightly happy. Because she hadn't forgotten him even after two years. Because she shed tears at the mere mention of his name.
“I was worried that you might have a secret lover, but luckily you are.”
".....That doesn't even make sense."
"Are you in irritating mode again? This is a bit disappointing."
Jihoon made a pointless joke and held out his hand. Soonyoung just looked at his outstretched hand with a questioning look on her face.
"Hold my hand for a second. I've been lonely."
Soonyoung stared blankly, then burst into laughter, seemingly dumbfounded. She began to hate her past self, the one who'd cried, screamed, and made a scene. Jihoon whined, asking why she'd just hold out her hand and make him wait. Soonyoung, however, pretended helplessly and held it. Perhaps because she'd been in such a place, her hands looked pale compared to the rest of her skin.
"What, you're so much thinner than before. Didn't you eat?"
"....Because the food didn't taste good."
Jihoon, driving her crazy, forced himself to eat the small snack he had stuffed into his pocket. Soonyoung raised her head and stared at Jihoon, who suddenly stood up.
"I should go see my kids. I wonder if they're doing well."
After a moment of hesitation at Jihoon's question, Soonyoung pulled out her phone, flipped through it, and then held it out. Jihoon picked it up, couldn't help but smile at the screen, and pressed the call button.
After a brief silence, a bright voice was heard.
_Hello, Sunyoung? Why are you calling?
Want to meet up? Then I'm Cole!!
_Oh my, you and Kwon Soon-young are really close?
_......what
_Aren't you working?
_.... brother...?
Jihoon sighed at Seungkwan's constant questioning, complaining that he had become dull. The sound of Seungkwan's sobs reached Jihoon's ears immediately. Jihoon nagged him, asking why he was crying, but Seungkwan ignored him and continued to whine.
_I'll be there soon, just wait.
Jihoon said what he had to say and hung up. He then returned the phone to its owner. He had lost a lot of weight, it was obvious. As Jihoon spread his arms out to either side, Soonyoung absentmindedly hugged him around the waist. A familiar scent wafted past Soonyoung's nose. To suppress the feelings that threatened to rise again, Soonyoung rested her head on Jihoon's shoulder.
Sorry... I don't remember what the kids did, so I ended up doing my own thing... haha