RED STRING REWRITTEN

40

Chapter: The Last Day at the Hotel

The golden sunlight spilled across the room, bouncing off the half-packed suitcases and messy blankets. Everyone was gathered in Gemini and Fourth’s room for one last morning together. The air carried both laughter and the bittersweet heaviness of goodbyes.

Ohm: (stretching) I can’t believe it’s already our last day here… it feels like we just arrived yesterday. I don’t want to leave this place yet.

Dunk: (pouting dramatically) Exactly! I’ll miss you all so much… especially Fotfot. (turns to Fourth) Can’t you come back to Korea with us, Fot? Pleaseee?

Fourth: (smiling softly, trying to sound cheerful) Awww, Dunkie… I’ll miss you too, naaa. Honestly, I want to come back more than anything — to be with you guys, my life there, everything. But… (his smile fades) I can’t go until everything with Gemini’s parents is sorted out.

Mark: (pretending to sulk) You can’t do this to us, Fourth. You cheater! How can you leave us hanging like this?

Fourth: (laughing) Oiii, Mark! Don’t be dramatic! You know how i miss them every single day — I talk about them all the time.

Satang: (nodding) We know, Fourth. We can see it in your eyes whenever you talk about them and Korea. And if you really want to go back, we’ll support you, always.

Winny: Yeah, and don’t worry — if you try to escape to Korea without us, we’ll haunt you there too!

Fourth: (smiling, but voice low) I wish it were that easy… but you all know why I can’t go.

The room goes quiet for a moment. Gemini, who had been leaning against the window, suddenly straightens up, a determined look in his eyes.

Gemini: I have an idea.

Fourth: (curious) What kind of idea?

Gemini: (confidently) Instead of waiting for things to settle on their own, why don’t we take the first step? Let’s all go to your house together, Fourth. I’ll explain everything to Taehyung hyung myself — that he doesn’t need to fear my parents anymore. Me and Jungkook hyung will handle everything. After that, we can all go back to Korea together.

Fourth: (shaking his head immediately) No, Gem… Taehyung hyung will never approve. He’s scared that your family will hurt Jungkook hyung again. He won’t even let me mention their names anymore.

Gemini: (steps closer, gently holding Fourth’s hand) Do you trust me?

Fourth: (without hesitation) Of course I do. I trust you the most.

Gemini: Then let me help you. Let us come with you, Fourth. This time, we’ll face everything together.

Dunk: (nodding eagerly) Yeah! If we all go there together, it’ll be easier to convince Taehyung hyung. There’s strength in numbers, right?

Gemini: Exactly. Then it’s decided — we’re going to Fourth’s house right now.

Fourth: (sighing, nervous smile) But you don’t know what you’re signing up for, Gemini. There’s not just Taehyung hyung… you have to convince four more people before we can even leave.

Gemini: (raising an eyebrow) Four more?

Fourth: (counting on fingers) Suga hyung, Jimin hyung, Jin hyung, and Namjoon hyung. We’re staying at their place right now. They’re Taehyung hyung’s childhood best friends, and they’re extremely protective of both of us. If they don’t approve, we’re not going anywhere.

Gemini: (grinning) Then I’ll just have to win them over too. For you, I’ll do anything.

Everyone exchanges glances, half nervous and half excited, as they begin packing their things. The drive to Fourth’s place is filled with chatter and quiet glances — anticipation and fear mixing in the air.