The couple dropped off at a safer place; away from the crowd. There, they can relax and converse comfortably without worrying about people secretly filming them. When they have settled on an empty bench, Yoongi pulled Jihyo for a hug.
"I can't believe you're really here in my arms, Jihyo."
She had a lot of thoughts in mind but looking straight into his eyes drowned all her worries away. The slight smile that lingers on his lips and the bright expression he has calmed down her nerves. She's got another reason to love the man in front of him even more and that's for making her his priority in all circumstances.
"Yoongi, it's the first time you ignored my calls. I never knew it'll be this terrifying."
Jihyo said in her shaky voice.
"I wanted to tell you that I didn't mean to make you feel unimportant. Yoongi, I'm so used to making decisions on my own so I didn't know how to impart someone else. I know... it sounds like another excuse and I'm not saying this to make my acts acceptable to you it's just that-"
"It's okay, Jihyo."
"No! I know it's not okay. You being upset with me is reasonable and I also agreed that it's my mistake."
"Since you're here now, I'm no longer upset."
"But me being here does not solve our issue. In fact, it only makes me feel guiltier. Look what you're doing right now, instead of coming back to Seoul right away, you choose to stay with me. I'm sure you'll be in trouble soon and here you are telling me that because I'm here, you're already okay?"
He smiled despite her nagging.
"It's because you are much more important."
"If you'll say it like that, what will it makes me then?"
He sighed knowingly but kept his smile on purpose.
"You're here not only because you're scared that I'll break up with you, right?"
Yoongi said matter of factly and it caught her off guard.
"I've been ignoring your calls and messages not only because I'm mad at you. It's also because I'm thinking about it and a lot more things. It's weighing me down knowing you'll have to stay there for long and you know I do not like it one bit. However, I also do not want to be the only person hindering you."
Jihyo shakes her head, no.
"You probably thought I'll stop you, right? Maybe I will or maybe not, who knows? I still prefer you to be here though."
"I know."
"But that's not what you prefer."
He says while holding her face with both hands, squeezing it lightly to make her lips pout.
"Today you'll bargain to me that after the musical ends you'll go back home but that won't happen, Ji. You'll be scouted for another act I'm sure and the cycle will repeat itself."
"It's just a one-off opportunity, Yoongi."
"Are you doubting yourself? You are a very talented person, Jihyo. I doubt the musical directors will not see your potential. I'm sure you will land another opportunity and that's why I'm scared."
She had confusion written all over her face but him squeezing her face like a stress ball doesn't help.
"I'm scared that this long-distance relationship will not last if both of us are too busy with our own lives. If we are at least next to each other, it'll be easier to make time and meet."
She catches both his hands and takes them away from her face.
"If long distance is so hard to bear then how about we just love each other today?"
Jihyo suggested. Yoongi frowns, not able to read her mind again.
"If we cannot promise that tomorrow will be better than today then let's not do that. I know it's already hard as it is but you are right, our future could be brighter while we're living our own lives separately."
Now the crease in his forehead deepens.
"You're confusing me, Jihyo. What is your point?"
"Let's love each other without pressure. You know, just like having an unrequited love? You just love without expectations."
"That's-"
"Ridiculous, I know."
"You're saying since tomorrow is uncertain we will not waste our energy promising what we cannot foresee is that right? That I'll just have to love you from a distance not expecting anything in return?
"I'm sure I'll be in Korea once in a while and so do you. You'll hold concerts in America maybe once every year. That'll be our time to reunite, temporarily ending our unrequited love, and you'll definitely not gonna be a single man 'cause I'll make you mine then."
She said with confidence.
"You're insane, Jihyo. How could you even think it'll work?"
"It will if both of us stay faithful. It's not like we will live as if we're not dating. I'm saying we will not set expectations, 'cause having expectations can also make us disappointed. We do not have the leisure to disappoint and appease each other if we are living in different time zones. Give it some thought, if you still hate it I won't insist. I'm just suggesting it so you won't be scared of the uncertain."
"What about you, aren't you scared that I might end up meeting someone else while you're away?"
"Yah!! Don't make me imagine things!"
She scolded; slapping his shoulder hard.
"I know it won't happen, I am confident you cannot do that to me. That's how much I trust and believe in you, Yoongi. However, if you yourself will ask me those kinds of things, how am I supposed to stay calm?!"
He laughs and pulls her once again for a hug.
"My bad, forget what I said. Until when are you staying here?"
"Just until tomorrow night. I have to come back right away because the rehearsal will be very soon."
"Then you have to stay with me until your departure."
"How can I stay with you, you're on tour."
"If there's a will, there's a way and oh, just to be clear, I'm allowing you to do the musical. I cannot be the person keeping you from going big, right? But make sure to give me your sign for free."
Tsk! I'll even buy you a ticket if I'll get a lead role in the future."
"That should be a promise! Dating or temporarily not dating, you cannot take back your word!"
"(laugh) That's a promise, Min Yoongi-ssi."
"Good, now let's head back to Seoul."
~~~