A well needed reprieve was Jihyo needed. Luckily, everything was there for her in Minhyuk's bustling settlement.
[PRESENT TIME]
April 3, 2023, 3:11 am Minhyuk's Settlement, Daegu, South Korea.
"And... that's how you found me."
Jihyo and Zeke sat quietly side by side on a curb in front of their makeshift apartment. It's been at least 5 minutes since Jihyo finished telling her story, and Zeke was still at loss for words. He couldn't imagine how Jihyo survived that ordeal--- losing a close friend and forced to survive in a wasteland that bears no hopes or promises.
Jihyo began to cry silently as Zeke looks down. These thoughts have been tormenting her so much that for days, she couldn't sleep. Not that it was a strange occurrence, anyway---she had nights like these when she was a trainee, and even more when she became an idol. But then, this was different. This wasn't just because of fatigue or tiredness, but because of loss, and the fear of the unknown ahead of her.
But then, opening up all those bottled emotions to Zeke gave her relief, somehow. He didn't ask questions nor react to what she said; he was just there, listening attentively to her every word until it was over. Sure, it wouldn't probably stop her from feeling the bad things again in the future, but at least, she had already let go of most of them.
After minutes of sobbing, Jihyo took a deep breath and wiped her tears.
"Look, I'm sorry I made you all worry." Jihyo continued. "I just... my miss my friends and family, that's all. And I also wish I could've done better to save Mina. I wish I could've done a lot more.."
"Oh, no. You don't have to say sorry, alright?" Zeke replied. "It's what you feel. You don't have to force yourself to be okay if you feel you aren't. Try to take it easy on yourself."
"I... guess you're right," Jihyo replied. "I've been hard on myself lately because of what happened... and Vesper's words made it much worse."
"Just feel what you have to feel, alright? I'll just be here with you. I'll assist you in your journey. Because I'm your friend, after all, and that's how friends do it!" Zeke said.
Jihyo looks at him. She remembers a time where Zeke was still shy around her. And now... he was there, smiling at her, confident in his words.
Zeke suddenly yawns.
Jihyo giggles. "Tee-hee, you're sleepy now, aren't you? I'm sorry, I'm not going to keep you here any longer. You need some rest now." Jihyo said.
"I think so.." Zeke chuckled as he stretched his arms. "You going to sleep as well?"
"In a bit. I just need more time to think about things." Jihyo replied as she looked at Zeke.
"Alright. If you don't need anything else, I'm off to bed." Zeke said as he slowly stood up.
"Uh, Zeke?" Jihyo said.
"Yeah?" Zeke replied, looking at Jihyo with sleepy eyes.
"Thank you for being here with me," Jihyo said as she smiled.
Zeke smiles back. "Yeah, you're welcome. See you tomorrow--- I mean, later." He then slowly heads back to his sleeping bag and drifts off to sleep almost immediately.
Jihyo on the other hand was still sitting on the curb, trying to contemplate things even further. Somehow, she felt that everything was alright once more, as she closed her eyes and just tried to feel the cold breeze in peace. She just opened to someone after two months, and for some reason, she felt it was the right thing to do.
Zeke wakes up a few hours later. He checked the time: 10:08 am.
He looks around their apartment. Jihyo and Seojun weren't in their sleeping bags anymore. They must be in the training area already.
Zeke goes out and walks to the place where they do their training, only to find out they weren't there as well.
"Strange.." Zeke thought. "Where are they...?"
He then sees Hangyeol, patrolling the area with a few guards.
"Hey, Hangyeol!" Zeke waved.
"Oh, Zeke! Hello! What's going on?"
"Nothing much. Have you seen Jihyo and Mr. Seojun?" Zeke asks.
"I honestly don't know.." Hangyeol replied. "They should've been here hours ago for the training session, but they have yet to arrive. They didn't go out either, so I assume they're just around here somewhere."
"I see. Thanks, Hangyeol." Zeke said as he went around, trying to find Seojun and Jihyo.
His search eventually leads him to a tailoring stall as he sees Seojun and Jihyo casually talking and laughing while waiting for something.
He sees that Jihyo was seemingly telling Seojun a funny story.
"...and then, I told the fan.. "You sure? Can you handle me though?" and then she touched my hand and said, "I'm handling you now, Jihyo-ssi!" and I just... lost it." Jihyo said as she continued to laugh.
"Hoho... I guess she got you good, hmm?" Seojun replied.
"Goodness, I should come up with a new comeback one of these days... ONCEs are clever and sometimes it scares me..."
Jihyo soon notices Zeke coming towards them.
"Oh, look. He's here. Good morning, Zeke!" Jihyo waved at him. She looked okay, without any trace of sadness from last night.
"Goodmorning." Seojun smiled.
"Good.. morning?" Zeke was confused as he scratched his head. "I don't get it. Aren't you supposed to be training right now..?"
"We didn't train today. Jihyo asked for a day off." Seojun chuckled. "You slept a lot. I assume you didn't get enough sleep last night?"
Zeke and Jihyo eyed each other as they both smiled. "Yeah, I guess so." He said as he looked at the tailoring shop. A man---who seems to be the tailor---comes out, bringing a short stack of clothes.
"Jihyo-ssi, they're all fixed now. Here you go!" The man said.
"Ah, yes, yes, kamsahamnida!" Jihyo said as she took the stack of clothes from the tailor. She looks at each one of them and pulls out her "IT'S LIT" hoodie from the stack.
"So this is where you took our torn clothes," Zeke said.
"Yep!" Jihyo replied as she wore her hoodie and turns to the tailor. "Ah, good as new! You're a remarkable tailor! I owe you a lot for this."
Zeke checked his clothes and was amazed at how it looked brand new.
"It's amazing how you managed to fix this. Thank you so much!" Zeke said as he takes his clothes from the stack.
"You are too kind, Jihyo-ssi, Zeke-nim. It's been a pleasure serving you two. Come again!" The tailor said as he smiled.