TRACK 01 : HAPPINESS, in yeop.

32

ITALY.

Eun-woo indeed brought me to a far away land.

When I first arrived, it took me a few months to recover. But it felt more than that, like I lived through 20th up to 21st Century.

Now, it had been a long week of me attending different talk shows. Everything was surreal. I was even casted just recently to be in an international series that took part here in Europe! Opportunities came running since then. From billboards, to talk shows, photoshoots, and even runways.

Eun-woo helped me find my way back to the industry.

We were growing alongside each other. It even went as far as getting brand deals from well-known companies.

"Cheers!", Eun-woo and I chanted in the balcony of the hotel we're staying in, with a bottle of alcohol in our hands.

My tolerance was incomparable with Eun-woo's. I was pie-eyed with merely one bottle.

"Congratulations, unnie", I read from a message from Instagram making Eun-woo peak. It was written in Hangul.

"Who's that from?"

"A fan, I guess."

"Unnie?", his head tilted. "Know what that means, right?"

I chuckled. "Big sister or whatever? I can be called that way by a younger girl, right?"

He hummed. "And noona for a boy that is younger."

"Noona", I paused, taking a sip from the bottle.

Eun-woo nodded, his lips forming a smile. "Has a nice ring to it."

"Killian could've called me that, right?

He stopped the next second, taken aback. I couldn't blame him. It was the first time I brought him up again.

"Yes", he stammered. "And you could've called him—."

"Dongsaeng."

Eun-woo smiled. I did too. A genuine one. It was a big move for me and that was enough. What's important is that I was finally making progress.

"I'll see him again", I said despite knowing the true answer. "Right?"

"Yes", he consoled me and turned to face me. "Of course. He's just on vacation."

I chuckled. "Vacation, yes."

Days became easier since then. At least, emotionally. I subconsciously began to drown myself with work. I had nothing else to think but accomplishing events after events, succumbing to the life in the industry.

No more crying everyday. No more drinking everyday. No more nonsensical bargains. No more stupid drunk texts. I made such significant progress! My interviews were all about how I've had healed and grew perfectly fine.

Only to realize I've been lying to myself, three years later.

"I see... A good song like this should have an inspiration, right? Could you tell us what it is—or should I say who it is?"

The squeals and chants from the audience became louder than ever.

I quickly averted my gaze. My stomach dropped. I knew exactly who that inspiration is.