A Rhapsody in Blue

18. One Way to Tokyo

The moment he said that he will follow her decision, she know it means something else. It was another way of him saying 'I want to stay with you. No matter what.'

Because Yejin knows Bin too well. To the point where she realized that she needs to use the harshest words the other day.

But is watching your loved one go to pieces as his life falling apart can be considered as an option? Is it?

Yejin, didn't think so.

She knows how much he loved his job. And how brilliant he is. These past years, Bin has worked really hard to be in the main news live.

And now she came into his life for the second time and asked him to leave everything behind just so they can be together? She thought how brazen she was for doing that.

Let's say she does that out of selfishness, but what comes after that? They mostly will lose Ayeon's custody.

Savings? Even with their savings combined, is it really enough to raise a child at least for the next 20 years with them being financially unstable?

Yejin always think that just because you're in love with someone, you don't have to be irrational.

Sometimes love also means letting go, instead of holding on. Sometimes love just ain't enough. Because at the end it's not always champagne and frosting.

Maybe this time even when they loved each so much, one of them needs to be the bad person.

So, that evening after Bin came home from the disciplinary hearing saying that he didn't get fired, Yejin felt a sudden lightness in the chest out of gratitude.

'I'm home! Is she asleep?' They've back to Junghyun and Jihye's apartment already.

Yejin softly smiled at him, 'Surprisingly yes. She fell asleep as we watch The Peanuts Movie in the living room. How was the disciplinary hearing?'

'They officially decided that I can stay.'

But he added, '...of course, with some conditions.'

'Conditions? What conditions?' When Yejin said this, she still in ease as she took out some side dishes from the fridge for dinner.

He pressed his lips together, afraid how she might react to what he was about to say next, 'I will work as a correspondent in Cape Town. For 8 months.'

The small porcelain plate slipped up from her hand at once. Luckily, it landed safely on the dining table with a loud clank sound. '...Cape Town? Like in South Africa?' The thought of him being thousands miles away from her and Ayeon somehow made Yejin really uncomfortable.

It's like on the other side of the planet and 8 months? she thought.

With a voice that falsely bright, Bin tried to change the topic. 'Yes, that Cape Town. But you don't need to worry, Yej. I'll go after Ayeon's custody is finalized. Anyway, how was your interview today?'

The lightness in the chest suddenly turned into a heavy feeling in the stomach. She wished this wasn't real. It was really hard imagining Ayeon won't see her dad for almost a year.

Or maybe it was just her who couldn't stand the idea of them not seeing see each other for 8 months.

'Yej?' Busy with her own thoughts, she unconsciously has been staring into the distance for a moment.

'Ah, yes. What did you say? Oh, eomma brought your favorite side dish, seasoned spinach. Should I take it out?' It was her attempt to conceal whatever feeling she might feel after hearing the news. For the second time, she opened the fridge again before sitting down across him in the dining table.