Twilight of Itaewon | Taekook ✔

38. To the eternity

Walking through the ice was fine than sleeping with fire in arms. When Jeongguk thought it's all over, the first thing he did was sleeping. He slept at 221 for the last time. He had his reason and that was not returning there. After the day he completes the diary, there's nothing left for him. He's aware, the sleep there was his best sleep ever. No nightmares, no waking up in between. It's calm and alleviating him a lot.

After the hectic yet exciting task of completing the diary, Jeongguk decided to go back, to his home. Yes. He called Jennie, talked to her, and announced that he's coming back home. This time, Yeonjun and Soobin are with him. Well, he couldn't take a break because of his tiring work, so they decided to go with their investigation of a new case that starts from Busan, his hometown.

The old case, the suicide of Kim Taehyung was closed. Jeongguk was prepared the report to submit to Suho as soon as he returns from his little break. Well, there's nothing more to add or to erase in that case. The three don't think about revealing the fact about Taehyung's diary. They discussed it and decided to keep it a secret. Yeah, it's against law and perspectives. But it was the right thing to do. That's it.

Jeongguk was back from his date with Jennie. It's his second day after reaching Busan. He stays in his old apartment, not far from his parents' house. The apartment was small, but it carries the stories of his struggles and amateur dreams. The cold walls keep him safe and pleased. It was like an escape that time, from a lot of stares and difficult questions. The apartment still gives him that vibe, the feeling of being tiny in the big lonely world.

He sat down on the couch and breathed calmly. The day was nice. Jennie was always sweet and understanding. She doesn't judge when Jeongguk paused and averted his eyes from her a lot of times. She never asked why he behaves like breaking down and toiling with himself to not to show it. Jeongguk was glad that she didn't. He doesn't know what will he reply at that. At some point, Jeongguk felt guilty. His heart aches whenever Jennie smiles at him, whenever she talks sweetly. He wanted to tell her a lot of things, wanted to talk to her like their old times. But something changed. And Jeongguk couldn't pinpoint what's that.
What's exactly changed between them? Or at least for him?

Feelings?

No. There's no way. Why his feelings will change? Jeongguk believed that he left enough clues for Jennie to pick it up that there's something different with him. He really hopes so. Maybe Jennie got the hint, but she decided to discard it. Jeongguk doesn't know. Right now, all he feels is a brain-breaking pain in his head. He wanted to grab a drink so badly.

Getting up from the couch, Jeongguk walked towards the kitchen. Coffee? A cup of coffee will work, right? Like always. He was stirring the drink when his phone buzzed. It was Yeonjun. Jeongguk opened their WhatsApp group chat and read the message he got. Yeonjun was asking him to join for a drink with Soobin. The first instinct of Jeongguk was to reject the offer. But then, he remembered the hell of a fate he's facing right now and decided to say yes to the plan.

Jeongguk was a bit terrified by the location Yeonjun send him. It was like an abandoned place. He was a bit taken aback at the sight of the cheap guest house at the hill station. The house was built with woods. It was like a haunted mansion. The surroundings were in deep silence, dark and Jeongguk felt a bit out of place. Then he remembered it was Yeonjun who send him the location. What can he expect from the younger? Somewhere inside his head had a short circuit of how Yeonjun said that his love towards haunted places and mansions.

He walked inside. There wasn't any party going on there. It was silent but the chilliness is unbearable. Jeongguk rubbed his hands together and breathed hard. Winter was pouring down on them and Yeonjun picked hill station. Jeongguk shook his head. He was wearing a simple grey hoodie and black pants. There was a bucket cap on his head, covering most of his face. His silver pendant and earrings are cold. Walking forward, he dialed Yeonjun's number.