Book 2: Park Jihoon || In a blink of an eye

17. Oxygen

Song recommendation: Jeong Eunji - You're my garden

Minji's POV

I got out of the company then I hastily took my phone out and called Jihoon. I kept on looking around while stomping my foot as I waited for him to pick it up. I tried several times but he doesn't pick his phone up.

I walked back and forth as I think about where he could be. Suddenly, I thought about the Han river. That's where he always goes when he's stress. I took a cab and began my journey to the river.

Minutes later, I arrived and jogged to the usual spot that he sit on. I sighed in relief to see him sitting on the same spot. I walked towards him and he noticed me.

"Can I sit with you?" I asked and he nodded.

After I sat beside him, I took a couple of seconds to breathe before speaking.

"I heard what happened." I started.

He chuckled.

"What's funny?" I asked out of confusion. "It's a prank, right? That's right, how could you be-"

"I got expelled." He interrupted me.

Part of me wants to hear him say that's he's joking and everything is a prank for me.

"Then, why'd you laugh?" I asked as I looked at his face, trying to assess his emotions.

"I laughed because... I fought my way to be here and everything will end because of silly mistakes." He answered while smiling as he looked at the scenery. "Forgetting the choreography? Unstable voice? That's not what Park Jihoon usually do. Who am I right now?" He added and a tear escaped from his eye while he's laughing.

"Jihoon." I called as I put my hand on his back.

"What should I do, Minji? What should I do with my life now?" He asked and he started crying.

I gently caressed his back, I don't know what to say to him. I feel sad for him, he sacrificed a lot and defended this path against to his mother so he could be an idol but seeing him fail like this, aches my heart.

"Y-You could audition to other companies. Like I did, right?" I said, trying to give him hope.

"Like you did?" He asked and his tone changed passive aggressive.

"Okay, so maybe I should audition to other companies and when I got accepted, I should lie and say that I resigned instead of saying I got expelled because I was accused of dating someone." He bursted out and I was taken aback.

I'm speechless.

"Are you surprised?" He asked while sniffing.

"H-How did you know?" I stuttered.

He rans through his hair and sighed heavily.

"Minji, that's not important anymore." He rejected my question. "Why did you hide that from me? Huh?" He asked as his voice turned smooth.

I didn't answer because I don't know what should I tell. What are the right words so he could understand me?

"Minji! Answer me. Please." He begged. "All... All these lies are making me crazy."

"You don't know how much guilt and sadness I feel right now, knowing I was part of the plan that gave you so much pain." He said while his palms were on his face.

Tears started flowing from my eyes out of mix of sadness and anger. This is what I've been scared of all these times.

I tried to speak but because of so much pain, I can't.