Supreme Freedom

Yoo Taeyang - The Bittersweet Taste of Freedom

Several months passed since Huta had killed Hyungnim. He had pleaded guilty but given the confusion of Hyungnim's identity and crimes, he only received ten years. Sanghyuk had received two years but Zuho's contact was able to get an appeal. Sanghyuk instead received two years of probation and had to do community service as well as anger management courses. I finally opened up to the others and kept in touch every once in a while. Byeol and Zuho went to their father's house as soon as Sanghyuk and Huta were sentenced to visit him and stayed there for a few days. Taecyeon, Jongwoon, TOP, and Matthew all contacted their families who were relieved to finally hear from them after so many years. I had gone to find my parents but I realized I had returned too late. Mr. Kang told me that they had passed away in an accident following a lead about my whereabouts. I went to visit their columbarium and finally apologized to them for leaving so suddenly and foolishly. As I was leaving, I received a call from Zuho.

Me: "Yes?"

Zuho: "Let's have a meeting."

Me: "Sure, send me the address."

We hung up and he sent me the meeting details. Upon arriving, I saw that Taeil, Leo, Minho, and Gikwang were already there with Somin. We greeted each other and waited for the others to arrive.

Me: "What have you all been up to?"

Taeil: "Well, Leo and I went back to college and actually enjoy it now."

Gikwang: "Really? Ugh, I could never go back."

Somin: "You'd fail orientation."

We all laughed as Gikwang looked at her unamused.

Gikwang: "Alright then, what about you?"

Somin: "Me? Well... I was able to buy my mom's old restaurant... I don't know what to do with it though... I'm not a very good cook..."

Gikwang: "What kind of restaurant was it?"

Somin: "She made our favorite after school snacks... She liked having it filled with kids and she liked hearing them talk and laugh..."

Taeil: "She sounds like a very happy person."

Somin: "She was... So I want to keep that same energy but I could never cook as well as her."

Me: "I'm sure whatever you decide to make the restaurant, you'll be able to share her happiness."

Taeil: "Yeah, we have faith in you."

Gikwang: "You have to invite us first though."

Somin smiled and nodded.

Minho: "What about you Gikwang?"

Gikwang: "Me? Well, I went back to the orphanage I was raised at... Most of the staff are gone but one of them recognized me so I was able to stay in my old room. I want to renovate it though or find a new place for them. No one was keeping up with the maintenance and since I wasn't there, not many people have gone to adopt. Maybe now that I'm back, it has a chance to be saved."

Somin: "I'm sure you can manipulate the pa-"

Gikwang: "Manipulate? Somin, it's called persuasion. Geez."

Somin giggled and patted his shoulder.

Somin: "What have you been up to Taeyang?"

Me: "Not much... I found out my parents died two years ago... So I've just been at home."

Minho: "Sorry to hear that."

Me: "It's alright... I don't know how I could have faced them otherwise."