THE TRAGEDY OF YOUTH, jungwon ✓

14 | epilogue: more than glad

MAY 2022.

Song Yoora leans back in her seat as she finishes typing the last of what she had been in her notes for the last three weeks, in between school work and the therapy sessions Jungwon helped her to get, by talking to her mother and pulling a few strings through his own family members.

It's been so much easier, the last few months. Less to worry about, less to be stressed about...she's even been studying better. She has Jungwon to thank for that, for helping to get her head back up to the surface, for helping her mind tread on dry land, where she is the most firm-footed.

"I finished that thing," she says to Jungwon, who's sitting across the small table from her. The two of them are at a discreet café on their monthly meet-up, what they agreed on to accommodate his busy schedule. It goes without saying, though, that they phone call and text a lot. "The one my therapist suggested I do."

"Hm?" Jungwon looks up from drawing a shape in the foam of his coffee. "The one in which you relate your entire life story?"

"Yep," she says. "And before I show it to her, I've got something to tell you."

"Go on," he tilts his head, interested. His hair has grown longer again, and it suits him. Yoora agrees with his fans on that opinion.

"I have genuine romantic feelings for you," her ears turn red as she says it. "I really like you a lot, Jungwon. Do you feel the same way about me?"

Jungwon's eyes widen and his fair skin reddens. "I—I'm—" he sputters for a second. Yoora lets him, nervously watching him. "I—I think I do?"

"Do you think so or are you sure?" she asks, not ready to get herself hurt if he doesn't feel the same way. "Be honest, Jungwon."

"I've liked you for a long time," he admits, looking down at his coffee cup to avoid her eyes, cutely. "Even with all the crap. So...um...yeah. I do have feelings..."

"Do you think we can try a relationship, then?" she asks, almost dreading the answer. She knows that as an idol, it's not the most logical thing to do for him, even if he has no dating ban—as far as she knows. Even if he does, it shouldn't be a problem to keep it a secret. The other ENHYPEN members are great, too. They'll keep it a secret.

Jungwon takes a deep breath. "Yes," he says. "We can try a relationship. Will you date me, Yoora?"

"Yes, I will!" she beams, reaching across the table to take his hand. She can almost hear Heeseung smirking and chuckling at them the same way he had when they first met and she was shyly hiding behind Jungwon. "I'll be more than glad to!"

"Well," he says somewhat lamely, "I'm glad, too...?"

She bursts out laughing. "Ah, Jungwon, you're so cute," she giggles, reaching out to his other hand. "We're going to make this work, aren't we? No matter how many obstacles that come with being an idol?"

"Yes," he sounds very sure of this, and it delights her. "I promise."

And as they sit together in the small, homely café, holding hands as a shaft of sunlight streams in through the window and illuminates them, Yoora believes him. Yoora trusts him more than she's ever trusted him.

Because this is another chapter of their new start, and she's diving into it with her arms thrown wide open.