The Light of Dead Stars | KSJ

51

You lay your hand on Jin's thigh, which has been shaking for the past 10 minutes, which is pretty much the time since you arrived at Jungkook's apartment where you're set to meet with Seri.

During your lunch out with Jimin yesterday, she sent him a text from a new number, claiming that she didn't leak anything but she knows who did.

He probably knows I know and believes his plan worked, she said when Jimin called to confirm if it was her. I hope it didn't, but please help me meet with Jin and ___. They need to know the truth.

You rushed back to the office and told your husband, and you all planned to meet at Jungkook's place where there are no security cameras and nosy neighbors. Jimin offered to come as another person that Seri's familiar with; your 2 other best friends opted to stay elsewhere lest they add to the issue. Sejeong also insisted on coming, claiming she needs to see Seri and assess if she's telling the truth.

And that's why you're here, waiting for the doorbell to ring to signal Seri's arrival. You and Jin didn't sleep properly last night, partly in anticipation so you could resolve all this, partly out of worry.

When she finally enters, you see how this has taken a toll on her, too. Seri always looked dressed up, even if it was just a simple outfit. But she comes in wearing sweatpants and a hoodie that covers most of her face. Her eyebags are unmissable and her lips are chapped - you know for some, that's a sign of severe stress.

She sits in front of you, next to Jimin, and there's fear and worry in her eyes. Jin seems quite uneasy, as do you, and you really just want to get this over with.

"Who—"

"How are you?" You speak over Jin. "Have you been sleeping?"

Her face softens a bit with a tinge of surprise and sadness. You wonder if anyone's asked that of her this past week.

"I haven't, actually. Slept, I mean," she sighs. "I've been trying to gain the courage to reach out but I wasn't sure if you wanted to even hear from me. So I reached out to Jimin instead."

"We were trying to contact you, too," Jin says. "But we couldn't reach you."

" I, uh... I had to change my number."

You hum, thinking that could mean many things.

"So, can you tell us what happened?" Jin pushes. "I thought we parted ways amicably. I didn't feel like I had to worry about anything, especially with you knowing how I felt about ___. You knew I wanted to try with her, and now this?"

"Jin, I meant everything I said the last time we spoke. You know me. This isn't something I would ever do, especially knowing what you finally want with someone," she reasons.

"Then who did it?" You ask now.

Seri sighs, her eyes far away.

"I met him at a bookstore," she starts. "He works as a copywriter for a TV show and he was so kind and charming and a lot of good things. We went on a few dates and they were great. But then I noticed him becoming too attentive, the kind that makes you uncomfortable." Her voice starts to crack at this point, and your heart aches for her.

"He'd ask who I'm texting when we're together, ask who I'm looking at when I just glance at someone who randomly got my attention... we're talking and then he suddenly knows stuff about my friends that I never told him about. It started getting too much, and I'd only known him for over a month. So I told him I couldn't see him anymore."

And that's where it started, she says, and it's a story that's familiar because it's a story you lived through. At least, the worst parts of it.

"He kept asking why I wanted to end things and I said I realized I wasn't ready for a relationship and then he brought you up," she looks at Jin. "He asked if it was because I thought I could still get back with you; he mocked me as if I had a chance when you're already married. I... I never told him about us, Jin. I never told anyone."