Yoonmin in Malta

2 - Vacation (II)

As soon as the plane takes off, one band member after another settles into the sleeping position of their first-class seats.

Jimin has been given a window seat directly behind Jungkook and has long since forgotten about his fight with Yoongi, while the steady roar of the plane's turbines lets him slowly drift off to sleep.

---

"Oh man, Malta looks like a flat, weathered rock in the sea," Jungkook comments, almost disappointed and upset at the view of the main island.

Jimin, who has the same bleak view from his window behind Jungkook, also feels uneasy. He was at least hoping for a great vacation in the Mediterranean, but from the air, the island they would be landing on in a few minutes doesn't really look inviting. Nor is there anything to be seen of long, white sand beaches.

Their band consists of professionals, their debut was five years ago, and since then they have flown countless times. But they didn't expect what would await them in the arrival terminal after landing.

Intrigued, Namjoon filmed the terminal. He assumed that it would soon become very noisy and crowded, but as soon as the automatic doors to the terminal open, nothing awaits him. It doesn't look like that's going to change, either.

"Wow, crowds waiting for us.", Namjoon speaks to himself, with a little disappointment in his voice.

"To be exact, four gentlemen.", he finishes his monologue while still filming the empty terminal.

These four gentlemen are the band managers who have already taken care of the accommodation so that the band could enjoy their vacation without any worries.

They are used to the fact that once they landed at any place on earth, they would be recognized. Airports are full of fans who always somehow figure out at which airport the band would land next. And if there are no fans waiting for them after all, they are still recognized within seconds of their arrival and crowds of people form around them.

But not in Malta. The terminal is remarkably empty and even the few people who are present are not interested in the six young men from Korea and their managers.

"Come on guys, we still need the rental cars," Jin drums up his flock and leads them straight to the counter.

"Jin rents a car ... oh Jin rents a car!", Hobi repeats over and over in a singsong. He has never seen the elder so serious, diligently filling out the car rental service's form.

Jin laughs his typical windshield-wiper laugh, out of embarrassment at his friends' mounting cute comments. Eventually, Jungkook also fills out a form; the youngest will be driving the SUV.

The band members have gathered around the two drivers in fascination, eagerly following the counter staff's explanations in English, even if they understand only half.

Jimin remains at a distance. He has no interest in following the conversation, during which they are surely trying to talk you into booking some overpriced insurance policy.

Another reason for his distance from the group is Yoongi. He doesn't want to come into his hyung's field of vision under any circumstances. Jimin can't stand his cold stares. They were once so full of affection and warmth. He had always been proud of the fact that Yoongi, who actually cultivated a rather emotionless disposition, always had a friendly smile to spare towards him whenever their eyes met.

But that is over. For a couple of weeks now, there's been nothing left of that warmth in his gaze, and this bitter realization makes Jimin sad.

Jin notices the sadness in Jimin's face and joins him as soon as the paperwork is done. On their way to the exit, they sing a Korean ballad together while the others drag their suitcases behind them.

Jin's and Jimin's voices match perfectly, both singers maintaining very high pitches.

As they step onto the airport forecourt on their way to the parking lot, the dry heat of Malta suddenly hits them.

"I knew it would feel like this," comments Hobi, happy to have escaped the sweltering Korean summer. Summer in Korea is similarly hot, but has much higher humidity.

"Suga. You and Jungkook are absorbing all the heat!", Jin mocks his two band members, who are, as usual, completely covered in black clothing. To be exact, they unintentionally put on the same outfit. Black cargo shorts, black shirt and black bucket hat.

"All the heat is being absorbed by us," Yoongi repeats, as if it will help him think of a suitable retort to that. While Yoongi still can't think of a suitable retort, they arrive at the rental cars.

After the band has stashed their luggage, they gather in the shade of a tree to record a video for their fans. They wouldn't post it on their social media channels until they had already left Malta, to avoid the island being flooded with fans while they were still there.

"We have arrived in Malta!" exclaims Jimin, waving his arms in the air along with Hobi, who is standing to his left. Namjoon, standing to Jimin's right, claps his hands together. Jimin has purposely placed himself between the two so that he doesn't accidentally have to stand next to Yoongi again.

For the video, the band talks about the 18-hour flight, the weather, and the experience of renting cars on their own for the first time.

Jimin doesn't join the conversation. He's too busy hiding behind Hobi, as Yoongi has started looking at him over and over.

The rest continue chatting happily into the camera that one of the managers is holding towards them.

The video recording takes an eternity for Jimin. He bites his lower lip while rocking back and forth on both legs and hides his nervous glances behind a pair of black sunglasses.