End of beginning?[Hwang Hyunjin]

The scars.

Third person's POV
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Grace was startled internally by the sudden confession. This thought had never crossed her mind before, that they'd abandon him like that. Back then, they left her side for HIM, and then they abandoned him also? That's rough. Well looks like everyone struggled somehow, more or less. However, no matter how bad she feels for him she can't just give in to his sad story, he did what he did.

"We waited for you to come back. Always. With no sign but some kinda hope. The first year, everyone was so disturbed, none of them behaved like themselves, they did talk but there was no laughter, they all became distant, they started spending time alone, our vacation house wasn't lively anymore. But thankfully the next year they started to get back to their tracks, they somehow became uplifted again." He said, as she leant back and rested her back on the sofa with her legs still up.

"What about you? Do they let you in..in the vacation house?" She just asked randomly out of curiosity, looking at him.

"Yeah, of course since we all nine of us share a part in it, I have a right to. But it's only sometimes, that I went because I missed them. No one talked though, I just sat somewhere far and observed them secretly hoping they don't notice me and turn away. I wanted to talk, and figure out everything but even I thought I don't deserve to. Even with you actually. I should've apologized first but I didn't get the chance."

"I don't think they're still that mad at you." She said, blankly looking at the screen. He looked at her with lost eyes, confused. She gave him a side eye and again spoke.

"I mean...when I talked to Chan earlier, he did ask me if I realized what age we were that time. I think he was indirectly referring you. He understands the you of that time." She said as he let out a chuckle and picked up a beer in front of him.

"Tch, I'm not too sure about that but...do you understand?" He asked, opening the can and looking at her first before taking a sip. She trailed away, avoiding to answer the question.

"Hey." He called as she slowly swirled back.

"Just so you know, even if you do understand now, I deeply don't think I deserve your forgiveness. This is not for sympathy, don't misunderstand. It's all fair. I can't undo what...you went through. It's you who had it the hardest. And now whatever I do, it won't be ever enough do gain back the old you. The real Nabi, the one who flee so freely without any fear."

He said with while still holding the beer and resting it on his lap, looking down. He seemed truly mournful, it was no sugarcoat, all real feelings. Tears welled up behind her throat, at the last line. It's true, ones someone is torn, they can be stitched but not perfectly healed like earlier. Though Nabi drastically recovered she's not the same enthusiast she was and she's well aware. She has, became quieter.

"This might be selfish but since it won't do much I'm gonna say it. I am really, really sorry Grace. It is all true, it's all my fault, that day if I hadn't ran away, if I had stood on my grounds and fought back I could've saved you but I never realized I was such a coward. You've always been the greatest friend to me. You always stood by my side in every situation. You built me into a decent person, you corrected my wrongs, you did everything a true friend does. But when it was my turn, I fucked up." His voice cracked as he breathed heavily.

"These two years, without you, without them, it's all been a mess as I told you earlier, I...have become dull. Since I couldn't apologize I was filled with guilt, I thought about it everyday and it tortured me to death.