It was already quite late in the evening. I waited for the members to return so I could tell them in person that I would be leaving for home tomorrow. I had prepared a small gift for each of them out of gratitude for how well they had taken care of me and made my trip to Korea even better than I had imagined.
As I waited, I looked out the window. The rain had finally stopped, leaving the city glistening under the streetlights. The sky was clear, with a few stars peeking through, and the air felt fresh and cool. The bustling sounds of Seoul had quieted down, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
Then, I heard the apartment door open, and shortly after, Heeseung stepped into his room and greeted me, "Hey, Chloe. How are you holding up?"
"Hey, Heeseung," I replied. "Could I ask you for a favor? Could you gather all the members?"
He looked at me, puzzled. "Why? Is something wrong?"
"Everything's fine, don't worry," I assured him. "It's just... I want to thank you all for my stay here." I smiled at him, trying to mask the sadness I felt underneath.
"Why?" He paused, his eyes widening as he realized. "You're flying home?"
I responded, "Yes, I'll be heading back home. That's what I wanted to tell everyone."
He looked at me for a few seconds, processing the news, then nodded and said, "Okay, I'll let everyone know to come here."
Soon, the members started to gather in the living room. Jay, Sunghoon, Jake, Sunoo, Ni-ki, and Jungwon joined Heeseung and me, their expressions curious and concerned. I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of emotions as I prepared to say my goodbyes.
"Hey everyone," I began, trying to keep my voice steady. "I have some news. My flight home has been rescheduled, and I'll be leaving tomorrow morning."
Their reactions were immediate—surprised and a bit saddened. They had become like a second family to me during my stay, and the thought of leaving them was harder than I had anticipated.
"I wanted to thank you all for making my time here so special," I continued, handing out the small gifts I had prepared. "These are just a little something to show my appreciation for everything you've done for me."
The members accepted the gifts, their faces lighting up with gratitude and fondness. We spent the next few moments reminiscing about the time we'd spent together—the ENHYPEN concert, and all the little moments in between.
"Chloe, we'll miss you," Jake said, his voice sincere.
"I'll miss you all too," I replied, feeling the weight of my words.
As the night went on, we talked and laughed, trying to make the most of our remaining time together. The bond we had formed was evident, and it made the impending farewell all the more poignant.
Eventually, the night grew late, and we all knew it was time to part ways. Heeseung walked me back to his room, a quiet understanding passing between us.
"Thank you for everything, Heeseung," I said softly.
"Thank you, Chloe," he replied. "For being here with us. We'll always remember you. And hey, we can still keep in touch, right?"
"Absolutely," I replied, smiling. "I'd love to stay in touch. You all mean so much to me."
I settled onto the mattress on the floor next to Heeseung's bed. As I lay down, the reality of my departure sank in. As I drifted off to sleep, I felt a sense of gratitude for the experiences and connections I had made. This journey had been more than just a trip; it had been a chapter of growth, friendship, and unforgettable moments.
The next morning, as I prepared to leave, the memories of my time in Korea played through my mind. The city, the people, the experiences—all of it had left an indelible mark on my heart. And though I was leaving, I knew that a part of me would always carry this incredible journey with me.
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