The Last Boy Scout

1

"I'll miss you,"

Leader hyung hugged Jin hyung goodbye. I thought they kissed but that could've just been the sun in my eyes.

The airport was full of people. Fans, mostly. We were all gathered in front of the airplane. The fans were closed off by security. Jin hyung had to board soon. I could hear sobbing, which made me want to tear up, too.

I felt my eyes get hot. I pushed my sunglasses up higher. Jimin was standing next to me, his eyes already red and puffy. V-ssi was trying to comfort him, but behind his mask and expensive sunglasses, I could tell he was shedding some tears too.

Yoongi and Hoseok hyung were saying their goodbyes. Namjoon hyung had his arm around Jin hyung's broad shoulders. He gestured for the three of us to join in.

We all had our heads down. No one said anything because no one wanted to ruin the moment. Jin hyung was really leaving us to join the army. And not that kind of army.

All of a sudden, Hoseok burst into tears. Yoongi hyung pat his back, and started to nod. I knew he was nervous, he usually blinks a lot and nods his head whenever he's nervous or upset.

Jimin and V-ssi were silent, too. I didn't know whether to cry or not, so I broke the silence and started to hum.

Jimin looked at me, confused. Slowly, he began to hum along with me.

One by one, we all started to hum together. I didn't even know what it was we were humming, but we hummed along anyway. Jin hyung was about to cry, I could tell.

V-ssi walked up to Jin hyung. "You're my best friend."

That was that for Jin hyung. Tears began streaming down his face. Namjoon hyung hugged them both, then Yoongi joined in.

Hoseok tried to cheer up the mood by smiling a bright smile and brought everyone into one, big embrace. He still had tears trickling down his face.

"Jinnie," Leader hyung began. "You never walk alone. You will always be in our thoughts." Namjoon patted his chest.

Everyone continued saying their individual goodbyes. We all knew Jin hyung had to board the plane soon, but I didn't want him to leave. It's like I met him just yesterday. He practically helped raise me, he was so comforting when I needed help the most and he was like a mom to me.

Soon, it was my turn to say my goodbyes. I hugged Jin hyung tightly.

"Thank you, hyung."

He smiled. His arms felt warm and he patted my back, just like he used to when he helped me go to bed at night.

"Take care of your hyungs, Jungkook."

---

That was three years ago. We all did the same thing with Yoongi hyung when he left for the army. It was also bitter sweet. Jin hyung and Yoongi hyung will both be missed.

Now it is 2023. Hoseok hyung is getting ready to enlist. They called him just a few months ago. We are happy yet upset he has to leave soon.

Leader hyung will still be with us, but he can be called anytime soon. He slowly stopped producing and is getting ready for when he gets called.

I didn't want any of this to happen. In 2017, the rules changed. If you were called into the army, you had to go immediately; which meant no waiting for several months to enlist. The Most time you get us a few weeks in advance to prepare. We were lucky enough they only called this many members until now.

I'm the youngest member. I won't be called until 2026, but you never know what might happen. The rules might change again.

Jimin will be called next year,
Which means V-ssi and me will be the remaining two Bangtan members left. But soon after Jimin, he will eventually get called as well.

I used to think Jimin was annoying. I admit, I tried to avoid him at times and disrespect him. I never really called him hyung, even though he was older than me. When he enlists, I will probably miss him the most.

That's just a few years from now, I don't want to think about it too much. After all, anything could happen.

We are all sitting in the new practice room. I remember the days when we practiced in our old studio, in our old building. Everything is different now. We became very popular, we were on top. There wasn't much to compete with, but out previous selves. We took a rest from music a couple of times, but we still stayed in touch. We didn't disband.

I lay on the floor. Usually, when I did this, Jiminnie or Hoseok hyung would come over and lay with me or touch my hair or bug me.

Nobody came over to me.

Tae hyung was sitting in the corner, filming a V-Live. His sense of style has changed these days. He wears more expensive clothing and brands like Gew-chi or something like that.

Namjoon hyung was in the studio. He hasn't been producing or recording much lately, so I think he's watching those videos on the computer again.

Hoseok wasn't in the studio. He went back home to see his family before he leaves. He still keeps in touch and often changes the profile pic on our Twitter page, but that's about it.

Jimin lay on some chairs against the wall. He had his phone with him and he was probably texting someone. Maybe another girlfriend?

None of the Bangtan members really dated anyone. We all work hard towards our music.

Just recently, though, like last year, Namjoon hyung started dating, but he has to break up or have a long distance relationship since he could be called to the army soon.

Jimin has had two girlfriends since the debut. One was a former girl group member and he is now dating a girl from Busan.

Everything has changed. I'm used to change. Changing hair colors, clothes, or bigger things like age, schools, cities.

All of a sudden, there is a knock on the door. PD Nim comes into the room with two other BigHit coworkers, with Namjoon hyung in between them. He was wearing sunglasses.

"Boys," PD Nim began.

"He got the call."