Spring Day // Kim Taehyung ( V )

Chapter 46

Clothes packed, check. Swimsuits, check. Snacks? Check. Underwear, check. Cameras, check. Bras, check. Everything's in order — or so I thought. Then it hit me: My boyfriend. Or, rather, my ex. I exhaled heavily, sinking onto the edge of my bed, feeling the weight of the thought settle over me. I should stop dwelling on him. Today was supposed to be a fresh start.

The boys had organized this trip to lift my spirits, to distract me from Jackson's memory. I didn't want to let them down. Seeing them hurt because I couldn't move past someone who no longer mattered was something I wanted to avoid at all costs. I am better than that.

Joan's voice interrupted my thoughts as she leaned against my doorframe. "You done, G?"

"Yeah," I replied with a small smile, closing my suitcase and giving it a reassuring pat. I know I'm odd—that's part of my charm.

Together, we gathered our luggage and headed downstairs where the others waited. Everyone was ready, except for Yoongi hyung, who looked as usual—laid-back, unshowered, and dressed casually.

"You look good," I whispered, nodding toward him.

He looked at me with a puzzled expression, and I responded with a teasing smirk. It amused me how clueless he was about Sarah coming along. His innocence about the whole situation was adorable.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Why don't you get it, Suga..Oppa?" I teased, raising my eyebrows.

His confusion deepened as he approached the door. I peeked through the living room window, watching his reaction as he touched the doorknob. I could already imagine his face when he saw Sarah. She was standing shyly on the porch, giving a small wave. His eyes widened, and suddenly, he turned and hurried past me, retreating from the door.

I couldn't help but laugh softly before stepping in to greet Sarah.

"Glad you made it," I said, wrapping her in a warm hug.

"I've been wanting to come to jeju," she squealed, her excitement infectious.

It struck me how she had lived in Korea for years but never visited Jeju Island. That was almost unbelievable—like missing out on a part of her own story.

"Come on, I'll introduce you to the girls," I said, linking arms with her. We headed to the living room, where my friends sat, all packed and ready. I'd told them about Sarah, and their reactions surprised me—they were genuinely excited to meet her. No jealousy, no competition, just warmth. That was unexpected but a relief.

"Girls, this is Sarah. Sarah, these are my best friends—Joan, Angela, and Michelle," I introduced, smiling.

They exchanged smiles and hugs, welcoming her effortlessly.

"Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you," Joan said.

Sarah grinned. "Trust me, I've heard a lot about you too."

Once introductions were complete, Namjoon broke the silence. "Looks like we're ready. Shall we go?"

Everyone nodded eagerly, grabbing their luggage. Jungkook pointed out that Suga hadn't arrived yet.

"Where is he?" Namjoon asked, glancing at the clock.

Moments later, Suga appeared at the top of the stairs, looking more polished than before. He was dressed up, as if making an effort. I caught Sarah's wide smile and chuckled quietly to myself. Suga had claimed it was just a regular day, that he didn't bother dressing up—my guess was he wanted to impress or at least look presentable.

"Let's go," Jin Hyung announced excitedly, ignoring Suga's attempt at casual indifference. Everyone moved out ahead, leaving Suga and me behind.

"You said she wasn't coming," he muttered under his breath, his tone sharp.

"Did I?" I teased, a grin tugging at my lips.

He rolled his eyes but a faint smile betrayed his amusement. "I'm a pretty good liar."

"You were really obvious" I added softly, feeling a strange thrill from the secret.

A quick tap on my arm. "Shut up" he muttered, walking ahead.

I watched him go, laughter bubbling up inside me, then secured the house behind us.

We divided into two cars—logistically necessary. I was in the same vehicle as the girls, plus Jin  and Suga—who had volunteered to sit with Sarah, with the advantage of his age, the other members could not complain. Taehyung wanted to sit with us, but had no choice as the vehicle had reached its capacity. The ride was unexpectedly tense—no one dared to speak, even Angela, usually the chatterbox.

"What's with all the awkward silence?" I finally asked, exasperated.

Jin Hyung smirked through the rearview mirror. "Couldn't agree more."

Suga promptly turned on the radio. The music filled the car, and soon, everyone was singing along—raps, melodies, the works. Angela, Michelle, and Sarah joined in, the atmosphere shifting from tense to lively.

Suga instinctively reached for the radio, and as predicted, their songs began filling the car. The atmosphere shifted instantly—everyone started singing and rapping along with enthusiasm. Joan and I, more observant than participatory, exchanged quiet glances, simply absorbing the energy. Angela, Michelle, and of course Sarah, joined in with genuine delight, their voices blending into the lively chorus.

The track that played was "Boy in Luv," and it ignited a collective momentum. The car filled with music and laughter, each of us immersed in the moment. Joan and I leaned back, content to sway to the beat, while the others went all out—dancing, singing at the top of their lungs, caught up in the infectious rhythm. The chorus, vibrant and powerful, seemed to lift us all.

Honestly, I hadn't realized how compelling their music was until that moment. There's a depth and energy in their songs that's hard to ignore once you truly listen. I wondered why I hadn't given their tracks more attention before; now, it felt like I'd been missing out.

The drive continued in this easy, almost timeless manner—music, casual conversations about life, shared smiles. Despite the agonizing, 13-hour journey, time slipped by unnoticed. Every so often, we had brief stop-overs and Jin and Suga exchanged quick, knowing looks behind the wheel, a silent communication that added a layer of camaraderie to the trip. By the time morning arrived, we had reached our destination: Jeju Island.

As soon as we caught sight of the island's landscape, Sarah and I couldn't help but squeal with excitement. The scenery was breathtaking—vivid, lush, and alive with natural beauty. I pulled out my camera, eager to capture the moment. Every click seemed to preserve a piece of this remarkable place.

Welcome to Jeju Island.