SCENERY / Taejin

26. Somewhere Only We Know

"Why are you guys here so often? Don't you have like jobs to do?"
I fake annoyance at Hobi-hyung, Jiminie and Kook who are currently sprawled on the floor of my living room. They've been visiting almost eveyday since I basically ended my entire career as a celebrity with the release of 'Scenery' about a month ago.

"It's a waste to see this splendid house go. Might as well enjoy it while we can." Jiminie looks around with a small tsk.

"It's too big for me alone without my staffs.."

"Just admit that you're going broke." Hobi replies laughing from his seat.

"I'm not broke..but I will be soon with you guys eating all my food."

"Hmmm?" Kook looks up startled from his bucket of mint-chocolate icecream making us all chuckle.

"Have you decided on your new place?"

"Not yet..I think I'm gonna take a small vacation first."

"Where are you planning to go?" Kook finally puts away his snack.

"Paris. There's a few art galleries I'm looking forward to visit.." I reply with a small smile. It's true, I do want to go but it'll also be a nice distraction from everything else.

"I'm praying you won't come back with more paintings. Remember, you're broke."

I throw a cushion over at Hobi-hyung and he only cackles more.

"I'm going to Brazil next month. I always have a blast there. Wanna come?"

Kook's attention piqued over this, "Didn't you say your friend saw Jin-hyung there?"

"I don't know for sure. They live there but he travels a lot visiting cafes and restaurants...He writes for a food magazine. Er.. Taehyung-ah,we could try but I can't promise anything."

"But remember what Namjoon and Yoongi-hyung said?" Jiminie reminds us in a soft voice.

"They won't get mad if we do find Jin-hyung though," Kook argues back.

"Are we really gonna search an entire country again? That doesn't make sense!"

"You guys.. shut up already. Also my friend's brother was out travelling when he saw hyung. So it wasn't in Brazil. It could be anywhere in the South American continent or even anywhere in the world. It may not even be Jin-hyu...."
Hobi-hyung's voice grows weaker, remembering what our leader has said and also, Yoongi-hyung was a difficult person to argue with.
They all look at me for conclusion.

I give them a nervous smile and before I could say anything, my phone rings.

"Ah. It's Seok-joong hyung."

I pick up and moved away from the living room. The other three's attention goes back to other things.

"Yes,hyung?" I ask into the phone.

"Taehyung.. are you busy tonight?"

"Not really..why?"

"Will you stop by my restaurant later then?"

"Ah..of course."

"Ok. I'll see you soon."

"Yeah...bye."

I haven't been able to go for a while with everything happening. I'm looking forward to it. A good plate of Japchae will be a nice change from weeks of fried chicken and coke.

____________

I step into the restaurant with a mask and cap to avoid being recognized but it was completely deserted. I check my phone and it only reads 8:35PM. Confused, I make my way to my regular spot but a voice stops me.