Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 7

The Million-Step Drop

Yoongi's Flashback

6,504,960 steps.

Those were the numbers I saw written on my wrist as soon as I woke up on my 21st birthday.

March 9, 2015.

It was the day I had dreaded the most.

​I guess when your 21st birthday comes, it's the day some people tend to celebrate because finally, they will be able to see how near or far their soulmate is.

Even in Korea, where I was technically turning 22 by the traditional count, the Soulmate System followed the international standard.

On that day, the universe finally decided to give me my coordinates.

Well, as for me, it was the opposite.

The anticipation had made me feel anxious for days.

It's not like I hate the idea of having a soulmate.

Sure, I'd like to meet that person if only I was under normal circumstances.

But being an idol is different.

Even if Bang PD-nim, doesn't care if we get into relationships, the 7 of us decided to focus on our careers first.

We had a mountain to climb, and I didn't want anything—not even fate—to pull me back.

In the pursuit of our dreams, a soulmate felt less like a gift and more like a distraction.

The stage didn't have room for a third person.

That's why when those numbers showed up on my wrist, I somehow felt relieved.

The person, my soulmate, was 6 million steps far away from me.

'It must be a good sign,' I thought.

'I won't have to worry about it for the time being.'

Days, weeks, months, and a year passed by, and the numbers on my wrist lived and breathed with my schedule.

They were barely changing when we stayed in Seoul, but they weren't always dropping.

When we traveled further away for our international tours, specifically to the U.S., I watched the digits climb even higher, reaching toward the ten-million mark.

It was strange, seeing the distance grow, but it offered a weird sense of security.

The higher the number, the safer I felt from the complications of fate.

So, I didn't pay much attention to it after a while.

Until our LIVE ON STAGE EPILOGUE IN MANILA.

It was the day before the concert, July 29, 2016.

As soon as we arrived at the airport, our fans were waiting there and cheering for us.

We were then escorted to our hotel to rest.

In the hotel, I shared a room with Jin-hyung.

After we ordered room service, he took a shower first.

So, while waiting for my turn, I set up my laptop so I could do some work while waiting.

The hum of the city outside felt vibrant, but my mind was strictly on the setlist.

After some time, our room service arrived and Jin-hyung got out of the shower just in time.

He told me he was done and that I should hurry up so we can eat together.