My Dear Sonsaengnim (Taehyung & Reader)

Part 14

Dojoon
Minki
Hyungjin
Stepdad
Yoojung
Woobin
You tallied up the names of the people around you who had gone missing or dead.
Does Kim sonsaeng have something to do with this?
A few minutes ago, you had just heard about Woobin's passing. The police deemed it as suicide because they found a suicide note on the rooftop where he jumped off from.
But somehow, you didn't quite believe it. It was all too coincidental. Everyone who had posed any threat on you had disappeared one by one.
You desperately wanted to talk to Taehyung, but you didn't have his number nor did he ever appear in front of you again. Nevertheless, you knew that he was around.
You believed that the stem of white heather laid at your doorstep every single day was his doing. His signal to tell you that he'd never left.
Two months went by peacefully, without any other incident. Tomorrow would be your graduation.
You were very nervous. Not because of the graduation in particular, but because of the prospect of finally seeing Taehyung again.
He'll come, won't he?
He hadn't contacted you for so long, so you couldn't help but worry. You tossed & turned in your bed all night, hearts pounding in anticipation.
Tomorrow I'll be free, but will he be there to celebrate with me?
The next morning, you woke up much earlier than usual, ironed your uniform, put on a light makeup, & brushed your hair meticulously.
This is it.
You thought to yourself as you smiled at your own reflection in the mirror.
"Eomma, I'm going." You exclaimed as you opened the door to your mother's room.
She was still lying unconscious in bed, a few empty bottles of soju strewn on her bedside table.
You heaved a deep sigh & closed the door, not even disappointed that she wouldn't be attending your graduation.
The morning air felt exceptionally fresh today. You kept checking your phone on your way, in case Taehyung called or sent a text to you. But he didn't.
Maybe he'll surprise me & come to the ceremony.
But again, he didn't.
You searched for his face in the crowd as you went on stage to receive your diploma, but you couldn't find him.
Every one of your classmates cheerfully took pictures with their family at the end of the ceremony. You were the only person without any one to celebrate with. People were throwing pitiful glances at you & whispering behind your back, making you felt even worse.
Where is he? Has he forgotten about today?
The tears in your eyes were about to fall when suddenly somebody tapped your shoulder from behind.
"Excuse me, are you Ms. Song Y/n?" The man in some kind of courier uniform asked you.
"Y-Yes?"
"Here's a package for you. Please sign here." He said as he handed you a medium-sized box.
You signed the receipt quickly & opened the box. A small bouquet of white heather was lying in the center of the box with a small folded note on it.
Kim sonsaeng.
You hastily unfolded the note & read it.
"Congratulations for your graduation! And happy birthday! I'll be waiting for you at the gallery."
You knew exactly which gallery he meant, so you immediately dashed to the bus stop.
A 'closed' sign was hanging on the glass door when you arrived at the gallery. The space looked dark from the outside. Yet the door swung open when you pushed it.
You cautiously stepped inside & scanned your surroundings. The place was empty, no one was in sight. Even the walls were bare.
You moved further into the gallery & began to wonder if you'd made the right guess.
"Saengil chukhahamnida. Saengil chukhahamnida. Saranghaneun Y/nie. Saengil chukhahamnida." Taehyung's husky voice startled you.
You turned around & saw him walking towards you with a birthday cake in his hands, one candle lit on top of it.
"Ssaem.." Tears involuntarily rolled down your eyes as a relieved smile broke your face.
"Make a wish."
You closed your eyes & clasped your hands together.
I want to be with him forever.
Then, you opened your eyes & blew the candle.
The room went dark again. Your eyes were still adjusting to the dim light when you felt his fingers intertwining with yours.
"Follow me." He said.
You trailed behind him & both of you stopped in front of the wall at one corner of the gallery. A single painting was hung on it. Spotlights shone on the painting, making it look like a radiant sun in the dark universe.
It was a painting by V that you'd loved so much. The one that you had often visited the gallery for.
"It's my birthday present for you. Do you like it?" Taehyung asked without taking his eyes off the painting.
"How do you know that I love this painting?" Your eyes widened in surprise.
"I'm glad you still like it." He smiled at you, but didn't exactly answer your question.
"Thank you V sonsaengnim. This is definitely my favorite work of yours." You muttered as you leaned your head on his shoulder.
He gently pushed you away & stared into your eyes.
"You knew?"
"Yes. And I can't believe how lucky I am to be here with you now. I will never let go again." You squeezed his hand & smiled.
He didn't say anything in return. His expression became unreadable. It was as if a shadow had casted over his face.
"Do you know that this is the place where we first met?" He abruptly turned towards the painting & said.
"Huh? Really?" As far as you remembered, you first met him at the art club.
"Y/n ah, would you come with me? I need to show you something."
"Oh. Ok. Where?"
"You'll see." A thin smile formed on his lips & somehow your gut told you that it wouldn't be pleasant.