Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 27

Lost in Translation

(A/N): Listen to Henry's "It's You")

"Because I like you."

"W-what?"

"I like you, Aen-ah."

Aen looked at Yoongi with a mix of confusion and disbelief.

"S-since when?"

"I don't know. When you rejected me at our first meeting, I thought I would feel relief because, to be honest, I wasn't even ready to meet you."

"W-why?"

Yoongi chuckled dryly.

"I was afraid... of meeting you. I'm not fond of this soulmate system we have. I'm not ready to commit. But then you rejected me, and I thought I would be okay with it, but instead, I felt hurt. I didn't even understand why? So I just thought it was probably a soulmate thing."

"T-then?"

"After that, I kept my distance because I respected your decision, but what you said kept lingering in my mind. I didn't even realize I keep watching over you when you came to give deliveries at the office. I never miss a day, and probably grew fond of you by then."

"No... Y-you shouldn't have done that..."

"Yeah... I really shouldn't have, but I couldn't help it. I get drawn to you. As I said, I was going keep my distance, just watching over you, but then you got hurt and I panicked. I was so afraid I would lose you without even getting to know you yet. It was a scary feeling, Aen and I think it was then that I realized how important you are to me."

Yoongi looked vulnerable as he poured out his feelings.

"I was really glad, you know.... when we became friends, because our relationship finally progressed somehow. It made me happy that you were finally opening up, and I thought everything was going to be okay as long as I don't cross the line. But I got greedy..."

Aen shook her head, tears falling from her eyes.

"No... No, you didn't."

"Oh, but I think I did. Because you were avoiding me again, and now you want us to act like strangers again."

"No... Yoongi that's not-"

"But I can't do that Aen-ah... I won't. Because I really can't stop these feelings anymore..."

"Yoongi..."

"I like you, Aen-ah."

He chuckled, even though tears were falling from his eyes.

"Maybe I really am greedy after all..."

"No... No... You're not... It's me... I'm the problem..."

"But it's my birthday, so I'm allowed to do that right?

Before Aen realized what she was doing, she hugged Yoongi.

She buried her face in his shoulder, feeling the familiar scent of his cologne mix with the crisp air of the river.

"Happy Birthday Yoongi."