Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 36

The Weight of Three Words

(A/N: Listen to "Sudden Rain" by Eric Nam)

Yoongi took a deep breath, looked into Aen's eyes, and continued.

"I'm sorry... for everything. For suddenly entering your life. For pushing my selfish feelings on you before we truly knew each other. And for letting you get hurt because of me."

With that, Aen started to cry again, but this time, the tears felt different.

"It was all my fault that we ended up at that point."

Yoongi said with a sad smile.

"Back then, I was taken aback when you told me you had a kid. I won't deny that. I was still processing everything when you suddenly asked if I still liked you."

Aen was about to speak, but Yoongi beat her to it.

"It must have hurt you so much when I couldn't say it right away."

Yoongi stood up and walked toward her.

"But Aen... it wouldn't have been fair to you if I had said it then."

He crouched down and looked Aen in the eyes.

"Because I wanted to make sure of my feelings after everything you shared."

He reached out his hand to her face.

"But then I realized something..."

He smiled.

"Nothing has changed. Even after everything you told me, I still like you. I really, really still like you, Aen-nah."

Aen cried harder, the weight of his acceptance finally breaking her walls.

Yoongi gently pulled her into a hug.

"Is that okay?" he whispered, stroking her hair.

"Can I keep on liking you?"

"N-no..." Aen sobbed into his chest.

The '0' on her wrist, which had felt like a cold brand for so long, suddenly began to hum with a gentle, radiating heat.

It wasn't just a number anymore; it was a heartbeat.

Yoongi chuckled lightly.

"Is that so?"

"Y-yes..."

"Too bad then. You see, I'm a very stubborn person, Aen-ah. So, good luck trying to shut me out of your life starting today."

"Am I that important to you?"

"Yes. So... isn't that enough for us to start over the right way?"

"No..."

"Let's get to know each other properly this time."

"Why won't you listen to me?"

"Huh?? What? Did you say something?"

"Ughh..."

Yoongi chuckled again and pulled back to look her in the eyes.