The Gifted (Txt x Itzy)

七十八

Those that we leaving decided they'll spend the night at the base, and leave in the morning, giving them a little more time together. Yeonjun and Yeji spent a lot of time together, not saying much, just holding each other's hands and enjoying the time they have.

Kai and Yuna also talked a lot, recalling old times and promising to keep in touch.

Chaeryeong and Ryujin simply chilled together, laughing at how they barely got along at the start.

Taehyun looked distracted and not so willing to talk, so the twins just sat by him, not one saying anything. He was so distant, it was as if he was already gone.

-

Then morning came. They go ready to go.

"I'll miss you so, so much," Jisu whispered into Chaeryeong's shoulder. She gave a gentle squeeze, "Me too."

"Where's Taehyun?" Ryujin suddenly asked. They all spun around, searching for the missing boy. "I didn't see him when I woke up," Beomgyu said.

"Well, maybe's he's out for a while-"

Yeonjun gave a small shake of his head, "Don't you get it? He left...without saying goodbye."

"No he didn't," Soobin suddenly said, eyes fixed on a spot next to the tent, "He left that."

A small, pale flower bloomed there, one that they were pretty sure wasn't there last night. Next to it was a scorch mark of fire, the ground burned with two tiny initials. K.T.

Jisu gave a shaky smile, "He didn't say goodbye, but he left something."

And then it was time to say goodbye. A true, painful goodbye.

"Hey Kai?" Jisu coughed out, "Vinegar...is an organic acid."

Kai frowned, "Wait, for real? Why only tell me this now?"
"Don't you dare blow anything up," Jisu chided teasingly.

Yeji laughed, "Don't worry, we'll stay in touch, and we'll watch over him."

"What are you going to do when you leave?" Soobin asked curiously.

Chaeryeong tilted her head back as if to enjoy the breeze, "Anything and everything. Go to school, learn a new language or some shit. Pick up a new skill. Just breathe and live, I guess."

"You have to visit," Yeonjun said softly, his words mostly targeted at Yeji.

"Oh, yeah, of course," Kai said with a vibrant smile, "I'll kidnap them and we'll come here and spend twenty days here."

"Why so precise?" Jisu joked, "Why does it have to be fixed?"

Kai shrugged and they laughed, all happy and together. It was such a bittersweet moment.

But they knew they wanted this.

"This is goodbye," Chaeryeong whispered as they stood at the edge of the forest.

"I know," Jisu gave a tender smile.

And as their figures retreated into the depth of the forest, they knew this was not the end.