Under the Cherry Blossoms (Taejin/Kookjin)

Chapter 39. Choice

JIN'S POV

See you.

I felt like my heart would jump out of my chest as I saw those two words. I texted him yesterday asking him to meet me here in one of the benches in front of the Shinobazu Pond.

Taking a deep breath, I was trying my best to relax. I can't help but feel anxious. Today, I am going to pour my heart out.

A slight shuffle can be felt beside me.

This is it.

Calm down.

"Hey"

His voice rang through my ears.

Relax.

This is the moment.

I pursed my lips and kept my eyes straight to the pond. I took another deep breath before I turned my head to face him.

He smiled at me softly. He seemed to be more composed than before.

Wearing a long brown trench coat with a white undershirt, he surely looked like a model. His features are well-defined and his stares are captivating.

"How have you been?" I started the conversation.

"A bit better, I guess." He bit his lips and looked away from me. "And you?"

I turned my head back to the pond. "Same."

Fidgeting my hands, I was at loss for words. I rehearsed this scenario in my head last night, but my efforts went down the drain. I don't know where and how to start. It sure feels different when you are in the actual situation.

"Were you able to sort things out these past six days?" He asked. There was calmness in his voice.

"Yes... and you?"

"Yeah." He sighed.

"Thank you." I gathered all of my courage. "Thank you for being part of my life..."

I straightened my back, "But I'm sorry if you can't continue to be part of it now and in the future..."

I clasped my hands. "Taehyung"

"I know." He whispered. There was sadness in the tone of his voice.

Holding my hands tighter, I tried to stop my tears. This is harder than I thought.

Taehyung leaned back, touching the back of the bench. I took a quick look on him. His head was up, staring at the sky.

"What went wrong?" There was a strain in his voice.

I lowered down my head and stared at my clasped hands. "We were too selfless, Taehyung. I was too occupied thinking what was best for you and you were too busy thinking what was best for me. We were so selfless that we forgot to express what we really want. We wanted to give each other peace of mind and avoid pain in the future. But ironically, we ended up hurting each other."

" I've always thought that selflessness is the greatest form of love." Taehyung's voice was trembling. "Now, I understand when they said that too much of something is bad."

I stared at him. He was already closing his eyes but his head was still up. He was trying his best to hold back but a streak of tears escaped from his eyes.

It was a painful sight.

Taehyung.

"I am sorry." I looked away and gripped my chest. "It is never my intention to hurt you. Please forgive me, Taehyung."