Chapter 39 (1/1)

Two months had since past.  I had slowly adapted to the enviroment in Tokyo, which is really not very different than it is in Seoul. The filming of my drama gradually draws to an end. Japanese was complex and difficult to learn; I struggled greatly with the pronounciations, earning me loads of NGs from the director. But to be able to learn is great; it serves as a distraction.  I travelled between Seoul and Tokyo frequently,fufilling my promise to dad that I'll see him at least thrice a month while I worked overseas. Working overseas also means that I don't get to be in the company building often; at all, in face. I guess that became a good thing, because I won't run into him in any ways.  BIGBANG had since then released a special edition of their latest album, TONIGHT, which ofcourse, not to anyone's surprise, clinched many awards.  Jiyong has neither called nor texted me since that parting in the hospital. He's seems to become just a faraway star, beautiful to observe from afar. So beautiful to the extend where your heart aches and you tear up with a smile as you watches him. It feels so comforting that he's doing well. It made those nights I cried and hurt seem like a great exchange for his success.  A roll of thunder was heard and I glanced up at the sky unbelievingly. I had just came back from Japan and decided to stock Dad up with basic necessities and this had to happen? Ditching my plans as the first drops of rain showered down, I scurried back down the road where I came quickly. I paused, my footsteps automatically drawing to a halt as the painfully familiar playground outside the convinience store loomed into view. My eyes were transfixed at the swing, my mind trying to stop the relentless memories that started to ooze out. That swing. And that stone table infront of it was where we shared our first kiss, purely to hide from Jiyong's fans who might recognise him.  All these seems so faraway now. A small smile tugged at my lips before another bolt of lightning shook me back to reality. I quickened my steps, my eyes squinting towards the ground to keep the water out before they widened in alarm, recognise a pair of horribly familiar shoes some 7 meters away.  I raised my head, lowering my hand that was sheltering my eyes from the downpour. The rain beat down mercilessly, sending water that trickled down my neck and skin, drenching me. My breath hitched upon seeing the familiar, but now distant man infront of me.  Jiyong stood with his white Mercedes Bentley parked by the roadside just behind him. It's surprising how someone could change just after 2 months. Clad head to toe in luxury names, it's easy to tell at one glance how well his career was going. Donning a black Givenchy shirt with white stars  lining its collar and a pair of the latest collection of Louis Vuitton shoes, Jiyong stood, a hand in his pocket and the other grabbing an umbrella. His face is tilted slightly as he surveyed me emotionlessly, his eyes now grey and cold.  I shivered slightly in the rain and his gaze. Was it only 5 years ago when that same boy clad in uniform had appeared out of nowhere in this same rain who pushed me into his arms gently when I was so helpless?  I blinked, swallowing down the burst of emotions that threatened to show as I forced out a strained smile on my frozen face. Jiyong continued to eye me plainly. I gave a curt nod before gathering myself together to continue my way home, passing him.  "Wait."  My steps ceased as my eyes dropped to my wrist where he was grabbing again. It felt painfully familiar; but awfully distant. I looked at him again.   He was just as handsome as before, his features just as sharp. However, upon a closer look, the rims under his eyes were hidden by a thin layer of foundation. His eyes reflected everything but life.  "Idiot." Jiyong muttered monotonely, his eyes staring into mine as if he's bored.  "Excuse me?" I asked, taken aback as I shook the water off my face slightly.  "Who's stupid enough to walk in the rain without an umbrella?" He droned on. I blinked, surprised and hurt with his choice of words.  "Well," I began loudly, "I like the rain, Jiyong. That doesn't means that I'm stupid. At all. It's none of your business anyway." I finished, walking away when the pressure on my wrist was felt again.   Still staring at me coldly, Jiyong stuffed his umbrella into my hands, calmly stucking his hands into his pocket as the rain drenched him ravenously like a pack of hungry wolves. With an unreadable expression, Jiyong strutted into the convinience store behind me and I followed him with my gaze, frozen on the spot.  He reappeared moments later, stuffing his wallet back into his front pocket. In his hand held a packet of cigeratte loosely. His eyes flicked to me lazily as I blinked at him. Since when did Jiyong pick up smoking?  Ignoring me , Jiyong whipped out his car keys and swipes over a button. His luxurious white vehicle unlocked with a beep and the headlights flickered. Without a backward glance, he shifted into his seat and pulled the door behind him shut, driving off, with me rooted to the same spot, clutching onto the transparent umbrella.  Numbly, I opened the umbrella, ready to finally get home again before something caught my eye in the distance. It is a small piece of paper lying on the ground that seemed coloured. It wasn't there before, I am certain. A small voice in my head nudged me to check on it and I did reluctantly, bending down to pick it up.  It was a photo of Jiyong and I.