Two Days Later

"Hi, Mirae!"

I stiffened at the sing-song voice that sounded taunting behind me. I turned away from my locker and came face to face with the last person I wanted to see.

"What do you want, Jiyoo?" I asked sharply.

She gasped as if offended. "Why the rude tone? I was just wanting to say hi."

I rolled my eyes. "What are you really here for?"

"I thought maybe we could be friends," Jiyoo said, in a sickeningly sweet tone of voice.

I laughed. "Oh, and why would I want to do that? Because you've never given me the time of day? Or because on the rare occasion that you do, you're hateful to me? Or, or could it maybe be because you talk about me behind my back?"

Jiyoo smirked an evil smirk. "Well, I thought it could be because we both know how soft Yoongi's lips are."

SMACK

I slapped her with such force, it had snapped her head to the side. Now she looked back at me, her mouth agape, from behind her long, black hair as she cupped her cheek.

"Nabi!" I looked behind Jiyoo to see Yoongi hurrying toward us. "Are you alright?"

"Perfectly fine," I said as I pulled him close and kissed him softly. He kissed me back, and I smiled into it. "Just showing Jiyoo here what it's like to have a kiss returned by you and not be pushed away."

Yoongi raised an eyebrow, then turned and looked at Jiyoo. She had tears in her eyes - likely from my slap - but they were narrowed at me.

"Fuck you," she spat.

"No, fuck you, Jiyoo!" I snapped. "I mean, how dare you! You hurt my best friend. Then you pursue my boyfriend and kiss him against his will which is, by the way, sexual harassment. You conspire with Haneul to get me raped. And now you have the audacity to approach me just to taunt me? I'm used to taunting, bitch. I can handle myself, as you are now well aware. Stay away from me, stay away from Yoongi, stay away from my friends - "

"Or what?" Jiyoo hissed.

"Or you'll find out what one step further from a slap is from me."

Jiyoo scoffed. "I'm not afraid of you."

I took a step toward her and she took one back. I smirked.

"You should be."

Her eyes danced with rage, but she said nothing further.

"Run along now," I said, speaking to her as if she were a child. "I have work to do to erase your lips from his."

I pulled Yoongi closer by the front of his shirt, snaked my arms around his neck, pulled him down for a kiss, and slipped my tongue into his mouth for good measure.

I heard Jiyoo make a noise of frustration before she stomped away.

After a few long moments, Yoongi and I broke apart.

"Nabi," he said breathlessly. "Have I ever told you you're amazing?"

"What for this time?" I asked teasingly. "Winning the conversation with Jiyoo just now, or that kiss?"

"Why can't it be both?" he asked, looking dazed.

~~~~~~~~~~

One Week Later

"Hey, Nabi." I turned around to see Yoongi leaning against the doorway to my room. I had been playing my dad's song. I'd found that now that I was so used to it, it relaxed me to play it.

"Hi," I said.

He stood up straight and walked over to my bed. He sat down and looked at the keyboard.

"I was wondering... How do you feel about returning to the club?"

I took a deep breath, but before I could say anything, he continued.

"I have a performance next weekend, but I don't want you to feel obligated to come. If it's too hard to go back there, I completely understand."

I didn't say anything for a few long moments until, "I think I could do it."

"Are you sure? Nabi, my only concern is for you and your well-being. I won't be upset or disappointed if you can't go."

"I don't want to miss any of your performances - "

"Then I'll cancel and do it for you here."

My eyes widened. "You'd do that?"

"Of course," he said with no hesitation. "If you can't go back, there's no need for me to either. I can find somewhere else to perform. Namjoon and Hoseok know of other places."

"But that's where your fans are," I argued. "I can't ask you to - "

"You're not asking me," he said. "And I can work on getting new fans elsewhere. I don't have to stay in one place."

I looked down. "But the producers and talent scouts that show up - "

"They've seen me before. If they're impressed enough, they'll follow. And I can do my own producing. It's something I've been thinking about pursuing anyway."

My head rose. "Really?"

He nodded. "I think music is what I'm going to do at university," he said. "And by the way, Seokjin would never forgive me if I didn't suggest you join me in that program. But that's all a talk for another time. The point right now is that I want you at my performances. And if that means I perform somewhere else, I'm happy to do that."

I thought it over for a few silent minutes. Yoongi waited patiently.

"I think I could go back. At least just one more time. I don't want you to just up and disappear from there. You love it there."

He shook his head. "That's not the point - "

"Even if it's too hard," I insisted. "it would mean a lot to me to have let you be able to say goodbye."

He stared at me. "You are the most selfless person I know."

I smiled, but shook my head. "I doubt that. You know yourself, right?"

He shook his. "I stand by what I said."

I decided not to argue any further. "Maybe... Maybe we could convince all the guys to go. That would make me feel more comfortable."

Yoongi smiled. It was one of those beautiful smiles where he showed his gums. One of those beautiful smiles that I knew were the most genuine. "I bet we could," he said.

"So, you're sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Okay," he said. "Good, because this performance is going to be my most important thus far. I'm so glad you'll be there."

I returned his smile. "I just want you to be happy."

"And I want the same for you."

~~~~~~~~~~

Bangtan

Yoongi She agreed to go back
if all of you go.

Namjoon Well, you know
Hoseok and I will be there.

Hoseok For sure!

Jungkook I'll go!

Jimin Same!

Seokjin I'm not sure if I'll
be able to convince Daeun
to go, but I'll be there.

Yoongi That's understandable.
No worries.

Taehyung For Rae, I'll go.

Yoongi Aw, not for me, Taehyung?

Taehyung I guess I'll watch
you, too.

Yoongi Thanks, man.