I dragged my attention back to the screen, where Minjae was now expressing their concern for Vibers all over the world, hoping that they would stay safe, and take care of each other.
“We miss you so much,” Jihoon said in English, staring down the camera lens as if he was looking directly at me. “We will get through this, but we need you to do what you need to do, so we can reunite safely in the future.”
He looked away, and I watched his throat bob as he furiously blinked.
Minjae looked at Jihoon for a moment, before turning back to the camera and picking up the threads.
“We all have loved ones around the world,” he said in English, “people who are shielding with their families. We miss them, just like we miss all of you. We only want everyone to be safe, so please take care of yourselves so we can meet again.”
This message, or at least the sentiment was repeated in several languages by the members, and I was blown away by the multilingual talent of a group already so overflowing with other talents.
But Jihoon did not speak again. He did not look up at the camera again.
Chapter 12
May
“How long is the drive?”
I was curled up on the window seat in my room, phone propped up on my bent knees as I watched Jihoon pack. He was back in the apartment that he shared with the two youngest group members, but only to gather a few things. He was still living temporarily in the dorm with the whole group.
My lips quirked up as I glimpsed his bed. The black satin sheets. They reminded me of the first time I’d been in his room.
“What are you laughing about?”
“Your sheets.”
“My sheets?”
“It’s just so… textbook.”
“Textbook?”
“Yeah, it’s like you read a manual on how to decorate your bedroom. The young, hot, single guy’s manual.”
“Jagiya, I haven't been single for months.”
Jihoon sighed, and I refocused on him as he faced the screen, slumping against the dresser and making the phone shake.
“Five hours, maybe,” he said. “Less if I drive fast.”
He grinned at me, and I gave a long-suffering sigh.
“Imagine what the company will say if you get pulled over.”
“They need to catch me first.”
“Babo,” I said, sticking my tongue out.
“Baby,” he grinned proudly, “you’ve been practising.”
I shrugged. “I have to keep myself occupied, somehow.”
“By learning insults? What else have you learnt, funny girl?”
I grinned, but instead of reeling off my growing repertoire of Korean curse words, I steered our conversation back on track.
“And your grandma? Is she okay?”
