55 Fifty Four : Epilogue: 3 Years Later
Kim Sora POV
20 October 2023,
I turned my car into Minerva parking lot and parked my car at the usual place. Today is like any other day for me. The cool autumn air caressed my face as I walked out of my car. Even though it was still early morning, there were already several cars parked in Minerva.
I climbed the stairs to the first floor slowly while observing the environment around me. It's been 3 years since the incident in Minerva happened. Everything has changed, including myself of course.
The situation in Korea has returned to normal since the beginning of 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic has died down, both in Korea and around the world. It took about 2 years for the virus to disappear. And until now, almost all Koreans have been vaccinated, so even though there are one or two cases found it is considered normal and not dangerous.
"Annyeong, welcome to Minerva", someone greeted me and pulled me back from my reverie
"Annyeong, Taeyon~aah", I smiled back at the young woman standing behind the reception table
"Wow oenni, you cut your hair? Aigoo you look mature and more beautiful", said Taeyon surprised
"Jinjja? Gomawo", I replied
She nodded her head excitedly. I smiled and then sat beside her and asked how Minerva was today.
"It's quite good oenni, there are 6 people reading inside even though Minerva just opened 30 minutes ago", said Taeyon excitedly
"Arasso", I replied nodding my head
"Oenni, These are the letters and bills that came in this morning. Are you going to visit the Hongdae branch this afternoon? Ara Oenni said that you will play music there ...", Taeyon said enthusiastically
"Ye, there will be a music night there", I replied smiling at her while checking the pile of bills and letters in my hand
"Wow! Daebak!", She replied, widened her eyes
"Kang Taeyon ssi, can you help me for a moment?", Hansol asked her
"Yee ... oenni I have to go to the kitchen. Can you stay here for a moment?", Taeyon asked
"Ne, of course", I replied with a smile
Taeyon then ran to the kitchen leaving me alone at the reception desk. Since that incident with Aeri, I spent more time behind the reception desk than in my office. Sunmi said it was because the trauma I had, but in my opinion, I just feel more comfortable and safe in the open place than being confined in a room.
Minerva has change a lot. After the economic increased, Minerva's income also improved. Many customers came to read, hang out and chat with their friends here.
I have opened 3 Minerva branches so far. At the end of 2022 I built Minerva in Hongdae, then early 2023 in Incheon, and finally in Gwangju in August.
I still retain my old employees. When they first found out about Aeri, all my employees were shocked, because Aeri is a great manager and a fun partner.
Currently Jang Hansol is the manager of Minerva Yongsandong. Choi Ara is the manager at Minerva Hongdae. Go Minhyuk is the manager at Minerva Incheon, and Lee Eunso is the head of the kitchen at Minerva Gwangju.
Meanwhile, Park Yunsu and Kim Sossa are no longer working at Minerva after they graduated from college one year ago. Yunsu is currently working at a major television station in Korea, and Sossa is a translator for foreign tourists who come to visit Korea.
Besides that, I also just finished my master degree at Hanyang University. My days are filled with Minerva and also helping some of my friends arrange songs for musical concerts. You could say I lived my life happily as Namjoon wanted.
Well, after my relationship with Namjoon ended, I spent almost 3 months traveling around Korea. I stay a few days in each city I visit, calming myself while admiring every place I go.
I met many people during my travels, I was able to find the real meaning of life through them. Namjoon told me to live happily, and achieve all my dreams. And I think I've done both.
* pipipip
I put down the bills I was reading and took the phone out of my bag. I saw Sunmi's name on the screen.
"Yeoboseyo", I said
"Yeoboseyo Sora~aah ... where are you?", Asked Sunmi, her voice sounded happy
"I'm in Minerva, wae?", I asked her
"Yongsandong?", She asked, making sure
"Ye. What's the matter?", I asked curiously
"I'll visit you later in the afternoon then, it's been a while since we had lunch in Little Seoul, right? I want to discuss about my wedding dress", she said
"Okay ...", I replied, looking at the television that was on in front of me
"By the way , would you like to accompany me to taste the wedding cake tomorrow? Kang woo oppa can't come tomorrow. He asked me to just invite you", She asked again, still in a happy voice
"Ye of course", I replied happily
"Arasso. See you later in the afternoon. Gomawo Kim Sora~aah", she said before ending the call
"Yee", I answered before I hung up my phone
Two months from now Sunmi will get married, she is very busy lately taking care of everything. She met her fiancé accidentally while on vacation to Jeju Island. They then got closer and finally decided to get married.
I was very happy when I found out about this. I didn't think that she would marry so soon, considering that Sunmi is a picky person when it comes to men.
"Woah noona, is that Bangtan Sonyeondan? Can you please turn up the volume?", The young man's excited voice diverted my mind from Sunmi
"Huh? Where?", I asked, confused at the young man with red hair in front of me
"Television noona, there ...", he pointed to the television beside me
"Oh ...", I replied and then pressed the button to increase the volume
"Bangtan Sonyeondan -Grammy Awards winner, world star artist- will soon release their new album early next month. This album has been eagerly awaited by their fans, ARMYs, around the world. BTS's return from military service a few months ago make fans excited and hope that they will make new works soon, and finally it will be realized at the beginning of next month ", said a KBS news anchor
Then the television screen shifted to pictures of BTS during their mandatory military service and their latest live broadcast one week ago, when they announced that they would be releasing a new album as a gift to fans.
I bit my lower lip when the television screen highlighted Namjoon's face who was talking and around him the members smiled and laughed at his words.
"Woah, RM hyung is amazing. I really admire him. You are also an ARMY right, noona?", Said Han Jukyung with an enchanted face
"Ye, I'm an ARMY", I said proudly to the red haired employee in front of me
"Who is your bias, Noona? My bias is RM", he said excitedly
"Me? My bias? Mmm I like them all .." I replied smiling at him
"Arasso. They are all really amazing. I understand why you can't choose a bias. You know, noona? I can't stop thinking ... why do they keep on military service even though the government has given them a choice", said Jukyung frowning while staring at the television screen
I did not answer the question, currently my mind is filled with Namjoon. He looks healthy, his eyes shine, his face is bright, his body looks more muscular and well-built. I took a deep breath and lowered my face.
Ever since our relationship ended I have always been following the news about BTS, more because the news about them is everywhere so it keeps me informed about their achievements.
In August 2020, one month after we separated, their popularity skyrocketed thanks to the single "Dynamite", which until now is still popular among the public. They even took first place on the Billboard hot 100, as they have always dreamed of.
In 2021 their success was even greater, they released two new albums, winning many awards including the Grammy Awards for Best Pop Duo / Group Performance. This award made ARMY around the world and South Koreans go crazy with pride and joy. V and Jungkook also released their first mixtape.
In 2022 they again received the Grammy Awards for the category of Best Song Of The Year. They did such an amazing performance at the Grammys that they became more and more popular by the American public.
One week after winning the award, the Korean government made a statement, that BTS was exempted from military enlistment. But if they still want to served , they are still allowed to, but their time to served was shortened to only 15 months.
According to the government, BTS deserves an exemption because they have raised Korea's pride in the world music industry. This of course raises pros and cons among the society.
And to reduce this issue, in February, Bighit announced that in the same month 4 BTS members (Jin, Suga, Jhope and RM) will enlist military service for the next 15 months. Before their assignment, they held a 3-day farewell concert at the Seoul Olympic Arena. Fans from all over the world came to see the concert, including me and Sunmi.
Then in April of the same year, only two months later, Jimin, V and Jungkook followed the other members to join the military service. During BTS's mandatory military service, Bighit regularly airing Run BTS episodes, video footage, single songs from the vocal line and a mixtape from rapline, to entertain ARMY.
"Is that BTS ??", Taeyon asked happily and sat beside me
"Ye, woaah jin hyung's fiancé is soo beautiful ...", said Jukyung
"Ye .. she looks like a model. I pray for the best to their marriage", said Taeyon as she cupped her hands on her chest
"I hope the other members will get married soon. According to the news, Jimin and her girlfriend will get married too," said Jukyung again
"Jinjja?", I asked
"Aish, it's just a gossip, oenni. But I'm glad they are more open about their relationship. At first I was also in shock, but then I realized they were just human too," Taeyon said again
"I wonder if RM hyung will soon introduce his girlfriend to the public? From the news I saw he was seen several times with a woman, and that woman is very similar to a member of a famous girl group", said Jukyung again
"Aigooo Jukyung~aah, why do you always spread rumors?! Bighit has clarified that the woman is only working on a song project together with RM", Taeyon said irritably
"Jinjja? I haven't heard the news yet .." said Jukyung looking confused
I just smiled watching them fight about the news about BTS. I turned my gaze back to the television. News about Jin's marriage has become an issue in the public since Jin returned from military service at the end of May. And one month later Bighit confirmed that the news was true.
The members have indeed publicly introduced their girlfriend to the public. This has become a breakthrough for the idol world in Korea, because usually when idols are caught having a relationship, it becomes a scandal that can destroy their careers.
But unlike BTS, they managed to change the stigma, they repeatedly said that idols are just human beings who want to live without any differences from other humans. At first this caused controversy in the community, but ARMY helped and supported them so that the community finally accepted it.
Since 2 years ago, Jimin, Jhope, Jin and Jungkook have introduced their girlfriends to the public. I'm happy to know that, I'm grateful that these women didn't experience what I had before.
"Jukyung~aah, Taeyon~aah ... come with me, the grocery delivery truck arrived", said Hansol to my two employees
"I'll help ..", I said, standing up
"Aniyo, just stay here. There's no one on the reception desk," Hansol told me
"Arasso ..", I replied smiling at him
When the three of them left the reception desk, I turned off the television and sat back in my chair. I turned on my cellphone screen and opened the gallery and pressed the "Joon" folder. My memorable photos with Namjoon appeared on my screen.
God, I miss him so much. Seeing his face always appearing around me, whether on television, subway advertisements, highway billboards to the beverage cans at the convenience store made me miss him even more. Does he still remember me? Does he miss me ?. I covered my face with my hands.
When I miss him, I always do what he said, close my eyes and count to ten. But every time I opened my eyes his smiling face was never there.
I also never contacted him like he said, but the longer I waited for him, the more distant I felt from him.
I took a deep breath and grabbed my hair. I really miss him that it hurts so much. I straightened my body and closed my eyes.
Slowly I began to count,
One .....
Two .....
Three .....
I bit my lip, worried that I was doing something pointless
Four .....
Five .....
Six .....
* kling
There was a door chime sound indicating someone was coming
Seven .....
Eight .....
I heard footsteps approaching me
Nine ...
I must look ridiculous right now
Ten ...
I lowered my face and opened my eyes slowly. This is pointless, I thought bitterly.
I sighed and put a smile on my face to greet the customers who came.
"Anyyeong, welcome to Minerva", I greeted kindly, standing up, raising my face
I widened my eyes and covered my mouth with my hands. I was surprised to see the man standing in front of me.
"Annyeong Jagiya~ ....", he replied smiling, showing off the dimples on both cheeks
I took a few steps back, ... his almond eyes glowed, his smile was warm ...
Am I dreaming ??
I felt a tear fall down my cheek ...
This face ...
the face I missed finally came as his promise to me ....
--- The End ---
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Hi ARMY, finally the story is done, I hope you like the ending 😋.
Thank you soooo much because you guys took the time to read, and voted this story 🙇🏻♀️🙏🏻.
Please leave your comments/reviews about this story ... I hope your input will make me even more excited and can write better stories. Kamsahamnida 🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️
I will write a fanfic with another theme, please wait 😁
And finally ... always stay safe and stay gold wherever you are, borahae 💜💜💜
