02 U | NCT Johnny

Chapter 27

For the first time she felt such a burden to go to Korea. She was suffocating and all the way to the country that she loved, she could feel nothing but pain. Her chest hurt so much, she had no idea how to handle it.

She arrived around 2 am and Hana was there to fetch her. Daeun had told her best friend everything and Hanna knew what she did was wrong but she was in no position to be fully mad and blame her. She wasn't in her shoes to understand their feelings.

Daeun went straight to bed after the flight since she promised to meet Johnny early in the morning. It was her first time as well to experience jet lag. She had a hard time to wake up and she kept on feeling nausea. Her friend was already concerned on her condition but Daeun insisted on meeting Johnny.

Around 10 am, she arrived at the restaurant that they promised to meet. It was quite isolated so that no one could recognize him. Daeun arrived first and waited for Johnny. Maybe it will be our last time.. she suddenly had the thought and she could feel how her chest began to feel extra heavy.

Johnny arrived wearing hoodie and mask along with his cap. He took a seat infront of her and pulled down his mask slightly to reveal his face. Daeun wanted to smile but everything was so painful to her. "Hey.." she said softly and Johnny smiled, holding her hand. "I miss you," he said without saying hi back.

She finally smiled. "Youngho.." she mumbled softly and she could feel her eyes teary because Johnny's eyes were red and puffy. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Let's have breakfast and walk somewhere today," he said as he called the waiter and ordered some food for the two of them. Johnny talked with her as usual and told her what had been happening in his life. All the practices and all the new songs they're working on. Daeun, too, told him what had been happening in her life, except the part that Taeyong came to see her.

After they finished eating, Johnny walked with her hand in hand to the nearby park. There was silence between them. Not the awkward silence but it was more to the let's-enjoy-this-moment-together-silently silence. The two of them walked and enjoyed the view of the children running around and some family having some quality time together.

"I wish to live like that now," Johnny suddenly said as he lightly squeezed her hand. Daeun was caught off guard with that statement. "Like what?" she asked obliviously.

"like that. Having wife and kids..." he chuckled softly. "You're still young and you have a long career ahead." she said.

"Why don't you say 'I don't mind how long it will take, I will still wait for you'," he turned to look at her and Daeun could feel her heart ached again. Due to her being quiet, Johnny shook her hand softly. "You don't trust me?" he asked her rather softly.

She nodded and quickly wiped her tear hastily using the hand he wasn't holding. "I do. I just don't trust myself. I'm scared I'll hurt you," she told him. Johnny just smiled and shook her hand again. "Don't be like that. Everybody make mistake."

---

They took lots of pictures together and Johnny even won her a plushie from the claw machine. The two of them headed to his dorm and he heaved a long sigh of relief since the whole dorm was empty. Guess Ten knew what's going to happen so he brought everyone out for dinner.

Daeun sat on Johnny bed and he sat on Taeyong's.

"You're keeping something from me is it?"

She bit her lips. Silence.

"i just don't want us to end. Will you tell me so we could figure this thing out?" he asked softly, trying not to trigger her. Daeun was hesitating. She was scared. She was scared that everyone will hurt because of her.