chapter thirteen

of ceaseless suffering &  A chance amongst the clouds
November 24TH, 2016

Their most recent album, ‘Wings’ was doing amazingly well in charts as well with both Korean and their International fandom. Fans claimed that it was most likely the best album BTS had put on during the three years of their music career. However, other fans missed their old sound, something like ‘No More Dream’ or even ‘Boy in Luv’ was what they wanted to see once more. 

Work filled their quotidian, preparing for their World Tour, Music Year End Award Shows, their 2017 comeback, their recently concluded promotions of ‘Wings’ still took a toll on them, as if they had been near a Dementor, they energy had all been drained. All the seven members wished for was a long and well-deserved break. Nonetheless, they knew that wouldn’t be happening anytime soon. If the truth was to be said, BTS was the only group making a profit under Big Hit Entertainment, and, as of recently, their CEO, in an interview with Elle, said he doesn’t have any plans of debuting nor a boy group nor a girl group anytime soon. 

Taehyung, whose phone had died, wandered around the studio, humming a random melody as he clicked his fingers. 

Irritated after the song, he, Hoseok and Namjoon, had spent countless of days and nights working on, despite their hectic schedule which deprived them of rest, Yoongi exhaled, frustration clearly visible on his features, “Taehyung, for the love of God” cluelessly, the boy, with his eyes wide open, looked at the older boy that rubbed his temples, “I’m terribly sorry, but could you please stand still? You’re making it extremely arduous to concentrate.” 

Visibly upset yet embarrassed, Taehyung bit his upper lip and chewed on it, “I’m sorry, hyung, I didn’t mean to disturb you,” walking on his tip-toes, the younger boy sat down next to the youngest, Jungkook and proceeded to ask, “When do you have to present a new song to the CEO-nim? Have they given you any type of deadline? Or even characteristics this song should possess?” 

Yoongi shrugged his shoulders. “They didn’t give us a specific comeback date, nor what they are looking for in this upcoming song. However, the new songs are most likely going to be recorded at the beginning of January or perhaps mid. The new album will possibly be revealed to the public in mid-February or early March,” sighing, for what it seemed like the hundredth time since he had opened his eyes, Yoongi shook his head, “As it’s extremely visible, they lack the capability of reaching a consensus.”  

Resting his chin on his hand, Taehyung pondered his upcoming words, “Perhaps, we could ask for outside help? I know we rarely have done such thing, however, when we did it always turned out well” immediately, Yoongi’s facial featured lightened, “For example, when we worked with Dajung for ‘Butterfly’ and ‘Whalien 52’. Both those songs were marvelous and did amazingly well, with both the charts and our fans” 

“Are you suggesting we work once more with her?” Jungkook questioned, to which Taehyung quickly nodded, “I actually did enjoy the creative process behind both songs, she was very inclusive instead of simply ignoring our opinions upon the first listening of the demos.” 

Jimin who had been silent up until now, cracked his knuckles, “However, she has debuted now, I don’t think it would be recommendable for her to spare us time, instead of practicing for her group’s future promotions.” 

Quietly, Namjoon nodded, running his hand through his hair, “I agree, but, perhaps, we could ask Byeol for help,” the other members, agreed, “He has, previously, worked with us and is currently working with Ethereal. As well as I know him, I believe, he might have rough drafts of several songs we could, perchance, alter and enhance for our upcoming comeback.” 

Clasping his hands, Hoseok let out a sigh of relief, “I am so glad we ever got to work with Byeol,” quietly, the other members agreed, “He matches our style very well and prefers doing what we are comfortable with.” 

“Exactly,” Yoongi said, slumping in his chair, “Matter of fact, we actually might be able to go forward with the song we initially proposed with alterations from Byeol.” 

And so, an agreement had finally dawned the recording studio, which lights remained bright during the eerily hours of the night. 

And so, an agreement had finally dawned the recording studio, which lights remained bright during the eerily hours of the night. 

of a passing downpour & a scattered rose scented breeze
november 24TH, 2016

No matter what hardships she faced, a smile was the only thing that plastered her face. But even she, could not avoid experiencing sadness from time to time.  

Sadness had crept onto her heart on this day, unexpectedly. 

The realization of the ephemerality of what surrounds her had been something she had never fully comprehended until the day she had dreaded dawned at her door in the form of a teary-eyed Yoojung and broken-hearted Chaeyeon – the separation of the group she once shed blood, sweat and tears for, I.O.I, reached its ending scene, the curtains were, grievously, closing, despite such occurrence being deeply unsought. 

"The two of you are well aware that a full year hasn’t passed yet, right?” Saeron questioned, “If I remember accurately, that was one of the clauses in I.O.I’s contracts.” 

With her head in her knees, Yoojung sighed, “Due to certain companies debuting groups consisting of I.O.I members as promotions were occurring, they preferred to call off the one-year contract in fear of not being able to produce a final album with the eleven members which could sadden the fans.” 

“Perhaps that’s something that should’ve been specified in our contract,” Chaeyeon, who was crouched over her black suitcase said, “I wasn’t particularly fond of promoting in DIA whilst I was in I.O.I, however, the company believed it would help DIA grow exponentially, unfortunately, it didn’t. The end result was nothing but suffering, for both parties, there were a lot of stressful times.” 

The sight in front of her clenched her heart. Being stripped away from the joy she could have felt alongside them, as well as the sorrow that now consumes their hearts. A little bit she desired to remove, easing the pain they couldn’t ignore.  

Time is like a passing breeze. As fast as flowers bloom, they also wither, such a case was with I.O.I, blooming beautifully in the attentive eyes of those that carefully watched them, withering in the eyes of those that will, eventually, turn their back on the memories that were hatched from a mere seed.  

“A goodbye has been outlined; you know? Sometimes, it feels like more cohesively they planned our disbandment than they did the rest,” Yoojung started, her voice wavering, “Plans have been laid out for a last song, as well as final concert named, ‘Time Slip – I.O.I’. Despite it being a gift for the fans, for us it’s nothing but a curse, waiting for the last day to bid farewell, for God knows how long.”  

Caressing the back of the now weeping girl, Saeron hoped her warmth would find its way onto the heart that cooled, “The happy memories are being erased, being replaced, at the agonizing door of a finale, however they mustn't be lost in the rain. What you shared, moments no one else knows, or can even dare to dream about are only yours, and if you lose them, the journey you had will be reduced to ashes,” tears threatened at the edge of her eyes, “As the sorrow settles in, so will the bitter sweetness.  In the fullness of time, this cold rain will turn into warm laughs, even so, everything will be alright, it’s just a measly downpour.” 

As much as Saeron wanted to believe in her own words, well aware she was, things were easier said than done, yet the desire to ease the hearts of those she loved remained.  

“The worst part is,” Chaeyeon looked up from her suitcase, “Acquainted with the end we had become, yet, efforts to delay it are being delivered by each one of us, even though we know there’s nothing we can do to prevent it. A bittersweet acceptance is all that remains.” 

From the door frame a melodic voice spoke out, “From time to time, I wonder if I have the right to allow myself to feel pain,” her eyes met Saeron’s, “Because, I knew what I was getting myself into, it was specified from the beginning that this was temporary, yet, it hurts.” 

“Chungha,” Saeron’s voice trailed, “Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try to avoid emotional pain, it follows us everywhere. Difficult emotions, like shame, anger, loneliness, fear, despair, confusion, are a natural part of the human experience. It’s just not possible to avoid feeling bad, so let yourself feel everything.” 

Approaching the younger girl, Chungha sat down next to her, “I wonder if things would’ve been different had