From many of his flaws, Lee Taeyong will not defend himself if anyone calls him stubborn, because he is. And it’s not self-hatred talking, but when a Jung Jaehyun sighs and shakes his head on your decision without even trying to stop you, you have an enlightenment moment that damn you are exceptionally stubborn.

On Taeyong’s defense, though, he doesn’t see where his idea of going on a trip to Japan on his own can go wrong. You know I can speak some Japanese, Jae, he has convinced the younger—which obviously isn’t working because Jaehyun sighs again.

“Hyung, you are going to another country, alone,” Jaehyun said with full emphasis on the last word, hoping the older will get why this is a terrible idea.

“Um … yes? That is what I’ve been saying.”

“Oh my god hyung are you seriously don’t see how bad of an idea is that? You could get lost—in a foreign country!”

“But Jaehyun-ah—“

“Taeyong-hyung,” Doyoung interrupts him, “you do realize that your Japanese is nowhere near to help you survive alone there, right?”

“Shut up, my Japanese is better than yours. Anyway, Jaehyun-ah, I know it sounds crazy, but please? You know I really need this trip—and it’s just for a while, at least, until I can forget what happened.” Taeyong has prepared for another scolding—and maybe mentally decided that yeah this is a bad idea— when Jaehyun looks back at him unbelievably.

But then Jaehyun’s gaze softens, “God, hyung, you don’t get to use that card for this— No. Okay? Please hyung, I know what you’ve been through, but I just want you to be well and safe … God I would pay everything for you to forget it but I can’t risk your safety, hyung, please understand. I’m sorry.”

Taeyong only nods and silently leaves the room. He feels bad for guilt tripping Jaehyun on letting him go to travel alone, but he didn’t lie when he said truly needs to go. He needs new air, new scenery, new people, and new memories to help him forget. He has made his mind up long time ago that he will go, with or without Jaehyun’s permission.

Taeyong has a flight to Osaka waiting for him tomorrow—not that Jaehyun or Doyoung has to know.