Question:

Did Jongin commit suicide?

Answer:

Indirectly? Yes.

                No one could deny the pleasure of being in love, and the beauty of the loss when it was gone. Others might know us as savage leaders, but the truth was we only had so much capacity as human to embrace the people around us whom we thought we must save. In the end, I couldn’t trust him. In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to talk of love as if I knew everything about it, because the truth was I didn’t. Love was not everything there was to life, though for that short few moment we were together, it sure felt like it.  

                  “Are we supposed to be here? Isn’t this Seiryuu’s private funeral?” Ahreum shyly slipped her hands into Wu Yi Fan’s and looked up to him with flushed cheeks. He felt his heart skipped a bit, and thought about how sinful he had become for thinking about something so indecent to a twelve year-old, though they were only separated by a three-year . His black suit’s front was crinkled when she clung onto his arms tightly and refused to let go. She looked like a deer caught in the spotlight when everyone started to look her way.

                  “It’s fine,” Wu Yi Fan grumbled softly as he glared at anyone who stared at her. He didn’t like those gazes, in particular those from males. Ahreum – like her name – was so beautiful, and if he could have kept her hidden away from the world forever, he would have, but she had an undeniable tie with the Seiryuu, as much as he would hate to admit. Besides, Yoon Sena, the Seiryuu leader seemed to have found a liking towards the young girl – both a blessing and a curse for the Suzakku. “They invited us here. We are part of the guests.”

                  He nodded curtly at Kim Joonmyun and his brothers, and only because it was common courtesy to acknowledge each other in a gathering like this. He patted Ahreum’s head and led her to the front, where the Dragon Lady was waiting with her one and only protector, Oh Sehun. Ahreum had asked him the reason why Lady Sena chose not to fill that empty spot left by Kim Jongin, but as he diplomatically answered – with that honeyed voice coated with lies – Jongin left a gap too big to be filled by others. The truth was not to be heard by a twelve year-old who had no understanding how love worked for the adults.

                  It had been eight months since the war, and Byakko had chosen a successor from the second eldest, Byun Yohan. He too, was here, but his seat was furthest away from the other three clans. Unlike his older brother, Yohan was considerably more quiet and humble. He did not have Baekhyun’s viciousness, but he still possessed the ferocity of Byakko. He looked passive enough not to blend in with others – not that Wu Yi Fan would care much for him anyway. Ahreum’s tug on his sleeve brought his attention back to her.

                  “Yes?”

                  The girl might seem like a weak, bland girl, but she was observant – in contrary to others’ impression of her. She put on a small smile when she saw how distracted Yi Fan was, “The funeral is about to start. We’d better take a seat.”

                  Right. They walked to the front, where one of Seiryuu’s Elites, Taeyong, pointed out the seat almost rudely. Ahreum gave him a very pointed look, and he, in turn, gave her a small smirk that did not go unnoticed by Yi Fan. Ahreum knew very well how possessive and jealous that man could be, and immediately pulled him down to sit. He did not seem amused, at all, and his eyes followed Taeyong like a predator even after he left. She, as usual, had to try her best to distract him, “Lady Sena looks stunning. I mean… I’m not supposed to say that in a funeral, but she looks gorgeous covered up in that black dress.”

                  And she looked at the Dragon Lady with vivid admiration. Wu Yi Fan stared back and forth between the two ladies and could not help to note down the stark comparison between them. The fondness in his heart grew as he brushed the hair away from her face. ”And you are just as beautiful.”

                  Ahreum turned away to focus on Sena, who had started giving her speech for the two hundred and thirty-two souls departed to the sea. It was close to midnight, and the moon was full, brightly illuminating the ship that sailed from Korea to Japan. The sea was unusually calm tonight, and the weather was just perfect. Of all the souls they sent off, only two of them were solid bodies while the rest was ashes. One was Zhang Yixing, her former Elite in the wooden coffin, and the other was Kim Jongin in the glass coffin.

                  “In the darkest of times, I will always remember that they were there for me,” Sena started her speech and steeled her heart against the tears. She had promised herself not to break down in front of these honoured guests. It would be the last time she would ever see Kim Jongin again, but she felt that this farewell was the best form to honour his sacrifice for the clan and for her. She could not be selfish. “I would remember Zhang Yixing and his gentleness, and Kim Jongin…” She choked a little on the microphone, “Kim Jongin and…”

                  Silence engulfed the night.

                  “Kim Jongin and his courage and selflessness.”

                  I would remember the nights we looked at the stars and vowed big words for each other. I would remember your promises and your silly laughter. I would remember the way you used to look at me as if I was your one and only. And I would remember the bittersweet feelings I felt for you. And I would remember that sort of inevitable love I have fallen into. And I would remember that our love was doomed but it didn’t mean that I could stop myself from falling for you.

                  “May the Dragon bless their souls and be with them, always.”

                  Ahreum clenched her fists and looked at Yi Fan earnestly, “Gege. I have decided.”

                  “And what have you decided, Silly Girl?”

                  “I want to be your protector, like Kim Jongin to Lady Sena. I want to be of use to you.”

                  He was struck by her words, such that his jaw fell apart and his breath hitched until he coughed out loudly. Her words reminded him of the nightmare he had had a few nights ago, and he sincerely wished not to remember it anymore. His eyes became colder, shutting off his emotion away from her preying eyes. The sternness in his voice was unmistakable, and Ahreum knew that something she said must have made him mad, “No. You are of no use to me if you become my protector. I have Winwin and Jungkook and they work just fine.”

                  “Then I can be your Elites. I would be one of the few female Elites in history. Isn’t that cool?” She spoke with bright eyes and Wu Yi Fan had not had the heart to look at the spark in her eyes and turned her down cruelly. He chose to look upfront, but the squeeze on her hands became tighter until she flinched at the strength he forced upon her, “No is no, Ahreum. You can’t be my Elites, and even if you manage to score high on the test, I would never accept you on the team. Forget that silly idea and continue to be the way you are now.”

                  She felt disheartened. Ahreum might be soft, but she was stubborn, “No! You can’t do that to me! I want to be your Elite! I want to protect you!”

                  But Wu Yi Fan was adamant. He would not make the same mistake as Sena. He had seen the way she looked at Kim Jongin, and the consequences from God for having that taboo love of the four clans. He could not do the same to himself and Ahreum. If she became his Elites, he would never had the chance to marry her. She would never be his bride. No. Wu Yi Fan’s decision was final. He would keep Ahreum at his side no matter what.  

                 A/N: One more epilogue, people. Coming in a few days before I start posting the first chapter of Hellbringers. Thank you!