“I’m going to enlist.”

Shinhye stops stirring the coffee; her body tensed.

Yonghwa who saw that walks to her and holds her shoulder.

A warm kiss landed on top of her head.

“People thinks I’m trying to avoid it. It’s the best for me to go now.”

“But you are not avoiding.”

“Who going to believe that honey? I’m all done.”

“We trust you.”

She turns to face him and squeezes his hand.

“I trust you. Your family, friends. Even your fans.”

He had a small smile on his face but she knows he is hurting.

“We know you plan to enlist quietly after this year schedules ended. They don’t know. And we both know how scary rumour is right? You have to be strong for your own self too Yong ah.”

“I am. But it’s still.”

“You are never the one who is afraid of hate comments.”

She added, her eyes looks worried.

“Won’t I appear as I am in the wrong side?”

Shinhye sighs.

“I’m sorry.”

He said, cupping her cheek.

“Don’t we agreed to ignore the negativity? Hmm?”

“Yeah.”

“Still, do you have to enlist now Yong?”

“I once think we should go together but things had turn out this way. I have to go first.”

He caresses her cheek, he smiles.

“I’m lucky.”

He added and she looks at him.

“Because I have you. You stayed by my side then and even now.”

“How many years had it been Yonghwa ya? What am I if I don’t trust you and stay with you?”

She hugs him, patting his back and smiles on his chest.

“Go. Go and serve bravely. I am going to brag how my namja serve in the army.”

“You will be fine right?”

He asks, tone worried.

“I will. I am going to visit eomonim when I have time too.”

He nodded, kiss her hair.

“I make omma worried. What a bad son I am.”

“People make mistakes baby. We are human too.”

She raises her head and look at him.

“Do you want to go somewhere? Before I head for the photoshoot?”

Yonghwa shakes his head.

“Can we just spend time together?”

He asks hesitantly.

Shinhye chuckles and nods.

“I can be myself when I’m with you.”

“You should always be yourself. Speak up if anything is against you.”

“He is the one who make us come to where we are now. If I act selfishly, what will happen to the kids? I have to.”

“Oh Yong. What do I do with you?”

She hugs him and ruffles his hair on the back.

“Think about your own self too Yong ah. Please.”

“You too. Think about yourself. I will be fine.”

“But you still want me to stay here for the time being right?”

She asks jokingly and manage to make him laughs before he nods.

***

“Kenchana?”

She asks when she finally can make her way into Yonghwa’s waiting room.

“Shin ah.”

He called and quickly went to hug her.

“I’m nervous. What if I went out and it is empty.”

“You should walk out there to see how many are supporting you.”

She smiled.

“Give it your all. Don’t hesitate even an ounce.”

“I won’t but still.”

“You want to hear the magic chant?”

She asks in teasing way and so he laughs.

“I have to go Yonghwa ya. Go and perform well. Watching you perform happily is my happiness.”

She caresses his cheek and peck his lips.

“I’ll be home soon. Let them announce few days after this concert. And please Yong ah. Don’t keep anything inside. Keep away from reading articles too. The comments won’t do anything good.”

“Gurae.”

He hugs her tightly and kisses her forehead.

“Thank you.”

“Perform well. Eomonim and abeonim is here too.”

He nods and reluctantly let her go.

“Fighting bolmae Jung.”

“I love you.”

He said and she smiles.

“I love you more than anything.”

And she hopes that gives him strength.

***

“You are not smiling.”

“How do you expect me to smile?”

She asks her manager before she sighs, wiping her tears.

“I wonder why this happen to him.”

“He is popular and talented. People envy him and wants to find anything that sells well. And they unfortunately found this.”

“You know.”

“Yes. But not the netizen.”

She sighs again and closes her eyes.

“Poor Yong. Poor uri Yonghwa.”

“We are closing by. Look at you.”

The manager scolds her and Shinhye make a little touch up.

“I just need to smile like nothing happen right?”

The manager didn’t answer.

Shinhye looks into the mirror and she practice to smile.

“But that didn’t reach your eyes.”

Her manager said slowly before Shinhye walks down of her transportation.

Smiling as bright as she can, she greeted the media and some of her fans.

“If only I can ninja my way.”

She thought.

But this is a sponsored photoshoot which needed her to promote them.

“Let’s end this quick.”

***

JUNG YONGHWA WILL ENLIST ON 5th MARCH.

“It’s out.”

She said and scampers for her phone.

“Yonghwa ya. I told you.”

“I think it’s the right time. They aren’t going to believe anything.”

“Forget about them. What about you?”

“I will be fine. You forget how strong your boyfriend is?”

He jokes and she sighs instead.

“Shin ah. I still have to make this announcement later too. It’s okay.”

“You sure you are okay?”

“I wish you are here now.”

He said and chuckles after.

“I’m going back soon and we will go for a short escape alright. Let’s go after Hong Kong concert.”

“Shinhye yah.”

“Busan. Let’s go there. Okay.”

He nods and she kind of feels that from the end of the line.

“I love you. You love me too right.”

“Of course. Why did you even asked?”

“So. Listen to me neh.”

“Okay. Do your job fantastically okay.”

“I will. You know how professional I am.”

He chuckles and she too finally let a small smile lit on her face.

“Wait for me to come home.”

“I will. Come home safely.”

She nods and he kisses the phone before the call ended.

“Let’s start counting down then.”

And she sighs.

***

They are holding hands while they walk through the cold night wind.

“Aren’t you cold?”

He asked and she shakes her head.

“Your hand are warm enough.”

Shinhye said as she leans on his arm.

“I wish I can hold this hand longer and run away together.”

“You had schedules.”

She nods.

“I will remember to not make a mistake and end my work quickly so that I can run back here.”

Yonghwa chuckles; squeezing her hand.

“What do you feel that you have to wait for almost 2 years?”

“I am fine with waiting. I will be loyal.”

She said and he laughs.

“I will be loyal too.”

“I wish you can enter the band in army so they can always hear your wonderful voice.”

“Should I?”

She nodded.

“Then I will.”

“Eat well. I heard that the training is extreme at a point.”

“Lee Joon hyung said the same.”

“Don’t worry about anything neh.”

He nods.

“I will take care of things that I can. You just focus on training. Serve the country well. Don’t think about the people who doesn’t know your worth.”

“Deh.”

“Don’t hesitate to write if anything. I will try to visit you too.”

“Don’t. It’s risky.”

“I have ways.”

She winks at him and he smiles.

“Okay then. As you wish.”

“Oh I will miss you.”

“I will miss you too.”

He said and both stop walking before hugging each other.

They stayed like that for some moment, listening to each heart beat.

“Let’s head home?”

He suggested and she nods before sniffling.

“It’s cold.”

“I’ll make coffee.”

He said and she grins.

“With syrup.”

“On your command mam.”

Let’s just wish for him to end his enlistment in peace.
Let’s wish that he will be strong enough.
Let’s not give him any difficulties anymore.
Let’s silently cheer for him.
Let’s wait for him to return.

Love you guys 😘