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“Thanks, Seungri.”, Dara said quietly. A puff of warm air visibly escaped as the frigid weather wrapped around them like a cocoon. Seungri examined the small woman before him and watched the brown tresses of her hair sway lightly in the cold wind. He sighed sadly.

“Whatever you need, noona.”, he somberly replied. “I’m always here.”

Dara nodded and grasped the padded corners of her coat pressing it closer to her small frame in attempt to contain as much heat in her body. The signature frosty winter of Japan was upon them and the biting cold was starting to settle in her bones.

“Noona.”

Dara glanced back up, her gaze meeting Seungri’s brown orbs and she frowned. Instead of the usual mischievous glint that were the trademark of the man’s character, in its place was unmistakable concern and apprehension. Having more than his fair share of obstacles in life, Seungri always managed to smile even in the darkest of times. It was his proud and grandest weapon, and Dara hated having caused him to lose that smile.

“I’m okay, Seungri. This is for the best.”, she assured, giving him the best genuine smile she could muster. It was okay even if her smile didn’t reach her eyes. She couldn’t lie to him.

Seungri pursed his lips in a thin line and stared hard at the former 2NE1 member. He studied her pale complexion, her tired eyes, and the weary slope of her shoulders. Looking at the petite woman before him, he couldn’t see the usual animated Sandara Park that everyone knew.

And it reminded Seungri of a certain saying. The saying that the saddest people were those who always tried their hardest to make people happy; that since because they knew firsthand the experience of feeling absolutely worthless, they didn’t want anyone else to feel like that. Recognizing the strained smile and forced reassurance on Dara’s facial expression, Seungri couldn’t help but feel a pang in his heart.

He reached out towards Dara’s small hands and held it in his warm palms. Dara widened her eyes at his sudden gesture and looked at him curiously. Seungri chuckled at her surprised countenance and it reminded him of their past trip in Boracay. She had the same surprised look as when he had purchased those three sunglasses for her.

How could her hurt her? How could Jiyong hyung hurt her again?

Seungri’s heart tightened at the thought of his fellow member and he instinctively pulled the small woman into his arms. He enveloped her small frame tightly, almost squeezing the breath out of her lungs, and sighed. He wished he could do the same to the pain in her heart.

“I’m really okay, Seungri.”, he heard her say. Seungri looked up to the white sky, dark clouds heavy with moisture waiting to fall upon them as snow. The small woman in his arms clasped his back and rubbed her hands up and down his back, comforting him.

“Noona.”

“Really, Seungri. I have everything I need here. The last two weeks have been great.”, Dara pulled back from his embrace and he saw a glimmer of genuine joy reflecting in her eyes. “No one knows me.”

Seungri stayed silent and smiled dejectedly. If not for an accidental slip of a common acquaintance a few weeks ago, he would have not known Dara had been residing in Japan for the last two weeks. Much more working as a waitress in a secluded ramen restaurant.

“Nishikido-san has been more than understanding of me.”, she continued, mentioning the owner of the ramen restaurant. She glanced back at the woodened old-fashioned building behind them and smiled sincerely. “He offered me to rent the room above the restaurant and even accepted my zero experience in waitressing.”

The pang in Seungri’s heart lessened seeing the ends of Dara’s mouth curling into a smile and the return of the happy glint in her eyes. She was still hurting but she was slowly healing.

“Aigo, noona. I need you to spy and steal Nishikido-san’s secret ramen techniques.”, he winked. “You give them to me and we’ll incorporate it into Aori-Ramen’s menu. You can be my business partner!”

Dara laughed loudly, not only because the gloomy atmosphere finally dissipat but also because she knew the younger man was serious. Seungri would pester her incessantly about Nishikido-san’s ramen techniques. They were that good.

Seungri whined and swung their intertwined hands side to side like a child. Dara chuckled in response and suddenly all was great back in her world. She shook her head playfully at the boy’s attempt of aegyo persuasion and covered her eyes.

“Aigo, I have to go!”, she finally exclaimed, “We’re closing the restaurant and I have to help Nishikido-san to clean up!”

The panda-looking man pouted and enveloped Dara in an embrace once more. “Arasso, I’ll be back tomorrow. I have to meet someone tonight.”

Seungri released Dara from his embrace and fished the car keys from his coat pockets. He looked up intending to mouth his farewell only to see the petite woman form a small ‘O’ with her lips and cover teasingly.

“It’s not what you think!”, Seungri bellowed. He jutted his lips forward and pouted. “I’m meeting a man!”

That elicited more giggles from Dara and Seungri couldn’t help but laugh with her. Even if it at his expense.

“Fine, I’ll get you back tomorr-“, but Seungri’s words hung empty in the frigid air when they heard the next voice speak.

“Seungri.”

The youngest BIGBANG froze. If possible, he felt the acid in his stomach burn and crawl up to his throat. He followed the source of the husky voice, his eyes travelling down the concrete pavement and up to the angry auburn eyes of the man Dara has been especially hiding from.

“Jiyong hyung.”

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