Bangtan4everr's Favorite

Spoilers for chapter 78: https://www.mangago.zone/home/mangatopic/14938362/

***Apparently, we're not privy to what's happened at JH's inauguration, but everyone's invited to witness YO at the 28th Korean International Film Festival for his career-first nomination***

On the red carpet, YO and fellow cast members attend a photocall for their film, "반계" (Bangye). During their quick interview, YO is surprised to spot JH exchanging pleasantries with other guests just right outside the stanchions, his back to YO. A mere stone's throw away yet YO feels the past several months (and perhaps JH rising to VP?) had put them worlds apart. He steals another glance at JH before his group head inside, and only when they do so does JH get a chance to regard YO, his expression besotted, and eyes never straying.

***

The award for Best Rookie Actor is up and no one is more surprised than YO himself when the presenter calls out his name.

Unprepared for not having expected to win, a flustered YO grasps his statuette with shaking hands as he delivers his speech. He considers it an honor to be nominated alongside outstanding actors and didn't believe he would have stood a chance, describing his win as surreal. He goes on to thank the people who took a chance on allowing him to take part in their film, the staff for working so hard, his fellow actors for encouraging him....

JH's secretary interrupts, stating it's imperative he leave now, lest he be late for the engagement he has on schedule, but JH wouldn't budge. :3

YO ends his speech by expressing his utmost gratitude to an individual who helped him foster his dreams. Maybe they won't get to hear it, but YO wants it known that the first step they took for him will be the most invaluable one into the long journey he has ahead of him. (There goes JH's validation. )

***

Now in plainclothes, YO and his co-workers go out to celebrate. They chatter over drinks. Their mood jubilant.

*

YO is three sheets to the wind as his manager drives him home. He suggests he be dropped off just outside their alley, claiming the stroll will sober him up.

A pile of congratulatory bouquets splash before him as the manager lifts the hatch to his van, and nothing stands out more than the one with familiar flowers, which YO takes with him. ( https://imgur.com/a/bMIVQNf Weird that it first came with a red ribbon, but turns into blue once YO's grabbed it. Perhaps YO's mistaking it for the bouquet that JH gave him in chapter 31 since that one did come with a red ribbon.)

YO makes it home, but is too hammered to bring himself in. He falls on his ass, too tired to make any more effort. The flowers cradled in his arms bring JH to his mind. That JH is a sponsor is how YO rationalizes his attendance, and having gone unnoticed contributes to that belief.

*

JH finds YO passed out on the side of the road. He grabs the flowers (the watch so blatantly on display, dammit) and comments that YO still has his old drinking habit (of dozing off). He picks YO up and carry him in his arms.

[END]

Wait, where'd the flowers go? And just where do you plan to whisk him off?

I hope eeej will recreate the dream scene from chapter 75, except it's real this time. I mean, does JH actually plan to ring their doorbell? Surely, it's late?

1987 is JH's birthyear. Could YO be anymore obvious...

Spoilers for chapter 77: https://www.mangago.zone/home/mangatopic/14896852/

***

And in response to JH's heartfelt words, YO asks if JH needs anything more than the USB (Not sure if he's playing dumb or mocking JH for not following through his own words?). YO sobers up and reminds JH how, months back, he couldn't even force himself to lie about liking YO, yet now....JH cuts in to explain, but YO says he can't even picture himself being happy with JH right now.

JH says YO doesn't have to answer him now. He simply felt it necessary to let YO know.

"You just felt like you had to tell me now...?" YO remarks how JH has it easy while he himself has to agonize each time he wants to pour his heart out. He reminds JH how, not too long ago, YO begged him to say the words he's always longed to hear. Despite knowing full well they'd just be empty, YO still wanted to know what it was like.

Even if JH means what he says now, YO's not one to take things in stride. Anything JH does or say can either lift him up or bring him down, and always he's too helpless to hide it. Even rubbish news can render him restless. He hates that he feels this way and there's little doubt he'll continue to do so.

YO says JH will remain important to him and that even though he's regretted falling in love, there were still happy moments to look back on.

He adds that even now, he still has feelings for JH. However, he maintains that he still wants their ties severed, and YO proves so by declaring JH's sudden appearance serving as their third and final meeting, burning the bridge that JH has been mending. He asks that JH keep his promise (that this will truly be the end).

With this, they part with good memories. As YO begins to walk away, JH grabs his hand.

"You said you still have feelings for me," JH pleads, but YO has nothing more left to say. He looks at JH for the last time, squeezes his hand in goodbye, then lets go. JH watches him leave.

*

Having put enough distance between them, YO pauses for a cigarette. Tears well up in his eyes as he recalls JH's admission of wanting to make him happy.

On his flight back home, JH, too, thinks about YO's admission to still having feelings for him. He may have not gotten what he sought, but a flicker of hope remains.

***

[Six months later...meaning, it's either August or September now? Meaning, YO has celebrated his 26th birthday and we weren't witness to it. Meaning, that's a long damn time without sex, but I digress]

YO's hard work rewards him with continued success, and the same is true for JH. Having been victor in the now concluded trial, he is set to take on the mantle of vice presidency.

*

Elsewhere, JH gets ready for his inauguration. On his wrist, he wears the only other thing that YO has given him: his Christmas gift. Which...kind of...looks like...he's wearing upside down?

On the way to the ceremony, a massive banner catches JH's attention. On it is YO's character.....from the production filmed the last February (I think?). JH gazes at YO's face.

[END]

Kwon, love looks good on you.

Anyways, author says the end is nigh. 2 more chapters? 7?

And oh, Kwon's birthday is tomorrow! You ain't getting laid, my lad.