Preparing for separation
The days slipped by like sand through their fingers, a mix of the sweetness of their reunion and the countdown to their impending separation. G-Dragon turned down all non-essential work offers, dedicating as much time as possible to Su You. They no longer needed to deliberately seek out a sense of "ordinariness," because each day spent together had become the most precious and ordinary moment.
He would accompany her to the supermarket, pushing the shopping cart and watching her carefully compare the products. Occasionally, when they were recognized by fans, causing a small commotion, he would simply smile and nod politely, then hold Su You's hand even tighter. When she was preparing her Harvard-related materials, he would sit quietly to her side, holding his guitar and improvising some soft melodies. Occasionally, when their eyes met, he would give her a warm smile that needed no words.
However, the shadow of parting always seeps in silently, like the autumn wind that gradually rises outside the window.
That afternoon, Su You was organizing a draft of her luggage list in the study when Kwon Ji-yong walked in with a glass of warm water and placed it beside her. His gaze swept over the laptop spread out on the desk, various documents, and the thick Boston living guide next to it, and his eyes darkened imperceptibly.
"Do we need to bring so much stuff?" He leaned against the table, trying to sound relaxed, but his tone betrayed a barely concealed tension.
Su You stopped typing, looked up at him, and caught a fleeting glimpse of melancholy in his eyes. She reached out, took his fingers, and gently shook them: "Some things are just on the list, we don't necessarily have to bring them all. You can buy anything there, don't worry."
Kwon Ji-yong took her hand in his, his fingertips tracing the back of her hand: "The climate is different. I heard Boston winters are very cold. We need to prepare thick clothes, scarves, gloves... we need to be fully prepared." As he spoke, he began to seriously list the items one by one, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were preparing for something extremely important.
Su You felt a mix of warmth and sadness in her heart, and pulled him to sit down: "I know, Aunt Quan. I will take good care of myself, and I promise not to catch a cold, not to go hungry, and to keep to a regular schedule."
"You promise?" G-Dragon looked at her with unusually serious eyes, a hint of childish unease in his gaze.
"I promise." Su You nodded solemnly, then smiled again. "Besides, aren't you here? You'll come to check, right?"
These words strangely comforted G-Dragon. Yes, he was no longer a distant lover who could only passively wait for news. He had more freedom; he could fly over to see her. This realization eased much of the stagnation in his heart.
"Mmm." He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I'll be ready to strike suddenly, so you'd better be at your best at all times."
Despite her efforts to lighten the mood, the overwhelming feeling of parting still washed over Su You when she actually started packing her luggage.
Kwon Ji-yong watched her fold the clothes one by one and put them into the open suitcase. The suitcase, which was gradually filling up, was like a black hole that was swallowing her presence, making his heart feel empty little by little. He sat on the carpet in the bedroom, leaning against the bed, watching silently, his hands unconsciously strumming the strings of the guitar, and the intermittent, slightly melancholic notes flowed through the room.
Su You felt the focused yet oppressive gaze behind her, and her packing slowed down. She picked up a pair of his usual loungewear, still carrying his signature cedar scent, hesitated for a moment, then gently folded them and placed them aside instead of putting them in the box.
"This one... I'll keep it for you," she said softly. "When you miss me, you can smell it."
G-Dragon paused in his strumming. He put down his guitar, stood up, walked behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and rested his chin on the crook of her neck. His embrace was tight, filled with a silent tenderness.
"No need to stay," he said in a muffled voice. "I'll go directly to you."
Su You smiled, but her eyes welled up with tears. She turned around to face him, cupped his face in her hands, and said, "Okay, then I'll wait for you."
His eyes were deep, churning with complex emotions—reluctance, worry, pride, and undeniable love. He lowered his head and kissed her lips. This kiss was not like his usual aggressive or passionate one; instead, it was gentle, lingering, filled with a tender appreciation, and a profound attempt to imprint their essence onto each other's souls.
When the kiss ended, their foreheads touched, and they were slightly out of breath.
“Once we get there, we need to video chat every day.” G-Dragon ran his fingertip across her slightly red lips, making a domineering demand.
"good."
"Don't forget to eat while you're studying."
"good."
"Tell me anything that happens, no matter how small or big it is."
"good."
"You must miss me."
“I should be the one saying that,” Su You looked at him, her eyes glistening with tears, “You’re here, with so many friends, so much work…”
“But none of them are you.” Kwon Ji-yong interrupted her, his tone firm. “Here—” He took her hand and pressed it to his left chest. “Only you.”
Su You finally couldn't hold back her tears and they streamed down her face. Kwon Ji-yong tenderly kissed away her tears, the salty taste melting on his lips, bringing their hearts even closer.
The luggage was finally packed and stood against the wall, like a silent declaration.
There were still three days until Su You's departure. G-Dragon magically produced two plane tickets to Jeju Island.
"Before we leave, let's go to our favorite place one last time," he said. "Just the two of us."
Su You looked at the plane ticket and nodded with delight. Perhaps on that beach filled with their beautiful memories, they could temporarily forget their impending separation, recharge each other, and face the long-distance relationship ahead.
The plane soared into the sky, carrying them to a temporary haven that belonged only to each other.
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