---
Two weeks passed.
Neither of them called.
Neither of them texted.
The silence between Ken and Arashi was no longer sharp and sudden — it had settled into a slow, heavy ache, like an old wound refusing to close.
---
Ken's Side
The academy hallway echoed with the sound of his students practicing, but Ken stood still in his office, staring at the envelope in his hand.
A national Taekwondo exhibition.
Seoul. One year.
They wanted him to lead a demonstration team, help train the next generation, and become an ambassador for their international expansion.
It was everything he had ever worked for.
But all he could think was:
> Will Arashi even notice I'm gone?
He told himself not to care.
He told himself the slap had ended things.
But every night, he looked at his phone screen… and didn't type a thing.
Until finally, he gave his answer to the organizers:
Yes. I'll go.
---
Arashi's Side
The club was packed — music thumping, lights flashing — but Arashi stood at the upper floor window, staring down at the crowd like none of it mattered.
Because it didn't.
Mikasa walked up behind him, her voice soft. "You haven't smiled in weeks."
"I'm fine," he said flatly.
She sat beside him. "I talked to Ken."
Arashi's jaw clenched. "Don't."
"He's leaving for Seoul."
His chest tightened. "For how long?"
"A year."
He didn't respond. He couldn't.
"You should go see him," Mikasa whispered. "Before it's too late."
But Arashi shook his head.
"…I think I already am too late."
---
One Week Later
The airport was quiet in the early morning, mist curling outside the glass windows. Ken stood at Gate 21 with a single suitcase, dressed in simple black jeans and a hoodie. His eyes were tired, but resolute.
Behind him, the final boarding call echoed overhead.
He didn't expect anyone to come.
Not even once.
He didn't turn around. He didn't wait.
Because he had already waited long enough.
And as he walked toward the gate, he whispered beneath his breath,
> "Goodbye, Arashi."
---
Meanwhile…
At that same moment, in a dark corner of his club's VIP room, Arashi sat alone, drink untouched.
He had driven to the airport.
He had parked.
He had stood in front of the terminal doors for a full ten minutes.
And then… he turned away.
Because if Ken was going to chase his dream, Arashi didn't want to be the one to hold him back.
He whispered,
> "Come back to me, someday. Please."
-