Twenty five : Dandelion

Kim Namjoon POV

September 11, 2019

I was in the car on my way back to the hotel. Today we visited the Louisiana Museum with Kim Sora. Then in the afternoon we drove her back to the hotel and we continued our exploration in downtown Copenhagen. We cycled around the city center. Many places we passed, including the city hall and Liberty monument in front of the Copenhagen train station. After getting tired of cycling, we had dinner at a cafe and talked while enjoying Copenhagen at night. The city is very beautiful, its ancient buildings are very charming.

I refocused my eyes on the pictures on my cellphone screen. I documented my trip in Europe so that I could share it with ARMY via social media.

"Namjoonnie... why does your face look serious?", Donghyuk asked suddenly while looking at my reflection in the rearview mirror

"I'm choosing which photos to upload to social media," I replied, looking back at the screen

"Jinjja? I thought you were exchanging messages with Kim Sora," Tokki said, chuckling

"Ah hyuuung ... why do you guys keep teasing me? I'm so embarrassed", I said sulking at them

"You like her, right? we know it from the way you treat her", said Donghyuk

"I don't know. I don't understand what you're talking about," I replied, shaking my head

"Namjoon~aah ... you're like a teenager haha ​​... you are a grown man! If you like her, tell her how you feel. She is so beautiful, I think a lot of boys like her too. You will be disappointed later", continued Donghyuk looking at me

"it's not that easy," I replied while looking out the window

"Namjoon is right ... he is an idol. He couldn't rashly decide something. Moreover, this is about his love life. ARMY will be heartbroken when they found out he was dating a woman ", said Tokki

"But there is no prohibition on dating in your contract, right?", Asked Donghyuk

"No. Nothing at all," I replied

"You should think carefully before deciding," Tokki reminded me

"Ne hyung .." I said while sighing

We arrived at the hotel at 8 pm. After finishing showering and changing clothes, I lay myself on the bed. It's 9 o'clock at night, I see my cellphone screen there is no reply message from Sora. I thought, she must have turned off her cellphone while watching the orchestra. I turned on the television and started watching a movie. My eyes felt heavy, slowly my eyes began to close, I was very sleepy. Then finally I gave up on my drowsiness.

—————————————— 2 hours later

I flinched when I heard the loud sound from the tv that I turned on. My hands groped for the whereabouts of my cellphone. I found it lying on the floor. I took and turned on the screen. I was surprised to see the time shown on my cellphone screen. It's 11:20 p.m. I see 35 messages in my inbox. The messages came from my family, Bangtan members, and friends. They send me birthday wishes. I smiled after realizing about the time difference between Korea and Denmark which was 7 hours adrift. Of course in Korea it's September 12th.

I opened a message from Sora, which she sent 20 minutes ago. She said that the event had just finished and would soon return to the hotel. I hurried to put on my sandals and left the room. I wrote a message quickly while walking to the elevator.

"Sorry, I fell asleep earlier. Where are you? Have you arrived at the hotel?", Wrote my message to Sora

When the elevator door opened, I went straight to the lobby. When I arrived in front of the hotel entrance, I saw a black sedan being dropped off a passenger. There's a woman wearing an emerald green dress with long brown hair, closing the car door. I narrowed my eyes and smiled at the face I knew.

She is very beautiful, like a goddess. Her white skin glowed in a beautiful green dress. Her wavy hair looks very soft. She didn't see me because she was busy climbing the stairs. I stood stunned in front of the hotel door, I swallowed hard and smiled at her.

"Kim Sora ssi?", I called her when she was 3 steps below me

She raised her face, startled then a sweet smile spread across her face.

"Oppa?", she replied in surprise

"Ye ... did you just arrive?",I asked, smiling at her

"Ne ... I didn't go home right after the event was over. I had to say hello to some of my father's friends who were there. Mmmm, what are you doing here?", She said to me in front of the entrance

"I..I..I'm looking for fresh air," I stammered

"Jinjja? I want to get some fresh air too before returning to my room. I drank 3 glasses of champagne earlier. And my head is getting a bit heavy now", she answered

"Are you drunk?", I asked her in worried

"Ani. I don't think I was drunk. I just drinking too much haha ​​The champagne was really good soo...", she said while laughing

"Do you want to see the canal? there is a garden behind this hotel," I said, giving an idea

"Ye ..Kajja (lets go)", she said walking before me

"Sora~aah, how come in just a few hours your height is almost the same as mine?", I asked her when we walking side by side

"Haha oppa, did you know things called 'high heels'?", She replied laughing while showing her feet in high heels

"Woah, daebak ya! You can walk with those shoes without falling. Amazing," I said in amazement

"I tried so hard not to fall, oppa. I had to wear this to make it easier to talk to the people at the concert earlier. I'm only 168 cm tall. At least with these shoes my height increases by 10 cm. It would be very troublesome if I always had to raise my head when talking to them on the concert", she explained

"So you find it difficult when you're talking to me?", I asked teasingly

"Ye ... a little haha ​. And you must be tired always keeping your head down when you're with me?", she asked, laughing

"Ye, you're right", we laugh together

We stand on the guardrail between the garden and the canal. The view of the lights of buildings and streets across the canal looks very pretty.

"Did you know, oppa?, this reminds me of Hangang Park", she said, looking at the lights

"Ye, you're right", I replied while looking at her. "How was the concert?", I asked, still staring at her face

"The concert was extraordinary. The music they played was very beautiful and touching. But the gala dinner was not going well. I met my father's friends," she said with a heavy sigh

"I'm so tired, oppa, I have to answer all their questions. The same questions. 'You are an instrumental music bachelor, why don't you have a career as a musician?', and 'your father is an amazing musician, it is unfortunate if his daughter didn't follow in her father's footsteps!', or 'why did you study music if you are not going to be a musician?' ", said Sora looking at me with a bitter smile.

I'm speechless. I'm a little surprised to hear these comments and questions. No wonder she drank a lot of champagne at the event earlier, it seems like she also felt pressured to hear that.

"I love music, I really do. Piano and guitar are my best friends since childhood. I study music as hard as I study subjects in school," she said looking at me

"When I got a scholarship at Seoul University, I was very happy. My father repeatedly said he was very proud of me. Our family and closest friends always said that one day I would be like my father. But the more I hear those words, the more I'm reluctant to became a musician. Until finally I found my other dream, which is Minerva. Am I weird, oppa? What's wrong with me? Am I wrong if I don't follow their hopes? Am I wrong if I choose another dream?", she asked desperately

"No. You are not weird and there is nothing wrong with you, Sora. You have the right to live the life you choose. You are free to determine what dreams you want to achieve," I said standing before her

"You will definitely feel tired and angry if you keep hearing negative comments from other people. Let them say anything, they don't live your life. You are more aware of what you want in your life. Having lots of dreams is common. However, can realize all the dreams you have is extraordinary. Not everyone can do that", I smiled at her

"Ne ... you're right. When I was in college I dreamed of creating Minerva. I tried so hard to make it happen. I saved up money from my parents. I became a music teacher, a wedding singer, and I even busking every week in Hongdae to get more money. Yes, They don't know my struggle to build Minerva," she said, shaking her head

"I always have this mindset, if what I dreamed of has been achieved then I must determine my next dream. That is what makes me always moving, always trying to be better," I said, caressing her head

"You're amazing oppa .. I idolized the right person", she said, smiling like a child

"Aah ..kiyowo (adorable) ", I said

We laugh together. It seems like Sora's mood has gotten better.

"I'm happy to be your friend, oppa. You always give the best advice and answers when I really need it. Gomawoyo", she said, reaching out her hand

"What is this? Are you asking me to shake hands?", I asked in disbelief

"Ne", she replied

"Arasso," I said, holding out my hand

We shook hands awkwardly. I felt a strange tingling sensation when holding her hand.

"I'm also happy to be friends with you, Sora," I said earnestly

* pip pip pip

An alarm sounded from Sora's handbag. We let go of our handshake. She opened her bag and looked at the screen of her cellphone.

"Omo! It's midnight, happy birthday oppa!", She said excitedly

"Uh? You set an alarm for my birthday?", I asked in disbelief

"Ne! Ah wait, I don't have a candle for you", she said sullenly

Then she looked around the garden and ran towards the bushes. She takes something from there and carries it carefully like carrying a burning candle. One hand holds the object, and the other hand tries to protect the object.

She walked towards me with a big smile. I'm still confused by her behavior.

"Tadaaa! Saengil chukha hamnidaa..saengil chukha hamnidaa... saranghaneun Namjoonie ... saengil chukha hamnida", she sang a birthday song while showing a white dandelion in her hand

I was touched to see the small flower. I kept smiling seeing Sora. This woman is amazing, I thought.

"Say your wishes and blow the flowers", she said as she brought the dandelion closer to my face

I closed my eyes while saying my wish in my heart.

"I want her. I want Sora in my life"

I opened my eyes and blew the dandelion flower. White Puffball of seeds flew in the night wind toward the canal. Very beautiful....

"Gomawo yo Sora", I said, looking at her softly

"I hope we can be like that dandelion. Even though it is small and looks fragile, in fact it is a strong and brave flower. When the wind blows, the seeds will remain intact and strong. And wherever the wind blows them, they will still remain grow beautifully in their new place ", said Sora, smiling looking at me

"You're so poetic Kim Sora ssi ", I said smiling hearing her prayers and hopes

"No, I'm not....", she said blushed, tucking her hair behind her ear

"Tomorrow I want you to come with me, oppa. I will treat you Korean food in Copenhagen," she said again

"Jinjja? Is there Korean food here?", I asked

"Ye. tomorrow we will leave at 9.30 to have brunch there," she said excitedly

"Arasso," I said

We returned to the hotel because the night was getting cold. I deliberately just pressed number 8 in the elevator.

"Did you forget to press your floor number?", Asked Sora confused looking at me

"No. I want to escort you and make sure you get off on the right floor," I replied shyly

"Wow, thank you", she said while chuckling

When the elevator door opened on the 8th floor, Sora immediately walked out.

"I've arrived. sweet dreams, Namjoon oppa. See you tomorrow," said Sora while waving

"Sora~aah ..." I said, holding back the elevator door that will be closed in front of me

"Ye?", She answered confused

"I just want to say that...that, that you are very beautiful tonight", I looked down embarrassed and I quickly pressed the button to close the door

Sora looked at me in surprise. "Gomawoyo oppa", her voice was heard even though the elevator door was closed in front of me. I banged (softly) my head into the elevator wall.

"What was that? I'm so embarrassed," I said miserably

I walked toward my room while still cursing occasionally. I sat on my bed, I felt very happy, there was a warm feeling in my heart remembering what she did when she gave me a birthday wish.

Dandelions ... maybe dandelions will become my favorite flower from now..