Preparations

Seo-yeon ran in anticipation to the door bell. She hadn't spoken to Jin since yesterday afternoon. They hadn't exchanged messages, nor called one another. She knew she was being childish, but she was so heartbroken by her mother's refusal to accept him, that she had escaped to her room and skipped dinner. Sleeping was difficult that night, as her brain continued to replay the events that day. She tried to pin point where things went wrong, and if there was something she could have said that could have possibly changed the way her mother viewed the situation.

Before she knew it, the sunlight was peeking through the curtains and it was time to return to Seoul. She walked into the kitchen and didn't see anyone. Hye had morning classes, and left way before the sun began to rise. She assumed her mother was going to open the store which explained her absence.

She was eating toast and jam when the ringing of the bell alerted her. An animated Tae-hyung stood at the front door. Trying not to show her disappointment, she mustered up a smile.

"Tae-hyung, good morning," she greeted, nodding at the other two men in the car. Ho-seok and Yoongi waved at her from the car. "Uh, where's Jin?" she finally asked.

"Oh, he had to drive back earlier than expected. Nothing to panic about," he quickly added when he saw the look of concern spread over Seo's face, "Just meeting with Bang PD about the next concert. We'll be briefed when we get there."

He prayed that she was buying the explanation. He could usually tell little white lies, but he found it hard to lie to her. He truly accepted her as an elder sister, and wasn't sure he could pull off this fib. Fortunately she nodded in approval of the excuse.

"I'll grab my bag," she simply said, closing the door as he headed back to the car.

"You're leaving?"

Her mother stood in the living room, quietly. Seo-yeon didn't want to part with her mother on bad terms. She knew her mother wanted what was best for her, and that every word spoken had been in her interest.

"Yes. I'll visit as soon as the tour ends," she promised.

"Is it wise to tour with them?" her mother asked. Her voice held no malice, but the distress of a mother fearing for her child.

"If there's a possibility that I could be in danger, management, Bang PD, the guys, and especially Jin, would not allow me to join," she vowed, "Mom, I'm sorry for not telling you earlier about him. I should have told you before all this happened."

"Seo-yeon, I know he's a good man," she surprised Seo with this statement, "There's no doubt that he loves you, and sees a future with you. I'm just not comfortable with how others will view your relationship. It'll take some time for me to adjust to this. I want your safety put above everything else. I need that promise."

"I understand," Seo-yeon said approaching her mother. She embraced her gently, "I promise to place my safety as a priority, and I'm sure Jin will too."

***On the road***

Tae-hyung was true to his word. He did as he promised Jin, he entertaind Seo-yeon throughout the drive. They laughed at his antics and they played games to pass time. Yoongi and Ho-seok joined in occasionally. Anytime Seo-yeon asked about the upcoming press conference, or if they had heard from Jin, she was given short replies.

It became obvious that they were avoiding the topic, or trying to. She stopped asking. Not wanting to stress them, especially seeing how Tae was doing his best to keep her distracted. He was a great distractor, and she welcomed it.

***Back at BigHit***

"Jin, the press will be here at eight sharp," Manager Sejin stated as he entered the office occupied by the four BTS members. Jin nodded as confirmation that he heard the scheduled time.

"Ho-seok texted that they dropped Seo-yeon at her apartment a few minutes ago," Namjoon broached. Again, another nod.

Jin had been working on what he wanted to express during the conference, and the others assisted in listening and providing suggestions to enhance the message he wished to convey. He slept for two hours, then freshened up before continuing the script.

"They'll be here in another hour," Namjoon told Jungkook and Jimin who were the only ones listening. They decided to go and buy dinner and allow Jin a few moments alone.

"How's it coming along?" Yoongi asked. They arrived and chose to eat in another room. Yoongi slipped away to check on Jin. There were only a few hours until the conference would begin, and they were all concerned with the outcome.

"It's fine," Jin mumbled, "How was Seo?"

"She didn't say much, and Tae didn't really give her a chance to ask," Yoongi grinned at the memory of her frustrated face. He knew she suspected something was going to happen...something big. She had given him pleading eyes which he had to force himself to ignore. He valued his friendship with her, but he had to trust in Jin and give him this moment.

"Thank you guys for keeping her distracted," he gently grinned.

"You don't have to thank us. She's our sister," Yoongi said with a lazy grinned.

Jin chuckled. "She hasn't messaged or called." Jin worried glanced at his phone.

"I sent in re-enforcements."

"Re-enforcement?"

"Eun-ha," Yoongi declared, "I explained the situation. She didn't hesitate to step in to keep Seo-yeon distracted. Not only that, but I don't think Seo should be alone during the press conference."

"Smart thinking," Jin gave a thumbs up, then paused for a second as if rewinding the conversation. "Wait."

"What?"

"You have Eun-ha's contact information?"

Yoongi coughed, being caught off guard. "She was the secret source that helped us with the dating scandal," he stated while waving his hand in air as if to dismiss the issue.

"The one that revealed the identity of the person that outted us?"

"Yes..." Yoongi glanced at his phone, and refused to meet Jin's questioning eyes.

"When did you exchange information?"

"It's not what you think. Anyway, you should get ready." Yoongi hurriedly grabbed his phone, and made his fast escape. Jin laughed at this new information.

Heeding Yoongi's words, he took a deep breath and heading to dressing room to prepare for his appearance. He had so much on his shoulders. His career and his relationship would be affected with what he was about to do. It was just a matter of how.