Back To You, Chim

"Love will travel as far as you let it. It has no limits" -Dee King

'Miss you miss you

If I wait a little longer, if I stay a few more nights

I'll get to meet you, I'll pick you up

Past the cold winter end

Until springtime comes again

Until the flowers blossom

Stay there a little longer, stay there~'

BTS's Spring Day blared through my AirPods as I stared out of the window with a small smile painting my lips. My eyes eagerly followed the bright cherry blossoms along the road pavements, shedding their pale pink petals every time a vehicle pass by and the way wind picks them up from their valor transporting them elsewhere, causing the hearts of the onlookers to palpitate; I was no exception. One of them soared through the wind to rest on my window. I reached out my hand and traced my finger on the glass, a giggle stuck in my throat. But the moment was temporary, it flew away with a goodbye wave. Once it was gone, my ebony eyes caught the reflection on the glass. The light wind which pushed past the windows of my neighboring passenger picked up my chestnut brown hair and blew it off my clothed shoulder, my pink glossy lips stood out among the light warm-toned makeup on my face, brown fringes parted sideways on my forehead giving my face a cute look and blushed face because of the retreating winter gale.

I smiled.

So much has changed.

For the past years, it has been one hell of a ride for me. I'd been accepted to the most prestigious technology institute in my country and successfully graduated from there as a valedictorian. I was right away offered a job in a multinational company in my dream country; the USA. I worked my butt off there, doing work day and night but I wasn't satisfied. Whenever I looked up at the night sky through my apartment window, when I saw the stars smiling up at me I couldn't help but reach out to them in longing. So, that's what I did. I studied again and again, got myself into California university. From there, I've always looked up. I knew right away that I belonged there because people started to see what I was made of. I was destined to study space and stars, my passion was immense. Now, I'm an astrophysicist whom everyone respects and adores. I've acquired a name for myself in this world.

Of course, the journey was hard, it'll always be if you want to achieve something that truly makes you happy and cause that blood in your veins to rush with adrenaline. Many people helped with their words and deed, many supported me in my uncertain times. But there's this one person who was always there when I was crying myself out from pain and misery, he was there when I needed someone the most, he saw me, the real me, and my struggles. Even though he was not physically with me he made sure that I was never alone, through his words. He made sure that he was always there for me. Even when we missed each other so bad, he said it's alright and he was right. We passed through those hard times, together, but from two sides of the world.

That's him.

My soulmate.

My Chim.

So here I was, in Incheon, in South Korea, on a bus to his fan signing event. It's a surprise though. I clearly didn't know how he would react to it, seeing me after 6 whole years. Oh yeah, I forgot. He and his members have come to India on their world tour. I knew he made sure that he got to India for sure. However, we couldn't enjoy our time with each other. He was busy with his tight schedules and so was I with my hectic college life. We could only share a kiss and a long hug in a small congested coffee shop in New Delhi. We were glad anyway because I got to see the real him and he could see me too. After that, we couldn't meet anywhere because of our careers. He'd come to a couple of times in the USA but I would either be in a huge conference or meeting because my career had just started then so I couldn't take leaves right away. I'd to build my reputation. But he said it's alright.

He has always said that even though I knew he was hurt. We both were hurting because of the distance but we held on. People were definitely not kidding when they said that long-distance relationships were hard, it absolutely is. We'd to take care of time zones, our schedules, and just everything. We face time a lot but I could see his eyebags under his make-up, him suppressing his pain every time he moves his limps after his performances, and his forced smile. We both were tired but never gave up. Maybe it was the soulmate thing or just the strong love between us, either way, we succeeded.

Anyway, where were we...? Yes! I'm on a bus to his fan sign event. Let me give you a short introduction about the BTS now in 2026. They're the most influential artist in the world right now with over 350 M followers. They've won every award out there in the music industry and have blown every single record ever set by artists. They swept Grammys, Billboards...I don't even know anymore. Whoever had talked bad about them had fallen to their feet and apologized. And ARMYs are huge right now. Being an official ARMY myself I couldn't help but admire their determination and dedication towards their idols. They're the most supportive people in the world and I know they forever will be the foundation of BTS. Even though they're literally billionaires now, BTS is still the same guys I saw back in 2018 with that fond smile whenever they see ARMYs, that charismatic attitude towards people, their strong stage presence, and their unconditional love for music, their fans, and their members. Nothing's changed about them...maybe except for the fact that they're literally real-life greek gods?

So, you can say I was not even surprised when half of the bus was full of girls wearing BTS T-shirts and accessories, chatting with their ARMY friends in an excited high pitched voice. I just smiled at a girl literally jumping in her seat squealing when her friend whispered something in her ear mischievously. Just fangirl fantasies, I guess.

The bus stopped at a station and I watched as a beautiful blonde girl mounted the bus. She wore just a simple black loose shirt over a dark T-shirt paired with black skinny jeans hugging her athletic legs. Her bangs stuck out from her snapback reaching her hazel eyes. My fellow ARMYs in the bus didn't acknowledge her as they used to when some new girl entered the bus, jubilant over the fact that maybe they're an ARMY too, but I did. As she walked towards the only empty seat beside me, slightly jingling her side bag which had a keyring of Cooky, I knew right away she was one.

She gave me a small smile from under her cap which I returned with a huge one. She awfully reminded me of my teenage self with all the black clothes and especially the cap. She may be in her early twenties, very young face...maybe twenty or twenty-two? I didn't know but when she pulled out her iPhone and AirPods, switching on the BTS playlist in iTunes, I confirmed she's indeed an ARMY. She taped Jungkook's Euphoria and was about to put in the pods.

"Euphoria?" I asked causing her to lightly flinch.

"W-What?" she asked, her hands with pods in midair. Let me say, her voice was so sweet.

I gestured with my head towards the still-lit phone.

She looked down and chuckled with her dimples showing off.

"Yeah," she smiled at me. "Are you an ARMY?"

"Yep, I guess you're one too?" I asked with a welcoming smile.

"Yes, I am" she nodded.

The old me would've ended the conversation right there but I've changed past the years. Now I'm more outgoing and cheerful. I could sense her uncomfortable posture as she shifted in her seat, she wanted to continue talking but she didn't know what to say. Maybe she's an introvert? Nah-uh, introverts don't have a chance with me anymore.

"So, you're going to the fan signing event too right?" I asked and she immediately looked up nodding her head. "Great! Then, do you want to go with me? Together?"

"Uh, I guess so? I don't have anyone to go with anyway" she bit her lower lip embarrassed.

"No problem~ Yes it is then!" I cheered with a fist bump in the air to which she chuckled lightly.

I was glad I could make her happy.

She looked a little depressed but not anymore on my watch.

"I'm guessing your bias is Jungkook?" I asked pointing at the pink cooky keychain.

"Yeah, I really like him," she smiled wide for the first time. There was an unknown light in her hazel eyes, "Yours?"

"Mm...hard question!" I tapped my chin thinking hard. "Maybe Suga?"

Sorry, Jimin.

"Oh, Suga's very cool" she started talking more and we got to know each other throughout the ride.

I got to know that she's indeed only twenty- two and became a trainee again in a renowned entertainment agency after the idol group she was in disbanded three years ago. She revealed that she can sing, rap, and dance which I found really cool because I have this thing for female rappers, also her dream of debuting as a solo artist. She'd asked about myself too and I told her everything I could say, and she told me that she'd heard my name somewhere on the Internet. Well, it's expected when I took my place as a mediator in a worldwide astronomy and space science debate. She was fascinated by that and she told me she wants to be successful just like me but I just brushed her off saying I'd not even completed half of my career and dreams. She cheered for me saying she'll root for me and I cheered back saying when she debut I will be her number one fan. I mean who wouldn't be the fan of such a hardworking and sweet person.

I liked her right away.

"We're almost there, unnie," Saerom told me while leaning straight to look out of the window.

Saerom. Kim Saerom.

That's her name.

"Mm, I think so," I looked out and saw a huge crowd in the place where we're supposed to get down. The bus halted a few feet away from the place and the ARMYs rushed excitedly out of the bus tailed by me and Saerom.

The bright forenoon sunlight hit my face but the cold March wind was still blowing past causing me to hug my overcoat together. We crossed the road together and went past the entrance showing our tickets. Trust me when I say that this ticket cost me quite a fortune. I actually did have money to buy it but you can guess I was still stingy on money, my one habit that hadn't changed at all. Taehyung actually had to ask one of his managers to reserve a ticket for me. Yep, we're best friends right now, sort of like big brother and little sister. I kept in contact with him past these years and kept checking up on Jimin and yeah, we being weird ourselves clicked right away. He knew I was coming today and he informed me that he's excited to meet me again and couldn't wait to see Jimin's reaction when he sees me.

We're now waiting in a long line to get inside the event place.

I boredly taped my feet on the concrete ground to a strange tune.

"Wow, unnie. I really like your style" Saerom was behind me and I turned to look at her with a confused face.

"What?" I asked then looked down at my outfit of the day.

"Oh, this?" I raised my arms up to my waist and posed. "I had work in the early morning. Didn't get the time to change it. It's comfortable anyway so yeah" I shrugged.

"It's beautiful, Mia unnie," she complemented scanning me but stopped on my high heels. "But I can never get used to heels. Doesn't it hurt?"

"It did" I chuckled remembering my past self who'd once vowed to never put heels on. "I used to hate it too but eventually got the hang of it because I had to wear this thing everywhere. You know, the outfit code or something. It's cool now"

We'd to wait for so long but it was fine because ARMYs kept us company, we met some more people and they were so nice. They always are but meeting for real though was awesome. They didn't even differentiate me because of my brown skin but accepted it with so much kindness. I guessed this was why this fandom was growing and forever cherished.

Finally, after a long wait, we were led to a huge hall with a stage on the front having seven chairs behind a long table. It was just like I'd seen in fan meet videos on YouTube with a purple curtain portraying calligraphy of the event's name on it, staffs standing behind the chairs in position, bodyguards standing near and around the stage with their characteristic black uniform and definitely earpieces, pressing them once in a while.

Both me and Saerom were sitting in the third row at the end. I made sure to sit at the very end not wanting my soulmate to notice me easily so that I could execute my plan smoothly. I took out my album from my handbag and patiently waited for them to come.

I turned to my new friend.

"Are you nervous, Saerom?" I asked chuckling a little seeing her rustling in her seat.

"Uh...no?" she replied uncertainly. "Okay! Maybe a little?" she smiled shyly.

"That's understandable, girl" I chuckled patting her tense shoulder to calm her down. "You said you've been stanning them since you were fifteen. It's natural you're nervous to see them"

"I think so...?" she shrunk in her seat clutching her album. "What if I forget something? What if I forget to ask something and I won't be able to ask them ever again. I mean I won't and don't have money to-"

"Hey hey calm down, Kim Saerom," I caressed her hand. "You'll do fine, okay? Just breathe, hm? Breathe in, breathe out" I showed her by doing myself.

She did what I told and her uneven breathing came to a stop.

"Feeling better?" I asked holding her shoulder.

"Yeah...thanks" she looked down on her fidgeting hands. "I uh sometimes get anxious, easily"

"It's alright," I patted her hands making her meet my gaze. "Everyone is. I was the very same when I first went to a conference with Michael Williams, you know the last year Physics Nobel laureate who's known for being very intimidating? I was very nervous that I tripped on my own heels when walking to the stage making me a laughing stock. But after I pulled myself together and breathed out calming myself, the same people who laughed at me gave me loud applause and that old man's my mentor now. It happens, buddy, but pull yourself together. You only get one chance"

She stared at me for a moment then smiled gratefully, "Unnie? Do you know that you're the nicest person I've ever seen?"

I laughed. "I don't...but now I do" I winked.

Right then, loud screams and chatters erupted from beside us. We looked around alarmed not knowing what's happening. Everyone was pointing at the stage and only then did we realize who's entered the stage, more precisely who all.

We watched as RM walked into the stage through the left, waving and giving us that dimple smile standing tall and powerful, closely followed by our worldwide handsome Jin with the same bread cheeks waving lightly. Then came Suga, my bias actually, who looked even cooler closer, J-Hope came dancing comically with hand gestures and that protruded butt. Here came my alien best friend bro V, his contact name is still Tae guy in my phone for your information, he waved at us with his boxy smile on full display, followed by a continuously bowing Jungkook. I sensed Saerom freeze at her spot with wide eyes seeing her bias bowing and smiling cheekily blowing a flying kiss which everyone caught. This guy's literally owning his title International Playboy now.

I was confused when I didn't see one person who should've come long ago. I leaned on my chair craning my neck but he was nowhere in sight.

All the members sat in their respective seats, mixing the order but one chair remained vacant.

I blinked my eyes not knowing what's happening.

"Where's Jimin oppa???" someone shouted from the audience.

That's when I saw him.

He rushed past the curtains pulling on his white furry coat and adjusting his sleeves. His pink hair was easily eye-catching and gave a pink glow to his marshmallow cheeks which were visible even from this distance. He stood in front of the stage and bowed down clearly apologizing, that eye smile which I longed for making an appearance on his handsome face.

My breath got knocked out of my lungs when I saw him. It's been six years but he was still the same, maybe a little tall and muscular but still my mochi. He was the same guy who I loved and cherished, I still do.

My Chim.

I smiled widely unknown tears forming in the corner of my eyes at the sight of him laughing while sitting when Jungkook gave him a little slap on the shoulder apparently for being late, I guess. He adjusted his pink bangs and took the mic from the table to place in front of his luscious lips I missed so much.

"Sorry everyone" his voice boomed throughout the humongous hall, a shiver went down my spine hearing his real voice, not through my phone or laptop speakers. "My stylist noona decided to change my coat at the very last moment. Isn't it pretty though?" he asked clutching it.

Loud affirmations came from the audience to which he nodded satisfied.

"How I wish I was that noona~" I heard someone behind me say.

I chuckled knowing very well the common dream of every ARMY.

You don't know?

Their make-up artist, duh.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming," RM's voice boomed through the speakers. "Let's enjoy our time" he smiled earning loud applause and cheers.

And the fan sigh finally began.

I couldn't take my eyes off Jimin. I watched him smile and interact with the ARMYs with so much love and care. I was jealous of course but do you think I have a say in that? He was what he was today because of these people around me so I would be more than happy seeing them with him having their precious minutes, minutes they'll never forget in their life. These people deserve the best.

I watched him smile and laugh, holding their hands, accepting their gifts and words with that kind eye smile. Some girls cried seeing them but they always consoled them either by taking their hands or by cracking jokes, making them break into laughter. The effect they had on these people was very admirable.

The front and second-row ARMYs had already signed their albums and had their time with their idols now. The third row in which I was started and I began hyperventilating. Saerom looked calm now she's excited not nervous anymore as she bounced her feet on the tiled floor. Girls got up and formed a line to my left leaving only three girls and us.

Till now Jimin hadn't noticed me. Whenever he looked or started interacting with the crowd, I would either go under the chair as if to get something or would hide my face with my hair or hand. I knew there was this soulmate pull thing in me, I didn't know whether he experienced that but I was gonna give it a shot anyway.

I was nervous and excited at the same time.

How would he react?

Will he stay shocked or will shout or something? Will he even recognize me? Seeing through screens can be different right? What if he overreacts or cries? Like what would happen if he shouts my name out loud and abruptly hugs me or something?

Oh no! That would be a disaster!

I've to make sure that nothing like that happens.

I can't ruin his career right now in front of all his fans.

When the guy beside us signaled for us to get up and form a line, I shakily got up making sure to cover the side of my face with my loose hair. I kept my head down and walked up to join Saerom in the line. I was clearly nervous with literally all of my nerves panicking and excitement coursing through my veins. I was screaming inside when the same guy gestured for us to move forward and stand near the stage. I watched the girls in front of me suppress the squeals and step on the stage clutching their albums and gifts tightly in their obviously sloppy hands.

I breathed in and focused on seeing my idols whom I'd been worshiping for years instead.

I glanced at Jimin and saw him immersed in signing albums and chatting with the girls.

"Up you go, miss" a kind woman guided me up the steps right after Saerom.

I bowed respectfully at her and stepped up to knelt down on the clothed platform right before J-Hope.

I gave him a bright smile mildly bowing my head and passing the album. He scanned me before accepting it with his huge sunshine smile. I didn't expect him nor the other members to identify me because they only know that Jimin has a girlfriend, not that it's me.

"Hello! How are you?" he asked in English may be sensing that I was a foreigner.

I chuckled. "You can speak in Korean. I know Korean"

"Oh, you know Korean? Wow! That's great!" his mouth turned an 'O'.

We talked for about three minutes before I was told to move over. I wasn't sad to leave him, I knew we would meet again. Sooner ;)

"Hello! How was your day?" RM and his dimpled smile to die for.

I passed by each one of them. They were so friendly and charming that I didn't know the time passing and was excited about the idea of joining this family. I met Jin right after, my bias Suga following him. He was so cool! Right beside him was Jungkook. I saw him taking Saerom's hands and caressing them making her blush like fifteen shades, I chuckled lightly at the pair seeing a little glint in both of their eyes. You guys do know that my ability to read people still exists and it has only increased past these years.

"I think I've seen you somewhere," Jungkook said right after I told him that I can speak Korean and introduced myself a little.

I raised an eyebrow. "There's no way you should but I'm quite famous for being the apprentice of Lee Song Min" I shrugged with a smile when his face morphed in understatement. He might've seen me on Jimin's phone or something considering they're quite close, "Or some other way, I don't know" Oh, you'll see, Kook bro.

He blinked his eyes not understanding what I meant but chuckled anyway. My eyes glanced at Jimin who was right beside me but didn't catch sight of me because my hair was hiding part of my face and my voice had changed past the years. It might be different from the virtual one but I still kept my voice audible only to Jungkook. However, Taehyung caught my eyes and grinned widely suppressing an excited squeal. I signaled for him to shut it to which he nodded secretly zipping up his lips.

"See you, Mia-ssi" Jungkook waved at me.

"See you!" I waved and sucked up a breathe while scooting towards Jimin.

I looked up to see his attention on my album Jungkook had passed after signing. He was signing with a small smile on his face, pink bangs falling over his crescent eyes.

My lips themselves suppressed my uncontrollable smile and put on a neutral expression.

I cleared my throat.

"Hello Jimin"