I let her go.

I'm no longer a selector, but a sporadic guest on this show, which will be broadcast live on the national network and online.

I let out a sigh as I pick up a t-shirt and pack it in my suitcase.

Soon I'll be back home and back to my usual routine of composing, music, contracts to fulfill, photoshoots, and appearances. Thinking about it, what seemed like the perfect life until a few weeks ago, everything I wanted, now leaves me feeling empty.

It could be the effect of being cooped up in here for three weeks, I tell myself, crushing my clothes, as if wanting to take it out on them.

But why do I feel so angry?

And yet, I did everything a coach does for their students. I supported them, encouraged them, advised them...

Two sky-blue eyes come to mind.

Jade.

Damn, I can't get that little girl out of my head.

I kick a pillow and collapse onto the bed.

I have to see her before I leave.

I sigh and pat myself on the head.

And what do I say to her? How do I justify this unhealthy desire to see her?

"Aish!"

I jump up, put on a sweatshirt, and before I change my mind, I grab my phone and leave.

I stride down the corridor, headed I don't know where.

All the participants are divided into groups, by color, and Jade is in the blue group, in the west pavilion.

But how do I contact her?

Lee Ha-Eun will tear me to pieces if I even dare approach her students.

I stop suddenly and sigh.

"I told her you'd come before I left," exclaims a voice behind me.

I whirl around and find myself facing Ari.

She's leaning against the wall with her arms crossed and looks at me with a satisfied smile.

I clench my fists.

"What?"

"Let's call it a feeling," she replies, uncrossing her arms and taking a step closer. "Or Destiny, if you will."

"I don't understand."

"My Korean Jade, Coach. She's one of those people you never forget."

I look at her, bewildered, and she smiles again.

"Don't despair over something that's natural, Coach. Who says what you can't have now won't be yours in the future?"

"Ari, I..."

She comes closer, pats me on the shoulder, and whispers:

"Leave it to me." She passes me and stops after two steps. "Anyway, I won the bet. You owe me $50, remember."

She skips off, leaving me wondering like an idiot what happened.

I let out another sigh and look out the window at the view.

I have to go back and leave this agonizing feeling of loss behind me.

Who says what you can't have now won't be yours in the future...

What could she possibly mean?

I turn and retrace my steps, stopping in front of my bedroom door.

I enter the access code, and hear footsteps running toward me.

I whirl around.

It's Jade. And she seems very agitated.

She hits me like a whirlwind, throws herself on my chest, and wraps my arms around my back.

I slam into the door, which clicks open.

We collapse inside, on the floor, embracing, her hair covering my face and chest.

I didn't feel any pain as I fell.

I really don't feel anything, not even the texture of my body.

Only her.

Her face against my heart, which is beating like a drum.

Damn, I'm going to make the whole building run.

I suddenly recover, wrap my arms around her, roll over, and kick the door shut.

No one can see us; I don't want to jeopardize her situation.

I look at her and notice she's staring at me with amused eyes.

"Are we hiding?" she says with a mischievous smile.

God, she's so beautiful!

"What did you think you were doing, grabbing me like that? Do you want to be disqualified?"

My tone came out harsher than I intended, and I see her smile fade and her brow furrow.

"I..."

She pulls back the arms that are enveloping me, and I immediately feel lost.

I close my eyes and pull her close to me, resting my chin on her head.

"Why are you here?" I ask her sweetly.

"You can't leave without saying goodbye. You're my talisman."

Her... 'what'?

I pull away so I can see her face. Her cheeks are flushed, but she's smiling.

She sighs.

"I know, a lot of people have told you this, but you really are my talisman. From the first song I heard, you came into my life like a ray of sunshine and brought me luck and energy. And do we want to count how much I owe you for getting where I am?"

I'm taken aback by her confession, I swallow nervously, but inside I'm bursting with happiness.

"You owe yourself for what you've accomplished."

She shakes her head and laughs.

"You really don't know, do you? You have no idea the power of your voice, your energy, the way you observe people."

She reaches out to touch my cheek, and I hold my breath.

"You're my sunshine," she says softly. "You always will be, even if you're gone."

She takes my face in her hands and brings it close to hers.

I hold my breath, simply watching her until I feel her lips on mine.

And I don't understand anything anymore.

I only know that my arms are pulling her to me, I hold her tightly, and I savor that mouth that tastes of promises, of sweetness and warmth.

Only when we're out of breath do we separate, and somehow, I find her sitting in my arms, her legs wrapped around my back.

"You're poison to me," I whisper against her lips, giving her many little kisses. "If I don't let go, I'll end up never doing it again. And I'm not that selfish."

She smiles delightedly and clings closer to me, making me moan.

"Let me go, but I won't. You won't leave this room unless you're mine."

My breath catches in my throat.

"You're a little girl, I can't, I..."

"I'm a Westerner, much older than your standards," she giggles, caressing my nose. "Shine on me, Min-ho, just this once."

Her tone is so intense that I feel myself melt.

I can't, after all, I'm the adult, I don't...

Her hand pushes my chest, making me slide to the floor. She stretches her legs and lies on top of me, her body fitting against mine, as if it were a natural fit.

"Forget who you are and everything around us. There's no more time, but I won't let you leave without leaving me a part of you."

She starts kissing me again, and I remain staring at the ceiling, unable to resist.

Only when her hands slip under my shirt do I stop them.

She raises her head and looks at me, surprised and disappointed.

"You don't deserve to be loved on the floor. You are a queen, and as such, I will honor you."

I pick her up, lift myself up, and carry her to the bed.

I will love her like the sun loves the moon, every day of its journey.

And I, for the rest of my life.