three, six, five.

we've gone so far, far from the storms and the sunny days - the uncertainties as to where we're going to end so soon or not. i'm just happy that you're still here holding my hand as the earth completes its revolution around the sun, and in more revolutions to come.

[hyo1kai]

No matter where we go, we'll always go back to this wouldn't we?

This was where everything started. I'll never forget how you asked me to call you Jongin - something that you'd only ask of people who you were comfortable with. You asked me to ask questions about you that you'd answer honestly. Our limbs subtly reached out to each other, careful not to cross the line, but close enough to lean on the borderlines of the limits of our "friendship".

How could I ever forget that weird, comfortable feeling of you holding my hand as you walked with me home? Our hands interlaced slowly, from the pinkies until you boldly held mine, followed by chaste kisses on the temple. But we had to run that early morning, or else your fans might be able to see you out.

It was sudden, and it was bashful. Unlike others who were so sure, we started with no I love you's. What we had was uncertain, but you made me want to stay and stop myself from leaving.

It's a phenomenon that 365 days later, we're still here to stay.

[hyo1kai]

離さないで (Don't let go).

That was one of the most essential things we learned in our early months of being together. It became a bit serious when you decided to be with me in a closed relationship. It was a test of time and commitment, especially since it was difficult to be able to see you only in weekends. Salaries have turned to plane tickets, I flying back to Korea, and you flying to Japan despite all the hectic schedules.

Dates have been low-key and simple--our memories in Japan weren't made in fine-dining restaurants, but with ramen on late nights and takoyaki in Ueno Park at three in the morning while we walked around. It seemed like an endless run away from the people, but it didn't matter, because we were together.

Reluctant as we seemed to be, we slowly and rigorously built the base of what we have now. Just like a house being constructed, we made several adjustments. A lot of times, we have discovered things that we didn't like about each other, for you on how I would be so sappy, and how your affection to other women would trigger all the unnecessary worries on my side. Step by step, we shaped ourselves to be able to fit each other perfectly, until we were able to, like two pieces of a puzzle.

[hyo1kai]

Venice...it was our first formal vacation together.

It felt so surreal to be able to set foot together with you in a place where we didn't have to be scared about being caught. It was like being in another dimension, when you and I walked its narrow alleys and museums, fully enjoying its trattorias and gelato shops as well to our heart's content. We didn't even mind transferring from that five star hotel to an old b&b in Cinque Terre, because what only mattered was our time together.

It was then that I thought that I had to do this with you again, for more trips to come. Or maybe, I was thinking of the day when I can do the same things with you in Seoul. That would probably happen in a decade, who knows?

Venice was also our starting point to our dream of travelling through the world together, and it will remain special like that.

[hyo1kai]

It would always be fun pretending to be your fangirl in your concerts, but meeting with you after all the performances.

Several rendezvous in China and Taiwan have made us catch up on our lost time, and I would always appreciate how much you try to place our dates in between your schedules and itineraries.

It didn't matter whether we would spend our time outside and get lost in the streets with masks on, or just stayinside the hotel and just eat deliveries. At the end of the day, the time spent is time between you and me.

I may sound so shallow or petty by being happy at these small snippets of chances, but I really am contented in all the little things that we do together.

[hyo1kai]

Phuket. Another rare chance to be on a getaway with you for a few days.

Another surreal feeling of staying somewhere private with you, making love and taking our time, enjoying the paradise of a view outside. We have just risen from a big down in our relationship, and it's nice to be able to reconnect with you, without so many worries.

Trying to eat all these weird food and encountering animals was an amazing experience, as well as being able to swim and snorkel,but it's even better because it's with you. Most of all, it is special, because it's a gift we've given ourselves on nearly reaching our 365-day mark.

[hyo1kai]

With all the things that we have surpassed together, I want to thank you.

Thank you babe, for accepting all of me--from all the things I do, to my flaws, strengths and weaknesses. Thank you for trying to figure me out even if I tend to go so vague sometimes that you do not know what to do for me.

Thank you for sharing what you have with me, and being able to accept what there is that I have to share with you. From the time that you first came home to me, up to the time that we've decided to share the apartment. For being there to share a cute little puppy with me, and making changes in the house that would always remind me of you.

Thank you for being there for me, whenever I have to visit my dad or Mama Jeon. You know that I will always do the same with you, to your parents.

Thank you for being the other half of the duo, basically. We've come to fit each other perfectly as time has passed, and I hope that we would always stay that way, because I would never want to let you go.

[hyo1kai]

Happy Anniversary, Kai-kun, Loke, Issei, babe, baby, (daddy)--Jongin.

I love you more than you'll ever know.