"Jungkookie, can we make a promise that no matter what happens, you will continue to treat me and J-Hope as your dear friends?" J-Min pouts as he raises his wine glass (which he had with him, to no one's surprise). He'd never get caught drinking beer; he said it's not for 'ladies'.
The twins and I were spending a weekend at my grandfather's farm before J-Hope leaves for the military academy. What he really wanted was to be an engineer, but their dad chose a different path for him. J-Hope, the usually carefree one, looked so defeated. But we were determined to make the most of our time together.
This farm was my happy place. My grandpa isn't the showy type but treated me like an actual family member. He always prepared the freshest food for me and would explain the process of growing strawberries and cabbages. I found it puzzling how the temperature is cool enough to grow those crops even if it's a mere two hour drive north of our town. Grandpa was sad that agriculture is a dying industry and that younger generations all want to study technology or medicine and then move to other countries.
Grandpa lived in the main house in the middle of the farm. Then there are four smaller houses on each corner of the property. The farm is not that big and the houses were not grand but very cozy. Grandpa hoped that his four children will eventually take over his small farming business but none of them had interest in it.
I remember my parents tried to raise poultry and pigs, which didn't last long because my dad hated manual labor and became an accountant instead. I loved the animals; I enjoyed feeding them and the smell didn't even bother me. But my opinion never mattered.
The Kim's property was probably four times as big as grandpa's farm but Taetae, J-Min and J-Hope loved coming here. Our little farm house witnessed the four of us growing up, enjoying such simple things like drinking fresh goat milk. It's so much tastier than cow's milk if you ask me.
We also loved harvesting strawberries. Just then, my heart hurt a little at the memory of Taetae in his wide-brimmed straw hat, denim overalls with the bottom folded up, smiling so brightly and holding up the biggest berries for me. Berries are his favorites but he always gave me the best ones. I never really paid attention to the berries, though. How could I when Taetae smiles at me like that? Like he's offering me the world?
Just then, J-Min started teasing me. "Earth to Jungkookie! You miss him don't you? We do too. Taetae's having a hard time adjusting there and asked us to just keep emailing him even if he can't reply. That includes you, you know". J-Min then put his arm around my shoulder as we watched J-Hope looking out in the distance. It calmed me, being with Taetae's siblings like this.
We spent what little time we have on reminiscing the good old times...and we had plenty. The twins were going through so many changes. We all were. But being together like this reassured us that some things will stay the same. Or at least we hoped so.
J-Hope suddenly remembered something and came back with with a very expensive-looking black and gray backpack. "Jungkook, Taehyung wants you to have this backpack and wishes you luck in uni". I accepted the item and hugged it tightly and I knew I blushed deeply but they didn't mind.
The following week, J-Hope left, pleading me to please look out after his girlfriends; that fool.
First there were four, then there were three...now it's just two...
