Brothers Next Door | KookJin

🚪 #28

Days passed.

"What do you feel like having for breakfast tomorrow, sweethearts?" Jin asked his sons while wiping his hands with paper towels. He just finished washing the dishes after dinner, while Jimin and Hobi were having apples at the living room in front of the TV.

"Breakfast? Just the usual, appa." Jimin said. "Here, have some apple. I peeled and sliced this one already."

Jin joined them and got himself a slice of apple using a tiny fork, "But tomorrow's sports day, right, Hobi? So we should eat a heavy breakfast if we want to have more energy all throughout the day."

"Ah, true. Rice and sausage will do, appa." Jimin said. "Will Namjoon, Yoongi and Jungkook-hyung have their breakfast here tomorrow too?"

"No, honey. Jungkook said they will get up early to jog around the village to get warmed up." Jin chuckled a bit, "They're taking this too seriously, I must say."

"You are one to talk, appa! I saw you doing your crossfit last night." Jimin responded in a chuckle too.

"I told you, it's been a while since I do physical activities like that so I had to at least exercise. I'm not that young anymore!" Jin said. Then he noticed that Hobi was only staring at the apple he's eating, so he called his attention, "Hobi, sweetie? Are you okay? Are you nervous for tomorrow?!"

Hobi raised his gaze and looked at Jin, "Huh? No, I'm not, appa. I'm just--" He let out a deep sigh before he continued, "I asked dad if he could come w-with us."

"Y-you did?!" Jimin asked.

Jin paused for a while before he could react, "Oh, I see. It's not a problem if you really want your dad to be there. But, Hobi- honey.. wouldn't it be more awkward if he comes to school even if we're not really like- you know.. together. Your friends might ask you about him or something - is that okay with you?"

"I- I don't know. Well, I don't think it matters. Dad said he wasn't sure if he could attend. The event is already tomorrow, but he's not here yet. But didn't he promise he'll come if we need him?" Hobi said with a small frown.

"Dad must be busy, hyung." Jimin muttered.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Your dad has lots of business affairs even on weekends and it was a short notice. Maybe next time, he can join another school event. Don't worry, we can have fun tomorrow, the three of us - you, your brother and me. Hmm?" Jin said with an encouraging smile.

"Yeah, sure."

*******

Jin let out a deep sigh as he removed his face mask - he stared at himself in the mirror for a while then said, "It'll be fine, Seokjin-ah.. Everything will be alright. It's just a matter of time that your sons will get used to not having their dad around."

He then shook his head as he took in yet another deep breath. He tapped his skin lightly with the remaining residue of the facial mask, and continued muttering, "Should I tell Kookie that Tae might come here?.. Nah, we might just argue about it. Besides, Tae's not coming anyways, so why bother making him our topic again.."

Jin pressed his lips together as he paused for a while. He's feeling a bit down and confused seeing Hobi's face while they were talking about his other father. It was rare for Jin to see Hobi with a melancholy expression as he's always used to him putting up a stubborn, strong facade. Therefore, Jin was worried that something might be really up with his eldest son.

What's frustrating Jin more was he couldn't do anything about it. He already restraint himself from contacting his sons' father. So he was determined not to plead for Taehyung to join them and show up for Hobi.