Seoulmate [Kim Jiwoo | Chuu x Fem Reader]

The Same Smile

A few days have passed since that strange day and you are now much more familiar with your new job. You manage most of your tasks with ease, in fact you're not late that often anymore and your boss seems to have gotten used to you doing it every now and then, which is why he's long since given up saying anything about it. You've also been able to get used to your commute, especially since it's become less chaotic since you moved back in with your mother, which has at least taken one step off the big list.

Your old apartment was just too big for you and your son alone, after all, the child's father used to live there with you before he decided to disappear somewhere in the middle of nowhere. All the memories of him cling to what feels like every corner and even though it's been a few weeks since he left you, your heart still feels heavy and broken. Unfortunately, life doesn't stand still and wait for you to be well again and especially the little rascal doesn't wait for your energy and euphoria to return.

So you have no choice but to make ends meet somehow and occupy yourself with other things, like your new job or this wonderful shower. Especially after a long hard day, a hot shower does you good and relaxes your soul for the next few days ... or until you need one again. Between the splashing of the water, you heard a knock that caught your attention: "Honey? Don't you want to come out slowly, you've been under there for what feels like an hour." A very familiar voice, because it was your mother, who was either worried or annoyed by the fact that the only bath in the house had been in use for too long. You couldn't make out which of the two things it was at the moment, but at least you responded and came out of the bathroom after doing what was necessary.

As you came out of the bathroom door, you could look directly into your mother's eyes, who was standing in the hallway with her arms crossed, but with a small glint of concern flickering in her irises. "Are you all right, Y/N? You seem a bit out of sorts lately," she relaxed her stance again and placed a hand on your shoulder, her gaze still slightly concerned, "Don't tell me you're still hung up on him? I know you've been together since you graduated, but don't you think it's time to forget about him?"

"That's easier said than done mom," a small sigh escaped your lips and with your own hand you took your mother's off your shoulder. Of course you wanted to forget, of course you were annoyed that it still hurt and of course you knew that your mother was absolutely right in what she said. But it was anything but easy. How could you take your feelings and throw them in the bin? It wasn't as if you had a drawer in your chest where all the stuff was carefully stored so that you could just sort it out as if the experience had never happened. You sigh again, your mom's hand still in your own, as your gaze falls on it: "Sorry, maybe I really am just a little out of line. The last few days have just been a bit too much, but now I can concentrate fully on the here and now, I promise."

Your mother gave you a gentle smile, rubbing the back of your hand with her thumb: "I'm sure you'll manage." After she let go of you again, she turned away and was about to disappear around the next corner before she peeked her head around said corner: "Oh, and don't forget that tomorrow is his first day of new kindergarten. The little one couldn't talk about anything else today, believe me." She grinned briefly and then really disappeared from your field of vision. Right now your hand flew to your forehead, if she hadn't mentioned it, you would have forgotten. Disappointed by your own stupidity, your hand slid once across your face and a soft, annoyed sound came out with your next exhalation. You had even taken the day off for tomorrow, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to take your son there in the first place. Even if you could rely on your mother, you still couldn't just leave her to it. . even if she was coming anyway, but of course it was a matter of principle. But before you fall further into an endless train of thought, you decide to go to sleep, because the exhaustion of the day was slowly catching up with you.

The next morning.

"You're not serious, are you? Come on, we really have to go now, otherwise we'll be late mom!" Apparently, long showers run in the family, because like you, she really took way too long in the bathroom. Even though she had probably finished her shower long ago, but something was obviously holding her up. "Just give me a minute, you don't want me to make a bad first impression, do you?" Your mom's muffled voice could be heard through the closed door, but you couldn't really concentrate on it anyway, because right next to you an unruly child was prancing around and wanted to get going: "Come on mom, just let grandma waste away in the bathroom, I don't want to be late!" You look down at your son with a raised eyebrow, maybe he was right in a way, but it wasn't the right thing to say: "Don't talk about your grandma like that or do you want her to throw us out on the street?" Of course the little boy shook his head hastily, he was still so young but he could already talk like a big boy huh? I wonder who he got that from . . .

"Aish... those damn cyclists can't look where they're going either, can they? I should have just kicked his bike...", ahhh maybe the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree. Both hands clasped your child's shoulder as you barely managed to pull him back before he was run over. Your angry look was still hanging in the direction of the cyclist before your own mother called you back to the present: "You're such a great role model, sweetheart." A sarcastic grin came your way and you only responded with a wry smile, hopefully your son didn't notice ... even though he always absorbed things faster than a sponge absorbs water. The rest of the way you were overcome with a feeling of shame, just when you had lectured your son and had to realize that you weren't exactly any better yourself. Fortunately, it didn't last long, because not much later your little family arrived at their destination: the kindergarten. Even the first glimpse of the building was quite inviting. Colorful, playfully designed and the windows had pretty, homemade decorations that were most likely made by the children. You could even hear the shouting of several children, who were probably playing in a yard behind the house? You didn't know your way around here yet, as your mother had taken over the registration, because unfortunately you couldn't take the day off, after all it was your first day at your new job.

Impatient as ever, your son freed himself from your hand and ran towards the entrance. The door itself was open, but they had to pass through a secure fence gate before they could enter the kindergarten grounds. Without a second thought, you just let your son run ahead, your mom didn't seem to have a big problem with it either and told you about how he had apparently already made a few friends on the day of registration. At least he didn't get that from you, you're not particularly good at making new friends. Well, at least not as quickly as the little one, but it was a completely different world with children anyway, wasn't it? When a familiar cry rang in your ears, you were immediately pulled out of your thoughts and your legs immediately carried you in the direction of your son. Your mom also seemed worried and followed with quick steps and just as you arrived inside the building, there was another woman in the middle of the hallway. Her hands were each on one of your son's arms and she gave him a big, heartfelt smile: "It's all right, nothing's happened to you. Look..." She leaned a little further forward and blew some air against the little one's knee and looked straight back at him with a big grin, "...see? It's all gone again now that I've healed you with my magical breeze!" 

You couldn't react at all, let alone make a sound, when you saw the same woman you'd met on the bus just a few days ago. Did her child go to kindergarten here too? Does she even have a child? Why can she turn your whole world upside down with just a smile? "Oh, you're probably Mrs. Park Y/N, aren't you?" The young woman who had been looking after your child until just now stood back on her feet and looked in your direction. She held out her hand to greet you and gave you a big smile again: "My name is Kim Jiwoo, I work here as a kindergarten teacher and have actually been expecting your arrival"

She what? ...wait, she works here? That means you would be able to see her again and again? Wait, why does that even make you anxious?

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Authors Stuff: And I have actually already filled another chapter. I didn't think it would be so easy for me ha. I guess it will be a bit more than just two chapters after all? Anyway, I seem to have a few good ideas in my head right now. Any ideas for the son's name? I couldn't really decide, which is why I've been skirting around it so far, but eventually that won't work <D

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it? Just let me know ♥