Jungkook, a single father of his five year old daughter aera, His daughter longs for her mother, who vanished five years ago.
Jungkook, haunted by the ghosts of his past relationship, had yet to explain why her Mommy wasn't there.
A mistake, a rash...
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The next morning, the crisp spring air whooshed past Jungkook's ears as he biked towards Aera's school. He wore a thin jacket over his t-shirt, Aera was sitting on the backseat back hugging her papa, her ponytails flying in the breeze. Unlike her usual sleepy self, she was wide awake, bouncing with excitement because it was her birthday.
Jungkook slowed his bike down, stopping right in front of the colorful school gate.
Aera practically jumped off the bike with a big grin followed by jungkook
"Happy birthday again, my little princess," he said, his voice extra soft and happy. He knelt down to be eye-level with Aera. In his hands, he was holding a beautiful lunchbox, decorated with pictures of her favorite barbies
"Wow! It's so pretty papa! Thanks!"
He opened the lunchbox revealing delicious food inside. Aera's eyes widened seeing fluffy white rice and her absolute favorite things: crispy chicken nuggets, golden french fries with a side of ketchup, and a stack of fluffy chocolate chip pancakes.
"You made my favorites?" Aera whispered, her voice filled with happiness
"Of course!" Jungkook chuckled, ruffling her hair playfully. "It's your birthday, and you deserve the most yummy lunch ever!" Aera threw her arms around his neck squeezing him tight. "Thank you, Papa! You're the best!"
Jungkook then pulled out a box of chocolates. "And here's something to share with your friends," he said, winking. "Birthday girl special, right?" Jungkook said and aera giggled nodding her head
Jungkook ruffled her hair. "Have a wonderful day, princess," he whispered, leaning down to plant a gentle kiss on her cheek. But Aera wasn't done surprising him either! She tiptoed closer on her tiny feet and surprised him with a sweet kiss right on his other cheek.
"See you later, princess!" he called out as Aera skipped off to school, her lunchbox in one hand and the box of chocolates tucked safely under the other arm. Jungkook chuckled, watching her go inside the kindergarten leaning against his motorbike.
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In a noisy classroom, aera was talking with her friends. They were giggling and whispering excitedly about the new kids show they'd all been watching. Suddenly, the classroom door creaked open. The sound made them all silent.
"Good morning, class!" Mrs. Lee chirped, her voice bright and cheerful as she made her way inside the colorful classroom "Guess what?" she continued, "I have some exciting news!" Everyone's heads snapped towards Mrs. Lee, their eyes wide with curiosity.
"You know how my tummy has been getting round like a big, melon lately?" Ms. Lee asked caressing her baby bump "Well, there's a reason for that!"
A little boy named han, raised his hand up excitedly. "Is it because you ate too much chocolate, Ms. Lee?" he giggled pointing towards her tummy
The whole class laughed, Ms. Lee couldn't help but laugh too "No, silly, It's because..there's a tiny baby growing inside my tummy!"
The class gasped in unison. A tiny baby? Inside Ms. Lee? Aera's jaw dropped open at the thought of little baby growing inside Mrs Lee's tummy.
"That's why I won't be able to be your teacher for a few days but dont worry kids, You'll have a new teacher to take care of you while I'm resting. His name is Ms. Kim, and I know you'll all love him just as much as you love me!"
"Alright everyone, time to meet your new teacher! Please give a big, warm welcome to Ms. Kim Taehyung!"
The classroom door creaked open again, and Kim taehyung walked inside He was carrying a box filled with colorful markers and a big, playful smile on his face
He stopped just inside the doorway, taking in the scene before him. A sea of curious faces turned towards him, some wide eyed with excitement, others cautiously hopeful. A few even wore shy smiles. Taehyung met their gazes one by one, his smile widening further.
"Hello everyone!" he boomed, his voice warm and friendly, "I am Kim Taehyung, but you can call me taetae, It's a pleasure to meet you all!"
Aera's breath hitched in her throat. Her mouth opened wide, then clamped shut again, And then, like a tiny dam bursting after a heavy rain, tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks in a silent waterfall. She sniffled once, twice, letting out a shaky little hiccup. Before anyone could react, Aera ran towards taehyung and she even slipped on her foot on the way
She wrapped her tiny arms around taehyung's legs, burying her face in the fabric of his pants. A choked sob escaped her lips as she cried out, "Mommy!" Taehyung, froze in place. His eyes widened in surprise as he stared down at the little girl clinging to his legs.
Taehyung gently knelt down on the floor, placing himself at eye level with Aera's tear-streaked face "Sweetie," he said softly, "I am not your Mommy, You must be mistaken for someone else."
Aera's cries didn't stop. In fact, they grew a little louder, her small body shaking with sobs "No, no!" she hiccuped between sniffles, shaking her head fiercely.
She cried loudly pointing a trembling finger towards his face, she repeated, almost desperately
"You are M-Mommy! I saw t-today! You have the same e-eyes and the same smile, and same f-face!"
Taehyung stared at her, his brow furrowed in confusion. He couldn't deny a faint echo of recognition in her words. There was something about the way her tear filled eyes seemed to hold a universe of unspoken longing, something that resonated deep within him, It was a feeling both unsettling and strangely familiar
He looked at Ms. Lee, who stood nearby, her expression was understanding "She doesn't have her Mom anymore," Mrs Lee whispered softly, her voice barely audible above Aera's sobs. "I think... she sees her Mom in you."
Taehyung's heart ached even more hearing it, She must miss her mommy very much just like he misses his daughter
"It's okay, little one," he murmured softly, He carefully lifted Aera into his arms, rocking her back and forth slowly cradling her, Aera clung to him tightly, her sobs starting to quieten down a little. Taehyung closed his eyes, picturing his own daughter in aera
"Will you go back to your seat baby ?"
Taehyung whispered and he opened his eyes, Aera just buried her face deeper into his soft chest, her tiny arms wrapped around him like a koala. "No," she whimpered "Don't wanna leave Mommy."
Taehyung smiled sadly. He glanced at Ms. Lee, who nodded understandingly "Mrs. Lee" Taehyung said softly, "would you mind looking after the class for a little while? I think, I need to talk to her alone"
Taehyung carefully walked out of the classroom, Aera still clinging to him tightly. He didn't want to disturb the other students, so he looked around for a quiet place to talk. Luckily, he spotted an empty classroom just down the hallway.
He stepped inside and gently lowered himself onto a chair, placing Aera on his lap. Aera finally loosened her grip a little, sniffing and wiping her tears with the back of her hand. Her big, round eyes, still wet from crying, looked up at Taehyung
He couldn't help but feel a strange pull at his heart as their eyes met. There was something about Aera's eyes... something round and innocent, something familiar.
Taehyung's breath hitched in his throat, a face flashed in his mind - a face from his own painful past, a face he hadn't seen in years, a face he doesn't want to see again, her face reminded him of
