Magical Love

Magical 3

Seokjin's heart swelled with an overwhelming sense of joy as He gazed at the photo of himself as a bride. His eyes welled up with tears as He imagined seeing him at this moment. "Eomma," He whispered, his voice trembling with emotion, "My dream is finally coming true. I'm so sorry you're not home to see it, but I know you're happy for me." A soft smile played on his lips as He imagined his mother's proud expression. He leaned forward and kissed the photo, sealing his promise to make him proud.

The weekend comes.

The Kim family garden was a bustling hub of activity every weekend. Laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the aroma of grilled food filled the air. Amidst the general merriment, Seokjin was the tempest brewing. The latest issue of Asia Fashion was open on the garden table, his embarrassing photos plastered across several pages.

His face turned a deep shade of crimson as he scanned the magazine, his eyes widening with each scandalous image. He slammed the magazine shut, his voice rising in pitch. "Can you believe this? Jungkook, that little-! He's invaded my privacy! This is defamation of character!"

Kim Jae Hyun, a retired judge and widower, chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Jinnie, my boy, I'm afraid those days of seeking justice in court are over. I'm retired, remember?"

Seokjin's jaw dropped. "But Dad, this is serious! I could sue him for invasion of privacy, or even worse, defamation or murder, anything!"

Jae Hyun raised an eyebrow. "Defamation? Jinnie, you're the one who made those faces. Besides, everyone loves a good laugh. It's free publicity, you know."

Seokjin groaned, burying his face in his hands. "This is humiliating," he muttered.

The rest of the family exchanged amused glances, their laughter muffled by their hands. Even his usually stoic older brother, Kim Seo Hoon, couldn't help but smirk. It seemed the entire Kim family was enjoying Seokjin's predicament.

The memory of his, Kim Hye Soo, who had passed away from cancer when Seokjin was just ten, briefly crossed Seokjin's mind. He imagined him laughing at the situation, and a bittersweet smile crept onto his lips.

The Kim family was immersed in a symphony of laughter and chatter, the scent of grilled meat and vegetables mingling with the fresh garden air. Under the thatched roof of the kubo, a sense of warmth and belonging permeated the atmosphere. Seokjin, however, was a solitary note in this harmonious tune.

Aunt Kim Yoon Hee, a woman with a sharp wit and an even sharper tongue, broke the jovial ambiance with his words. "Seokjin-ah, you should really think about settling down. Look at your cousin, already engaged. You're turning into a workaholic." His voice, though laced with concern, carried a hint of playful reproach.

Seokjin, caught off guard, felt a blush creep up his neck. He managed a weak smile. "I know, Aunt Yoon Hee. I'm working on it."

Curiosity sparked in the aunt's eyes. "How old are you now, Seokjin?"

The question hung in the air, a moment of awkward silence before Seokjin replied, his voice barely audible, "I'll be thirty in December."

A collective gasp rippled through the family. Aunt Yoon Hee's expression turned serious. "Ah, Seokjin-ah," He began, his voice filled with a mixture of sympathy and foreboding, "You know about the family curse, don't you?"

The atmosphere shifted, the carefree laughter replaced by a hush. Seokjin's heart pounded. He had heard whispers about it, but never openly discussed it. "What curse, Aunt?" he managed to ask, his voice trembling slightly.

"Any Kim who doesn't marry before turning thirty will face difficulties in finding love afterward," Aunt Yoon Hee explained, his gaze filled with a touch of sadness. "Your mother was lucky to have found her true love, before she turned thirty. But for me..." Aunt Yoon's voice trailed off, a silent testament to his unfulfilled wish. "However, she died early."