The scene opens in a luxurious cabin, where a young man is absorbed in his laptop. This is Kim Seokjin, the eldest son of one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Korea. The Kim family, renowned for their long-standing legacy of success and power, has deep-rooted ties to the royal family. Their status is a tapestry woven with tradition and elite customs.
Suddenly, his phone buzzes. "Sir, it's time," his secretary says.
"I'm on my way," Jin replies, donning his blazer with a practiced grace. He glances in the mirror one last time before leaving the cabin.
---
"Thank you for your attention. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to address them," Jin says, his smile radiating confidence. The room erupts into applause, and his audience seems genuinely impressed by the heir to the family empire. Everyone, that is, except for one person: his father Kim Namjung.
"I must say, Mr. Kim, your son is an exceptional speaker, just like you. I'm confident he'll manage the businesses as adeptly as you have," Mr. Yoo remarks.
"Efficiently managing this company would be sufficient, Mr. Yoo. I have two other sons to oversee our other ventures," Mr. Kim replies coldly, rising from his seat. The room stirs, everyone bowing respectfully as the CEO exits.
Jin stares at his presentation notes, his earlier pride now overshadowed by a profound sense of disappointment.
---
The dining room is steeped in silence, punctuated only by the soft clinking of silverware. Jin sits at the table with his parents, a palpable tension hanging in the air.
"Where are the kids?" Mr. Kim inquires.
"Namjoon is studying for his exam tomorrow, and Taehyung and Jiyeon went to bed early after returning from their educational trip," Mrs. Kim explains. Turning to Jin, she adds, "How did your first presentation go?"
"Eomma, it went—" Jin begins, but his father interrupts.
"It resembled a high school graduate's speech. It hardly felt like the eldest son of the Kim family delivering a presentation. After a week of preparation, this is all you could muster? I delivered a better performance with just one night to prepare," Mr. Kim scoffs.
Jin's heart shatters at his father's words. Mrs. Kim gestures for the maids to leave.
"Namjung, it was Jin's first time. I heard many employees praising him. I'm sure he'll improve—" she tries to interject.
"Of course they praised him. They're terrified of criticizing my son. What they don't understand is I'd prefer their honesty to this false adoration," Mr. Kim snaps.
Jin lowers his head, struggling to conceal the hurt. But then his father adds a remark that cuts even deeper.
"I wish Namjoon was my firstborn. He would have done a better job than you." With that, Mr. Kim leaves the table.
Mrs. Kim sighs, trying to comfort her son. "Seokjin-ah, don't let your father's words get to you. He just—"
"Never appreciates me and never thinks I'll be good enough. I know, Eomma. I need some air," he replies, rising abruptly.
---
Jin gazes over the city from a viewpoint, sipping his coffee. The tranquil landscape contrasts sharply with his turmoil.
"Hyung, if you just wanted to sit here in silence, why did you call me? I could have been sleeping peacefully," his friend Yoongi comments, glancing at the time.
"Yah! Look at how calm it is. We should do this more often, especially after long days at the office," Jin insists.
"Did Uncle say something to you?" Yoongi asks.
"What?" Jin responds, puzzled.
"Hyung, you always come here when you're upset. Today was your first presentation, right?" Yoongi observes.
"Yeah, and as always, Appa found fault with everything. The real issue isn't his criticism; it's the way he compares me to my younger siblings. I'm not as academically gifted as they are. Anyway, let's just forget it for now," Jin replies.
"Alright, then. How about we grab some sausages?" Yoongi suggests, and they both rise.
"Two sausages, please," they request from a nearby vendor.
"600 won," the vendor replies, and Yoongi pays.
Just then, a boy approaches. "Hyung, could you take a picture of me and my girlfriend?"
"Sure. Jin Hyung, can you hold my sausage for a moment?" Yoongi asks, passing it to him.
Jin smiles, watching the couple pose adorably, their high school badges catching his eye. But as memories resurface, his smile falters. The badges remind him of someone he desperately wishes to forget—the girl who humiliated him, claimed to love him, and then married someone else.
Overwhelmed, he turns away, but suddenly collides with someone, the sausage he's holding splattering onto her shirt.
"Oh my god, you spilled sausage on me!" she exclaims.
"I'm so sorry, miss! I didn't mean to—" Jin starts, but then he looks up, his breath catching in his throat. She is stunning—her eyes sparkling, heart-shaped lips, and rosy cheeks. She resembles a delicate flower.
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Connection Of Conformity || KSJ
FanfictionAreum flopped onto her side of the bed with a dramatic sigh. "You know, I really shouldn't have agreed to marry you in the first place." Jin turned away with an exaggerated eye roll. "Oh, come on. As if I was dying to marry you" ...
