Should Be You | Jikook ✔️

Chapter 24

Jimin and Jungkook sat together on a bench near the playground, watching as Jungwoo and Ahrin played in the sandpit. The scene was peaceful, filled with the sounds of children’s laughter and the warmth of the afternoon sun. Jungkook smiled softly, his thoughts filled with dreams of the future. He had already planned to ask Jimin to be his boyfriend as soon as his divorce was finalized, and the idea of building a life together with Jungwoo felt like a promise of happiness.

But as Jungkook glanced at Ahrin and Jungwoo playing together, a new realization dawned on him. He had always thought that Jungwoo would be their only child, the center of their world. However, watching the bond between the two children made him wonder if there might be more to their future than he had imagined.

Jimin was leaning slightly into Jungkook, clearly enjoying the peaceful moment, when a familiar figure caught his eye. Raeli, Ahrin's aunt and her legal guardian, approached them. Jimin’s smile faded into surprise. He had expected to see Raeli today, but he did not expect the intense look on her face.

“Raeli?” Jimin asked, standing up as she neared. “Is everything okay?”

Raeli didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she handed Jimin a stack of papers. Her expression was calm, but Jimin could sense an underlying tension. He took the papers, quickly scanning the first page. His heart sank as he realized what they were—an application for work abroad, along with several other documents. Raeli was leaving South Korea.

“I’m moving abroad, oppa,” Raeli said firmly, her voice was steady but with a hint of sadness. “I’ve accepted a job overseas.”

Jimin’s chest tightened as a feeling of sadness washed over him. “Raeli, wait—” he started, but before he could finish, Raeli pulled out another set of papers and handed them to him.

Adoption papers.

“I’m leaving Ahrin in your care,” Raeli stated. “She needs a stable home, and I trust you more than anyone to give her that.”

Jimin’s breath caught in his throat as he stared at the papers in disbelief. “Raeli… Ahrin is your niece. How can you just—”

“I’m doing this for her,” Raeli interrupted, her voice softening. She glanced toward the playground, where Ahrin and Jungwoo continued to play, unaware of the life-changing conversation happening nearby. “She deserves a family, a real home, where she’ll be loved and cared for. I know I can’t give her that while I’m overseas.”

Jimin’s mind raced as he tried to process what was happening. “But Raeli, I can’t just adopt Ahrin without thinking this through. She’s your family.”

Raeli’s expression softened further. “Oppa, I’m not abandoning her. I love Ahrin more than anything, but I’m not in a position to provide the stability she needs. You and Jungkook… She heard how you two took care of Jungwoo, and I can see it in her eyes that she wants a family like that too. Besides, You’ve already been like a second family to her. This is what’s best for her.”

Before Jimin could respond, Jungkook stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Love,” he said quietly, “maybe Raeli is right. Ahrin loves you, and she’s already so close to you and Jungwoo. You don’t have to do this alone.”

Jimin blinked, glancing between Jungkook and Raeli. He hadn’t expected this, and his mind was reeling from the weight of the decision suddenly thrust upon him. But when he looked at Ahrin, happily playing with Jungwoo, something inside him shifted. Ahrin had already been a part of their lives, and Jimin couldn’t imagine her being anywhere else.

Raeli sighed softly, her voice growing more tender. “Ahrin’s parents are gone. After they died in that accident, I’ve done my best to take care of her. But I can’t keep holding onto her when I know she’ll be better off with you. She deserves a family that can give her the stability I can’t provide.”