Lost & Found

Prologue

 "Hi!"

The quiet, seven-year-old little boy looked up cautiously at a smiling, seven-year-old little girl. He involuntarily flinched when she stepped forward and bowed. Her smile faltered. "What's wrong?"

"A-Are you going to hit me, too?"

"What?" she asked incredulously.

"Who are you?" the boy asked.

"My name is Seong Aera!" she said cheerfully. "What's your name?"

He eyed her warily. "Why are you talking to me?"

Aera's bright smile disappeared completely. "Is it not okay that I am?"

He shook his head. Whether he did so to mean that it wasn't okay or that he was just confused, Aera didn't know. "No one talks to me," he said. "Not unless they're calling me names."

"Who calls you names?" Aera asked with a frown, looking around.

The boy sighed. "Everyone."

"Well, I'm not going to do that," Aera insisted. "I'm new here, and I want a friend. Will you be my friend?"

He watched Aera closely, looking for any signs of deceit on her face or in her eyes. There didn't appear to be any; just her bright smile that had returned.

"Um, okay," he said quietly, still a bit confused.

"Really?" Aera perked up even more. "Great!" She plopped down beside the boy on the soft grass. "What's your name?" she asked again.

"Min Yoongi."

Aera smiled. "That's a nice name. It's great to know you, Min Yoongi! Hey, can I call you Yoongs?"

Yoongi blinked. A nickname? He never thought he'd have a nickname, let alone a friend to give him one.

"Sure."

"Awesome! And hey, thanks, by the way, for being my friend. I'm really glad to not be alone anymore."

Yoongi looked away, but a very small smile played at his lips. "Me, too," he whispered.