Hell'O' Brother 🔞

Chapter 3 : Under the starlit sky

"In the silence of the night, under a canopy of stars, the heart speaks in ways that words never could."
-Vespera

The sunlight streamed through the wide, open windows of the children's home, casting soft golden rays that stirred YN from her sleep. The laughter of children playing outside floated into the room, and she sat up, stretching and breathing in the crisp morning air. Before she could get out of bed, a group of children burst into the room, their faces bright with excitement.

"YN, come quick!" one of the younger girls, Mina, exclaimed, tugging at her hand. "We have a new guest today!"

Curiosity piqued, YN quickly dressed and followed the children to the main hall. The sight that met her eyes left her momentarily speechless. Standing amidst a cluster of giggling kids, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, was none other than Kim Namjoon. His sleeves were rolled up just above his elbows, revealing toned forearms, and a soft smile played on his lips as he handed out colorful wrapped gifts to the children.

For a moment, YN could only watch, taken aback by this unexpected but heartwarming sight. Namjoon's usually commanding presence was softened by the tender way he interacted with the children. His deep laugh resonated through the room as he kneeled to speak at eye level with one of the younger boys, offering him a toy car.

Namjoon glanced up mid-laughter and spotted YN standing by the door. His smile widened, and his eyes sparkled with recognition. "Good morning, YN," he greeted, his voice warm and inviting.

"Good morning, Namjoon," she replied, a small, surprised smile gracing her features as she walked toward him. The children around them giggled and chatted excitedly, some clambering to show off their new toys.

Namjoon stood, towering over the group, and turned his full attention to YN. "I hope I'm not intruding," he said, an amused glint in his eyes. "I thought I'd spend my morning somewhere special."

YN's smile grew as she took in the scene. "You're full of surprises, Kim Namjoon."

They spent the day surrounded by the joyful chaos of children's laughter and games. Namjoon's serious exterior melted away as he joined in games of tag and read stories aloud, each animated expression making the children laugh louder. At one point, YN and Namjoon found themselves sitting side by side on a small bench in the courtyard, watching as the kids raced around.

The afternoon sun cast long shadows as it began to set, bathing the courtyard in a soft orange glow. Namjoon leaned in slightly, a playful smirk on his lips. "I think I lost count of how many times you caught me staring at you today," he teased.

YN chuckled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Is that so? Maybe you should focus on winning a game for once instead of getting distracted."

Namjoon's laughter was deep and genuine, making YN's heart flutter. "I think I already won something far better than a game," he said, his gaze softening.

They shared a quiet moment, the sounds of the children fading into the background as they enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. The warmth between them grew, unspoken but palpable. YN felt her usual guard lower as they exchanged smiles, her heart unexpectedly light in his presence.

As the day turned to evening, they found themselves sitting together on a low wall near the entrance, sipping warm coffee. The sky was painted with hues of pink and purple, and the soft rustle of leaves accompanied their conversation.

YN took a sip and glanced at Namjoon, a question forming in her mind. "How did you know my name?" she asked curiously, setting her cup down.

Namjoon tilted his head, a sly grin crossing his features. "I had a little help from my new friends," he said, nodding toward the children. "I asked them to find you, and they called out 'YN.' That's when I knew."