Yours (COMPLETED)

chapter thirty-three: your comfort

A few days had passed since the photos of Jungkook and Chaeyoung were revealed. The initial buzz online had not completely died down despite the two of them taking careful measures to not be photographed again. Everything seemed to be back to normal for Chaeyoung until today came to her.

That afternoon, she stood at the school gate, eyes scanning the crowd of children pouring out. When Haneul finally appeared, she was not her usual bouncy self. Instead, she walked slowly, head lowered, her tiny hands gripping the straps of her backpack tightly.

"Sweetie?", Chaeyoung knelt down, arms open.

The girl stepped into her embrace, but did not say anything—no greeting, no smile. Just a small, quiet pout as she leaned into her mother’s chest.

Chaeyoung frowned gently, brushing hair away from Haneul's cheek. "Haneul, what’s wrong, sweetheart?"

Haneul shook her head and whispered, "Nothing."

But, Chaeyoung knew her daughter was lying. Her motherly instinct told her something had happened.

She tried again during the car ride home, offering her favorite snack, asking gently, but all she got were shrugs and silence.

By dinner time, Haneul was still withdrawn even though she was still eating her food. Chaeyoung sat across the table, watching her, heart twisting.

"Sweetheart, please talk to me…"

No answer. Just a slow, sad blink.

Chaeyoung swallowed her own rising frustration and helplessness. She did not want to push, but not knowing what was wrong was unbearable. Her mind spun with possibilities—had someone said something to her? Did a teacher scold her?

Chaeyoung decided that she needed help and so, she walked away a bit far from Haneul and quickly searched her phone. She found Jungkook's name and hit call.

When he picked up, she did not wait.

"Jungkook, can you come over? I need help.", her voice was concerning.

Jungkook asked what was wrong.

"It’s Haneul. She won’t talk to me. I don’t know what to do, Jungkook.", she told.

♡♡♡

Jungkook arrived not long after the call. The moment Chaeyoung opened the door, he took one look at her and gently asked, "Are you okay?"

She shook her head, "I don’t know what to do. Haneul doesn't want to tell me anything."

He reached out, giving her arm a reassuring squeeze, "Where is she now?"

"In the bedroom. She barely touched her dinner."

Then, Jungkook asked if he can come in and Chaeyoung nodded. He walked quietly through the house with her following behind him until they reached the hallway. The door to Chaeyoung's room was slightly ajar, soft light spilling out from inside.

When Jungkook stepped into the room, Haneul was curled up on her bed, hugging her bunny pillow to her chest. But when she looked up and saw him, something shifted in her face—just a little. The sadness was still there, but her eyes lit up faintly at the sight of him.

"Hey..", Jungkook said gently, crouching beside her bed.

"Hi, uncle.", Haneul mumbled, her voice small.

Behind him, Chaeyoung paused in the hallway, watching. Her hand hovered over the doorframe, unsure if she should stay or step in—but then Jungkook turned slightly and gave her a small nod, silently telling her he had it under control.