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Present Day•

The clatter of spoons, the scent of fresh eggs, seaweed soup, and warm rice. Sunlight filtered through the windows of the Kim estate's grand dining room, drenching the long table in soft gold.

It was a normal morning or at least, it looked like one.

The brothers sat in their usual spots, half dressed for work, half still sluggish with sleep.

Jin stirred his coffee quietly, his eyes unreadable. Yoongi, silent leaned on one elbow pushing food around his plate. Namjoon scrolled through his phone with his usual frown.

Taehyung bit into toast, chewing slowly, lost in thought. Jungkook sat with his head down, a hoodie pulled over his dark hair, barely touching his food. Jimin was half chattering with Hoseok, who sat beside him, legs pulled up on the chair, messy haired and bright eyed as always.

It felt almost normal. The hum of casual clinks and the faint background music from the hall piano filled the silence between them a silence pretending not to know.

Hye-joo sat at the head of the table, dressed in a soft lavender dress. Jong-suk, as usual, sat with his newspaper lifted halfway, sipping quietly from his mug.

"I spoke to Seojun this morning," she said suddenly, setting her chopsticks down gently.

"He's flying in later today," she continued. "Apparently, he's bringing something or someone he described as lovely." She smiled faintly.

And then Hye-joo's voice turned softer, almost hesitant. "I know this might feel like… an inconvenient time to bring this up," she said, eyes on her tea."But it's been years. And I think… it's time."

The quiet deepened.

"I know we've all tried to keep going," she continued. "To keep her memory alive. I still dream of her I think I hear her voice in the garden."

Jungkook's spoon slipped into his bowl with a soft clink.

"She would've wanted you boys to live," she said gently. "To love. To find someone who makes life worth rebuilding."

Namjoon sat a little straighter, trying not to show anything. Jin's jaw ticked, Yoongi lowered his head.

"I'm not asking for weddings tomorrow," she said with a small, sad smile. "But think about it. About settling down. Even if just one of you brought someone home..."

Her voice cracked faintly. "It would be nice to hear laughter again."

Hoseok reached for her hand across the table and gave it a soft squeeze. "We'll make sure you hear it, Mom."

Jimin cleared his throat. "Maybe Seojun's bringing someone. If it's a girl, maybe she's the one."

"Oh please," Hoseok muttered. "He's not someone to bring a girl."

"If she were alive... she would be older now." She closed her eyes briefly, and exhaled.

••••••••••

The sun had just reached its peak, washing the front courtyard in amber warmth, glinting off the intricate brass details of the mansion's doors. But despite the glow, the moment felt still like the world had paused for something it didn't understand yet.

The back passenger door opened slowly.

Seojun stepped out, dressed in a simple yet tailored button up and dark slacks, a soft cardigan slung over his shoulder. He circled to the other side of the car, quietly reaching for the door handle.

𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 ( 𝐀 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬) Where stories live. Discover now