JOURNEY || JinKook ☑️

SIXTEEN - PAST

"Are you sure you don't want us to come with you?" Taehyung asked. Jungkook brought Soobin for the weekend playdate with Taehyung's son.

"Yeah, it's okay. I've been bothering both of you for seven years. You can visit Ken anytime you want. Have some family time." Jungkook smiled shyly. "Ken's father called earlier and said he cannot go back here in Seoul. He's having high BP and I don't want to bother him about Soobin."

"I thought Jin already accepted your offer?" Taehyung asked, puzzled.

Jungkook smiled. Remembering what happened last night. "Something unexpected happened last night. I've mentioned to you that Soobin's teacher will come last night, right?"

Taehyung at first was confused, but looking at his brother's face, he finally got what Jungkook meant. "Oh shit! Is it Jin?"

Jungkook sighs. "How can it all be just a coincidence, right? He declined everything. Now, I don't know what to do with Soobin. I thought everything will be okay. I got Jin because he's Jimin's best friend. You know that I don't just trust anyone. I sometimes think that I should have just let you adopt him."

"Can you shut up?" Taehyung hates it when Jungkook starts blaming himself. It's been going on for seven years. But lately, he's blaming himself quite often ever since Ken's father needed to go back to Busan because of an illness. He doesn't want to bother Taehyung's mom as he's not really related to her.

"Hyung, a nanny won't hurt. I know you don't like the idea but you don't have any more options. Pay the nanny well, you'll be good." Taehyung has been suggesting it for a while. But he knows that Jungkook hates the thought of someone their family didn't know will take care of his son. "Look, you said you hate it that your mom did not even take care of you when you're young that's why she doesn't care about your feelings when you grew up. I'm sorry to break it to you but you're doing the same to Soobin.

Get a nanny, pay well, know your priorities and everything will fall into place. Soobin needs your attention and love and that's the answer to all your questions. Or better yet, get a partner. Think about it. I, Jimin and Namjoon are like a broken record repeating the same rants every time you're having issues about Soobin and you're not listening. Why don't you listen to us this time and see the difference?"

Partner? Get a partner. That's ridiculous. Ever since Ken died, I don't even know how to fall in love anymore. And I don't like thinking about it. Jungkook thought.

"Can I ask for a big favor?" Jungkook bites the inside of his cheeks. He already asked for a lot of favor from Taehyung and Jimin and now, he's doing it again.

"I think I already know." Taehyung rests his chin on his hand and stared at his brother. "You want Jimin to talk to Jin to accept your offer. Is that what you want?"

Jungkook lowered his head. He's ashamed but that's what he wanted to happen. "Just the tutorial if possible? If he wants, I'll ask the company driver to pick him up. It will be from 6 to 8 in the evening, a hundred dollars per hour. Then he can leave Soobin with or without me at home. I will pay for his transportation.

Soobin failed his subjects and he's doing well with Jin. Soobin likes him and I don't want Soobin to get disappointed. Soobin already knows that Jin will be his tutor but now that he declined, Soobin will be really upset. So please Tae, can Jimin talk to his best friend? Please?"

Taehyung let out a deep sigh. He just can't say no to his brother.

***

"Will you be here at lunch?" Yoongi asked his roommate. "Ever since you came, I haven't cooked for you yet."

"It's okay, I can see that you're busy." Said Jin who is pouring coffee in the cups. "Maybe let's have dinner later? I won't be home by lunch, I need to visit someone."

Yoongi nods. "Dinner will be great. I noticed you're always out and about on Sundays?"

Jin smiles. "Yes. I am seeing someone every Sunday. It has been my routine."

"I won't ask who." Yoongi gave Jin a gummy smile while getting his coffee from Jin's hand. "I'll be on leave next week. I will visit my family in Daegu. Ever since my old company rehired me, I've been very busy. This is my only free time after so many years."

"Wow! You must be really good for a company to rehire you." Jin has been very curious about Yoongi's work. Though Jimin already gave him a background it's only limited to Yoongi working at home and always asleep. They still value privacy and will leave it up to the person if he wanted to give more pieces of himself.

"If not because of my friend, I won't accept it."

"Your friend is the owner?"

Yoongi shakes his head laughing. "The boyfriend of the owner. I'm working at Jeon Technologies. I usually work at home, then I will only go to the office when I needed to submit something or during meetings. They are a great company. The compensation is over the top too."

Jin wanted to spit the coffee from his mouth when he heard the company name. He swallowed it and tried to compose himself. "Jeon Technologies? Is it related to Jeon Tower?"

Yoongi nods. "Yeah. They have the same owner. The owner is actually very popular here in Korea. When the news broke that his boyfriend died, everyone wants to be with Mr. Jeon. He's young. A single dad. Successful businessman. Owner of one of the biggest companies in the country. Owns a tower. Handsome. Wealthy. I mean, what more can you ask for, right?"

Jin did not answer. He feels as if Jungkook is following him, it may not be physically, but his name always has something to do with the people around him.

"So you're friends with Mr. Jeon's boyfriend? You said the boyfriend died?" Jin asked. His curiosity taking over. He knows that Jungkook's boyfriend died but he wanted to know why.

"Stomach cancer. Seven years ago, he just graduated from college when he learned that he's pregnant with Mr. Jeon's child. But then, Mr. Jeon's mother hated him. He threatened him and his family so my friend decided to hide in Busan.

Mr. Jeon almost went crazy looking for him but when they saw each other again after so many months, it's already late. He's already at the terminal stage when his cancer was discovered. Just a few weeks after giving birth, he died. Mr. Jeon didn't get the chance to be with him that long. Like they met after several months of hiding and seeking. Then when they found each other, the other one died. Tragic and painful, right?"

Jin didn't know if he will feel guilty about judging Jungkook. He said so many harsh words towards him. Jungkook was right, he doesn't have an idea about what he had gone through.

He felt sad about Soobin as well. He knows that Soobin's appa died but he didn't know that his appa died that early and in that way.

***

Jungkook arrived at the columbarium with a long stem rose in his hand. For the past seven years, he cannot count how many roses he bought for Ken.

Walking towards the crypt, he noticed someone familiar, head bowed down, his hand and forehead pressed against the niche. Faint sobs echoes inside the crypt. The man is crying.

Jin? He said in his head. The man is Jin.

He watched as Jin wiped his tears. Jin kissed the niche, rubber his hand before turning away and walking through the exit of the columbarium.

Jungkook makes his way to the place where Jin used to stand. There, he saw a picture in a beautiful frame behind the transparent glass door. There are small cars and candies inside as well. But what shocked him the most is when he read the name.

KIM HANEUL
2013 - 2018