Winter In My Heart (Jikook/Kookmin)

6

The night was growing darker, and Jimin was all alone, wandering aimlessly down an empty street. His heart ached with longing, and his legs were heavy from the countless miles he had walked. He didn’t know where to go; he just wanted to go home—back to the warmth of Jeon’s family.

As a truck slowed down beside him, a middle-aged man leaned out of the window. "Where do you want to go, kid?" the man asked.

Jimin hesitated, feeling lost. "I want to go home," he murmured, unsure of whether he could trust this stranger.

"Where’s that?"

"It’s o-okay..." Jimin stammered, suddenly remembering Jungkook’s warning never to follow strangers. Panic flickered in his eyes, and he quickly began walking away from the truck. But the man wasn’t deterred.

"Hey, don't be afraid. I'll help you," he said gently. "I'm not a bad person."

Jimin stopped and turned back to face the man. He studied his face, trying to gauge his intentions. The man’s face didn’t seem threatening. His expression was soft, and the night was closing in—Jimin was scared to walk any further alone. After a moment’s hesitation, he climbed into the truck.

"Alright, buckle up," the man instructed as they pulled away from the curb. "By the way, you can call me Uncle Kang."

"I'm Jimin."

"So, where are we headed, Jimin?"

"Gijang," Jimin replied, giving the address of the only home he knew—the Jeon family’s house.

Uncle Kang glanced at Jimin, recognition dawning in his eyes. "Oh, the Jeon family home?" he asked, his voice kind.

Jimin’s heart swelled with hope. "Yes!" he beamed. If this man knew the Jeons, maybe everything would be okay.

Uncle Kang didn’t know the Jeons personally, but he had heard about them. The Jeons were a well-known and generous family, often involved in local charitable activities. They had a reputation for helping those in need, which explained why Uncle Kang was familiar with them.

The two continued to talk throughout the drive, Jimin feeling a small glimmer of hope for the first time in months. But when they finally reached the outskirts of Gijang, Uncle Kang pulled over.

"I'm sorry, Jimin," he said with a sigh. "I can’t take the truck any further. Trucks aren’t allowed in that area."

Jimin shook his head, understanding. "It’s okay, Uncle. I know the way from here. Thank you for helping me." He got out of the truck and waved as Uncle Kang drove off, the sound of the engine fading into the distance.

Now alone, Jimin felt excitement bubbling inside him. He was almost home. He broke into a run, laughing as he sang, "Kookie Hyung, I’m coming back! I’m coming home!"

But when he finally reached the familiar house, his steps faltered. The porch was dark, and not a single light was on inside. Only one small light flickered dimly on the balcony, casting long shadows across the yard. Jimin's excitement turned to confusion.

He rang the doorbell eagerly, pressing it again and again. No one answered.

"Kookie Hyung?" Jimin called softly. He knocked on the door, then pressed his ear against the wood, hoping to hear footsteps. But there was nothing but silence.

"Mom? Dad?" His voice cracked as he called out. He knocked again, weaker this time. His little hand, trembling, tapped the door.

With every passing minute, his heart sank deeper. His legs buckled under him, and he sat on the doorstep, hugging his knees. His breath came in shaky sobs. "Hyung, where are you?" he whispered. "I miss you."

As Jimin cried quietly in the dark, a familiar voice startled him. "What are you doing here?"

He looked up and saw Aunt Yura, the Jeons' longtime housekeeper, standing in front of him. Her face was a mix of shock and sorrow.

"Aunt Yura!" Jimin sobbed, stumbling to his feet and rushing into her arms.

"Oh, my dear boy," Aunt Yura murmured, hugging him tightly. "What are you doing here all alone?"

"Where’s Kookie Hyung? Why won't anyone open the door?" Jimin’s tears fell freely as he clung to her, his heart breaking with every word.

Aunt Yura’s face crumpled with sadness. "Jimin... they’ve moved."

Jimin pulled back, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Moved? Where? Can you take me to them?"

Aunt Yura knelt down to Jimin’s level, holding his face in her hands, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. "They moved far away, sweetheart. To the US."

"Where’s that? Is it far like Japan?" Jimin asked innocently, remembering their family vacation to Japan, the farthest place he'd ever been.

Aunt Yura nodded, her heart aching for the boy. "Yes, it’s even farther."

Jimin’s lips quivered. "Then can you call them and tell them I’m here? Please?" His voice was desperate, full of hope.

But Aunt Yura shook her head. "I’m sorry, Jimin... I can’t. They didn’t leave any contact details."

"They left me?" Jimin’s voice was barely a whisper now, the realization sinking in like a heavy weight on his chest.

"No, no, they love you, Jimin," Aunt Yura tried to reassure him, but Jimin shook his head violently.

"No!" he screamed, his voice thick with tears. "You're lying! They don’t love me. They left me here. Kookie Hyung promised he wouldn’t leave, but he did! They all left me!"

Jimin’s sobs echoed in the still night, each one ripping through Aunt Yura’s heart. She held him as tightly as she could, but nothing she said could soothe the boy’s broken heart.

That was the last time Jimin set foot in the Jeon mansion. The home that once brought him warmth and love now only held memories that haunted him. From that day forward, he tried to forget—to erase every memory of the family he had once loved so dearly.

But deep down, the scars remained, and the pain never truly left.