A Wish Upon a Star | Yeonbin ✓

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As Soobin fell back and laid on his bed, his eyes stayed glued on the box, thinking about his stepdad, and his step grandad who was more a stranger to him than even his stepdad.

Soobin remembered his step grandfather, he was a proud man who only just nodded in acknowledgment whenever the three boys said their hellos to him. Soobin remembered how he'd always be watching his grandsons, Soobin would be reading on a lawn chair beside him while the stepbrothers would be playing around with each other or with some of their many cousins.

"He never said anything, even when I was sitting right besides me. But... I know he used to peek at the cover of the books I read and sometimes nod in approval," Soobin thought as an ironic smile painted his face, maybe it would've been a good idea to befriend the old man, it was a shame how he never got to talk to him.

Soobin remembered hating it whenever they had to visit his stepdad's side of the family, he felt too much of an outcast. He remembered how as soon as he was 11 he'd stopped attending any and all family functions since his mum had finally given in to his pleas and agreed that he was now old enough to stay home alone. 10, back when he was 10, seven years ago, that was the last time he'd seen his step grandfather, Soobin wondered if he had unintentionally made the old man sad.

Even as a child, Soobin knew that the old man was somehow proud of him for reading such great classics at that young age. Soobin remembered how he'd asked the local librarian to recommend the most difficult book to him so that he could lug it to his aunt's home and show it to his step grandad... only for him to not be able to comprehend anything because it was too difficult of a book for a mere ten year old.

Soobin smiled to himself as he slowly approached the cardboard box, opening the flaps and peering in to see the same novel he hadn't been able to read when he was young. It was the same tiny book he had squinted at, trying to make meaning of the intricate words and delicate language on the pages while his step grandfather had watched, muffling a laugh.

Soobin slowly took the book in his hand and turned it around to read the back, it sounded a simple enough of a read now that he was seventeen. Soobin slowly opened the book, it was an old copy, the same version Soobin had picked from the library. As Soobin turned to the first page, a tear rolled down his cheek, there was a note from the old man. Soobin unfolded the piece of paper and read it, as the paper grew tearstained.

"To my grandson, Choi Soobin
From grandad.

It's a shame that you and I never formed the proper bond that is shared between one and his grandson, but nevertheless, I want you to know that you were the joy of my old age.

When my first grandson, your stepbrother, Taeho was born, he was the apple of my eye, but he grew up to be too similar to his father. Taewoo, he's my son and I love him, but he has made a lot of mistakes in his life and I can see that my first grandson too, will make similar mistakes in his life, which is a shame.

When my son, Taewoo married your mother, I did not expect much from your mother and neither from you, her son. I was not against the marriage because it was my son who was marrying your mother, not me after all; but I was not for it either. But when I saw that you, my grandson who wasn't even related to me, was such a joy of a boy, I was delighted; to know that my son has such a wonderful son of his own, put me at ease.

It saddens me greatly that having your family breaking up at such a young age put you through so much pain. Even as a young child, you carried too much sorrow in that little heart of yours.

Forgive your old grandad for noticing but failing to do anything to ease the hurt. I only wish you the best for your future and hope you will one day be able to let go of that the pain you carry with you.

You must've grown into a fine young man by now, it's a shame I couldn't see you even once more before my demise. I'll be watching on you and sending you blessings from here.

Wishing for your happiness,
Grandad."